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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COMPOST (MSWC) AS A SOIL AMENDMENT

IN IRRIGATED VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
G. A. Clark, C. D. Stanley, D. N. Maynard

ABSTRACT. A field study was conducted to evaluate the water conservation aspects for vegetable production associated
with field incorporations of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC). In June 1992, MSWC was incorporated into a sandy
soil as a soil amendment at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Bradenton, Florida.
Drip-irrigated and subirrigated vegetable production studies were conducted during autumn 1992, spring 1993, autumn
1993, and spring 1994 seasons. Green peppers were grown during the autumn seasons and fresh market tomatoes were
produced during the spring seasons. MSWC was applied at various rates in drip-irrigated and subirrigated plots. Drip
irrigation was applied based on crop water use estimated from reference evapotranspiration data and crop coefficients. A
fully enclosed subirrigation system was used in the subirrigated plots with the water table controlled at an average depth
of 0.60 m below the soil surface. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to each of the MSWC, drip-irrigated, and, subirrigated
plots. Incorporated MSWC was still immature (based on measured C/N ratios > 30) and reduced autumn 1992 drip-
irrigated pepper yields and reduced plant growth. By spring 1993 the incorporated MSWC had field matured and resulted
in significantly increased tomato plant size and fruit yields in the spring of 1993 and all other subsequent drip-irrigated
trials. The 134 t ha–1 MSWC rate increased spring 1993 and 1994 tomato yields by 27% and 18%, respectively, and
autumn 1993 peppers by 17% over the non-amended plot yields. Drip-irrigated pepper yields were not affected by
irrigation rate or applied nitrogen level. While drip irrigation rate did not affect total tomato fruit yield in any of the
seasons, yield of extra large tomato fruit was greater with higher levels of applied water in the spring of 1994, and the
higher applied nitrogen levels increased marketable fruit yields by 13 to 14%.
In general, amending a sandy soil with MSWC significantly improved plant growth and yield in drip-irrigated
vegetable production. However, applied nitrogen rate in the subirrigated fields did not affect fruit yield in any of the
seasons. Autumn 1992 pepper yields and spring 1994 tomato yields in the subirrigated plots were reduced by the addition
of MSWC and autumn 1993 pepper yields were greater with the addition of MSWC. MSWC increased yield of extra large
tomato fruit in the spring 1993 season and reduced fruit size in the autumn 1993 pepper trial, but had no statistical effect
on fruit size in any of the other seasons. Therefore, the subirrigated system results were not as conclusive as the drip-
irrigated results. Furthermore, immature MSWC products should be incorporated into fields with sufficient maturation
time prior to planting.
Keywords. Compost, Microirrigation, Tomato, Pepper.

C
onservation of water resources is important in all
communities, particularly in those with
expanding urban sectors such as the coastal areas
of Florida. While coastal Florida is a popular area
for urban growth and development, the area also provides
prime agricultural land for production of commercial
citrus, vegetable, and floricultural crops. Many of the
commercial vegetable producers have been targeted for
reductions in water allocations and potential reductions in
fertilizer applications. Water management districts have
Article was submitted for publication in September 1999; reviewed
and approved for publication by the Soil & Water Division of ASAE in
March 2000. Presented as ASAE Paper No. 98-2172.
Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-07130.
The authors are Gary A. Clark, ASAE Member Engineer, Professor,
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, Kansas; Craig D. Stanley, Professor of Soil and
Water Science, and Donald N. Maynard, Professor of Horticulture, the
University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center,
Bradenton, Florida. Corresponding author: Gary A. Clark, Kansas State
University, Biological & Agricultural Engineering Dept., 147 Seaton Hall,
Manhattan, KS 66506-2906, phone: 785.532.2909, fax: 785.532.5825, e-
mail: <gclark@bae.ksu.edu>.
been encouraging producers to adopt more conservative
irrigation systems and to switch from ditch conveyance
subirrigation systems to fully enclosed subirrigation (FES)
systems (Clark and Stanley, 1992) or to drip irrigation
systems (Clark and Smajstrla, 1996). However, drip
irrigation systems are difficult to manage for shallow
rooted crops grown on sandy soils with low water holding
capacities (WHC) and low cation exchange capacities
(CEC). Soil amendments that increase the available water
holding capacity range of the soil and/or that increase the
cation exchange capacity of the soil could help ease the
drip-irrigation-related water and nutrient management
difficulties on these soils.
Biodegradable solid wastes are generated throughout the
U.S. and are a substantial component of the waste stream
of materials that go to landfills. Composted municipal solid
waste (MSW) materials can add organic matter to the soil
which might improve the water and nutrient availability to
crops, thus enhancing the plant growth and fruit production
characteristics.
Municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) was
successfully used to revegetate and reclaim a taconite iron
ore tailing site at an active mine site (Norland and Veith,

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1995). After four years of MSWC application at rates Table 1. Physical properties and nutrient and metal concentrations
of the MSWC material used in this study
ranging from 10 to 90 Mg ha–1, plant cover improved from (Graetz, 1995; Eichelberger, 1994)
zero (prior to soil amendment) to over 90% cover with
Physical/Chemical Property Value
some of the treatment combinations. Some treatments
included additional applications of granular diammonium Percent moisture (%) 28.70
phosphate (DAP) which improved plant growth. Water-holding capacity @ 10 kPa — (g g–1) 1.01
pH 7.75
Municipal garbage composted with sewage sludge Total carbon (%) 31.80
significantly improved tree growth (stem wood biomass Total nitrogen (%) 0.83
and basal tree area) in a 16-year study with slash pine C:N ratio 38.50
(Jokela et al., 1990). Compost applications ranged from Total P (µg g–1) 1450.00
Total Ca (µg g–1) 23800.00
0 to 448 Mg ha–1. The highest compost rate also added Total Mg (µg g–1) 1240.00
considerable levels of many metals including Cu (70 kg Total K (µg g–1) 1290.00
ha–1), Fe (2060 kg ha–1), Al (2940 kg ha–1), and Cd Total Na (µg g–1) 1830.00
(272 kg ha–1). However, plant tissue analysis did not reveal Total Zn (µg g–1) 434.00
any biological concern in metal levels. While soil Total Cu (µg g–1) 118.00
Total Mn (µg g–1) 182.00
chemistry was neither reported nor analyzed in that study, Total Fe (µg g–1) 4110.00
Tisdell and Breslin (1995) reported that only small Total Cd (µg g–1) 4.00
percentages of these elements are leachable. Total Pb (µg g–1) 280.00
Potato waste compost-amended soil improved tuber Total Ni (µg g–1) 29.00
yield and quality, and improved plant appearance during
drought and near-drought conditions (McBurnie, 1993). Table 2. Concentrations of various elements from saturated water
However, specific data on nutrient conditions were not extracts* of the MSWC material used in this study
reported. McConnell et al. (1990) reported that composted (Graetz, 1995; Eichelberger, 1994)
municipal solid waste and yard trash could be used as Element Saturated Water Extract Concentration µg mL–1
growth substrates (potting media) for pickerel weed NO3-N 0.12
(an aquatic/wetlands plant species) provided that adequate NH4-N 3.37
levels of N, P, and K are available. Composted MSW and PO4-P 0.10
yard trash media significantly reduced plant, fresh weight Total - P 0.64
Ca 194.00
and general growth. Combining compost media with Mg 20.00
standard potting media and using additional fertilizer K 92.00
improved these growth attributes. A four-year study of Na 196.00
composted MSW applications to soils for Christmas tree Zn 1.13
production resulted in decreased soil acidity, but no Cu 0.32
Mn 0.04
significant growth effects from the addition of the MSW Fe 0.84
material (David, 1998). Cd 0.00
In the spring of 1992 the authors were asked to evaluate Pb 0.01
the water conservation aspects associated with field Ni 0.05
incorporation of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC). * Saturated water extracts were obtained using a 25 g (dry wt.
The work was to be performed on vegetable crop equivalent) sample of MSWC and followed saturated media extract
production systems. Therefore, the objectives of this study procedures for “Greenhouse Growth Media” as described in
Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central
were to: Region, North Central Regional Pub. No. 221 (Rev.), October 1998.
1. Evaluate the effects of incorporated municipal solid
waste compost (MSWC) on fruit yield and quality of
drip-irrigated and subirrigated tomato and pepper delivered was 0.32 Mg m–3. This corresponds to a dry bulk
production on sandy soils. density of 0.23 Mg m–3 and is very close to the bulk
2. Determine if incorporated MSWC could reduce the density of 0.22 Mg m–3 for an MSWC material from the
water and/or nitrogen application requirements in same location used in other work (He et al., 1995). The
drip-irrigated and / o r subirrigated vegetable physical properties of MSWC materials can be highly
production systems on sandy soils. variable with moisture contents ranging from 190 to over
500 g kg–1 and bulk densities ranging from 0.22 to
0.74 Mg m–3 (He et al., 1995).
METHODS AND MATERIALS Two experimental field sites were developed to study
The experimental site was located at the University of the effects of soil incorporated MSWC on drip-irrigated
Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, and subirrigated vegetable production, respectively. The
Bradenton, Florida. Soil at the site was an EauGallie fine drip irrigation study was designed to evaluate three
sand (Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Alfic Haplaquods) combinations of applied MSWC (0, 67, and 134 t ha–1),
with a spodic horizon at 90 cm. Municipal solid waste two nitrogen fertilizer treatments (215 and 309 kg-N ha–1),
compost (MSWC) was received from Reuter Recycling and three drip irrigation treatments (0.5×, 1×, and 1.5×).
(product name: “Earth Life”) in May 1992. Physical, The subirrigation study (water table management) was
chemical, and biological characteristics of the MSWC designed with two combinations of applied MSWC (0 and
material were analyzed during the course of this study 135 t ha–1), and with three applied nitrogen fertilizer rates
(Graetz, 1995; Eichelberger, 1994) and are summarized in (215, 309, and 403 kg-N ha–1). Crop studies included
tables 1 and 2. Measured wet density of the material as autumn green peppers (1992 and 1993) and spring fresh

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market tomatoes (1993 and 1994). These experimental
designs included four replications of each treatment
combination in a split plot design for the drip studies and in
a randomized block design for the subirrigation studies.
Figures 1 and 2 show example plot layouts of the drip
irrigation and subirrigation studies. The irrigation studies
(drip and subirrigation) were conducted on separate field
sites and this research was not designed to compare
irrigation systems.
All drip irrigation studies used raised beds (0.15 to
0.20 m high × 0.60 m wide) that were covered with plastic
mulch (1.25 mil; 0.032 mm). White plastic was used for the
autumn crops to reflect solar radiation and black plastic
was used for the spring crops to absorb solar radiation. The
drip irrigation tube had a 0.25-mm (10-mil) wall thickness,
a 30-cm emitter spacing and a nominal discharge rate of
373 L h–1 100 m–1 at the operating pressure of 69 kPa. This
resulted in an equivalent application rate of 2.5 mm h–1.
Drip tubing was installed approximately 25 mm deep and
in the bed center for the autumn pepper crops and 10 cm
off-center for the spring tomato crops. Drip irrigation
Figure 1–Example plot design for the drip-irrigated MSWC study.
Figure 2–Example plot design for the subirrigated MSWC study.
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quantities for the 1 × treatment were based on crop
coefficients and calculated grass reference
evapotranspiration (ETo) using data from a nearby weather
station. A portion of the total fertilizer was applied preplant
at 93 and 186 kg-N ha–1 for the two fertilizer rates,
respectively, using an 18-0-28 (N-P2O5-K2O) granular
fertilizer. Additional N and K were applied by fertigation to
provide an additional 120 kg-N ha–1 to all plots using a
6-0-5 (N-P2O5-K2O) liquid fertilizer.
Subirrigation studies used raised beds (0.15 to 0.20 m
high × 0.81 m wide) that were covered with white plastic
mulch (1.25 mil or 0.032 mm) for the autumn crops and
black plastic for the spring crops. All of the fertilizer was
applied preplant in a single band in the center of the bed for
the pepper plants and two bands approximately 0.15 m off-
center for the tomato plants. Preplant N and K fertilizer
was applied at 215, 309, and 403 kg-N ha–1 using an 18-0-
28 (N-P2O5-K2O) granular fertilizer based on 12 346 linear
meters of bed per hectare. Preplant P fertilizer was applied
at 49 kg-P ha –1 to all plots and incorporated. The
subirrigated blocks were 12.5 m wide and approximately
61 m long. Water was applied by two drip irrigation laterals
in each subirrigated block that were buried 0.41 m deep
and used as a Fully Enclosed Subirrigation (FES) system
(Clark and Stanley, 1992). The water table in each block
was controlled using a shallow 0.10-m-diameter well and
float switch system. When the water table dropped below
the set point, the irrigation system was activated until it
reached the water table elevation set point.
During the first week of June 1992, measured amounts
of MSWC were loaded on to a dump truck and transported
to specific plots in the drip-irrigated experimental plot area.
Each MSWC plot contained three vegetable production
beds that each received a different irrigation schedule. The
MSWC was uniformly broadcast over the plots which were
15.2 m long and 4.6 m wide. The 67 and 135 t ha–1 MSWC
rates resulted in surface layers of product that were
approximately 3 and 6 mm thick, respectively. A tractor-
mounted rototiller was used to incorporate the applied
MSWC.
In concurrence with the standard vegetable cultural
practices within the region, plot areas were bedded,
fertilized, fumigated with methyl bromide/chloropicrin
(MC 67:33), and covered with plastic mulch on 25 August
1992 (autumn 1992 crop), 15 February 1993 (spring 1993
crop), 16 August 1993 (autumn 1993 crop), and 16
February 1994 (spring 1994 crop). The fumigation may
have adversely impacted the beneficial organisms and
chemistry of the compost. However, those biological and
chemical measurements were not a part of this study.
Pepper transplants (‘Capistrano’) were set on 8 September
1992 and on 2 September 1993 using a 0.30 m × 0.30 m
plant spacing. Tomato transplants (‘Sunny’) were set on 1
March 1993 and 1 March 1994 using a single row of plants
per bed with plants on a 0.60 m spacing. The drip irrigation
system was operated daily for 30 to 45 min for the first 10
to 14 days after transplanting to establish the transplants.
Subsequent drip irrigation applications followed a crop ET-
based schedule and were adjusted approximately every two
weeks. Daily drip irrigation applications occurred in
multiple cycles per day (up to three). Each cycle was
limited to a one-hour run time (2.5 mm) to maintain
applied water within the active root zone. Subirrigated
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plots were established with a water table at a depth of lower than those used in autumn 1993 even though 1992
0.46 m below the bed surface for 10 to 14 days at which rainfall was lower and pan evaporation rates were higher.
time the float switch set point was reestablished at a control These differences were due to a poor plant stand and small
depth of 0.61 m. plant size that occurred with the autumn 1992 pepper crop.
All plots were hand harvested when fruit were mature In addition, November and December 1993 rain was low
and fruit were graded for size and quality. Forty plants per when plant size and subsequent water demand was
plot were sampled for the subirrigated pepper crops. greatest. Substantial rainfall during June 1994 reduced drip
Because plant stand and visual appearance were poor in the irrigation amounts during that peak growth period of the
1992 drip-irrigated pepper plots, 80 plants per plot were plants and resulted in lower seasonal drip irrigation
sampled for those yield analyses. All tomato plots used 10 applications than used in the spring of 1993. With a plastic
plants per plot for yield and quality analysis. Autumn 1992 mulch bed culture, it is difficult to estimate effective
subirrigated peppers were harvested on 12 and 30 rainfall. Many small rainfall events are not effective at all
November, and on 14 and 21 December. Autumn 1992 and typically have to be disregarded with respect to the
drip-irrigated plots were harvested on 30 November and 14 irrigation schedule. Plot tensiometers were used to assess
December. Spring 1993 drip tomato plots were harvested root zone soil water contents and were subsequently used
on 27 May, and on 8 and 21 June. Subirrigated spring 1993 to adjust irrigation schedules.
tomatoes were harvested on 3, 14, and 22 June. Peppers in Observations of the MSWC indicated several problems,
the autumn 1993 field test were harvested four times in the including crushed glass (> 6 mm diameter), pieces of
drip-irrigated plots (3 and 17 November, and 1 and 15 plastic, and an odor due to incomplete composting.
December) and three times in the subirrigated plots (8 and Bengtson and Cornette (1973) reported that while applied
22 November, and 10 December). Tomatoes in the spring MSWC to a young slash pine site did not adversely affect
1994 field test were harvested three times in the drip- soil or trees, aesthetics of the site were degraded by the
irrigated plots (19 and 27 May, and 6 June) and twice in the residue of nondegradable particulates. Soil samples were
subirrigated plots (19 and 31 June). In addition, plant obtained in July of 1992 and 1993 from the study site for
samples were collected from the autumn 1992 drip- physical analysis and to develop the pressure
irrigated and subirrigated pepper, and from the spring 1993 potential/water content relationship (Turner et al., 1994).
tomato drip-irrigated plots for aboveground, non-fruit dry Dry bulk density of the surface soil decreased linearly with
matter production. the addition of MSWC and in 1993 ranged from
1.39 g cm–3 to 1.31 g cm–3 for the 0 and 135 t ha–1 MSWC
treatments, respectively. Addition of MSWC increased the
RESULTS water content of the soil at all soil water tensions between
Rainfall, pan evaporation, and air temperature data for 5.0 and 100 kPa. However, the shape of the water
the autumn and spring seasons are summarized in table 3 content/soil water tension relationship was the same for all
for the autumn pepper crops and spring tomato crops. soils. Thus, the amount of water released between any two
Seasonally applied drip irrigation amounts are presented in specific soil water tensions was not different for any of the
table 4. The resultant seasonal irrigation amounts do not MSWC soil amendment levels. Additional details of the
equal the 0.5 ×, 1.0×, and 1.5× proportions because all soil physical analysis can be found in Turner et al. (1994).
plots were initially irrigated at the same rate for plant Throughout the autumn 1992 season, drip-irrigated
establishment. Autumn 1992 irrigation amounts were much pepper plots showed visual signs of plant stress (pale green
leaves and reduced growth) which appeared to be related to
Table 3. Climatic data, 1992-1994
the availability of N fertilizer. The carbon and nitrogen
ratio (C/N) of the compost source material was 38.5
Pan Average Pan Average (Graetz, 1995) and was designated as immature based on a
Rainfall Evapora- Temp. Rainfall Evapora- Temp.
Month (mm) tion (mm) (°C) (mm) tion (mm) (°C) maturity C/N threshold of 30 or less, thus indicating a
nitrogen demanding product. Similar effects were reported
Autumn 1992 Pepper Crop Autumn 1993 Pepper Crop
by Bengtson and Cornette (1973) and McConnell et al.
September 99 134 27.8 104 138 27.8 (1990). However, autumn 1992 subirrigated pepper plants
October 81 106 23.3 180 95 25.6 did not visually show the same stress symptoms. Plant
November 46 93 21.7 17 69 21.1
December 40 69 18.9 25 72 16.7 samples from both irrigation treatments were collected and
Season 266 402 22.9 310 374 22.8 measured for aboveground dry matter production to
Spring 1993 Tomato Crop Spring 1994 Tomato Crop
ascertain relative sizes (table 5). These data are provided to
indicate the relative differences associated with the two
March 59 110 19.4 71 120 20.6 irrigation systems during the initial phase of this work.
April 110 143 20.0 65 148 23.9
May 39 173 23.9 5 174 24.4 Drip-irrigated pepper plants were not significantly affected
June 93 181 27.8 274 159 27.8 by drip irrigation rate or applied nitrogen level. However,
Season 301 607 22.8 276 601 24.2 plant sizes were highly variable and the higher nitrogen
plots had a trend toward larger plants. Application of
Table 4. Drip irrigation application amounts MSWC significantly reduced both drip irrigated and
subirrigated pepper plant size, thus supporting the
Irrigation Autumn 1992 Spring 1993 Autumn 1993 Spring 1994
Treatment (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) possibility of a nitrogen demanding system. In addition, all
drip-irrigated plants developed only 20% of the
0.5× 38 107 114 53
1.0 × 53 132 191 89
aboveground biomass that the subirrigated plants had
1.5× 97 201 264 127 developed. This difference was probably due to the

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Table 5. Main effects of irrigation, nitrogen, and MSWC on Table 7. Main effects of irrigation, nitrogen, and MSWC on average
aboveground plant dry matter results for the fruit size for the autumn 1992 and 1993 drip-irrigated peppers, and
autumn 1992 drip-irrigated and subirrigated peppers, on yield of extra large fruit for the spring 1993 and
and the spring 1993 drip-irrigated tomatoes 1994 drip-irrigated tomatoes
Autumn 1992 Pepper Spring 1993 Tomato Average Fruit Size (peppers) and
Dry Matter† Dry Matter Main Effect Extra Large Fruit (tomatoes)
Main Effect (g plant–1) (g plant–1)
Autumn 1992 Spring 1993 Autumn 1993 Spring 1994
Irrigation Drip Irrigated Subirrigated Drip Irrigated Peppers Tomatoes Peppers Tomatoes
0.5 × 1.59 - 340 Irrigation (g fruit–1) (Mg ha–1) (g fruit–1) (Mg ha–1)
1.0 × 1.77 - 368
0.5× 184 29.7 153 20.7
1.5 × 1.68 - 360
1.0× 187 30.3 151 25.0
Significance‡ ns - ns
1.5× 179 33.2 153 26.9
Nitrogen Significance ns ns ns **
215 kg ha–1 1.59 7.26 343
Nitrogen
309 kg ha–1 1.73 9.08 369
215 kg ha–1 179 30.8 151 23.0
403 kg ha–1 - 8.17 -
309 kg ha–1 184 31.4 153 25.3
Significance ns ns **
Significance ns ns ns ns
MSWC
MSWC
0 t ha–1 1.86 9.99 278
0 t ha–1 187 22.7 151 17.2
7 t ha–1 1.50 - 385
67 t ha–1 184 35.2 155 24.9
134 t ha–1 1.63 8.63 405
134 t ha–1 179 35.4 153 30.4
Significance * ** ***
Significance ns *** ns ***
† These results are provided to indicate the differences associated with
Level of statistical significance is indicated at the 10% (*), 5% (**), 1%
the different irrigation systems during start-up of this project.
(***) levels or not significant (ns).
‡ Level of statistical significance is indicated at the 10% (*), 5% (**),
1% (***) levels or not significant (ns).

and yields (table 6) were significantly larger with increased

establishment of the transplants and overall drip irrigation levels of applied MSWC as well as with increased applied
water management during that first season. The nitrogen. Marketable yields of drip-irrigated fruits from the
characteristics of a subirrigated field result in wetter field spring 1993, autumn 1993, and spring 1994 field studies
soil conditions which could have enhanced the MSWC were not significantly affected by irrigation rate. Thus,
“maturing” processes in that field. Due to the water applied water was not a substantial yield factor in this
application characteristics of drip irrigation, that field was study. However, drip-irrigated tomato yields from both
noticeably drier in the row middles. spring studies were significantly increased with additional
At final harvest neither irrigation nor fertilizer rate had nitrogen. Furthermore, the addition of MSWC significantly
any effect on drip-irrigated pepper yield (table 6) or fruit increased total fruit yields of drip-irrigated tomatoes and
size (table 7). Measured drip-irrigated yield reductions peppers during the last three seasons of this study. These
during the autumn 1992 season occurred with increased data suggest that the MSWC had field matured during the
MSWC rates (table 6). These yield reductions were autumn 1992 season, thus resulting in the yield and growth
attributed to the nitrogen demand by the MSWC. However, benefits measured during the subsequent seasons. It is
MSWC rate did not significantly affect fruit size. possible that the matured MSWC improved the cation
By the spring 1993, the soil microflora may have exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil, thus providing more
recovered from fumigation and the compost must have nutrient exchange sites for the plants to access (Hanlon,
field matured. Drip-irrigated tomato plant sizes (table 5) 1993). However, these measurements were not conducted
in this work.
Table 6. Main effects of irrigation, nitrogen, and MSWC on Average fruit size of drip-irrigated peppers and yield of
marketable fruit yield for the autumn 1992 and 1993 drip-irrigated extra large tomatoes were not affected by nitrogen rate in
peppers, and the spring 1993 and 1994 drip-irrigated tomatoes any of the study seasons (table 7). However, irrigation rate
Main Effect Marketable Fruit Weight (Mg ha–1) increased yield of extra large tomato fruits in the spring of
Autumn 1992 Spring 1993 Autumn 1993 Spring 1994
1994, but had no effect on pepper fruit size or extra large
Irrigation Peppers Tomatoes Peppers Tomatoes tomato fruit yield during any of the earlier seasons. The
spring 1994 season was relatively dry during May when
0.5× 16.0 72.3 33.0 103.8
1.0× 16.2 76.1 34.2 108.2 fruits typically increase in size. Thus, the reduced water
1.5× 15.7 75.6 30.6 103.0 treatments may have been slightly stressed resulting in
Significance ns ns ns ns fewer extra large fruit. Addition of MSWC did not affect
Nitrogen the average size of drip irrigated peppers in 1992 or 1993.
215 kg ha–1 15.3 70.0 32.5 98.0 However, yield of extra large tomato fruits (1993 and
309 kg ha–1 16.6 79.3 32.7 112.0 1994) in the drip-irrigated studies was significantly
Significance ns *** ns *** increased by the addition of MSWC.
MSWC Applied nitrogen level did not significantly affect yield
0 t ha–1 17.2 64.4 29.5 94.3 or fruit size in the subirrigated study during any of the
67 t ha–1 15.9 77.8 33.7 109.5
134 t ha–1 14.8 81.8 34.6 111.3
seasons (tables 8 and 9). Results of applied MSWC in the
Significance * *** *** *** subirrigated plots resulted in reduced pepper and tomato
fruit yields in the autumn 1992 and spring 1994 seasons,
Level of statistical significance is indicated at the 10% (*), 5% (**), 1%
(***) levels or not significant (ns). respectively (table 8). However, applied MSWC resulted in

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Table 8. Main effects of nitrogen and applied MSWC on yield of

marketable fruit from autumn 1992 and 1993 peppers, and spring
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1993 and 1994 tomatoes in the subirrigated plots In general, field applications of immature MSWC
reduced nitrogen availability and reduced growth and yield
Main Effect Marketable Fruit Weight (Mg ha–1)
of fresh market green peppers in both drip-irrigated and
Autumn 1992 Spring 1993 Autumn 1993 Spring 1994 subirrigated autumn 1992 experiments. However, fresh
Irrigation Peppers Tomatoes Peppers Tomatoes market tomato and green pepper yields, and yield of extra
Nitrogen large tomato fruits increased with applied MSWC rate in
215 kg ha–1 33.1 68.1 31.2 85.5 subsequent seasons (spring and autumn 1993, and spring
309 kg ha–1 33.4 74.1 34.7 85.1
403 kg ha–1 34.9 75.9 34.6 83.9
1994) on sandy soils amended with MSWC and irrigated
Significance ns ns ns ns by drip irrigation. Pepper fruit yields on subirrigated plots
amended with MSWC were greater than non-amended plot
MSWC
0 t ha–1 36.1 73.9 31.1 89.4 yields in the autumn 1993 field study. However, tomato
134 t ha–1 32.8 71.5 35.8 80.3 fruit yields were lower in MSWC plots than non-amended
Significance ** ns ** ** plots in the spring 1994 study. Similar results were reported
Level of statistical significance is indicated at the 10% (*), 5% (**), 1% by Obreza and Reeder (1994) with initially reduced tomato
(***) levels or not significant (ns). yields followed by increased watermelon yields on MSWC
amended plots.
Table 9. Main effects of nitrogen and applied MSWC on average fruit The addition of 67 and 134 t ha–1 of MSWC resulted in
size of autumn 1992 and 1993 peppers, and yield of extra large fruit drip-irrigated tomato yield increases of 21 and 28%,
from spring 1993 and 1994 tomatoes in the subirrigated plots respectively, in spring 1993, and increases of 16 and 18%,
Average Fruit Size (peppers) and respectively, in the spring 1994. The yield increases from
Main Effect Extra Large Fruit (tomatoes) the 0 to the 135 t ha–1 MSWC applications averaged 17 Mg
Autumn 1992 Spring 1993 Autumn 1993 Spring 1994 ha–1 of marketable tomato fruit. With an average market
Peppers Tomatoes Peppers Tomatoes price of $10/11.3 kg box of fruit, this represents a market
Irrigation (g fruit–1) (Mg ha–1) (g fruit–1) (Mg ha–1) value increase of $15,000/ha–1. Most of the MSWC related
Nitrogen yield increase in the 1993 tomatoes (table 5) was in the
215 kg ha–1 187 23.3 165 41.5 extra large fruit class (table 5). The extra large fruits can
309 kg ha–1 184 24.5 174 45.5 bring a market price of $150 to $250 Mg–1 higher than the
403 kg ha–1 187 30.2 167 45.7
Significance ns ns ns ns
large size fruits. Therefore, increases in the extra large fruit
yield associated with the addition of MSWC could
MSWC represent a $2,500/ha–1 financial advantage just based on
0 t ha–1 190 22.6 172 44.9
134 t ha–1 184 29.4 165 43.5 fruit size alone.
Significance ns ** * ns Incorporation of MSWC into sandy soils for drip-
Level of statistical significance is indicated at the 10% (*), 5% (**), 1%
irrigated vegetable production provided improved plant
(***) levels or not significant (ns). growth and yield. However, the incorporated MSWC must
be mature prior to cropping. Immature product should be
incorporated into field soils four to six months prior to
increased yield of extra large tomato fruit in the spring planting to provide time for field maturation. Additional
1993 season (table 9) and greater pepper yields in the work should focus on the soil fertility, biological, and
autumn 1993 season (table 8). While the subirrigated cation exchange capacity characteristics of MSWC
MSWC tomato plot yields were lower than yields from amended soils.
non-amended plots (table 8), plants in subirrigated MSWC
plots looked larger and greener and may have had more
vegetative growth and less reproductive growth. REFERENCES
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were substantially lower and approximately one-half of the Clark, G. A., and C. D. Stanley. 1992. Subirrigation by
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be nitrogen deficient. This was not a problem during of microirrigated fresh market tomatoes. Transactions of the
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consistently higher than subirrigated tomato yields David, C. A. 1998. Application of composted municipal solid
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