The effects of hair dressing effluent irrigation on soil chemical properties, germination and growth in maize ( Zea mays L.) and cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp)

The effects of hair dressing effluent on soil chemical properties, germination and growth of maize and cowpea were investigated in pot experiment. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design of 3 effluent treatments (100 ml, 200 ml and 400 ml) and control with 5 replications at University of Port Harcourt Centre for Ecological Studies. Results showed that pH ranged between 6.8±0.2 – 7.5±0.4 for both control and treatments, total organic carbon (TOC) increased from 1.56±0.4% in control to 1.95±0.09 - 2.55±0.05% in treatments. Oil and grease increased from 24.20±2.64 ppm in control to 48.70±4.10 - 129.80±3.00 ppm in treatments. Germination percentage were 98% and 48% in control for maize and cowpea respectively and ranged between 84 – 88% and 12 – 32% in treatments for maize and cowpea respectively. Shoot lengths were 27.6±5.8 cm and 20.4±1.4 cm in control for maize and cowpea respectively and ranged between 29.1±4.1 – 32.2±1.0 cm and 18.5±1.7 – 19.8±7.8 cm in treatments for maize and cowpea respectively. Fresh weights were 100.4±7.5 g and 52.3±8.7 g in control for maize and cowpea respectively while it ranged between 97.8±2.9 g – 111.0±6.4 g and 42.0±5.1 – 58.2±4.0 g in treatments for maize and cowpea respectively. In conclusion, hair dressing effluent had no effect on soil pH but increased soil TOC and O & G. It had no effect on germination percentage of maize but reduced it in cowpea and no significant effects on shoot length and biomass accumulation of the test crops. Keywords: Effluent; Soil; Maize; Cowpea; Growth, irrigation