Field application in maize cultivation of compost and compost sourced soluble and insoluble alkaline hydrolyzate

Utilization of compost as substitutes ofmineral fertilizers is a current agricultural practicewhich environmental vantages have been largelydemonstrated. In previous studies it wasdemonstrated that upgraded substances could beobtained by alkaline hydrolysis of composts. Thesesubstances consisting in a soluble and an insolublefraction exhibited good performance as organicfertilizers. The fertilizing effect of these substanceshas been assessed on horticultural species, grown inpot and greenhouse cultivations. This study reportsthe application of two composts (a green compostand a mixed compost) and their soluble andinsoluble hydrolyzates in a field cultivation ofmaize. Each material was applied on three randomplots and the results, expressed as soil properties,height and weights of the plants and weight of theears and kernels, were compared with thoseobtained on non amended plots and mineralfertilized plots. The best results were obtained inthe plots fertilized with the mineral fertilizer, themixed compost and the soluble hydrolyzates of thecomposts. The minor performance of the greencompost was likely due to its relatively lownitrogen content. The insoluble hydrolyzates,although allowing a significantly minor plantgrowth, gave the same results in term of dry weightof kernel per plant than the mineral fertilizedcontrol. Therefore, their application in maizecultivation can be recommended with aneconomical vantage since they are by-products ofthe preparation of the soluble fractions which canfind alternative industrial applications such asbiosurfactants.