Agricultural Valorisation of Organic Wastes from Market of Korhogo City in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The present study aims to assess the fertilization potential of organic wastes from the municipal markets of Korhogo City in Côte d’Ivoire (Market of Sinistré). Wastes collection and characterization have been done prior to thermophilic aerobic composting which has been conducted by using Berkley method with two compost piles prepared for the experiment. The first one consisted with only dried organic waste, while a layer of 0.5 m³ of dried organic wastes on the pile base and a layer of fresh organic waste on the top, have been used for the second one. The obtained compost was analysed in laboratory using Mehlich 3 method, along with an infrared spectrometer, to determine its nutrients composition. Finally, the effect on plant growth and productivity of resulting compost was evaluated through the cultivation of cucumbers (Poinsett variety). The results showed a daily collection of organic waste from the studied market with an average of 56.57 kg. The resulting compost sample, after analyse, showed average NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) concentrations of 7, 4, and 32 g/kg, respectively, with low levels of trace metals (less than 0.007 g/kg). Used as fertilizer in cucumber cultivation, the compost induced rapid plant growth within four weeks, with an average height ranging from 70 and 98 cm, for 50 g and 75 g doses per plant. In addition, first mature cucumbers were harvested (55th day) in plots treated with composts, while cucumbers were still developing in untreated plots. At the end of harvesting period (two weeks), the highest yield was observed in the plot amended with wet components compost (6.18 kg of cucumbers), followed by the plot with dry components compost (4.2 kg) and the plot treated with NPK mineral fertilizer (3.15 kg).