Composition and mineralization of organic compost derived from composting of fruit and vegetable waste

Abstract

Fruit and vegetable waste can be used for the production of organic compost, which when mineralized can increase the availability of nitrogen. The objectives of this study were: (a) to produce compost from different ratios of fruit and vegetable waste, rice husk and poultry manure that meets the legislation on organic fertilizers and (b) to assess the mineralization of N in substrates prepared with different ratios of compost. In experiment 1, the following treatments were prepared using (fruit and vegetable residue: rice husk: poultry waste) (v:v): Treatment 1 (2:1:0), T2 (1:1:1), T3 (1.5:1:0) and T4 (1.2:1:0). All the treatments were subjected to composting for 95 days, were subjected to analysis of nutrients, organic carbon, C/N, CEC/C, pH and moisture content. The composts were compared in regards to the parameters required by legislation. In experiment 2, the treatments consisted of eight blends of agricultural peat, carbonized rice husk and organic compost pre-selected from experiment 1. The NO 3-N and NH + 4-N contents were analyzed in the substrate at time zero and at 7, 14, 28, 56, 112 days after incubation. Compost (C2) met the parameters required by legislation and the use of 40% in the substrate composition promoted the mineralization of N.

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable Wastes and Biodegradable Municipal Wastes Co-Mixed Composts on Nitrogen Dynamics in an Oxisol

“…All compost-amended soils in this experiment recorded an initial increase in ammonium release during the incubation up to day 3. A similar result was also reported by Calderon et al [37] who reported that ammonium nitrogen was dominant in terms of mineral nitrogen release at the beginning of an incubation experiment and Tratsch et al [7] who also reported a similar result but presumed it was because of the initial higher concentration of NH 4…”

“…Composting of materials at a C/N ratio greater than 40 will slow down the composting process, whereas a C/N ratio less than 25 can result in odor problems due to anaerobic conditions, release of ammonia and accelerated decomposition. A high C/N ratio at the end of composting has been attributed to lower amounts of FVW used in composting substrates reported by Tratsch et al [7] and at lowered rates of FVW application to composting substrates, a lower C/N ratio at the end of composting should not be expected.…”

“…Studies have been made on co-composting municipal solid wastes and fruit and vegetable wastes for proper disposal and utilization. Tratsch et al [7] reported that FVW can be used as source of nitrogen for plants when composted. Co-composting of municipal solid wastes including gardening wastes and food market wastes produced a better-quality compost with suitable agronomic properties for use as organic fertilizers and with no phytotoxic properties [8].…”

“…However, there is limited information on nitrogen transformation of tropical soils amended with composts derived using FVW and BMW made using different formulation ratios. Composts derived from organic wastes are important sources of plant nutrients [7]. Efficient mineralization of composts in soils are usually carried out by soil microorganisms and the abundance of favorable materials causes them to proliferate and increase in number to convert it to mineral nitrogen.…”

Increased quality of small-scale organic compost with the addition of efficient microorganisms

“…According to the authors, the use of the final compost as fertilizer also allowed greater productivity to pepper and tomato plants. However, the nutrient content of organic fertilizers also depends on the composition of the source material (Tratsch et al, 2019;Jerônimo et al, 2020;Wako et al, 2021).…”