Abstract
PurposeComposting has the potential to recycle wastes as a means of conserving natural resources. The study was aimed at examining feasibility of producing nutrient-enriched composts from pest infested cocoa pods with chemical amendments and using manure composts as a fertilizing material in cocoa seedling nursery.MethodsCocoa pod waste was composted in static vessels, aerobically, with chemical enrichments (triple super phosphate charged at 0.4% P or urea charged at 0.8% N or poultry manure charged at 22%) along with a control at the Cocoa and Coconut Institute, Papua New Guinea. The reaction (pH) of the composting mixtures (pH) and macro-nutrients dynamics was monitored at periodic intervals. Effect of soil incorporation of cocoa pod manure composts at 10 g kg−1 was assessed on the growth and foliar concentration of macro-nutrients in hybrid cocoa seedlings.ResultsIn the finished manure composts, dry matter loss ranged from 30.6 to 63.3%; greatest in composting mixtures charged with super phosphate and poultry manure. Besides, super phosphate enriched mixture lost small fraction of initial N (6.6%) compared to un-enriched cocoa pod waste (30.2%). Composting mixtures with greater pH values during composting process showed higher losses of N. Super phosphate charged manure compost outperformed the control, in terms of C/N ratio and concentration of macro-nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg and S). Quality parameters for all the manure composts conformed to the Canadian Compost Guidelines indicating satisfactory standards. Waste cocoa pods enriched with superphosphate did not show any deleterious effects on cocoa seedlings’ growth, rather, improved plant height, dry matter production and foliar N concentration.ConclusionWaste cocoa pods, co-composted with triple super phosphate and poultry manure, produced composts of desirable quality and can be effectively used to fertilize the cocoa seedlings.
Highlights
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L., family: Sterculiaceae) is a major cash crop in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and many tropical countries
Cocoa pod waste was composted in static vessels, aerobically, with chemical enrichments along with a control at the Cocoa and Coconut Institute, Papua New Guinea
In the finished manure composts, dry matter loss ranged from 30.6 to 63.3%; greatest in composting mixtures charged with super phosphate and poultry manure
Summary
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L., family: Sterculiaceae) is a major cash crop in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and many tropical countries. Global annual production of dry cocoa beans exceeded 3.98 million tons in 2011–2012 (ICCO 2012). Each ton of dry beans produced generates approximately ten tons of cacao pod husks and the global burden of pod husk waste continues to increase well over 40 million tons (Vriesmann et al 2012). Valorization of cocoa pod husk waste has been attempted by producing animal feed (Aregheore 2002; Alexander et al 2008), black soap (Taiwo and Osinowo 2001), crude gums and pectins for food and pharmaceutical industries (Samuel 2006; Vriesmann et al 2012) and as a fertilizer in crop production (Oladokun 1986; Iberemo 2010; Oyewole et al 2012; Gusli 2013).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
