Évaluation de l’effet d’amendements organiques issus de sous-produits agroalimentaires sur la fertilité des sols et la croissance d’une culture test

Abstract

The valorization of agro-food by-products and their use as organic soil amendments represent a sustainable approach that contributes to improving soil fertility and reducing organic waste. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the effect of two types of organic amendments, namely eggshell and wheat bran, on some physicochemical properties of the soil as well as on the growth of a test crop of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions using four treatments: control soil (T0), soil amended with eggshell (T1), wheat bran (T2), and a mixture of eggshell and wheat bran (T3). Several soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter content, were analyzed before and after cultivation in addition to monitoring lettuce growth parameters. The results showed that the addition of organic amendments influenced soil properties and plant development. Eggshell application contributed to increasing soil pH and maintaining values close to neutrality due to its high calcium carbonate content, whereas wheat bran improved soil organic matter content and enhanced lettuce growth. The different treatments showed variations in soil and plant responses, highlighting the agronomic potential of these agro-food by-products as organic amendments. In conclusion, the use of eggshell and wheat bran as organic soil amendments represents a promising ecological and economic alternative for improving soil fertility and supporting plant production.