Effect of Processed Feather Waste as Mulch on Crop Growth and Soil Fertilization

Management of waste feathers in Nigeria is of public health concern due to large quantities generated daily from poultry industries and slow degradation in soil. Information on processing waste feathers for enhancing crop growth has not been well documented, particularly in Nigeria. This study assessed the effect of processed waste feathers on crop growth and soil fertilization in order to provide a cheap and sustainable source of organic fertilizer for use.
The study design was experimental and laboratory based, using maize as test crop. Waste chicken feathers were washed, air-dried, ground into bits, and analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents. Eighty grams feather-bits were mixed with 27 g of glycerol plasticiser at 65°C to obtain a paste and then pressed for ten minutes into flattened organic mulch. Eight 14 cm-diameter pots of 1.5 liters capacity were obtained and divided into two groups (A and B) of four replicates each in a completely randomized design. Maize seeds were planted in 1 kg sieved soil in the pots. Surfaces of the soil in the experimental group B was covered with feather mulch while control group A was without mulch. All pots were sprinkled with water daily to water holding capacity. Length of leaves and shoots of crop were measured at intervals for 28 days using flexible measuring tape. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and student t-test.
About 4980 kg of feathers are generated daily from 30000 chickens from two industries (0.166 kg or 8.52% by mass per chicken). Feathers contained 14.1% nitrogen, 0.2% phosphorus and 0.6% potassium. Mean length of shoots in group B (mulched) showed significant increase (P= 0.01) on day 8 at 3.3±0.1cm against 3.1±0.1cm for control group A, while mean length of maize leaves showed significant increase (P= 0.05) on day 20 at 27.8±2.2 cm over control at 25.6±1.6 cm. The mulch increased growth of maize shoot and leaves significantly by 6.5% and 8.6% respectively.
It is concluded that organic mulch made from processed waste feathers was effective on crop growth and soil fertilization and it can be a useful strategy for poultry waste management.