HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Terman, G. L. Articles by Allen, S. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Terman, G. L. Articles by Allen, S. E. Agricola Articles by Terman, G. L. Articles by Allen, S. E.

Municipal Waste Compost: Effects on Crop Yields and Nutrient Content in Greenhouse Pot Experiments¹

ABSTRACT

Five greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to study the utilization or disposal of urban waste compost on agricultural soils. Highly carbonaceous compost applied without additional N induced N deficiency in corn (Zea mays L.) grown on very N-deficient Mountview sil. This was corrected by applying soluble N. Apparent N deficiency of corn was not induced by compost on soils higher in crop-available N. Compost supplied considerable N, P, K, Ca, and Zn for corn and tall fescue (Fescue arundinacea Schreb.); P and K in the compost were relatively more available than its content of N. Placing P with compost did not increase availability of the P for corn.

Heavy applications of compost (made from garbage and sewage sludge solids) to soil had a considerable liming effect and increased Zn concentrations and uptake by corn and tall fescue. The liming effect apparently prevented toxicity to corn and snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from Zn accumulations from compost on an acid Sango sil.

Key Words: liming effect • heavy metals • N deficiency • Zn toxicity

¹ Contribution from the Soils and Fertilizer Research Branch, National Fertilizer Dev. Cent., Muscle Shoals, Ala. This research was supported in part by funds provided by the Solid Waste Management Office, Environmental Protection Agency.

² Research Agronomist, Soil Scientist, and Agronomist, respectively, Soils and Fert. Res. Branch, Nat'l Fert. Dev. Cent., Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Received for publication February 29, 1972.