Composts from Various Municipal Solid Waste Feedstocks Affect Vegetable Crops. II. Growth, Yields, and Fruit Quality

Abstract

<jats:p>Compost (biosolids and yard trimmings at 134 t·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>) was applied to a sandy field soil with fertilizer at 0%, 50%, or 100% of the grower's standard rate (71N-39P-44K kg·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> broadcast and 283N-278K kg·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> banded in bed centers). Raised beds were constructed and covered with polyethylene mulch, and `Elisa' bell peppers (<jats:italic>Capsicum annuum</jats:italic> L.) were transplanted into the plots. Foliage samples taken at early harvest indicated that leaf N concentrations increased and Cu concentrations decreased with increasing fertilizer rates. Leaf concentrations of P, K, Ca, and Mg increased and Cu decreased in plots amended with compost. Marketable pepper yields from plants grown in plots amended with compost were 30.3, 35.7, and 31.1 t·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> in plots with 0%, 50%, and 100% fertilizer rate, respectively. Without compost, yields were 19.8, 31.1, and 32.0 t·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> with 0%, 50%, and 100% fertilizer rate. `Valient' cucumbers (<jats:italic>Cucumis sativus</jats:italic> L.) were seeded through the same polyethylene mulch into the previous pepper plots. Marketable cucumber yields were not affected by residual fertilizer, but were higher (26.8 t·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>) in plots amended with compost than without compost (22.7 t·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>). In a second experiment, a biosolids-yard trimming-mixed waste paper (MWP) compost and a biosolids-yard trimming-refuse-derived fuel (RDF) compost were applied at 0 or 134 t·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> with fertilizer at 0%, 50%, or 100% fertilizer rates, respectively. With no fertilizer, total yields from pepper plants were higher in plots amended with composts than without composts. In 50% fertilizer plots, yields were similar between compost treatments. At 100% fertilizer rate, yields with MWP compost were significantly higher than yields with RDF compost or with no compost. In plots without fertilizer or with 50% fertilizer rates, mean fruit size (g/fruit) was largest with MWP compost, intermediate with RDF compost, and smallest without compost. With 100% fertilizer, mean fruit size was larger with either compost than without compost. Composts combined with low rates of fertilizer generally produced higher pepper yields than other treatments. Residual compost increased yields of a subsequent cucumber crop. Yields from pepper plants without fertilizer were higher when soil was amended with composts with added MWP or RDF, but, with fertilizer, yields were similar or only slightly increased.</jats:p>

Effects of compost and chicken litter on soil nutrition, and sugarcane physiochemistry, yield, and injury caused by Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

“…Increasing organic matter in agricultural soils is often associated with enhanced crop growth and yield (Bevacqua and Mellano, 1994;Roe et al, 1997;Zeleke et al, 2004;Govaerts et al, 2006;Meunchang et al, 2006) by improving soil quality and influencing pest infestations (Phelan et al, 1996;Karungi et al, 2006). Compost stabilizes organic materials [making them more slowly reactive, moderating immobilization or mineralization of nutrients (Zibilske, 2004)], and improves soil structure by increasing aggregate stability.…”

Compost-Amended Media for Growth And Development Of Mexican Heather

“…Developing inexpensive and nutrient-rich organic media alternatives can potentially reduce fertilization rates, irrigation rates, and ultimately, nursery costs. Compost has been utilized to successfully grow a wide range of crops including bedding annuals (Klock-Moore 1999), vegetables (Roe et al 1997), woody shrubs and trees (Fitzpatrick et al 1998), and foliage plants (Fitzpatrick 1986). In addition, Inbar et al (1993) have reviewed physical, chemical, and biological properties of compost used as a containerized media.…”

Efeitos de fertilizantes orgânicos na nutrição e produção do pimentão

“…Para o peso médio de frutos e para a produção total, os tratamentos referentes à adição dos materiais orgânicos associados com 70 ou 100% da adubação mineral NPK não diferiram significativamente da adubação mineral NPK (Tabela 2). Este fato também foi constatado por Roe et al (1997), os quais não observaram aumento na produção comercial de frutos de pimentão com a aplicação de 134 t ha -1 de composto orgânico e 100% do nível de aplicação de fertilizante NPK (71-39-44 kg ha -1 de N-P-K no plantio e 283-278 kg ha -1 de N-K em cobertura) em relação ao fertilizante mineral somente. Segundo estes autores, a adição de fertilizante mineral pode mascarar os efeitos benéficos da adição do material orgânico sobre a pro-…”

“…A matéria orgânica é um dos insumos mais empregados em termos de volume na produção de hortaliças, utilizando-se, comumente, doses superiores a 20 t ha -1 , dependendo das características e custo do produto. Por outro lado, não está claro que os materiais orgânicos podem substituir parte da adubação mineral na cultura do pimentão (Roe et al, 1997). Em experimentos conduzidos por estes autores, na Flórida, observou-se comportamento diferenciado de compostos orgânicos associados ou não a fertilizante mineral NPK na produção de frutos.…”