Forced Aerated Poultry Compost Effects on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Lettuce Plant Growth

Abstract

Purpose: In previous studies, the stability and maturity of forced aerated composts were examined from the physicochemical analysis inside the reactors. The objective of this study is to check the maturity and effects of forced aerated composts after its addition to soil and plants. Methods: The composts were prepared from fresh chicken manure and sawdust in cylindrical reactors and aerated at 0.75, 0.50, and 0.25?L?min?1?kg?1 organic matter (OM) for 1?month. Afterward, it was mixed with soil and coded as treatment T1 (0.75?L?min?1?kg?1 OM aeration rate + soil), T2 (0.50?L?min?1?kg?1 OM aeration rate + soil), T3 (0.25?L?min?1?kg?1 OM aeration rate + soil), and CS (only soil), respectively. The soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content (OM), loss of organic matter content, bulk density (BD), water holding(WH)) and plant growth (shoot length (cm), leaves’ area (cm2), fresh and dry weight (g)) were checked for 4?months. Results: The results showed a significant increase (at P < 0.05) in soil properties in T1, T2, and T3 as compared with CS. Among treatments T1, T2, and T3, the maximum pH (7.20 ± 0.07), OM degradation (77.06%), loss of organic matter (6.32 ± 0.42%), and WH (32.17 ± 0.32%) were observed in T3. Additionally, the lowest EC (1.15 ± 0.02 mS/cm) and BD (1.06 ± 0.02%) were observed in T3. Further a significant increased difference (at P < 0.05) in shoot length (21.40 ± 1.01?cm), leaves’ area (293.20 ± 16.33?cm2), fresh weight (88.22 ± 7.30?g), and dry weight (12.10 ± 0.91?g) of the plant were observed in T3. Conclusion: The poultry manure compost’s aerated rate (0.25?L?min?1?kg?1 OM) in T3 was observed to be more mature and stable as compared with T1 and T2. ? 2020, The Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery.