Cow Manure Compost Research Articles

Effects of adding Rice Husk Biochar on GHG Emission and Compost Quality during Cow Manure Composting

Effects of adding Rice Husk Biochar on GHG Emission and Compost Quality during Cow Manure Composting

Application of modified LEACHM in predicting nitrogen leaching in a corn silage field continuously fertilized with composted cow manure and slurry

Application of modified LEACHM in predicting nitrogen leaching in a corn silage field continuously fertilized with composted cow manure and slurry

Effects of Common Microplastics on Aerobic Composting of Cow Manure: Physiochemical Characteristics, Humification and Microbial Community

Effects of Common Microplastics on Aerobic Composting of Cow Manure: Physiochemical Characteristics, Humification and Microbial Community

Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Cow Manure and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): Assessment of Methane Production and Biodegradation Efficiency

The performance of anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure and POME was evaluated. The anaerobic composting process was carried out by using semi-continuous reactors under the mesophilic condition (35 ± 1℃). The addition of POME to the on-going anaerobic composting of cow manure was applied stepwise within a cycle of HRT (20 days). Results showed that the anaerobic co-digestion reactor could produce methane at about six times higher (7.2 L CH4) than the control reactor (1.3 L CH4). An increasing of POME loaded to the on-going anaerobic composting cow manure culture (4% to 64%) did not affect pH of the culture in which pH was still stable between 7.11 and 7.5. Assessment of biodegradation efficiency revealed that nitrogen removal of the anaerobic co-digestion reactor was six times higher (21%) than the nitrogen removal of the control reactor (3.4%). This suggested that the anaerobic co-digestion reactor performed sufficiently well in which no organic acid as well as ammonia accumulated in the reactor that could be effective to decompose the organic matters.

Influence of Aeration Method on Gaseous Emissions and the Losses of the Carbon and Nitrogen during Cow Manure Composting

The objective of this research was to explore the effects of different aeration methods on NH3 and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the losses of carbon and nitrogen from composting of cow manure and corn stalks in the laboratory-scale reactors. Here, we designed three treatments, including continuous aerated treatment C1 (aeration rates 0.21 L·kg−1 dry matter (DM)·min−1) and intermittent aerated treatments I1 (aeration rates 0.42 L·kg−1 DM·min−1; aerate 10 min, stop 10 min) and I2 (aeration rates 0.84 L·kg−1 DM·min−1; aerate 5 min, stop 15 min). The results showed that the physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH values, and germination index) of composting products met the requirements of maturity and sanitation. Compared with continuous aerated treatment C1, the cumulative NH3 emissions of I1 and I2 treatments decreased by 24.37% and 19.27%, while the cumulative CO2 emissions decreased by 13.01% and 20.72%. On the contrary, the cumulative N2O emissions of I1 and I2 treatments increased by 22.22% and 43.14%. CO2 emission was the principal pathway for the TOC losses, which comprised over 65% of TOC losses. C1 treatment had the highest TOC losses due to its highest cumulative CO2 emissions. The TN losses of I1 and I2 treatments reduced 9.07% and 6.1% compared to C1 treatment, so the intermittent aerated modes could reduce the TN loss. Due to the potential for mitigation of gaseous emissions, I1 treatment was recommended to be used in aerobic composting of cow manure.

Effect of Different Agricultural Farming Practices on Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activities of Celery Growing Field Soil.

Soil quality is directly affected by alterations in its microbiological, biological, biochemical, physical, and chemical aspects. The microbiological activities of soil can affect soil fertility and plant growth because it can speed up the cycling of nutrients, enzymes, and hormones that are needed by plants for proper growth and development. The use of different agricultural management practices can influence microbial biomass and enzyme activities by altering soil microclimate, soil microorganism habitat, and nutrient cycling. Based on this, the present work planned to evaluate the impact of conventional, low-input, and organic farming systems in a vegetable field growing celery on microbial biomass and different soil enzyme activities. The present study showed a comparison of the effect of different practices on biological soil quality indicators during two sampling times, i.e., one month after colonization and one month before harvesting. It was observed that the soil microbial biomass in the organic farming system was significantly higher than that found in conventional and low-input practices. Under an organic farming system, the soil microbial biomass in December was significantly higher than that in October. The soil microbial biomass carbon in the 0–20 cm soil layer showed higher variation compared to that in the 20–40 cm layer for all the three of the farming management practices that were used in the study. Additionally, the soil total carbon and total organic carbon were recorded as being higher in the December samples than they were in the October samples. Under all the three of the management practices that were applied, the soil catalase activity was higher in the October samples than it was in the December soil samples that were collected the from 20–40 cm soil layer compared to those that were taken from the 0–20 cm layer. The application of organic fertilizer (chicken and cowmanure compost) resulted inincreases in the soil urease and in the protease activity. The protease activity of the soil samples that were extracted from the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers in October was higher in the samples that were taken from farms using conventional practices than it was in the samples that were taken from farms using organic and low-input practices, while the samples that were collected during December from both of the soil layers showed higher protease activity when organic methods had been used. No significant variation in the soil urease activity was observed between the two soil layer samples. Urease activity was the highest when organic management practices were being used, followed by the low-input and the conventional modes. For the conventional and low-input practices, the soil urease activity showed an obvious trend of change that was related to thetime of sampling, i.e., activity in December was significantly higher than activity in October. The novelty of this study was to determine the microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activity in a six-field crop rotation (tomato, cucumber, celery, fennel, cauliflower, and eggplant) using three management practices: low-input, conventional, and organic systems. The present study showed that the long-term application of organic fertilizers plays a large role in maintaining excellent microbial and enzyme activitythat result in improved soil quality.

Greenhouse gas emissions of biosolid and cow manure during composting and vermicomposting and when applied to soil cultivated with wheat (Triticum sp. L.).

Biosolids are a by-product of wastewater treatment, and their nutritional composition makes them ideal for fertilizing crops. However, pre-treatments, such as conditioning and/or (vermi)composting, are often required to stabilize the product and remove pathogens. Biosolids, cow manure, and a 50-50% mixture were conditioned for 21days, composted or vermicomposted with Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826) for 28days, and applied to soil cultivated with wheat (Triticum sp. L.), while emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were monitored. Emissions of CH4 were large from the biosolid and N2O from the cow manure during conditioning. Emissions of CH4 remained high during (vermi)composting of the biosolids, while the emissions of N2O from the cow manure dropped. The addition of E. fetida did not affect the emissions of greenhouse gases during (vermi)composting. The emission of N2O was higher when (vermi)composted biosolid was applied to soil cultivated with wheat than when (vermi)composted cow manure was applied. The global warming potential (GWP) of the sum of the emitted greenhouse gases (GHG) during conditioning, (vermi)composting, and when the final product was applied to soil was 3 times larger from the cow manure than from the biosolid, but mixing biosolid with cow manure eliminated that difference. It was concluded that mixing biosolid with cow manure might be a simple way to reduce the GWP of the emitted GHG during storage, (vermi)composting, and when applied to soil.

The Contribution of Microorganisms to Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation under Fertilization Varies among Aggregate Size Classes

Long-term fertilization alters soil microbiological properties and then affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. However, the interrelations of SOC with biological drivers and their relative importance are rarely analyzed quantitatively at aggregate scale. We investigated the contribution of soil microbial biomass, diversity, and enzyme activity to C pool in soil aggregate fractions (>5 mm, 2–5 mm, 1–2 mm, 0.25–1 mm, and <0.25 mm) at topsoil (0–15 cm) from a 27-year long-term fertilization regime. Compared to CK (no fertilization management), NP (inorganic fertilization alone) decreased all of the microbial groups’ biomass, while NPS and NPM (inorganic fertilization plus the incorporation of maize straw or composted cow manure) significantly reduced this negative effect of NP on microbial biomass and increased the microbial contribution to C pool. The results show that microbial variables were significantly correlated with SOC content in >0.25 mm aggregates rather than in <0.25 mm aggregates. Fungal variables (fungal, AM biomass, and F/B ratio) and enzyme activities (BXYL and LAP) in >0.25 mm aggregates explained 21% and 2% of C, respectively. Overall, organic matter addition could contribute to higher C storage by boosting fungal community and enzyme activity rather than by changing microbial community diversity in macro-aggregates.

Moisture-Induced Pattern of Gases and Physicochemical Indices in Corn Straw and Cow Manure Composting

This study investigated the altering effect of moisture on the emission pattern of gases and the evolutionary dynamics of physicochemical indices in corn straw and cow manure composting. Exploring this effect was reasonable to unravel the use of moisture as a cheap alternative to control gaseous emissions and improve the final properties of compost. The nutrient dynamics of the compost showed 21.6% losses in total organic carbon content, with a 33.3% increase in total nitrogen content at the end of composting. All the gases (CH4, CO2, N2O and NH3) yielded a common emission pattern despite the differences in moisture content. Except for CH4, the peak and stable emission periods of all the gases were observed on the 5th day (thermophilic phase) and after the 27th day (late mesophilic phase) of composting, respectively. Emission reductions of 89%, 91%, 95% and 100% were recorded for CH4, CO2, N2O and NH3, respectively, during the late mesophilic phase of composting. From the study, the 65% moisture content was efficient in reducing the loss rate of the gasses and nutrient contents of the compost. This study would enable farmers to channel organic residues generated into compost while minimizing pollution and nutrient losses associated with the composting process.

Biostabilization of Tannery Sludge Compost by Vermicomposting

The aim of this study is to investigate the stabilization of tannery sludge compost mixed with cow manure at the different ratios by employing an epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida and bioaccumulation of chromium in tannery sludge by earthworms. Organic cow manure (M) and sludge compost (S) were mixed in certain proportions, moistened and Eisenia foetida worms were added. Mixing ratios were realized as 100% M (M100S0), 70% M + 30% S (M70S30), 50% M + 50% S (M50S50) and 30% M + 70% S (M30S70). The experiment was carried out at a constant temperature of 24 oC and in a dark environment according to a randomized plot design with three replicates. The experiment ended after 120 days and the following parameters were evaluated in vermicomposts: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC), C:N ratio, and total macro and micro elements. In addition, it was determined total chromium, Cr (VI) in vermicomposts and total Cr in E. foetida body. The results for TOC, C:N ratio and total Cr showed decreases in their values at the end of the vermicomposting process, whereas values for pH, EC, TON, Ca and Mg increase, indicating that the vermicomposting reached the maturity level. All values of Cr (VI) of vermicomposts were below the detectable level. During the vermicomposting process, the reduction rates of the total Cr amounts were 96% (M70S30), 96% (M50S50) and 30% (M30S70), respectively. While the highest total Cr amount in the earthworm body was determined in M30S70 treatment, the amount of this element in the earthworm body decreased due to the decreasing doses of tannery sludge compost. These results show that E. foetida can bioacumulate the chromium in tannery sludge compost. As a result, it was determined that vermicomposting can be an alternate technology for the recycling and environmentally safe disposal/management of tannery sludge compost using an epigeic earthworm E. foetida.

Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics, and CO2 Efflux in the Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil Treated with Chemically Modified Organic Amendments.

In Saudi Arabia, more than 335,000 tons of cow manure is produced every year from dairy farming. However, the produced cow manure is usually added to the agricultural soils as raw or composted manure; significant nitrogen losses occur during the storage, handling, and application of the raw manure. The recovery of ammonia from cow manure through thermochemical treatments is a promising technique to obtain concentrated nitrogen fertilizer and reducing nitrogen losses from raw manure. However, the byproduct effluents from the recovery process are characterized by different chemical properties from the original raw manure; thus, its impact as soil amendments on the soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics is unknown. Therefore, a 90-day incubation experiment was conducted to study the impact of these effluents on CO2 efflux, organic C, microbial biomass C, available NH4+, and NO3− when added to agricultural soil. In addition to the two types of effluents (produced at pH 9 and pH 12), raw cow manure (CM), composted cow manure (CMC), cow manure biochar (CMB), and control were used for comparison. The application of CM resulted in a considerable increase in soil available nitrogen and CO2 efflux, compared to other treatments. Cow manure biochar showed the lowest CO2 efflux. Cumulative CO2 effluxes of cow manure effluents were lower than CM; this is possibly due to the relatively high C:N ratio of manure effluent. The content of P, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn decreased as incubation time increased. Soil microbial biomass C for soil treated with cow manure effluents (pH 12 and 7) was significantly higher than the rest of the soil amendments and control.

Influence of Biochar and Its Mixture with Cow Manure Compost on Phenology and Growth Performance of Saffron Under Field Conditions

Balochistan province of Pakistan has more than 50% area that comes under arid climatic conditions of dry summer and cold winters. Under these conditions different arid crops including saffron has great potential to introduce and scale-up. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation on test trials at PARC-BARDC, Quetta, Balochistan and in some of those areas by local farmers was found to be successful experience. As biochar is well-known to have influenced positively on the crop yield, this study evaluated the influence of the amendment of wood-derived biochar alone or with combination of cow manure compost in 1:1 ratio on the yield of saffron under field conditions of arid region of this province with cold winters and dry summers. The treatments were amendment of biochar at 0.34 t ha-1 and 0.68 t ha-1 rates and amendment of biochar-compost mixture at 1.37 t ha-1 and 2.7 t ha-1 rates. In this experiment, the saffron corms of uniform size (2-2.5 cm in diameter) were used. There were five treatments of biacharand experiment was laid out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results show that biochar-based organic amendments caused prolonged flowering period, increased flower: corm ratio by 33% -47% and increased yield of stigma by 10% - 27%. The highest stigma yield was achieved when biochar was mixed with composted manure at 2.7 t ha-1 rate.

Insight into interactions of heavy metals with livestock manure compost-derived dissolved organic matter using EEM-PARAFAC and 2D-FTIR-COS analyses

Dissolved organic matter (DOM), as the most active ingredient in compost, directly determines the speciation and environmental behavior of HMs. Here, the binding properties of DOM derived from chicken-manure compost (CHM), cow-manure compost (COM) and pig-manure compost (PIM) with HMs were explored by analyses of Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix parallel factor (EEM-PARAFAC) and two-dimensional correlation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (2D-FTIR-COS). Results showed that the binding characteristics vary with origin of DOM and type of HMs. The fulvic-like component dominated the transformation of HMs speciation, and CHM-DOM had higher affinity with HMs and greater risk causing pollution due to its higher aromaticity, molecular weight and distribution of fluorescent components. Moreover, Cu(II) can efficiently bind to DOM with the stability constants (log kM) ranging from 4.53 to 5.38, followed by Pb(II) (3.34–3.57), whereas Cd(II) can hardly bind to DOM. The amide and polysaccharide were the predominant sites for HMs binding in CHM-DOM, and polysaccharide and phenolic in COM-DOM, while phenolic and amide in PIM-DOM, respectively. Although the proportion of protein-like components and non-fluorescent polysaccharides in DOM were low, their role in HMs binding should not be ignored. In brief, the environmental risk caused by livestock manure compost may originate from interactions between DOM and HMs.

EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST DOSES ON CANABIS SATIVA PHOTOSYNTHESIS-RELATED PARAMETERS, GROWTH AND YIELD

Hemp, Cannabis sativa is certainly a mul­tifunctional as well as a niche crop, due to great po­ten­tial for innovative use of its different products. Aspects of hemp mineral nutrition are very important in the cultivation of these plants, in particular to make cul­ti­vation environmentally friendly by replacing synthetic fertilizers with organic ones. Among organic fertilizers, vermicompost has gained particular attention within the last decades. Explaining the role of vermicompost, this study evaluated the effects of different doses of this fer­ti­lizer on hemps in two separate field studies. In a small-scale field experiment, the effect of two doses of ver­micompost and adequate concentrations of mineral elements fertilizers the growth, physiological condition, as well as yield of hemp was compared. The effect of increasing doses of vermicompost on the physiological condition and yield of hemp was analysed in a broader field experiment. The experiments were performed at the Viļāni Scientific Centre of the Agricultural Resour­ces and Economics, in 2017 and 2018, using the Latvian hemp cultivar ‘Pūriņi’. For the experiments, certified vermicompost produced by ‘Eko Zeme’ (Latvia) was used, which was produced from composted cow manure by adding grass biomass. In field experiment, the posi­tive effect of vermicompost on hemp growth was greater than the effect of equivalent mineral fertilizer con­centra­tions. When using vermicompost in increasing doses, better hemp growth (40–60 %) was observed at 5 and 10 t ha-1, stem yield increased on average by 40 % due vermicompost, seed yield ranging from 1.00 t ha-1 in control plants, to 1.56 t ha-1 in 20 t ha-1 in plants treated with 20 t ha–1 vermicompost plants. The weight of 1000 seeds per plant in all variants (from 13.54 to 13.85 g) was relatively close to the indicated maximum level (14.59 g). A statistically significant increase in chlo­ro­phyll concentration in plant leaves was observed under the influence of vermicompost. The increase in the Per­for­mance Index of the chlorophyll a fluorescence measu­rement was only for plants in individual experimental variants; regardless of how significant the increase in stem and seed yield was due to the respective doses of vermicompost. In general, the results characterize the growth of hemp in local agroclimatic conditions and allow to expect a stable increase in yield under the in­fluence of vermicompost.

Study of some chemical properties of ultisol soil applied by biochar and compos from some biomasses and incubation time

Biochar and compost applications are alternative in improving soil chemical properties, such as Ultisol soil and utilizing the current abundance of biomass waste. Biochar has long available properties and takes longer to decompose than compost. This study aims to compare the effect of biochar and compost for several months of incubation on soil chemical properties. This research was conducted with several pot from plastic cup and placed in a greenhouse using a non-factorial randomized block design with control, biochar and compost treatments taken from rice straw biomass, empty palm oil bunches, and cow dung, with 3 replications. The parameters measured were pH H2O, C-Organic, N-total, and available P. The results indicate that the provision of biochar and compost can increase the pH of H2O, C-Organic, N-total, and P available in Ultisol soil for 1,2 and 3 months of incubation. Biochar is better at increasing available pH, C-Organic, N-total, and P than compost with the best treatment found in Biochar from cow dung biomass and oil palm empty bunches. Meanwhile, the treatment of cow manure compost was better at increasing pH H2O during incubation time and nutrients in Ultisol soil, followed by compost of empty palm oil bunches and straw.

Variations in bacterial taxonomic profiles and potential functions in response to the gut transit of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) feeding on cow manure

Earthworms play an important role in the organic matter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Earthworms interact directly with the microorganisms to affect the organic matter decomposition via gut transit, i.e., the digestion and assimilation of organic matter in the foregut and midgut and its excretion by the hindgut. However, how the microbial community ingested by earthworms respond to the transit processes in different gut segments of earthworms is not clear. We used composted cow manure to feed earthworms and sampled vermicompost and the contents of foregut, midgut and hindgut for bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. We observed that earthworm gut transit decreased the abundances of the dominant phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes but increased Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. The alpha diversity of bacterial community in midgut was the lowest of the different gut segments, and the bacterial community structure of the foregut was significantly different from the midgut and hindgut. The enrichment analysis results revealed different selective stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the ingested bacterial community in the different gut segments, which extended to vermicompost. The FAPROTAX data indicated that C and N metabolic microbes were enriched in the earthworm gut. Microbes involved in fermentation and methanogenesis were enriched in the hindgut, and denitrification microbes were enriched in the foregut. The N metabolism microbes in vermicompost were significantly enriched after the stimulation of earthworm gut transit (P < 0.05), and the pathogenic microbes of animals and plants were inhibited. Combined with the results of subsequent correlation and biochemical analyses, earthworm gut transit significantly altered the structure and function of the bacterial community to accelerate the degradation and mineralization of organic matter and the enrichment of phosphorus and potassium. Our study suggests that the gut transit process of earthworms plays an important role in regulating organic matter dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.

Effect of organic fertilizers on CH4 and N2O production from organic paddy field

Organic fertilizer potentially results in healthy soils and sustainable agriculture. Organic fertilizer is a nutrients source in organic farming. Organic fertilizer application affects CH4 and N2O production. CH4 and N2O production affect increasing greenhouse gas emission concentration, global warming and further climate change. This study aimed to determine organic fertilizers effect on CH4 and N2O production from organic paddy fields. Five types of organic fertilizer namely mixed compost (MC), cow manure (CM), cow manure compost (CMC), straw compost (SC) and solid biogas waste (SBW) were added to paddy soil and determined CH4 and N2O production. The result showed that CH4 and N2O production were affected by organic fertilizer addition. CH4 production was 109.52 mg kg soil-1 day-1 and N2O production was 1.70 mg kg soil-1 day-1. The lowest production of both gasses was in SBW treatment. CH4 production was 177.21 mg kg soil-1 day-1 and N2O production was 2.80 mg kg soil-1 day-1. The highest was in soil with cow manure (CM) treatment. CH4 and N2O production correlated positively with organic carbon and Carbon and Nitrogen ratio (C/N) of organic fertilizers (p < 0.05). Application of solid biogas waste (SBW) with drainage treatment on 10th day and composting are the best effort to mitigate CH4 and N2O production.

The effect of indigenous organic fertilizer on paddy field methane emissions

Paddy fields are known as one of the dominant sources of CH4 emissions that plays an important role in greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming. The selection of fertilizer type may change these emissions, but whether or not using local resources such as indigenous organic fertilizer can reduce CH4 emissions is still unknown. This paper studied the effect of indigenous organic fertilizer compared with various fertilizers on methane (CH4) emissions at paddy fields and its relationship to the paddy growth by utilizing local resources. This research used a closed-chamber method and linear regression analysis. The planned experiment was conducted in a randomized block design pattern with five treatments and repeated four times, namely, (1) no fertilizer/control; (2) inorganic fertilizer; (3) cow manure compost; (4) indigenous organic fertilizer; and (5) commercial fertilizer. The CH4 gas was collected at 31, 61, and 91 days after transplanting (dat) and observed for its concentration. The results showed that at 31 dat, inorganic fertilizer was the highest CH4 flux and the lowest was no fertilizer; at 61 dat, commercial fertilizer was the highest CH4 flux and the lowest was no fertilizer; and at 91 dat, no fertilizer was the highest CH4 flux and the lowest was cow manure compost. Seasonal CH4 emission rates among the fertilizers from inorganic fertilizer, cow manure compost, indigenous organic fertilizer, and commercial fertilizer were 1.952, 1.884, 1.001, and 0.954 times, respectively, of that from no fertilizer. The statistical analysis showed an inverse correlation between the result of CH4 flux and the plant height whereas the lack of a positive correlation was found between the relationship of CH4 flux and the number of tillers. As a result, CH4 fluxes per grain yield were acquired in the following order: inorganic fertilizer > cow manure compost > indigenous organic fertilizer > commercial fertilizer > no fertilizer with 104.14, 91.79, 67.30, 63.38, and 34.22 kg Mg−1, respectively. The application of the appropriate type of fertilizer is one of the best mitigation methods to reduce CH4 emissions in paddy fields. The results showed that total CH4 emission from indigenous organic fertilizer was lower than that from inorganic fertilizer, and there was not a large difference between indigenous organic fertilizer and commercial fertilizer. Therefore, the use of indigenous organic fertilizer from local resources can be used as an alternative mitigation strategy to reduce CH4 emission from the paddy field.

The Effect Of Organic Fertilizer Types And Phosphate Fertilizer Dosage On Growth And Yield Of Chili (Capsicum Annum L.) Lotanbar Variety

Red chili plants are one of the important vegetable commodities and have high economic value in Indonesia, most of them are used for household and industrial purposes. The demand for red chili plants is increasing every year so that efforts are needed to increase the productivity of red chili plants. The objectives of study to determine (1) the effect of the interaction between the application of organic fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of red chili plants, (2) the effect of the type of organic fertilizer and the correct dosage of inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of red chili plants. The research was conducted from January to May 2019 in Sumani village, X Koto Singkarak sub District, Solok District with a height of ± 400 meters above sea level. The design was used a factorial design in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 factors. The first factor is the use of organic fertilizers derived from cow manure (A1) and straw compost (A2). The second factor is the use of SP-36 fertilizer as a source of phosphate at a dose of 10 g/plant (B1), a dose of 30 g/plant (B2), and a dose of 50 g/plant (B3), each treatment consisting of four sample plants. Data from the observations were carried out by analysis of variance, if the obtained F count was greater than F table 5% followed by a further test of Duncan New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the 5% real level. Parameters were observed: plant height, stem diameter, number of fruits, fruit length, fruit weight per plant, and yield of chili per hectare. The results showed that: (1) The results showed that the application of organic fertilizers was better for the growth and yield of Lotanbar chili plants. (2) The provision of cow manure can increase the growth of plant height, fruit length, fruit weight per plant and plant yield per hectare (3) There is no interaction between types of organic fertilizers and the dosage of phosphate fertilizers.

Site-Specific Effects of Organic Amendments on Parameters of Tropical Agricultural Soil and Yield: A Field Experiment in Three Countries in Southeast Asia

Organic amendments may improve the quality of acidic tropical agricultural soils with low organic carbon contents under conventional management (mineral fertilization and irrigation) in Southeast Asia. We investigated the effect of biochar, compost and their combination on maize growth and yield, soil physical, biological and chemical properties at harvesting time at four sites in three countries: Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Treatments consisted of 10 t·ha−1 cow manure compost and 7 t·ha−1 of Bamboo biochar and their combination. Maize biomass production and cop yields were recorded for two seasons. Elemental content, pH and nutrient availability of soils were analyzed after the first growing season. We also characterized macrofauna abundance and water infiltration. Few changes were noted for maize biomass production and maize cop yield. Soil chemical parameters showed contrasting, site-specific results. Compost and biochar amendments increased soil organic carbon, pH, total K and N, P and K availability especially for sandy soils in Thailand. The combination of both amendments could reduce nutrient availability as compared to compost only treatments. Physical and biological parameters showed no treatment response. We conclude that the addition of compost, biochar and their mixture to tropical soils have site-specific short-term effects on chemical soil parameters. Their short-term effect on plants is thus mainly related to nutrient input. The site-dependent results despite similar crops, fertilization and irrigation practices suggest that inherent soil parameters and optimization of organic amendment application to specific pedoclimatic conditions need future attention.