Abstract

BASIL, Gustavo; MAZZARINO, María Julia; ROSELLI, Lucía  and  LETOURNEAU, Federico. Effect of Biosolids Compost on seedling production of Austrocedrus Chilensis (ciprés de la cordillera). Cienc. suelo [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.1, pp.49-55. ISSN 1850-2067.

Using composts of urban waste, including biosolids, as substrates for containerized plant production is a sound economic and environmental alternative, since it could reduce the use of peat- and «black earth»-based media, and the disposal of organic wastes in landfills. The objectives of this work were to study the effect of 0, 30 and 50% biosolids compost on the initial growth (first year) of cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis D. Don), and the effect during the subsequent two years of a unique treatment with 50% compost on the posterior growth and nutritional status of the seedlings. Diameter and height were measured after 18, 25 and 37 months, shoot and root biomass after 25 and 37 months, and the foliar concentrations of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg after 37 months. Although all initial treatments were treated with 50% compost after one year, significant differences of diameter, height, and biomass of shoots and roots were found among the original treatments in all analyzed dates, values being higher in the compost treatments. At the end of the experiment, foliar nutrient concentrations were similar, except for Mg that was higher in the original treatment with 50% compost. Results show the importance of the initial growth on the posterior development of cypress seedlings, and the potential value of biosolids compost as a substrate for the containerized production of this species.

Keywords : Urban waste; Substrate; Forest seedlings; Andean-Patagonian region.

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