1.3.1 Number of seed germinating at day 3 and 6
Figure 1 shows the effect of treatment ability on the number of seed emergence of Amaranthus at days 3 and 6. At days 3 and 6, there was a clear decreasing trend in seed emergence, with the tilapia effluent treatment exhibiting the highest number of seeds emerging, which was significantly superior to the other treatments (P < 0.05), and the tap water treatment recording the least. It's worth noting that tilapia effluent increased the total number of seedlings that emerged at the end of the experiment (figure 1).
1.3.2 Total number of leaves at day 3, 6, 9 and 12
The number of leaves gradually increased as the days progressed on the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth days (Figure 2). The total number of leaves increased from 5 to 18 on days 3 and 12, then decreased gradually. It was discovered that the tilapia effluent group had significantly higher in number of leaves emerging per sampling day (P < 0.05) than the other groups, whereas the tap water treated plant group had significantly lower levels of leaves emerging.
1.3.3 Mean plant weight, stem weight and leaf weight after day 12 after germination
Figure 3 depicts the mean plant weight (PW), stem weight (SW), and leaf weight (LW) of the experimental seed at the 12th day.
At the end of the study, the tilapia effluent treated group had a significantly higher final weight increase in total plant weight, stem weight, and leaf weight than the TE/FERT, Fert., and Tap water treated plants. Overall, tap water-treated plants had significantly lower weight measurements (plant weight, stem weight, and leaf weight) than the other treated plant groups.
1.3.4 Average plant height at day 6 and 12 after germination
Figure 4 depicts the average plant height on days 6 and 12. It was discovered that plants treated with tilapia effluent had the highest plant height on both days 6 and 12 and were significantly superior to the other groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, despite a decreasing trend in plant height, the TE, TE/FERT, FERT, and TAP treated plant groups and it was significantly the same (P < 0.05) between the TE/FERT, FERT, and Tap water treated groups on days 6 and 12.
1.3.5 Leaf area index of Amaranthus palmeri
As the number of sampling days increased, so did the leaf area. In comparison to other treated groups, the tilapia effluent treated group increased significantly in the leaf area index as sampling days increased (P < 0.05). The other treated group showed a reverse decreasing trend as the number of days increased, with the tap water treated group having the lowest leaf area index.
Table 1: Leaf area of Amaranthus plant (cm2) as affected by different germination treatment
Treatment
|
Day 3
|
Day 6
|
Day 9
|
Day 12
|
T/E
|
18a
|
58a
|
67a
|
79a
|
T/E + FERT
|
12b
|
44b
|
63b
|
71b
|
FERT only
|
26c
|
37c
|
56c
|
68c
|
Tap
|
18c
|
29c
|
48d
|
54d
|
Standard Error
|
4.33
|
7.96
|
9.77
|
13.65
|
Where TE is tilapia effluent, FERT is fertilizer, TAP is tap water
Where TE is tilapia effluent, FERT is fertilizer, TAP is tap water
Note: Treatment with the same alphabet per sampling days are not statistically different
1.3.6 Average final weight of plants following shelf life at room temperature
The average weight of treated germinated Amaranthus plants at room temperature after shelf life is shown in table 1. When compared to other groups, the average weight of tilapia effluent germinated plant had a significantly higher shelf life weight after day 3 (P < 0.05). It was observed that the combination of tilapia effluent and fertilizer resulted in a decreasing trend in plant weight, which was also superior when compared to fertilizer and tap water germinated plants. Tap water germinated Amaranthus plants had the lowest plant weight following shelf life. In comparison to the other treated groups, the tilapia effluent germinated plant retained its fresh appearance, succulent, and deep green color.
Table 2 Average final weight of Amaranthus plants after shelf life
Treatment (Per pot)
|
Final average weight after shelf life(g)
|
T1
|
5.32a
|
T2
|
4.89a
|
T3
|
4.96a
|
T4
|
5.01a
|
T5
|
4.88a
|
T6
|
5.11a
|
T7
|
4.77b
|
T8
|
4.65b
|
T9
|
4.47b
|
T10
|
3.98b
|
T11
|
4.42b
|
T12
|
4.39b
|
T13
|
3.66c
|
T14
|
3.29c
|
T15
|
3.91c
|
T16
|
3.22c
|
T17
|
3.52c
|
T18
|
3.11c
|
T19
|
2.98c
|
T20
|
2.86c
|
T21
|
2.61c
|
T22
|
2.79c
|
T23
|
2.94c
|
T24
|
2.85c
|
TREATMENT
|
Standard Error (S.E)
|
T1-T6; Tilapia effluent
|
0.84
|
T7-T12; Tilapia effluent + Fertiliser
|
0.98
|
T13-T18; Only fertilizer
|
0.88
|
T19-T24; Tap water only
|
0.76
|
T1-T6 is TE treatment, T7-T12 is TE/FERT treatment, T13-T18 is FERT treated group, T19-T24 is TAP water treated group. Where TE is tilapia effluent, FERT is fertilizer, TAP is tap water
Note: Treatment with the same alphabet per sampling time are not statistically different
1.3.7 Proximate analysis of Amaranthus palmeri after shelf life exposure
Proximate percentage analysis of the various treatment on the Amaranthus palmeri plant after shelf life exposure is presented in table 3. Of all the tested parameters for the analysis, thus moisture content, ash content, fat content, crude protein, crude fiber and carbohydrate were significantly enhanced in the tilapia effluent treated crop (P < 0.05). No statistical difference existed between the treatment (combination of tilapia effluent + fertiliser and only fertiliser) at P < 0.05.
1.3.8 Samples of soil properties analysed before and after the experiment
Table 3 and 4 shows the soil properties before and after the experimental period. It was observed that all the properties of the soil had the same soil pH (3.76 ± 0.47), percentage nitrogen (0.3 ± 0.01), available phosphorus (5.14 ± 0.61) and available potassium (58 ± 1.97). However, a significant increase was noticed after the experiment within the different application of germination treatment to Amaranthus seed. Soil properties were seen increasing significantly in the tilapia effluent treated group recording the highest mean values in all the soil properties measured which were in the range of soil pH (7.63 ± 1.01), percentage nitrogen (1.9 ± 0.21), available phosphorus (13.41 ± 1.10) and available potassium (82 ± 2.39) respectively at (P < 0.05).
1.3.9 Tilapia effluent and tap water nutrients analysis
Table 5 shows the results of effluent and tap water on the nutrient levels found in them.
The levels of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in the samples were significantly higher in the tilapia effluent than in the tap water. All of the tested soil nutrient parameters in tilapia effluent were significantly higher than in tap water (P < 0.05).