Comparative effect of five compost types on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) on a Ferric Acrisol in Ghana

Paper Details

Research Paper 13/09/2024
Views (6) Download (1)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Comparative effect of five compost types on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) on a Ferric Acrisol in Ghana

Acheampong Boakye, Kodwo Miezah, Henry Tuffour, Enoch Bessah, Francis Kemausour
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.25( 3), 34-46, September 2024.
Certificate: IJAAR 2024 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

The effect of compost application on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yields was studied on a Ferric Acrisol in the semi-deciduous rainforest zone of Ghana. Five different composting formulations were done to assess their effect on growth and yields of maize. The compost materials consisting of municipal solid waste (MSW), Pig dung and Goat dung (feedstock-amendment ratios) were composted over a 12-weeks period under mesophilic (<50 ℃) and thermophilic (>50 ℃) stages using windrow composting approach. The compost treatments were; T1 (100% mesophilic stage), T2 (100% thermophilic stage), T3 (50% mesophilic and 50% thermophilic stage), T4 (80% thermophilic stage) and T5 (80% mesophilic stage). Plot size measuring 3 m × 4 m were demarcated. Improved maize (Obatanpa) was planted in April and September, 2020 at spacing of 80 cm × 40 cm. Compost recommended application rates of 5 t/ha of each compost treatment were applied to the experimental plots two weeks after planting with three replications in a randomized complete block design. Compost treatment two (T2) significantly (p≤0.05) recorded the highest N, at the end of the composting period. Results showed that compost treatment two (T2)   treated plots significantly (p≤0.05) recorded the highest grain yields of 4.4 t/ha and 3.62 t/ha during the major and minor cropping season. These findings suggest that, compost treatment two (T2: 100% thermophilic stage) composting approach had short-term effects on nutrient supply, can be used by smallholder farmers to address soil fertility decline, improve nutrient availability and enhanced growth and yields of maize.

VIEWS 1

Ahmed R, Ghulam J, Muhammad A, Zahir AZ, Azeem K. 2007. Bioconversion of organic wastes for their recycling in agriculture: An overview of perspectives and prospects. Annals of Microbiology 57(4), 471-479.

Anderson JM, Ingram JSI. 1998. Tropical soil biology and fertility. A handbook of methods. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 221 pp.

Anon. 2002. Agriculture issue on compost controversy. Acres U.S.A., June, p. 20.

Ayoola OT. 2006. Effects of fertilizer treatments on soil chemical properties and crop yields in a cassava-based cropping system. Journal of Applied Sciences Research 2(12), 1112-1116.

Brinton WF. 2000. Compost quality standards and guidelines: An international view. Compost Standards and Guidelines. Report to NYSAR by Woods End Research Laboratory, Inc.

Bryndum S. 2014. Biotransformation of organic waste into high-quality fertilizer: Potentials and limitations for compost process optimization and nutrient recycling. PhD dissertation, Copenhagen University, Denmark, 101 pp.

Butler TJ, Han KL, Muir JP, Weindorf DC, Lastly L. 2008. Dairy manure compost effects on corn silage production and soil properties. Agronomy Journal 100, 1541-1545.

Chen L, De Haro MM, Moore A, Falen C. 2011. The composting process: Dairy compost production and use in Idaho CIS 1179. University of Idaho.

Cortellini L, Laraia R, De Poli F. 2002. Sampling protocols for ensuring legal compliance and standardisation: The case of Italy.

CSIR Annual Report. 1980. CSIR publishers. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/11891.

Cunningham SD, Berti WR. 1993. Remediation of contaminated soils with green plants: An overview. In vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant 29, 207-212. http\dx.doi.org\10.1007\BF02632036.

Curtis MJ, Claassen VP. 2005. Compost incorporation increases plant available water in a drastically disturbed serpentine soil. Soil Science 170, 939–953.

Dalcorso A, Manara A, Furini A. 2013. An overview of heavy metal challenge in plants: From roots to shoots. Metallomics 5(9), 1117-1132.

Dix NJ, Webster J. 1995. Fungal Ecology. Chapman and Hall, Cambridge, Great Britain.

Dresboll DB, Thorup-Kristensen K. 2005. Delayed nutrient application affects mineralization rate during composting of plant residues. Bioresource Technology 96(10), 1093-1101.

Ellings A. 2000. Estimation of leaf area in tropical maize. Agronomy Journal 92, 436-444.

Ewusi-Mensah K. 2009. Optimizing manure quality for increased food production on smallholder farms in the Upper East region of Ghana. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, pp. 205.

Ewusi-Mensah N. 2009. Optimizing manure quality for increased food production on smallholder farms in the Upper East region of Ghana. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Farrell M, Jones DI. 2009. Critical evaluation of municipal solid waste composting and potential compost markets. Bioresource Technology 100(19), 4301–4310.

Fobil JN, Armah NA, Hogarh JN, Carboo D. 2008. The influence of institutions and organizations on urban waste collection systems: An analysis of waste collection system in Accra, Ghana (1985-2000). Journal of Environmental Management 86(1).

Hargreaves JC, Adl MS, Warman PR. 2008. A review of the use of composted municipal solid waste in agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 123(1-3), 1-14.

Haseeb-ur-Rehman A, Ali A, Waseem M, Tanveer A, Tahir M, Nadeem MA, Zamir MSI. 2010. Impact of nitrogen application on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) grown alone and in combination with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L). American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science 7, 43–47.

Huang G, Wu Q, Wong J, Nagar B. 2006. Transformation of organic matter during co-composting of pig manure with sawdust. Bioresource Technology 97(15), 1834-1842.

Luo W, Yuan J, Luo YM, Li GX, Nghiem L, Price WE. 2014. Effects of mixing and covering with mature compost on gaseous emissions during composting. Chemosphere 117, 14–19.

Miezah K. 2005. Municipal solid waste characterization and quantification as a measure towards effective waste management in Ghana. PhD Thesis, Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Miller FC. 1996. Composting of municipal solid waste and its components. In: Palmisano AC, Barlaz MA, eds. Microbiology of Solid Waste, CRC Press, 115–154.

Motsara M, Roy RN. 2008. Guide to laboratory establishment for plant nutrient analysis. FAO Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.

Muller-Samann KM, Kotschi J. 1994. Sustaining growth: Soil fertility management in tropical smallholdings. ICTA; GTZ. Transl.: Christine Ernsting and Simon Chaterj. Margraf, Weikersheim, Germany.

Obiri-Danso K, Weobong CAA, Jones K. 2005. Aspects of health-related microbiology of the Subin, an urban river in Kumasi, Ghana. Journal of Water and Health 3(1), 69-76.

Onduru D, Snijders P, Muchena F, Wouters B, De Jager A, Gachimbi L, Gachini G. 2008. Manure and soil fertility management in sub-humid and semi-arid farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa: Experiences from Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Research 3(3), 166–187.

Ryckeboer J, Mergaert J, Coosemans J, Deprins K, Swings J. 2003. Microbiological aspects of biowaste during composting in monitored compost bin. Journal of Applied Microbiology 94(1), 127–137.

Singh S, Kalamdhad AS. 2011. Effects of heavy metals on soil, plants, human health, and aquatic life. International Journal of Research in Chemistry and Environment 1(2), 15-21.

Strauss M, Montangero A, Zurbrugg C, Drescher S, Olufunke C, Drechel P. 2003. Composting of faecal sludge and solid waste: A literature and state-of-knowledge review. EAWAG-SANDEC/IWNI (Ghana).

Takyi-Lartey R. 2015. Composting of organically amended/treated hardwood and softwood sawdust. MSc Thesis, University of Cape Coast.

Tchobanoglous G. 2003. Solid waste management. Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California. ISBN 0-471-41813-7. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey.

Thambirajah JJ, Zulkali MD, Hashim MA. 1995. Microbiological and biochemical changes during the composting of oil palm empty-fruit-bunches: Effect of nitrogen supplementation on the substrate. Bioresource Technology 52, 133-144.

Tiquia SM. 2005. Microbiological parameters as indicators of compost maturity. Journal of Applied Microbiology 99, 816–828.

Tuomela M, Vikman M, Hatakka A, Itavaara M. 2000. Biodegradation of lignin in a compost environment: A review. Bioresource Technology 72(2), 169-183.

Valkili M, Haque AA, Hosseini SM, Salamatinia B. 2012. Evaluation of maturation and stability. Some indexes of mixed palm oil biowaste composting process and poultry litter. World Applied Science Journal 19(2), 234-240.

Vuorinen AH, Saharinen MH. 1997. Evolution of microbiological and chemical parameters during manure and straw co-composting in a drum composting system. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 66(1), 19-29.

Zarina B, Akram M, Khan JU, Batool S, Makhdoom K. 2010. Maize response to integrated use of NP-fertilizer and compost. Pakistan Journal of Botany 42(4), 2793-2801.