Abstract

The application of wastewater from fish pond can help boost soil productivity and plant growth. In this study, the effect of irrigation using different type of fish pond wastewaters on soil chemistry and weight parameters of Zea mays is assessed. The wastewaters showed acidic values of pH (6.5 to 6.8) and higher values of temperature (27.4 - 30.5 0C), electrical conductivity (357.3 - 531.3 μs/cm), total dissolved solids (225.3 - 317.9 mg/l) and inorganic element/ compounds (except available phosphorus) compared to the neural borehole water. The wastewater-receiving soils showed ranges of pH, 6.3 – 6.6; temperature, 27.0 – 28.5 0C, electrical conductivity, 14.01 – 18.0 μs/cm and total dissolved solids, 27.8 – 35.9 mg/g. The amount of all the investigated inorganic elements was found to be higher in wastewater-receiving soil with that from concrete pond having the highest concentration of phosphorus (6.9 mg kg-1), organic carbon (3.4 mg kg-1) and potassium (1.9 mg kg-1), while that of earthen pond showed the highest value of nitrogen (1.9 mg kg-1). The crop irrigated with wastewater from the concrete pond showed significant (P < 0.05) highest fresh weight value (12.39±0.10 kg) while the highest chlorophyll concentration was obtained in Z. mays irrigated with wastewater from the tarpaulin pond with the value of 0.59 mg g-1. The irrigation of Z. mays with fish pond wastewaters especially that of concrete pond is therefore recommended.