Changes in soil nutrient status of a coarse-textured Ultisol and tomato growth performance following composted sawdust-household waste application

Authors

• Benedict O. Unagwu * ¹
• Chukwuma I. Obiora ²
• Ginika M. Ajoagu ²

1. Department of Soil Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
2. Department of Soil Science, University of Nigeria, Nsuk-ka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose Waste disposal poses serious environmental challenges to mankind. This precipitated the quest for an eco-friendly waste management approach to minimize the challenges wastes pose to the ecosystem and proffer alternative use for these wastes.
Method A field study was carried out at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Teaching and Research Farm to investigate the effects of composted sawdust-household waste (SHW) with or without inorganic fertilizer addition on soil chemical properties and tomato performance. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications. The treatments were: 50% NPK + SHW 20 t/ha, SHW 40 t/ha, SHW 20 t/ha, 100% NPK, and Control.
Result The amended treatments, except 100% NPK, increased the soil pH by 3-8%, available P by 14-29%, and soil organic matter by 1.5-9.8%. Control and 100% NPK treatments had no significant effect on the soil’s chemical properties. SHW 40 t/ha had significantly taller plants and a higher number of plant leaves relative to other treatments. The amended treatments recorded significantly weightier fresh root weight, dry root weight, fresh shoot weight, and dry shoot weight relative to the control treatment. Overall, SHW treatments application had more pronounced effects on plant biomass than on plant vegetative growth.
Conclusion The study suggests that composted SHW can be a viable option over chemical fertilizer for tomato cultivation as well as good soil conditioners.

Highlights

• Composted sawdust-household waste (SHW) application with or without chemical fertilizer had significant positive effects on the tomato plant parameters (plant height, number of leaves, fresh root weight, dry root weight, fresh shoot weight, and dry shoot weight, etc.) measured relative to the control treatment.
• SHW applied at 20 t ha^-1 and 40 t ha^-1 had comparable effects on tomato dry biomass and both treatments had significantly (p < 0.05) higher dry biomass as compared with 100% NPK treatment.
• The amended treatments, except 100% NPK, increased the soil pH by 3-8%, available P by 14-29%, and soil organic matter by 1.5-9.8% relative to the control treatment.
• Overall, SHW treatment application had more pronounced effects on plant biomass than on plant vegetative growth.
• Results indicate that composted sawdust-household waste can be a viable option over chemical fertilizer for tomato cultivation as well as a good soil conditioner.

Keywords

• NPK fertilizer
• Tomato performance
• Compost
• Sawdust
• Household waste

Main Subjects

• Agricultural waste