Effects of carbide waste-amended soil on germination and early seedling growth of Irvingia wombolu var. vermoesen (Bush mango)
Authors
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Oghenekevwe Abigail Ohwo
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6449-6197
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Kesiena Tina Ogeh
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9824-1070
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Patience Ndidi Emilimor
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9077-2513
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Ehimwenma Odiase
Business School, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom.
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4223-247X
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Ighoyivwi Onakpoma
Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1076-5862
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Dickens Efemena Dolor
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5150-9251
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18488/jof.v13i1.4755Abstract
Carbide waste perceived as harmful to the environment is used in soil liming to minimize high soil acidity, which is responsible for low crop productivity. Irvingia wombulu remains a high-value and widely used tropical African tree species. The germination and seedling growth of Irvingia wombulu in soils amended with carbide waste were assessed. Polypots measuring 30 cm in height and 24 cm in diameter, filled with 10 kg of soil mixed with carbide waste powder at rates of 0, 35.2, 70.4, 105.6, and 140.8 g kg-1, were used in germination trials of 450 I. wombulu seeds, arranged in a completely randomized design. Growth data, including plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and germination percentage, were recorded over 16 weeks. The ANOVA analysis showed significant differences, with means separated using standard error of the means (SEM). Germination percentage, leaf area, and stem girth were unaffected (p > 0.05) by carbide application. Seedling height ranged from 32 cm in the control to 37.8 cm in soils amended with 140.8 g kg-1 carbide. The study suggests that carbide waste inclusion is not detrimental to I. wombulu germination. Carbide waste is recommended as an appropriate nursery amendment material at approximately 40.8 g kg-1 for improved performance of I. wombulu seedlings in nurseries.
