International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research
Abstract
The production of ammonium-exchanged zeolite X (NH4-LTX) and its soil amendment activity is presented. The ammonium-exchanged zeolite X was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, particle size analysis and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The addition of NH4-LTX increased the pH, total nitrogen, potassium, sodium content and water retention capacity of the soil. Consequently, the fresh weight, dry weights, plant heights, stem thickness, stem length, number of leaves, leaves areas was remarkably greater for both maize and okro planted in soils containing NH4-LTX compared to plants in soil without NH4-LTX
