Testing low-quality urban composts for agriculture: germination and seedling performance of plants
1995
Murillo, J.M. | Cabrera, F. | Lopez, R. | Martin-Olmedo, P.
Two urban composts, one very coarse, low in organic matter but mature, and the other particulated, high in organic matter but not well stabilized, were tested. Germination 'in vitro' and in soil of cress, ryegrass and sunflower seeds, seedling performance (root, shoot and sheath lengths) and seedling composition (in soil) of ryegrass were evaluated. Other organic composts, including a vermi-compost, were used for comparison in some experiments. The less mature compost in the 'in vitro' assays showed a strong instant toxicity (despite a low latent toxicity), especially when using a sand-compost mixture. Pot trials showed a strong, initial shortening of the primary root of the ryegrass, and also a strong reduction of the mean seedling weight, measured 30 days after sowing. In contrast, results with the mature urban compost were excellent, being similar to those obtained using the vermi-compost. To avoid negative effects on crops, routine germination bioassays should be included in educational programs for farmers. This should enhance marketing and consumer acceptance of urban composts.
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