Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste Compost and Agricultural Waste Vermicompost by Growth of Lippia citriodora Under Salinity Stress

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of compost and vermicompost on growth and physiological characters such as antioxidant, phenol, proline and secondary metabolites of Lippia citriodora in salinity stress. Compost which is prepared from municipal solid waste is the stabilization of organic compounds under aerobic conditions and is produced by the activity of living microorganisms. Vermicompost is prepared from agricultural waste and using various worms. Compost and vermicompost were applied at three levels of 0%, 10% and 30% of pot volume, as well as salinity of 70 mM NaCl to the three month-old plants in a greenhouse. The compost (10% and 30%) and the vermicompost 30% reduced growth and increased proline content, however the vermicompost at 10% improved the growth and phenolic compounds of the plants under salinity stress. These fertilizers at high levels, containing large amounts of organic matters and high salts contents, which increase toxicity and salinity and reduce plant growth. Vermicompost is better fertilizer than compost.