ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Impact of Kitchen Waste Compost and Agricultural
Waste Mix on Cucumber Seedling Development
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1
College of Resources and Environment, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100161 China
2
Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang 110161, China
3
Xinjiang Institute of Technology Two Mountains Theory and Research Center for High Quality Green Development
in Southern Xinjiang, Aksu 843100, China
Submission date: 2024-07-12
Final revision date: 2024-09-10
Acceptance date: 2024-10-28
Online publication date: 2025-01-27
Corresponding author
Zheng Liu
Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang 110161, China
Huaju Chi
Xinjiang Institute of Technology Two Mountains Theory and Research Center for High Quality Green Development
in Southern Xinjiang, Aksu 843100, China
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ABSTRACT
Rapid urbanization and growing kitchen waste generation necessitate the sustainable management
of kitchen waste, which has become an important environmental concern. This study investigated
the impact of kitchen waste compost and agricultural waste mix on cucumber seedling development.
Seven treatments were set up, including a commercial seedling substrate (CK) and six mixes
with different ratios of kitchen waste compost, peat, fermented straw, and fermented rice husk (T1~T6),
each replicated three times. Results indicated that the substrate with 15% kitchen waste compost,
45% peat, and 40% fermented rice husk (T2) was the most suitable for cucumber seedling growth.
This treatment showed significant advantages in leaf area, root length, and fresh and dry weights of
aboveground and belowground parts compared to other treatments, though it had relatively higher pH
and electrical conductivity (EC) values. The high salt content in kitchen waste compost was identified
as a critical factor affecting cucumber seedling growth. Future research should integrate findings
on cucumber salt tolerance to further optimize seedling substrates containing kitchen waste compost,
ensuring their safe and effective use in agricultural production.