May 2010

The utilization of wood ash as manure to reduce the use of mineral fertilizer for improved performance of maize (Zea mays L.) as measured in the chlorophyll content and grain yield

The increasingly high cost of mineral fertilizers and a preferred economic disposal of wood ash had necessitated a research in the use of wood ash to reduce the rate of fertilizer application for maize production. The comparative effects of wood ash and NPK 15-15-15 on maize were investigated in Akure (7015’N, 5015’E), Nigeria in 2008. The four treatments investigated were 4 t/ha wood ash, 300 kg/ha NPK...

Author(s): F. O. Adekayode and M. R. Olojugba

May 2010

Chicken manure-enhanced soil fertility and productivity: Effects of application rates

The utilization of chicken manure as an organic fertilizer is essential in improving soil productivity and crop production. We carried out the study to assess the effects of chicken manure on soil chemical properties and the response of application rate on the yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) as well as the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. To quantify these effects, we added chicken manure to samples of...

Author(s): Oagile Dikinya and Namasiku Mufwanzala

May 2010

Optimization of key parameters for chromium (VI) removal from aqueous solutions using activated charcoal

Commercial activated charcoal was investigated for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The effects of altering the initial Cr(VI) concentration, pH, contact time and amount of activated charcoal were studied. Maximum adsorption of Cr(VI) was achieved between pH 1 - 3 and after a contact time of 120 min. The percentage of Cr(VI) removed decreased from 99.99 - 90.83% when the initial Cr(VI) concentration was...

Author(s): M. Seyf-laye Alfa-Sika, Fei Liu and Honghan Chen