Composting of Crucifer Wastes Using Geotextile Covers

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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.