Effects of Organic Fertilizer Mixed with Food Waste Dry Powder on the Growth of Chinese Cabbage Seedlings

The Effect of Recycled Spent Coffee Grounds Fertilizer, Vermicompost, and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth and Soil Quality of Red Radish (Raphanus sativus) in the United Arab Emirates: A Sustainability Perspective

The overuse of chemical fertilizers degrades the soil ecosystem and restricts the natural development of plants. Various byproducts are produced throughout the production and consumption of coffee within the coffee industry, and they are significant in terms of environmental waste. Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) contains various bioactive compounds that have demonstrated potential applications in various fields. These compounds can enhance soil quality by improving its physicochemical properties and biological fertility, ultimately leading to improved plant growth and reducing food waste and contamination at the same time. This current study examined the impact of chemical fertilizer, vermicompost, SCGs with percentage fertilizer (SCGPF), and SCGs on the top dressing fertilizer (SCGTDF) on red radish (Raphanus sativus) growth and soil quality. This greenhouse experiment tested various concentrations of SCGPF (5%, 10%, 25%, and 50%) and different doses of SCGTDF (0.5 g, 1 g, and 2.5 g). The results showed that the 0.5 g SCGTDF treatment yielded the highest mean plant length (18.47 cm) and fresh weight (27.54 g), while the vermicompost at a 50% concentration produced the highest mean leaf surface area (58.32 cm2). These findings suggest the potential of SCGs as a sustainable fertilizer alternative, contributing to improved plant growth and soil quality, thus supporting sustainable agricultural practices and a circular economy.

The Impact of Food Waste Compost, Vermicompost, and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth Measurement of Red Radish (Raphanus sativus): A Sustainability Perspective in the United Arab Emirates

The pressing need for sustainable agricultural practices, especially with the increasing population, has directed attention towards alternative fertilizers that enhance crop yield while preserving soil integrity and reducing food loss. The current study investigated the comparative efficacy of food waste compost (FOWC), vermicompost, and chemical fertilizers on the growth of red radish. The present work used a systematic experimental design to evaluate plant growth parameters, including radish weight and height. The soil quality was determined by measuring the pH and electrical conductivity for all soil samples. The results indicated a significant variation in red radish fresh weight among different treatments. For example, the 25% vegetable and fruit waste compost (VFWC) treatment demonstrated a relatively high mean fresh weight, while the 50% mixed compost (MC) treatment yielded a much lower mean fresh weight. These numbers underscore the potential efficacy of specific food waste treatments in enhancing plant growth, with vermicompost at 50% and VFWC at 25% showing considerable promise in increasing crop yield. The current study concluded that FOWC and vermicompost significantly improved plant growth, advocating for their use as sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers. The current findings emphasized the importance of selecting appropriate fertilizer types and concentrations to optimize agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, supporting the incorporation of food waste into agricultural systems as a beneficial resource.

Mitigation of Commercial Food Waste-Related Salinity Stress Using Halotolerant Rhizobacteria in Chinese Cabbage Plants

The use of commercial food waste in the Korean agricultural industry is increasing due to its capacity to act as an ecofriendly fertilizer. However, the high salt content of food waste can be detrimental to plant health and increase salinity levels in agricultural fields. In the current study, we introduced halotolerant rhizobacteria to neutralize the negative impact of food waste-related salt stress on crop productivity. We isolated halotolerant rhizobacteria from plants at Pohang beach, and screened bacterial isolates for their plant growth-promoting traits and salt stress-mitigating capacity; consequently, the bacterial isolate Bacillus pumilus MAK9 was selected for further investigation. This isolate showed higher salt stress tolerance and produced indole-3-acetic acid along with other organic acids. Furthermore, the inoculation of B. pumilus MAK9 into Chinese cabbage plants alleviated the effects of salt stress and enhanced plant growth parameters, i.e., it increased shoot length (32%), root length (41%), fresh weight (18%), dry weight (35%), and chlorophyll content (13%) compared with such measurements in plants treated with food waste only (control). Moreover, relative to control plants, inoculated plants showed significantly decreased abscisic acid content (2-fold) and increased salicylic acid content (11.70%). Bacillus pumilus MAK9-inoculated Chinese cabbage plants also showed a significant decrease in glutathione (11%), polyphenol oxidase (17%), and superoxide anions (18%), but an increase in catalase (14%), peroxidase (19%), and total protein content (26%) in comparison to the levels in control plants. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis showed that B. pumilus MAK9-inoculated plants had higher calcium (3%), potassium (22%), and phosphorus (15%) levels, whereas sodium content (7%) declined compared with that in control plants. Similarly, increases in glucose (17%), fructose (11%), and sucrose (14%) contents were recorded in B. pumilus MAK9-inoculated plants relative to in control plants. The bacterial isolate MAK9 was confirmed as B. pumilus using 16S rRNA and phylogenetic analysis. In conclusion, the use of commercially powered food waste could be a climate-friendly agricultural practice when rhizobacteria that enhance tolerance to salinity stress are also added to plants.