A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of fertilization with urban solid waste on the level of heavy metal and yield of lettuce cultivars after three successive crops. The experiment was carried out from October/95 to June/96 under field conditions, in Viçosa (Brazil), on Yellow Red Latosol soil. The experimental design was of complete randomized blocks, with treatments distributed in a factorial cheme 4 x 3 (four levels of compost - 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1 x three cultivars - 'Regina', 'Vitória Verde Clara' and 'Brasil-303'), with four replications. Each plot was constituted of 20 plants, spaced 25 x 30 cm, where data were collected from the three central plants. Fresh and dry weight matter and Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr content were determined after 46, 142 and 222 days of application, respectively. Yield increased with higher compost rates, particularly on first crop, where 'Regina', 'Vitória Verde Clara' and 'Brasil-303' produced 333.82; 337.81 and 303.60 g.plant-1 (fresh weight), respectively. On the second crop, there was little effect and on the third crop, there was not influence of compost on the yields. Levels of heavy metals content in plants was increased as an effect of the compost, in the following order: Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. On the second crop, the effect was intermediate and the third crop, was not influence by compost, indicating consequent decrease in the influence of compost on level of heavy metals in plant. No heavy metals were detected in toxic level to the plant.
Lactuca sativa L.; organic manure; phitotoxicity; recycle
