EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF FOOD WASTE DIGESTATE IN LETTUCE SEEDS

germination and growth

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine if digestate from food waste can be used as biofertilizer in lettuce growth. Four germination tests were carried out with samples from liquid digestate produced with organic loadings rates of 6 and 8 kg TVS (total volatile solids) m^-3 d^-1, as well as digestate that has been accumulated (D-AC) and a dry digestate (D-D). In the germination tests the dilutions of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100% were tested. A pot experiment was performed using sandy soil and lettuce seeds in six different treatments: D-D, D-AC, mineral fertilizer (NPK), D-AC with NPK at a 1:1 ratio (D-AC+NPK), D-D and NPK at a 1:1 ratio (D-D+NPK), and a control. The higher seed growth was at 5% and 10% dilutions in all germinations tests. The results for the pot experiment showed best performance of the treatments NPK and D-AC+NPK. This result is a good indicative that digestate has potential to diminish the use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture.