Examination of compost application on Some chemical Properties of Aridisols in Sudan

The addition of compost to soil is a common soil management practice used by small farmers of Sudan to improve soil properties and growing media. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of compost (mesquite manure) on some soil characteristics. The preparation of composted mesquite was performed through aerobic fermentation for three months with periodic stirring (every two weeks) and moistening. The pot experiments were conducted in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum over two seasons and treatments used were: Control (pure soil), 10 (T1), 20 (T2), 30 (T3) and 40 (T4) (ton.ha-1) of compost mesquite was applied on Aridisols (Shambat Soil) in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The experiment was repeated in the second season without further addition of compost. The soil was analyzed for: saturation percentage, soil pH, electrical conductivity of the saturation extract (ECe), calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon percentages. Generally, the results showed significant differences between all treatments and the control. Mesquite manures (compost) treatments have lowered the soil pH, but have greatly improved its nutrient content. The results showed a significant superiority of the fourth treatment (40 ton/ha) in the concentration of all elements analyzed in the soil. Also, this study demonstrated that mesquite could be converted into useful product instead of constituting a menace to agricultural lands.