Abstract

Low agricultural productivity is a threat to achieving global food security. Improving productivity of degraded soils is key to achieving sustainable food production. This study investigated the effects of four organic amendments (OAs) (Mushroom Compost, MC; PAS-100 compost, PAS; Anaerobic Digestate Solid Waste, AD_SW; and Poultry Manure, PM), applied at 10 t ha-1 and 30 t ha-1 on the physical, chemical and biological Soil Quality Indicators (SQIs) of a degraded sandy loam soil. The OAs had about 76 and 49.1% (p < 0.05) increase in the Olsen P and soil organic matter compared to control (un-amended) treatment respectively. There were significant percent increases in the microbial biomass C, total organic C and available K associated with the OAs treatments relative to the control treatment. Applying MC, PAS, AD_SW and PM at 30 t ha-1 best improved the soil physical, chemical and biological SQIs. Long term field study is recommended to further evaluate the effects of these OAs on the overall soil health.

Key words: Soil quality indicators, microbial biomass, organic matter, degraded soil.