Research
CERL Report Recommends the US Army Proceed with the Development of a Deployable WastAway System
Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) issued a report recommending the Army proceed with the development of a deployable WasteAway system. It is recommended that alternative operating scenarios and system configurations that address the treatment of other problem base camp wastes also be investigated.
Evaluation of Composted Household Garbage as a Horticultural Substrate
Municipal solid waste fluff compost (MSWFC) can be used as a partial substitute for pine bark or peat in container grown weeping figs. New Guinea impatiens can grow in blends with 40% MSWFC as good as in the three commercial blends compared in this study. Some bedding plants, like petunias, may not have good growth in 100% MSWFC, but MSWFC can be used to replace at least one third of the pine bark or peat moss as a substrate component for both petunias and dusty miller. Our studies suggest that a ratio of about one third MSWFC replacement can be effectively used to grow a wide variety of container plants or flowers.
Evaluation of Composted Municipal Waste as an amendment to Pine Bark for use in Container Ornamental Production
Nature of Work: For successful container nursery crop production, growers require substrates that are readily available, easy to mix and handle, economical, and have consistent and appropriate physical and chemical properties. The objective of the research presented was to evaluate composted household garbage (municipal solid waste compost (MSWC)) as an amendment to composted pine bark for use as a growing substrate in container plant production.
Byproduct of Novel Waste Treatment System Promotes Plant Growth
“These evaluations indicate that the material is well suited for returning organic matter to soils on degraded training lands, which is a necessary step in reestablishing productivity. It was also found that large amounts of this material can safely be land applied, further enhancing its usefulness as a large-scale waste disposal alternative.”
Waste is a Terrible Thing to Mind
The phrase “One man’s waste is another man’s treasure” certainly applies to materials we find useful for various horticultural applications. Alternative products as substrate blending components for horticultural use are evermore urgent. Factors such as transportation costs, consistency of product, disease and insect infestation, and availability of alternative materials have been the primary concerns for growers.
SME Nutrient Analysis of 50% Full 50% Bark Blend