Bioremediation of Styrofoam-Contaminated Soil Using Mycorrhizal Fungi and Cattle Dung Manure to Sustain Soil Fertility Properties

AMOO, Afeez Oladeji; Nkereuwem, Michael Edet; Adeleye, Adeniyi Olarewaju; Upe, Ambo; Ata, Zahraddeen Abdullahi; Bilya, Auwal; Iyabode, Asaju Catherine

doi:10.58928/ku26.17129

	Bioremediation of Styrofoam-Contaminated Soil Using Mycorrhizal Fungi and Cattle Dung Manure to Sustain Soil Fertility Properties
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)
Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2026, Pages 277-288 PDF (682.21 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.58928/ku26.17129
Authors
Afeez Oladeji AMOO^* ¹; Michael Edet Nkereuwem²; Adeniyi Olarewaju Adeleye³; Ambo Upe⁴; Zahraddeen Abdullahi Ata³; Auwal Bilya³; Asaju Catherine Iyabode³
¹Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
²Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria.
³Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Environmental Sociology, Universitas Halu Oleo, Indonesia
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture depends on preserving soil health, yet rising plastic production has led to polystyrene contamination of agricultural soils. This study assessed the efficacy of mycorrhizal inoculation and cattle dung amendment in bio-restoring Styrofoam-contaminated soil by examining their effects on soil properties and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) growth. A completely randomised design with factorial arrangement was employed, comprising mycorrhizal inoculation (10 g and 15 g), cattle dung (50 g and 100 g), and their combinations. Plant height was monitored for five weeks, soil physicochemical properties were analysed, and data were subjected to ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results revealed significant treatment effects (p ≤ 0.05). The 50 g cattle dung treatment produced the tallest plants (14.0 cm) and significantly improved soil organic matter (0.68%), available phosphorus (28.81 mg/kg), and cation exchange capacity (8.80 cmol/kg), attributed to optimal nutrient supply without salinity stress. Conversely, 100 g of cattle dung caused delayed germination and reduced growth (8.2 cm) due to initial phytotoxicity from high soluble salts and sodium accumulation (0.79 cmol/kg). Mycorrhizal inoculation alone at 10 g produced moderate growth (9.9 cm), demonstrating enhanced nutrient mobilisation. The combination of 10 g of mycorrhiza with 50 g of cattle dung showed no synergistic benefit (7.8 cm), suggesting resource competition or nutrient sufficiency from cattle dung alone. Critically, the combination of 15 g mycorrhiza with 100 g cattle dung resulted in complete growth inhibition (0 cm), attributed to synergistic phytotoxicity from excessive salts, elevated exchangeable acidity (0.66 cmol/kg), and sodium-induced cation displacement. Moderate cattle dung application (50 g) is therefore the most effective strategy for restoring fertility and supporting plant growth in Styrofoam-contaminated soil, while excessive application rates produce detrimental effects. This study provides an evidence-based approach for remediating plastic-contaminated soils through targeted organic amendment.
Keywords
Organic Amendments; Mycorrhizal Associations; Bioremediation; Soil Restoration; Styrofoam Contamination

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