Assessment of municipal solid waste compost quality using standardized methods before preparation of plant growth media

Abstract

The quality of compost and its suitability for agricultural application depend upon physical and chemical parameters such as water-holding capacity, porosity, pH, electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, available nutrients and the absence of toxic substances. In the present study a complete characterization of an industrial municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) based on standardized European methods (CEN) for soil improvers and growing media was obtained, and compared with the quality of other Spanish composted biowaste and conventional substrates such as peat and pine bark. The MSWC was obtained from the main composting plant in Galicia (Spain), which processes organic waste that has been separated at origin and collected from more than 100 000 inhabitants. The MSWC presented a lower C/N ratio (15) than peat (84) and composted pine bark (CPB) (211), but had a similar ratio to other marketed MSWC. The nutrients and heavy metals were extracted using different recommended solvents (water, CaCl2 + diethylen triamin pentaacetic acid, and aqua regia). The nutrient concentrations of composted urban waste or manure were much higher than those of peat, CPB or pine bark. On the basis of the results of the plant tolerance test, the MSWC could be employed directly as a soil improver, but would need to be diluted with other low-salt components such as peat or CPB before being used as a growing media.

Bio-conversion of organic wastes for their recycling in agriculture: an overview of perspectives and prospects

“…An easy method is plant tolerance test (Silva et al, 2007). Others prefer carbon dioxide release or oxygen uptake measurements (Graetz, 1996;Ahmad, 2007).…”

Exploring selected plant nutrient in compost prepared from food waste and cattle manure and its effect on soil properties and maize yield at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

“…There are a number of micro and macro organisms that have the ability to naturally convert organic waste into valuable plant nutrients and organic matter; items critical for maintaining soil productivity. Organic waste, which is otherwise discarded, can be composted and converted into productive uses such as soil amendments (Barral Silva et al 2007). At the same time that this potential soil amendment is being thrown away, farmland soils are degrading, showing a progressive productivity decline.…”

Municipal solid waste and NPK fertilizer effects on soil physical properties and maize performance in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria

“…Several authors have assessed the positive effects of compost municipal solid waste application on the environment. These include the reduction of weed germination and number of plant pathogens, increase in crop yield, increase in organic matter content, decrease in erosion rates and improves moisture content and decrease in soil bulk density (Elherradi et al, 2005;Sharma and Campbell, 2003;Silva et al, 2007). Soil amendment with manures, municipal biosolids, and other organic wastes has been found to improve the physical and chemical properties of soil (Barzegar et al, 2002;Mkhabelaa and Warmanb, 2005;Šimon et al, 2013;Unagwu et al, 2013).…”