Cultivation of barley seedlings in a coffee silverskin-enriched soil: effects in plants and in soil

Abstract

Aims: Coffee silverskin (CS) is the most abundant waste from coffee roasting. In this research, the potential of CS as soil fertilizer for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivation was evaluated. Methods: Barley plants were grown, for 10 days from the start of germination, in soils mixed with different CS percentages (0, 2, 6 or 10%). The effects of CS addition on soil capacity to retain water and on the mold/yeast community were evaluated. Physio-morphological and biochemical responses of leaves and roots of barley plants growing in CS-enriched soil were evaluated. Results: Root and shoot length decreased in plants grown with CS, but biomass was less affected and even increased at 2% CS. Photosynthesis was higher in barley seedlings grown on CS-enriched soil than in control plants. However, Chl b was reduced in leaves of plants grown with CS. The total leaf protein content did not change with moderate CS additions in soil. However, when grown in soil with 10% CS, a significant reduction of total protein and Rubisco was observed. Extracts of barley shoots from plants grown in soil with 10% CS showed a greater antioxidant capacity with respect to all other experimental conditions. Conclusions: We conclude that CS addition to soil may improve soil property to retain water and, at low concentrations (2% w/w) positively affects barley physiology and growth.