Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CATTLE AND KITCHEN MANURES DERIVED COMPOSTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FIELD GROWN Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Pages : 13 - 22)

Composting was conducted in the guinea-savannah zone of Cameroon from January to April 2007 and the field trial was carried out during the April-July cropping season of the same year. The aims of the study were to improve the soil fertility with cattle and kitchen manures derived composts and to assess their effects on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) productivity in the field. Determinations of temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, nitrogen phosphate and sulphate contents of composts, as well as growth of P. vulgaris seeds were assessed. There were decreased fluctuations in temperature during the composting process. The pH of cattle manure (CM), kitchen manure (KM) and the mixture of cattle- kitchen manures (CKM) derived compost ranged from 5.94-6.94, and was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the constant pH (4.88) of the growing soil (GS) or control. Compost improved the overall soil fertility by significantly (p < 0.024) increasing the organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and sulphate contents. The losses in organic matter were respectively 6.51, 12.86 and 7% (w/w) for CM, KM and CKM. Cattle and kitchen manures derived composts consistently (p < 0.001) induced enhanced nodulation and P. vulgaris L. biomass at 30 days after planting. Amending plots with CM and KM derived composts significantly increased the seed yield at maturity by respectively 1.53, 1.43 and 1.86 folds, compared to that of the control. These results suggest that not only the quality, but also the source of composting substrate were important for improving growth and yield of organically grown P. vulgaris L in Ngaoundéré. Download