Abstract

CRESPO GONZALEZ, Marcos Rafael et al. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AGAVE BAGASSE COMPOSTED WITH VINASSES’ BIOSOLIDS AS A SUBSTRATE COMPONENT FOR PLANTS CULTIVATED IN CONTAINERS. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2018, vol.34, n.3, pp.373-382. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2018.34.03.01.

The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical and physical properties of tequila blue agave bagasse composted with tequila vinasses’ biosolids in coconut based powder substrates for potted plants and to compare their performance against two commercial substrates. The substrates evaluated included coconut powder, Canadian peat, 100 % compost, and 3-coconut powder based mixtures containing 30 %, 50 %, and 70 % compost. Chemical parameters analyzed comprise organic matter, pH, conductivity, cation exchange capacity, total organic carbon, C/N ratio, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. The physical properties evaluated included bulk density, particle density, total porous spaces, free water, bound water, absorbed water and particle size distribution. We were able to demonstrate that the formulations of agave bagasse compost and coconut powder could replace coconut powder and peat, since their physical and chemical characteristics are suitable for its use as substrate for plants cultivated in containers. The treatments with better results were those with 30 %, 50 %, and 100 % compost. Composting waste materials provide additional benefits including a reduction in environmental pollution as well as the local production of substrates for protected agriculture systems, which require substantial quantities of these type of materials.

Keywords : Agave tequilana Weber; organic residues; compost; protected agriculture.

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