Abstract
Since simultaneous use of organic and mineral fertilizers on the basis of their chemical compositions can lead to better plant growth and soil fertility, the roles of municipal waste compost (MWC) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on growth and mineral composition of tomato and some soil properties were evaluated under greenhouse condition. Treatments involved four MWC rates (0, 1, 2, and 4% on the basis of soil dry weight) and four N levels (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg−1 soil). Red cloud variety of tomato was sown in treated soils and 9 weeks later dried plant shoots and soil sub-samples were subjected to analysis. Combined use of MWC and N led to better growth of tomato than sole application of either MWC or N fertilizer. Plant concentration and/or uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, and manganese were increased by both MWC and N. The beneficial effect of MWC on nutrients uptake was more pronounced with N addition. Plant and soil concentrations of cadmium and lead were under the detection limit of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Soluble salts, organic matter, sodium, chloride and DTPA-extractable zinc, copper, iron, and manganese in the soil were effectively increased with addition of MWC. Due to high soil pH and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) values of the calcareous soil, MWC heavy metals had no hazardous effect on tomato and even played a nutritional role. The most important problem raised from MWC application was the accumulation of soluble salts in the soil which must be monitored when making repeated application of MWC over an extended period of time.
Highlights
Most agricultural soils of Iran have low content of organic matter (OM) and suffer from poor physical conditions (Havaee et al 2014)
Purpose Since simultaneous use of organic and mineral fertilizers on the basis of their chemical compositions can lead to better plant growth and soil fertility, the roles of municipal waste compost (MWC) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on growth and mineral composition of tomato and some soil properties were evaluated under greenhouse condition
Due to high soil pH and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) values of the calcareous soil, MWC heavy metals had no hazardous effect on tomato and even played a nutritional role
Summary
Most agricultural soils of Iran have low content of organic matter (OM) and suffer from poor physical conditions (Havaee et al 2014). Daily production of large quantities of solid organic wastes causes serious disposal problems, environmental pollution, and possible health risks. Using a good strategy such as composting process, solid wastes can be converted into useful products for improvement of soils properties (Hashemimajd et al 2004; Sohrabi Yourtchi et al 2013). Soil disposal of municipal waste compost (MWC) is an attractive practical procedure reducing the waste disposal problems in large cities. Compost can be considered as a valuable source of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), essential trace elements, and OM that well improves soil physical properties and plant nutritional status (Bertoldi et al 1996; Zinati et al 2004; Kabirinejad and Hoodaji 2012). The two major drawbacks encountered from application of compost to soils are the accumulation of an excess amount of soluble salts in treated soils and the potential toxicity of certain trace elements to plants (Maftoun et al 2004)
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