Effects of Nutrient Enriched Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Yield and Nutrient Content of Cabbage in Alluvial Soil

Composting of municipal solid waste (MSW) is a good option for solid waste recycling, but its use by the farmers is limited because of its very low nutrient status.

Aims: The study aimed at nutrient enrichment of marketed MSW compost by using some organic materials and evaluating the influence of nutrient enriched MSW compost on yield and nutrient content of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.).

Place and Duration of Study: MSW compost amendment, field experiment and nutrient analysis were carried out at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during October 2017 to June 2018.

Methodology: We prepared three types of amended compost by mixing 20% mustard oil cake (MOC), and 30% poultry manure (PM) or cow dung (CD) or sugarcane press mud (SPM) with 50% MSW compost. A liquid culture of Trichoderma viride was inoculated to every type of compost. The field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of the amended MSW composts on yield and nutrient content of cabbage (cv. Atlas-70), and on soil fertility. The experimental soil was silt loam having 6.7 pH and 2.79% organic matter; according to Soil Taxonomy it belongs to Aeric Haplaquept under the order Inceptisols.

Results: Based on the yield and nutrient concentration (N, P, K & S) of cabbage, the treatment containing 50% fertilizers + 50% compost mixture (MSW compost + MOC + SPM in a ratio of 5:2:3) demonstrated the best result followed by poultry manure amended compost. Use of the amended composts had residual effects on soil showing an increased N, P, K & S content.

Conclusion: Organic amendment of MSW compost inoculated with Trichoderma is a noble means to increase the nutrient status of marketed MSW compost and improve the soil fertility and crop productivity. The results have significant value in fertilizer management strategies for vegetables cultivation in sub-tropical countries.