Abstract
There is growing interest in the potential for using composts in agricultural and horticultural field crops. The aim of this study is to test the mixture efficiency to produce good quality compost. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of recycling organic wastes through composting. In an area of approximately 1500 ha, situated in the lower valley of the Rio Negro (Black River), onions are produced. 50% of these onions are processed under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The packaging for marketing in processing plants has produced huge volumes of wastes that must be managed according to quality standards. These are composed by scales, roots and leaves, with high C/N ratio. In this study the composting process was studied as a way to recycle ecological and cheap onion waste in order to minimize their environmental impact. The onion residues were mixed with alfalfa and cattle manure. An experiment was carried out in order to determine suitable quality compost (organic product high agronomic value). In order to achieve the objectives, composting processes were carried out in two consecutive years. During the process, some physical, chemical and biological properties of the final product were analyzed and evaluated. The mixtures: OMA, onion-manure-alfalfa; OM, onion-manure; OA, onion-alfalfa, showed a similar behavior. The mixtures more efficient were onion-manure and onion-manure-alfalfa with values close to 50%, while onion-alfalfa yielded only 34%. Reuse of onion waste by composting mixed with cattle manure, is a viable alternative in ecological terms. The final compost obtained could be used as amendment in agriculture practices.
Highlights
IntroductionUrban, agricultural or livestock activity generates residue
Every human, urban, agricultural or livestock activity generates residue
Composting is a process that combines microbiological aerobic mesophilic (15 ̊C - 45 ̊C) and thermophilic (45 ̊C - 70 ̊C) phases for the processing of organic waste into a stable, free of pathogens and weed seeds product that may be applied to the soil as an organic fertilizer [22]
Summary
Urban, agricultural or livestock activity generates residue. An inadequate treatment of them may involve an uncontrolled accumulation and the lead to serious damages. Due to the steady increase of waste production, residue is no longer just the end of lively activity. Waste has to be used a resource, creating a cycle. One of the most important horticultural productions in Argentina is the onion. The production in the lower valley of Rio Negro reaches 1500 ha, which is intended for fresh consumption. The production designed for exportation follows the GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices). Onions are processed in the packing sheds, where the undocking, uprooting, and brushing of the bulbs are made in order to remove cataphylls, which with the discard bulbs, constitute the residue the packaging operation [1]
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