Effect of Bulking Agents on Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Latex Sludge Waste

Abstract

Aim: Production of latex sludge waste biocompost by co composting with different bulking agents like sawdust, zeolite and cattle manure in various ratios and checking its feasibility in agriculture use.
 Study Design: The experiment was conducted by completely randomized design with ten treatments and three replications
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agriculture University between November 2022- February 2022
 Methods: The latex sludge waste collected from HLL, Trivandrum was used for the study. The latex sludge waste is mixed with different bulking agent like sawdust, zeolite and cattle manure in different ratios. Composting inoculum is used equally in all the treatments to fasten the composting process. The resultant composts were analysed for physical, chemical and biological properties. 
 Results: The compost prepared from latex sludge, zeolite, sawdust and cattle manure resulted higher values of major macro and micro nutrients and good physical properties compared to other treatments. A gradual decrease in C:N ratio and carbon dioxide emission was observed for a period of 120 days of composting in all the experiment. The results showed that the co-composting of latex sludge with sawdust, zeolite and cattle manure produces quality compost. All the ratios of the mixture of composts were found to be a better growth medium for crops compared to application of latex sludge alone
 Conclusion: Composting of latex sludge is found to be one of the economic and environmentally viable option for the management of large quantity of latex sludge waste. The compost showed optimum physical, chemical and biological properties and can be utilize for crop production.