Abstract:
Micronutrient malnutrition is a global issue, although more severe in resource poor countries. Organic fertilizers, naturally enriched with micronutrients, may be an economical and sustainable strategy to improve human nutrition through biofortification of staple crops and vegetables. Two consecutive field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of poultry-mortality (PM) compost on the yield and quality of okra, and its residual effect on maize. PM compost used in this study was prepared by composting dead poultry-birds with poultry litter in aerated bins under natural microbial populations. Okra was fertilized with three levels of PM compost (control, 1250 and 1850 kg ha-1) while maize was grown subsequently in the same plots without any further addition of PM compost. Results showed that okra yield was increased significantly with PM compost application at the rate of 1850 kg ha-1, due to improvement in soil organic matter, soil aggregate stability and high concentration of plant-available zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in PM compost. Furthermore, Zn and Fe concentration in okra fruit was also enhanced. Maize grain-yield and grain-micronutrients concentration was also higher due to residual effect of PM compost applied to okra grown just before maize. In conclusion, use of PM compost as an organic fertilizer may be an excellent, cost-effective and workable option to combat micronutrients (Zn and Fe) malnutrition in developing countries through enhancing soil health. ©