Effect of Compost in Improving Soil Properties and Its Consequent Effect on Crop Production –A Review

Worku Ajema Kelbesa

doi:10.7176/jnsr/12-10-02

Abstract

Organic fertilizers are an alternative environment friendly approach with multi-advantages over chemicals, seems promising to support sustainable agriculture. This paper aimed to review the indigenous experience on agronomical uses of organic manure and its potential role in agricultural development. It is clear that, organic manures from different plant and animal sources are available to meet some requirements in the field. Nevertheless, organic manures have not been well appreciated in agricultural strategy, so their use remains mostly traditional. Direct application of bulky Organic manures to soil causes rate of mineralization and the rate of release of nutrients particularly of the nitrogen is low. Composting of these wastes seems to have great prosperities compared to raw materials, which have little value and some drawbacks. Most of investigators confirmed that compost application could improve the physical, chemical and biological characteristics, soil organic matter, and nutrient status of the soils. All long-term compost application trials result in increased SOM concentrations. However, mature composts increase SOM much better than fresh and immature composts due to their higher level of stable carbon. In addition, due to its multiple positive effects on the physical, chemical and biological soil properties, compost contributes to the stabilization and increase of crop productivity and crop quality. Consequently, most investigators proved that compost has an equalizing effect of annual/seasonal fluctuations regarding water, air and heat balance of soils, the availability of plant nutrients and thus the final crop yields. Predominantly because of the slow release of nutrients and its availability in compost-combined fertilization schemes often show good results. Thus, for sustainable agricultural systems within small-scale farming in developing countries like Ethiopia, composting can be a good option for developing effective plant-nutrient management strategies in many situations. Keywords: Organic fertilizer, compost, soil properties, crop productivity DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-10-02 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Highlights

Application of un-decomposed wastes or non-stabilized compost to land may cause phytotoxicity due to insufficient biodegradation of organic matter (Maria and Abdalla, 2017), besides the risk of containing harmful organisms or pathogenic microbes (Noble and Roberts, 2004)
Organic Fertilizer Organic manures are organic materials derived from animal and plant wastes or byproducts, and they contain plant nutrients in complex organic form (Krishan, 2005)
The slow decomposition is more effective increasing soil organic matter content of the soil, which plays a key role in soil fertility by retaining nutrients, maintaining soil structure and holding water

Summary

Introduction

Application of un-decomposed wastes or non-stabilized compost to land may cause phytotoxicity due to insufficient biodegradation of organic matter (Maria and Abdalla, 2017), besides the risk of containing harmful organisms or pathogenic microbes (Noble and Roberts, 2004). Addition of high C/N residues will deplete the soil’s supply of soluble nitrogen, causing plants to suffer from nitrogen deficiency (Brady and Weil, 2016). To make more effective organic residue should decomposed to form stable C/N. The C/N ratio of organic materials in the pile decreases until a fairly stable ratio, in the range of 10:1–20:1, is achieved (Brady and Weil, 2016). Compost can solve the problem faced on farmers with decreasing fertility of their soil. Due to soil fertility problems, crops yields often decrease and the crops are more susceptible to pest and disease because they are in bad condition (Madeleine et al, 2005)

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