Temperature and Chemical Changes During Composting of Broiler Litter

Composting broiler litter (a mixture of manure, bedding material, and wasted feed) with commonly available high-C substrates may be a viable alternative to reduce current land disposal practices for litter. Broiler litter with wood shavings as a bedding material and broiler litter with peanut hulls as a bedding material were composted with wheat straw, peanut hulls, pine bark and paper mill sludge in 0.33 m³ batch reactors. Litters and C substrates were mixed to achieve C:N ratios of approximately 30:1. Dry weight, total N, total C, temperature, electrical conductivity and pH were determined at regular intervals. Maximum temperatures peaked near 70°C within 2.25 d after mixing peanut hulls with litter and within 2.58 d for pine bark and litter. Composts made from paper mill sludge approached 50°C within 3.71 d. Wheat straw composts never exceeded 40°C which could present potential health problems associated with pathogenic microorganisms. Mass loss and C:N ratio gradually declined and stabilized approximately 84 d after mixing. Mass loss averaged 73 percent for wheat straw compost, 33 percent for peanut hull composts, and 16 percent for the other mixes. Wheat straw compost C:N ratios stabilized near 14:1 and other mixes remained above 20:1, indicating N limited conditions for complete composting. Compost pH was 5.8 after 84 d from pine bark composted with wood shaving litter and was significantly lower than pH from paper mill sludge compost with an average pH of 6.9 but similar to all other compost mixes (pH 6.7). Electrical conductivity ranged from 0.35 S m^?1 for paper mill sludge composted with wood shaving litter to 0.91 S m^?1 from wheat straw composted with peanut hull litter. Composting temperature varied considerably among C sources and all required at least 72 d of curing to stabilize the C:N ratio. Composts made from wheat straw were most effective for waste reduction but temperatures were below the 50°C level generally considered necessary to kill pathogens.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

Maturity indices for composted dairy and pig manures

Bulking agents and bedding materials used on farms for composting manures affect the time required for composts to mature. The effects of these materials on guidelines for the use of composted manures in potting mixes are not fully known. Several chemical and biological compost characteristics were mentioned and a cucumber plant growth greenhouse bioassay was performed on samples removed from windrows during composting of: (i) dairy manure amended with wheat straw; (ii) dairy manure amended with sawdust (mostly Quercus spp.); and (iii) pig manure amended with sawdust and shredded wood (mostly Quercus spp.). Dry weights of cucumber seedlings grown in fertilized and unfertilized potting mixes amended with composts (30%, v/v) having stability values of <1 mg CO₂-C g^-1 dw d⁻¹, did not differ significantly from those in a control peat mix. Only the most mature dairy manure-wheat straw compost samples consistently established sufficient N concentrations in cucumber shoots in unfertilized treatments. For the dairy manure-wheat straw compost, all possible subset regression analyses of compost characteristics versus cucumber plant dry weight revealed that any of several compost characteristics (electrical conductivity-EC, compost age, total N, organic C, C-to-N ratio, ash content, CO₂ respirometry, Solvita CO₂ index and the Solvita^® Compost Maturity Index) predicted growth of cucumber in the unfertilized treatments, and thus maturity. In contrast, at least two characteristics of the dairy manure-sawdust compost were required to predict growth of cucumber in the unfertilized treatments. Effective combinations were EC with compost age and the Solvita^® maturity index with total N. Even five compost characteristics did not satisfactorily predict growth of cucumber in the non-fertilized pig manure-wood compost. Nutrient analysis of cucumber shoots indicated N availability was the principal factor limiting growth in potting mixes amended with the dairy manure-sawdust compost, and even more so in the pig manure-wood compost even though the compost had been stabilized to a high degree (<1 mg CO₂-C g⁻¹ dw d⁻¹). Maturity of the composted manures, which implies a positive initial plant growth response of plants grown without fertilization, could not be predicted by compost characteristics alone unless the bulking agent or bedding type used for the production of the composts was also considered.     

Aerobic composting of plant wastes and their effect on the yield of ryegrass and tomatoes

Vine branches, rice husks and flax residues were composted. The dynamics of biomass carbon, C/N ratios and nitrification were studied. The highest quality level and the most stabilized composts with the highest values of total N (1.3–1.6%) and the smallest C/N ratios (8.0–9.0) were found with the vine branch composts. Compost application significantly increased the yield of tomatoes (24.0–61.1%) and the quality of fruits compared to soil treated with mineral fertilizers and manure. Inoculation of the vine branch compost with a Cephalosporium sp. had a positive effect on the yield and the quality of both ryegrass and tomatoes. The stabilization of the microbial biomass C level in the composts coincided with the beginning of intensive nitrification. Inoculation lowered the conductivity values and nitrate contents in all composts. It appeared that when nitrate N concentrations in the composts were more than 5% of the total N, NO₃ accumulation in the fruits could result. However, the results can be applied to similar substrates and conditions of composting.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Composting of Crucifer Wastes Using Geotextile Covers

Composting trials were undertaken in 1994 – 996 in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, to study the feasibility of using crucifer or carrot residues with sawdust or straw for composting. Geotextile covers were tested for their influence on different parameters of the composting process. Two complete composting cycles from fall to summer were monitored. Measurements were taken for compost temperature, moisture, and leachate. Chemical analyses were performed on compost samples. Phytotoxicity tests were done with compost leachate samples. The results indicated that temperatures of covered compost (CC) decreased more slowly during late fall and early winter than non-covered compost (NC). In addition, CC did not freeze to as great a depth during the winter, and warmed earlier and faster than NC in the spring. The moisture content of CC was significantly lower than in NC at the end of both composting cycles. CC had a higher mineral content than NC in both cycles, and the levels of total N, P, K and NO₃ were significantly higher for CC in the second cycle. The carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of CC decreased earlier and reached a lower level at the end of the composting cycle. The quantity of leachate from CC was significantly reduced compared to NC in the second cycle. Compost leachate in both treatments showed a high level of phytotoxicity at the beginning of the composting cycle. However, there was no evidence that compost covers influenced the phytotoxicity in leachate throughout the composting cycle. The use of covers could translate into economic or environmental benefits for most composting operations.     

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.     

Chemical,Physical and Biological Criteria for Maturity in Composts for Organic Farming

Properties of organic farming composts were examined during the composting process: pH, electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, total N content, NH₄₊ content, NO_3?content, ash content, and organic matter content. In addition to these properties the respiration rate, microbial population counts, hydrolysis of Fluorescein Diacetate (FDA) and the activity of the enzyme amidase were studied. Composts at several stages of maturity were incubated in soil, and their N mineralization rates were measured. The end of the thermophilic stage was characterized by irreversible decrease in pile temperature to under 55°C, followed by stabilization of the chemical properties. This stage in the composting process is also characterized by decrease in CO₂ evolution rate, changes in microbial populations and specific patterns in FDA hydrolysis and amidase activity. Based on this evidence, we suggest that biological parameters can be considered as indicators for compost maturity.     

Compost Production from Olive Tree Pruning Wastes Enriched with Phosphate Rock

Olive production is increasing very fast in the last 20 years in Al-Jouf region, northern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There are now more than 5 million olive trees in the productive stage. A huge amount of waste is produced annually from this sector, including pruning waste of olive trees and solid waste from olive oil mills of three-phase system. The waste of olive used to produce compost could be of safe disposal technique. Disposal of such waste is expensive and it causes some environmental hazards. Rock phosphate (RP), which is available in the same region, can be used to improve the nutrient value of the produced compost. In this experiment olive pruning waste was composted alone and in a mixture with different RP in two different ratios, namely 5% and 10%, on the dry weight basis of olive waste. Compost processing took place on plies for 8 months. Temperature and moisture were monitored daily while periodical samples were taken from all piles for testing pH, EC, C/N, and germination index. Composts in all treatments reached the theomorphic phase, which killed weed seeds and pathogens. The produced compost from all treatments fulfilled the requirements of maturity according to the California Compost Quality Council after 8 months of composting. In addition, the RP enhanced composting efficiency and improved the quality of the produced compost. Compost parameters met the standard requirements for the compost that was suitable for agriculture purposes with average values of pH ranging from (7.02–7.65) and EC (2.20–3.94 dS m^?1). Nutrient concentrations in the produced compost were N (1.28–1.79%), P (0.23–2.15%), and K (2.59–4.22%).     

Agrochemical characterization,net N mineralization,and potential N leaching of composted olive‐mill pomace currently produced in southern Spain

In S Spain, the Andalusian olive oil industry generates annually 2.5–3.0 million tons of olive mill pomace, a by‐product which is comprised of the residues from the two‐phase oil‐extraction process. The agricultural policies of the EU have led to widespread interest in recycling these agricultural by‐products. Olive mill pomace might be evaluated as an organic fertilizer after composting, however, before wider use of composted olive mill pomace is advocated, characterization of the final product is needed. In this study, the physico‐chemical characteristics, net N mineralization, and the potential for N leaching of 7 out of the 11 olive‐mill‐pomace composts currently produced in the Andalusian olive mills were investigated. Compost of olive mill pomace differed in the proportions of raw materials co‐composted with the olive mill pomace, such as olive leaf material, manure, and straw. In all the composts tested, organic matter, total C and K were high with 60.5%, 30.7%, and 1.7% on average, respectively, whereas total P was low (0.4%) and with intermediate levels of N (1.5%). Compost pH (8.03), electrical conductivity (2.85 dS m^–1), and germination index (65% on average) were adequate for agricultural use. Furthermore, principal component analyses revealed a clear relationship between the quality of the composts and the proportion of manure mixed with the raw materials. Net N mineralization was negative on average (–20 μg IN g^–1) after 1 y, but positive after 2 y of incubation with up to 94% of available N from the total N added and the short‐term potential N leaching after compost application was negligible (less than 3.9% of added N) and much lower than the other N fertilizer with up to 80% added N leached. Overall, results of this study clearly show that these currently produced composts of olive mill pomace are suitable as soil improvers for agricultural purposes, but may not contribute significantly as a N fertilizer for up to 2 y after application.     

Compost Maturity Assessment Using Calorimetry,Spectroscopy and Chemical Analysis

This work is aimed at characterizing compost maturity and, organic matter transformation during this process, by the use of nondestructive spectroscopic and thermal techniques, together with some chemical analysis. Composting was conducted in a laboratory over a period of one year using the organic fraction of domestic wastes, fresh farmyard manure, spent coffee and sawdust as the raw materials. Samples were retired after different periods of composting and were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as by routine chemical parameters including temperature, pH, C/N, ash content and humic-like substances content. Results showed that in case of domestic wastes, spent coffee and farmyard manure, the C/N ratios, ash and humic acid content showed a typical high rate of change during the first 197 days of composting and tended to stabilize thereafter, probably as a result of the maturity of the produced composts. In contrast, sawdust underwent only a very limited transformation even after one year of composting. Thermoanalytical and spectroscopic data confirms these finding and gives useful and complementary information with respect to the structure, the heterogeneity and the relative stability of the compost products. In particular, as the decomposition proceeded, there was an increase in aromatic to aliphatic structure ratio and a decrease in the importance of peptide structures of composts. Besides, both the spectroscopic and the thermal behavior of compost samples, retired beyond 197 days of composting, tended to be regular, less dependent on the raw material and close to that characterizing mature composts, with the exception of sawdust samples. We concluded that the spectroscopic and thermal techniques used are complementary to one another and to chemical tests and could be a powerful and fast approach for the study of compost maturity.     

Compositional Changes in Composts During Composting and Mushroom Growth: Comparison of Conventional and Environmentally Controlled Composts from Commercial Farms

Samples from conventional and environmentally controlled (EC) composts taken at various stages of composting and mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) growth were analyzed for changes in 80 percent ethanol and water extracts, monosaccharides in acid hydrolysates of polysaccharides, lignin concentrations and lignin structural features. The relative lignin content of all composts as measured by the acetyl bromide procedure increased, both during composting and mushroom growth. On the assumption that the absolute amount of lignin remains unaltered during composting and mushroom growth, the relative changes to the polysaccharide concentrations were calculated. Thus, during composting, 70, 53 and 58 percent of the initial wall polysaccharides for conventional, “cold” and “hot” EC, respectively, were consumed by compost microorganisms. During spawn running and fruiting, about 15 percent of wall polysaccharides were utilized from all types of composts. Thus, considerable amounts (17–31 percent) of polysaccharide remained at the end of mushroom production. During composting, there were changes in the degree of condensation and in the extent of oxidation of the lignins in all cases, but the rate and extent of these changes was dependent on the different composting regimes. During mushroom growth, further changes occurred, again with different patterns for the different compost types.     

Transformations of carbon and nitrogen during composting of animal manure and shredded paper

Composts produced from animal manures and shredded paper were characterized in terms of their carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) forms and C mineralization. Total, water-soluble, acid-hydrolyzable and non-hydrolyzable C and N contents were determined on composts sampled on days 0, 11, 18, 26, 33, 40 and 59 after composting was initiated. Water-soluble and acid-hydrolyzable C and N decreased during composting, whereas non-hydrolyzable C remained relatively constant, and non-hydrolyzable N greatly increased during composting. The water-soluble forms of N were characterized by a decrease of ammomium (NH₄ ⁺-N) at the beginning of composting, followed by an increase of nitrate (NO₃ ^–-N) towards the end of composting. The mineralization of C in composted materials was generally higher at the beginning than at the end of composting, whereas no differences were observed for mineralization of C in non-hydrolyzable materials. The addition of N inhibited C mineralization in composts except in samples collected on days 40 and 59, while C mineralization was strongly stimulated by adding N to the non-hydrolyzable materials. The data suggest that the N forms in the non-hydrolyzable materials were chemically similar and not readily available to microbes, indicating that the C/N ratios often used to assess the biodegradability of organic matter and to develop compost formulations should be based on biologically available N and C and not on total N and C. Received: 12 May 1997     

Use of Acacia Waste Compost as an Alternative Component for Horticultural Substrates

The rising cost of peat and pine bark has boosted the demand for alternative organic materials for container growing media. Here, composts of invasive acacia (Acacia longifolia and Acacia melanoxylon) residues were evaluated as alternative organic materials for horticultural substrates. Compost bulk density was less than 0.4 g cm^?3 and total pore space was more than 85 percent of the total volume, as established for an ideal substrate. The matured acacia compost air capacity, easily available water, buffering capacity, and total water-holding capacity were also within acceptable recommended values. With increased composting time the physical characteristics of the composts were improved, but the same was not true for chemical characteristics such as pH and electrical conductivity. The replacement of pine bark compost by acacia compost in a commercial substrate did not negatively affect either lettuce emergence or lettuce growth, suggesting that acacia compost can be successfully used as an alternative component for horticultural substrates.     

Effects of aeration and moisture during windrow composting on the nitrogen fertilizer values of dairy waste composts

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of turning and moisture addition during windrow composting on the N fertilizer values of dairy waste composts. Composted-dairy wastes were sampled from windrow piles, which received four treatments in a 2×2 factorial of turning (turning vs. no turning) and moisture addition (watering vs. no watering) at two stages of maturity (mature vs. immature). Composts were characterized for their chemical properties. An 84-day laboratory incubation of soils with addition of the composts at two levels was conducted to evaluate the inorganic N accumulation patterns from the variously treated composts. Chemical analyses of variously treated composts did not differ between compost treatments or maturity. In contrast, the inorganic N accumulation patterns differed between soils that received immature versus mature turned composted-dairy wastes. The results suggested that turning was a more important factor than moisture addition affecting the composting process. There was no significant difference in inorganic N accumulation patterns among soils that received different immature composts, while the N accumulation patterns observed for soils that received different mature composts depended on compost treatments. Soils amended with mature composts treated by frequent turning had higher N mineralization potentials (N₀), mineralization rate constants (K), and initial potential rates (N₀K) in comparison to soils with composts that had not been turned. Soils with mature composts treated by watering had a higher N₀, lower K, and therefore similar N₀K when compared to soils with composts that had not been watered. Soils that received mature composts treated by watering and frequent turning had higher N mineralization potentials and N₀ to total organic N ratios than soil alone, which suggested that intensive management of composting would ensure positive N fertilizer values of dairy waste composts, if the appropriate composting duration is completed.