International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278-3202 10 2 2021 05 10 Influence of fish pond effluent on the microbiological characteristics of soil and growth of maize crop 16 23 EN Kumar S. Akhil 1 Department of Animal Science, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India Muthulakshmi M. 2 Department of Animal Science, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India Manju 3 Department of Animal Science, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India Palavesam A. 4 L. Satish 1 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Government Science College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India M. Nikhil 2 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Government Science College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India L. Sandeep 3 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Government Science College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Khabade Sarina P. 4 Department of PG studies in Biotechnology, Government Science College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Samuel Onuorah 1 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria Ifeoma Ibe-Gabriel 2 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria Frederick Odibo 3 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria > Research Paper 2020 11 30 2021 05 10 Fish pond effluent is discharged untreated into the soil thereby producing objectionable odour and flies infestations. However, the effluent has been known to contain organic and inorganic nutrients and microorganisms which may promote crops growth and productivity, therefore this work studied the influence of the untreated fish pond effluent on the microbiological characteristics of soil and growth of maize crop. The microbial counts of the effluent and soil samples and growth characteristics of the maize crop were obtained using standard analytical methods. The microbial counts of the effluent-receiving soil were higher than those of the effluent samples and unpolluted soil. Bacillus subtilis (18.2%), Escherichia coli (20.5%), Serratia marcescens (13.6%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (15.9%), Lactobacillus plantarum (17.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.8%), Penicillium expansum (45.4%), Aspergillus niger (36.4%) and Aspergillus flavus (18.2%) were isolated from the effluent-receiving soil while the unpolluted soil had Staphylococcus epidermidis (28.3%), E. coli (19.6%), B. subtilis (17.4%), P. fluorescens (10.9%), Micrococcus luteus (8.7%), L. plantarum (6.5%), Kl. pneumoniae (4.3%), S. marcescens (4.3%), P. expansum (40.0%), Aspergillus niger (20.0%) and Aspergillus flavus (40.0%). The maize crop grown on the effluent-receiving soil had better growth characteristics than those planted on the unpolluted soil. This study indicated that the untreated fish pond effluent had positive effect on the soil microbial populations and enhanced the growth of maize crop, therefore, its use in agriculture to enhance soil fertility and crop growth is advocated. Copyright@ International Science Community Association