Influence of N, P and K Fertilizers, and Compost Rates on Wheat and Some Soil Properties.

The use of compost derived from source-separated municipal solid waste as a soil amender is now a common agronomic practice throughout the world. Such organic amendment serves to improve the physical and chemical soil properties, such as soil structure, water-holding capacity, and organic matter (OM) content and composition as well as soil fertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) chemical fertilizers on yield and quality of wheat and P and OM in the soil. The experimental design was randomized complete block with 6 treatments and 3 replications. Six treatments were included: T0) control, T1) N, P and K chemical fertilizers based on soil test, T2, T3, T4) orderly of 10, 20, and 30 ton ha^-1 MSWC, and T5) combination of T1 / 2 + T3. Grain yield, straw yield, grain protein percentage, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) content of grain, and P and OM in the soil increased with increasing MSWC rate. The greatest grain yield, straw yield, and P accumulation in the soil occurred when both chemical fertilizers and MSWC were present (T5). No significant differences were observed among treatments for Fe and Zn content of grain. Soil OM was significantly higher in the MSWC treatments than the control or T1. The grain protein percentage increased in T1 and T5 by use of N fertilizer.