Screening of Soybean, Common Bean and Maize on Nickeliferous Soils from Mafic Rocks

In this study, nickeliferous soils' effects on grain legume and cereal growth as well as their potential to accumulate nickel and related micronutrients were examined. A completely randomized block design with six repetitions was set up. Samples were collected from eight points and the experiment was conducted for six weeks at the University of Man. In order to fill a plastic container, eight soil samples were used. The soil humidity was controlled with SONKIR MS02 multimeter. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), soybean (Glycine max), and maize (Zea mays) were the test plants. Each soil sample was air dried and sieved with a 2 μm mesh. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique was used to carry out a chemical analysis. Statistica 7.1 was used to conduct statistical analysis like the ANOVA and correlation test. At Moyango, the soil was developed on dunite. The soil had a colour varying from 7.5YR6/2 to 10YR5/6.). The dominant oxides found were Fe2O3, SiO2, and P2O5 with wt% > 7. The soil Ni was negatively correlated with K, Ca and, V. The soils had significant effect on soybean, common bean, and maize growth. However, the negative effect was more on common bean. The lowest soybean plant’s heights were observed on plant grown on soil from the mining site. The soil had a significant effect on soybean Ni, V, Mn, and Co content. Soybean plant Ni contents were 9.20 and 7.31 wt%, respectively from plants grown on soils M1 and M2. The content of Ni in soil had significant effect on plant growth, specifically it has reduced the height of grain legumes. From the results observed, maize should be the one most suitable for cultivation in the vicinity of the Ni mining region of Foungouesso-Moyango. Further investigation is needed with more test plants to prevent population health.