The effects of short-term compost application on soil chemical properties and plant nutritional status

Compost may improve the soil quality and contribute to C sequestration. The short-term effects of compost application on soil properties of soil cropped with maize are reported here. Soil plots to which mature compost was added (at 50 Mg ha-1 and 85 Mg ha-1) were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), nutrients, heavy metals and other soil properties. In addition, maize plants were weighed at the end of the trial and analyzed for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and heavy metals. The results demonstrate that soil amended with compost has an increased TOC content. The increase was proportional to the amount of compost used. At the highest dose used, compost also increased soil N and P content and the pH. Moreover, after compost application, the total heavy metal contents in soils did not increase. There was no difference between the maize yield from compost treated plots and the control plots. However, maize grains were found to be C, N and P enriched due to the increased nutrient status of the amended soil. In conclusion, the addition of mature compost improves soil properties by increasing the soil TOC content and this depends on the characteristics and the amount of compost used.