Influence of Organic Amendments on Soil Fertility and the Growth of Maize (Zea Mays)

Abstract

In recent years, the application of poultry manure and compost as a soil amendment has generated huge interest for the preservation of soil fertility by improving the physicochemical and biological properties of soil, and for the reduction of the negative effects of greenhouse emissions. In this study, we investigated the effect of two soil amendments, namely poultry manure and compost, on soil parameters and their influence on maize growth performance. The experiment was conducted at the nursery site at the University of Energy and Natural Resources where organic amendments were applied to the soil at different application rate compost (10 t/ha and 5 t/h) and poultry (10 t/ha and 5 t/h, respectively). The results show that organic amendments increased the NPK content of the soil. Plant growth parameters are also increased by the application of the organic amendment. There was no significant improvement in plant height, plant girth, and the number of leaves with the application of both poultry manure and compost. However, biomass yield and leaf area of plants significantly increased in soils amended with poultry manure and compost. Poultry manure was found to contain higher nutrients and contributed to higher maize growth than compost and the control. This study showed that organic amendments increased soil fertility and crop growth.