Results suggest that compost can be applied to sugarcane without reducing yields, and that it is better to subsoil compost into the row at the compost rate used in this study. Also, compost and gypsum did not affect plant root growth, except for decreased root surface area where compost was row-applied. Neither the gypsum rates nor the compost application rate used in this study increased nutrient metal accumulation in cane leaves beyond acceptable limits. Compost application to agricultural soil should provide better long-term fertility and lower off-site impacts compared with other means of waste disposal. Consequently, converting municipal biosolids into compost for agricultural production should be a desirable alternative to land filling or burning.

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