Agronomie 24 (2004) 481-486
DOI: 10.1051/agro:2004044

Mill wastewater and olive pomace compost as amendments for rye-grass

Francesco Montemurro, Grazia Convertini and Donato Ferri

Istituto Sperimentale Agronomico (MiPAF), Via C. Ulpiani, 5, 70125 Bari, Italy

(Received 3 March 2004; accepted 2 July 2004)

Abstract - A two-year experiment was carried out to study the effects of applying untreated Olive Wastewater (OWW), treated OWW and olive pomace compost as soil amendments on both rye-grass growth and soil characteristics. We analysed growth parameters (Leaf Area Index, and fresh and dry weight), leaf green colour (SPAD readings), N uptake of the rye-grass and chemical soil characteristics. The results indicate that the highest untreated OWW application increased growth parameters by 18.2% in 2001 and by 41.1% in 2002, indicating the possible use of OWW as an amendment to rye-grass. We observed a significant increase in total, extracted and humified organic carbon, and humification parameters. No accumulations of heavy metals in the soil were observed. Furthermore, the N content in OWW was used by the rye-grass for plant growth that increases N uptake, and consequently, dry matter accumulation.

Key words: olive wastewater / olive pomace compost / perennial rye-grass / controlled environment lysimeter / trace metals / organic carbon

Corresponding author: Francesco Montemurro francesco.montemurro@libero.it

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2004