Evaluation of Composted Organic Wastes and Farmyard Manure for Improving Fertility of Poor Sandy Soils in Arid Regions

Abstract

Farmyard manure, an amendment traditionally used for improving the fertility of sandy soils in arid climates, is becoming scarce and expensive. Its shortage makes it necessary to evaluate, at field scale, the suitability and medium-term performance of other cheap, highly available substitutes. A field trial was established to analyze the effects of a single application of three organic residues on barley yield and nutrient uptake and selected soil properties after two consecutive harvests. Municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), sewage sludge compost (SSC) and farmyard manure (FYM) were tested at rates of 0, 20, 40 and 60 t ha−1. Adding all three organic amendments increased organic matter, cation exchange capacity and available P, Ca, Mg and K in the soil, the grain yield (up to 51%), and the barley plants’ nutrient contents. After the second harvest, a positive residual effect of the amendment was observed in plant yield (up to 77%) and nutrient contents. MSWC and SSC induced slight increases on the extractable fractions (BCR protocol) of Co, Cu and Ni, relative to the unamended soil. The results demonstrate the positive immediate and residual effect of the amendments evaluated as fertilizers for agricultural purposes.

Effects of Fertilisation Using Organic Waste Products with Mineral Complementation on Sugarcane Yields and Soil Properties in a 4 Year Field Experiment

“…The SV and SVM treatments also increased pHw and pH KCl after four years, but the increase was less pronounced than for PS and PSM. These results are consistent with those observed in most agronomic and pedoclimatic situations [5,9,10]. Furthermore, increases in CEC are often associated with increases in organic carbon content [5].…”

“…Each crop has specific mineral element requirements, linked to its physiological development, the length of its cycle, the establishment of its root system, etc. The organic waste products applied to the soil have direct effects i.e., the immediate supply of easily assimilable forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium [9]. However, nitrogen can be immobilised in the soil for a variable period of time; some elements are not immediately available for crops because they are in organic forms in organic waste products, and the mineralisation rate differs with each type of product [10].…”

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Regimes on Growth Patterns and Antioxidants Capacity of Strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler

“…Nitrogen from urea undergoes chemical transformation, either NO 3− or NH 4+ , and this NO 3− is extremely mobile and tends to leach down within 3 to 15 days of application [39]. Whereas the soil nitrogen contents increased with the use of FYM and other OF, this might be due to slow decomposition of organic matter which results in slow release of nitrogen [40]. Overall, the yield of strawberry depends on the growth medium [1].…”

Effects of Organic Amendments Produced from Agro-Wastes on Sandy Soil Properties and Black Pepper Morpho-Physiology and Yield

“…The application of chemical fertilizers or organic amendments to such soil are options available for ameliorating the poor fertility status of sandy soils [8][9][10]. However, the problem with continuous and excessive use of inorganic or chemical fertilizers is the danger they pose to the environment, especially to our rivers and water sources if these fertilizers leach or runoff, which is often the case.…”

“…To overcome this problem, the use of organic fertilizers or amendments produced from agricultural wastes has been advocated, as they are less of a danger compared with chemical fertilizers due to their slow release characteristics, less losses to the environment if managed well, and improvements in soil life. Various studies have shown that organic amendments, when applied to sandy and other textured soils, significantly improve soil fertility, crop performance, and yields [7,8,16,20,21].…”