Use of municipal solid waste compost as a growth media for an energy plant (rapeseed)

Objective of this work was to study the effect of mixtures of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost with a peat based growth media on the yields of rapeseed. The MSW compost and the peat were respectively mixed at ratios equal to 10%:90%, 20%:80% and 50%:50% (wet weight basis). A randomized block design was adopted with 5 treatments and 3 blocks per treatment. The 50%:50% mixture achieved a statistically higher yield (dry weight and average leaf area) compared to all other treatments, whilst compost alone led to the lowest shoot growth. Negative correlations were calculated between the total contents of Pb, Ni and Cd of the plant tissues and the corresponding dry weights of the shoots. Regression equations were developed that described shoot yields as a function of the water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, C/N ratio and the total and leachable contents of certain metals in the growth media.

► The growth of rapeseed was assessed using mixtures of peat and MSW compost. ► The highest yield was observed at a 50%:50% mixing ratio of peat and MSW compost. ► Shoot yield was expressed as a function of WHC, EC, pH and the C/N ratio. ► Nickel, cadmium and lead were found to negatively affect shoot yield. ► Copper, zinc and chromium were found to positively affect shoot yields.