Co-composting of poultry manure with other agricultural wastes: process performance and compost horticultural use

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the composting process of poultry manure mixed with other complementary organic wastes. Two mixtures (treatment 1 and 2) were prepared with corn bare cobs, sawdust, shavings and manure. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter loss, total organic carbon, solved organic carbon, N loss, ammonium and nitrate concentration, laccase activity and respiration indices were analyzed. These variables showed similar tendencies during the composting process in both treatments. A peak of biological activity, organic matter mineralization and salt release was observed after 6 days of the process. Treatment 2 showed a higher concentration of solved organic carbon and higher organic matter loss than in the mixture with less manure (treatment 1). Laccase activity increased when solved organic carbon decreased. Compost from treatment 1 showed lower phytotoxic effects than that from treatment 2, probably because of a low salt content. In conclusion, it was observed that 60 % content of poultry manure in the mixture does not affect the composting process. However, the final product is not as good for agricultural purposes as a mixture with a lower manure content. Finally, it can be stated that the valorization of these wastes in the form of compost adds value to the materials, closing the biogeochemical nutrient cycle.Fil: Rizzo, Pedro Federico. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Della Torre, Virginia . Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Riera, Nicolás Iván. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Crespo, Diana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barrena, Raquel . Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Sánchez, Antoni . Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Españ

Properties of Biochar Prepared from Acacia Wood and Coconut Shell for Soil Amendment

“…These organic wastes from the agricultural activities were studied in various utilization routes including fertilizer application, fermentation, pollution control, animal feed, fuel, and pyrolysis. The utilizations were mostly for soil fertility improvement such as compost and liquid bio-extract fertilizer [4,5] and crop yield enhancement [6,7]. The impacts of recycling wastes also aim for soil water and soluble nutrient retention [8].…”

Closing the nutrient loops in (peri-)urban farming systems through composting

“…Composting of (N-poor) urban waste together with N-rich materials such as manure is commonly used to increase the N content of the final compost (Lhadi et al, 2006;Rizzo et al, 2015). This practice could result in significant N losses ( more extensively studied in Chapter 5.…”

“…Composting of nitrogen-poor materials such as urban waste with manure is commonly used to increase the N concentration of compost (Lhadi et al, 2006;Rizzo et al, 2015).…”

“…The composting of municipal waste and N-rich substrates such as poultry manure generally increases the N concentration in the compost (Lhadi et al, 2006;Rizzo et al, 2015). Poultry manure has a total N content greater than 3% dry matter, but contains pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella and weed seeds, implying that poultry manure should be treated (composted) prior to soil application.…”

“…High N loss has also been observed in experiments. For example Dias et al (2010) and Rizzo et al (2015) reported over 65% N loss during the thermophilic phase of poultry manure and crop residue composting. Minimising N losses is therefore essential for increasing the agronomic value of the final product and reducing environmental problems.…”