Physico-Chemical Properties of Compost Based Waste-Recycling of Grape Fruit as Nursery Growing Medium

Abstract

The present study reports the physico-chemical properties of four compost based squeezed grape fruit wastes (SGFW) consisting of 60% SGFW + 40% chicken manure (including sawdust) (CMS) (v/v), 80% SGFW + 20% bean hay (BH) (v/v), 80% SGFW + 20% chicken manure (including wheat hay) (CMH) (v/v) and 100% SGFW. Results showed that 100% SGFW compost had a suitable pH and EC with 7.82 and 1.68 dSm-1, respectively. Also, 80% SGFW + 20% BH compost was very rich in organic matter similar to coco peat, but 80%SGFW + 20% CMH compost had the lowest C/N ratio (5.2). The N, P and K concentrations in SGFW composts were higher than the coco peat or vermiculite. The soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) and anions (CO23, HCO-3 ) in 60% SGFW+ 40% CMS compost were the highest among substrates. The concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals in SGFW composts were far lower than the range of phytotoxicity. On the other hand, total phenols in SGFW composts were higher than coco peat.