Effect of Various Organic Fertilisers on Phosphorus Mineralisation, Use Efficiency and Maize Yield

Frank Mnthambala (), Elizabeth Tilley, Sean Tyrrel and Ruben Sakrabani
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Frank Mnthambala: Agrisciences Department, Mzuzu University, P/Bag 201, Luwinga, Mzuzu 105203, Malawi
Elizabeth Tilley: Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Sean Tyrrel: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK
Ruben Sakrabani: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK

Resources, 2022, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: When soils are phosphorus (P) deficient, external sources in the form of fertilisers have to be applied to increase crop yields. The world depends on mined sources for P fertilisers, and recent reports indicate that an increase in the human population has led to rising demand for P fertilisers, making its future supply uncertain. A low supply of chemical P fertilisers may lead to food insecurity. Although the efficacy of organic sources of P is unclear, organic waste materials containing P can potentially replace inorganic P sources. Previously, organic fertilisers have been used to supply N and even P, but the application rates were mostly N based, resulting in inconsistent and comparable results. This research was conducted to understand P mineralisation and the availability of the P-based organic fertilisers. The results showed that available P in the soil at 3 weeks accounted for 50%, 6 weeks accounted for 49%, and 9 weeks counted for 46% of the maize yield. The organic P sources maintained soil available P above the threshold available P value in Malawi. The P sources did not affect the maize P use efficiency (PUE). The results indicate that organic P sources could be used as an alternative fertiliser for maize production in Malawi.

Keywords: organic waste; faecal sludge; organic phosphorus; phosphorus use efficiency; Malawi (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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