Assessment of the Effects of Carbonized and Uncarbonized Co-Compost-Based Amendments on the Growth and Yield of Maize

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Gumbihini, a suburb in Tamale, Ghana during the 2015 cropping season to determine the effects of carbonized and uncarbonized co-compost on the growth and yield of fresh maize. Treatments included six composted amendments prepared from a basal mixture of poultry manure (15 %, v/v) and rice straw (65 % v/v) amended with uncarbonized rice husk (R₀), uncarbonized corn cobs (M₀), uncarbonized sawdust (S₀), carbonized rice husk (R₁), carbonized corn cobs (M₁) and carbonized wood (S₁). Two other treatments included were conventional composts, known as sawdust “multi-grow compost” (G₁) and rice husk “multi-grow compost” (G₂). Two control treatments added were no amendment plot (CO) and normal farmer practice (NAP). All treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Data on growth, above-ground biomass and yield parameters were collected. The results showed that M₀ produced significantly taller maize plants (169.2 cm), compared to all other treatments, at 77 days after planting (DAP). The same treatment (M₀) also produced significantly widest stem girth (value) and the highest fresh biomass weight of 18.71 t ha¹. The G₁ and M₀ treatments produced the highest maize yield of 9.42 t ha¹ and 9.06 t ha¹, respectively. Further research should be carried out on the long-term effects of co-compost on soil properties and plant performance.

Keywords: compost, carbonized, un-carbonized, soil amendments, biomass