Impact of Composts Maturity on Growth and Agronomic Parameters of Maize (Zea mays)

Several methods have been developed in the literature which allow the maturity of composts to be assessed before it is used in agriculture. The objective of this study is to assess the maturity of the composts produced at the platform of the NGO ENPRO in Lomé on the growth and agronomic parameters of maize (Zea mays L., var. IKENE). To do so, three types of compost (gargabe, fruit waste, animal litter) were made for at least 3 months. The chemical analysis, phytotoxicity and agronomic tests carried out made it possible to assess the maturity of these composts. Indeed, the evolution of the C/N ratio, of the electrical conductivity, the phytotoxicity tests and the growth parameters of the composts show that the composts N ̊1 and N ̊2 are mature at the end of the 3 month of composting while the compost N ̊3 can only be considered mature at the end of the 5 month of composting. But, with a yield of 2.39 ± 0.28 t/ha and a mass of 1000 grains of 346 ± 4 g, the treatment at 5 t/ha of compost N ̊3, has the best agronomic parameters compared to other types of compost and treatment without organic amendment. These results also show that compost with a high electrical conductivity has an inhibitory effect on the growth of corn plants (Zea mays L., var. IKENE). Basic chemical analysis, phytotoxicity tests and height growth of maize (Zea mays L., var. IKENE) are relatively efficient methods for evaluating the maturity of composts.


Introduction
The accelerated growth of the population in developing countries generates an increase of the food demand [1]. To satisfy this demand, agricultural intensification appears as an unavoidable option which is putting pressure on the ecosystem and in turn leading to reduced soil fertility. Togo, like the other countries of sub-Saharan Africa, is faced with a decline in soil fertility which leads to increasingly low yields and therefore very far from potential crop yields. Agricultural production is still largely cereals on soils that are not very productive and naturally poor in mineral elements essential for germination and growth and good crop yields. Akanza and Yao-Kouamé (2011) find that the nutrients exported from the already poor soil by crop harvests are not sufficiently well replaced and the use of mineral or organic fertilizers in food crops remains insignificant [2]. The use of chemical fertilizers by Togolese farmers has also shown its limits. To reverse the trend, the rational supply of organic fertilizers, composts, is now necessary to support the soils and improve the yields of all crops, in particular that of maize, which is Togo's main food crop. Despite a high potential yield, maize cultivation is characterized by low productivity. This low crop productivity is believed to be due to several constraints, mainly inappropriate soil fertilization practices [3]. Compost clearly appears as an organic amendment that can allow maize to achieve its genetic potential in a sustainable way. Indeed, compared to the original substrates, composts, among other advantages, have a beneficial effect on the growth of plants, improve the structure of soils by increasing aggregates and also improve the physical and chemical qualities of soils by providing nutrients that are progressively assimilable for plants [4]. Rational use of composts involves controlling the substrates used, managing the composting process and especially the degree of maturation. Indeed, it is generally accepted that compost produced with substrates rich in nitrogen will have a better fertilizing effect, compared to other compost whose substrates are mainly woody. Likewise, immature compost will have a repressive effect on seed germination and plant growth [5]. Compost with high salinity and containing toxic elements also has a repressive effect on plant growth. To assess the maturity of compost, several parameters are used by different authors. Some authors associate maturity with the C/N ratio, between 15 and 20 (AFNOR standard, reported by [6]). Others believe that this C/N ratio is far from sufficient. It should be combined with pH, organic matter content and phytotoxicity tests [7]. The main objective of this study is to assess the maturity of three types of composts, at different composting times through the study of chemical characteristics, nutrients, phytotoxicity tests and agronomic tests on corn (Zea mays L., var. IKENE).

Nature of Waste and Waste Composting Process
After a pre-collection by voluntary contribution from the populations and a door-to-door pre-collection mainly provided by neighborhood associations us-American Journal of Analytical Chemistry ing human-drawn carts and motorized carts [8], the waste from the Djidjolé neighborhoods, Agbalepedogan and Adidogomé are transported directly to the composting platform of the NGO ENPRO in Lomé. Three types of compost (Table 1) have been developed from waste: compost N˚1 made up of household waste, compost N˚2 made up of 50% pineapple waste and 50% household garbage, compost N˚3 made up of animal litter and straw. Each type of compost is duplicated.
The windrow composting method is the one chosen for this study because it is the method used on the platform. 600 kg of waste are used for each type of compost and placed in piles (windrows) alternately in three series of layers. According to Puyuelo et al. (2010) [9], the minimum oxygen level in the gaps in a fermentation windrow should be 5%. Conditions favorable to anaerobiosis occur if the oxygen content is too low or the mass to be composted too compact. To guarantee a grade above this value, reversals were made on the 3 rd , 10 th , 22 nd , 36 th and 71 st days after the launch. This is to aerate the piles and allow better degradation of the organic matter. The piles are watered regularly to maintain a humidity level of 50% [8]. The humidity level is obtained after drying in an oven at 105˚C for about 24 hours. During the composting process, the temperature was measured every day (from the 1 st to the 107 th day) using JEULIN TYPE K electronic thermometers, precision 10 −1 , equipped with a thermometric probe. The temperature value is an average of 6 measurements taken along the length of the windrow, on each side [10]; and at varying depths (0.5; 1.0; 1, 5 and 2.0 m). The selected site is the platform of the NGO ENPRO located in the Adidogomé district in Lomé in Togo (6˚10'12.0''N; 1˚10'53.9''E).

Sampling and Characterization of the Compost and Soil of the Experimental Site
After 3, 4, 5 and 6 months from the start of composting, 2 heaps of each type of compost (at a rate of 10 kg per heap) were taken for screening. On average, 15 kg of compost is obtained after screening 20 kg of raw compost using a 5 mm mesh.
The soil of the experimental site was also collected in different places and at depths of 0 -20 cm (to constitute a single sample for analysis).
The methods for determining some chemical parameters of the different samples (soil and composts) are grouped below ( Table 2). All measurements have been duplicated.

Assessment of the Phytotoxicity of Composts
Germination tests were carried out in triplicate on maize (Zea mays L.), in Lomé between September and October 2019, in order to assess the phytotoxicity of the composts [13]. The tests are carried out in plastic jars 10 cm in diameter and 8 cm in height, in the laboratory and at room temperature (Table 3) with regular daily watering with 50 mL of running water in order to maintain the rate of humidity between 60% and 80% of the field capacity.  Phytotoxicity is a peculiarity of composts which makes it possible to evaluate their maturity [13]. Ten (10) maize seeds (Zea mays L., var. IKENE) considered as a staple crop in Togo, are germinated, at a depth of 2 to 3 mm, with the treatments in Table 4 [14]. These treatments are made for the three types of compost and at 3, 4, 5 and 6 months of composting.
The number of germinated seeds is counted after 6 days [13]. The germination rate, evaluated as a percentage, is calculated according to formula (1).
( ) number of germinated seeds Germination rate % 100 Number of seeds sown = × The results of the control treatment were taken as a reference and considered as 100%.

The Experimental Site: Location and Climatic Situation
The experimental tests are carried out on a site preserved from any agricultural activity, for more than ten years, in the region of the plateaux in Kpalimé  Table 5 summarizes the chemical characteristics of the soil used for the agronomic trials.

The Experimental Protocol
The device used has 24 elementary plots corresponding to 8 treatments (Table   4) distributed randomly (Fischer block). Each treatment is repeated 3 times the Institute of Advice and Technical Support (ICAT) to farmers ( Table 6).
The plots are prepared one week before sowing and benefit from an irrigation     Table 6. Characteristics of the treatments studied in the field trials.
Compost N˚1 Compost N˚2 Compost N˚3 Type of amendment

Amount of amendments
No amendment (Control) 200 kg/ha of chemical fertilizer 10 t/ha 5 t/ha 10 t/ha 5 t/ha 10 t/ha 5 t/ha Daily watering at the rate of 30 L/plot or natural rains (a total of 1733 mm of water for M 3 and M 4 and 1125 mm of water for M 5 and M 6 ), from sowing until 90 days after seedlings, allowed the plants to benefit from a good water regime. The average temperature during the period of the first test is 26˚C ± 1˚C and that of the second test is 28˚C ± 2˚C. The rainfall data for the test period are shown ( Figure 1).

Measurement of Physiological and Agronomic Parameters
The height of the plants and the physiological parameter of growth are evaluated at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after sowing. 120 days after sowing, the harvest is carried out. The grain yields and the 1000 grain weight of the different treatments are evaluated. Equation (2) is used to calculate the grain yield. The 1000 grain weight is estimated by counting the grains of each replicate and weighing 1000 grains. The results are expressed in g.

Statistical Treatment of Results
The data collected was analyzed using XLSTAT software. These data were subjected to a two-tailed equality of expectations test. The means were compared using the Student-Newman-Keuls test at the 5% threshold. Values followed by the same letter are not significantly different (Duncan, p ≤ 0.05).

Results and Discussion
The maturity assessment of the three types of compost from M 3 to M 6 is based on the analysis of their physicochemical characteristics, their phytotoxic properties through the germination test and their physiological and agronomic parameters.

Evolution of the Chemical Characteristics and Nutrients of Composts
The pH and the C/N ratio are the parameters most often used to assess the maturity of compost. The pH of the different types of compost from the end of the 3 rd month of composting varies from 7.4 ± 0.1 to 8.1 ± 0.1, corresponding to the pH of ripe composts. This is consistent with the results of the work of [15] and [6] whose pH values of mature composts are respectively between 7 and 8.1. However, taken in isolation, pH is not a relevant parameter to assess the maturity of a growing medium [11]. In this case, the C/N ratio should be added. The values of the C/N ratios for the three types of composts studied are between 6.2 American Journal of Analytical Chemistry ± 0.3 and 13.9 ± 0.4. These values are all below 15, the threshold below which [12] consider compost to be ripe. The composts studied are therefore ripe.
According to the same authors, the evolution of the C/N ratio is strongly

Phytotoxicity Test
Maturity is an essential criterion for evaluating the agronomic quality of compost and the toxicity linked to the incorporation of composts into the soil. Immature compost causes a phenomenon of phytotoxicity which has a negative effect on seed germination and plant growth [5]. Germination tests help to establish a relationship between the amount of compost and the rate of germination.
Overall, the germination rate of the three types of compost decreases when the dose of compost in the different treatments increases (Table 8). This result shows that germination is suppressed with an increase in the dose of compost. This is corroborated by the work of [12] who showed that the repressive effect of compost is not only linked to its characteristics, but also depends on the dose applied. The results of the germination rate of composts N˚1 and N˚2 clearly show that the T 1 and T 2 treatments give germination rates of the two types of compost which are significantly high and higher or close to the 80% recommended by the AFNOR standard (2005). It can therefore be concluded that at a dose of 25% or less, a 3-month composting would suffice to avoid a reduction in the germination rate in the case of household and similar waste. In addition, the evolution of the two types of composts from M 3 to M 6 for the two types of treatment shows a certain stability in the germination rates (Table 6). In addition, these values are close to the results of the phytotoxicity tests carried out on maize by [14] and [7]. For these authors, the results of their work testify to the maturity of composts and their low concentration of phytotoxic substances. All these data show that composts N˚1 and N˚2 would be ripe at the end of the 3rd month of composting as shown by the work of [13] who admitted that mature compost has no phytotoxic effects on seed germination and plant growth. These results also show that the germination rates of composts N˚1 and N˚2 are all equal to 100% after 6 months of composting. This shows that after 6 months of composting, household refuse and similar composts are really ripe and do not exhibit phytotoxic effects on the germination of corn seeds (Zea mays L., var. IKENE).
The germination rate of compost N˚3, between M 3 and M 6 for the T 1 treatment, reaches at least 80% from M 5 ( Table 8). This threshold is only reached from M 6 for T 2 treatment. It can therefore be concluded that at a dose of 25% or less, composting of at least 5 months is necessary to avoid a reduction in the germination rate in the case of household and similar waste. In addition, whatever the treatment, the germination rate of compost N˚3 is less than 80% between M 3 and M 4 . This could be explained by the relatively high value of the electrical conductivity of this compost (8.1 ± 0.1 mS·cm −1 in M 3 and 7.9 ± 0.1 mS·cm −1 in M 4 ), likely to create a repressive effect on seed germination and plant growth, as some authors have shown. According to [10] an electrical conductivity between 2 and 3 mS·cm −1 is an acceptable level for the application of mature compost. Although [12] showed that compost with an electrical conductivity close to 5 mS·cm −1 has no remarkable phytotoxic effects on garlic seeds, the germination rate of which (74%) remains correct, the fact remains that the relatively high value of the electrical conductivity of compost N˚3 between M 3 and M 4 could have a phytotoxic effect on seed germination. In addition, the significant drop in conductivity from M 5 (67% between M 4 and M 5 ) coincides with a significant increase in the germination rate. These results show that compost N˚3 has phytotoxic effects on the germination of corn seeds (Zea mays L., var. IKENE) between M 3 and M 4 . These effects are strongly attenuated in M 5 to practically disappear in M 6 . The results of the germination rate of compost N˚3 also show that for the T 1 and T 2 treatments, the germination rate after 6 months of composting is equal to 100%. Like composts N˚1 and N˚2, animal litter composts are effectively ripe after 6 months of composting and therefore do not exhibit phytotoxic effects on the germination of corn seeds (Zea mays L., var. IKENE).

Plant Height
The use of composts generally improves plant growth [10]. At the end of the 3 rd week after sowing, the 3-and 4-month-old composts, apart from the C 1 D 2 compost (household waste compost at a dose of 5 t/ha), have plant heights less than or equal to the Control test, C o M 0 , having received no organic amendment while the 5-and 6-month composts show plant heights greater than or equal to the Control test, C o M 0 . The heights of the plants at the 6 th and 9 th weeks of growth under the different composts at the two doses of 5 and 10 t/ha are greater compared to the Control test, C o M 0 (Table 9). Regardless of the number of weeks, waste that has undergone composting time of at least 5 months has greater plant heights. More mature compost therefore appears to promote better height growth than less mature compost. This is corroborated by the work of [10] which showed that immature compost can induce negative effects on the germination, growth and development of plants.
Generally, the macronutrient contents of composts are much higher than those of the soil. The contribution of composts promotes good plant nutrition, inducing a high growth of plants cultivated under organic amendment compared to plants cultivated on control soil without organic amendment. The poor growth noted for certain plants under compost amendment at the start of growth, particularly at week 3, could be attributed to salinity or to any toxic elements in the composts [11]. The heights of plants under N˚3 compost amendment experienced a growth retardation at the start of the agronomic trials in M 3 and M 4 . This could be explained by the high ion content of the applied compost (Table 5). Indeed, a high cation content can inhibit the absorption of potassium and ammonium [10] which can slow down the growth of the plant. This growth retardation reversed from M 5 from which plants subjected to the N˚3 compost amendment experienced strong growth compared to that without organic amendment and even those subjected to chemical fertilizer.
These results show, like the germination test, that composts N˚1 and N˚2 can be considered as ripe at the end of the 3 rd month of composting, whereas compost N˚3 can only be considered ripe. These results also show that compost with high electrical conductivity has an inhibitory effect on the growth of maize plants (Zea mays L., var. IKENE).

Grain Yield
Compost treatments improved corn grain yields compared to the control treatment (32.9% to 41.2% for compost N˚1, 29.4 to 31.8% for compost N˚2, 28, 8 to 40.6% for compost N˚3) ( Table 8). This is corroborated by the work of [10] who showed that corn plants under compost treatment have yields of 2.29 ± 0.29 t /ha on average against 0.97 t/ha for the treatment without organic amendment.
These results can be explained by the contribution of high levels of organic matter, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, to the soil (Table 10). The work of [17] has shown that a high organic matter content in the soil strongly contributes to the absorption of phosphorus, a very important nutrient, which plays an important role in the photosynthesis of plants.
In M 6 (Table 10), the grain yields of the different compost treatments are not significantly different (Duncan, p ≤ 0.05). The strong disparities observed in M 3 gradually disappeared throughout the tests to give way to a relative homogenization of the M 6 yields.
Throughout the agronomic trials, chemical fertilizer treatment had the highest yield (Table 10). This could be explained by an optimal concentration of essential plant nutrients (N, P, K). It is concluded that after 6 months of composting, the three types of compost applied at 5 and 10 t/ha improve the grain yield of maize (Zea mays L., var. IKENE) compared to treatment without organic amendment. Regardless of the type of compost and the dose used, plants treated with composts obtained after six months of composting show a uniform yield.
However, the results of the grain yield do not allow a conclusion to be drawn about the maturity period of the different types of compost used.

Mass of 1000 Grains
The mass of 1000 grains is a very relevant parameter for the quality of a yield.
The more the plant accumulates organic matter in its grains, the higher the mass of 1000 grains is and vice versa . This is shown by the relatively low mass of 1000 grains of plants under chemical fertilizer treatment, C O M 1 (276 ± 6 g) compared to other treatments (Table 11), while this treatment has the highest grain yield.
The plants subjected to the composts obtained after six months of composting have masses of 1000 grains which are significantly little different from each other. These masses are, however, greater than those of plants grown without organic amendment.
These values are higher than those obtained during the work of [18] who noted a maximum mass of 1000 grains between 302 ± 20 g and 322 ± 13 g. Whatever the type of compost and the dose used, the plants treated with composts obtained after six months of composting have, like the grain yield, a uniform mass of 1000 grains and much greater than that of the plants under treatment of chemical fertilizer.
Here too, it is difficult to draw a conclusion relating to the maturity period of the different types of compost used.

Conclusion
The results obtained in this work allow to conclude that the treatment at 5 t/ha of compost N˚3 has the best agronomic parameters compared to other types of compost and to treatment without organic amendment. It is therefore more efficient in improving soil fertility. The evolution of the C/N ratio, of the electrical conductivity, the phytotoxicity tests and the growth parameters of the composts also allow to conclude that the composts N˚1 and N˚2 are ripe from the end of the 3 rd month of composting. That compost N˚3 can only be considered ripe at the end of the 5 th month of composting. To improve soil fertility and thus ensure better agronomic performance of maize (Zea mays L., var. IKENE), composts produced from refuse and fruit waste could be used from the end of the 3 rd month of composting then that composts from animal litter could only be used after at least 5 months of composting. The results of this work also show that compost with high electrical conductivity has an inhibitory effect on the growth of corn plants (Zea mays L., var. IKENE).