ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY AND EFFECTS OF COMPOSTED MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ON SOIL PROPERTIES, GROWTH AND YIELD OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS IN TAMALE - ALEFU (Amaranthus cruentus)

Abstract

The management of soil nutrient is necessary in order to maintain the constant productivity of the plant system as well as good soil quality. This study documented the sources and quality of feedstock for the production of compost in the Tamale Metropolis and the effect of the application of the resulting compost on soil properties, the growth and yield of Amaranthus cruentus. Quality compost was produced from selected feedstock in Nyankpala and a field experiment setup to study the effect of different rates of the compost and inorganic fertiliser the development of Amaranthus cruentus. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design, with two factors (compost and inorganic fertiliser) at four levels each (0kg/ha, 10kg/ha, 20kg/ha, and 30kg/ha) Growth characteristics, plant height, number of leaves, fresh biomass and dry matter content of Amaranthus cruentus were assessed during 2019 cultivation season. The soil properties and nutrient content were measured before and after planting of Amaranthus cruentus and compared. The results from the laboratory on the compost analysis shows that, the compost was rich and high in Nitrogen (5.75% of N in a 5g of the compost sample taking to the laboratory). The treatments with compost amendment saw changes in the concentration of soil pH from (5.89-6.65), nitrogen from (0.10-1.73) % and organic carbon from (1.17-4.58) %. Also, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium increased significantly with organic manure treatment. Whilst the NPK chemical fertiliser reduced soil pH from (5.89-5.75) and exchangeable calcium concentrations and increased the available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium concentrations. These findings indicate thatorganic manure (compost) derived from urban degradable waste, shea butter slurry and crop by-products can be used in the cultivation of vegetable crops. Keywords: organic manure (compost); growth performance; nutrient treatment; vegetable production.