Physical and Chemical Assessment of Agricultural Plant Residues from some farming systems for their sustainable utilisation. Njukeng Jetro Nkengafac, Sylvia Kratz, Ewald Schnug
Abstract
Njukeng Jetro Nkengafac, Sylvia Kratz, Ewald Schnug
Agricultural residues, in general are parts of the plants left in the field after crops have been harvested or leaves that fall off as they age. Due to farming activities, large amounts of organic residues are generated daily. An adequate use of these residues in agricultural activities requires the characterization of their main properties. The chemical and physical characterization is important when planning the use and management of agricultural residues. In this study, chemical and physical properties of cocoa pod husk, senescent cocoa leaves, fresh and decaying banana pseudostem, fresh palm fronds, palm empty fruit bunches, palm male inflorescence and senescent rubber leaves were determined. The moisture content, pH, and total concentrations of P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B as well as available levels of P, K and Mg were analysed. The available levels of P, K and Mg ranged between 0.03 and 0.39%, 0.47 and 8.81% and 0.04 and 0.20% respectively. The total levels of Ca, K, Mg and P respectively ranged between 0.16 – 2.47%, 0.50 – 10.32%, 0.16 – 0.95% and 0.07 – 0.51%. The B, Cu, Fe, Mn, S and Zn concentrations ranged respectively between 10.73 – 43.67 mg/kg, 9.07 – 61.13mg/kg, 100.67 – 1828.67mg/kg, 46.23 – 1717.33mg/kg, 1016.67 – 1800.67mg/kg and 28.57 – 422.00mg/kg. The properties of these residues varied significantly and their uses will equally be different.
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