Abstract
In Brazil, approximately 3 tons of dry mass per hectare of coffee residues (CR), formed by leaves and branches <5 mm in diameter, were accumulated around the crops in the last harvests of the semi-mechanized crops. Thus, the production of substrates and organic fertilizers from the bioconversion of residues of coffee activity is an important theme in Brazil and in the world. The objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the tropical millipede Rhinocricus botocudus on the degradation and maturity of coffee residues (CR). The presence and absence of R. botocudus were tested in five sampling times (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days) with three replicates (n = 3). The analyzed variables were: total C and N contents, lignin, cellulose, soluble C and N, soluble polyphenols, C of humic substances, and infrared analysis of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA). At the final incubation stage (120 days), the lowest values of cellulose, cellulose/lignin, and polyphenols occurred with R. botocudus. Infrared analysis of HA demonstrated that readily biodegradable structures, such as alcohols and short chain aliphatic molecules, were decomposed over time, consequently reflecting the increase of aromatic structures of greater stability. Compared to the control, these changes in HA were more evident in the presence of R. botocudus. The results of the present study suggest that this millipede species alters the dynamics of degradation and humification of CR by accelerating the maturity of this residue. Key words: Cellulose; humic substances; lignin.
Highlights
Brazil, the second largest producer of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) in the world, produces a large amount of waste from the harvest and processing of its fruits
During coffee residues (CR) incubation, the Organic matter (OM) contents decreased (p ≤ 0.01), and there was no difference between treatments (Table 2)
During the initial stage of decomposition (0-30 days), total organic C (TOC) levels decreased in proportions from 3.5 to 4.3%, and these proportions generally decreased over the incubation period
Summary
The second largest producer of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) in the world, produces a large amount of waste from the harvest and processing of its fruits. 3 tons of dry mass (DM) per hectare of coffee residues (CR), formed by leaves and branches
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