Influence of Agro-Industrial Waste Composts on Soil Characteristics, Growth Dynamics, and Yield of Red Cabbage and Broccoli

• Published in: Soil systems 2024-06, Vol.8 (2), p.53
• Main Authors: Maffia, Angela, Marra, Federica, Battaglia, Santo, Oliva, Mariateresa, Mallamaci, Carmelo, Muscolo, Adele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agricultural wastes; Animal wastes; Biological properties; Broccoli; broccoli calabrese; cabbage; Carbon; Carbon/nitrogen ratio; Cation exchange; cation exchange capacity; Cation exchanging; Composting; Composts; Crop production; Crop yield; Crop yields; Crops; Decomposition; Ecological function; Ecosystems; Fertilizers; Fluorescein diacetate; Food supply; Heavy metal content; Horse manure; Humification; Industrial wastes; Lignocellulose; microbial biomass; Microorganisms; Mineralization; Moisture content; Nitrogen; Nutrients; Organic carbon; Organic matter; Organic soils; Organic wastes; oxidoreductases; Plant growth; red cabbage; Sawdust; soil amendments; Soil characteristics; Soil chemistry; soil ecosystems; Soil fertility; Soil improvement; Soil properties; Soil quality; Soils; straw; Sustainable agriculture; Technology application; Temperature; Toxicity; Ventilation; waste compost; wood
• ISSN: 2571-8789; 2571-8789
• DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems8020053

In this work, environmentally sound technologies for converting organic wastes into fertilizers to improve soil sustainability and crop yield have been identified and assessed. Wet wastes were combined with 50% wood sawdust and 50% wet wastes (Compost 1) or (10% Straw + 90% wet wastes) (Compost 2) to produce soil improvers with a balanced level of nutrients, and their effectiveness on soil ecosystem functioning have been tested and compared to horse manure (HM) and nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium (NPK) fertilizers. Unfertilized soil was used as a control. Soil chemical and biological properties have been detected after the harvesting of broccoli and red cabbage (90 days from the initial treatments). Three independent experiments have been conducted in an open field in a randomized complete block design with three replications (n = 9). The results showed that Compost 1 had the highest C/N ratio and cation exchange capacity (CEC), indicating a better humification of the wet material. Compost 1, even if it contained a minor amount of organic carbon, as well as less activity of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and dehydrogenase (DHA) than Compost 2, was the most effective in improving soil quality, significantly increasing the labile fraction of organic matter, the oxidative enzyme (DHA), microbial biomass, and crop yield. Both composts increased crop productivity.