Abstract
Chicken processing results in the production of a lot of blood which if disposed on land poses environmental hazards in terms of land pollution. The aim of the study was to develop an aerobic composting process for chicken blood to produce a nitrogen-rich soil amendment for use in agriculture. The study involved composting of blood and maize stover of different proportions (10%, 30%, 70% and 100% maize stover) in compost bins over 72 days and determining which proportions would yield compost with greater potential to support plant growth. The performance of the different compost mixtures was evaluated by monitoring internal temperature, mineral N (NH4+-N and NO3--N), C/N ratio, pH, electrical conductivity and total cations. The concentration of ammonium N decreased by 8.75%, 50.5%, 33.5% and 18.8% for the 10%, 30%, 70% and 100% stover treatments, respectively, with composting time. Nitrate N peaked to 1.93 and 1.06 mg/kg for the 30% and 70% treatments, respectively, on day 43, while it peaked to 1.54 and 0.54 mg/kg for the 10% and 100% treatments, respectively, on day 50. The C/N ratios decreased significantly (p < 0.001) for all treatments. The 10% and 30% treatments had better composting performance than the 70% and 100% treatments as they reached and maintained thermophilic temperatures for at least 8 days. The 10% and 30% treatments appeared to have the greater potential of supporting crop growth.
Highlights
Peanut shells are a waste remaining from the cultivation of peanuts in considerable amounts
The results showed that, in comparison with peat, a significant amount of potassium was present in peanut shells + Azolla compost, which is consistent with the results reported by Grigatti et al (2007)
The results showed that the highest growth was observed in the treatments containing 30% peanut shells + Azolla and the lowest growth rate in the 100% peanut shells + Azolla compost
Summary
Peanut shells are a waste remaining from the cultivation of peanuts in considerable amounts. The compost of this waste can be used as an available and inexpensive material for use in the production of ornamental plants’ growing media. Aquatic fern Azolla (Azolla filiculoides) is not native to Iran and entered the northern provinces of the country in 1991 and was quickly developed in paddy fields and wetlands and created many problems for rice farmers and the environment. In addition to its local production, a considerable amount of peanut is imported to the country with shell. Soilless growing media are crucial to the production of potting plants. In addition to their desirable physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, suitable growing media should be economically
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