The effectiveness of the hot composting berkeley method as a soil amendment for cauliflower cultivation

Abstract

The Hot Composting Berkeley Method (HCBM) is an economic and environmentally friendly soil amendment. The quality of the compost is essential to supply plants with essential nutrients. To enhance the nutrient value of growing media and raise awareness about recycling and reuse, this study explored the quality of the HCBM and its effect of supplementing peat moss with varying proportions on early-stage vegetative growth of cauliflower. This rapid composting technique is completed in just 18 days. The resulting compost was rich in nutrients, containing 1.77 % organic matter, 1.03 % total organic carbon (TOC), 0.16 % total nitrogen, 1470 mg.kg⁻¹ phosphorus, and 21300 mg.kg⁻¹ potassium, along with other essential elements in varying concentrations. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment with three replicates was conducted to assess the impact of six soil substrate mixtures consisting of sand, clay, peat moss, and compost in varying proportions (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, and 25 %) on a local cauliflower cultivar. The highest value of the number of leaves, leaf area, fresh leaf weight and growth area was observed in media containing 5 % and 10 % compost. Conversely, growth was significantly reduced at the 25 % compost level. These findings highlight the potential of HCBM compost as a sustainable soil amendment that enhances plant growth when properly mixed with other media. Moreover, HCBM offers a practical solution for recycling farm and kitchen waste through a fast, space-efficient process and low cost. Further research is recommended to evaluate its application across a broader range of vegetables and indoor ornamental plants.