Production, utilization and acceptability of organic fertilizers using palms and shea tree as sources of biomass

This document contains relevant information on biomass generation, utilization for the production of organic fertilizers and their alternative uses with respect to The Nigerian Institute for Oil Plam Research (NIFOR) mandate crops. The production of organic amendments using empty fruit bunches from the Oil palm Elaeis guineensis and its utilization in soil fertility management is well established. On an average, for every tonne of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) processed wastes of 230 to 250 kg empty fruit bunch (EFB) and 130 to 150 kg of fiber is produced. This large amount of biomass/waste can be successfully converted to fertilizer through the process of composting and can then be ploughed back into the soil. The palm oil mill effluent (POME) is also available, which in more recent times is being used as a soil conditioner and a source of bio fertilizers. Composted coir pith obtained from coconut Cocos nucifera husk is found to be rich in plant nutrients with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentage values of 1.24, 0.06 and 1.20, respectively among other required plant nutrient. Percentage nutrient values for composted date palm Phoenix dactylifera biomass are also available in this paper. These mandate crop posses several alternative uses which makes them useful to the food and feed industry as well as oleo chemical, fuel, building and construction, pharmaceutical and confectionary industries. The information presented strongly suggests and confirms that the various biomass and residue produced by the palms and shea tree industry can be fully harnessed for organic fertilizer (manure) production even for commercial purposes by and for farmers in order to increase crop production.   Key words: Organic fertilizer, composting, biomass, alternative uses.