In the rice production communities of Cross River State, as elsewhere in
Nigeria, rice husks are usually disposed of by depositing and burning the
heaps to ashes. The ashes, here referred to as rice husk ash (RHA) have
been used in traditional crop manuring and protection practices. It has been
reported (Ratna et al. 1996) that carbonized rice husk may protect the plant
from nematode damage and increase soil pH and soil microbial activity.
Despite the foregoing, the use of RHA has not received considerable
attention. Therefore, there is need for some studies of the nature and quality
of this organic material (a secondary by-product of the rice processing mills
in Nigeria) for its proper use and management. Omaliko and Agbim (1983)
had earlier established that the use of rice mill wastes, including RHA, in agricultural
production would, among other benefits, eliminate waste disposal
problem without creating environmental hazard.
834 P. B. Okon, J. S. Ogeh, and U. C. Amala
The main objectives of the present investigations were to evaluate the
effects of RHA and phosphorus (P) on okra yield and some chemical properties
of “Acid Sands” soils of southeastern Nigeria and their potentials as soil
conditioners for crop production