IMPACT OF PULVERIZATION ON NUTRIENTS STATUS OF SOME SELECTED FOLIAR MATERIALS BEFORE AND AFTER COMPOSTING IN SEMI ARID ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of pulverization on the nutrient status of selected foliar materials before and after composting in Maiduguri, Nigeria.Leaf litters from Khaya senegalensis, Gmelina arborea, Syzygium cumini, and Ziziphus spina-christi were collected, sundried, and pulverized using a motorized disc refiner.The pulverized materials were labeled M1-M4 and analyzed for macro (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micro (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe) nutrients before composting.Each 2kg sample was buried for 30, 60, and 90 days at 0cm, 45cm, 60cm, and 75cm depths for composting.Post-composting nutrient analyses were then conducted.Results revealed statistically significant (P 0.05) increases in macro nutrients especially nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) after composting, particularly at varying depths.At 0cm, N, P, Mg, and Zn showed significant changes.At 45cm, N, P, Ca, and Mg were significantly affected.At 60cm, significant differences were observed in N, Ca, and Mg.At 75cm, significant differences occurred in N, P, K, Mg, and Cu.Micro nutrients such as Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu generally exhibited less variation before and after-composting.The findings suggest that pulverization enhances nutrient availability in compost, particularly for macro nutrients, supporting its use in improving soil fertility in semi-arid environments.Therefore, pulverizing foliar materials from the selected tree species before composting is recommended to optimize nutrient release for seedling production and sustainable-land-management.