Abstract
Unsafe and non-productive disposal of food waste pollutes the environment. Biodegradable food wastes have been composted and applied to soil as an amendment to improve the soil properties and fertility while improving environmental safety. In the Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources compound, food wastes are unsafely deposited attracting wild animal who scavenge around the residence and cafeteria areas. This study analyzes selected plant nutrient in compost prepared from a mixture of food waste and cattle manure, and how the addition of the compost affects soil properties and crop yield. Total nitrogen and organic carbon levels declined significantly after 70 days of applying compost and commercial fertilizer to soil due to leaching and erosion loss. No significant changes were observed in the other soil parameters. Significantly high maize yield was observed in plots treated with compost prepared by mixing 50 % food waste with 50 % cattle manure by volume (50FW50M) compared to the control and all other treatments. The compost prepared by mixing 25 % food waste with 50 % cattle manure by volume (25FW75M) showed significantly higher yield than compost prepared only from food waste (100FW) and the control. Instead of dumping food waste and creating scavenging opportunity for wild animals and possible health issues for residents, the material should be converted to compost in the 50FW50M proportion. The cost benefit for this specific situation should be analyzed in future study and the compost should be tried on other crops besides maize.
Highlights
Unsafe and non-productive disposal of food waste pollutes the environment
The concentrations of Available phosphorous (AP), Available potassium (AK) and Total nitrogen (TN) in the compost is essential, as these plant macro-nutrient must be available if compost is to replace the need for synthetic fertilizer (Alexander, 2001)
The AP and AK exist in comparatively high concentration, but TN is low
Summary
Unsafe and non-productive disposal of food waste pollutes the environment. Biodegradable food wastes have been composted and applied to soil as an amendment to improve the soil properties and fertility while improving environmental safety. Improper disposal of increasing food waste due to increasing population causes ever-increasing problems in environmental. A large amount of organic waste is either burned or buried in landfills; with both treatments causing environmental pollutants. There are a number of micro and macro organisms that have the ability to naturally convert organic waste into valuable plant nutrients and organic matter; items critical for maintaining soil productivity. Organic waste, which is otherwise discarded, can be composted and converted into productive uses such as soil amendments (Barral Silva et al 2007). Due to poor soil management and related problems, Ethiopia faces major plant nutrient depletion (Tulema et al 2007)
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