Quantifying the effects of co-composting organic biomass mixtures with inorganic amendments to obtain value-added bio-products

Abstract

Co-digestion of organic biomass mixed with inorganic amendments could have an impact on composting dynamics. Various studies highlighted fertilizers’ role as an additive to lesser the nitrogen loss, while some studies focused on the addition of fertilizers to enhance the efficiency. The changes in carbon, nitrogen components, and humic substances during the organic-inorganic co-compost process were seldom studied. Clarifying these changes might help improve the production process and compost nutrients contents. Thus, this study’s purpose is to investigate the effects of inorganic amendments on compost characteristics, compost temperature, biochemical methane production (BMP), and nutritional contents. The inorganic phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), and sulfur solubilizing agent (SSA) were added to Farmyard manure (FYM) mixed with biodegradable waste (BW), including wheat straw, corn stalks, and green lawn waste. The P and S amended treatments were carried out into two sets, with and without SSA. The mixed feedstocks were added in the insulated RBC composting pit (15 x 15 x 10 feet). The compost material’s moisture content was maintained 50–65% during the entire composting process for optimum waste digestion i.e., the moisture content (MC) of FYM was 82.7% and for BW ranged 8.8–10.2%, while the C/N ratio was found 10.5 for FYM, 74.5 for wheat straw, 83.5 for corn stalks, and 84.8 for lawn waste. At the condition of compost maturity, the inorganic amendments have no significant effect on composted material’s moisture content. The maximum organic matter of 69.7% and C/N ratio of 44.6 was measured in T1. On the 6th day of composting, the temperature reached to thermophilic range (>45 oC) in all the treatments due to aeration of compost increased microbial activities and waste decomposition rate and decreased gradually to mesophilic range (35–45 oC) because the supply of high-energy compounds becomes exhausted. The highest temperature was reached in T4 (58 oC) and lowest in CT (47 oC). The significantly maximum methane of 8.95 m3 and biogas burning was 818 minutes in CT, followed by T1 and T4. The results of this study revealed that P enriched compost is a feasible and sustainable way to overcome P deficiency in the soil as well as in plants and best way to use low-grade P and organic waste material.

Investigating the role of bulking agents in compost maturity

“… 7 . Kitchen waste was then crushed in a grinder to reduce the size and increase surface area 8 . Tea waste (TW) which is residue that remains after cooking tea, was collected from local Café situated at Barkat market, Lahore.…”

“…During composting, the waste goes through a process of mineralization to convert binded elements into inorganic soluble forms. Consequently, when the compost is applied to the soils the nutrients are in bioavailable form and the plants can easily take them up 8 .…”

Recent Trends and Advances in Additive-Mediated Composting Technology for Agricultural Waste Resources: A Comprehensive Review

“…180 Chicken manure + sawdust increased compost bin temperature, pH, and oxygen, speeding organic−inorganic co-composting fermentation. 75 (3) Biological agents: The inoculation of biological agents can promote compost maturity, shorten the fermentation time, and help the nitrogen preservation and harmlessness of compost. 76 The microorganisms in the biological agent can convert a large amount of NH 4 + -N in the manure of livestock and poultry through nitrification into nitrate and then generate N 2 through denitrification, and NH 4 + -N can also be fixed into microbiological protein nitrogen, thereby reducing NH 4 + -N content, reducing the synthesis of NH 3 .…”

“…The data showed that adding inorganic fertilizers did not affect compost fermentation. This ingredient increased compost bin temperature, pH, and oxygen, speeding organic–inorganic co-composting fermentation …”

INSTANTANEOUS CONVERSION of AGRICULTURAL PLANT RESIDUES as ORGANIC FERTILIZER and it APPLICATION on MAIZE CULTIVATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY with NPK AND MANURE.

“…Different plant biomass resources has been used in the production of different types of manures in different countries, majorly compost or biochar [21][22][23][24][25][26]. The conversion of plant biomass to biochar or compost has gained attention as a potential solution for carbon sequestration and soil improvement, however, like any technology, there are concerns such as: High energy requirements, which can offset the potential carbon benefits of biochar production [27].…”