Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Peer-reviewed

Improving tropical soil properties in the Republic of Congo using domestic waste compost: Is there a minimum threshold application rate?

Roche Kder Bassouka-Miatoukantama, Thomas Z. Lerch, Jean de Dieu Nzila, Yannick Enock Bocko, Anne Pando, Noel Watha-Ndoudy, Jean-Joël Loumeto

Soil Advances · 2025

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Summary

Improving soil health in a sustainable manner is a strategic priority, particularly for highly weathered tropical soils. This study evaluated the effects of compost derived from solid household biowaste on soil organic matter, microbial communities, and associated physicochemical and biological properties. A randomized block field experiment was conducted in Dolisie (Republic of Congo) using increasing compost application rates (0, 30, 40, 50, and 60 t ha⁻¹). Soil analyses included physicochemical properties, elemental and molecular composition, and microbial abundance, community structure, and activity. Increasing compost application rates significantly enhanced soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and plant-available phosphorus contents, as well as water retention capacity, without disru

Source type
Peer-reviewed study
DOI
10.1016/j.soilad.2025.100098
Catalogue ID
SNmobqw0m3-pn5qeo
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