Evaluation of Soil and Nutrient Characteristics of Gongronema latifolium Benth Near Palm Oil Mill Sites in Ogoja, Nigeria
Keywords:
Palm oil mill, Soil nutrients, Gongronema latifolium, Organic amendment, Cross River StateAbstract
Gongronema latifolium, a tropical rainforest plant usually used as spice and vegetable as well as a medicinal specie is often cultivated in gardens near palm oil mill sites. The study area is a region characterized by excessive production of organic waste that serve as alternate form of fertilizer, which could be used as soil conditioner to improve soil properties and increase crop yields. This study was conducted to examine the response of the test crop mineral nutrient contents to extreme palm oil mill waste as well as the effects of such condition on the chemical properties of experimental soil. Soil samples (0-20cm depth) and leaf samples of G. latifolium were collected from three (3) sampling locations (P0-control, P1, and P2) in the study area, and analysed for chemical characteristics and nutrient contents, respectively, using standard procedures. The results of this study showed that soil pH significantly decreased (P < 0.05) with increase in distance from the palm oil mill site. The pH values of the experimental soil near the palm oil mill site were relatively alkaline with pH values of 7.40 and 7.20 at P1 and P2, compared to the value of 5.30 recorded at the control. The organic matter, potassium and sodium contents at P1 and P2 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative to the control. The values for Effective Cation Exchange Capacity and electrical conductivity at P1 and P2 were comparatively (P < 0.05) higher than that of the control. Conversely, the calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, copper and zinc contents of the control treatment were higher than those of P1 and P2 sampling locations. The contents of potassium (P1-14.32mg/100g, P2-14.10 mg/100g), calcium (P1-23.72mg/100g, P2-22.56mg/100g), magnesium (6.70 mg/100g, P2- 6.38mg/100g) and sodium (11.40mg/100g, P2-11.21mg/100g) in leaves of G. latifolium increased significantly (P < 0.05) at P1 and P2 sampling locations relative to the control. This study showed increased levels of K, Ca, Mg, and Na in soil and plant tissues in soils treated with palm bunch waste, suggesting beneficial impacts on growth and productivity of G. latifolium. This study recommends the use of locally available bio-wastes such as palm oil bunch waste as a sustainable option for soil conservation and improvement in soil fertility in local communities.
References
Adu, M.O., Atia, K., Arthur, E. et al. (2022). The use of oil palm empty fruit bunches as a soil amendmentto improve growth and yield of crops. A meta-analysis. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 42, 13 https://doi.org-/10.1007/s13593-022-00753-z
Agriscape, 2007: http:// forum. Agriscape.-com/thread/1720015/1.
Ahaiwe, M.O. (2008). Field performance palm bunch ash on ginger growth in a humid environment. Journal of Agric. and social Research. 8 (2),1595-7470.
Ahmad, A.L., Chan, C.Y., Abd-Shukor, S.R. & Mashitah, M.D. (2008). Recovery of oil and carotenes from palm oil mill effluent (POME). Chem. Eng. Journ. 141, 383 - 386.
Ahmad Dani, M.S. (2018). An evaluation of empty fruit bunch (EFB) bio-char and EFB compost as growing media for oil palm seedling. Dissertation, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology.
Akata, O. R. (2015). Influence of organic fertilizers on soil fertility, weed dynamics and performances of cassava variety in Uyo. Akwa Ibom State. Unpublished thesis of department of crop science, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ano, A. O., Odoemelam, S. A. & Ekwueme, P. O. (2007). Lead and cadmium levels in soils and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) along Enugu-Port Harcourt express way in Nigeria. Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 6(5), 2024 - 031.
Awodun, M. A., Ojeniyi, S. O., Adeboye, A. & Odedina, S. A. (2007)."Effect of Oil Palm Bunch Refuse Ash on Soil and Plant Nutrient Composition and Yield of Maize", American- Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 1(1), 50-54.
Bhatt, M. K., Labanya, R. & Joshi, H. C. (2019). Influence of long-term chemical fertilizers and organic manures on soil fertility-A review. Universal J. Agric. Res. 7(5),177–188.
Busari, M.A., Salako, F.K., Adetunji, M.T. & Bello, N.J. (2009). Effect of selected amendments on physical properties of an alfisol in Abeokuta southwestern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science. 19, 93-100.
Carron, M. P., Pierrat, M., Snoeck, D., Villenave, C., Ribeyre, F., Suhardi, M. R. & Caliman, J. P. (2015). Temporal variability in soil quality after organic residue application in mature oil palm plantations. Soil Res. 53:205–215. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR1-4249
Donn, S., Wheatley, R. E., McKenzie, B. M., Loades, K. W. & Hallett, P. D. (2014). Improved soil fertility from compost amendment increases root growth and reinforcement of surface soil on slope. Ecol. Eng. 71, 458-465.
Etukudo, M. M., Nwaukwu, I. A. & Habila, S. (2011). The Effect of Sawdust and Goat Dung Supplements on Growth and Yield of Okro (Abelmoschus esculentus) (L. Moench) in diesel Oil Contaminated Soil. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 3(2), 92 - 98.
Etukudo, M. M., Udo, J. I. & Eze, U. P. (2016). Growth Indices of Telfairia occidentalis Hook in Diesel Oil Contaminated Soil and Amerioration Treatment using Compost of Centrosema Pubescens Benth. European International Journal of Science and Technology, 5(6), 119-126.
Etukudo, M.M., Udo, Joseph I. & Okereke, I. J. (2014). Germination and Growth Studies of Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench in Palm Bunch Extract of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Supplemented Medium. IOSR: Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology. 8(12 Ver. III), 45 – 48.
Gbosidom, V.L. and Teme, S.C. (2015). The use of Oil Palm Bunch Ash for amelioration of Crude Oil Polluted Soils. J. Nat. Sci. Res. 5: (10), 20 - 24.
Goss, M. J., Tubeileh, A. & Goorahoo, D. (2013). A review of the use of organic amendments and the risk to Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils, Rome, Italy.
Hau, L. J., Shamsuddin, R., May, A. K. A., Saenong, A., Lazim, A.M., Narasimha, M. & Low, A. (2020). Mixed composting of palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) with various organics: an analysis on final macronutrient content and physical properties. Waste Biomass Valorization. 11, 5539-5548, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12-649-020-00993-8.
Ikpe, F. N., Owoeye, L. G. & Gichuru, M. P. (2003). Nutrient recycling potential of Tephrosia candida in cropping systems of Southeastern Nigeria. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 67, 129-136.
Juo, A. S. R. (1979). Selected methods for soil and plant analysis. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria.
Kaniapan, S., Hassan, S., Ya, H., Patma Nesan, K. & Azeem, M. (2021). The utilisation of palm oil and oil palm residues and the related challenges as a sustainable alternative in biofuel, bioenergy, and transportation sector: A review. Sustainability, 13, 3110, https://doi.org/-10.3390/su13063110.
Kassim, M.A., Bakar, N.A., Kheang, L.S. & Aziz, A. (2011). Influence of solid loading concentration, inoculums size and nitrogen sources on ethanol production from empty fruit bunches (EFB) hydrolysate in separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). Res. J. Appl. Sci. 6, 310–319, https://doi.org/10.3923/rjasci.2011.310.319.
Kheang, L.S., Subramaniam, V. & Ngatiman, M. (2012). Oil Palm Biomass Energy Resource Data. Malaysia Palm Oil Board, Bangi.
Lim, B., 2000. The New Straits Times. Thursday, December 28, 2000.
Minasny, B., Hong, S. Y., Hartemink, A. E., Kim, Y. H. & Kang, S. S. (2016). "Soil pH Increase under Paddy in South Korea between 2000 and 2012," Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 221, 205–213.
Morebise, O., Fafunso, M.A., Makinde, J.M., Olajide, O.A. & Awe, E.O. (2002). Antiinflamatory property of the leaves of Gongronema latifolium. Phytother Res. 16(s1), S75–S77.
Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (2025). Overview of Cross River State. https://www.nigerdeltabudget.org/overview-of-cross-river/
Nnah, M. B., Ikpe, F. N., Osakwe, J. A. & Mbonu, O. A. (2010). “Influence of Oil Palm Bunch in South Korea between 2000 and 2012,” Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 221, 205–213.
Nwoko, C. O., Ogunyemi, S., Nkwocha, E.E. & Nnorom, I. C. (2010). Evaluation of phytotoxicity effect of palm oil mill effluent and cassava mill effluent on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) after pretreatment options. Intl. J. Environ. Sci. Dev. 1, 67 – 72.
Obi, 1. U. (2002). Statistical methods of detecting differences between treatment means and research methodology issues in laboratory and field experiments. Nigeria, AP Express Publishers Limited.
Odiete, I., Chude, V. O., Ojeniyi, S. O., Okozi, A. A. & Hussaini, G. M. (2005). Response of Refuse Ash and Urea on Physico-chemical properties and okra yield in South-eastern Nigeria”. Acta Agronomica Nigeriana. 10 (2), 117 - 124.
Ogbuehi, H.C. (2016). Potential of Palm Bunch Ash Application on the Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.). Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Health Science, 5(1),12-19.
Oguntoyinbo, O. F. (1990). Effectiveness of some liming materials in Nigeria as ameliorant of soil acidity. Ife journal Agric. Sci. 2,10 – 15.
Ojeniyi, S.O., Ezekiel, P.O., Asawalam, D.O., Awo, A.O., Odedina, S.A. & Odedina, J. N. (2009). “Root growth and NPK status of cassava as Influenced by oil palm bunch ash,” African Journal of Biotechnology. 8(18), 4407–441.
Onunka, N. A. (2005). The Effect of time of Application of Poultry Manure on the performance of Thread Varieties of Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) LAM) in An Ultisol of South – East Nigeria. Nigeria. Annual Report 2005, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike PP. 51 – 55.
Onwugbuta-Enyi, J. A. & Kpekot, K. A. (2018). Mitigating Plant-Nutrient Stress using Oil Palm Bunch Ash as soil Amendment. The International Journal of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Science Education. 3(1&2), 53-55.
Onyia, C. O., Uyub, A.M., Akunna, J.C., Norulaini, N.A. & Omar, A.K.M. (2001). Increasing the fertilizer value of palm oil mill sludge: Bioaugmentation in nitrification. Water Sci. Technol. 44(10), 157 - 162.
Osu, S. R., Ndaeyo, N. U. & Udofia, G. E. (2020). Effect of Soil Amendments on Leaf Pigmentation and N2 status in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Grown in Crude Oil Contaminated soil. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. 24(12): 2133-2119.
Osu, S. R., Udofia, G. E. & Ndaeyo, N. U. (2022). Improving Crude Oil Contaminated Soil with Organic Amend-ments: Effect of Oil Palm Bunch Ash and Dried Poultry Litters on Soil Properties and Cassava Growth and Yields. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 26 (10), 1647-1656.
Osubor, C. C. & Oikeh, E. I. (2013). Impact of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Some Vegetative Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plant. Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology. 13, 1 &2, 19-22.
Paridah, M. T., Ang, A. F., Zaidon, A., Seng, H. L. & Syeed, S. O. A. (2022). Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch as a Potential Feedstock for Composting. Letters in Applied Nano Science. 11(4), 3961 – 3974.
Peterson, L. (2002). Analytical method of soil, water, plant material fertilizers (eds.). Soil resources management and analytical services. Soil Resources Development Institute. Danida. pp. 5-16.
Rickson, R.J., Deeks, L.K. & Graves, A. (2015). Input constraints to food production: the impact of soil degradation. Food Secur. 7:351–364.https://doi.org/10.1007/s125-71-015-0437-x
Rupani, P.F., Singh, R.P., Ibrahim, M.H. & Esa, N. (2010). Review of current palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment methods: Vermicomposting as a sustainable practice. World Appl. Sci. J. 11(1), 70 - 81.
Samadhi, T. W., Wulandari, W. & Tirtabudi, K. R. (2020). Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Ash Volarization through Potassium Extraction. IOP Conf. Ser.: Material Science and Engineering. 823-012035.
Sayara, T., Basheer-Salimia, R., Hawamde, F. & Sánchez, A. (2020). Recycling of organic wastes through composting: Process performance and compost application in agriculture. Agronomy. 10, 1838, https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111838.
Scotti, R. D., Ascoli, R., Bonanomi, G., Caceres, M. G., Sultana, S., Cozzolino, L., Scelza, R., Zoina, A. & Rao, M. A. (2015). Combined use of compost and wood scraps to increase carbon stock and improve soil quality in intensive farming systems. Eur. J. Soil Sci. doi:10.1111/ejss.12248.
Sheoran S., Devraj R. A. & Mor V. (2022). Effect of long-term use of manures and fertilizers on soluble salts in soil and mineral composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Annals Plant Soil Res. 24(2), 245–249.
Singh, M. (2021). Organic farming for sustainable agriculture. Indian J. Org. Farming. 1(1):1 – 8.
Tadesse, T., Haque, I. & Aduayi, E. A. (1991). Paper written paper soil, plant, water, fertilizer, animal manure & compost analysis manual. Plant sciences division working document no. B13. International livestock centre for Africa (ILCA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8, pp. 99-117.
Tan, K. H. (1996). Soil Sampling, Preparation and Analysis. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York City, 123 - 126.
Then, K.H., Sarmidi, M.R., Alwee, S.S.S.R. & Zakaria, Z.A. (2016). Recycling of oil palm empty fruit bunch as potential carrier for biofertilizer formulation. Jurnal Teknologi. 78, 165 - 170, https://doi.org/10.11113-/jt.v78.7375.
Ugochukwu, N. H. & Babady, N. E. (2002). Antioxidant effects of Gongronema latifolium in hepatocytes of rat models of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Fitoterapia.73(7-8), 612 - 8.
Ugochukwu, N. H. & Babady, N. E. (2003). Antihyperglycaemic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Gongronema latifolium leaves on glucose and glycogen metabolism in livers of normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Life Science. 73(150), 1925-1938).
Ugochukwu, N. H., Babady, N. E., Cobourne, M. & Gasset, S. R. (2003). The effect of Gongronema latifolium extracts on serum lipid profile and oxidative stress in hepatocytes of diabetic rats. J. Biosci. 28(1), 1- 5.
Wang, Y., Zhu, Y., Zhang, S. & Wang, Y. (2018). What could promote farmers to replace chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers? J. Clean. Prod. 199,882–890.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Researchers Journal of Science and Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
