Brewery sludge application rate and type influence maize (Zea mays L.) yield and soil chemical properties on acidic Nitisols of southwestern
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/star.V15.i3.02Keywords:
Brewery sludge, maize productivity, organic fertilizer, , waste recycling, waste recycling, kieselguhr, soil fertilityAbstract
A nutrient-rich organic byproduct, brewery sludge, may offset growing fertilizer costs and industrial waste management. This study examined the impact of brewery sludge application rates (0-12 t ha⁻¹) and type (with or without kieselguhr) on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, yield, and soil parameters. A RBCD field experiment with three replications compared the effects of sludge treatments, including a control and recommended NPS fertilizer, on maize production. The study found that applying brewery sludge significantly (p < 0.05) affected crop phenology, growth metrics, yield components, and yields. The application of 12 t ha⁻¹ of sludge with kieselguhr resulted in a 151% increase in green cob production (31,008 kg ha⁻¹) compared to the control (12,294 kg ha⁻¹) and an 8.8% increase over the recommended NPS (29,464 kg ha-1 Kieselguhr-containing sludge consistently outperformed its non-kieselguhr counterpart in yield. Finally, sludge enhanced pH (5.45 to 5.58), organic carbon (4.34% to 4.98%), and accessible phosphorus in post-harvest soil. Application of 12 t ha⁻¹ of brewery sludge is recommended as an alternative to organic fertilizer in the study region and related agro-ecological zones, since it addresses waste management and soil fertility constraints.
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Accepted 2026-09-30
Published 2026-09-30
