Formulation and Characterization of Compost Tea Manure for Production of Guinea Corn (Sorghum bicolor)

Abdulrazaq Mohammed

Abstract


Compost tea is a liquid biofertilizer derived from the aqueous extraction of composted organic materials and enriched with beneficial microorganisms and plant nutrients. This study formulated and characterized compost tea using locally available organic wastes and assessed its influence on the growth and yield of Sorghum bicolor (guinea corn) under field conditions at the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Nigeria. The compost was prepared from cow dung, poultry litter, and crop residues and brewed under aerated conditions for 14 days. The compost tea was analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, macronutrients, and microbial load, and subsequently applied at varying concentrations to guinea corn plots. Results showed that compost tea contained adequate levels of nitrogen (1.42%), phosphorus (0.75%), and potassium (2.31%), with beneficial microbial populations exceeding 10⁶ cfu mL⁻¹. Plants treated with 75% compost tea concentration exhibited significant increases (p < 0.05) in plant height, chlorophyll content, and grain yield compared to the control. The study demonstrates that compost tea can serve as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for sorghum production, improving soil fertility, plant growth, and environmental health. The findings contribute to ongoing research on biofertilizers as low-cost, eco-friendly solutions for sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. 


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