Phytotechnical performance of leafy vegetables under organic management with fermented agro-industrial composts in Brazil
Purpose: This study evaluated how fermented agro-industrial bran composts, with or without T. asperellum inoculation, affect soil enzymatic activity and crop performance in successively grown American lettuce and bertalha under organic management at Fazendinha Agroecológica, Brazil. Method: The tr...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
OICC Press
2025-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/16968 |
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| Summary: | Purpose: This study evaluated how fermented agro-industrial bran composts, with or without T. asperellum inoculation, affect soil enzymatic activity and crop performance in successively grown American lettuce and bertalha under organic management at Fazendinha Agroecológica, Brazil.
Method: The treatments consisted of six fermented compost formulations containing mixtures of high C/N ratio raw materials (wheat bran - WHB, rice bran - RIB, passion fruit peel - PFPB) combined with low C/N ratio raw materials (castor bean bran - CAB, cottonseed bran - COB), plus a control without fertilization. Compost formulations were applied before transplanting American lettuce (cv. Angelina) at a dose equivalent to 240 kg N ha-1, with residual effects assessed at bertalha (local variety) harvest. Soil microbial activity was estimated using Fluorescein Diacetate Hydrolysis (FDA). Phytotechnical variables related to production performance were determined for both vegetables.
Results: T. asperellum application did not affect microbial activity, whereas compost application altered FDA, with the lowest value observed without fertilization. Compost application increased American lettuce production by up to 83%. Residual effects on bertalha performance varied, with formulations 40% COB + 60% RIB and 40% COB + 60% PFPB resulting in 55% and 67% higher yields than the control, respectively. However, CAB + WHB did not differ from the control.
Conclusion: Utilizing regionally available agro-industrial waste, such as passion fruit peel and rice bran, in compost formulations presents an agronomically efficient strategy for enhancing sustainability and reducing monetary costs in organic farming units.
Highlights
· Fermented composts increased iceberg lettuce yield by up to 83%.
· Residual effects on bertalha yield reached up to 67% higher than the control.
· T. asperellum did not influence soil microbial activity in this study.
· Compost with passion fruit peel and rice bran proved agronomically efficient.
· Using agro-industrial waste reduces costs and boosts organic farming sustainability.
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| ISSN: | 2195-3228 2251-7715 |