Effect of Differently Matured Composts from Willow on Growth and Development of Lettuce

Jakub Bekier,Józef Sowiński,Andrea Kałuża-Haładyn,Elżbieta Jamroz,Katarzyna Adamczewska-Sowińska

doi:10.3390/agronomy12010175

Jakub Bekier, Józef Sowiński + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010175

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Abstract

Soil amendments from peats, brown coals and composts produced from segregated biodegradable waste or biomass from fallow land can increase soil fertility and improve soil productivity. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of using willow (Salix viminalis L.) biomass composts as a substrate component in horticulture. The objects of the research were composts produced from willow carried out in a pile under aerobic conditions. The addition of hay and mineral nitrogen (Nmin) was used to improve process efficiency. In order to verify the type and determine fertilizing value, basic chemical parameters were analyzed (pH, total contents of C, N and P) and a pot experiment was established to analyze the germination and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Changes in pH, an increase in total nitrogen content (TN), phosphorus (TP) and a decrease in TOC was observed in the investigated samples. Results of the experiment showed that the highest yield was obtained from the pots with the mixture of willow, hay and Nmin. Matured composts significantly stimulated the germination and growth of the test plants. It can be concluded that the addition of hay and Nmin significantly improved composting process and increased the fertilizing value of the investigated composts.

Highlights

In recent decades, a significant decrease in humic substances (HS) content in terrestrial environments, due to increased mineralization of organic matter, has been observed [1]
The results presented in this paper are based on mean values obtained during chemical analyses and resulting from the vegetation experiment
Based on changes in the germination index (Gi) values, they showed that the composting process reduced the negative effect of untreated willow

Summary

Introduction

A significant decrease in humic substances (HS) content in terrestrial environments (especially cultivated areas), due to increased mineralization of organic matter, has been observed [1] This phenomenon is very strongly observed in intensively used agroecosystems, especially in horticulture in the cultivation of vegetables, ornamental and fruit plants, mushroom plantations, nurseries, orchards and forestry [2]. The most likely solutions seem to be those suggesting the use of sustainable tillage and the introduction of organic or organic-mineral soil conditioners produced from exogenous organic matter (EOM) In this context, use materials and production and cultivation technologies that meet society’s current [12] and future needs for food, feed production, environmental quality and human health and maintain agriculture’s acceptable impact on the environment. Modern fertility management should be based on a comprehensive, long-term and integrated approach [13] rather than the more short-term approach used in conventional farming

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