Assessment of the Potential of Fruits and Vegetable Dumpsite Soils and Poultry Litter to enhance N Mineralization in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State

This study investigated the effectiveness of fruits and vegetable dumpsite soils (FDS and VDS) and poultry litter (PL) in enhancing nitrogen mineralization and improving soil fertility in soils from Modibbo Adama University Teaching and Research Farm, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. A 9 × 9 factorial completely randomized design was used, including nine treatments MAU soil alone, NH?NO?, FDS, VDS, PL, and their combinations incubated for 60 days under controlled moisture and aeration conditions. Soil samples were periodically analyzed for pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium (NH??-N), nitrate (NO??-N), cumulative mineralized nitrogen, bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity. The results indicated that organic amendments initially increased soil pH, which decreased gradually due to ongoing ammonification and nitrification. Organic carbon and total nitrogen content rose steadily, reflecting enhanced nutrient availability and microbial activity. Ammonium and nitrate concentrations were significantly higher in amended soils, with the FDS + VDS + PL combination showing the greatest nitrogen mineralization. Cumulative mineralized nitrogen data revealed sustained nitrogen release throughout the incubation period. Additionally, soil physical properties improved with amendment application, evidenced by lower bulk density, greater porosity, and higher water-holding capacity, indicating improved soil structure and moisture retention. The study demonstrates that incorporating locally available organic residues such as dumpsite soils and poultry litter offers a practical, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective approach to enhance soil fertility, reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and support climate-smart agricultural practices.