COMPOST AMENDING CAPABILITY AND EFFECTS ON SOIL SALINITY AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN AN OPEN FIELD CULTIVATION OF ERUCA SATIVA

摘要

The amending characteristics and effectiveness as fertiliser of a compost obtained from park and yard trimmings, sludge and food residuals (mostly from municipal solid wastes), have been tested. Differences in fertility and other parameters occurring among compost amended soil, soil treated with chemical nutrients and untreated soil were tested. The compost progressively provided the soil with organic matter and assimilable nutrients, while not increasing soil salinity. Concentra- tions of some heavy metals, however increased in the compost treated soil, suggesting the need for long-term monitoring of soils treated with composts.