Abstract:
The use of pig slurry as an alternative source of soil nutrients to inorganic fertilizers has grown
tremendously over the past few years. This study focused on determining the effect of the use of the pig
slurry on the general plant growth. It also determined the effect the slurry has on soil microbial
communities. The study site was JKUAT farm from which soil samples was collected. The slurry was
obtained from a local farmer within Juja. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Solanum
nigram (managu) was grown and used to determine growth parameters (height, biomass, and leaf
count). The study involved obtaining soil samples from the farm. The soil was the tested for its nutrient
composition (nitrogen and phosphorus). The slurry was applied and the plant grown over a period of
one month on the soil with pig slurry. Controls used were soil treated with DAP fertilizer and plain soil.
During the one month, growth parameters were determined (plant height and leaf count). After the one
month, soil nutrient composition was determined as well as microbial community counts through
culturing. The results of the experiment showed significant difference in height (p=0.000095) at day 28,
leaf count (p=0.00173) and the biomass of the Solanum nigram plants was not significantly difference
(p=0.705) in all the treatments. The bacterial colonies increased in soil treated with pig slurry while
fungal colonies decreased. This study shows that raw un-composted pig slurry did not have beneficial
effects on plant-microbe interactions.
