Evauating Different Organic Inputs on Soil Carbon Stock and Soil Chemical Properties and Bean Crop Yield

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.