Research Explores Improving Urban Soil with Organic Amendments

Scientists from the University of Maryland published the results of their research on improving urban soils with treated manure and compost amendments. In testing of soils from urban farms and community gardens around Washington, DC, and leafy greens grown in those soils, researchers found that the total amount of bacteria was higher in soils treated with organic amendments. However, the proportion of harmful bacteria and antibiotic-resistant strains was lower when the soil had been amended with compost or treated manure, indicating that these amendments could play a role in managing both soil health and food safety. “Urban farming brings people together and now we see that it can help clean up the environment, at least from certain antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” said study author Ryan Blaustein.