Successive crops of lettuce fertilized with organic compost produced from cellulose paper residues

Abstract

New technologies must ensure that the natural resources used can somehow return to the environment in an advantageous way. The objective of this study was to evaluate organic compost produced from cattle manure and cellulose paper residues and lettuce production. In the organic compost the Pb and Cd concentrations were below the limits of quantification by the methodology used. The organic compost was evaluated in two consecutive lettuce crops. The first cultivation was carried out in a completely randomized design in the 4x3+1 scheme with four replicates: four doses of organic compost, three different organic compost and additional treatment, without addition of organic compost. The second cultivation was carried out 90 days after the first one, without additional of fertilizers. In the soil, there was an increase in pH, CEC, SOC, P, K, Ca and Mg, after 2 consecutive crops. Significative concentrations of Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd not were found in the plants in both crops. The use of organic compost from cellulose paper residues in agricultural improved soil fertility and lettuce production, being the highest yields obtained in the second crop.