Enriched compost with vivianite and pyroclastite powders: suitable fertilizer for better maize growth under the High Guinean Savanah climate of Cameroon

This study aims to improve maize production in Adamawa-Cameroon without using chemical fertilizers. Field experiments were carried out during two cropping seasons (2023 and 2024). A randomized complete block experimental design with 16 treatments (unfertilized plant (T0), poultry litter-based compost (T1), goat dung-based compost (T2), cow dung-based compost (T3), vivianite (T4), pyroclastite (T5), cow dung-based compost + vivianite (T6), cow dung based-compost + pyroclastite (T7), goat dung-based compost + vivianite (T8), goat dung-based compost + pyroclastite (T9), poultry litter-based compost + vivianite (T10), poultry litter-based compost + pyroclastite (T11), cow dung-based compost + vivianite + pyroclastite (T12), goat dung-based compost + vivianite + pyroclastite (T13), poultry litter-based compost + vivianite + pyroclastite (T14), chemical fertilizer (T15) was used with 03 replications. Physico-chemical properties of growth substrates (soil, composts), maize growth, and production parameters were evaluated. Results show that the growing soil is acidic and poor in mineral elements necessary for better maize growth. T12 fertilizer improves significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the studied parameters (plant height, foliar production, plant dry biomass, seed yield) compared to other fertilizers. T12 fertilizer increased maize seed yield by 244 % and 37 % compared to unfertilized plants and chemical fertilizer, respectively. T12 fertilizer is more economic profitable than chemical fertilizer The supply of the following combination, compost derived cow dung manure enriched with vivianite and pyroclastite powders at a ratio (50-1-1), was found to be very promising in improving maize plant growth and therefore, can be used as an alternative of the mineral fertilizers usually employed for the cultivation of this cereal.