Influence of broiler poultry compost on the physico-chemical properties of mulberry garden soil

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2024–2025 at the Department of Sericulture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, to study the effect of broiler poultry compost (BPC) and its integration with farmyard manure (FYM) and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) on post-harvest soil properties in V1 mulberry. The treatment with BPC + 100% RDF recorded the lowest bulk density (1.22 g cm⁻³) and highest water-holding capacity (51.47%). Soil pH was near neutral (6.5) with higher electrical conductivity (0.36 dS m⁻¹) and organic carbon (0.72%) compared to control. Primary nutrients N (264.67 kg ha⁻¹), P (57.87 kg ha⁻¹), and K (226 kg ha⁻¹) and secondary nutrients (Ca, Mg, S) were higher in the same treatment. Micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B also showed maximum values. The study concluded that BPC with 100% RDF improves soil health and fertility, promoting sustainable mulberry cultivation.