Determining how compost composition and pH affect plant germination and growth

Abstract

Approximately 30-40% of our food supply is wasted, causing environmental challenges when it decomposes. Composting offers a solution to this issue by recycling organic material into soil-enriching material. This experiment examined how different compost compositions aided or hindered the germination and growth of green bean seeds/seedlings. Compost mixtures were prepared using organic potting soil combined with food scraps of varying acidity and incubated for 10 days before planting green bean seeds. After a 16 day growth period, seeds in acidic compost showed the highest germination and growth rates, while the salty condition exhibited the least growth. The soil pH remained relatively consistent throughout the course of the experiment but varied slightly during incubation and growth periods. These findings suggest that compost composition, particularly its pH and nutrient content, significantly influences plant germination and growth. This pilot study highlights the potential of optimizing compost mixtures to enhance agricultural productivity.