Effect of Food Waste Compost on Crop Productivity and Soil Chemical Properties under Rice and Pepper Cultivation

Abstract

Food waste has recognized one of useful sources for potentially agricultural application to supply organic matter and nutrients in arable soil. However, there was little information on application of food waste compost related to the maturity and NaCl content in arable soil. This study evaluated the effect of food waste compost application on yield and fertility in soil under flooding and upland condition. The yields in rice and pepper cultivation decreased with increasing the rate of food waste compost application in soil (p less than 0.05). Maximum yields of rice (49.0 g plant∨-1 ) and pepper (204 g plant∨-1 ) were shown at 10 and 30 Mg ha -1 of food waste compost application, respectively. The N, P, and K contents in grain and plant residues increased by the application of food waste compost, there was no difference on Na/K ratio in plant tissue among the treatments. Application of food waste compost resulted in the increase of pH, EC, TC, available P contents in soil after crop harvest, especially, which was shown the increase of the CEC and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) contents in irrespective of water condition. In conclusion, application of food waste compost in soil was effective on the supply of the organic matter and nutrient. However, it might need caution to apply food waste compost for sustainable productivity in arable soil because of potential Na accumulation.