Abstract:
Modern agriculture faces to new challenges and problems. Application of organic waste compost
represents new possibilities to improve soil organic matter and thus reduce the risk of soil
degradation and improve significantly crop yield. This study was conducted to determine the
effect of various compost-based Jatropha by-products on soil properties and sorghum (Sorghm
bicolour L.) Moench) growth and production parameters. The treatments of the study
corresponded to 13 formulations of Jatropha curcas based composts and a control treatment,
which did not receive any application. The study showed that Jatropha by-products amendment
could effectively raise soil fertility by increasing pH and nutrient contents and improved
sorghum growth and production parameters. The results also showed positive and significant
correlations between panicles yield and seeds yield as well as straws yield. Positive and
significant correlations were recorded between seeds yield and straws yield and weight of 100
seeds. These correlations between the different parameters are important of simultaneous
improving of growth and crops yield of sorghum. The ACP performed based on measurement
parameters permitted to identify the appropriate formulation for any interest parameter. The
CAH distinguished four classes of composts among which Jatropha biomass-based composts
with groups 3 (BM_S and BM+BV) and 4 (BM+CP) are particularly interesting as these
treatments are strongly associated with seeds, straw and panicle yields, sorghum spike height growth and soil fertility improvement. These results supported the best effects of the application
of various compost-based by-products of Jatropha curcas in sorghum production. |
