Influence of Organic and Inorganic Soil Amendments on Soil pH and Macronutrients

Abstract

The popularity of using the Inorganic and organic soil amendments is based on the current status of soil degradation that led to decline in fertility of soils, resulting to low yields. The objective of current study was to evalute different organic and inorganic soil amendments and their effects on soil pH and macronutrients. The study was laid out as randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split plot arrangement for two seasons. The treatments were ChalimTM, Super-hydro-grow polymer + Metham sodium, Metham sodium, Metham sodium & Orange peel, Super-hydro-grow polymer, Brassica tissues, ChalimTM + Super-hydro-grow polymer, Brassica tissue + Orange peel, Metham sodium + Super-hydro-grow polymer and Control (no amendments). Soils were sampled from each experimental site, dried and taken to laboratories for determination of soil chemical properties both at initial and at the end of the experiment. The soil physicochemical attributes assessed included: Soil pH, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. There was an significant increase (P≤0.05) in the concentration and availability of soil physicochemical characteristics after treatment which is an indicator of improved soil structure. Brassicae tissue +super hydrogrow polymer (BT+SHG) amendment was the best as it resulted to highest concentration and availability of the mineral elements in the soil recording total nitrogen of 0.50 %, organic carbon 5.47 %, phosphorus 19.7 mg/kg, and potassium 1.37 %. The control exhibited the least impact on all the soil chemical properties. We recommend BT+SHG amendment to farmers to promote soil fertility which will consequently produce better yield.