Influence of Recycled Waste Compost on Soil Food Webs, Nutrient Cycling and Tree Growth in a Young Almond Orchard

Abstract

Composting is an effective strategy to process agricultural and urban waste into forms that may be beneficial to crops. The objectives of this orchard field study were to characterize how a dairy manure compost and a food waste compost influenced: (1) soil nitrogen and carbon pools, (2) bacterial and nematode soil food webs and (3) tree growth and leaf N. The effects of composts were compared with fertilized and unfertilized control plots over two years in a newly planted almond orchard. Both dairy manure compost and food waste compost increased soil organic matter pools, as well as soil nitrate and ammonium at certain time points. Both composts also distinctly altered bacterial communities after application, specifically those groups with carbon degrading potential, and increased populations of bacterial feeding nematodes, although in different timeframes. Unique correlations were observed between nematode and bacterial groups within compost treatments that were not present in controls. Food waste compost increased trunk diameters compared to controls and had greater relative abundance of herbivorous root tip feeding nematodes. Results suggest that recycled waste composts contribute to biologically based nitrogen cycling and can increase tree growth, mainly within the first year after application.

The Impact of Food Waste Compost, Vermicompost, and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth Measurement of Red Radish (Raphanus sativus): A Sustainability Perspective in the United Arab Emirates

“…Additional composting is an effective strategy for converting agricultural and urban waste into forms that benefit crops. A study investigating the impact of using recycled compost on soil food webs, nutrient cycling, and tree growth in a young almond orchard showed that both dairy manure compost and food waste compost resulted in increased pools, soil, and ammonium levels [ 52 ]. Both composts had a noticeable impact on bacterial communities following application, particularly on groups capable of breaking down carbon [ 52 ].…”

“…A study investigating the impact of using recycled compost on soil food webs, nutrient cycling, and tree growth in a young almond orchard showed that both dairy manure compost and food waste compost resulted in increased pools, soil, and ammonium levels [ 52 ]. Both composts had a noticeable impact on bacterial communities following application, particularly on groups capable of breaking down carbon [ 52 ]. They resulted in increased nematodes that feed on bacteria at different intervals.…”

“…They resulted in increased nematodes that feed on bacteria at different intervals. Distinct associations were found between nematode and bacterial groups in compost treatments, which were absent in the control group [ 52 ]. The application of food waste caused an increased trunk perimeter compared to the control group.…”

New Advances on Nutrients Recovery from Agro-Industrial and Livestock Wastes for Sustainable Farming

“…The effects of compost and compost-tea (CT) applications on soil fertility, plant growth, and the environment were evaluated in two research articles [11,12]. Dairy manure compost and food waste compost showed different effects on soil microbial community composition, but in both cases, the results suggested that recycled waste composts contribute to biologically based nitrogen cycling and can increase tree growth, especially within the first year after application [11].…”

“…The effects of compost and compost-tea (CT) applications on soil fertility, plant growth, and the environment were evaluated in two research articles [11,12]. Dairy manure compost and food waste compost showed different effects on soil microbial community composition, but in both cases, the results suggested that recycled waste composts contribute to biologically based nitrogen cycling and can increase tree growth, especially within the first year after application [11]. CT application induced plant growth and defense in pepper plants against Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani because of its relevant soluble nutrient content and microbiota richness, which provided a novel point for plant nutrition and protection in horticultural crops [12].…”