Abstract
Composting of animal manure had been considered a sustainable alternative method for recycling organic waste. However the process involved had been associated with greenhouse gas emission (CO2, N2O and CH4) which play an active role in global warming. This study evaluated CO2 emissions from biochar-manure co-compost production. Biochar (from rice husk) and manure were mixed in a ratio of 3:1 v/v to achieve a range of different co-compost mixtures. The treatments and controls in triplicates of 18 units were arranged in a complete randomize design. All treatments were incubated at around 28 oC and turned every two days for 2 weeks, and later five days for 39 days. CO2 production in the compost bins was measured by trapping the evolved gas in 5M NaOH. Total CO2 emissions varied over time with higher rates at the beginning of the composting process. Within the first 7 days, total CO2 emissions (587 mg/m2) from cow dung alone was not significantly different from cow dung plus biochar (506 mg/m2). At the latter stages of the composting process, CO2 emission from cowdung and biochar mixture was less than from the other treatments.
Highlights
The continuous decline in the fertility of tropical soils is a major challenge to sustained crop production (Henao & Baanante, 1999; Stoorvogell & Smaling, 1998)
Rice husks were used as the biochar feedstock; a waste product from the irrigated rice fields of the University of Ghana, Soil and Irrigation Research Centre (SIREC), Kpong
The drum was surrounded with rice husk feed stock which charred for a period of 6 h at a temperature of 350 oC
Summary
The continuous decline in the fertility of tropical soils is a major challenge to sustained crop production (Henao & Baanante, 1999; Stoorvogell & Smaling, 1998). Plant residue and animal manure are alternatives sources of plant nutrients that can enhance soil fertility without adverse effects on the soil. Fresh animal manures are good sources of organic fertilizers that are nutrient-rich, affordable and within the reach of many small-scale farmers. Their soil fertility enhancing effects are often short-lived, because of the high proportion of degradable carbon and nitrogen. Composting is a process that transforms organic matter into a stable product through rapid microbial transformation under aerobic conditions. The application of compost has been reported to significantly increase plant growth, soil and plant nutrient content and biomass production
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