Soil and Plant Response to MSW Compost Applications on Lowbush Blueberry Fields in 2000 and 2001

SUMMARY Field experiments were initiated in May 1999 to investigate the application of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost to low-bush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields. Three sites were selected: Debert, NS (Truro sandy loam) and two sites near Musquodoboit, NS (both Rawdon gravely loamy sands). Treatments at each site consisted of a randomized complete block design with six treatments (Control [no fertilizer], NK fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, and three rates of MSW compost) blocked four times. Compost treatments provided the equivalent of 100, 200, and 400 kg ha−1 of total N, respectively. The experimental objectives were to evaluate soil and plant response to the compost and to determine whether the organic amendment could be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Yield, soil fertility, and plant nutrients were evaluated in blueberry leaf tissue and fruit over two years. The MSW compost had a strong (K) and a mild effect (P, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn) on extractable soil nutrients, while a strong effect (Mn) and a mild effect (N, K) was observed on leaf tissue nutrients. The fruit yield was not affected by the treatments. Therefore, the compost treatments provided equivalent amounts of plant essential nutrients without negatively influencing trace element absorption.