Evaluating the effects of integrate municipal waste compost and chemical fertilizers on micronutrient avaiability in soil and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

In order to investigate the effects of municipal waste compostapplication individually and enriched with chemical fertilizers on the micronutrient concentration in soil and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)a three years experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design with two factors and three replications at the experimental farm of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The Main plot included 6 fertilizers treatments (control, chemical fertilizers, 20 and 40 ton.ha-1 of municipal waste compostindividually and enriched with 50% chemical fertilizers). The Sub-plots were considered as one, two and three-years application of fertilizer. The results showed that the effect of different treatments on Zn and Cu Content of soil, root Fe, Zn and Mn concentration and shoot Zn, Cu and Mn concentration were significant. The results also showed that concentration of the microelement in soil and root and shoot of lettuce were affected significantly by one year, two years and three years application of fertilizers. Interaction of two factors had significant effect on avaiable Cu content of soil and Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn concentration of shoot. Municipal waste compost promoted a significant increase in Zn and Cu plant concentrations in relation to chemical fertilizers. These results imply that municipal waste compost could be a suitable source of Zn and Cu for agricultural soils.