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Soil degradation and organic matter depletion threaten the sustainability of Mediterranean agroecosystems, highlighting the need for effective and sustainable soil restoration strategies. This study evaluated the short-term effects of composts and vermicomposts derived from chestnut sawdust and food waste on soil functionality and broccoli quality under field conditions using a multi-indicator assessment framework. Six fertilization treatments, including composts, vermicomposts, horse manure, mineral NPK fertilization, and an unfertilized control, were tested in broccoli-cultivated plots. Organic amendments significantly improved soil chemical, biochemical, and biological properties compared with mineral fertilization and the unfertilized control. Vermicompost 10/90 (10% sawdust:90% wet waste) produced the strongest effects, increasing soil organic carbon and organic matter by about 85%, cation exchange capacity by 45%, and dehydrogenase activity by 83% compared with the unfertilized control. Compost and vermicompost treatments also enhanced microbial biomass carbon, enzymatic activities, and QBS-ar values, indicating improved soil biological quality and microarthropod diversity. Broccoli quality was significantly influenced by fertilization regime. Vermicompost 10/90 increased vitamin C by 154%, vitamin E by 54%, total proteins by 18%, and total carbohydrates by 17% compared with the unfertilized control. Organic amendments also enhanced total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity relative to NPK and control treatments. Principal component and correlation analyses revealed strong positive relationships among organic matter accumulation, microbial activity, enzymatic processes, soil biodiversity, and crop nutritional quality. Overall, the integrated multi-indicator approach demonstrated that waste-derived organic amendments improve soil functionality and crop quality simultaneously, supporting their use as sustainable tools for circular and resilient Mediterranean agricultural systems.
Oliva et al. (Thu,) studied this question.