A review of nutrient potentials of composted municipal solid wastes for agricultural use

Abstract

The article reviewed the application of compost to the plants in providing essential macro-nutrients such as Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P), and micro-nutrients, ie. Iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Boron (B) and enhances microbial activity. Nutrients are released slowly due to strong association of compost with organic matter. This property makes compost an excellent alternative to inorganic fertilizers as leaching and volatilization losses are reduced. Over-reliance on the use of chemical fertilizers has been associated with declines in soil physical and chemical properties and crop yield, and significant land problems, such as soil degradation due to over exploitation of land and soil pollution caused by high application rates of fertilizers and pesticide application. The reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and supplementing the same through organic manure such as urban compost, otherwise known as municipal solid waste (MSW), Farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), etc., become necessary to sustain productivity, profitability and to maintain soil health. Application of FYM is practiced for many years but it has become scarce due to scanty population of livestock, therefore urban compost is one of the alternative sources of organic manure.