Comparison of Effects of Chemical and Food Waste-Derived Fertilizers on the Growth and Nutrient Content of Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.)

Sang-Mo Kang, Arjun Adhikari, Dibya Bhatta, Ho-Jun Gam, Min-Ji Gim, Joon-Ik Son, Jin Y. Shin and In-Jung Lee
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Sang-Mo Kang: Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Arjun Adhikari: Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Dibya Bhatta: Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Ho-Jun Gam: Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Min-Ji Gim: Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Joon-Ik Son: Seyen Company, Limited, Kyungsan 38561, Korea
Jin Y. Shin: Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York, 1638 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, New York, NY 11225, USA
In-Jung Lee: Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea

Resources, 2022, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: The current high rate of food waste production, concomitant with the global increase in population and food demand, has adverse effects on environmental and socio-economic conditions. However, food waste has been shown to be an efficient and safe source of fertilizer in agriculture practice. Moreover, minimizing the application of chemical fertilizers is a goal of sustainable agriculture. Considering these facts, we aimed to compare the effect of chemical fertilizer (CF-3,8 g·pot −1 ) and different doses of mixed food waste-derived fertilizer (MF-10.6 g·pot −1 ), two-fold MF (MF × 2), four-fold MF (MF × 4), and six-fold MF (MF × 6) in a popular salad crop, Lactuca sativa (lettuce). Our results showed the growth rates of lettuce plants receiving CF, MF, and MF×2 applications were essentially the same; however, plant biomass significantly dropped with MF × 6 treatment. The CF, MF, and MF × 2 treatments enhanced the chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthetic rate of the plants and improved transpiration efficiency and stomatal conductance. With respect to mineral elements, the K + content was significantly enhanced with MF × 2 and MF × 4 treatment, whereas MF × 6-treated plants showed lower concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, and K + as well as higher Na + concentration. Biochemical analysis showed the elevation of abscisic acid level with increasing dose of MF, except in the MF × 6 treatment. The level of super oxide dismutase (SOD) dropped with CF treatment, was unchanged with MF, and significantly increased in MF×2 and MF × 4 treated plants. Subsequently, higher flavonoid content was observed in MF×2 and MF×4 plants. The current results demonstrate the potential of food waste as a source of organic fertilizer and a significant substitute for chemical fertilizer in the conventional agricultural practice driven by high production cost and environmental pollution.

Keywords: food; chemical fertilizer; environment; mineral; salt; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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