Effects of food waste compost on the growth and plant metabolites production in Amaranthus tricolor L. (Chinese spinach)

Abstract Organic amendments are important for soil health and sustainable agriculture. Food waste compost provides essential nutrients and reduces environmental impact. This study measured the growth of Amaranthus tricolor L. using food waste compost and analysed the presence of plant metabolites in A. tricolor L. The effects of different treatments including food waste compost to the growth of A.tricolor L. was observed. A study was conducted using three (3) different treatment groups, including control plants (T1), plants amended with food waste compost with the ratio 1:1 (T2) while plants mixed with food waste compost with the ratio 1 : 0.5 (T3). T2 treatment was significantly influenced by the presence of chlorophyll a (Ca), chlorophyll b (Cb), carotenoid content and total chlorophyll content (Ca + Cb) in A.tricolor L.. The analysis revealed A.tricolor L . amended with food waste compost with the ratio 1:1 (T2) recorded the highest total chlorophyll content (412.684 ± 2.069 μg g −1 DW) followed by T3 and T1. A very similar trend was observed in total anthocyanin content (leaves; 2.877 ± 2.174 mg/g DW and root extract; 18.006 ± 2.713 mg/g DW), total flavonoid content (stem extract; 710.078 ± 1.260 mg QE/g DE and root extract; 254.390 ± 2.277 mg QE/g DE) and total phenolic content (stem extract; 1782.556 ± 38.443 mg GAE/g DE and root extract; 460.375 ± 95.002 mg GAE/g DE). This study proves food waste compost enhances the growth of the plants thus aiding the production of secondary metabolites of A.tricolor L.