Effect of co-inocubation of urban waste compost and three Trichoderma species (Trichoderm spp.) on growth characters and nutrition uptake in gardencress (Lepidium sativum L.)

In order to investigate the effects of municipal waste compost and benefit fungi of Trichoderma species on seedling emergence parameters, growth and some micronutrients uptake of garden cress a pot experiment was carried out in factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Treatments consisted of three levels of municipal waste compost (15, 30, 45 Mg ha-1 alone and plus 50% chemical fertilizer), recommended chemical fertilizer (100 kg ha-1 of urea, potassium sulfate and triple super phosphate) and a check (no compost or chemical fertilizer application) and three Trichoderma species (T. viridae, T. harzianum, T. hamatum). Analysis of data showed that application of 15 Mg ha-1 enriched compost and inoculation of soil with Trichoderma harzianum species have promoted final emergence percentage, field emergence rate and cumulative emergence rate. In the current experiment, the 30 and 45 Mg ha-1enrriched municipal waste compost increased fresh and dry weight of aerial part (up to 21%) and plant height as well as root length (up to 16%) compared to chemical fertilizer alone. Also, T. harzianum fungi increased fresh and length of plant root (20 and 5.30%, respectively) compared to T. viridae.