The Use of Apple Pomace as a Soil Amendment Enhances the Activity of Soil Microorganisms and Nitrogen Transformations and Affects Crop Growth

Abstract Apple pomace (AP) is an abundant waste causing environmental problems. Therefore, the aim of study was to evaluate impact AP on soil and plant growth under optimum limited water availability. Two laboratory experiments were conducted on: (i) hydrophysical properties, respiration, N transformations in aggregates (ii) wheat faba bean with addition The respiration rate increased rapidly after introduction AP, effect dependent aggregate size. reduction nitrate increase ammonium content response more pronounced larger aggregates. Reduced noted dry supplemented AP. Faba maintained its unchanged application irrespective An chlorophyll observed grown AP-enriched soil. apple reduced wetting repellency index but did not affect tensile strength Disposal as a amendment affects many indicators quality. has aggregates; moreover, it differently influences spring bean.