
EFFECTS OF AEROBIC DEAD SHEEP COMPOST MATERIAL ON LEAFY VEGETABLE GROWTH IN KUWAIT'S GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENT
Tariq Ahmed , Desert Agriculture and Ecosystems Program, Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, KuwaitAbstract
This study investigates the influence of using aerobic dead sheep compost material on the growth of leafy vegetables in Kuwait's greenhouse conditions. Composting is a sustainable practice that converts organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, which can enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth. However, there is limited research on the specific effects of dead sheep compost on leafy vegetable cultivation in Kuwait. In this research, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth parameters, including plant height, leaf area, biomass accumulation, and nutrient uptake, of leafy vegetables grown in soil amended with aerobic dead sheep compost. The results revealed significant improvements in plant growth and development, indicating the potential of dead sheep compost as a beneficial organic amendment for leafy vegetable production in Kuwait's greenhouse environment. This study contributes to the understanding of utilizing composting materials in arid regions and provides valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices in Kuwait.
Keywords
Dead sheep compost, leafy vegetables, greenhouse conditions
References
Lee JJ, Park RD, Kim YW, Shim JH, Chae DH, et al. (2004) Effect of food waste compost on microbial population, soil enzyme activity and lettuce growth. Bioresource Technol 93:21-28.
Quedraogo E, Mndo A, Zombre NP (2001) Use of compost to improve soil properties and crop productivity under low input agricultural system in West Africa. Agriculture, Ecosystem, and Environment 84: 259-266.
Padasht Dehkaei MN (1998) Investigation of some physical and chemical properties of compost for application in greenhouse cropping system. M.Sc. Diss. University of Tehran p100
Urrestarazu M, Salas MC, Padilla MI, Moreno, J, Elorrieta MA, et al. (2002) Evaluation of different composts from horticultural crop residue and their uses in greenhouse soilless cropping. Acta Hort 549: 147-152.
Carlo F, R Youssef, C Mariateresa, R Elvira, B Alberto, et al. (2009) Yield and quality of leafy lettuce in response to nutrient solution composition and growing season. J. Food, Agricul. & Environ 7: 456-462.
Tomey KM, MR Sowers, X Li, DS McConnel, S Crawford, et al. (2007) Dietary fat subgroups, zinc, and vegetable components are related to urine F2a-Isoprostane concentration, a measure of oxidative stress in midlife women. The Journal of Nutrition 137: 2412-2419.
Cakmak I (2008) Enrichment of cereal grains with zinc: agronomic or genetic biofortification? Plant and Soil 302:1-17.
Aciksoz SB, A Yazici, L Ozturk, I Cakmak (2011) Biofortification of wheat and iron through soil and foliar application of nitrogen and iron fertilizers. Plant and Soil 349:215-225.
B Vanlauwe , J Chianu, KE Giller, R Merckx, U Mokwunye, et al. (2010) “Integrated soil fertility management: operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination,”. Outlook on Agriculture 39: 17-24.
Ahmed M, M Rauf, Z Mukhtar, NA Saeed (2017) Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers: an unawareness causing serious threats to environment and human health. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 24: 26983-26987.
EnkeLiu, ChangrongYan, XurongMei, WenqingHe, So HwatBing, et al. (2010) “Long-term effect of chemical fertilizer, straw, and manure on soil chemical and biological properties in northwest China,”. Geoderma 158: 173-180.
Reis M, L Coelho, J Beltrao, I Domingos, M. Moura, et al. (2013) “Comparative response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to inorganic and organic compost fertilization,” in Recent Advances in Energy, Environment, Economics and Technological Innovation p 61-68.