Abstract:
Organic additives are vital for improving soil health. increasing carbon levels, and
affecting crop production. This research seeks to evaluate the impact of different
organic amendments like gliricidia. compost. cow dung. and guinea grass on soil
chemical characteristics and bean (.Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop yield. The experiments
were conducted in a Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with different
organic inputs including gliricidia, compost. cow dung and guinea grass. Soil samples
were analyzed for chemical properties. including electrical conductivity (EC), pH,
phosphorus (P). potassium (K) and organic matter content befbre and after the
application of organic inputs. Plant growth parameters such as plant height. number of
leaves, Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) value, days to first f'lowering. days to
500% flowering and first harvesting were recorded. The decomposition rate of each
organic input was measured using litter bag system. The application of organic inputs
significantly improved the soil carbon stock. with gliricidia showing the highest
increase in organic matter content. Soil pH, EC. P and K showed marked improvements
in treatments with organic inputs, particularly Gliricidia and Guinea grass. Plant growth
parameters exhibited a positive correlation with organic matter application. where
plants treated with Guinea grass and Gliricidia had the tallest plant. highest number of
leaves. and optimal Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values were got the
compost treatment. The days to f-irst flowering and days to 50o/o flowering r,vere
significantly earlier in plants treated with all organic amendments and not affect to the
organic manure for flowering. The decomposition rate was lastest in Gliricidia.
followed by compost. and slowest in cow'dung according to C: N ratio. The findings
demonstrate how quickly Gliricidia decomposition and subsequent nutrient release
make it a promising organic inpr"rt for enhancing soil health. The str-rdy underscores the
importance of organic amendments in sustainable soil management and crop production
systems. Compost could promote soil strllcture and moisture retention. lvhile InanLlre
can give easilS,'available nutrients. When combined. these inputs could operate together
to create greater significant benet-its than either coLrld independently.
