Effect of Accelerated Compost on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties of an Alfisol

Summary

Accelerated compost (AC) is a newly developed commercial compost from market organic wastes and animal manure with composting accelerated within twenty one (21) days using a specific microorganism. However, information on effect of AC on soil properties is scarce. Therefore the field experiment was conducted in Ibadan to assess the effect of an AC on the properties of an Alfisol using maize (Zea mays L.) as a test crop. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The AC treatments rates were 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg N/ha; while NPK 15-15-15 mineral fertilizer and conventional compost (CC) at 60 kg N/ha and an absolute control (no soil additive) were used as checks. Data collected on post cropping soil physical and chemical properties were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The study revealed that the AC improved the physical (bulk density and volumetric moisture content) and chemical (pH, organic carbon, N and P) properties of the soil with the 60 kg N/ha as the optimum rate.