Tobacco–rapeseed system with moderate mineral fertiliser promotes yield by synergistically improving bacterial network complexity and soil fertility

As solid biofuels gain increasing importance, the issue of rational management of the ash obtained from biofuel combustion is becoming increasingly relevant. This relevance will only increase in the future, since it is predicted that the main biofuel raw material will not be wood, but agricultural biomass with a high ash content. Biomass ash contains valuable nutrients, such as potassium and phosphorus, and therefore, it could be used for fertilization in agriculture. The concentration of nutrients in the ash can be made more balanced by granulating it with organic waste. This work presents the results of the environmental impact of using multi-crop biomass ash for fertilization of spring barley using the life cycle assessment method. Five scenarios were analyzed: (1) mineral fertilizer (MF), (2) non-granulated ash (NA), (3) ash and cattle manure pellets (ACM), (4) ash and sewage sludge pellets (ASS), and (5) ash and sapropel pellets (ASP). The results of the study show that all scenarios using ash for fertilization have a lower environmental impact compared with the scenario using only mineral fertilizers (MFs). The lowest carbon footprint (583.94 CO2eq.) was determined for the ASP scenario. Normalization of the results showed that the ASS and ASP scenarios are the best from an environmental point of view, with the lowest environmental impact (24.90 and 24.60 Pt, respectively).

Integration of bio stimulants with mineral fertilization has gained increasing attention as a sustainable strategy to enhance crop productivity. Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is recognized for its bioactive compounds that may improve plant growth and yield however, its effectiveness largely depends on nutrient availability. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between MLE concentration and NPK fertilizer rate on the growth and production of common bean, particularly pod weight per plant. The experiment was arranged in a factorial design with four MLE concentrations (0, 5, 7.5, and 15%) and three NPK rates (350, 450, and 550 kg ha⁻¹). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at 5%. The results revealed a significant interaction between MLE concentration and NPK rate on pod weight per plant. The highest pod weight (324.48 g per plant) was obtained with the combination of 15% MLE and 450 kg ha⁻¹ NPK. Increasing the NPK rate to 550 kg ha⁻¹ did not further enhance yield and, in some treatments, reduced the positive effect of MLE. Application is most effective when integrated with balanced mineral fertilization. The combination of 7.5-15% MLE and 450 kg ha⁻¹ NPK is recommended to optimize reproductive biomass in common bean. These findings contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable fertilization strategies in agriculture.

Thymus syriacus Boiss. It is an evergreen, perennial sub-shrub that is distributed throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, including Türkiye. The use of organic and mineral fertilizers differs in their contributions to sustainability and soil fertility. While the mineral fertilizers are believed to ensure rapid nutrient availability, organic fertilizers play a vital role in maintaining long-term soil health and supporting sustainable production systems. In the present study, a field experiment on T. syriacus Boiss. was conducted to examine the effects of organic and mineral fertilizers on essential oil (EO) content and composition in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. The treatments included control (no fertilizer), manure (25 ton ha-1), vermicompost (10 ton ha-1), and mineral fertilizer (0.4 ton ha-1). Treatments were found to be significantly effective on EO content and components (p<0.05). In both years, control had lower EO content (1.12-1.87%); furthermore, vermicompost had the highest EO content (1.30-2.57%). In the 2nd year, fertilizer applications had significantly improved essential oil content compared with the control. Carvacrol and o-cymene were found as the main components. Carvacrol content ranged from 62.98% to 84.56%, with the highest observed in second-year vermicompost-applied samples. As a result, vermicompost organic fertilizer can be recommended for the sustainable cultivation of T. syriacus, as it improves soil health while maintaining high essential oil yield and carvacrol content similar to or even greater than those achieved with mineral fertilizers.

The world’s population faces serious challenges related to food security, particularly in the agribusiness sector, as it grapples with dependence on mineral fertilizers in key producing regions, susceptible to tariff policy fluctuations and wars, amid climate change and population growth, despite increased food production enabled by new technologies and management practices. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the main challenges to food security in Brazil, with emphasis on how agricultural production, land use, and mineral fertilizer dependence interact under global climate change. We employed comprehensive literature review methods and analyzed data from national and international agencies to compile relevant information on the influence of this scenario on agricultural production, providing an overview of the topic to understand trends and future projections of these challenges. The results revealed significant vulnerabilities in the sector, especially concerning reliance on imported mineral fertilizers to meet its full demand. In 2024, Brazil imported approximately 90% of the mineral fertilizers used in its agricultural sector, which heightens exposure to geopolitical and market shocks. Moreover, climate change also negatively impacts agriculture, raising production costs and prices of staple foods, thereby exacerbating food insecurity. Therefore, improving fertilizer use efficiency and adopting alternative fertilization sources, combined with conservation practices, represent key strategies to mitigate food insecurity. Among these strategies, reducing import dependence through improved fertilizer use efficiency emerges as the most immediately actionable priority, as it could reduce current demand by 20–30% within 5 years. This should be complemented by medium-term investments in alternative fertilizer sources and long-term climate adaptation measures. These actions can also support the promotion of sustainable development goals aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. Aligning fertilizer strategies with climate-smart and low-carbon agriculture policies could simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the resilience of food systems.

Long-term soil fertility is governed by the metabolic plasticity of microbial communities, particularly during the decomposition of crop residues. This study investigated the straw-associated functional microbial profile associated with straw decomposition under the influence of 62 years of continuous management with mineral fertilization and liming. Using the Biolog EcoPlateTM approach combined with a modified litter-bag protocol, we assessed shifts in metabolic activity patterns of functional guilds and groups. PERMANOVA results revealed that the interaction between liming and fertilization (p < 0.05) was the primary driver of divergence in functional communities, rather than the individual effect of factors. Long-term treatments induced a significant reconfiguration of the functional niche, shifting from the native, generalist microbiome to specialized communities in treated variants, with carbohydrate (CH) guilds as dominant and indicators of community performance. Moderate levels of liming (L1) stimulated metabolic activity and maintained higher functional diversity across amino acid (AA) and polymers (Px) guilds. Intensive liming (L2), in contrast, restricted the activity of most microbial functional groups and favored amine (AM) and carboxylic acid (CX) guilds. Shifts from a generalist microbiome in native soil to specialized communities in treated soils show the capacity of microorganisms to adapt efficiently under agronomic management.

This study investigates the motion of melt jets, droplets, and prills of mineral fertilizers in the working space of a prilling tower. A specific feature of the process is the presence of a rotational velocity component caused by the rotation of the vibropriller basket. At the design stage of prilling equipment, the influence of basket rotation on the motion of jets, droplets, and prills, as well as their aerodynamic interaction with the air flow. is considered only to a limited extent in most existing models of prilling systems. A prilling tower with an internal diameter of 24 m, a prill flight height of 80 m, and a melt load of 175 t/h was adopted as the calculation model. The results showed that a basket rotation speed of 180 rpm provides the most effective radial expansion of the melt plume. Droplet trajectories were constructed; the horizontal and vertical velocity components were determined for different vibropriller basket configurations. The results were obtained by numerically solving a system of differential motion equations considering initial melt outflow conditions, geometric parameters, and basket rotation speed. A quantitative relationship between basket rotation parameters and aerodynamic conditions of particle motion through changes in relative phase velocity was established. The adopted approach could be applied at the design stage of high capacity prilling equipment to select basket configuration and rotation regimes. The resulting correlations make it possible to predict prill trajectories and prevent adhesion of non-crystallized melt to the internal tower surfaces. Elimination of secondary droplet breakup conditions reduces dust formation and stabilizes the particle size distribution of the product

Introduction Excessive reliance on mineral fertilizers in maize cultivation has raised environmental concerns, highlighting the need for more sustainable alternatives. This study evaluated the effects of guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus L.) manure and the application of N, P and K fertilizers on the yield and nutritional quality of hybrid maize grown in the central Peruvian coast. Methods A split-plot design with three replications, was implemented, testing four manure doses (0, 2, 5, 10 t ha -1 ) in combination with four mineral fertilizer levels (0, 50, 75, and 100% of recommended N, P and K). Results The 5 t ha -1 manure + 75% mineral fertilizer treatment achieved the highest yield (8.82 t ha -1 ), representing a 28.38% increase relative to the full mineral fertilization treatment, accompanied by a grain weight of 152.80 g and an ear weight of 171.31 g. Nutritional quality peaked at 5 t ha -1 manure + 100% mineral fertilizer, with 7.85% protein and 363 kcal 100 g -1 energy content. Multivariate analysis revealed strong positive correlations between combined organic-mineral inputs and key productivity parameters. These findings demonstrate that the strategic integration of 5 t ha -1 of guinea pig manure with a 25% reduction in mineral fertilization (i.e., 75% of the recommended dose) enhanced both grain yield and nutritional value. Discussion This combination offers a practical, cost-effective pathway for smallholder farmers to improve yellow maize production under coastal Peruvian conditions while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. These results demonstrate a clear synergistic interaction between organic and mineral fertilization, leading to improved crop productivity under conditions of limited soil organic matter in the coastal soils of Peru. This finding supports the use of guinea pig manure as a sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural input.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is well recognised as one of the most significant oilseed crops cultivated worldwide, known for its high quality. A good crop of sunflowers can be grown in areas with rainfall of 300-500 mm. Sunflowers possess the potential to mitigate the prevailing shortage of edible oil due to their significant role in emergency crop management strategies. The current study aims to assess the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) with organic manure of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure and inorganic fertilisers on the yield of sunflower. A field experiment was conducted with 10 treatments, viz. 3 types of organic sources, viz. FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost, inorganic nutrients and growth regulators in the spring season 2022– 2023 at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design. After analysis, the data clearly showed significant differences among treatments in sunflower yield. Among the entire treatments, Maximum capitulum diameter (22.7 cm) was recorded with 50% N through vermicompost + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate, respectively, @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 DAS. The Permanent Manurial Experiment at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, was established to evaluate the effects of continuous application of organic and mineral fertilisers on crop yield and soil quality. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) comprising seven treatments, each replicated three times. The application of 50% N through vermicompost + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate, respectively, @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) is thus recommended for sunflower cultivation in sandy loamy soils, considering the yield of sunflower (Gahlot & Singh, 2023). The results indicated that the integrated application of 100% NPK with farmyard manure (FYM) at 12.5 t ha⁻¹ (INM) significantly increased sunflower seed yield to 1,879 kg ha⁻¹ and straw yield to 3,916 kg ha⁻¹ compared to the control. Maximum seed yield (2156.67 kg ha-1) was recorded in 50% N through vermicompost + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate respectively @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 DAS which was at par with 50% N through poultry manure + seed dressing and foliar application of sodium molybdate @ 0.2% at 40 and 60 DAS and 50% N through FYM + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate respectively @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 DAS with 2076.67 and 2056.67 kg ha-1 respectively. The study concludes that it is expected to offer an environmentally sustainable, scientifically sound, and economically feasible approach.

Abstract Background and aims The application of hydrochar (HC) to soil has beneficial effects, but few studies have evaluated its impact on soil–plant-insect systems. This study investigated the effects of HC derived from sugarcane vinasse and bagasse on soil properties, dissolved organic matter (DOM), plant development, and the performance of a key herbivore. Methods HC application was performed on maize and tomato crops in an Ultisol at doses of 5, 15, and 30 t ha −1 . Plant growth parameters (biomass, length, height, and chlorophyll index), soil β-glucosidase activity, and the quantity and quality of leached organic matter were measured, along with Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm- FAW) fitness traits (larval viability and weight). Results In the short term, the lowest HC dose significantly enhanced tomato growth (p < 0.05). The responses of β-glucosidase activity and soil DOM indicate that enzymatic stimulation depends on both the HC rate and the presence of mineral fertilization. Furthermore, HC induced plant resistance, as evidenced by antibiosis effects on FAW (p < 0.05), reducing larval viability by up to 44% when insects were fed maize leaves, in addition to sublethal effects such as decreased larval weight, and for tomato, an average reduction of 22.96% in viability. Conclusion Therefore, the application of HC as a soil conditioner, in addition to its effects on soil fertility and plant growth, has been shown to have an antibiosis effect on the fall armyworm (FAW). Further investigations, such as the expression of genes and metabolites of the plant defense system, need to be conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of action involved. Graphical abstract

Microbial efficiency drives depth-dependent soil carbon storage under organic fertilization.

ABSTRACT Composting is an effective way to recycle perishable waste (e.g. food, vegetable and fruit waste), while the effects of varying compost application rates on soil properties and bacterial communities are not well understood. Soil samples were taken from pot experiments that included an unfertilized control, a mineral NPK-only treatment and four compost-amended mineral fertilizer treatments at 0.7%, 2.1%, 3.5% and 4.9% w/w. Soil analysis included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total soluble salt, and assessment of diversity and community of soil bacteria. Results showed that perishable waste compost application enhanced soil salinity by significantly increasing soil total soluble salt content (67–174%) and EC (24–152%) compared with mineral fertilizer. Perishable waste compost addition affected soil bacterial community composition by increasing Cyanobacteria and decreasing Firmicutes relative abundance, which reflected changes in soil salinity. Soil bacterial community stability and potential biological activity, together with soil phosphorus availability and rice yield (increased by 41% and 36% compared to mineral fertilizer) were promoted under the 2.1% perishable waste compost addition, which suggested this rate was recommended for optimal productivity in paddy soil. These findings advanced our understanding of the soil salinity risk for perishable waste compost use as organic fertilizer.

Declining soil fertility status and poor agronomic management practices are major factors of declining quality for malt barley in the Ethiopian highland area, particularly in the study area. To address these major challenges, a two-year (2022-2023) field experiment was conducted in experimental fields in the Welmera district to evaluate the effects of mixed-use mineral N fertilization and compost rates on malt barley quality parameters. A randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements of five N rates (0, 23, 46, 69, and 92 kg ha-1) and four compost rates (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 t ha-1) was tested in three replications. According to the results, both compost and mineral nitrogen fertilizer were significantly influenced thousand-seed weight, protein content, malt extract, beta-glucan content, malt friability and germination energy of malt barley grain, with seasonal variations. Increased mineral N levels enhanced seed weight and grain protein content but reduced malt extract yield and malt friability, while compost improved grain protein content and malt beta-glucan. These influences were improved by organic compost and mineral fertilization, which enhanced multiple quality parameters. The results clearly demonstrated that application of 69 kg N ha-1 and 5 t ha-1 of compost rate in moderation, which optimized the malt quality parameters, met industry standards without increasing protein concentration or diminishing malt extract yield of malt barley grain. These mixed management approaches not only enhance the quality of malt barley grain for the beer industry but also help soil fertility restoration and guarantee long-term production sustainability for smallholder farmers in the Ethiopian highlands. For robust and wide applicability, subsequent multiple-seasons and multiple-locations studies with additional quality assessments are recommended.

The article examines the features of the development of the grain and sugar beet subcomplexes and provides their comparative assessment. Agriculture in Russia is one of the key areas of the economy, and it has important social and strategic importance. In the crop field, grain farming remains central – the grain wedge accounts for more than half of all acreage. Sugar beet remains the second key crop production area in Russia, as it is the only available type of raw material for sugar production in the country's natural and climatic conditions. Although beet sugar is inferior in a number of parameters to cane sugar, the possibilities of efficient and relatively cheap cultivation of sugar beet determine the development of this area. The study compares the main indicators of the development of the sugar beet and grain product subcomplex in Russia in the period 2020-2024. In the course of the work, it was found that the considered food subcomplexes and the crops grown in them have different trends and development features related to both internal and external factors. Sugar beet crops and gross yields are more stable in dynamics and are growing compared to grain crops, where only in 2022 there was a high efficiency of crop cultivation, and in subsequent years there was a decrease. The volume of mineral fertilizers applied to crops of both grain and sugar beet is growing per unit of crops, but this does not have a direct impact on yield and gross harvest, which is confirmed by the dynamics of the data series.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in the production of nitrogen, potash, and phosphorus fertilizers, focusing on innovations that enhance both efficiency and environmental sustainability. Key technological breakthroughs discussed include low-energy ammonia synthesis through electrochemical and plasma-assisted processes, phosphate recovery from municipal and industrial wastewater, and the use of potassium-bearing industrial by-products such as mica, feldspar, and fly ash. The review highlights the development of green synthesis methods that minimize the environmental footprint and offer cost-effective routes to utilize secondary raw materials. Special attention is paid to the integration of circular economy principles and zero-waste approaches in fertilizer production, including the transformation of phosphogypsum and sludge into valuable fertilizer components. Moreover, the potential application of nanotechnology for nutrient delivery optimization and precision farming techniques for improving fertilizer use efficiency are critically examined. This paper provides a detailed overview of current trends and future perspectives in sustainable mineral fertilizer production. By emphasizing innovative strategies and emerging technologies, the article underlines the importance of environmentally responsible approaches to support global food security while preserving ecological balance.

ABSTRACT The long-term application of manure from animal production can enhance soil quality; however, continuous or excessive use may lead to environmental contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of poultry manure (PM) and liquid swine manure (LSM) applications on soil chemical properties and determine the application rates that significantly alter soil quality after eight years. A random complete block design was used, consisting of five treatments and four replicates. Organic treatments included PM and LSM applied at 67%, 100%, 150%, and 200% of the nitrogen requirement for corn, wheat, and oats, and phosphorus for soybeans, in comparison with a mineral fertilizer control. Soil samples were collected at 0–0.1 m and 0.1–0.2 m depths and analyzed for carbon (C), phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). PM and LSM partially or fully replaced mineral fertilization, especially for P, C, Ca2+, and K+, and the application resulted in increased levels of P, C, Ca2+, and K+ at both soil depths. At the same time, LSM enhanced C contents in both layers and increased P only at the highest rates (T4S and T5S). Among the organic sources, PM was more effective in improving soil fertility indicators.

Abstract The nitrogen (N) fertiliser value of cattle slurry is often low, due to a high carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio limiting slurry N availability, and high viscosity leading to slow slurry infiltration and increased risk of ammonia emissions. In this study, the effect of treatments reducing the slurry C/N ratio in combination with measures to reduce ammonia emissions after slurry application was tested. Seven field fertilisation experiments were conducted in winter wheat fields and grass leys in southwest Sweden during a three-year period. Slurry types included were untreated cattle slurry (CS), the liquid fraction (LF) from screw-press separation of cattle slurry, and biogas digestate (BD) with cattle slurry as the main substrate. Application strategies included trailing hoses, trailing shoes, and acidified slurry applied with trailing hoses. Trailing shoe application was further studied in two additional experiments in spring oats. In winter wheat and grass ley, the N fertiliser value, expressed as Mineral Fertiliser Equivalents based on the amount of applied ammonium N (MFE NH4N ), was lowest for CS applied with trailing hoses (31%). Slurry separation and anaerobic digestion increased MFE NH4N to 55% and 52%, respectively. Slurry acidification increased MFE NH4N for CS to 52% and for BD to 82%, while the effect for LF was non-significant. In most cases trailing shoe application did not increase MFE NH4N compared with trailing hoses. In conclusion, this study shows that the N fertiliser value of cattle slurry can be increased in several ways, with a combination of anaerobic digestion and slurry acidification resulting in the largest increase.

New fertilization strategies in pistachio cultivation are necessary to reduce the environmental impact of mineral fertilization. The influence of organic fertilization strategies, compost and compost tea, on the growth, yield, and chemical composition of pistachio nuts (Pistacia vera L.) was investigated for two sequential seasons in Spain. Conventional synthetic fertilizers were compared with three organic treatments: compost (T1), compost with compost tea (T2), and compost tea combined with mineral fertilizers (T3). Organic fertilization, alone or combined with mineral fertilization, proved adequate for tree growth and production. The nut composition including mineral content, fatty acid profile, and amino acid composition, was comparable to that obtained with mineral fertilization. Linolenic acid content was higher in treatments that incorporated compost tea (T2 and T3). No changes were observed in mineral composition except for the Zn, which was higher in T3 during one season. Differences in pistachio nut composition between growing seasons were more pronounced than those associated with the fertilization treatments. This is probably a result of alternate bearing. In this trial, integrated organic-mineral fertilization of young pistachio trees reduced the need for mineral fertilization.

Potassium (K) deficiency is a major constraint to crop productivity in Egyptian soils, particularly in coarse-textured soils. In pot experiments, the study evaluated impact of application of biochars at a rate of 3% (w/w) produced at 450 °C for 4 h, from four agricultural residues (sugarcane bagasse residues biochar (SBR), olive stone pomace biochar (OSP), orange fruit pomace biochar (OFP), and maize stover residues biochar (MSR)) on K availability, K dynamics, and specific soil physicochemical properties across four Egyptian soil types (sandy, loamy, clayey, and calcareous), in addition to its effects on wheat growth. Biochars varied in surface area (23.72–41.82 m² g⁻¹) and nutrient content, with MSR showing the highest plant available nutrients, while OSP exhibited the highest cation exchange capacity (56.78 cmol (+) kg⁻¹). Application of biochars increased soil water-holding capacity (WHC) by 17–35.5%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 18–163%, depending on soil type. Thermodynamic parameters of K were significantly improved; labile-K (KL) increased by 103.6% in sandy soil with MSR, 59.01% in loamy soil with OSP, 48.55% in clayey soil with SBR, 849% in calcareous soil with MSR. Activity ratio of K at equilibrium (:{mathrm{AR}}_{0}^{mathrm{K}}) increased by 33.33% in sandy soil with MSR, 20.00% in clayey soil with SBR, 75.0% in calcareous soil with MSR, while in loamy soil decreased by − 16.66% in loamy soil with OSP. Potential buffering capacity of K (PBCK) increased with application of MSR by 96.99%, 119.89%, 45.90% in sandy, loamy and clayey soils, while PBCK increased by 421.39% with OSP application in calcareous soil. Gibbs free energy (ΔG) became more negative (up to − 5.565 kcal mol⁻¹), and Gabon selectivity coefficient (KG) increased by 82.5%. Wheat fresh and dry biomass increased by 25.9–84.6% and 16.9–63.8%, respectively. Uptake of N, P, and K on wheat tissues increased by 27.3–142.2%, depending on biochar type and soil. In general, biochar-amended treatments produced higher wheat biomass and nutrient uptake than the unamended controls, with MSR demonstrating the most consistent performance across different soil types, followed by OSP. These findings highlight the importance of matching biochar type with soil characteristics to optimize K availability, improve K-use efficiency, reduce reliance on mineral fertilizers, and support sustainable soil fertility management under arid and semi-arid conditions.

The development of pastoral livestock farming requires sufficient quantities of good quality fodder. The advantage of fodder crops is that they provide both sufficient quantities and good quality fodder throughout the year. The objective of this study is to evaluate fodder production in relation to chicken droppings in degraded savannah areas in the Ignié region. Two non-random Fischer block experimental designs were set up, one with pure crops with one treatment and three replicates, and the other with associed crops with one treatment and four replicates. The treatments were based on chicken droppings at a dose of 2.5 g per 25 m² plot. The soil was prepared mechanically during the dry season. The chicken droppings was spread two weeks before planting. The crops were planted in rows, spaced 0.5 m x 0.5 m apart, by sowing, cuttings and root suckers on plots of 25 m² each during the rainy season. The herbaceous above-ground biomass was measured using the harvest method in 1 m² plots with four replicates for each crop. The samples were dried in an oven at 70°C for 24 hours. The results show that the herbaceous above-ground biomass of untreated and treated pure crops varies with species and treatment. After three months, above-ground biomass is higher with the addition of chicken droppings. It is 9.95 t DM/ha for Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.; 13.1 t DM/ha for Panicum maximum Jacq. and 15.95 t DM/ha for Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. The same trend is observed for associeted crops. The most productive combination is Panicum maximum Jacq. - Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. - Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., with 27.9 t DM/ha. The use of chicken droppings could be an alternative to mineral fertilisers for improving pastures.