Effect of applying compost from gelatin industry residues on sweet potato yield and soil properties

Sweet potato crops produce a high quantity of tuberous roots within a short period. Thus, a proper soil fertility is essential for reaching the crop production potential. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of applying different rates of a compost produced from gelatin industry residues on the total and commercial yields of sweet potato crops, tuberous root shape, and soil physical and chemical properties. The treatments consisted of five compost rates (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 Mg ha-1) arranged in a randomized block design with five replications. The compost application did not affect total and commercial yields (48.37 and 41.53 Mg ha-1, respectively) but changed the shape of sweet potato tuberous roots. The compost application did not change soil physical properties but increased the pH, Ca, P, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. The findings indicated that the application of compost from gelatin industry residues improves the fertility of low-fertility sandy soils.