POTENTIAL OF COMPOST EXTRACT ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL AFTER HARVEST

Abstract

In an attempt to improve soil physico-chemical properties for subsequent production of crop, the potential of compost extract was investigated along with effect of its processing parameters on some soil physico-chemical properties after harvest. This compost extract (liquid organic fertilizer) was produced from composted chicken manure under three processing parameters. The parameters are compost/water ratio (1:6, 1:4, and 1:3), immersion period (24, 48 and 72 h) and water temperature (25, 35 and 45˚C). The application of compost extract made was applied to the soil by means of an improvised drip irrigation system to produced two vegetables (A. cruentus and C. argentea) via pot experiment in a greenhouse. The soil physico-chemical properties were analyzed before planting and after harvest using standard methods. The result showed an improvement in the soil physico-chemical properties after harvest. The study shows that processing parameters under different compost/water ratio, immersion period and water temperature significantly affected soil physico-chemical properties. The highest physico-chemical properties of pH (6.53 and 6.59), EC (2.42 and 2.47 mS cm-1), TN (1.68 and 1.79%), TP (7.24 and 7.34 g kg-1) and TK (7.49 and 7.73 g kg-1) were observed for A. cruentus and C. argentea soils, correspondingly after harvest. These were obtained for 1:3 compost/water ratio at 72 h immersion period under water temperature of 25˚C. Hence, compost extract produced was found to be suitable for improvement of soil physico-chemical properties even for subsequent production of vegetable in another planting seasons without any additional soil amendment.