Compost maturity and nitrogen availability by co-composting of paddy husk and chicken manure amended with clinoptilolite zeolite

Abstract

The availability of paddy husk from rice processing plants remains high owing to increase in the worldwide rice consumption. Increasing demand for chicken products leads to poultry wastes production. Co-composting of the aforementioned wastes could solve the indiscriminate disposal of these wastes. Thus, co-composting of paddy husk and chicken slurry with clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additive was carried out. Clinoptilolite zeolite was used to enhance ammonium and nitrate retention in the compost. Temperature of the compost was monitored three times daily for 55 days. Cation exchange capacity, organic matter, ash, humic acids, pH, total C, N, C/N ratio; total P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, NH4+, NO3-, and heavy metals contents were determined using standard procedures. pH, total N, humic acids, ash, NH4+, NO3-, P, Ca, Mg, and K contents increased but the salinity, heavy metals contents, and microbial population were low after the co-composting process. Zea mays L. (test crop) seed germination rate in distilled water and the compost were not significantly different. Growth of Spinach oleracea (test crop) on a peat-based growing medium and the compost was also not significantly different. These findings were possible because the clinoptilolite zeolite used in co-composting reduced accumulation of heavy metals that may have damage effects on the test crops. Mature compost with good agronomic properties can be produced by co-composting chicken slurry and paddy husk using clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additives.

Rice Husk Compost Production and Use in Mitigating Ammonia Volatilization from Urea

“…The amounts of the chicken feed, molasses, and CDS used were based on 5% of 8 kg of the RH used. The co-composting of RH and CDS in this present study is almost similar to our previous study [11] but with a modification in the use of additives. In the work of Latifah et al [11], clinoptilolite zeolite was used for retention of N ions from urea whereas these two materials were excluded in this study.…”

“…The co-composting of RH and CDS in this present study is almost similar to our previous study [11] but with a modification in the use of additives. In the work of Latifah et al [11], clinoptilolite zeolite was used for retention of N ions from urea whereas these two materials were excluded in this study. When necessary, turning of the compost was done to maintain adequate moisture and temperature of the compost.…”

“…Thus, to ensure high quality of composts is achieved, it is important to determine the maturity, biological, physical, and chemical properties of composts. The co-composting process involves converting solid organic wastes into humus-like materials that have reduced odor, phytotoxic chemicals, weed seeds, and pathogens [11]. The basic information on suitability of composts before application is found by determining the maturity and stability of composts through a phytotoxicity test [12].…”

Paddy husk compost addition for improving nitrogen availability

“…The procedures of compost production and selected physicochemical properties of the paddy husk compost (Table 1) were adapted from our previous paper (Latifah et al, 2015). The chemical properties of the humic acids extracted from the paddy husk compost are given in Table 2.…”

“…Leaching experiment was arranged in CRD with three Values were obtained from our previous study on co-composting paddy husk and chicken manure (Latifah et al, 2015). Values in parenthesis represent standard error of the mean.…”