Growth, Yield and Postharvest Quality of Aster (Aster ericoides L.) Grown in Soil Amended with Municipal Biowaste Compost and Inorganic Fertilizer

The use of compost generated from municipal biowastes was investigated for the production of Aster ericoides L. Different levels of biowaste compost (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kg m-2) alone or in combination with the prevailing farmers' practice of inorganic fertilization [60 g m-2 urea (46-0-0) and 20 g m-2 complete fertilizer (14-14-14)] were employed. Addition of 2.5 kg m-2 biowaste compost with or without inorganic fertilizer gave optimum results in terms of increase in height, length and weight of flower stalk and number of secondary and tertiary panicle branches of aster. Plants also exhibited 100% survival, bolting and flowering under these conditions. On the other hand, application of higher dose of compost, 7.5 kg m-2 in particular, had detrimental effects on the growth of aster as manifested by the low survival rate, yellowing and narrowing of leaves, and the dwarfing of plants.The end of the decorative or functional life of aster was observed on the 8th day after harvest for plants treated with inorganic fertilizer and with 2.5 kg m-2 compost alone or in combination with inorganic fertilizer; those for the other treatments were noted a day earlier. Total moisture loss of the flower stalk was higher in plants under inorganic fertilizer and lower in plants provided with 2.5 kg m-2 compost alone. Overall, municipal biowaste compost applied at the rate of 2.5 kg m-2 resulted in the maximum growth, yield and postharvest life of Aster ericoides L., indicating its potential as a substitute for fertilizer requirement or as soil conditioner in the production of this crop.  Key Words: aesthetic value, Aster ericoides L., bolting, flowering, municipal biowaste compost, panicle branches, postharvest quality  Abbreviations: C - compost, IF - inorganic fertilizer, MSWC - municipal solid waste compost