A Combined application of compost and mineral fertilization enhances plant growth and soil fertility in calcareous clay loam soils

Abstract

Pot experiment was implemented to investigate the effect of compost soil application with and without mineral fertilizers on the plant growth and fertility of calcareous clay loam soils. Randomized complete block design with four replication was used to evaluate the following treatments: i) Control with no compost or fertilizer addition (C); ii) Compost at a rate of 20 ton ha1 (Co); iii) Mineral NPK fertilizer as di-ammonium phosphate and potassium sulfate at a rates of 700 kg and 500 kg ha-1, respectively; (F) and iv) Combined compost and mineral fertilization (CoF). Pots filled with 4 kg soil and seeded with maize were periodically watered to reach field capacity water content. At flowering stage samples of soil and plants were taken were for analysis. The results indicated that application of compost with and/or without mineral fertilizer significantly increased plant growth and nutrients uptake. Moreover, soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity and nutrient contents were also significantly increased by the same treatments. However, the positive effect of the combined compost and mineral fertilization was better than the effect of separate application of each. The obtained results highly recommend the combined application of compost and mineral fertilizers.