C and N Turnover and Lignocellulose Degradation During Composting ofMiscanthusStraw And Liquid Pig Manure

Succession of microbiota estimated by phospholipid fatty acid analysis and changes in organic constituents during the composting process of rice straw

“…However, the 80 ~ 60 highest temperature of the compost pile, 66"C, was observed at the first sampling, 1 week after the onset of compost piling. As it was generally observed that the peak of temperature appeared within the first week (frequently in 2 or 3 d) after the onset of composting (Poincelot 1972;Hellmann et al 1997;Lei and VanderGheynst 2000;Eiland et al 2001), the highest temperature of the compost pile seemed to be higher than the detected level of 66"C (Fig. 1).…”

“…1). High initial pH values (above 8) were also reported in the composting process of Miscanthus straw by Klamer and Baath (1998) and Eiland et al (2001). Ammonia that was liberated from the decomposition of RS during the composting process increased the pH, shifting the NH4 + -NH3 equilibrium toward ammonia.…”

“…Similar findings of drastic cellulose decomposition in the process of composting of RS were reported by Inoko (1984) and Tsutsuki and Ponnamperuma (1987). However, a different pattern of decomposition during the composting process was reported for the residues of another Gramineae plant, Miscanthus straw (Eiland et al 2001), in which the hemicellulose fraction was decomposed nearly completely while the cellulose fraction decreased only by 64-70%. The reason for the difference in the decomposition patterns between RS and Miscanthus straw during the compo sting process could not be elucidated.…”

“…f To", C study of Miscanthus compost (Eiland et al 2001). After the application of (NH4)2S04 upon the first turning, the pH decreased to 6.5, but it shortly increased again by about 1 pH unit and remained at around 7 afterwards.…”

“…As (NH4)2S04 was applied 2 weeks after the onset of piling, heating of the compost pile at the thermophilic stage occurred spontaneously under adequate moisture and aeration conditions without the addition of a N source. By mixing Miscanthus ogiformis Honda "Gigantells" with liquid pig manure from the beginning of the compo sting process, Eiland et al (2001) reported that the duration of heat development (temperature above 40"C) ranged from day 1 to lOin the box and from day 3 to 11 in the reactor systems. In the present study, application of (NH4)2S04 in the second week appeared to have extended the duration of heat development until the 28th day of composting, probably because the application resulted in the stimulation of microbial activities in the process of RS decomposition.…”