The Effect of Application of Agricultural Waste Compost on Growing Media and Greenhouse Lettuce Yield

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1 The Effect of Application of Agricultural Waste Compost on Growing Media and Greenhouse Lettuce Yield F. Mastouri and M.R. Hassandokht M.N. Padasht Dehkaei Department of Horticultural Sciences, Ornamental Plant Research Center Tarbiat Modarres University Lahijan, Guilan Tehran, Iran P.O. Box: Iran Keywords: Lactuca sativa L. cv. Great lakes 118, Tea waste, Tree Bark, yield, earliness Abstract The potential of two agricultural waste composts, Tea Waste Compost (TWC) and Tree Bark Compost (TBC), as soil amendments was investigated for container production of Great Lakes 118 lettuce. Nine growing media mixtures including 3TWC+1Soil (on a volumetric basis), 1TWC+1Soil, 1TWC+3Soil, 3TBC+1Soil, 1TBC+1Soil, 1TBC+3Soil, 1TWC+1TBC, 1TWC+1TBC+1Soil, and Soil (control), were arranged in four blocks. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Great Lakes) seeds were directly sown in 2 liter pots. No supplementary fertilization was applied until commercial harvest. Due to the variation in date of commercial harvest, lettuce heads in each treatment were harvested as soon as they reached commercial maturity stage. Results revealed that either type of compost increased yield over control (soil based media). However, growth, dry matter accumulation, and head weight was lower in TBC amended media than that of TWC amended media. In addition to head yield, it was shown that crop maturity was positively affected with compost application. Earlier crop obtained in soilless media, while the crop in non amended soil reached maturity 3 weeks later. INTRODUCTION Compost, the final product of controlled degradation of organic wastes, has been revealed to improve soil physical and chemical properties. Generally, composts improve soil physicochemical properties such as formation and stability of soil aggregates, water infiltration, porosity, resistance against compaction and nutrient availability (Alexander, 2000; Fitzpatrick, 2000; Quedraogo et al., 2001; Caravaca et al., 2002; Clik et al., 2004). They also improve soil biological characteristics (Lee et al., 2004). Consequently, compost incorporation into soil can increase growth, yield, and quality of crop (Abou- Hadid et al., 2001; Smith et al., 2001; Garcia-Gomez et al., 2002). Capability of composts for use in Soilless culture of horticultural crops has also been confirmed in a number of studies (Khalighi and Padasht Dehkaei, 2000; Urrestarazu et al., 2001). A full range of organic wastes, from Municipal wastes to agricultural residues, are being used as composting feedstock, depending on the local availability. Annually, thousands of tones of agro-industrial wastes are produced in Northern part of Iran in Tea Processing and Timber Plants. Disposal of these wastes is economically a burden to these plants and ecologically a challenge for the environment; their inefficient disposal brings about environmental problems such as pest and insect attraction and soil and underground water pollution, especially in those areas with superficial water tables. However, these wastes have been proved to be suitable for application in horticultural cropping systems after a simple composting process (Khalighi and Padasht Dehkaei, 2002; Padasht Dehkaei, 1998). Composting of these wastes is a sustainable solution to the common problem of organic wastes disposal, resulting in a valuable substrate for production of horticultural crops. Tea Waste Compost (TWC) and Tree bark compost (TBC) have been used for Soilless production of ornamental plants with great success (Padasht Dehkaei et al., 2003; Khalighi and Padasht Dehkaei, 2002; Padasht Dehkaei, 1998). Nonetheless, no work has Proc. IS on Soilless Cult. and Hydroponics Ed: M. Urrestarazu Gavilán Acta Hort. 697 ISHS

2 been carried out on the application of these composts as a component of growing media for container production of vegetable crops. In order to investigate the effect of these two types of composts on soil characteristics, evaluation of their potential as soil amendments and their capacity for use in container production of vegetable crops, and with the aim of determining the most appropriate medium for pot production of vegetable crops we carried out this experiment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Composts and Growing Media Feedstock of composting came from agro-industrial wastes. Tree bark wastes, including 30% fir bark, 30% alder bark, 20% horn beech bark, 10% beech bark, 5% oak bark, 3% iron tree bark, and 2% bark of other hard wood trees, were obtained from Chouka Timber plant. Tea Waste, including apical shoots, petioles, and leaf vein of tea was also obtained from tea processing plants of Lahijan. These wastes were composted in a 1m 3 passively aerated containers in Flower and Ornamental Research Center, Lahijan, Guilan. Field soil was completely mixed with predetermined volumetric amount of composts to create 6 treatments including 3TWC+1Soil, 1TWC+1Soil, 1TWC+3Soil, 3TBC+1Soil, 1TBC+1Soil, 1TBC+3Soil. Two further mixtures, including 1TWC+1TBC and 1TWC+1TBC+1Soil, were also prepared. Non amended soil medium was chosen as control. Experimental Design and Plant Material Nine media treatments were arranged in a completely randomized Block Design with four replications and each plot included four pots. Great Lakes 118 lettuce seeds were directly sown in two liter containers filled with media mixtures. Daily hand irrigation started after planting, and continued up to harvest. Seedlings were emerged 4 days later in all treatments. No chemical fertilization, pest and disease control measurements were practiced until harvest. Plant fresh and dry weight was measured 4 and 8 weeks after germination and at the commercial maturity stage head fresh weight was measured. Due to the variation in date of commercial harvest, lettuce heads in each treatment were harvested as soon as they reached commercial maturity stage. Laboratory Analysis Soil Bulk Density (BD) and total porosity were determined according to Blake, and water holding capacity according to Maximum Water Holding Capacity (European Method). Soil organic matter was determined by loss on ignition method. The ph and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured in a 1:3 aqueous solution. Total nitrogen (TN) was determined by the Kjeldhal method, and the organic Carbon (OC) by Walkly-Black method. Available Phosphorus with sodium bicarbonate was determined by colorimetry. Extractable Potassium with ammonium acetate was determined by flame photometry. Statistical Analysis Analysis of variance was performed using SPSS for windows. Duncan test was used for comparison of mean significant difference at P<0. confidence level. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Physical and chemical properties of different mixtures of media used in this study are mentioned in Table 1 and 2. Our results revealed that growth of lettuce increased as the contribution of either type of composts in growing media increased (Table 3). However, growth and head fresh weight was higher in TWC amended media in comparison with that of TBC amended media (Table 3), while the increase in growth in TBC amended media over soil was only 154

3 significant in 75%TBC. Improved plant growth as a result of application of these composts was in agreement with earlier studies on Marigol (Khalighi and Padasht Dehkaei, 2000; Padasht Dehkaei, 1998). However, lower nitrogen supply of TBC in comparison with TWC, especially in our experiment that we avoid application of any kind of fertilizer, was the main reason for this difference in growth of lettuce (Westerveld et al., 2003; Verdonck, et al;, 1983). In addition, because this compost was subject to compaction (Padasht Dehkaei, pers. Commun.) consequent decrease in air capacity of media restricted plant growth in TBC amended media. In addition to head fresh weight, composts had positive effect on earliness of crop (Table 3); in other words, the earliest crop was obtained from soilless medium, 1TWC+1TBC, followed by 3TWC+1Soil, while heads of lettuce in soil reached commercial maturity three weeks later than that of soilless media (Table 1). Amending soil with compost enhanced soil physical traits, especially air capacity, and consequently led to earliness in amended media in comparison with soil. Further, higher nitrogen supply of TWC in comparison with TBC and soil accelerated growth and head formation (Westerveld et al., 2003; Khalighi and Padasht Dehkaei, 2002, Padasht Dehkaei, 1998; Verdonck et al, 1983). CONCLUSION From our results it can be deduced that either type of these composts can be used as soil amendments. In addition, they are suitable for use as horticultural substrates especially when used in mixture. Tea waste compost has high EC and its application alone can suppress or adversely affect plant growth, especially in salt sensitive plants (Khalighi and Padasht Dehkaei, 2000; Verdonck et al, 1983). However, its application with proper substrates or leaching before application may be useful. Comparatively lower growth and yield of lettuce in TBC amended media may be mainly due to its low nitrogen supply and relatively rapid decomposition that restricts air capacity of media. Therefore, its application with more stable substrates such as TWC that can also make up its low nitrogen content (Padasht Dehkaei, in press) and improves plant growth as our results confirmed. However, high ph (7.85) and C/N (21.71) values of this compost indicate that immaturity of this compost may be another reason for lower growth and head weight of lettuce in TBC amended media. Therefore, better control on composting process and maturity of TBC is recommended for use as either substrate or soil amendment. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research was partially supported by funds from Tarbiat Modarres University of Iran. Authors wish to thank Hasel Novin Agro. CO. for support of this study. Literature Cited Abou-Hadid, A.F., Mohammad, A.A., Ibrahim, A.M. and Soliman, E.M Effect of composed greenhouse waste on macronutrient concentration and productivity of cucumber. Acta Hort. 549: Alexander, R Compost utilization in landscape. p: In: P.J. Stoffella and P.A. Kahn (Eds.), Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping System, Lewis Publishers, Florida Caravaca, F., Hernandez, T., Garcia, C. and Roldan, A Improvement of rhizosphere aggregate stability of afforested semiarid plant species subjected to mycorrhizal inoculation and compost addition. Geoderma. 108: Clik, I., Ortas, I. and Likik, S Effect of compost, mycorrhiza, manure and fertilizer on some physical properties of a Chromoxerert soil. Soil Till. Res. 78 (1): Fitzpatrick, G.E Compost utilization in landscape. p: In: P.J. Stoffella and P.A. Kahn (Eds.), Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping System, Lewis Publishers, Florida. 155

4 Garcia-Gomez, A. Bernal, M.P. and Roig, A Growth of ornamental plants in two composts prepared from agroindustrial wastes. Bioresource Tech. 83:81-87 Khalighi, A. and Padasht Dehkaei, M.N The effect of media produced by Tree Bark, Tea Waste, Rice Hull and Azolla as a substitute for peat, on growth and flowering of Marigold (Tagetes patulta L. "Golden Boy"). Iranian J. Agri. Sci. 31 (3): Lee, J.J, Park, R.D., Kim, Y.W., Shim, J.H., Chae, D.H., Rim, Y.S., Sohn, B.K., Kim, T.H. and Kim, K.Y Effect of food waste compost on microbial population, soil enzyme activity and lettuce growth. Bioresource Technol. 93:21-28 Padasht Dehkaei, M.N., Khalighi, A., Kashi, A.K. and Naderi, R.A., The effect of Azolla on composting of Tree Bark, Tea waste and Rice Hull. Seed and Plant. 19 (2): Padasht Dehkaei, M.N Investigation of some physical and chemical properties of compost for application in greenhouse cropping system. M.Sc. Diss. University of Tehran. Pp Quedraogo, E., Mndo, A. and Zombre, N.P Use of compost to improve soil properties and crop productivity under low input agricultural system in West Africa. Agriculture, Ecosystem, and Environment, 84: Smith, D.C., Beharee, V and Hughes, J.C The effects of composts produced by a simple composting procedure on yield of swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. flavescens) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. nanus). Scientia Hort. 91: Urrestarazu, M., Salas, M.C., Padilla, M.I., Moreno, J, Elorrieta, M.A. and Carasco, G.A Evaluation of different composts from horticultural crop residue and their uses in greenhouse soilless cropping. Acta Hort. 549: Verdonck, O., De Vleeschauwer, D., Penninck, R CocoFiber dust, a new growing medium for plants im tropics. Acta Hort. 133: Westerveld, S.M., McDonald, M.R., McKeown, A.W. and Scott-Dupree, C.D Optimum nitrogen fertilization of summer cabbage in Ontario. Acta Hort. 627:

5 Table 1. Comparison of means of selected physical properties of growing media (p<0.5). Physical property Type of Media BD (g/cm 3 ) Total porosity% Solid Particles% Water Holding capacity% Organic Matter% TWC+TBC F A 9.55 E 55.0 AB A TWC+TBC+SOIL D BC CD 54.3 B BC 3TWC+SOIL E A E 56.8 A B TWC+SOIL D BC C 55.5 AB C TWC+3SOIL D D B 53.8 BC D 3TBC+SOIL E B D 55.2 AB B TBC+SOIL C C C 52.8 C C TBC+3SOIL B D B 49.9 D DE SOIL A E A 48.9 D 0.75 E Table 2. Comparison of means of selected chemical properties of growing media (p<0.5). Chemical property Type of Media EC (ms/cm) 1:10 extract ph H2O 1:10 extract OC% TN% Av ( TWC+TBC A B A 4.20 A 241 TWC+TBC+SOIL C B C 1.42 C 161 3TWC+SOIL B D B 2.15 B 198 TWC+SOIL CD CD D 1.34 CD 146 TWC+3SOIL E CD DE 1.09 D 137 3TBC+SOIL D A C 1.21 CD 146 TBC+SOIL E A E 0.80 E 125 TBC+3SOIL F AB E 0.53 F 67. SOIL G AB F 0.21 F

6 Table 3. Comparison of means of measured growth parameters (p<0.5). Treatment FW1 (g/plant) FW2 (g/plant) HEAD FW (g/plant) DW1 (g/plant) Means for groups in homogeneous subsets are displayed. FW1, FW2, and Head FW: shoot fresh weight respec SOIL 0.75 E 2.75 E F D TBC+3SOIL E E F D TBC+SOIL E DE EF CD 3TBC+SOIL DE D E C TWC+3SOIL CD C D BCD TWC+SOIL BC B C BC 3TWC+SOIL 17.5 AB A A AB 1 TWC+TBC+SOIL AB B B A TWC+TBC 22.5 A A B A Head Fresh Weight at commercial harvest DW and DW2: shoot dry weight respectively 4 WAG and 8 WAG D 158

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