Effects of food waste sandwiched compost on Bok Choy seeds, plants and soil properties
Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution when disposed of in landfills. Finding sustainable ways to reduce it is crucial. Sandwich compost, a modified form of Bokashi, is a promising solution that converts food waste into a nutrient source for plants. The impact of sandwi...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2023
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113257/1/113257.pdf |
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| Summary: | Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution when
disposed of in landfills. Finding sustainable ways to reduce it is crucial. Sandwich
compost, a modified form of Bokashi, is a promising solution that converts food
waste into a nutrient source for plants.
The impact of sandwich compost on soil-plant growth is not well-known. To
address this, a study had three objectives: (i) to evaluate the effect of
sandwiched compost leachate as a priming solution on Bok Choy seed
germination performance; (ii) to evaluate the effect of sandwiched compost
substrate amendment on soil physical-chemical properties and enzyme
activities; and (iii) to evaluate the effect of sandwiched compost amendment on
nutrient composition and antioxidants in Bok Choy compared to commercially
grown plants.
A self-made sandwich compost bucket was used in the study. Raw and cooked
food waste, including plant and animal-based materials in a 3:2 ratio
(raw:cooked), were collected locally. Alternate layers of sandwich compost bran
and food waste were filled in the bucket, compacted, and covered tightly. The
mixture was fermented for two weeks, and the resulting leachate and substrate
were used in the research.
Bok Choy seeds were treated with three methods in the first study: T1-Bio-nutripriming
(0.2% of sandwiched compost leachate), T2-Hydropriming, and T3-
Control (dry seeds) for 34 days. The experiment was designed using Completely
Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The results showed that
priming with sandwiched compost leachate improved germination time by 33.2%
and increased SPAD unit by 28.6%. However, there was no significant difference
in root and shoot dry matter among the treatments.
Study 2 used a Completely Randomized Design to investigate soil-to-substrate
ratios and incubation periods on soil properties and enzyme activities. Results
showed that a 1:1 ratio for four weeks significantly improved soil quality, with
substrate amendment playing a key role in improving soil-plant quality. This led
to significant increases in soil urease activity, pH, and CEC compared to preamendment,
and increased microbial activity positively affected nutrient
availability, improving plant growth. The study suggests that sandwich compost
can enhance soil quality as a soil amendment.
Study 3 investigated the use of sandwiched compost substrate as a soil
amendment, seed priming solution, and liquid fertilizer for Bok Choy growth.
Results showed high yield potential and a high SPAD unit (26.50-37.77). The
third cycle produced the highest total leaf area (71.78-141.73 cm2), and the
fourth cycle produced Bok Choy with high total carotenoid content (521.60 mg g-
1). However, root growth was not favorable, suggesting that Sandwiched
compost may not be suitable for root crops in the first two growing cycles due to
the possible presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
Sandwiched compost substrate improves soil-plant quality, Bok Choy growth
and nutrient content. Optimal soil-to-substrate incubation is 1:1 for four weeks.
Sandwiched compost can be used as a soil amendment, seed priming solution,
and liquid fertilizer. Further research is needed to determine its effectiveness for
root crops. |
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