PONE-D-21-30996Effect of Eucalyptus wood-based compost application rates on soil chemical properties in Mooketsi and Politsi avocado orchards, Limpopo province, South AfricaPLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: This study showed how eucalyptus wood based compost affect on soil chemical properties in two different avocado orchards. All application rates of this compost generally increased this properties in soil. Authors suggested that 10 t application can be optimal for improving the soil chemical properties. After these corrections and suggestions, this manuscript can be published.

Line 114-115: Is there any field capacity data? If there is, can you add it?

Line 196: under t ha ? which application?

Line 310: Additions of articles titled as "The First Effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Leaves and Eucalyptol Additions on Soil Carbon Mineralization" and "Short-Term Eucalyptus and Phragmites Biochar’s Efficiency in Mineralization of Soil Carbon" can help to explain how eucalyptus compost affect on soil organic carbon accumulation in soil.

Due to the high salinity of compost, addition of this compost into soil may have directly affect the activity of soil microorganisms in this study. Soil biological properties are directly linked with soil chemical properties. Is there any suggestion for reducing the salinity of this compost while it was produced? In addition to that, is there any data about the EC of irrigation water in this study? Is it possible that salinity of irrigation water may have increased soil salinity?

All application rates of this compost significantly increased soil chemical properties compared to control. However, EC can be a big problem in plant production. Based on EC data in this study, I think 5 t/ha application rate of eucalyptus compost is more optimum dose for improving soil chemical properties rather than higher doses.

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Effect of Eucalyptus wood-based compost application rates on soil chemical properties in Mooketsi and Politsi avocado orchards, Limpopo province, South Africa

PONE-D-21-30996R1

Dear Dr. Manyevere,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Muhammad Riaz

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

I am pleased to inform you that your revised manuscript has been accepted for publication.

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: (No Response)

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Reviewer #1: No