Municipal solid wastes and mineral fertilizer as an eggplant transplant medium

Abstract

© 2015, Sociedad Chilena de la Ciencia del Suelo. All rights reserved. The fertigation and/or municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) studied in eggplant seedlings. MSWC extracts (between 10^-1 and 10^-2) accelerated seedling germination. Under nursery conditions, six substrates prepared from commercial peat and MSWC and were further assessed in conjunction with the nutrient application as basic fertilizer (BF) or hydro fertilizer (HF). The addition of MSWC into the substrate inhibited seed emergence and mean germination time, while fertigation accelerated seed emergence in 15% MSWC. Addition of 60% MSWC reduced seedling height, leaf number and fresh weight. BF increased fresh weight in seedlings grown in 15% MSWC. Leaf Chlorophyll b content decreased but total carotenoids increased by adding MSWC into the substrate. The K content decreased, Na content increased while P content did not differ with MSWC addition. Fertigation benefits seedlings nutritive status. Low content (15-30%) of MSWC may act as alternative substitute of peat with more positive effects observed if minerals provided through BF rather than HF.