Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria

Wanjala Muyoma Paul; Odokuma Lucky; Etela Ibisime; Ramkat Rose; Blessing Adanta Odogwu; Boadu Kwasi Opoku; Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria

Wanjala Muyoma Paul, Odokuma Lucky, Etela Ibisime, Ramkat Rose, Blessing Adanta Odogwu, Boadu Kwasi Opoku, Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph

Published in International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (Volume 6, Issue 2)

Received: 17 June 2021 Accepted: 29 June 2021 Published: 5 October 2021

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Abstract

Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal Concentration 50 (LC₅₀) was observed. Microbial communities and LC₅₀ values were determined using normal analytical procedures. The study showed various fertilizer types that altered soil microbial population and LC₅₀ values. For agricultural areas the maximum NPKB mean value was 0.70±0.76 ppm which was higher than the mean value of the control location of 0.23±0.00 ppm. Urea tolerant fungi’s (UREAF's) LC₅₀ mean value was 0.43±0.09 ppm in the agricultural area as compared to the control with a mean value of 0.46±0.00 ppm. Industrial and urban areas had significantly different mean values of 0.29 ± 0.19 ppm and 0.18±0.01 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.06 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.060.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.01 ppm respectively (p = 0.001). This research concluded that the application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in study area soils lowered the pH of soils in A1, A2 and A3 agricultural sites. Application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in soils of the study areas increased the population of microorganisms in threshold concentrations but was detrimental for NPK and UREA fertilizers at concentrations of 1.50% or above. Further findings showed that microorganisms were more tolerant of NPK and UREA fertilizers in agricultural areas compared to urban and industrial areas which showed higher LC₅₀ values. This research concludes that fertilizers used in the study areas were related to soil microorganisms developing tolerance to NPK and UREA. Farmers should observe application of the recommended professional quantities of fertilizers to ensure the sustenance of the soil ecosystem integrity.

Published in	International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (Volume 6, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
Page(s)	42-51
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Inorganic Fertilizers, Misuse, Impact, Soil Microbial Population, LC₅₀, Soil Ecosystem Integrity

References

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Wanjala Muyoma Paul, Odokuma Lucky, Etela Ibisime, Ramkat Rose, Blessing Adanta Odogwu, et al. (2021). Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria. International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 6(2), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

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ACS Style

Wanjala Muyoma Paul; Odokuma Lucky; Etela Ibisime; Ramkat Rose; Blessing Adanta Odogwu, et al. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria. Int. J. Biochem. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 2021, 6(2), 42-51. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

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Wanjala Muyoma Paul, Odokuma Lucky, Etela Ibisime, Ramkat Rose, Blessing Adanta Odogwu, et al. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria. Int J Biochem Biophys Mol Biol. 2021;6(2):42-51. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13,
  author = {Wanjala Muyoma Paul and Odokuma Lucky and Etela Ibisime and Ramkat Rose and Blessing Adanta Odogwu and Boadu Kwasi Opoku and Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph},
  title = {Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology},
  volume = {6},
  number = {2},
  pages = {42-51},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbbmb.20210602.13},
  abstract = {Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) was observed. Microbial communities and LC50 values were determined using normal analytical procedures. The study showed various fertilizer types that altered soil microbial population and LC50 values. For agricultural areas the maximum NPKB mean value was 0.70±0.76 ppm which was higher than the mean value of the control location of 0.23±0.00 ppm. Urea tolerant fungi’s (UREAF's) LC50 mean value was 0.43±0.09 ppm in the agricultural area as compared to the control with a mean value of 0.46±0.00 ppm. Industrial and urban areas had significantly different mean values of 0.29 ± 0.19 ppm and 0.18±0.01 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.06 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.060.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.01 ppm respectively (p = 0.001). This research concluded that the application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in study area soils lowered the pH of soils in A1, A2 and A3 agricultural sites. Application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in soils of the study areas increased the population of microorganisms in threshold concentrations but was detrimental for NPK and UREA fertilizers at concentrations of 1.50% or above. Further findings showed that microorganisms were more tolerant of NPK and UREA fertilizers in agricultural areas compared to urban and industrial areas which showed higher LC50 values. This research concludes that fertilizers used in the study areas were related to soil microorganisms developing tolerance to NPK and UREA. Farmers should observe application of the recommended professional quantities of fertilizers to ensure the sustenance of the soil ecosystem integrity.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria
AU  - Wanjala Muyoma Paul
AU  - Odokuma Lucky
AU  - Etela Ibisime
AU  - Ramkat Rose
AU  - Blessing Adanta Odogwu
AU  - Boadu Kwasi Opoku
AU  - Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph
Y1  - 2021/10/05
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
T2  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JF  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JO  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
SP  - 42
EP  - 51
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5862
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
AB  - Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) was observed. Microbial communities and LC50 values were determined using normal analytical procedures. The study showed various fertilizer types that altered soil microbial population and LC50 values. For agricultural areas the maximum NPKB mean value was 0.70±0.76 ppm which was higher than the mean value of the control location of 0.23±0.00 ppm. Urea tolerant fungi’s (UREAF's) LC50 mean value was 0.43±0.09 ppm in the agricultural area as compared to the control with a mean value of 0.46±0.00 ppm. Industrial and urban areas had significantly different mean values of 0.29 ± 0.19 ppm and 0.18±0.01 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.06 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.060.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.01 ppm respectively (p = 0.001). This research concluded that the application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in study area soils lowered the pH of soils in A1, A2 and A3 agricultural sites. Application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in soils of the study areas increased the population of microorganisms in threshold concentrations but was detrimental for NPK and UREA fertilizers at concentrations of 1.50% or above. Further findings showed that microorganisms were more tolerant of NPK and UREA fertilizers in agricultural areas compared to urban and industrial areas which showed higher LC50 values. This research concludes that fertilizers used in the study areas were related to soil microorganisms developing tolerance to NPK and UREA. Farmers should observe application of the recommended professional quantities of fertilizers to ensure the sustenance of the soil ecosystem integrity.
VL  - 6
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Wanjala Muyoma Paul

Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Odokuma Lucky

Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Etela Ibisime

Department of Animal Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Ramkat Rose

Centre of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textiles and Renewable Energy, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
Blessing Adanta Odogwu

Department of Plant Science and Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Boadu Kwasi Opoku

Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph

Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

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Wanjala Muyoma Paul, Odokuma Lucky, Etela Ibisime, Ramkat Rose, Blessing Adanta Odogwu, et al. (2021). Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria. International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 6(2), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

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ACS Style

Wanjala Muyoma Paul; Odokuma Lucky; Etela Ibisime; Ramkat Rose; Blessing Adanta Odogwu, et al. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria. Int. J. Biochem. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 2021, 6(2), 42-51. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

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AMA Style

Wanjala Muyoma Paul, Odokuma Lucky, Etela Ibisime, Ramkat Rose, Blessing Adanta Odogwu, et al. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria. Int J Biochem Biophys Mol Biol. 2021;6(2):42-51. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13,
  author = {Wanjala Muyoma Paul and Odokuma Lucky and Etela Ibisime and Ramkat Rose and Blessing Adanta Odogwu and Boadu Kwasi Opoku and Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph},
  title = {Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology},
  volume = {6},
  number = {2},
  pages = {42-51},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbbmb.20210602.13},
  abstract = {Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) was observed. Microbial communities and LC50 values were determined using normal analytical procedures. The study showed various fertilizer types that altered soil microbial population and LC50 values. For agricultural areas the maximum NPKB mean value was 0.70±0.76 ppm which was higher than the mean value of the control location of 0.23±0.00 ppm. Urea tolerant fungi’s (UREAF's) LC50 mean value was 0.43±0.09 ppm in the agricultural area as compared to the control with a mean value of 0.46±0.00 ppm. Industrial and urban areas had significantly different mean values of 0.29 ± 0.19 ppm and 0.18±0.01 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.06 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.060.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.01 ppm respectively (p = 0.001). This research concluded that the application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in study area soils lowered the pH of soils in A1, A2 and A3 agricultural sites. Application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in soils of the study areas increased the population of microorganisms in threshold concentrations but was detrimental for NPK and UREA fertilizers at concentrations of 1.50% or above. Further findings showed that microorganisms were more tolerant of NPK and UREA fertilizers in agricultural areas compared to urban and industrial areas which showed higher LC50 values. This research concludes that fertilizers used in the study areas were related to soil microorganisms developing tolerance to NPK and UREA. Farmers should observe application of the recommended professional quantities of fertilizers to ensure the sustenance of the soil ecosystem integrity.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria
AU  - Wanjala Muyoma Paul
AU  - Odokuma Lucky
AU  - Etela Ibisime
AU  - Ramkat Rose
AU  - Blessing Adanta Odogwu
AU  - Boadu Kwasi Opoku
AU  - Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph
Y1  - 2021/10/05
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
T2  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JF  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JO  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
SP  - 42
EP  - 51
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5862
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20210602.13
AB  - Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) was observed. Microbial communities and LC50 values were determined using normal analytical procedures. The study showed various fertilizer types that altered soil microbial population and LC50 values. For agricultural areas the maximum NPKB mean value was 0.70±0.76 ppm which was higher than the mean value of the control location of 0.23±0.00 ppm. Urea tolerant fungi’s (UREAF's) LC50 mean value was 0.43±0.09 ppm in the agricultural area as compared to the control with a mean value of 0.46±0.00 ppm. Industrial and urban areas had significantly different mean values of 0.29 ± 0.19 ppm and 0.18±0.01 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.06 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.060.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.01 ppm respectively (p = 0.001). This research concluded that the application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in study area soils lowered the pH of soils in A1, A2 and A3 agricultural sites. Application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in soils of the study areas increased the population of microorganisms in threshold concentrations but was detrimental for NPK and UREA fertilizers at concentrations of 1.50% or above. Further findings showed that microorganisms were more tolerant of NPK and UREA fertilizers in agricultural areas compared to urban and industrial areas which showed higher LC50 values. This research concludes that fertilizers used in the study areas were related to soil microorganisms developing tolerance to NPK and UREA. Farmers should observe application of the recommended professional quantities of fertilizers to ensure the sustenance of the soil ecosystem integrity.
VL  - 6
IS  - 2
ER  -

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