The effects of application of poultry manure to crude oil polluted soils on maize (Zea mays) growth and soil properties

An investigation of the effects of application of poultry manure to crude oil polluted soils on the growth of maize and soil properties was carried out under natural conditions at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. Potted maize plants were treated to crude oil pollution at four different levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 mL) and amended with poultry manure at four rates of application (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha(-1)) two weeks after pollution. Results obtained showed that percent survival rate, plant height and dry matter yield decreased with increase in crude oil contamination. For example % seed germination decreased from 93 to 0% as crude oil increased from 0 to 75 mL without poultry manure application while plant height decreased from 97 to 20 cm. However when amended with poultry manure, statistical analysis showed that the highest rate of crude oil application (75 mL) and the 150 kg ha(-1) rate poultry manure application affected maize growth, dry matter yield and soil properties significantly. For example at the 75 mL crude oil application, plant height increased from 20 to 149 cm as level of manure applied increased from 0 to 150 kg ha(-1) while dry matter yield increased from 27 to 58 g.