Effect of Garbage Leachate on Yield and Chemical Composition of Corn and the Effect of Leachate Residual on Soil Characteristics

The moisture content of urban solid wastes in Iran is very high. A large volume of leachate is, therefore, produced in the process of converting these wastes into compost. The leachate contains relatively large amounts of organic matter, plant nutrients, soluble salts as well as small amounts of some heavy metals. The effects of urban solid waste leachate on growth and yield of corn and heavy metals and nutrients concentrations in plant as well as the effects of leachate residual on soil were studied in a field trial conducted in two sites (Zeinal and Lavark) in central Iran (Isfahan). The treatments included applications of 0, 400, and 800 metric tons of leachate/ha as the main plots and two leaching treatments (0 and 15 cm leaching) as the sub-plots in a split plot design. Application of the leachate decreased crust formation and greatly improved germination and growth of corn in both sites. Biological yield of corn increased from 2.4 to 4.1 and 5.3 tons/ha in Zeinal field and from 8.1 to 13.4 and 15.0 tons/ha in Lavark field for 400 and 800 tons/ha of leachate applications (as compared to the control field), respectively. Leaching increased corn yield only in Zeinal field. Uptakes of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu by corn increased as a result of leachate application. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Cl in plant tissues also increased but no toxic symptoms were observed in plants. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, and Ni in aerial tissues of corn did not increase as a result of leachate application. The residual effects of leachate application on soil were a decrease in pH and corresponding increases in organic matter content, in electrical conductivity and in available amounts of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. It is concluded that garbage leachate has the potential to be used as an organic liquid fertilizer and soil amendment to improve soil productivity.