Characterization of Compost Made from hen Manure and Wood Ash and Its Effect on Soil Properties, Production and Nutritional Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

The effect of a compost based on chicken manure and wood ash on the production and nutritional quality of tomatoes was evaluated. The mixtures of the constituents of each compost were made at variable m/m proportions: 25/75 (C1); 50/50 (C2); 75/25 (C3) and 100/0 (C4). Tomato cultivation in pots was done in completely randomized random blocks with 5 repetitions, and 3 compost/soil m/m proportions (5%, 10% and 15%). The physicochemical and biochemical parameters of the compost and the amended soil, as well as the production and nutritional quality of the fruits, were evaluated. The compost showed higher pH values than the unamended soil. The C3 variant exhibited the highest pH (9.97±0.00). The C/N ratio varied from 14.78±0.67 to 15.30±0.35 values higher than that of the unamended soil (11.86±0.27); exchangeable ion concentrations were higher in the compost. The microbial biomass and the enzyme activities of the compost were significantly higher than those of the unamended soil, the greatest values were obtained with the C3 variant. pH, EC, C/N ratio, and exchangeable ion concentrations were higher in all treated soils than in soils amended with chemical fertilizer. Tomato production was higher with the variant (15% C3) with a value of 156.00 ± 1.00 fruits, the soil amended with chemical fertilizer having given 14.00 ± 1.00 fruits. Biological tomatoes obtained with compost were richer in lycopene, vitamin C, phenolic compounds and minerals than those obtained with chemical inputs (Chemical tomatoes). The compost has improved the production and nutritional quality of the tomato, which is an efficient alternative for sustainable agriculture.