Biological Quality of Potting Media Based on MSW Composts: A Comparative Study

Compost Science & Utilization, (2006), Vol. 14, No. 4, 296-302

A. Moldes,, Y. Cendón1 E. López and M.T. Barral
1. Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Vigo, Ourense, Spain
3. Departamento de Producción vegetal, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Lugo, Spain

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost from aerobic or anaerobic bioprocesses was evaluated as components of substrates for potted plant production. Experiments were conducted with potted media consisting of MSW compost mixed with other conventional substrates (peat or composted pine bark). Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and cress (Lepidium sativum L.) were used to evaluate the biological quality of composts. Higher germination rates of spring barley were obtained when MSW compost from aerobic treatment was employed as compared with MSW compost from the anaerobic bioprocess. Improved biological indices were observed when MSW composts were mixed with composted pine bark rather than with peat. Mixtures of 75% aerobic MSW compost and 25% composted pine bark were more favorable for cress growth than peat as sole substrate.

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