As for chemical characteristics of cultivated media waste, the total content of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potassium was 6.93%; organic matter content was 67.78%; pH and EC were 7.20 and 1.46 ds/m, respectively. Organic acids identified during stabilization included citric acid, oxalic acid, fumaric acid, and acetic acid, which was highest. During the stabilization of cultivated media waste, temperature decreased and pH increased on the 15th day, and the germination index was 88 after the period, indicating that at least 15 days of stabilization is needed when cultivated media waste is used for growth material of crop.
As for germination characteristics, when the mixture rate of cultivated media waste was 20% and under, germination of cucumber and oriental melon was favorable without difference compared to the control plots. For lettuce and Chinese cabbage, no statistically significant difference was found when the rate was 10% and under compared to the control plots. As for seedling quality after 20 days of sowing, cucumber, oriental melon, and Chinese cabbage showed favorable growth only when the mixture rate of cultivated media waste was 10% and under; lettuce showed lower growth characteristics regardless of mixture rate when compared to the control plots. Cultivated media waste may be significantly useful for cucumber and oriental melon, but not for Chinese cabbage and lettuce.