Biological Assessment of Green Waste and Dredged Sediment Co-Composting for Nursery Plant Cultivation
Source abstract
Abstract
Co-composting efficiently reclaims dredged sediments (S) and green waste (GW), creating stable products for agricultural applications. However, the use of S-GW co-composts can be limited by legislative thresholds, especially for co-composts with a high S percentage. The evaluation of S-GW co-compost stability by biological assessment can allow for a better understanding of S and GW recycling, as well as the S-GW co-compost application. For this purpose, the microbial biomass, composition, respiration, and eco-enzyme stoichiometry (EST) were assessed, coupled with chemical analysis, in the co-composting of S and GW in different ratios. The Photinia x fraseri and Viburnum tinus L. growth was monitored in a plant trial, comparing the studied co-composts with a control substrate. The EST approach was applied as an indicator of the co-composting stability during the process and after the plant cultivation. The chemical and biological parameters confirmed the suitability of co-composting in the GW and S recovery and the EST approach highlighted a better stability for the 3S:1GW co-compost at the end of the process and after plant cultivation. Viburnum tinus showed a similar growth to the control, while Photinia x fraseri resulted in being more sensitive to the co-compost. The biological assessments were good indicators of the S-GW compost stability for their application in crop cultivation.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Composting and Vermicomposting Techniques
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), 56124 Pisa, Italy
National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Science and Technology (DAGRI), University of Florence, 50144 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Funding
AGRISED · National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) · European Union · Italian Ministry of University and Research
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