Research & reports

Rayim Wendé Alice Nare, Stephania Boua, Rockia Marie Nadege Zerbo, Richard Madege · Research Journal of Science and Technology · Burkina Faso

This study assessed the impact of urban waste application on soil microbial activities in Burkina Faso. Soil amended with urban waste showed significantly higher Soil Induced Respiration (SIR) (0.049 mg C g−1 soil h−1) compared to manure-amended (0.0212 mg C g−1 soil h−1) and control soils (0.0114 mg C g−1 soil h−1). Urban waste amendment also significantly decreased lag time by 50% and maximal response time (Tmax) by 53%, indicating increased microbial biomass and rapid growth of soil microorganisms. The results suggest that adding urban waste to soils is likely to result in carbon sequestration.

Gaston E. Small, Sara Osborne, Paliza Shrestha, Adam D. Kay · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ·

This study measured phosphorus (P) concentrations in native soil below four- and six-year-old urban garden plots, collecting soil cores from five plots of each age. It found that inorganic weakly exchangeable P was significantly elevated in native soil below garden plots (>35 cm deep) compared to reference profiles, indicating accumulation of excess P from compost. This suggests that while urban agriculture can recycle P, over-application of compost may contribute to soil and water pollution.

Surendra K. Pradhan, Olufunke Cofie, Josiane Nikiema, Helvi Heinonen‐Tanski · Sustainability · Global

This research determined the fertilizer value of sawdust and fecal sludge (SDFS) pellets and compared their effect on lettuce cultivation with other fertilizers in a greenhouse and open field. SDFS pellets, with or without enrichments, resulted in higher saleable fresh weight lettuce yields than commercial compost, poultry manure, mineral fertilizer, or no fertilizer. Open field cultivation yielded more than greenhouse cultivation. While no helminth eggs were detected, some fecal coliforms were found in lettuces fertilized with almost all tested fertilizers, including NPK and the non-fertilized control.

Ignacio Laorga Fernández · · Global

This study analyzed the "risk reduction" effect of organic amendments from urban and agricultural waste (coffee grounds, domestic compost, livestock manure) on metal-contaminated soils. The method aimed to reduce the bioavailability of metals by increasing soil organic matter, enabling remediation for potential reuse as urban gardens. It was shown that immediate dilution and immobilization of contaminants occur, significantly reducing their mobility and absorption by edible plants.

Marjorie Tendero, C. Guyot · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · Global

This article discusses the booming urban composting sector, driven by urban agriculture's new outlets for organic materials. Individual or collective composting offers a decentralized solution with positive impacts on the environment and neighborhood social relations. Its success requires material availability in common spaces, communication systems, support for residents' initiatives, and consideration of technical, ecological, agricultural, economic, and social aspects.

Neal Chalofsky · Advances in Developing Human Resources · Global

This paper reflects on the 35-year growth experience of the TPSS Food Cooperative, examining challenges faced by social entrepreneurship. It notes that individuals with vision often lack social movement learning (SML) and human resource development/organization development (HRD/OD) skills to grow and direct organizations, leading to their demise or a shift towards business over social aspects. The paper argues that lessons from the 1970s food cooperative movement can benefit contemporary social entrepreneurships.

Nur Farzana Ahmad Sanadi, Chew Tin Lee, Mohammad Roji Sarmidi, Jiří Jaromír Klemeš, Zhenjia Zhang · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global

This study characterized the physical and nutrient properties of liquid fertiliser (compost leachate and compost tea) derived from different bio-waste composts and sought to establish a correlation between their nutrient composition and that of the resulting solid compost. It found that the liquid fertiliser contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus essential for plant growth but requires dilution or pre-treatment before use due to high organic content, and developed a formula, using graphical analysis and simple linear regression, that predicts solid compost nutrient composition from analysis of the liquid fertiliser.

Jeltsje de Kraker, Katarzyna Kujawa-Roeleveld, Marcelo Villena, C.P. Pabon Pereira · Sustainability · Global

A case study of Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile, examining the potential for decentralized recovery of nutrient-rich residual urban waste flows — organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus — using technical and socio-economic criteria. Kitchen waste, garden residues and urine were treated as system inputs, with urban agriculture, municipal green space and peri-urban agriculture as destinations for recovered nutrients; the technologies studied were anaerobic digestion, vermicomposting, composting, and urine storage with struvite precipitation. Material flow analysis compared the inputs and outputs of the traditional centralized waste management system against household- and municipality-level decentralized valorization scenarios. The findings show that decentralized valorization of kitchen and garden waste reduces landfill fees and waste-transport costs compared with the current centralized system.

Prof. P. R. Khobragade · International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development · Global

This project implemented and analyzed a green-campus initiative at the BDCE engineering college in Sevagram, India, involving vermicomposting of paper waste and plant matter, reducing plastic use, using solar energy, harvesting rainwater, and introducing a community garden. Water quality testing on campus confirmed the water was potable, solid waste was shown to be reducible through composting methods, and applying the 3R principle (reduce, reuse, recycle) along with maintaining campus greenery through the project's techniques produced favorable results.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) · IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme (IGES) · Global

This IPCC guideline chapter sets out the First Order Decay (FOD) methodology for estimating methane emissions from solid waste disposal sites. The default fraction of degradable organic carbon that decomposes (DOCf) is 0.5 for bulk waste and 0.7 for food waste. For high-moisture, rapidly degradable waste such as food waste, k=0.2 (half-life of about 3 years) is indicated, versus k=0.02 (half-life of about 35 years) for dry, slowly degradable waste.

· International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture · Global

Evaluates the efficiency of the epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida in vermicomposting different organic substrates, including kitchen waste.

Universidad Tecnológica Fidel Velázquez, Alfredo Ricardo Pérez Fernández, Mariana Ruiz Morales, Universidad Iberoamericana, María Odette Lobato Calleros, Universidad Iberoamericana, Eloy Pérez Valera, Biosistemas Sustentables, S. A., Promotora de Inversión de Capital Variable, Perla Rodríguez Salinas, Universidad Tecnológica Fidel Velázquez · Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental · Global

This study developed biophysical substrates for protected and urban agriculture by mixing compost from urban solid waste with polystyrene and tepetate. Experimental tests were conducted on roses and tomatoes under four different treatments in a greenhouse, evaluating substrate nutritional properties and productivity. The results indicate that the proposed biophysical substrates possess physical, chemical, and biological properties making them a viable substitute for urban gardening or protected agriculture.

Lisbeth Gallardo, Yelitza Contreras, J. Saavedra Jaramillo, Raúl Ernesto Alban · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Venezuela

This paper investigated the population growth index of the Red Californian Earthworm (Eisenia foetida) to produce solid and liquid humus from urban organic waste. Conducted at the Artisanal Bioisumes Laboratory at the Bolivarian University of Venezuela, the study compared compost and egg shells with coffee waste as substrates. The egg shell and coffee waste substrate yielded better earthworm population growth and humus production.

Gaston E. Small, Paliza Shrestha, Adam D. Kay · International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics · Global

Dissolved phosphorus (PO4 3-) and nitrogen (NO3- & NH4+) losses in leachate from experimental raised-bed garden plots were measured. Plots receiving cow manure compost showed high PO4 3- concentrations (5-11 mg/L), while municipal organics compost plots had concentrations an order of magnitude lower (0.5-1.2 mg/L), and no-compost plots had 0.3 mg/L. Phosphorus lost through leachate and harvest accounted for only 1-10% of total applied phosphorus, indicating soil build-up was the dominant fate. This study illustrates a potential trade-off in urban agriculture between crop production and efficient phosphorus recycling from urban food waste.

Renee Raiden Boyer, Ben Chapman · VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) · Global

This handbook outlines recommended agricultural practices for food safety in school and community gardens. Topics include food safety, site selection, pesticides and fertilizers, handwashing, water and irrigation, composting, garden design and animals, sanitation, and tools.

Fabiola Mejía, Clara Liliana Montero, Lina Marcela Arango, Emily Johanna Bermúdez · Letras ConCiencia TecnoLógica · Colombia (Bogotá)

At the Escuela Tecnológica Instituto Técnico Central (ETITC) in Bogotá, Colombia, a process for utilizing organic waste through composting was implemented. Following an "Urban Agriculture" workshop, organic waste from the ETITC cafeteria was collected and identified. Different mixtures were created to produce compost, which was then used in seedbeds and for transplanting seedlings. This research aimed to demonstrate the potential of using organic waste for compost production.

D.V. Belobrova, Д. А. Шаповалов · Dokuchaev Soil Bulletin · Russia

This study conducted large-scale (1:5000) soil mapping of garden non-commercial partnerships in the Meshchera lowland of Noginsk district, Moscow region. Investigations revealed that initial soils underwent significant transformation since their creation, with soddy podzolic and boggy soils changing into agro-soddy podzolic soils and agrozems due to intensive development and fertilizer use. While these changes reflect increased productivity and quality of allotment soils, the transformed soils are characterized by neutral pH and high/medium mobile phosphorus content, but are poor in exchangeable potassium compared to natural soil profiles.

Dalmiro Cazorla-Perfetti, Pedro Morales-Moreno · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Venezuela (Coro)

This paper records the presence of deutonymphs of two mite taxa, Uroobovella Sensu lato Berlesse, 1903 and Cosmoglyphus Oudemans, 1932, in the urban area of Coro, Falcón State, Venezuela. These mites were found attached to the legs and/or abdomen of adult Desmometopa Loew, 1866 and Spalangia Latreille, 1805 specimens. The specimens were collected inside a dwelling, specifically in a plastic container with compost for growing vegetables and on the windows.

Janneth Jara-Samaniego, M.D. Pérez-Murcia, M.A. Bustamante, C. Paredes, A. Pérez‐Espinosa, Irene Gavilanes-Terán, Marga López, Frutos C. Marhuenda‐Egea, H. Brito, R. Moral · PLoS ONE · Ecuador (Chimborazo Region)

This study developed a field-scale demonstration project in Ecuador's Chimborazo Region to evaluate composting technology for managing organic waste from food markets and urban gardening. Three co-composting mixtures were prepared using market waste and pruning materials. All piles showed suitable composting development with significant organic matter decomposition, and the resulting composts lacked phytotoxicity and possessed suitable agronomic properties for use as organic fertilizers.

Gaston E. Small, Brendan Sisombath, Lauren Reuss, Russ Henry, Adam D. Kay · Compost Science & Utilization · Global

The study measured the effects of different barley mash to wood chip ratios on nutrient retention in compost and subsequent vegetable yield. Nine compost piles (1 m3) were constructed with varying ratios, and the 50:50 mixture maintained internal temperatures above 55°C for 30 days. When the finished compost was used in raised-bed garden plots, arugula and tomato yields increased with compost barley mash content, but less than 5% of N and 2% of P were recycled into new vegetable production.

María Luisa Álvarez, Gabriel Gascó, César Plaza, Jorge Paz‐Ferreiro, Ana Méndez · Land Degradation and Development · Global

This study compared peat, hydrochars from biosolids (HSL) and urban wastes (HUW), and their 50% volume mixtures with peat, as potential substrates. Ryegrass was grown in these mixtures, and hydrophysical and biochemical properties were analyzed. Treatments with biosolids hydrochar (HSL) and its mixture with peat (PT + HSL) increased ryegrass dry weight production by 184% and 216% respectively, compared to peat.

이윤숙 · · Global

Urban agriculture has gained emphasis due to its importance for leisure and recreation in modern society. However, public health may not be guaranteed due to continuous odors from animal compost. Biochar is an amendment that can reduce odors and enhance crop productivity, but this abstract is truncated and does not present specific research findings.

S. H. Ahmed, M. Emam, M. Abul-Soud · Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research · Egypt (Cairo)

This study investigated the effect of different vermicompost rates (10%, 20%, 30%) and pot volumes (4, 6, 8 L) on celery and red cabbage grown under green roof conditions in Cairo, Egypt, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Increasing pot volume from 4 to 8 L increased vegetative growth and yield but decreased economic efficiency. A 20% vermicompost rate increased vegetative and yield characteristics, while 30% had a negative impact. Increasing vermicompost from 10% to 30% increased N, P, and K contents, but increasing pot volume from 4 to 8 L/plant decreased N, P, and K contents.

Pulido Barbosa, Cindy Gillary · · Global

This report details the results of the "Guardians of Nature" environmental project, which aimed to raise student awareness of environmental care through building a school garden and making compost. The project utilized recycled materials like plastic bottles for planting various vegetables and provided workshops to the entire educational community on environmental topics. This initiative led to changes in students' cognitive and procedural skills, fostering critical reflection and problem-solving, culminating in the successful construction and maintenance of a school garden.

Luz Dary Agudelo Gutiérrez · Journal of research in engineering sciences. · Colombia

In Colombia, this study aimed to implement urban agriculture as a pedagogical and didactic strategy for training vulnerable populations in the production and consumption of healthy food, oriented toward food security. To structure a proposed design for agroecological gardens, the researchers carried out a participatory validation process with the community and supporting local professionals, aiming to spread knowledge and build community ownership of the project. The initiative aims to use vacant urban land for gardening that increases biodiversity while strengthening food security.