Assessment of chemical composition of plants cultivated on two different soils amended with sewage sludge compost using MANOVA

Abstract

Application of organic fertilizers may replenish soil organic matter, improve soil fertility and increase plant yield and its quality. This research deals with the effects of soil amendment with sewage sludge compost (SSC) on the chemical composition of plants (white mustard, triticale and white lupine) cultivated on two contrasting soils (light vs. medium). A 3-year pot experiment was conducted and SSC at the rate of 6?Mg ha^?1 was applied to the soils.The study clearly demonstrated that SSC as an organic fertilizer had a minor influence on the modification of the chemical composition of shoots and grain cultivated in crop rotation plants and it was more evident in medium soil. The statistically confirmed effect was mainfested in higher c ontents of N and P in grain of plants in the 2^nd and 3^rd year of the experiment.     

Long-term amendment of four different compost types on a loamy silt Cambisol: impact on soil organic matter,nutrients and yields

This study investigated the long-term effects of different composts (urban organic waste compost (OWC), green waste compost (GWC), cattle manure compost (MC) and sewage sludge compost (SSC)) compared to mineral fertilisation on a loamy silt Cambisol, after a 7-year start-up period. The compost application rate was 175 kg N ha^?1, with 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 and without. Soil characteristics (soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and soil pH), nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)) and crop yields were investigated between 1998 and 2012. SOC concentrations were increased by compost applications, being highest in the SSC treatments, as for soil pH. N contents were significantly higher with compost amendments compared to mineral fertilisation. The highest calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL)-extractable P concentrations were measured in the SSC treatments, and the highest CAL-extractable K concentrations in the MC treatments. Yields after compost amendment for winter barley and spring wheat were similar to 40 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone, whereas maize had comparable yields to 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone. We conclude that compost amendment improves soil quality, but that the overall carbon (C) and N cycling merits more detailed investigation.     

Sorption-desorption behaviors of heavy metals by biochar-compost amendment with different ratios in contaminated wetland soil

Purpose

Heavy metal pollution in soils has become a global environmental concern. The combination of biochar and compost has already been proved to be an attractive method in contaminated soil. The objective was to study the sorption-desorption characteristics of Cd, Cu, and Zn onto soil amended with combined biochar-compost.

Materials and methods

In this study, the soil was amended with combinations of biochar and compost with different ratios at 10% (w/w). To determine the sorption-desorption behaviors of heavy metals by biochar-compost amendment with different ratios, we determine the effects of different ratios on soil properties and use batch experiments to investigate sorption-desorption behaviors of Cd, Cu, and Zn.

Results and discussion

The results show that the Langmuir and Freundlich model can well describe the adsorption isotherm of Cd, Cu, and Zn in the soils with or without biochar-compost combinations. The incorporation of amendment combinations into soil significantly promotes the sorption affinity of soil on metals. The sorption capacity of Cd and Zn was improved as the compost percentage rose in biochar-compost more likely due to the increase of organic matter and available phosphorus, while that of Cu was stronger with 10 and 20% biochar addition in biochar-compost combinations likely as the result of the formation of new specific adsorption sites and the mobile Cu adsorption in compost after adding a certain amount of biochar in amendment mixtures. Additionally, a certain proportion of biochar applied into amendment mixtures could suppress desorption of Cd and Cu by pH change, and the Zn desorption rate gradually decreased as the compost ratio increased in amendment mixtures.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the various ratios between biochar and compost have a significant effect on sorption-desorption of metals in soil, which helps us consider the effective combination of biochar and compost in soil.

     

Redistribution and Availability of Iron,Manganese, Zinc,and Copper in Four Malian Agricultural Soils Amended with Solid Municipal Waste Compost

Abstract

Municipal waste compost can improve the fertility status of tropical soils. The redistribution of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in tropical soils after amendment with solid municipal waste compost was investigated. Four tropical agricultural soils from Mali characterized by poor trace‐element status were amended with compost and incubated for 32 weeks at 35°C. The soil were analyzed at the beginning and the end of the incubation experiment for readily available fractions, organic fractions, and residual fractions as operationally defined by sequential extraction. Readily available Fe increased significantly with compost application in most soils. Readily available Mn was mostly unaffected by compost application. After 32 weeks, readily available Zn had increased, and readily available Cu had decreased. Readily available levels of the elements remained greater than deficiency levels in the compost‐amended soils. Organic fractions of the elements increased after compost addition. The organic fractions and residual forms, depending on the element and the soil, remained constant or increased within the duration of the experiment.     

Stable carbon isotope ratios of water-extractable organic carbon affected by application of rice straw and rice straw compost during a long-term rice experiment in Yamagata,Japan

ABSTRACT

Hot-water- and water-extractable organic matter were obtained from soil samples collected from a rice paddy 31 years after the start of a long-term rice experiment in Yamagata, Japan. Specifically, hot-water-extractable organic carbon and nitrogen (HWEOC and HWEON) were obtained by extraction at 80°C for 16 h, and water-extractable organic carbon and nitrogen (WEOC and WEON) were obtained by extraction at room temperature. The soil samples were collected from surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface (15–25 cm) layers of five plots that had been treated with inorganic fertilizers alone or with inorganic fertilizers plus organic matter, as follows: PK, NPK, NPK plus rice straw (RS), NPK plus rice straw compost (CM1), and NPK plus a high dose of rice straw compost (CM3). The soil/water ratio was 1:10 for both extraction temperatures. We found that the organic carbon and total nitrogen contents of the bulk soils were highly correlated with the extractable organic carbon and nitrogen contents regardless of extraction temperature, and the extractable organic carbon and nitrogen contents were higher in the plots that were treated with inorganic fertilizers plus organic matter than in the PK and NPK plots. The HWEOC and WEOC δ¹³C values ranged from ?28.2% to ?26.4% and were similar to the values for the applied rice straw and rice straw compost. There were no correlations between the HWEOC or WEOC δ¹³C values and the amounts of HWEOC or WEOC. The δ¹³C values of the bulk soils ranged from ?25.7% to ?23.2% and were lower for the RS and CM plots than for the PK and NPK plots. These results indicate that HWEOC and WEOC originated mainly from rice plants and the applied organic matter rather than from the indigenous soil organic matter. The significant positive correlations between the amounts of HWEOC and HWEON and the amount of available nitrogen (P < 0.001) imply that extractable organic matter can be used as an index for soil fertility in this long-term experiment. We concluded that the applied organic matter decomposed more rapidly than the indigenous soil organic matter and affected WEOC δ¹³C values and amounts.     

Effect of different organic amendments on the resistance and resilience of the organic matter decomposing ability of soil and the role of aggregated soil structure

Abstract

The effect of organic amendment on the resistance and resilience of the organic matter decomposing activity was compared between soils amended with compost and with chemical fertilizers. The impact of metam sodium disinfection on cellulose-decomposing activity and on the number of nematodes in three types of soils was periodically measured. In an andosol, cellulose-decomposing activity was significantly suppressed by soil disinfection only in the chemically fertilized soil (CF-soil) and not in the soils to which cow manure compost and okara (the residue in tofu production)/coffee compost was added. In a brown lowland soil, cellulose-decomposing activity was significantly suppressed by soil disinfection in the CF-soil, but not in the soils to which higher amounts of cow manure compost and pig manure compost had been added. In a red-yellow soil, cellulose-decomposing activity was significantly suppressed by soil disinfection in all soils, but its resilience was higher in the soils to which cow manure compost or coffee compost was added compared with the CF-soil. Total numbers of nematodes were markedly decreased by soil disinfection in all soils. These results may suggest that the resistance and resilience of cellulose-decomposing activity against soil disinfection were enhanced by organic amendments, while disinfection had fatal effects on soil nematodes. In most of the organically amended soils, the mean weight diameters of aggregates were larger compared with the CF-soils, suggesting that highly structured soil pore networks may provide shelters for the soil microbes responsible for cellulose decomposition against disinfection. This hypothesis was supported by the result that the resistance of cellulose-decomposing activity against soil disinfection decreased when the soil structure was destroyed by grinding in a mortal and pestle.     

Potential Compost Benefits for Restoration Of Soils Disturbed by Urban Development

Compost amendment of soils degraded by urban development is seen as a way to improve soil and landscape quality, reduce runoff, and create a high-value market for locally produced compost. This review evaluates literature on organic soil amendments used in agriculture and horticulture, and extends results to disturbed soils in urban landscapes. Research on agricultural use of organic amendments consistently shows soil bulk density and penetration resistance decreasing with increasing amendment rate, and aggregate stability, porosity, and infiltration rate increasing with amendment rate. The effect of organic amendments on plant available water is less clear. Although organic amendments increase soil water holding capacity, much of the increase may not be available to plants. The nutrient benefits of compost amendments are often overlooked. Composts with a C:N ratio of 20:1 or less can provide significant amounts of nitrogen and other nutrients, improving the establishment of turf and landscape plants, and reducing the amount of supplemental nutrients needed. Materials with a high C:N ratio immobilize N, which can retard plant establishment. Results suggest that compost amendment rates of about one-third by volume should be suitable for establishing landscape beds in humid, temperate environments in soils degraded by development. Rates of 15 to 25% by volume are suggested for lawn establishment.     

Nutrient status of the lowbush blueberry,Lac‐Saint‐Jean area,Québec,Canada

Abstract

The lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) is an important commercial crop of the Lac‐Saint‐Jean area (Quebec, Canada). The major blueberry fields are located on sandy soils relatively poor in available mineral nutrients. The nutrients originate from a thin organic layer found on the top of these sandy soils. The leaf mineral contents (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and B) were measured in five blueberry fields during 1984 and 1985. Soil pH and soil available P, K, and Mg were also assessed. The results show that the leaf mineral contents are generally adequate. However, K and Zn might be occasionally deficient when compared to the actual established standards. The available Mg in soil was significantly correlated with the leaf Mg concentration. The data also suggest that the increase of the pH following the burn pruning seems to influence the nutrition of this species.     

Long‐term application of biowaste compost versus mineral fertilization: Effects on the nutrient and heavy metal contents of soil and plants

In recent years the use of biowaste compost (BC) as a soil amendment is of increasing interest. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the influence of different fertilization systems: biowaste compost, annual average of 32 Mg ha^—1 BC (fresh matter) and mineral fertilizer (83:52:95 kg ha^—1 NPK fertilizer) on the nutrient and heavy metal contents of soil and plants. Soil samples (1997) and harvest products (1996—1998) from a field trial (initiated 1992) were analyzed for K, Mg, P, Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Pb. The five‐year fertilization with composted biowaste did not influence the total contents of Cd, Mn, Mo, and Ni in soil. The total soil contents of Zn and Pb were significantly higher in soils of the BC treatment than in the unfertilized control. Both fertilized plots tended to have higher Cu and Zn contents in harvest products than the unfertilized control. The mineral fertilization inhibited the Mo uptake by plants. In 1998 the mineral fertilization led to higher, and the biowaste compost application to lower, Cd contents in potato tubers as compared to the control.     

Effects of organic and mineral amendments on available P and phosphatase activities in a degraded Mediterranean soil under short-term incubation experiment

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mineral and organic-P-fertilizers on soil P availability, bacteria densities and phosphatase activities, in a degraded Mediterranean soil characterized by low level in soil organic matter and nutrients. A typical degraded Mediterranean soil, originating from a siliceous mineral parent material, was amended with different organic or mineral P-sources: aerobically digested sewage sludge (SS), with or without physico-chemical treatment by ferric chloride; sewage sludge compost (SSC); Na or K mineral P-salts (Pi-salts). All the amendments were carried out in order to provide soil with a P total quantity equivalent to 0.5 g P₂O₅/kg of soil. Bacterial density, phosphatase activities (i.e. acid (APH) and alkaline (BPH) phosphomonoesterases and phosphodiesterases), BPH/APH ratio, and available P (P Olsen) were measured after 25 and 87 days of incubation. Results showed that all the P-sources used to fertilize soil during this study resulted in significant increase in P concentration. However, different responses in phosphatase activities and bacterial densities were obtained with regards to the amendment applied to soil. Indeed, it appeared clearly that sewage sludge (SS) considerably stimulated soil biological activity, and more especially the different kinds of phosphatases involved in P mineralization and P turn-over. On the contrary, sewage sludge compost (SSC) as well as P-salts amendments did not affected these parameters in most cases. Results showed also that the incubation time influenced almost all the biological and chemical parameters investigated during this study. As a consequence, P availability was considerably improved in the amended soils between the two sampling dates.     

Combining Legumes and Compost: A Viable Alternative for Farmers in Conversion to Organic Agriculture

Soil nitrogen (N) availability and crop performance of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. orion) were observed in a field plot study under different organic amendments addition and chemical fertilizer. The treatments consisted on no amendment; poultry manure based compost, woollypod vetch (Vicia dasycarpa var. lana), a combination of compost with Lana vetch and ammonium sulphate. For almost all sampling dates, the soils treated with vetch (3.6 Mg/ha) combined with compost (9.0 Mg/ha) showed a good performance in replenishing the inorganic N taken up by plants and soil microbes. High yields were achieved with the combination of vetch and compost and moderately high yields were achieved with vetch only and compost only. Yields appeared to be related to quality and N levels in the amendments, and size of existing soil nitrogen pools susceptible to the priming effect.     

Utilization of Compost Increases Organic Carbon And Its Humin,Humic and Fulvic Acid Fractions In Calcareous Soil

Organic carbon sustainability in a gravelly calcareous soil is a great challenge under the humid conditions of south Florida. The beneficial effects of compost utilization on soil fertility prompted an investigation on (i) accumulation of total organic carbon and (ii) the soil organic carbon (SOC) in humin, humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) fractions in a gravelly calcareous soil amended with composts or inorganic fertilizer. In 1996 and 1998, compost from municipal solid waste (MSW) (100% MSW), Bedminster cocompost (75% MSW and 25% biosolids) and biosolids compost (100% biosolids) at 72, 82.7 and 15.5 Mg ha^?1, respectively, were each incorporated in soil beds and inorganic fertilizer (6-2.6-10) NPK at 2.8 Mg ha^?1. A control (no amendment) treatment was also included. Total organic carbon and various fractions of soil organic carbon were determined in two depths (0-10 and 10-22 cm) for both soil particles (< 2mm) and pebbles (> 2mm). Inorganic and organic soil amendments had decreased soil pH and increased soil electrical conductivity (EC) 19 months from initial application. Total organic carbon contents in soil particle were 4-, 3-, and 2-fold higher in MSW compost, Bedminster cocompost and biosolids compost treatments, respectively, than those in fertilizer treated or non-treated soils. MSW compost increased total organic carbon in pebbles by 4- and 3-fold in the 0-10 and 10-22 cm deep layers, respectively, more than other treatments. The soil organic carbon accumulation decreased with depth in all treatments in soil particles, but did not in pebbles. Amending soils with MSW compost significantly increased the organic carbon in humin, HA and FA fractions more than those treated with inorganic fertilizer or non-amended. MSW compost has a potential to be used as a soil amendment to increase and sustain the organic carbon in calcareous soils of south Florida.     

Long‐lasting impact of biowaste‐compost application in agriculture on soil‐quality parameters in three different crop‐rotation systems

Soil‐quality parameters, such as soil organic matter (SOM) and plant‐available nutrient contents, microbial properties, aggregate stability, and the amounts of heavy metals were carried out in arable soils of different rotation schedules applied with a total of 50 Mg dry mass ha^–1 biowaste compost relative to an untreated control. This was investigated during a 10 y period from 1994 to 2004. Overall, soil‐quality parameters studied appeared to be promoted by biowaste‐compost application. This was evidenced for example by a remarkable increase of SOM and total N content of ≈ 15%–20% relative to the control. Subsequently, amounts of soil microbial biomass and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased as well. In addition, biowaste‐compost application revealed an increase of plant‐available P and K contents and aggregate stability in soil. There was, however, no treatment effect for net N‐mineralization rates. Moreover, in soils of maize and sugar beet rotation schedule a slight decrease was found. Heavy‐metal contents of Pb and Zn were significantly increased in all compost‐treated soils, whereas no significant increase of Cd and Cu contents was measured. However, the investigated amounts were far below of the limits of the German Biowaste Ordinance. It is finally recommended, that biowaste compost may sustain and improve soil quality in agriculture when N nutrition will be considered.     

Remediation of saline-sodic soil using organic and inorganic amendments: physical,chemical, and enzyme activity properties

Purpose

Crops grow poorly in saline-sodic soils, and the productivity of these soils can be dramatically improved with proper amendments. Current research mainly focuses on either organic or inorganic soil amendments, whereas few studies address options of combining organic and inorganic amendments. The objective of this study was to develop new organic and inorganic soil amendments which can lower the soil pH, replace sodium, and improve soil structure.

Materials and methods

Polyhalite (PL), microporous potassium-silicon-calcium mineral fertilizer (MF), furfural residue (FR), and fulvic acid (FA) were mixed with four different ratios to produce organic and inorganic soil amendments: PLFR, PLFA, MFFR, and MFFA. And their optimum mixing ratios were determined by comparing the potassium, calcium concentrations, and pH of filtrate after dissolution. Then, a leaching experiment was conducted by packing mixtures (mass ratio of soil to amendment = 219:1, equivalent to 13 t/hm²) of the saline-sodic soil with each one of these amendments plus two contrasts, gypsum (GP), and no amendment (CK). And the remediation effect was compared by pH, EC, ESP, texture, organic recombination degree of clay, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water-stable aggregates fraction, and enzyme (urease, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase) activities of soil.

Results and discussion

After four times leaching experiment, soil treated with PLFR had lower pH and 25.86% lower exchangeable sodium than untreated soils. The water-stable small macroaggregate fractions and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the MFFR-treated soils were significantly increased by 133% and 31%, respectively. Also, the total soil and heavy fraction organic carbons of the soils treated with MFFR in addition to its alkaline phosphatase activity were all significantly higher than the other treatments.

Conclusions

The results revealed that MFFR has more potential as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and quality and thus help in the development and use of saline-sodic lands for agriculture.

     

Visualization of Long-Term Quantitative Changes of Microelements in Soils Amended with Sewage Sludge Compost Evaluated with Two Extraction Solutions

This research deals with the effects of soil amendment with sewage sludge compost (SSC) on long–term quantitative changes of available microelements [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu)] in two types of soils using various extraction solutions [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and hydrochloric acid (HCl)]. These changes were visualized using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis. A 3-year pot experiment was conducted in a randomized, factorial design with two soils (light vs. medium) and a treatment with SSC at the rate of 6 Mg ha^?1. The application of SSC to the light soil increased the HCl-extractable Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe. The effect of SSC application on the microelement quantitative changes was lower in the medium soil, as shown primarily by DTPA extraction. The results of the PCA highlighted that one can correctly conclude on the basis of the limited collection of data without loss of information, which is incorporated by individual microelements.     

Composting of Food Waste and Waste Paper with Top soils for Nitrogen Catching

Abstract

Food waste, waste paper and different topsoils were composted in different experiments. The composts were characterised by high contents of N, P, S, Na and K in the food waste, of Mg in the soil, and of Ca in paper and soils. The nitrogen catching was between 50 and 70% of the input. The lowest amounts were caught in the composts with sandy soils, the highest in a clay soil with high ignition loss.     

Evaluating the Potential of Forest Species Under “Microbial Management” for the Restoration of Degraded Mining Areas

The increasing number of degraded soil areas caused by open cast mining activities has brought about a critical damage to the environment. The mine spoil must be ameliorated with anthropogenic interferences which consist of revegetating soils after organic matter amendment and provision of microbial diversity, to guarantee basic conditions for a sustainable soil biological activity. Five woody species, Acacia mangium Willd., Inga edulis Mart., Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth, Parkia multijuga Benth., and Schinus terebinthifolia Schlecht. & Cham were cultivated under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the potential of plant establishment on cassiterite mining waste, considering the contribution of mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, organic compost, and thermophosphate amendment. The shoot height, dry weight, and nitrogen and phosphorus shoot contents were determined. Three species of nodulating legumes, A. mangium, M. caesalpiniaefolia, and S. terebinthifolia showed a great positive response to organic compost, termophosphate, and mycorrhizal inoculation, increasing the plant height and the shoot dry weight. Plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and fertilized with organic compost also increased their nitrogen and phosphorus shoot contents. The addition of organic compost and mycorrhizal fungi were essential for plant development and the reforestation of mining areas should be initiated with mycotrophic and nodulating legumes.     

Non-Composted Municipal Solid Waste Processing Byproduct Effect on Soil Reclamation

ABSTRACT

A new garbage processing technology has been developed that sterilizes and separates inorganic and organic components of municipal solid waste. The non-composted byproduct of this process, Fluff®, has the potential to be utilized as a soil amendment to improve soil conditions in highly degraded soils. A study was initiated to evaluate Fluff as a soil amendment for establishing native grasses on disturbed US Army training lands. The Fluff was incorporated into a sandy loam soil at Fort Benning Military Reservation, GA on two sites: a moderately degraded and a highly degraded soil. The Fluff was incorporated at rates of 0, 18, 36, 72, and 143 Mg ha^{? 1} to assess the effects on soil properties for two growing seasons. The addition of Fluff improved available plant nutrients and soil pH levels at both sites. Also, Fluff reduced the level of soil bulk density and increased soil concentration of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Because no adverse environmental effects were detected and Fluff improved soil physical and nutrient conditions as well as improving perennial grass establishment with increasing application rates, land application of Fluff to degraded US Army training grounds could be considered a viable and beneficial alternative to current waste management practices.     

Changes in the chemical composition of soil organic matter after application of compost

Is the composition of soil organic matter changed by adding compost? To find out we incubated biowaste composts with agricultural soils and a humus‐free mineral substrate at 5°C and 14°C for 18 months and examined the products. Organic matter composition was characterized by CuO oxidation of lignin, hydrolysis of cellulosic and non‐cellulosic polysaccharides (CPS and NCPS) and ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR) spectroscopy. The lignin contents in the compost‐amended soils increased because the composts contained more lignin, which altered little even after prolonged decomposition of the composts in soil. A pronounced decrease in lignin occurred in the soils amended with mature compost only. Polysaccharide C accounted for 14–20% of the organic carbon at the beginning of the experiment for both the compost‐amended soils and the controls. During the incubation, the relative contents of total polysaccharides decreased for 9–20% (controls) and for 20–49% (compost‐amended soils). They contributed preferentially to the decomposition as compared with the bulk soil organic matter, that decreased between < 2% and 20%. In the compost‐amended agricultural soils, cellulosic polysaccharides were decomposed in preference to non‐cellulosic ones. The NMR spectra of the compost‐amended soils had more intense signals of O–alkyl and aromatic C than did those of the controls. Incubation for 18 months resulted mainly in a decline of O–alkyl C for all soils. The composition of the soil organic matter after compost amendment changed mainly by increases in the lignin and aromatic C of the composts, and compost‐derived polysaccharides were mineralized preferentially. The results suggest that decomposition of the added composts in soil is as an ongoing humification process of the composts themselves. The different soil materials affected the changes in soil organic matter composition to only a minor degree.     

Assessing solid waste compost application as a practical approach for salt-affected soil reclamation

Abstract

A short-term pot experiment was made to evaluate the effectiveness of municipal solid waste compost amendment on salt-affected soil. Hordeum maritimum plants were cultivated in pots filled with a clay-loam soil containing 0 or 40 t ha^?1 of compost and irrigated with tap water at 0 or 4 g l^?1 NaCl. Soil properties and heavy metal (Zn^{2 +}, Pb^{2 +}, Cd^{2 +}) accumulation were investigated. Municipal solid waste compost application significantly increased the soil contents of carbon, nitrogen and potassium under both non-saline and saline conditions. Soil heavy metal concentrations increased substantially too, but the recorded values were below the toxicity limits. Interestingly, plants subjected to the salt–compost interaction were more vigorous, compared with those grown on non-amended soil. Altogether, our data indicate that short-term utilization of municipal solid waste compost at 40 t ha^?1 may be of potential interest in the perspective of the rehabilitation of salt-affected soils. Yet, it must be stressed that the present findings are preliminary and need to be further evaluated under field conditions before practical recommendations can be inferred.