Effect of eucalyptus wood-based compost application rates on soil chemical properties in semi-organic avocado plantations, Limpopo province, South Africa

Abstract

Mixing different types of organic matters to form a compound compost can be useful in both short-and long-term improvement of soil chemical properties. However, effects of such composts on soil chemical properties are unknown. A 3-year field study was done to determine the effects of eucalyptus wood-based compost on selected chemical properties of soils at Mooketsi and Politsi avocado orchards, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was laid as a repeated measures design with 4 compost treatments at 0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha-1 year-1 with three replicates. Soil pH, EC, organic carbon, active carbon, soil NO3-N, NH4-N, PMN, P K, Ca, Mg, Na Mn, Cu, Zn, and Fe were measured annually at the two orchards after applying compost at the different rates. The eucalyptus wood-based compost significantly (p<0.05) altered the composition of the measured chemical properties at both orchards. The values of the soil chemical properties increased cumulatively with compost quantity and time. This trend was consistent at both orchards. Significantly (p<0.05) highest and lowest values of the soil chemical properties were recorded at 15t ha-1 and 0t ha-1 in 2018 respectively but with no significant (p>0.05) differences between 10t ha-1 and 15t ha-1 compost application rates the entire study period. Eucalyptus wood-based compost raised values of the soil chemical properties at ≥10t ha-1 application rates. It is recommended to apply the eucalyptus wood-based compost ≥10t ha-1 at both orchards, nevertheless, other factors governing organic matter decomposition such as soil temperature were not measured hence further studies are necessary.