Abstract

PEREZ FERNANDEZ, Alfredo Ricardo et al. BIOPHYSICAL SUBSTRATUM OBTAINED FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE FOR USE IN URBAN AND PROTECTED AGRICULTURE. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2018, vol.34, n.3, pp.383-394. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2018.34.03.02.

In order to solve the solid waste disposal problems, subproducts need to be valuable. The present work shows an alternative to the use of compost obtained from the treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste mixed with polystyrene and limestone to replace substrata for urban agriculture and agricultural use. The study included analysis of follow-up questionnaires answered by customers of a composting facility who mix it with other materials to produce substrata for cultivation of vegetables and ornamental plants. From this analysis, mixtures recommended by producers were tested, selecting those with the best results. Then, they were reformulated for comparison with commercial substrata used in urban and protected agriculture through an experimental design of randomized complete block design (RCBD). The experimental tests were performed on specimens of roses and tomatoes subjected to four different treatments. Nutritional properties of the substrate and productivity were evaluated under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. The results show that the proposed biophysical substratum presents physical, chemical, and biological properties that make it a viable substitute for use in urban gardening or protected agriculture. These findings contribute to increase the use of compost as a basis for the development of agricultural substrates, while reducing the environmental impact associated with the extraction of forest soil commonly used in gardening, as well as promoting the possibility of developing more affordable products with better productivity results.

Keywords : valuation of solid waste; farm inputs; bioinoculants; sustainability.