Effects of municipal solid waste compost on soil phosphorus availability and uptake by potatoes and sweet corn

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important elements for plant growth and development. Phosphorus availability to plants is highly dependent on pH, and the concentration of exchangeable Al and Fe in the soil. At a pH below 5.5, P combines with Al and Fe making it unavailable to plants. Soil P occurs mostly in the organic form which has to be hydrolysed by soil microoganisms before it can be taken up by plants. Organic matter is known to enhance the availability and uptake of P by plants grown in acidic soils by complexing Al and Fe. The purpose of the research was to study the effects of Municipal Solid Wast (MSW) compost on the availability of soil P to potatoes and sweet corn as well as its effect on soil Al, Fe, pH, Ca, Mg, Zn and Organic Carbon.; The research was conducted in a field in Lower Onslow, N.S., Canada. The soil type was a Pugwash sandy loam. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...