Abstract
A transformation towards sustainable food production requires improved circular nutrient management. Urban organic waste contains relevant nutrients and organic matter, yet only 4% of global urban nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) sources are presently recycled. One recycling approach is the composting of urban wastes for urban horticulture. We characterized compost from various urban waste fractions and assessed their fertilizer value in a pot trial with lettuce plants. Seven treatments were investigated: food waste vermicompost with coir and paperboard bedding material, thermophilic compost from green waste and human feces, two references with mineral fertilization and a sand control. The lettuce yield and total uptake of P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were highest in plants grown in coir-based vermicompost. The fecal compost led to the highest shoot P and K content, but the shoot uptake of Ca and Mg were lower than in the other treatments. All composts required additional N for lettuce growth. In conclusion, urban waste-derived vermicompost and fecal compost demonstrate a high delivery rate of plant-available Ca, Mg, P, and K. Research is needed on macronutrient availability and alternative N sources for the substitution of synthetic fertilization. These findings support the production of urban waste composts, furthering efforts in nutrient recycling.
Highlights
It was hypothesized that fertilization of lettuce with VC or fecal compost would lead to increased plant biomass, shoot mass and macronutrient uptake compared to thermophilic garden waste compost
We describe the composition of the different types of studied compost derived from various urban organic waste sources (Section 3.1)
We present and discuss the results of examining and assessing the fertilization potential of these urban organic fertilizers when used as pot substrate for lettuce, with particular focus on plant growth and nutrient availability of macronutrients (Section 3.2)
Summary
Background—Circular Food Production for a Sustainable Future. Feeding a growing population in a healthy and sustainable way is one of the most challenging societal and scientific issues today. On this topic, the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health concludes that a ‘great food transformation’ is urgently needed and demands an ‘agricultural revolution’ regarding food production and consumption practices [1]. Improved nutrient management and recycling practices, of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), is a key prerequisite for the required transformation towards more sustainable food production [2]. Circular economies and material cycling within agri-food systems are necessary to minimize food production’s environmental impact and to ensure long-term global food supply (e.g., [1,4,5,6,7])
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