ABSTRACT

The microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of soil receiving palm oil processing waste (POPW) in Abraka were investigated. The effect of palm oil processing waste was tested on loamy, sandy and clay soils. The pour plate technique was used for the isolation of the organisms. The total mean bacterial count ranged from 0.91±0.03log10CFU/g to 6.13±0.06log10CFU/g for loamy soil, 0.90±0.02log10CFU/g to 6.09±0.02log10CFU/g for sandy and 0.72±0.04 to 6.0±0.02log10CFU/g for clay soil. The total fungal mean count ranged from 0.63±0.10/log10CFU to 4.03±0.03log10CFU/g for loamy soil, 0.60 ± 0.06 to 3.60± 0.10log10CFU/g for sandy soil and 0.49±0.03 to 3.53±0.021log10CFU/g for clay soil. Results of the physiochemical analysis showed that pH recorded for loamy, sandy and clay soils, with initial values, 7.4, 7.3 and 6.8, to 6.8, 5.8 and 6.2 respectively. The nitrate level increased from 330.22 to 513.40, 312.08 to 602.44 and 208.16 to 612.46 (mg/kg) for loamy, sandy and clay soils respectively. Then, phosphate also increased as follows, 0.524 to 1.141, 0.232 to 0.482 and 0.743 to 1.64(mg/kg) for loamy, sandy and clay soils respectively, while, the sulfate level also increased during the 8 weeks  period from 13.14 to 21.16, 11.24 to 20.00 and 12.68 to 18.22(mg/kg) for loamy, sandy and clay soils respectively. The results showed that palm oil processing waste had an affect on  soil with loamy soil showing a higher efficiency in adjusting to this changes, which can however be utilized by farmers for agricultural productivity.