THE EFFECTS OF AMENDED MOLASSES WASTEWATER ON THE GROWTH PROGRESS, NUTRITION AND YIELD OF Capsicuum annuum ON ACIDIC SOILS OF KENYA

Abstract

Little research work has been done especially on increasing effects of soil acidity on crop production due to long periods of chemical fertilizer use in North Rift region especially Uasin Gishu and Nandi Counties. Moreover, very little published data on fertilizer requirements is available to the farmers.The wastewater produced by Muhoroni Agro-Chemicals Company is 1.2 litres a day and is causing environmental pollution in the area thus requiring a safer way of disposal. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted for two seasons at the two different locations that is Kaiboi in Nandi County and University of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu to study the effects of the amended molasses waste water fertilizer on the growth, nutrition and yields of Capsicuum annum.The seeds of the crop were obtained from the Kenya Seed company distributer in Eldoret. The crop was chosen because it has certified seeds in the market; the cultivar produces harvestable fruits within a measureable time and is sensitive to acidic soils. The wastewater was obtained from Muhoroni Agro-chemicals and Food Company, while biogas effluent was from University of Eldoret and were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, colorimetry and flame photometer for anions such as phosphates,nitrate and cations such as Na+,K+,Mg2+,Ca2+,Fe3+,Zu2+,Cu2+,including heavy metals such as Cd2+,Pb2+ and Cr3+.Lime was obtained from Koru, Kisumu County is 49% CaO.Soil samples taken during cropping seasons were used to determine soil chemical properties changes .Ascorbic acid was determined by redox titration while solubility was done by electrical conductivity .The soil pH had 1.51 units increase in the greenhouse experiments while the field experiments change was 0.94 units for biogas effluent, lime and wastewater treatment. Also, organic carbon, Olsen Phosphorous and extractable calcium increased in all treatments except DAP which showed remarkable decrease in pH of 0.48 units.Economic analysis of treatments showed waste water, biogas efficient and lime treatment with the highest yields of 18.998 tonnes per hectare and net profit of about US$ 2,700 per hectare.Two way analysis of variance indicated that treatment effects were significant but season (season I and II) in location effects (green house or field) was not significant.The studyrecommends land use of waste water as fertilizer for economic agricultural production and reversal of increasing soil acidity.