Effects of Compost Manure on Soil Microbial Respiration, Plant-Available-Water, Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Yield and Pre-Harvest Aflatoxin Contamination

Abstract

Peanut production in Zambia is often characterized by low yields and high aflatoxin incidence in harvested kernels. Soil amendments such as farmyard manure have shown potential to increase yields and reduce pre-harvest aflatoxin incidence. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of composted cattle manure on soil properties that relate to yield and preharvest aflatoxin contamination of peanut kernels. Research evaluated the effects of composted cattle manure on soil respiration, plant-available water (PAW), peanut yield and pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in a field experiment conducted in two successive rain-fed cropping seasons starting in December, 2015 and ending in April 2017, in Chongwe District, Zambia. Six (6) levels of compost were incorporated into the top 10 cm of the soil at rates of 0, 4.5, 12.0, 19.5, 27.0, and 34.5 metric tons/ha 1 wk before planting. There was a strong positive relationship between levels of compost and soil microbial respiration (R 2 ¼0.84) and PAW (R 2 ¼0.86). Secondly, compost manure was associated with increases in pod (R 2 ¼0.65) and kernel (R 2 ¼0.61) yield. The kernel yield potential of the planted cultivar was achieved at the rate of 12 metric tons per ha. Thirdly, there was a reduction in total aflatoxin levels with increasing levels of compost (R 2 ¼0.85). The improvement in peanut yield and the decrease in aflatoxin concentrations in kernels can be attributed to the improvement in soil moisture retention capacity and soil microbial activity arising from manure amendments. This study demonstrated the potential of compost manure to increase soil microbial activity, PAW, peanut yield and minimize aflatoxin contamination at field level.

Knowledge of subsistence maize farmers on aflatoxin contamination and determinants for adoption of artisanal control technologies in Kitui, Kenya

“…Farmyard manure has been associated with up to 90% reduction of total pre-harvest aflatoxin concentrations in harvested peanuts kernels. Furthermore, Chalwe et al (2019) had previously observed that increasing levels of compost resulted in decreased pre-harvest total aflatoxin concentrations in peanut kernels. Manure application not only improves soil fertility, but also to help in combating aflatoxin threat.…”

[Retracted] The Status Quo of Criminal Responsibility for Aflatoxin Pollution in China: From the Perspective of Judgment Analysis

“…In the field of food science, Bandyopadhyay et al [11] and Ezekiel et al [12] explored the reduction of the effect of aflatoxin intake in humans once it is ingested. Most recent studies have been conducted to explore the effect of the external environment on changes in aflatoxin content in foods [13][14][15]. In addition, some research work has made great progress in the degree and severity of aflatoxin contamination to food and common detection methods in various fields [16][17][18].…”

Effect of Different Irrigation Rates and Organic Amendments on Sandy Loam Soil Productivity for Peanut Crop

“…The capacity to modify the root attributes, especially root length, by extracting the available of water in deeper soil layers represents an important mechanism to avoid drought and ensure plant survivals (Kambiranda et al, 2011). Adding soil amendments improve peanut yield production, soil moisture retention capacity and soil microbial activity (Chalwe et al, 2019).Water deficit stress at vegetative phase had significant effect on leaf solution and proteins. At the end of cetain phase of stress, water deficiency encourage significant proline production in leaves, while led to significant decrease of chlorophyll.…”