Decomposition and Nutrient Release Patterns of Some Farm Wastes under Controlled Room Temperature
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Decomposition rate of five commonly used organic fertilizer materials for tea production in Nigeria – cocoa husk (CH), tea fluff (TF), cow-dung (CD), poultry droppings (PD) and siam weed (SW), was determined under controlled laboratory room temperature range of 28 – 32℃ using carbon-dioxide evolution as an index, while the pH, amount of N, P and K released over four months incubation were assessed. The amount of CO2 evolved significantly (p≤0.05) increased for the first 2 months and decreased in the subsequent months for SW, TF, CH and CD, with one peak of upsurge, while it increased for PD in the 1st month, decreased in the 2nd month, increased in the 3rd month and drastically decreased at the 4th month. Carbon-dioxide evolved was highest for TF followed by CH, PD, SW, CD and least for control. Total N (151-265mg/mL), P (7.24-9.1mg/kg) and K (3.1-5.4g/kg) released and the soil pH (6.36-6.61) differed between the manures and were significantly (P≤0.05) higher compared to control with 59.0mg/mL N, 5.98mg/kg P, 2.30g/kg K and pH of 5.28. The significantly higher value of the soils amended with organic wastes for CO2, N, P and K from the onset of incubation indicated immediate commencement of nutrient release by the organic wastes, which suggests their capacity for gradual release of nutrients to meet the need of tea plants.
Author: R. R. Ipinmoroti
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W100511395