RECOVEG
Recycling horticultural wastes to produce pathogen suppressant composts for sustainable vegetable crop production

The purpose of this project is to investigate methods of recycling problem plant-based wastes. The work aims to determine the mechanism of disease suppression and to enhance the efficacy of composts. It will examine the plant growth and nutrition effects of using composted plant-based wastes in sustainable vegetable production and propagation. Controlled composting methods will be devised in the laboratory and in large-scale systems and pathogen/crop/waste compost interactions specific to Northern and Southern Europe, will be examined.

Objectives
The objective is to research methods to recycle plant-based wastes through controlled composting into pest and pathogen-free composts, which have a value in suppressing soil-borne pathogens in sustainable vegetable production.
The specific objectives of this project are:
1) to produce composts that are free of pests and pathogens, suppress soil-borne pathogens, so reducing the need for chemical fungicides and soil sterilants, have a soil conditioner/fertiliser or growing substrate value, thus reducing the need for inorganic fertilisers and peat
2) to avoid landfill through waste reduction and recycling
3) to facilitate technology transfer through the industrial partners.



The objective of this project is to research methods to recycle plant-based wastes
through controlled composting into pest and pathogen-free composts which have a
value in suppressing soil-borne pathogens in sustainable vegetable production.
Specific objectives of the project are: (1) To produce composts which:
- are free of pests and pathogens;
- suppress soil-borne pathogens, reducing the need for chemical fungicides and soil
sterilants;
- have a soil conditioner/fertiliser or growing substrate value, reducing the need
for inorganic fertilisers and peat.
(2) Avoiding landfill through waste reduction and recycling
(3) To facilitate technology transfer through the industrial partners.

Classified in ARABLE CROPS, HORTICULTURE, SOIL

Scientist responsible for the project