Cumulative Effect of Annual Additions of MSW Compost on the Yield of Field-Grown Tomatoes

For three years, source separated municipal solid waste (MSW) compost was applied in the field at two rates (25 and 50 T/A) and planted with tomatoes. Average yield (lbs/plant) from plots amended with 50 T/A MSW compost was significantly greater all three years than the unamended controls. Yield from plots amended with 25 T/A MSW compost was significantly greater than the unamended control only in 1993. The average number of tomatoes per plant and the average weight of each tomato were also greater from the compost-amended plots. The addition of 50 T/A MSW compost for three years raised the pH of the soil from 5.8 to 6.4 and raised the percent organic matter 84 percent. The concentration of nitrate in plots amended yearly with 50 T/A MSW compost was three fold greater than the unamended control.