Compost Quality Recommendations for Remediating Urban Soils

Hannah Heyman, Nina Bassuk, Jean Bonhotal and Todd Walter
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Hannah Heyman: School of Integrative Plant Science, Section of Horticulture, Cornell University, 134 Plant Sciences Building, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Nina Bassuk: School of Integrative Plant Science, Section of Horticulture, Cornell University, 134 Plant Sciences Building, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Jean Bonhotal: School of Integrative Plant Science, Section of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, 813 Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Todd Walter: Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 232 Riley Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-23

Abstract: Poor soil health is a critical problem in many urban landscapes. Degraded soil restricts plant growth and microorganism activity, limiting the ability of urban landscapes to perform much needed ecosystem services. Incorporation of approximately 33% compost by volume into degraded soil has been proven to improve soil health and structure over time while avoiding the financial and environmental costs of importing soil mixes from elsewhere. However, additions of high volumes of compost could potentially increase the risk of nutrient loss through leaching and runoff. The objective of our study was to consider the effects of different compost amendments on soil health, plant health and susceptibility to nutrient leaching in order to identify ranges of acceptable compost characteristics that could be used for soil remediation in the urban landscape. A bioassay was conducted with Phaseolus vulgaris (Bush Bean) to measure the effect of nine composts from different feedstocks on various plant health parameters. Leachate was collected prior to planting to measure nutrient loss from each treatment. All compost amendments were found to improve soil health. Nutrient-rich, manure-based composts produced the greatest plant growth, but also leached high concentrations of nitrate and phosphorus. Some treatments provided sufficient nutrients for plant growth without excess nutrient loss. When incorporating as much as 33% compost by volume into a landscape bed, the optimal compost will generally have a C:N ratio of 10–20, P-content <1.0% and a soluble salt content between 1.0 and 3.5 mmhos/cm. These recommendations should ensure optimal plant and soil health and minimize nutrient leaching.

Keywords: organic matter; soil amendment; soil remediation; nutrient leaching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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