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Effects of compost type and storage conditions on climbing bean on Technosols of Tantalum mining sites in Western Rwanda
Author(s) -
Diogo Rodrigue V. Cao,
Bizimana Modeste,
Nieder Rolf,
Rukazambuga Ntirushwa Daniel Thomas,
Naramabuye François-Xavier,
Buerkert Andreas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201600485
Subject(s) - compost , tithonia , phaseolus , agronomy , chemistry , organic matter , soil water , phosphorite , soil conditioner , soil organic matter , municipal solid waste , environmental science , fertilizer , soil science , waste management , biology , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract Little is known about the effects of compost application to reclaim artisanal mining sites for agriculture in Central Africa. A field experiment was therefore conducted to examine the effects of locally available organic household waste composted under traditional (pit under leaf shade) versus improved management (pit under double plastic sheeting) and mixed with either Tithonia diversifolia biomass or Minjingu Phosphate Rock (13–15% P) on climbing bean sown on degraded Technosols (former Tantalum mining sites) and un‐mined control soils (Cambisols). Both soil types were derived from pegmatite. After 6 months of composting, nutrient concentrations in traditional compost were 0.27–0.32% N, 0.06–0.08% P, and 0.20–0.22% K. Comparative values in amended compost were 1.02–1.65% N, 0.10–0.31% P, and 0.41–1.13% K. In farmyard+solid waste, composted under traditional system, dry matter was 65.4%, pH 6.7, and C : N ratio 13.0, as opposed to 81.5% DM, a pH of 8.6, and a C : N ratio of 8.6 in farmyard+solid waste+Minjingu phosphate under improved compost, and 68.3% dry matter, a pH of 8.4, and a C : N ratio of 7.4 for Tithonia +farmyard+solid waste under improved conditions. Compared to bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grain yields of 0.28 (mined soil) and 0.11 (unmined soil) without amendments, the application (on a dry matter basis) of 5 t compost ha −1 led to yields of 3.54 t DM ha −1 for improved compost Tithonia +farmyard+solid waste on mined soil versus 2.26 t DM ha −1 (P < 5%) for the same treatment at the un‐mined sites. The yield obtained for farmyard+solid waste+Minjingu phosphate composted under improved conditions averaged 3.06 t DM ha −1 at mined sites compared with 2.85 t DM ha −1 at un‐mined sites (P > 5%). All amendments were more effective in enhancing bean yields on Technosols with significant positive effects with improved compost than on Cambisols.