Short-term influence of mixtures of sugarcane filter cake and vermiculite on maize productivity and selected chemical and physical properties in rain-fed sandy soils

Smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face a significant challenge to sustainable crop production. A field trial was conducted during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 cropping seasons. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of applying different mixtures of composted sugarcane filter cake (SFC) and vermiculite (V) of different ratios (0, 5, 10, and 20%V) applied at 5 t ha−1 on maize growth and yields and selected soil properties. Positive and negative controls were also evaluated. The 20%V, which was next to the positive control, had higher numbers of leaves and taller plants than the other mixtures at the end of the 2022/2023 season. The total biomass was significantly high for 20%V (13.6 t ha−1) during the 2022/23 season and positive control (7.3 t ha−1) during the 2023/2024 season. During the 2022/23 season, maize yields were higher under 20%V at 7.3 t ha−1, while the positive control (1.33 t ha−1) yielded higher during the 2023/2024 season. The negative control had poorer maize growth and yield than all the other treatments during both seasons. At the end of the 2023/24 season, the 20%V had higher nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium than all other treatments. All the SFC-V mixtures had higher phosphorus content than the controls. Maize responds positively to the application of composted SFC-V mixtures in rain-fed systems, and the 20%V has greater potential for use as a basal fertilizer. This study shows that the use of SFC-V mixtures improves maize growth and yield and soil fertility status.