Characterization and Evaluation of Compost Utilized as Ornamental Plant Substrate

Two composts produced at different times of the year from garden waste, sewage sludge and wood ash were evaluated for use as ornamental plant substrates. The maturity and lack of phytotoxicity of both composts, as well as the absence of E. coli, were first confirmed by use of laboratory procedures and rapid test kits. A greenhouse experiment was then carried out with two ornamental species, Petunia sp. and Tagetes sp., to evaluate the suitability of the composts as plant substrates. The performance of the composts as well as mixtures of each with 25, 50 and 75% acid peat moss was compared with that of a commercial universal substrate. Addition of the peat to the composts improved some of the physical and chemical properties. However, the results of the pot experiments indicated that under the experimental conditions used, the compost produced from green waste was suitable for use as a plant substrate, without the need for addition of other components; this appears to be an effective way of utilizing the type of urban waste considered in the study.     

Tomato waste compost as an alternative substrate to peat moss for the production of vegetable seedlings

Different proportions of tomato waste compost (TWC) were combined with peat moss and vermiculite as growth substrates used to evaluate the quality of seedlings of economic vegetables, including tomato, hot pepper, cucumber and summer squash. The seeding substrates used were: (T0), vermiculite: peat moss: TWC (4: 1: 0, by weight), 0% TWC; (T1), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.75: 0.25), 5% TWC; (T2), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.5: 0.5), 10% TWC; (T3), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.25: 0.75), 15% TWC; and (T4), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0: 1), 20% TWC. The best seedling response was recorded in substrate mixtures supplemented with 5% and 10% TWC, which hastened seed germination and improved seedling morphology. Since vegetable seedlings produced with TWC-amended substrate were of higher quality, compared to those produced exclusively on peat substrate, we suggest that TWC may be used to replace partially peat-based substrate used for vegetable transplants production in nurseries.     

Effect of Compost Properties on Progress Rate of Verticillium dahliae Attack on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Several composts were tested for their capacity to moderate the effect of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. (VCG B4, VD) on eggplant (Solanum melongena) under greenhouse conditions. Eggplants plantlets were inoculated by immersing their roots in conidial suspension and then planted in pots filled with mixtures of compost or peat moss, mixed with perlite. Six composts and peat moss mixtures were tested, of which tomato waste compost suppressed V. dahliae, and turkey litter compost partially suppressed it. Reduced levels of symptoms and lower fungal colonization were detected in the xylem of eggplants planted in tomato waste compost, and these plants accumulated more dry matter and had higher chlorophyll content compared to other media. However, survival of conidia in tomato waste compost showed only a moderate decrease compared with a sharp decrease in other media, suggesting that conidial eradication cannot be proposed as the suppressiveness mechanism. γ irradiation of tomato waste compost and peat at 2.5 Mrad reduced microorganism density by four orders of magnitude, but irradiation of tomato waste compost did not reduce its suppressiveness of V. dahliae. Composts properties affected progress rate of VD in the xylem tissue of eggplant seedling. These properties could indicate both biotic and abiotic factors affecting the process.     

Use of Acacia Waste Compost as an Alternative Component for Horticultural Substrates

The rising cost of peat and pine bark has boosted the demand for alternative organic materials for container growing media. Here, composts of invasive acacia (Acacia longifolia and Acacia melanoxylon) residues were evaluated as alternative organic materials for horticultural substrates. Compost bulk density was less than 0.4 g cm^?3 and total pore space was more than 85 percent of the total volume, as established for an ideal substrate. The matured acacia compost air capacity, easily available water, buffering capacity, and total water-holding capacity were also within acceptable recommended values. With increased composting time the physical characteristics of the composts were improved, but the same was not true for chemical characteristics such as pH and electrical conductivity. The replacement of pine bark compost by acacia compost in a commercial substrate did not negatively affect either lettuce emergence or lettuce growth, suggesting that acacia compost can be successfully used as an alternative component for horticultural substrates.     

Growth of Hedera helix L. Container Plants in Compost Substrates Made with Miscanthus ogiformis Honda Straw and Various N-Sources

Ammonium sulfate or urea were added as N-source to shredded straw of Miscanthus ogiformis ‘Giganteus’ and water was included as control. The combined materials were composted for seven months, and the resulting composts were tested as growth substrates for nursery container plants and compared with fertilized and unfertilized peat substrates. The pH was below recommended level for the compost substrate made with ammonium sulfate and for the unfertilized peat substrate throughout the experiment. Electrical conductivity and concentrations of most nutrients were low and decreased throughout the experiment for all growth substrates. Shrinking of the growth substrates after 4, 12 or 17 months was larger for compost substrates than for peat substrates. Bulk density increased in compost substrates and decreased in peat substrates, while the total loss of C was greater in compost substrates than in peat. Water retention was lower and air volume greater for compost substrate made with ammonium sulfate than for fertilized peat. Algae and mosses did not occur on Miscanthus compost growth substrates in contrast to peat substrates. The shoot length and dry matter of Hedera helix, produced after four and 12 months of growth, and five months following cut back, showed that plants can grow well in compost substrates made of Miscanthus straw and ammonium sulfate or urea. However, the compost substrates could not fully substitute for fertilized or unfertilized peat substrate with respect to dry matter production.     

Biological Quality of Potting Media Based on MSW Composts: A Comparative Study

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost from aerobic or anaerobic bioprocesses was evaluated as components of substrates for potted plant production. Experiments were conducted with potted media consisting of MSW compost mixed with other conventional substrates (peat or composted pine bark). Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and cress (Lepidium sativum L.) were used to evaluate the biological quality of composts. Higher germination rates of spring barley were obtained when MSW compost from aerobic treatment was employed as compared with MSW compost from the anaerobic bioprocess. Improved biological indices were observed when MSW composts were mixed with composted pine bark rather than with peat. Mixtures of 75% aerobic MSW compost and 25% composted pine bark were more favorable for cress growth than peat as sole substrate.     

Decomposition of peat,biogenic municipal waste compost,and shrub/grass compost added in different rates to a silt loam

An incubation experiment was carried out to test the effects of biogenic municipal waste (compost I) and shrub/grass (compost II) composts in comparison to peat on respiration and microbial biomass in soil. The amounts of these three substrates added were linearly increased in the range of field application rates (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%). The sum of CO₂ evolved during the incubation was markedly raised by the three substrates and increased with the rate of substrate concentration. However, the percentage of substrate mineralized to CO₂ decreased with the addition rate from 103 to 56% for compost I, from 81 to 56% for compost II, and from 21 to 8% for peat. During the first 25 days of incubation, compost I enlarged the biomass C content, which remained constant until the end. In contrast, compost II did not raise biomass C initially. But at the end of the incubation, the biomass C content of all 4 compost II treatments almost reached the level of the respective compost I treatment. The increase was significantly larger the more of the two composts was added. In contrast to the two composts, the addition of peat did not have any significant effect on microbial biomass C. The average qCO₂ values at day 25 declined in the order compost I > compost II > peat, at day 92 the order was changed to compost II > peat > compost 1. This change in the order was caused by a significant decrease in qCO₂ values of the compost I treatments, a significant increase in qCO₂ values of the peat treatments and constant qCO₂ values in the compost II treatments.     

Comparison of various potting media for their influence on nutrients supply,germination, and growth of muskmelon (cucumis melo L.) seedlings

Peat moss is used as potting mix for growing muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seedlings. However, it is not economical for most of the farmers in developing countries. The objectives of the present study were to compare various sources of composts as substitutes for peat moss, evaluate their physicochemical properties, and their effects on germination and growth of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included pure peat moss (control), and composts prepared from guar (Cyammopsis tetragonoloba L.), jantar (Sesbania aculeate L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L) straw, at three air-filled porosity (AFP) levels (10, 15, and 20%) and rice (Oryza sativa) hulls at 10% AFP level. The second factor was the addition and devoid of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers. The addition of fertilizers in all potting media at 10% AFP level showed a small increase in total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus, and potassium. In the guar and jantar compost at 10% AFP, the values of total N (92.43 and 85.32%), extractable P (68.13 and 76.65%), and K (63.33 and 49%) were higher than in peat moss. It is concluded that composts of guar, jantar, wheat straw, and rice hulls at 10% AFP level can be used as a substitute of peat moss for growing muskmelon seedlings, but the addition of N, P, and K fertilizers is required in wheat straw and rice hulls compost for better nutrition of muskmelon seedlings.     

Effect of Compost Age and Concentration Of Pig Slurry on Plant Growth

Shredded straw of Miscanthus ogiformis Honda ‘Giganteus’ was composted with addition of water or aqueous solutions with 3, 10, 30 or 100% pig slurry. After 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months of composting the composts were tested as pot plant growth substrates for Hedera helix L. in comparison with enriched and nonenriched peat substrates. During the first week of composting temperatures rose to higher levels with stronger pig slurry solution except for the compost made with 100% pig slurry solution which suffered from oxygen depletion. Plants grown in compost substrates made with M. ogiformis and 10 or 30% pig slurry solution produced the same shoot lengths and dry matter as plants grown in enriched or nonenriched peat substrates. Plants in compost substrates made with water or 3% pig slurry solution produced slightly shorter shoots and less dry matter. Many plants in the compost substrate made with 100% pig slurry solution failed to grow, and for the remaining plants in that treatment, shoot and dry matter production was very low at all five ages of compost. Nutrient concentrations were suboptimal for compost substrates made with water or 3% pig slurry solution, near optimal with 10% pig slurry solution, above recommended concentrations with 30% pig slurry solution and supraoptimal with 100% pig slurry solution. The pig slurry concentration had little effect on water retention in 6 months old compost substrates while in older compost substrates increasing pig slurry concentration increased the water retention capacity. In six month old compost substrates water retention was lower than in peat substrates while in 12 months old composts the water retention was greater in the compost substrates than in the peat substrates. Total porosity was above 92% and similar for all substrates. Air volume was greater in compost substrates than in peat substrates. It is concluded that compost substrates made of Miscanthus ogiformis straw and diluted pig slurry can be used successfully as a substitute for peat substrates. An aqueous solution of 10 to 30% pig slurry solution added as nitrogen source before composting is optimal. Three months of composting is sufficient for optimal plant growth.     

Physical Characteristics of Miscanthus Composts Compared to Peat and Wood Fiber Growth Substrates

The physical parameters of four different Elephant grass “Miscanthus ogiformis” ‘Giganteus’ composts and four of the most used types of peat products in Denmark, along with a wood fiber growing medium (Culti), were compared to determine possible physical differences, and to test whether compost could be used as an alternative substrate to peat. The Miscanthus straw was composted with three different N sources: ammonium sulfate, liquid pig manure and urea plus tap water (as a control). Compared to peats, the composts tested had low total bulk density, high air-filled porosity and a high diffusion coefficient of oxygen. None of the 9 products tested had the optimum levels of all the different physical parameters. Mixing the tested compost and peat will possibly increase the air-filled porosity of the substrates compared to pure peat, and brings the substrates physical parameters closer to the ideal recommended range. These compost media require further investigation before they can be used directly as an alternative to peat in greenhouse production.     

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost as a Tomato Transplant Medium

For 3 years, different types of growing media were evaluated in nursery-produced tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv “Atletico”). Five mixtures of substrates were used: old peat (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%), old peat (65%) + MSW compost (30%) + perlite (5%), MSW compost (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%), MSW compost (95%) + perlite (5%) and MSW compost (50%) + cocofiber (50%). Various seedling indices were measured in order to assess the quality of the nursery-produced plant. The quality of the MSW compost used (pH, salinity, organic matter) bore a strong influence on results. Electrical conductivity (EC) values of the MSW compost of over 9 dSm^?1 produced poorer quality tomato seedlings in the mixture of substrates with peat. The use of MSW compost as the only substrate and the mixture of MSW compost with cocofiber had a lower growth index and poorer performance than the standard peat mixture. However, growth and development of the tomato seedlings in the mixture: old peat (65%) + MSW compost (30%) + perlite (5%) were similar to that obtained with the standard mixture: old peat (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%).     

Yard Trimming-Biosolids Compost: Possible Alternative to Sphagnum Peat Moss in Tomato Transplant Production

Large volumes of yard trimmings (YT) and biosolids (BS) co-compost have recently become available to the Florida vegetable industry. Compost used as vegetable transplant medium may be less expensive than traditional Sphagnum peat moss, since it can be locally produced. ‘Agriset 761’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seed were sown in five combinations of compost, peat, and vermiculite amended media: 0:70:30 (control), 18:52:30, 35:35:30, 52:18:30, and 70:0:30 % by weight, respectively. The experiment was repeated 3 times over a one-year period to accommodate the Florida transplant production season. YT-BS compost were sieved to a particle size less than 2.4 mm (33 % by weight) to be utilized as a transplant media.

The YT-BS compost had a high initial EC that restricted plant growth in one of the three batches used. By mixing YT-BS compost with peat and vermiculite the EC was reduced to an optimal 0 to 2 dS·m^?1 in the Fall 1997 and Spring 1998a experiments, but not for Spring 1998b.

Transplant media with YT-BS compost increased tomato seedling leaf area and shoot dry weight 21, 28, and 35 DAS (days after seeding) compared with the control. Additionally, YT-BS compost increased root dry weight 28 DAS and final stem diameter 35 DAS compared to the untreated control. Leaf area and shoot dry weight 21 DAS and shoot and root dry weight 28 DAS decreased linearly as compost rate increased. Although root dry weight differences among YT-BS compost rates 21 and 28 DAS were evident, these differences disappeared 35 DAS indicating no effect of compost rate on transplant characteristics. Number of leaves 21, 28 and 35 DAS were similar among all treatments. Utilization of YT-BS compost in the Spring 1998a experiment at any rate provided a slow-release source of nutrients that produced a tomato transplant with higher quality characteristics compared with the traditional peat:vermiculite medium and mineral fertilizer application. Once transplanted to the field, the differences that existed in the transplants grown in compost amended soilless medium disappeared. Fruit yields and size (i.e., large, extra-large, average fruit weight) between the control and compost treatments or among the compost rates were similar, except for the third harvest where the control had more tomato size medium than YT-BS compost treatments.

The results suggest that YT-BS compost can be used as an alternative to peat media for tomato transplant production, and that the percentage of substitution for peat is not critical. However, a lack of product physical and chemical consistency would compromise vegetable transplant and bedding plant production. Our results indicate more quality control is required with this YT-BS compost before it can be used wholesale in these markets.     

EVALUATION OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTES COMPOSTS AS PEAT SUBSTITUTES FOR SEEDLING PRODUCTION

This research work was performed to investigate the possibility of using composted herb residues (C1), co-composted sewage sludge with sawdust (C2), co-composted pig manure with sawdust (C3), and co-composted pig manure with spent mushroom (C4) in the production of horticultural seedlings to replace part of peat in the growing media. The proportions of each compost in the mixtures elaborated with peat were 50%, 75%, and 100% (v/v), respectively. The substrate of 100% commercial peat was used as the control. First, some physical, physical-chemical, and chemical properties of these substrates were determined. Second, four kinds of plants tomato, cucumber, bermudagrass, and impatiens were used to evaluate the possibility of different composts to replace part of peat. The seed germination rate, fresh weight and nutrient concentrations of seedling were then measured. We found that the physical, physical-chemical and chemical properties of these substrates were statistically influenced by the type and the proportion of compost in the substrates. The substrates elaborated with C1 and C2 showed adequate physical and chemical properties for their use as substrate in horticultural seedlings production. The highest germination of cucumber, tomato, bermudagrass and impatiens all occurred at C1 based substrate. Seedling grown in the C1 and C2 based substrate reached better growth and nutrition than peat. Our results suggested that the C1 and C2 were good alternative to peat-based substrate for seedling production, especially at the rate of 75% and 100% of C1 and 50% of C2, which have shown beneficial effects on the seedling production of cucumber, tomato, bermudagrass and impatiens compared to the control. However, C3 and C4 were not always adequately used in substituting expensive peat.     

EFFECT OF PEAT-REDUCED AND PEAT-FREE SUBSTRATES ON ROSEMARY GROWTH

The objective of this work was to study the use of four composts, obtained by agro-industrial, urban and green wastes, as growing media components on Rosmarinus officinalis L. Substrates were obtained by mixing each compost with peat in different proportions. Main physical and chemical characteristics of prepared substrates have been compared and, at the end of growing cycle, the biometric survey on main growing parameters and plant nutritional status was performed. The obtained results showed that substrates with 30% compost have main physical and chemical parameters comparable with those of the control. Best quality plants have been obtained substituting peat with 30% of compost, except with the olive mill compost. At the end, the green pruning compost can be recommended as growing media component (up to 50%) for the growth of Rosmarinus officinalis L., being able to determine high quality plants, together with an implemented plant nutrient efficiency.     

Tomato seedling development is improved by a substrate inoculated with a combination of rhizobacteria and fungi

Chile's seedling production industry has been growing for the last 10 years, and demand has actually reached 1250 million seedlings per year. This system has special relevance due to the high cost of seeds. In addition, there is an increasing demand for substituting synthetic agrochemicals. Therefore, the potential use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in tomato production has been investigated. Before sowing, the micro-organisms provided by Biogram S.A. were inoculated into the substrate diluted in 250 mL/L unchlorinated water. The experiment was laid out in a ‘split-plot’ design with the two plant substrates as main plots and the inoculants as subplots, including six replicates per treatment. Tomato seedlings were grown using two different plant substrates: a mixture of 70% peat and 30% perlite by volume, and a substrate with 20% peat, 20% perlite and 60% compost by volume, both inoculated with Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas fluorescens or Bioroot®, which is a commercial product containing B. subtilis, P. fluorescens, Trichoderma harzianum, yeast, algae and Nocardia. For control, uninoculated tomato seedlings were grown on the respective plant substrates. Variance analysis did not identify significant interactions between substrate type (main plots) and inoculation treatment (subplots), P ≤ 0.05. There were significant differences between inoculants (P ≤ 0.05). Means were compared by using the Tukey's multiple range test. Tomato growth in terms of leaf area (cm²/plant) and shoot and root dry weight (g/10 plants) was improved for the seedlings grown on the substrate with 70% peat and 30% perlite, compared to the compost containing an alternative that is valid for both uninoculated perlite peat and all inoculated treatments where perlite peat was outstanding. Inoculation with Bioroot® improved the leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, radical contact area, volume of roots and root forks compared with the control without inoculation, when both plant substrates were analysed together. Thus, inoculation with Bioroot® can be recommended as an alternative to tomato seedling growers' dependence on synthetic agrochemicals.     

The Art in the Science of Compost Maturity

ABSTRACT. As vermicomposts promote germination, growth, and improved plant yield, they have been promoted as a viable alternative to peat as container media components for the horticultural industry. The aim of this article was to compare the effects of two vermicomposts of animal origin, VCD, and of vegetable origin, VGF, as well as a cotton gin compost (CC), on a commercial peat-based (P) substrate on the growth of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicum esculentum cv. Momotaro) under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the VCD treatment had the highest values of tomato seedling height, stem diameter, number of leaves per seedling, and total dry matter, followed by VGF, CC, and P treatments. These results support previous studies showing that both vermicomposts and compost can be used with very good results as alternative growth media to peat-based substrates. Nevertheless, the greatest plant growth values were obtained when applying the VCD and VGF vermicomposts followed by CC and P, possibly due to the higher mineral element contents of VCD, followed by VGF, CC, and P, respectively.     

Comparisons of Composts with Low or High Nutrient Status for Growth of Plants in Containers

Abstract

Composts may be incorporated into container mixes for several purposes, including to supply nutrients, add organic matter, or suppress plant diseases. The objective of this research was to assess the nutritional benefits of two composts derived in common from composted chicken manure and used in formulation of container media for growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The composts differed in extractable and total plant nutrients so that one of the composts was considered a nutrient‐rich material and the other a nutrient‐poor material. Media were formulated from soil or peat with the composts added in a progressive array of concentrations from a medium with no compost addition to a medium that was all compost. Half of the media were treated with a water‐soluble, complete fertilizer and half were left unfertilized. Optimum growth occurred in media in which compost did not exceed 25% of the volume. The beneficial effects of the composts on plant growth were associated with increased supply of nutrients for the plants. The suppressive effects were attributed to restricted accumulation of nutrients with the nutrient‐poor compost and to excessive potassium supply and accumulation with the nutrient‐rich compost. Fertilization was beneficial in increasing plant growth with the nutrient‐rich compost and was essential for plant growth with the nutrient‐poor compost. The research demonstrated that composts can be used in formulation of media for container growth of plants.     

三种堆肥对番茄生长及青枯病防治效果的影响

合理施用堆肥能够有效地改善植物的生长条件和土壤的生态环境,从而提高植物对病害的抗性。通过盆栽试验,研究了药渣、 污泥和猪粪三种堆肥以不同比例与泥炭混合对番茄植株生长和番茄青枯病防治的影响。结果表明: 三种不同堆肥均能促进番茄植株生长,其中猪粪堆肥对番茄生长的促进效果最显著,当泥炭与猪粪的混合比例为3∶1时效果最好,当收获番茄植株时,其鲜重和干重较泥炭基础基质处理分别提高了29.8%和41.2%,污泥堆肥次之,药渣堆肥最差; 三种不同堆肥都能抑制青枯病的发生,药渣堆肥对番茄青枯病的抑制效果最明显,当泥炭与药渣的混合比例为4∶1时效果最好,在番茄植株移栽33d 时,其病情指数较泥炭基础基质降低了66.7%,污泥堆肥次之,猪粪堆肥最差。添加不同堆肥使得盆栽基质的理化性质、 酶活性和可培养微生物的数量发生了不同的变化,推测可能是上述因素的变化使其对番茄的生长和青枯病的防治效果产生了明显的差异。     

Suppression of soil-borne pathogens of tomato by composts derived from agro-industrial wastes abundant in Mediterranean regions

We studied nine composts derived from wastes and by-products of the olive oil, wine, and Agaricus mushroom agro-industries. They were mixed with peat at 1:3 w w ⁻¹ ratios and comparatively evaluated in pot experiments to assess suppressiveness against soil-borne and foliar pathogens of tomato. All compost amendments demonstrated high levels of suppressiveness against Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan in tomato, when they were applied directly after curing (T0) indicating the occurrence of a “general suppression phenomenon” (81–100% decrease in plant disease incidence). They were, however, relatively less effective when applied 9 months after curing (T1, 55–100% disease decrease). Suppressiveness against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici Jarvis & Shoemaker was relatively lower and varied widely among composts (8–95% and 22–87% decrease in plant disease incidence for T0 and T1, respectively). Three of the composts conferred induced systemic resistance against the foliar pathogen Septoria lycopersici Speg. Biotic properties were determined, including respiration, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, and β-glucosidase activity of composts. The comparative evaluation of the nine composts revealed no shared critical biotic or abiotic characteristics indicative of their suppressive effects on the soil-borne and foliar pathogens. The complex origin of compost suppressiveness is discussed and the implementation of individual evaluation of each compost product for a specific use is advocated.     

Horticultural and Floricultural Applications of Urban Wastes Originated Fertilizers

Different origin composts and a digestate from a biogas plant and their respective alkali soluble (SBO) and insoluble (IOR) fractions have been tested as organic fertilizers in growth media. The materials have been characterized by determination of pH, salinity, C, N, P, and K content. A preliminary evaluation of the possible phytoxicity has been performed by determination of the germination indexes of cress (Lepidium sativum), white mustard (Sinapsis alba) and radish (Raphanus sativus). Most of the materials did not promote the germination of the seeds. Notwithstanding these negative results, the materials were also used as partial peat substitute in a commercial substrate to test the growth of marigold (Tagetes patula), radish (Raphanus sativus), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The dimension and dry weight of the plants grown on the substrate mixed with the composts, the digestate or the SBOs were similar to those observed on the substrate. Moreover, most of the SOBs provoked the increase of the dry weight of the roots of the radishes, therefore an increase of the quality. The insoluble fractions (IOR) from the composts allowed a growth of the plants similar to that obtained with a commercial substrate. In contrast, the IOR obtained from the digestate was phytotoxic.