International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

This study investigated the effect of Cassava Peel Biochar (CPB) on the remediation of soils contaminated by oil spillage and municipal waste dumpsites, using maize (Zea mays) as a test crop. CPB was incorporated into the soil at four treatment levels (0 g, 50 g, 100 g, and 150 g per planting stand), and maize plants were monitored for vegetative growth over eight Weeks After Emergence (WAE). The growth parameters assessed included the number of leaves, plant height, and stem girth. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at p ≤ 0.05. Results revealed that the application of CPB significantly enhanced all growth parameters compared to the control. Growth performance increased progressively with increasing levels of CPB, with the 150 g treatment producing the highest number of leaves (14), tallest plants (29.95 cm), and largest stem girth (14.55 mm) at 8 WAE. These findings demonstrate the potential of CPB to improve the growth of maize on contaminated soils by enhancing soil fertility and structure. Therefore, cassava peel Biochar can be recommended as an eco-friendly soil amendment for rehabilitating degraded soils and promoting sustainable crop production.