Can Organic Amendments Improve Soil Physical Characteristics and Increase Maize Performances in Contrasting Soil Water Regimes?

Organic amendments are believed to help increase the soil carbon storage and therefore improve quality, which may be important in context of climate change. However, added value organic for farmers must clearly demonstrated order convince them utility their use. The aims this study were: (i) investigate impact on maize compost vermicompost combined with two levels (negligible significant) plant water stress; (ii) determine how affected soil’s physical properties productivity. Water stress were imposed by controlling matric potential columns cultivated characteristics was mimicked (10 cm topsoil amendments, above a 50 subsoil without any inputs containing majority roots). Plant monitored daily 70 days. Our results show that use is profitable as: performances increased both moisture regimes; improvement particularly striking terms yield. No additional benefits measured when using instead compost. data suggest did not result from soils but rather better access water, resulting faster root development macroporosity amended soils.