Joanna Ciol Harrison, Julia Farias, Clinton Williams, Aditya Kuppravalli, Nicole Novak, Rebecca Muenich, Treavor H Boyer, Wendy J Smith, Yawen Liu, Metasebia Gebrewold, Warish Ahmed, Kerry A Hamilton
Sustainable nutrient management is essential for agriculture in arid regions such as Yuma, Arizona, which produces over 90% of US. winter leafy greens. Nutrient-rich waste streams, including biosolids, manure, and source-separated urine, can reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers but may introduce chemical and microbiological contaminants. In a controlled pot experiment, we compared individual and combined waste-derived fertilizers with a chemical fertilizer control. Chemical fertilizer produced the largest plants and highest chlorophyll levels. Urine and urine-based combinations yielded moderate growth with lower uptake of metals, antibiotics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances than other waste streams. Biosolid treatments had the highest per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and antimicrobial resistance gene (sul1 and intI1) concentrations in soil, while manure and biosolid-manure mixtures were associated with elevated levels of certain antibiotics. Findings highlight opportunities and tradeoffs in recycling waste nutrients, informing strategies for sustainable agriculture and environmental health protection.