Chemical Nature and Composition of Compost During Mushroom Growth

Improvement of the process of mushroom composting is of importance in order to provide an optimal growing medium needed for the mushroom. Since composting produces a food source for the mushroom, the compositional changes of mushroom compost occurring during the growth cycle of the button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, were studied. Samples were collected during spawning, casing and the following four flushes. Samples were analyzed for their elemental composition, carbohydrates, FTIR, ¹³C-NMR, pyrolysis-GC/MS and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis-GC/MS. The carbohydrate analysis revealed a decrease in the total amount of about 40% of the identified monosaccharides during mushroom growth. The ¹³C-NMR data also confirm that polysaccharides are the main fraction degraded (or utilized by the mushrooms) during the cropping period. These findings were also confirmed by changes in the absorbance of functional groups observed in the FTIR spectra. Pyrolysis data revealed chromatographic peaks related to polysaccharides-, proteins- and lignin-derived compounds. Both pyrolysis and TMAH thermochemolysis data show degradation of lignin structures during the growth period. Lignin alteration primarily involved a preferential degradation of syringyl units and oxidation of side chains of guaiacyl moieties. This study suggests that the polysaccharide fraction of the mushroom substrate is the main organic fraction utilized during the process. In addition, alterations of lignin structures have occurred although its relative content usually increases during mushroom cropping.     

Characteristics of Composts Derived from Waxed Corrugated Cardboard

The characteristics of 12 composts containing, by volume, spent mushroom substrate (SMS, 50 percent), waste waxed corrugated cardboard (WCC, 0 percent, 25 percent or 50 percent), and/or pulverized wood wastes (WW, 50 percent, 25 percent or 0 percent) were measured during two separate windrow composting periods (12-16 weeks). Supplemental N was added to some of the composts in the form of poultry manure, and/or soybean processing wastes. During the first eight to 10 weeks, composts containing 50 percent WCC tended to reach and maintain the highest temperatures, but subsequently cooled most rapidly. Microbial activity (CO₂ evolution) also was initially highest in these composts but fell by the twelfth week to levels comparable to composts containing lower levels of WCC. The paraffin wax in WCC containing composts was almost completely degraded (>95 percent). After 12 weeks of composting N (1.2-1.6 percent DW), P (0.30-0.55 percent), and K (0.9-1.2 percent) concentrations were within typical ranges and N and P were highest in composts containing 50 percent WCC. KC1 extractable NH₄-N (494 mg-N kg^?1) and NO₃+NO₂-N (281 mg-N kg^?1) were highest and lowest, respectively, in composts containing 50 percent WCC. Electrical conductivity (4.5-8.5mS/cm) and pH (7.5-8.5) were high in all composts and highest in composts with 50 percent WCC. Concentrations of phenolic compounds were highest in composts containing 50 percent WCC, manure, and soybean wastes and were positively correlated with NH₄-N. C:N ratios of all composts were within an acceptable range (18-23:1).     

Comparative Assessment of Enzyme Activities and Characteristics during Composting of Two Types of Composts

Characteristics in composts were determined during composting of chitinous source-amended compost (Cscom) and no chitinous source-amended compost (Ncom). At the end of the composting, moisture content, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (T-N), and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) decreased in both the composts, whereas the phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) content increased. pH of the compost was adversely changed with electrical conductivity (EC). Enzyme activities declined until the end of composting except phosphatase. In the final-stage, Cscom has higher number of chitinolytic bacteria than in Ncom. One bacterium predominant was isolated and identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Growth of the plant pathogens were suppressed by Cscom and Ncom water extracts, with the suppression being higher in Cscom. Paenibacillus ehmensis, known for high antifungal potential, was isolated from Cscom. From our study, it can be concluded that amendment of chitin material improves the chemical, biological properties, and disease suppression ability of compost.     

Carbohydrates as Chemical Constituents of Biowaste Composts and their Humic and Fulvic Acids

The decomposition of organic matter of source-separated biowaste during composting was followed during 18 months. Compost samples were fractionated into three parts: (i) hot water soluble extract (HWE) (ii) bitumen fraction and (iii) humic substances (humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA)). Original compost samples and the HA and FA fractions were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid for hexoses and pentoses. Quantitative spectrophotometric and qualitative GC/MS analyses of monosaccharides as trimethylsilyl ethers of the corresponding alditols were carried out.

During composting, the amount of HA in the organic matter of the compost increased, the amounts of HWE and bitumen decreased and the amount of the FA fraction changed only a little. Carbohydrates were found to be important constituents of biowaste composts and their HA and FA fractions. Elemental analysis (C, N and H) of compost and HA samples showed an increase in the C:H ratio and in unsaturation of compounds during composting. The decrease in the C:N ratio was marginal.

The amounts of hexoses and pentoses in original compost samples and the HA and FA fractions decreased during composting. The sugar alcohols erythritol, xylitol, L-arabitol, ribitol, L-rhamnitol, L-fucitol, D-mannitol, D-glucitol and galactitol were identified in both the HA and FA fractions. 2-Deoxy-D-erythro-pentitol was identified in one HA fraction and inositol in two FA fractions. An analysis of gas chromatographic data for relative abundances showed that, in every sample except one and in every stage of composting D-glucitol was the main sugar alcohol. In general, the relative amount of D-glucitol decreased during composting, while the relative amounts of all other sugar alcohols increased.

As chemical indicators of compost maturity, carbohydrates would appear to be a important group of compounds. Most informative as a general indicator would be the ratio of the amount of HA to the amount of organic matter in the total compost samples.

According to our studies, the carbohydrates in composts are covalently bound to the structures of FA and HA. Carbohydrate determination clearly deserves more attention in the structural elucidation of FA and HA.     

Use of Sulfur to Control pH in Composts Derived from Olive Processing By-products

Two composts were prepared from olive press cake (OPC) repeatedly turned and moistened with either olive mill wastewater (OPC+OMW) or water (OPC+W). When phytotoxicity was drastically reduced and the pH of the composts had reached 8.6 and 7.55 respectively, elemental sulfur was added at 0.9% of dry weight to the OPC+OMW compost and at five different doses (0.1 – 1.0% of dry wt) to the OPC+W compost. During the following six months, an exponential pH decline was observed in both compost materials. The pH reached a final value of 5.8 in the OPC+OMW compost whereas a pH decline related to the amount of added sulfur was observed in the OPC+W compost (final values from 6.8 to 4.3). Over 80% of the pH decline occurred during the first two months following the sulfur addition. Sulfur was applied following the stabilization of the material in the case of OPC+W. No phytotoxic effects of the final products were observed at sulfur application doses up to 0.5% of dry compost weight, but a significant germination index reduction was observed at the 1% dose, probably related to the increased conductivity of the compost leachate. Sulfur was applied before stabilization of the compost material, in the case of OPC+OMW, to also investigate the effects of sulfur addition on the composting process. A thermophilic phase similar to that observed after the last OMW application exceeding 50°C followed, and no effects on microbial activity profiles of the compost were observed. The results indicate that small amounts of elemental sulfur may efficiently control high pH values in the final compost products and could be safely applied at late composting stages or after composting. This may broaden the utilization of these composts in potting media and alkaline soils.     

Relating Compost Measures of Stability And Maturity to Plant Growth

Assessment of compost maturity is important for successful use of composts in agricultural and horticultural production. We assessed the “maturity” of four different sawdust-based composts. We composted sawdust with either cannery waste (CW), duck manure (DM), dairy (heifer) manure (HM) or potato culls (PC) for approximately one year. Windrows were turned weekly for the first 60 days of composting, covered for four winter months and then turned monthly for six more months. We measured compost microbial respiration (CO₂ loss), total C and N, C:N ratio, water soluble NO₃-N and NH₄-N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), pH and electrical conductivity at selected dates over 370 days. Compost effects on ryegrass biomass and N uptake were evaluated in a greenhouse study. We related compost variables to ryegrass growth and N uptake using regression analysis. All composts maintained high respiration rates during the first 60 days of composting. Ammonium-N concentrations declined within the first 60 days of composting, while NO₃-N concentrations did not increase until 200+ days. After 250+ days, DM and PC composts produced significantly more ryegrass biomass than either CW or HM composts. Total C, microbial respiration and water-extractable NO₃-N were good predictors of compost stability/maturity, or compost resistance to change, while dissolved organic carbon, C:N ratio and EC were not. The compost NO₃-N/CO₂-C ratio was calculated as a parameter reflecting the increase in net N mineralization and the decrease in respiration rate. At ratio values >8 mg NO₃-N/mg CO₂-C/day, ryegrass growth and N uptake were at their maximum for three of the four composts, suggesting the ratio has potential as a useful index of compost maturity.     

Changes in the chemical composition of soil organic matter after application of compost

Is the composition of soil organic matter changed by adding compost? To find out we incubated biowaste composts with agricultural soils and a humus‐free mineral substrate at 5°C and 14°C for 18 months and examined the products. Organic matter composition was characterized by CuO oxidation of lignin, hydrolysis of cellulosic and non‐cellulosic polysaccharides (CPS and NCPS) and ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR) spectroscopy. The lignin contents in the compost‐amended soils increased because the composts contained more lignin, which altered little even after prolonged decomposition of the composts in soil. A pronounced decrease in lignin occurred in the soils amended with mature compost only. Polysaccharide C accounted for 14–20% of the organic carbon at the beginning of the experiment for both the compost‐amended soils and the controls. During the incubation, the relative contents of total polysaccharides decreased for 9–20% (controls) and for 20–49% (compost‐amended soils). They contributed preferentially to the decomposition as compared with the bulk soil organic matter, that decreased between < 2% and 20%. In the compost‐amended agricultural soils, cellulosic polysaccharides were decomposed in preference to non‐cellulosic ones. The NMR spectra of the compost‐amended soils had more intense signals of O–alkyl and aromatic C than did those of the controls. Incubation for 18 months resulted mainly in a decline of O–alkyl C for all soils. The composition of the soil organic matter after compost amendment changed mainly by increases in the lignin and aromatic C of the composts, and compost‐derived polysaccharides were mineralized preferentially. The results suggest that decomposition of the added composts in soil is as an ongoing humification process of the composts themselves. The different soil materials affected the changes in soil organic matter composition to only a minor degree.     

Regeneration of Nitrogen Fertility In Disturbed Soils Using Composts

Soil disturbance often results in loss of soil organic matter and nitrogen (N) fertility, making revegetation of barren areas difficult. Yard waste composts are a potential source material to regenerate soil fertility so that revegetation success is improved. The N release behaviors of several compost materials produced within California were evaluated during a long-term, 586-day aerobic incubation. Two general types of compost were tested, including yard waste compost materials (lawn clippings and chipped brush) and cocomposted materials (biosolids bulked and composted with yard waste materials). Nitrogen release from composted material was measured using periodic soil solution extraction and soluble N analysis. Nitrogen release rates varied widely between source materials during the initial portions of the incubation period, with cocomposts having much greater release rates than the yard waste composts. Yard waste composts that were poorly cured or had high woody fiber content showed net immobilization of N during the initial incubation periods, which could potentially lead to N-limitations for plant growth in field conditions. Following additional curing in the soil, however, all yard waste compost materials had positive net N mineralization release rates. Release rates were similar to some of the native soils used as reference materials. The relationship of long-term aerobic N release and several other indicators of mineralizable or “bioavailable” N were evaluated, but the relationship of these other indicators with the aerobic incubation data was low. Because the cumulative N release from yard waste compost materials was a small fraction of the material's total N content, N leaching losses in field conditions are expected to be small and of short duration. Steady, long-term N release patterns were observed from composts throughout the second half of the study and would be expected to continue for an extended period in the field. Composts are shown to provide a suitable replacement source of slowly available N for plant establishment on drastically disturbed, low nutrient soils.     

Physico-chemical properties of commercial composts varying in their source materials and country of origin

Composting is a partially controlled bio-oxidative process through which highly heterogeneous organic matter (OM) in its solid-state transforms into a humified material. The variability of the OM undergoing composting makes compost research a great challenge. Our purpose was to define chemical and plant response characteristics of a variety of composts, grouped based on their major source materials. Thirty-seven commercial composts were collected from France, Greece and the Netherlands. When grouped by country of origin, significant differences were found in %OM, %C, %N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, electrical conductivity (EC) and NO₃ concentration. These differences may be attributable to source materials or local regulations and quality control measures. When the composts were classified into 7 groups by their source materials: wood, green, manure, grape marc (GM), oilcake, spent mushroom substrate and municipal solid waste-based composts, significant differences between groups were found in %OM, %C, %N, DOC, pH, EC, NO₃ and soluble sugars. Extracts of composts from all groups, except GM and oilcake had absorbance in the UV and visible range that was linearly correlated with DOC. GM and oilcake compost extracts had lower absorbances and distinctly lower specific UV absorbance (SUVA). Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectra of the composts from different source groups also exhibited distinct group features (e.g. the ratio of polysaccharide to aliphatic peak intensity), whereas NMR spectra did not. Cucumber plants grown on manure-based composts had greater fresh weight than those grown on other composts. Plants grown on oilcake and GM composts exhibited low fresh weight. The difference in characteristics of the oilcake and GM composts may be a result of their unique chemical composition which slows their degradation. It may also be related to their relatively low degree of maturity, which is a consequence of their slow degradation.     

添加酸解氨基酸对植物源废弃物好氧堆肥品质及其应用效果的影响

  【目的】  探究添加酸解氨基酸 (AA) 对不同植物源废弃物堆肥进程、氮素损失阻控、堆肥品质和产品效果的影响。  【方法】  分别向3种含碳量不同的植物源废弃物 (中药渣、木薯渣和蘑菇渣) 中添加5%、10%和15% (体积质量比) 的酸解氨基酸,以不添加酸解氨基酸处理作为对照,监测堆肥过程中的温度和理化指标。堆肥结束后,以辣椒和茄子作为供试作物进行盆栽和大田试验。盆栽试验以不施肥和施化肥为对照,试验处理包括9个堆肥产品及其添加促生菌 (解淀粉芽孢杆菌SQR9) 制备的生物有机肥产品,共24个,调查了不同处理辣椒和茄子的生物量和生理指标。田间试验以不施肥和施化肥为对照,以盆栽效果最佳的堆肥产品及其制备的生物有机肥单施、两个产品分别与化肥配合,共14个处理,调查了辣椒和茄子的生长状况。  【结果】  添加酸解氨基酸延长了中药渣和木薯渣堆肥的高温期持续时间,而蘑菇渣堆肥的高温期持续时间随酸解氨基酸添加量的增加而减少。酸解氨基酸加入后,3种原料堆体的pH均有所下降,且整体上酸解氨基酸添加量越多,pH下降越显著。酸解氨基酸明显促进了3种原料堆肥中纤维素、半纤维素和总碳的分解,且促进效果和氮磷钾养分积累量随着酸解氨基酸添加量的增加而提高。此外,酸解氨基酸加入后由于引入H+,使堆体的电导率有小幅上升。盆栽试验表明,3种有机物料堆肥均以添加10% AA制成的有机肥最佳,且能显著提高辣椒植株的鲜重、干重、株高、茎粗和叶绿素含量,添加促生菌后进一步提高了堆肥的效果。以10% AA处理的有机肥及其生物有机肥进行大田试验,中药渣有机肥中,生物有机肥处理为辣椒田间处理最佳,生物有机肥加化肥处理为茄子田间处理最佳;木薯渣有机肥处理中,生物有机肥处理在辣椒和茄子田间试验中均为最佳处理;蘑菇渣有机肥处理,生物有机肥加化肥处理在辣椒和茄子大田试验中各项指标均为最优;表明10% AA处理的有机肥配合功能菌株施用能促进作物生长、提高作物产量,整体效果显著优于空白和化肥处理。  【结论】  添加酸解氨基酸能够降低堆肥pH,减少堆肥过程中的氮素损失,延长堆肥高温期的持续时间,提高有机碳降解效率及氮磷钾相对含量;该堆肥与功能菌株配伍制成的生物有机肥,与等养分化肥处理相比,可以显著提高作物的生物量和产量。     

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.     

Spectroscopic (IR,NMR) characterization of water-soluble organic substances extracted from straw,straw incubated with Pleurotus ostreatus,and straw compost

Water extracts from fresh wheat and barley straw, straw incubated with Pleurotus ostreatus, and straw compost were studied by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. During incubation lignin was degraded, water extractability increased, and water extracts were rich in polysaccharides. After composting solubility decreased and the water extracts were rich in aromatic, methoxyl, and carboxyl C, but poor in O-alkyl C indicating that during composting mainly polysaccharides had been mineralized. GPC revealed that water extracts from straw compost contained polysaccharides, peptides, C- and O-substituted aromatics, and alkyl compounds.     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Availability in Groundfish Waste and Chitin-Sludge Cocomposts

Seafood processing generates a substantial volume of wastes. This study examined the feasibility of converting the fish waste into useful fertilizer by composting. Groundfish waste and chitin sludge generated from the production of chitin were composted with red alder or a mixture of western hemlock and Douglas-fir sawdust to produce four composts: alder with groundfish waste (AGF); hemlock/fir with groundfish waste (HGF); alder with chitin sludge (ACS); and hemlock/fir with chitin sludge (HCS). The resulting AGF had a higher total N and a lower C:N ratio than the other three composts. A large portion of the total N in the AGF, HGF, and HCS composts was in inorganic forms (NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^?-N), as opposed to only two percent in the ACS compost. Alder sawdust is more quickly decomposed, which favored N retention and limited nitrification during the composting period. It was less favorable than the hemlock/Douglas fir sawdust for composting with chitin sludge. Corn growth on soil amended with compost was dependent upon both compost type and rate. Nitrogen and P availabilities in all composts except the ACS were high and compost addition enhanced corn yields, tissue N and P concentrations, and N and P up-take. Neither the total N concentration nor the C:N ratio of the composts was an effective measure of compost N availability in the soil. Because soil inorganic N test levels correlated well with the corn biomass, tissue N and N uptake, they should be an effective measure of the overall compost effects on soil N availability and corn growth response. Phosphorus concentration, which increased linearly with increasing compost rates, was related to soil P availability from compost additions and correlated well with corn biomass, tissue P concentration and P uptake under uniform treatments of N and K fertilizers. Composting groundfish waste with alder or hemlock/Douglas-fir sawdust can produce composts with sufficient amounts of available N and P to promote plant growth and is considered to be a viable approach for recycling and utilizing groundfish waste.     

Liming Potential of Composts Applied To an Acid Oxisol in Burundi

The adverse effect of soil acidity on plant growth and yield, and the scarcity of commercial agricultural lime (CaCO₃) in Burundi necessitated a search for alternative liming materials. Thus, the liming potential of locally made composts was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment, using an acid Oxisol with sorghum (Sorghum vulgaris) as a test plant. Application rates were 10 g/kg (approximately 20 ton/ha) for the composts and 0, 0.85 and 1.70 g/kg for Verrundi lime. Results showed that the application of lime increased plant growth by reducing exchangeable Al, and by increasing soil pH and available P. So did the composts, which were more effective in correcting soil acidity when they were fresh and enriched with some nutrients during the composting process. Apparently, organic molecules produced by the composts helped to chelate and/or precipitate Al, making the soil more suitable for plant growth. Specifically, an application of 20 ton/ha of composts was equivalent to 0.6 - 1.7 ton CaCO₃/ha, depending on the compost quality.     

Status of Biological Control of Plant Diseases with Composts

? Composts have the potential to provide biological control of plant diseases. Foliar as well as root pathogens may be affected. Many factors control these effects. Heat exposure during composting kills or inactivates pathogens if the process is monitored properly. Unfortunately, most biocontrol agents also are killed by this heat treatment. Thus, biocontrol agents must recolonize composts after peak heating. The raw feedstock, the environment in which the compost is produced, as well as conditions during curing and utilization determine the potential for recolonization by this microflora and disease suppression. Controlled inoculation of compost with biocontrol agents has proved necessary to induce consistent levels of suppression on a commercial scale. The decomposition level (stability) of composts also affects suppressiveness. Immature composts serve as food for pathogens and increase disease even when biocontrol agents are present. On the other hand, excessively stabilized organic matter does not support the activity of biocontrol agents. Composts also may induce detrimental effects. For example, chemical factors may negate suppressiveness. Salinity and the concentration of nitrogen in composts are principal chemical factors to be considered.     

Compost Maturity Effects on Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization and Plant Growth

Improved predictive relationships between compost maturity and nitrogen (N) availability are needed. A total of 13 compost samples were collected from a single windrow over a 91 d period. Compost stability and maturity were assessed using both standard chemical analyses (total C and N, mineral N, total volatile solids) and other methods (CO₂ evolution, commercial maturity kits, and neutral detergent fiber, and lignin). Compost N and carbon (C) were evaluated during a 130 d aerobic incubation in a sandy loam soil after each compost was applied at 200 mg total kg^?1 soil. The effect of compost maturity on plant growth was evaluated by growing two ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) crops and one barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop in succession in compost-amended soil under greenhouse conditions. Potential phytotoxicity from compost was assessed by growing tomato (Lypersicum esculentum L.) seedlings in compost-amended soil. Regression and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between compost maturity parameters, the rate and extent of net N and C mineralization, plant yield and N uptake, and phytotoxicity. Commonly used maturity parameters like total C, total N, and C:N ratio were poorly correlated with the rate and extent of mineralization, and with plant growth parameters. The N mineralization rate during the first 48 d of aerobic incubation was strongly correlated (r= ?0.82 to ?0.86) to compost fiber and lignin concentration, and to the Maturity Index (r=0.85). Trends in C mineralization were similar. There were few differences in C mineralization between composts after 48 d of aerobic incubation in soil. Ryegrass harvested 35 and 70 d after compost application was not strongly affected by compost maturity, and relatively immature composts were phytotoxic to tomato seedlings. Methods of characterizing compost maturity and stability that more realistically reflect the composting process are better predictors of N release and potential plant inhibition after incorporation into soil.     

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Infra-Red and Pyrolysis: Application of Spectroscopic Methodologies to Maturity Determination of Composts

Compost maturity or stability reflects the degree of decomposition of the organic matter (OM). Since stability of natural OM is a relative term, defining it is not a trivial challenge. In addition, it requires a series of chemical, physico-chemical and spectroscopic determinations. Among the methods applied, ¹³C-NMR and FTIR (or DRIFT) and pyrolysis have been shown to be of significance and therefore this review will be dedicated to studies focusing on the application of these methods to composting research. In fact, solid-state ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy has become the most important tool for examining the chemical structure of natural OM (NOM) and the chemical changes associated with OM decomposition. Changes can be measured on the bulk OM either fresh or composted, on humic substances (HS) extracted from the compost or on dissolved organic matter (DOM). Recently, 2D ¹H NMR has been employed to study properties of HS extracted from MSW compost. In general, changes measured on decomposing OM are more distinct in the following order of tested materials: DOM > Bulk OM > HS > Core HS. In conclusion, compost HS which are “young” relative to soil HS were shown to differ from the latter mostly in their high levels of aliphatic and polysaccharide components, which tend to decompose during composting. ¹³C-NMR is the most effective instrument applied to date to structural studies of NOM.     

Chemical and microbiological parameters for the characterization of maturity of composts made from farm and agro-industrial wastes

Bioconversion of farm wastes with agro-industrial wastes into enriched compost is an important possibility in need of research. In this article, changes in chemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated to determine the maturity of composts prepared from mixture of farm and agro-industrial wastes over a period of 150 days. Seven different composts were prepared by using a mixture of different farm wastes with or without enrichment with rock phosphate (RP), agro-industrial wastes and the inoculation of microorganisms. As composting proceeded, the organic C, water-soluble C (WSC), bacterial and fungal counts decreased, whereas total N, P, electrical conductivity (EC) and actinomycetes count increased gradually. Our results suggest that WSC <1%, C:N ratio < 20, neutral pH and a decrease in bacteria and fungal counts, along with an increase in actinomycetes count and stability at the end of composting, may be accepted as an indicator of compost maturity. Changes in organic C, EC, total N and P concentrations over time also proved to be reliable indicators of the progress of the composting process for establishing stability and compost maturity. Addition of RP, agro-industrial wastes and inoculation of microorganisms showed potential in improving the N and P contents of the composts.     

The Effects of Goat Manure,Sewage Sludge And Effective Microorganisms on the Composting of Pine Bark

This study investigated the cocomposting of pine bark with goat manure or sewage sludge, with or without inoculated effective microorganisms (EM). Composting was done for 90 days and parameters monitored over this period included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), C/N ratio, inorganic N, as well as tannin content. Changes in temperature, pH and EC during composting were consistent with those generally observed with other composting systems. The parameters were influenced by the feedstock materials used but were not affected by inoculation with effective microorganisms. The highest temperature measured from pine bark-goat manure composts was 60°C but much lower maximum temperatures of 40°C and 30°C were observed for pine bark sewage sludge and pine bark alone composts, respectively. The C/N ratios of the composts decreased with composting time. Ammonium levels decreased while nitrate levels increased with composting time. Tannin levels generally decreased with composting time but the extent of decrease depended on the contents of the composting mixtures. The trends observed showed that temperature, pH, EC, C/N ratio, tannin levels, and inorganic NH₄-N and NO₃-N were reliable parameters for monitoring the co-composting of pine bark with goat manure or sewage sludge. The pine bark-goat manure compost had more desirable nutritional properties than the pine bark and pine bark-sewage sludge composts. It had high CEC, near neutral pH, low C/N ratio, and high amounts of inorganic N and bases (K, Ca, and Mg) while pine bark compost had the least amounts of nutrients, was acidic, and had high C/N ratio and low CEC. The final tannin content of the pine bark-goat manure compost was below the 20 g/kg upper threshold level for horticultural potting media, implying that its use as a growing medium would not cause toxicity to plants.     

不同调理剂对猪粪好氧堆肥效果的影响

分别以木屑、药渣、菇渣、砻糠灰作为猪粪堆肥的调理剂,研究其在堆肥过程中温度、含水率、pH、EC和主要营养元素N、P、K的动态变化。结果表明,在整个堆制过程中,4个处理的堆温变化明显呈现出升温期、高温期和降温期3个阶段,其中,木屑处理堆体升温最快,且高温持续时间最长,砻糠灰处理高温持续时间最短;与初始值相比,堆肥后每个处理pH均有所上升,其中菇渣处理上升幅度最大,达0.9个单位;堆制过程中,4个处理有机质总体呈现下降的规律;堆肥后药渣处理的TN和TP含量最高;堆肥后砻糠灰处理的TK含量最高;堆肥后4个处理的pH和EC值都在腐熟堆肥的适宜范围之内,从N+P2O5+K2O总养分和保氮角度来看,应选药渣作调理剂,从提高堆肥TK含量来看,应选砻糠灰作调理剂。