Agronomic efficiency of compost based on the biomass of neem and cashew nut on vegetable crops in the Niayes area of Senegal

In the Niayes area of ​​Senegal, soils are low in organic matter and nutrients needed by plants. Chemical fertilizers used to improve yields have resulted in heavy pollution of the soil and groundwater. The objective of this study is to evaluate the agronomic value of compost made from neem and cashew leaves, poultry manure and wood ash. The compost obtained has a C / N ratio of 15.49 and N - P - K contents of 9.1, 14.8 and 7.3 mg / kg, respectively. The different doses of compost tested on vegetable crops showed better agronomic performance compared to controls. T3 (30 t / ha) yielded the best yields for tomato (27.213 t / ha) and onion (105.263 t / ha). For cabbage and potatoes, the T1 rate (10 t / ha) yielded the best yields (144.533 t / ha and 55.163 t / ha, respectively). On the other hand, for peppers, the T2 dose (20 t / ha) favored the best yields (32,534 t / ha) with an average weight (81,748g) and a considerably higher number of fruits / harvest. This compost could be a real alternative to the misuse of mineral fertilizer in the Niayes agricultural zone.