Decomposition of Plantain Peel Powder and Assessment of its Effects on Soil Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Abstract

This study aims at assessing the effects of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) peel powder on soil physical and chemical properties in the context of sustainable yield management. The experiment took place in the laboratory of plant physiology of the University Félix Houphouët Boigny from July to November 2020. Three designs were set up. Design 1 consisted of 20 g of plantain peel powder added to a 2-cm thick layer of sea sand. Design 2 consisted of 5 g of plantain peel powder added to 250 g of sea sand. Design 3 consisted of a homogeneous mixture of 100 g of peel powder and 200 g of rhizospheric tomato or plantain soil. The designs were regularly watered with distilled water. In the first two designs, the plantain peel powder was added according to two methods. These included surface incorporation and deep incorporation. The experiment allowed us to characterize peel powder decomposition and assess its effects on soil physicochemical parameters. The physico-chemical characteristics of the soils were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA 1). STATICA 7.1 software was used to perform all the analyses. Analysis of the results showed that the incorporation method does not influence peel powder decomposition. This decomposition is followed by the release of colored elements. Water retention capacity as well as particle size were improved. The results showed that plantain peel powder is an important source of minerals mainly phosphorus and potassium. It emerges from this study that plantain peel could be a good organic fertilizer for profitable and environmentally friendly agriculture.