Assessment of Biotransformation of Sludge from Vegetable Oil Refining by Composting

The evolution of organic matter of sludge from vegetable oil refining (50%) mixed with turf (40%) and straw (10%) during 6 months of composting was evaluated by physicochemical and spectroscopy analysis. The intense microbial activity is characterized by a significant increase in temperature (over 67°C) during the thermophilic phase (7 days). The final product is characterized by a decomposition rate of 50, C/N ratio about 12, NH₄⁺/NO₃^? ratio less than 1, and a neutral pH. The lipid analysis showed that total lipids decreased by 83% as a result of biodegradation of lipid compounds of the composted substrate. The degree of polymerization during composting is of about 16%, which provides information on the success of the process. The spectroscopic analysis showed a decrease of the ratios E4/E6 and E2/E6, which clearly shows the humification of organic matter. The physicochemical and spectroscopy parameters of the mixture show the stability and maturity of the final compost, which is confirmed by the germination index (60% for lettuce and turnips, and 90% for cress and lucerna). The results of the evolution of sludge from vegetable oil refining mixed with green wastes produced a mature product that can be applied in agriculture.     

Self-generated microbial population or cultured microflora – an important criterion toward development of an effective and economically viable road map for organic soil management

Huge depletion of soil microflora under conventional farming practice has become the primary contributory factor toward the present depletion of soil and crop productivity. Reconstitution of soil microbial dynamics has been identified as the only way out, but there has been a debate regarding the most effective pathway for soil rejuvenation i.e. whether to create the environment for natural proliferation or opt for inoculation of laboratory generated microbes. In this respect, a study was undertaken at Maud T.E. (Assam) under FAO-CFC-TBI Project, where bio-fertilizer (microbial inoculant, MI), vermicompost (organic food source, OF), vermicompost + bio-fertilizer (OF+MI), and Novcom compost (representing self-generated native microflora in the order of 10¹⁶c.f.u. along with organic food source, SNM); were taken as treatments for a yield target of 1500 kg made tea/ha. The highest crop yield (1500 kg ha^?1) along with high and consistent soil quality development was noted under SNM treatment; while MI influenced lowest yield (1268 kg ha^?1) and minimal soil response. Addition of the organic food source with cultured microbes (MI+OF) was found to improve crop performance (1427 kg ha^?1), but with 7.60 times higher cost (Rs. 39.97 kg^?1 made tea). Economic viability study indicated that except SNM, all other treatments were vulnerable toward crop loss or market downfall.     

Physicochemical,including spectroscopic,and biological analyses during composting of green tea waste and rice bran

The aims of this study were to monitor the changes in physicochemical, including spectroscopic, and biological characteristics during composting of green tea waste–rice bran compost (GRC) and to define parameters suitable for evaluating the stability of GRC. Compost pile temperature reflected the initiation and stabilization of the composting process. The pH, electrical conductivity, NO₃ ⁻-N content, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio were measured as chemical properties of the compost. The color (CIELAB variables), humification index (the absorption ratio Q _4/6 = A ₄₇₂ / A ₆₆₄ of 0.5 M NaOH extracts), absorption at 665 nm of acetone extracts, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were measured to evaluate the organic matter transformation; germination of komatsuna or tomato seeds was measured to assess the potential phytotoxicity of composting materials during composting. No single parameter was capable of giving substantial information on the composting process, the nutrient balance, phytotoxicity, and organic matter decomposition. The FT-IR spectra at 3,300, 2,930, 2,852, and 1,065 cm⁻¹ provided information on the molecular transformation of GRC during composting and they decreased over the composting. Most of the assayed parameters showed no further change after about 90 days of composting suggesting that GRC can be used for agricultural purposes after this period.     

Composting Wet Olive Husks with a Starter Based on Oil-Depleted Husks Enhances Compost Humification

Wet olive husks represent an environmental problem in Mediterranean areas but also a potential resource as recyclable organic matter. In the present work, we describe the composting of wet olive husks, using mechanically turned piles without forced ventilation, carried out to study the effects of partially composted oil-depleted husks as a starter for wet husks degradation. At the beginning of the composting process, protease and dehydrogenase activity, along with the microbial respiration, were higher in the piles with the starter, demonstrating a higher microbial activity in comparison with the piles without the starter. At the end of the process, the compost with the starter showed a deeper humification and a lower content of total organic carbon with respect to the compost without the starter, indicating a higher level of biodegradation and organic matter evolution. The main outcome of this research includes the possibility to: (a) detoxify and de-odorize a bad-smelling waste into an hygienically safe product; (b) produce a green, mature, humified compost useful to restore soil fertility and texture in intensive and organic agriculture.     

Stability Measurement of Biosolids Compost by Aerobic Respirometry

Oxygen uptake of biosolids compost was measured during both laboratory and full-scale studies. Aerobic respirometry of solid samples of compost provided a precise measure of microbial activity. There was a noticeable decreasing trend in oxygen consumption over 25 days of composting, thereby indicating increasing stability. Moisture content also was found to affect the compost stability. During 48-hour respirometer tests, the compost sample did not dry to the point where respiration was inhibited. Measurement of volatile solids reduction alone during biosolids composting with large quantities of sawdust revealed little about stability.     

微生物响应PBAT-PLA生物降解膜袋工业需氧堆肥降解机制

塑料污染已对全球环境造成严重威胁,生物降解塑料的推广使用及其工业堆肥是治理塑料污染的有效途径之一。该研究根据标准GB/T 19277.1-2011,在（58±2）℃的特殊高温条件下,对PBAT-PLA生物降解膜袋进行有氧堆肥降解,并选择微晶纤维素作为对照。通过对堆肥中的微生物进行16S/18S高通量测序,分析降解过程中细菌/真菌的群落种类和数量变化,包括物种多样性、物种组成、物种差异分析、样本比较分析,并结合扫描电镜下的微观形貌,深入探寻可降解塑料膜袋在工业需氧堆肥过程中的微生物响应降解机制。结果表明：微晶纤维素和生物降解膜袋在降解活跃期（第140天取样）,其所在堆肥中大量存在的优势菌属为Sphaerobacter（球杆菌属,放线菌纲）,分别占比20.25%和39.44%。与同样条件下不含降解材料的对照组堆肥相比,微晶纤维素/生物降解膜袋工业需氧堆肥降解过程中显著增长的4种菌属中有3种属于放线菌,说明放线菌对聚酯物的解聚以及纤维素的降解具有积极的作用。试验结果也表明了聚酯和纤维素的完整生物降解过程不依赖单一菌种,而是微生物协同作用的结果。     

Physical,Chemical and Biological Properties of an Accelerated Cassava Based Compost Prepared Using Different Ratios of Cassava Peels and Poultry Manure

Monitoring the physical, chemical and biological properties during accelerated composting enables concise determination of its stability and maturity. Determination of physical parameters such as pH, moisture and temperature, chemical parameters such as total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic matter and humic acid as well as biological parameters such as microbial count and carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution was carried out during a four (4) week composting period, The trend observed for pH showed the mesophilic and thermophilic phases and a similar trend was observed for the compost temperature. Intermittent increase and decrease was observed for total N, P, K as well as for the fungal and bacterial population. A direct relationship was observed among the bacterial population, CO₂ evolution and humic acid. However, composting for four (4) weeks produced a stable compost, which was evident through the physical observation of the final product and the results obtained for the chemical and biological parameters.     

Passively Aerated Composting of Straw-Rich Pig Manure: Effect of Compost Bed Porosity

Straw-rich manure from organic pig farming systems can be composted in passively aerated systems as the high application of straw results in a compost bed with good structure and porosity. The passively aerated composting process was simulated in one-dimensional reactors of 2 m³ for straw-rich manure with compost bed densities of 1100, 700 and 560 kg m^?3. Temperature profiles over the reactor height were monitored online and ammonia emissions were measured periodically. The composition of the compost bed over the reactor height was determined at the end of the composting process. The composting process strongly depends on the density of the compost bed. At a density of 1100 kg.m^?3, the porosity of the bed is too low to initiate natural convection, and aerobic degradation fails and anaerobic conditions may lead to emissions of methane and odorous compounds. At a density of 560 kg.m^?3, the porosity of the bed is high and the high rate of natural convection will keep the temperature low thereby preventing the removal of pathogens and weeds. Best results were observed at a density of 700 kg.m^?3 for which aerobic degradation and drying were adequate and temperatures were high enough to kill pathogens and weeds. On basis of the Ergun equation, which describes the airflow in porous media with internal heat generation, this corresponds to a compost bed permeability of 7×10^?8 m². It was also shown that it is possible to compost animal manures with a low C/N ratio without significant emissions of ammonia. This can be established by trapping the initial ammonia emissions in a straw filter, which is placed on top of the compost bed. Ammonia absorbed in the straw filter and in the compost bed were removed by nitrification and denitrification. The passively aerated composting system results in a compost bed which is highly heterogeneous with respect to temperature, oxygen level and its composition. It is proposed that in this way a highly diverse microbial community in the compost bed is established which can perform various microbial conversions. The extensive composting system is most promising for on-farm production of an organic fertilizer from straw-rich manure, since the costs of the process and the level of ammonia emissions were low.     

Stability Evaluation of Mixed Food Waste Composts

As interest in food waste composting grows, so does the need for proven composting methods. Stability testing has been proposed as a compost quality assurance tool. We conducted this study to: (i) to evaluate the efficacy of simple outdoor composting methods in producing a compost with a low, stable decomposition rate, and (ii) to determine the reliability of simple, 4-h compost stability evaluation methods. Composting was conducted outdoors in winter and spring in Eugene, Oregon without moisture addition. Mixed food waste was combined with screened dairy solids and ground yard trimmings. Sawdust was used to cover windrows for the first 27 d of composting. Compost windrow temperatures remained above 55°C for 30+ d. Carbon dioxide evolved with several 4-h test methods was strongly correlated (r² > 0.7) with CO₂ evolved using a 48-h test. A limited-turn windrow (LTW) composting system produced compost with slightly greater stability than a passively aerated windrow (PAW) composting system. Food waste compost samples had a low CO₂ evolution rate after 71 to 99 d using either composting system. Compost CO₂ evolution rate at 25°C decreased with composting time, reaching approximately 1 to 4 mg CO₂-C g compost C^?1 d^?1 for the PAW method and 0.5 to 2 mg CO₂-C g compost C^?1 d^?1 for the LTW method. Putrescible organic matter in food waste was effectively decomposed in outdoor windrows using composting methods that did not employ forced aeration, self-propelled windrow turners, or manufactured composting vessels. Several 4-h stability tests showed promise for implementation as quality assurance tools.     

立式筒仓反应器堆肥技术工艺优化研究

反应器堆肥技术作为一种新型快速堆肥方式逐渐被人们所认可，该技术包括反应器堆肥处理和陈化两个阶段，但反应器堆肥时长和通气方式等工艺参数对堆肥全过程的影响尚不清楚。因此，本研究立足生产中的实际问题，利用12 m³立式堆肥反应器，开展了反应器堆肥工艺优化调控试验，以鸡粪和锯末为原料，分别研究了连续供气和间歇供气（风机开3 min，关7 min）两种供气方式下，反应器处理周期对堆肥有机质降解率、产品含水率、氮素损失和运行成本的影响。研究结果表明：反应器堆肥10 d比2 d的处理物料有机质降解率分别增加60.7%（间歇）和66.2%（连续），产品含水率分别降低41.2%（间歇）和40.7%（连续）。反应器堆肥阶段是物料降解的主要阶段，利用反应器堆肥的时长越长，堆肥产品生产时间越短；但运行成本的增加也对反应器堆肥时长造成了限制，同时增加反应器堆肥时长也会增加堆肥物料的氮素损失，其中连续供气反应器堆肥10 d比2 d氮素损失增加17.5%。连续供气方式可提高堆肥效率，较间歇供气处理堆肥周期平均缩短32.1%，产品全氮含量平均提高7.4%，虽然反应器堆肥阶段每日能耗较间歇供气高20.2%，但堆肥周期的缩短使全程连续供气平均运行成本降低16.5%。其中，连续供气下反应器中处理6 d、8 d和10 d，堆肥产品理化性质无显著差异。综合考虑堆肥效率、产品和经济，本试验建议选择“连续供气方式+反应器内堆肥8 d”处理，既可提高反应器堆肥处理效率，在实际生产中又具有较高的经济效益潜力。     

Paper Mill Sludge Composting and Compost Utilization

Economically viable and environmentally acceptable methods to recycle organic wastes are needed by the pulp and paper industry. We assessed the potential for composting the Virginia Fibre Corporation's (VFC) combined primary and secondary dewatered paper mill sludge (PMS) and evaluated the suitability of the finished product as a potting soil substitute. Composting treatments were: 1) PMS with no supplemental N (control), 2) PMS + 15 kg N/Mg PMS (dry weight), and 3) PMS + 30 kg N/Mg PMS (dry weight). Composting was conducted for 129 days and treatment effects were evaluated by windrow temperature trends. A container plant growth study employing various particle size fractions and proportions of the control PMS compost and a commercial potting medium (Promix^tm) was conducted in a greenhouse to assess the capability of the compost to support growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), and green pepper (Capsicum sp.). Windrow temperatures were lower with no supplemental N than with the N additions during the initial three weeks and were higher with increasing N rate during the last month of composting, which indicated that the unamended sludge may have been N-limited for maximum biological activity. Reduced temperatures in the high N treatments during the midpoint of the composting process may have been induced by ammonia toxicity. However, cured compost chemical properties and stability were not influenced by treatment and were indicative of good quality compost. The lower amount of plant-available water and greater amounts of plant-available nutrients supplied by the compost than the commercial potting medium resulted in less dry matter produced by all plants except green pepper, whose higher nutrient needs were supplied better by the compost than the commercial potting medium alone. Therefore, the paper mill sludge compost may best be used as an organic fertilizer, soil amendment, or supplemental nutrient source for potting media, rather than as a potting medium alone.     

微生物菌剂对猪粪堆肥过程中堆肥理化性质和优势细菌群落的影响

  【目的】  掌握猪粪堆肥过程中微生物群落的演替规律与理化指标的相互关系，对提高猪粪堆肥营养品质和加速堆肥进程具有重要的意义。  【方法】  以猪粪和玉米秸秆 (质量比6∶1) 混合物为堆肥原料，耐高温菌剂主要含Acinetobacter pittii、Bacillus subtilis subsp. Stercoris和Bacillus altitudinis。堆体设接种菌剂 (MI) 和未接种 (对照，CK) 两个处理。常规监测堆肥温度和理化指标值，于堆肥开始后第4、12、24和32天采集样品，以16S rRNA高通量测序技术研究堆肥细菌群落的变化。用堆肥第4、12、24和32天采集的新鲜样品制备浸提液，进行紫花苜蓿种子发芽试验。堆肥结束时，测定全氮、全磷和全钾含量，并探讨微生物菌剂对堆肥理化指标和细菌群落演替的影响。  【结果】  接种微生物菌剂可使堆肥高温期提前2天出现，并且能延长高温期2天。堆肥浸提液的促生试验发现，在堆肥24天后紫花苜蓿种子发芽指数 (GI) 大于80%，且MI对幼苗主根的促生能力大于CK (P < 0.05)。随着发酵过程的进行，堆体体积不断缩小，CK和MI中全钾 (TK) 和全磷 (TP) 含量一直呈增加趋势，在堆肥第32天，CK和MI的全磷含量分别为2.28%和2.63%，处理间差异显著 (P < 0.05)，而全钾含量分别为1.81%和1.86%，全氮含量分别为2.65%和2.63%，pH分别为8.72和8.78，处理间差异均不显著。在整个堆肥过程中，MI和CK的pH变化范围分别为8.40～8.95和8.61～8.93；CK和MI中总有机碳 (TOC) 的降解速率在堆肥的4～12和24～32天均表现为MI大于CK，CK和MI的碳氮比 (C/N) 分别为13.28和15.26，差异显著 (P < 0.05)。堆肥过程中在门水平上占据主导地位的细菌群落主要包括 Proteobacteria、Actinobacteria、Firmicutes和Bacteroidetes，在堆肥的高温期 (堆肥24天)，堆体CK和MI中Firmicutes的相对丰富度分别为17.4%和59.8%；在堆肥的升温期、高温期和腐熟期，优势门水平细菌群落Proteobacteria、Firmicutes和Actinobacteria依次演替，且MI堆体中细菌群落的相对丰度均大于CK。属水平优势细菌为Acinetobacter、Lysinibacillus、Solibacillus、Pseudomonas和Flavobacterium，添加微生物菌剂可使Acinetobacter的丰度在堆肥第4天增加21.41%，此外，添加复合微生物可使堆肥第12天的Shannon和Observed species指数增加。相关性分析表明，温度、全N (TN)、TP、TK、TOC及GI与堆体中细菌组成具有显著相关性，而pH和细菌的相关性不显著。  【结论】  在堆体内接种微生物菌剂可显著提高并维持堆肥过程中优势门、属细菌群落的丰度，进而促进堆体升温并延长高温时期，缩短堆肥腐熟周期，加快总有机碳的分解，最终提高堆肥产品中有效磷的含量。复合微生物菌剂在堆肥升温期起主要作用的为Acinetobacter pittii，高温期为Bacillus subtilis subsp. Stercoris和Bacillus altitudinis，我们建议筛选耐高温细菌时应集中在厚壁菌门的芽孢杆菌属。     

秸秆对猪粪静态兼性堆肥无害化和腐熟度的影响

为促进猪粪静态兼性堆肥产品无害化和腐熟,通过添加玉米秸秆调控堆体物理结构特性和碳氮比,采用传统自然发酵方式进行为期90d的静态兼性堆肥试验,分别设置纯猪粪处理(P)和秸秆调控处理(PC)研究静态兼性堆肥过程腐熟度指标、粪大肠菌群以及微生物群落结构演变特征。结果表明,秸秆调控增加了堆体孔隙率(提高19.41%),促进氧气向堆体内部扩散,增强了好氧微生物对有机质的降解,降低NH₄⁺-N,可溶性有机氮(dissolved total nitrogen, DTN)等植物毒性物质含量,提升了堆肥腐熟度,两组处理堆肥产品种子发芽指数分别为40.84%(P)和114.60%(PC)。静态兼性堆肥经过30～40 d自然发酵后,粪大肠菌群数量达到卫生安全标准,堆体温度、NH₄⁺-N和有机酸含量均会影响粪大肠杆菌的活性。堆体中微生物以厚壁菌门、放线菌门、变形菌门等与木质纤维素降解相关的菌门为优势菌门,堆体自上而下由好氧菌属演替为厌氧菌属,并形成好氧、兼性、厌氧的微生物分层。秸秆调控增加了堆体的好氧区域,促进和提高了猪粪...     

Changes in maturity indicators during the degradation of organic wastes subjected to simple composting procedures

Selected maturity indicators were monitored over a period of 335 days during the degradation of organic wastes subjected to four simple composting procedures, which varied in raw material (garden refuse with and without market refuse) and turning frequency (0×, 6×). All procedures produced mature composts. The inclusion of market refuse and frequent turning generally increased the cation exchange capacity of compost on an ash-free basis. Until day 118 of the composting process, compost samples which contained market refuse in their raw material mixture had the lowest redox potentials after anaerobic incubation. Cress grown on these composts also produced the lowest fresh mass. At a later stage of the composting process, the same composts displayed increased cellulolytic activity. Frequent turning of the compost heaps resulted in greater fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, a greater occurrence of low-molecular-weight humic compounds and, occasionally, an inhibition of cellulolytic activity. The arginine ammonification assay gave information on the N-status of the composts, rather than on the compost maturity, and suggested that all the composts could be safely applied to soil with no risk of microbial immobilisation of soil N.     

Maturity and Stability Evaluation of Composted Yard Trimmings

The objective of this research was to evaluate a variety of stability and maturity indices for yard trimmings compost produced in the Puget Sound region of western Washington State. Compost samples were collected periodically during a 133-d composting cycle at a commercial composting facility, showing that indices of compost respiration rate were sensitive indicators of compost quality. All respiration rate indices identified a period of high respiration rates during active composting (first 27 d), and a period of relatively stable respiration rates during the latter part of curing (70 to 133 d). Chemical tests of compost solids showed less promise as maturity indicators, but provided valuable information on final compost quality. Mature yard trimmings compost had a C:N of 12, an NH₄-N to NO₃-N ratio of less than 4, a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 400 cmol per kg of compost-C, and a pH between 6.5 and Seed germination tests and sensory tests (color and odor) were of limited value in assessing compost maturity. Fully-cured compost produced with forced aeration had a Solvita CO₂ test value of 6 to 7 and a respiration rate via the alkaline trap method of 2 mg CO₂-C g compost-C^?1 d^?1. It reheated less than 2°C in an insulated Dewar flask in a 7 d incubation. Further evaluation and calibration of respiration test protocols for compost quality assurance testing programs are recommended.     

13C solid-state NMR assessment of decomposition pattern during co-composting of sewage sludge and green wastes

The fate of organic matter during composting is poorly understood. Therefore, we analysed composts of sewage sludges and green wastes (44 samples representative of 11 stages of biodegradation) by conventional chemical methods: pH, humic (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) content, C, N and organic matter (OM) content, and by ¹³C CPMAS NMR to assess the decomposition process of the organic matter. Chemical changes clearly occurred in two phases: first, decomposition of OM during the first 2 months was characterized by decreased C/N ratios, OM content and increased pH; and second, a humification process with increased HA/FA ratios. NMR spectrum changes confirmed this pattern, with an increase in aromaticity and a decrease in alkyl C. A decrease of syringyl to guaiacyl ratio (S/G), a sign of lignin transformation, also indicated humification during composting. NMR spectroscopic properties of composts were also studied by means of principal components analysis (PCA) and revealed changes according to the degree of compost maturation. The factorial map presents a chronological distribution of composts on the two first principal components. The influences of eight chemical factors on the PCA ordination of composts as monitored by their evolution by NMR were also studied by multivariate analyses. PCA clearly indicated two phases: the rapid decomposition of organic matter followed by the formation of humic‐like substances. The first phase, that is ‘new’ composts, was strongly correlated with OM contents, pH and C/N ratios whereas the second phase, corresponding to ‘old’ compost, was correlated with pH, HA content and HA/FA ratio. These results confirm that knowledge of the formation of humic substances is indispensable to suitable monitoring of the composting process.     

盐含量对餐厨垃圾好氧堆肥腐殖化过程及微生物演变的影响

含盐量过高会对堆肥有机质腐殖化过程产生抑制作用,但作用规律仍不清楚。该研究以餐厨垃圾为研究对象,以不添加盐分的处理为对照,设置添加食用盐的处理作为试验组（添加质量分数分别为0.5%、1%和1.5%）,进行好氧堆肥,研究不同盐分含量对基本腐熟度指标、有机质组成、腐殖质（Humus,HS）的影响,并结合微生物群落结构和相关性统计分析阐明其作用规律。结果表明,4个处理温度、碳氮比（C/N）、有机质组成等达到腐熟要求,但盐分添加提高了堆体电导率（Electrical Conductivity,EC）,添加比例达到1.5%时,高温期缩短至13 d,种子发芽指数（seed Germination Index,GI）降低至65.5%,总有机物降解率降低6.5%,有机质腐殖化过程受到限制。高通量测序和相关性分析的结果表明,添加1.5%盐分主要通过抑制高温双岐菌（Thermobifida）、糖单孢菌（Saccharomonospora）和曲霉（Aspergillus）、毛孢子菌（Trichosporon）的活性,降低总糖、木质纤维素等有机物质的降解和后续HS形成,从而限制餐厨垃圾堆肥过程中腐殖化效果的提升。本研究将为餐厨垃圾等农村有机废弃物处理技术应用提供理论指导。     

Improving quality of composted biowaste to enhance disease suppressiveness of compost-amended, peat-based potting mixes

Biowaste can be converted into compost by composting or by a combination of anaerobic digestion and composting. Currently, waste management systems are primarily focused on the increase of the turnover rate of waste streams whereas optimisation of product quality receives less attention. This results in low quality composts that can only be sold on bulk markets at low prices. A new market for quality compost could be potting mixes for horticultural container-grown crops to partially replace non-renewable peat and increase the disease suppressiveness of potting mixes. We report here on the effect of wetsieving biowaste prior to composting on compost quality and on disease suppressiveness against the plant pathogen Pythium ultimum of peat mixes amended with this compost. The increased organic matter and decreased salt content of the compost allow for significantly higher substitution rates of peat by compost. In this study up to 60% v/v compost peat replacement did not affect cucumber growth. However, disease suppressiveness of the potting mixes strongly increased from 31 to 94% when the compost amendment rate was increased from 20 to 60%. It was shown that general disease suppression for P. ultimum can only be effective when the basal respiration rate is sufficiently high to support microbial activity. In addition, organic matter of the compost should reach a sufficient stability level to turn from disease conducive to disease suppressive. Increasing the compost addition from 20 to 60% did not significantly affect plant yield, yield variation were due to differences in nutrient levels. It can be concluded that compost from wetsieved biowaste has high potential to replace peat in growing media for the professional market.     

Effect of Feeding Regime on Composting in Bins

Composting in bins is one of the most practical home composting methods. There is currently a need for greater information to improve the management of the composting process and to create home composting programs, which ensure sustainable production of high quality compost. This study investigates how two aspects of the bin feeding regime—the feeding frequency and the amount of waste applied at each feed—influence the process's evolution and the quality of the compost. Compost bins were assayed after introducing the same amount of kitchen and garden waste according to three different frequencies: in a single batch, weekly, or every 3 weeks. A fourth treatment was applied to calculate the potential waste reduction achieved by the composting process, filling the bins to the brim on a weekly basis. Temperature, mass, and volume changes; the microbial diversity (by Biolog); and gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and NH₃) were all determined during the process. At the end of the experiment, all of the composts were weighed and characterized. Results show that the main differences were very dependent on the quantity of waste provided. Large amounts of waste were added increasing the compost's temperature and maturity during the process, while slightly affecting the salinity and phytotoxicity of the final compost but without any clear effects on microbial diversity and gas emission. Therefore, from a technical point of view, the shared use of compost bins among several households (community composting) is preferable to individual use.     

国内外堆肥标准分析及其对中国的借鉴启示

中国农业废弃物产量巨大,堆肥是农业废弃物资源化利用的主要方式之一,也是养分和有机质回收到土壤中的方法。结合国内外堆肥标准制定情况,通过分析对比无害化指标、有机质、总养分、重金属、含水率等指标,指出中国存在就农业废弃物处理缺乏专业化堆肥及有机肥标准推进委员会、对堆肥产品中氮磷钾和有机质含量的最低限值较高及未建立堆肥标准体系等问题。建议国家组建堆肥标准制定专家委员会或堆肥协会,进一步规范有机肥生产运行管理,进一步修订有机肥、生物有机肥、沼肥等标准,建立完善的堆肥标准体系。