Municipal Solid Waste Compost Research Articles

Evaluation of Physio-Chemical Characteristics of Bio Fertilizer Produced from Organic Solid Waste Using Composting Bins

Background: The possibility of converting the organic fraction of municipal solid waste to mature compost using the composting bin method was studied. Nine distinct treatments were created by combining municipal solid waste (MSW) with animal waste (3:1, 2:1), poultry manure (3:1, 2:1), mixed waste (2:1:1), agricultural waste (dry leaves), biocont (Trichoderm hazarium), and humic acid. Weekly monitoring of temperature, pH, EC, organic matter (OM percent), and the C/N ratio was performed, and macronutrients (N, P, K) were measured. Trace elements, including heavy metals (Cd and Pb), were tested in the first and final weeks of maturity. Results: Temperatures in the first days of composting reached the thermophilic phase in MSW compost with animal and poultry manure between 55–60 °C, pH and EC (mS/cm) increased during the composting period in most composting bin treatments. Overall, organic matter (OM percent) and the C/N ratio decreased (10.27 to 18.9) as result of microbial activity during composting. Organic matter loss percent was less in treatments containing additives (biocont l humic acid) as well agricultural waste treatment. Composting bin treatments with animals and poultry showed higher K and P at the mature stage with an increase in micronutrients. Finally heavy metals were (2.25–4.20) mg/kg and (139–202) mg/kg for Cd and Pb respectively at maturation stage. Conclusion: Therefore, the results suggested that MSW could be composted in the compost bin method with animal and poultry manure. The physio-chemical parameters pH, Ec and C/N were within the acceptable standards. Heavy metals and micronutrients were under the limits of the USA standards. The significance of this study is that the compost bin may be used as a quick check to guarantee that the outputs of long-term public projects fulfill general sustainability requirements, increase ecosystem services, and mitigate the effect of municipal waste disposal on climate change particularly the hot climate regions.

Composting municipal solid waste for agriculture in Northern Ghana: Rural farmers’ willingness to pay for compost quality and access attributes

Abstract While farmers in rural areas of northern Ghana find it difficult to obtain sufficient organic soil amendments to keep their soil healthy, there is not enough demand for city compost factories attempting to clean cities of organic solid waste to sustain the composting rate at waste-clearing levels. In this study, 398 farmers in rural communities were surveyed in order to estimate the willingness-to-pay for different quality and access attributes of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and examine how demand for it can be boosted among such farmers. Several specifications of the generalized multinomial logit (G-MNL) model, using farmers’ choice data, revealed that the compost quality and market access attributes surveyed in the study significantly affect farmers’ decision to buy MSW compost. The results also showed that preferences for the attributes vary widely among the farmers, mainly due to some unobserved personal factors. On average, the empirical estimates indicate that for a 50 kg compost bag, farmers are willing to pay GHS 9.43 for brand/label, GHS 5.76 for pelletized compost, GHS 4.49 for delivery in the community, and GHS 2.49 for sales when they have their cash windfall. Farmers face an average disutility of at least GHS 33.36 for deciding not to buy compost, regardless of its attributes, indicating that besides the attributes captured by the study, other factors important to farmers influence their purchase decisions. Significantly discounted prices together with improved compost quality increase the probability of compost purchase. Thus, overall the findings highlight the need to subsidize MSW compost by more than 50 per cent, to sell it in pelletized form and branded/labelled packages while making it accessible to rural farmers during their cash windfall.

Microbial characteristics of municipal solid waste compost: Occupational and public health risks from surface applied compost

Land application of MSW compost promotes the soil fertility and productivity, but there is concern about its chemical and microbial quality. Although, current microbial indicators of MSW compost are generally considered to be protective of human health, the use of these indicators doesn’t adequately represent the presence of pathogens that might be more resistant to inactivation during composting process. This work aims evaluation of the microbial characteristics of MSW compost and estimation of the health risks associated with exposure to pathogens of potential concern in MSW compost. Although the recommended standards for fecal coliforms and Salmonella were met in a relatively high percentage of samples, there were detectable levels of microbial pathogens. The highest daily infection risk was estimated for Cryptosporidium (1.25 × 10−3 per person) followed by Salmonella and Campylobacter, while the lowest related to adenovirus. Infection risks were low for both farmers and children in one-time exposure and all pathogen risks were decreased with increasing waiting time to near insignificant levels. However, the median annual risk of cryptosporidiosis or gastroenteritis was above the recommended value of 10−3 per person per year. Because of potential presence of pathogens in MSW compost, some level of pathogen monitoring beyond conventional indicators may be required to estimate potential risks. The findings of this study could provide information to governments and local authorities in making decisions on measures to reduce risk from application of MSW compost. Further research is needed to obtain the reliable information about the inactivation of microorganisms in environment.

Harnessing Agricultural Potential of Degraded Alkaline Soils through Combined Use of Municipal Solid Waste Compost and Inorganic Amendments

ABSTRACT Management of degraded alkali soils is an overriding challenge for agricultural production. Salt toxicity and lack of organic matter and available nutrients are major causes for poor soil fertility and low productivity. Amelioration of these soils through inorganic amendments is costly. A field experiment with six treatment combinations of different doses of organic and inorganic amendments was conducted during 2014 to 2016 on highly alkali soil, with the hypothesis that the integration of organic and inorganic amendments may offer a pragmatic solution for sustainable reclamation and harnessing their productivity potential. From our study, it was observed that combined use of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost @10 Mg ha−1 with reduced dose of gypsum or phosphogypsum (25% gypsum requirement, GR) increased soil bulk density, infiltration rate, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), soil organic carbon (SOC), and available N by 11%, 54%, 14%, 10%, and 13%, respectively, over the control. Integrated use of organic and inorganic amendments also increased soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP), and dehydrogenase activity by 56.85, 82.90, 78.80, and 101.00%, respectively, over the control. These changes in soil properties resulted in a profound effect on crop productivity on widely distributed alkali soils in India and other arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Therefore, application of municipal solid waste compost in combination with inorganic amendments can be a sustainable approach for restoration of degraded alkali lands for harnessing their productivity potential and the monetary savings of inorganic amendments amounting about US$ 433 ha−1, which can be utilized for the amelioration of more alkali lands.

Stabilising fluoride in contaminated soils with monocalcium phosphate and municipal solid waste compost: microbial, biochemical and plant growth impact.

This study evaluated the influence of a municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and monocalcium phosphate (MCP), alone or combined, on the mobility, toxicity, bioavailability and health risk of fluoride (1000mg F-·kg-1) in an artificially polluted soil (pH 7.85). The addition of MCP (0.2% w/w) and MSWC (1% w/w) (alone and combined) to the contaminated soil reduced water-soluble (e.g. by more than 50% in MCP and MCP + MSWC-treated soils) and exchangeable F- fractions and increased the residual one. The addition of MSWC and MSWC + MCP to the contaminated soil significantly increased microbial biomass C (SMB-C; 1.3-3.6-fold) while all treatments increased the abundance of culturable heterotrophic bacteria (up to twofold in MSWC + MCP). Overall, dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease and phosphomonoesterase activities were enhanced in treated soils and positively correlated with SMB-C, but not with labile F-. All treatments increased carrot yield (up to 3.4-fold in MSWC + MCP), while bean growth was significantly enhanced only by MCP and MCP + MSWC (~ twofold). The opposite trend applied for F- uptake which was especially reduced in the edible part of carrot after soil amendment. A limited influence of MCP and MSWC on hazard quotient (HQ), due to bean and carrot consumption, was also recorded (i.e. HQ generally > 1). Results suggest that MCP and MSWC can be used in the recovery of soil chemical, microbial and biochemical status of F-rich agricultural soils. They also indicate that the bean and carrot cultivars employed in this study are likely unsuitable in such soils due to high F- uptake in edible parts.

Pengaruh Pupuk Sampah Kota dan dan Pupuk Kandang Sapi terhadapTinggi Tanaman, Panjang Daun, dan Berat Panen Tanaman Pakcoy (Brasica rapa ) pada Andisol di Kabupaten Indramayu

The objective of this research was to find out the effect of municipal solid waste compost and cow manure on plant height, leaf length, and harvest weight of pakcoy (Brasica rapa) in Andisols in Indramayu Regency. This study used a randomized block design factorial with two factors. The first factor is municipal waste compost and the second factor is cow manure. Each of them consisted of 4 levels : 0%, 3.0%, 6.0%, and 9.0% with two replication. The results showed that there was an interaction between municipal solid waste compost and cow manure on the plant heights of pakcoy 14, 21, and 28 HST, but there was no interaction at 7 HST. The statistical results show that the combination of municipal solid waste compost with cow manure has an effect on the height of pakcoy 14, 21, and 28 HST, but the height of pakcoy 7 HST is influenced by the independent influence of cow manure. There was an interaction between municipal solid waste compost and cow manure on the leaf length of pakcoy 7, 14, 21, and 28 HST, and there was an interaction between municipal waste compost and cow manure on the harvest weight of pakcoy. The application of organic matter, both municipal solid waste compost and cow manure to the soil can increase plant height, leaf length, and harvest weight of pakcoy.

Effect of Micro-Nutrients in Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea Mays L.)

The pot experiment was conducted in Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry . Annamalai university to evaluate the response of maize ( Zea mays L.) with conventional ,non – conventional organic source , industrial by-products combined with inorganic fertilizers. The treatments imposed were T_1-Control ( 100 % RDF ) , T_2- 100 % RDF + Municipal Solid Waste Compost @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) , T_3- 100 % RDF + Municipal Solid Waste Compost @ 〖10 t ha〗^(-1), T_4 – 100 % RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 〖t ha〗^(-1), T_5 – 100 % RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) , T_6-100 % RDF + Bagasse Ash @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) , T_7- 100 % RDF + Bagasse Ash @ 10 〖t ha〗^(-1) ,T_8- 100 % RDF + Lignite Flyash @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) ,T_9- 100 % RDF + Lignite Flyash @ 10 〖t ha〗^(-1).There were nine treatments combinations replicated thrice in CRD.The uptake of grain in Fe (5.495〖 mg pot〗^(-1)) ,Mn (0.592 〖mg pot〗^(-1)), Zn (0.746 m〖g pot〗^(-1)) and the uptake of grain in Cu (0.118 〖mg pot〗^(-1) ) recorded higher in the treatment ( T_3 ) which received 100 % RDF with Municipal Solid Waste Compost @ 10 tha^(-1).Stover uptake in Fe (44.0〖 mg pot〗^(-1)), Mn (3.25 〖mg pot〗^(-1)) , Zn (0.85 〖mg pot〗^(-1)) and Cu (0.72 〖mg pot〗^(-1)) was recorded highest due to application of 100 % RDF with Vermicompost @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) ( T_(5 )).

Impact of municipal solid waste compost amendment and mineral fertilization on soil properties and Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo var. cantalupensis crop quality

Impact of municipal solid waste compost amendment and mineral fertilization on soil properties and Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo var. cantalupensis crop quality

Combined bioaugmentation and biostimulation techniques in bioremediation of pentachlorophenol contaminated forest soil

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is quite persistent in the environment and severely affects different ecosystems including forest soil. The main objective of this work was to study different bioremediation processes of artificially PCP (100 mg kg−1) contaminated forest soil (Sc). In fact, we used bioaugmentation by adding two different bacterial consortia B1 and B2, biostimulation procedures by amendments based on forest compost (FC), municipal solid waste compost (MC), sewage sludge (SS), and phosphate, and their combined treatments. Soil physical and chemical properties, residual PCP, soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration and some enzymatic activities at zero time and after 30 d of incubation, were evaluated. A net reduction of PCP, 71% of the initial concentration, after 30 d-incubation occurred in the sample Sc+B1+FC, as the best performance among all treatments, due to natural attenuation, immobilization of PCP molecules in the forest soil through organic amendments, and the action of the exogenous microbial consortium B1. The single application of FC or B1 led to a depletion of PCP concentration of 52% and 41%, respectively. Soil microbial biomass carbon decreased in PCP contaminated soil but it increased when organic amendment also in combination with microbial consortia was carried out as bioremediation action. Soil respiration underwent no changes in contaminated soil and increased under FC based bioremediation treatment. These results demonstrate that the combined treatments of biostimulation and bioaugmentation might be a promising process for remediation of PCP contaminated soil.

Field performance and survival of cocoa seedlings raised in different growing media

Abstract The medium from which seedlings are transplanted influences seedling growth and survival on the field. The objective of the experiment was to compare how growing media affect the growth and survival of cocoa seedlings under field conditions. The seedlings were raised in both soil and soilless media and were transplanted on the field in June, when they were six months old. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three different growing media: 1. top soil, 2. sawdust + poultry manure + rice husk biochar (70%:25%:5%), and 3. sawdust + poultry manure + municipal solid waste compost (50%:35%:15%). The cocoa seedlings were transplanted at a spacing of 3 m × 3 m at 12 plants per plot and each plot size measured 45 m × 45 m. Data were collected on plant height, leaf number, stem girth, leaf chlorophyll content, percentage of plants that shed their leaves, and percentage of survival. Results indicated that seedling survival at the onset and end of the dry season was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for seedlings transplanted from soilless media compared to those from the top soil treatment. Irrigation will be necessary to maintain high seedling survival when seedlings are transplanted from the top soil for a well-established plantation.

Factors influencing utilization of municipal solid waste compost among urban farmers in western Uganda

BackgroundEffective management of solid waste is one of the most serious environmental problems confronting urban governments in developing countries due to insufficient financial resources and institutional capacity to provide basic solid waste management infrastructure, impoverished urban populations, low rates and coverage of collection, and rising food consumption rates. Composting has been touted as the most economical solution for reducing organic fraction of urban waste volumes while releasing vital nutrients for the soils. However, there is a paucity of information on utilization and associated factors of urban wastes in Uganda. This study aims to assess the level of utilization of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) compost produced from Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) plants and associated factors among farmers in Fort Portal and Mbarara Municipalities, western Uganda.MethodsData was collected using a cross-sectional survey from 359 and 361 randomly selected farmers in Mbarara and Fort Portal, respectively. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to collect quantitative data and analyzed statistically using SPSS and STATA statistical programs. Probit model was used to determine factors that influence farmers’ decisions to utilize MSW compost as a soil conditioner.ResultsThe findings revealed a very low level of utilization in both municipalities, 1.7% in Fort Portal and 2.2% in Mbarara. The results indicated that annual farm income, access to other soil conditioners, experience with the use of fertilizers, membership to a farmers’ group and the cost of MSW compost significantly influenced farmers’ decision to use MSW compost.ConclusionsThe findings call for government investment in policies aimed at increasing the level of utilization of the MSW compost by improving accessibility to soil conditioners, creating opportunities for maximizing household incomes, farmer-to-farmer experience sharing, dissemination of information through extension programmes and other innovative communication approaches, operationalization of farmers’ groups and introduction of subsidy schemes on the price of compost through operational tax waivers in urban areas of Uganda. Finally, to guarantee quality and to improve the adoption of compost generated at the CDM plants, there is a need for research to assess the quality of MSW compost, undertake a supply chain analysis and cost–benefit study and set a price commensurate with the quality, and develop guidelines and rates of application of the MSW compost.

Effects of Adding MSW Compost, Lime and Commercial Soil Improvers on Soil Heavy Metal Concentrations

In this study, it was aimed to improve the soil with low pH and high amount of heavy metals by using municipal solid waste compost, lime and commercial soil improvers (Terra B and Viro Bind). In this study, the forms of the metals in the soil were determined by using sequential extraction method. It was investigated how soil improvers added to soil change the forms of metals. It was also investigated how the addition of soil improvers (compost, lime and commercial soil improvers) to the soil affects the amount of metal deposited on the roots and stems of the plants (Zea mays). It has been observed that the improvers added to the soil increase the pH value of the soil as T50 > Compost > Lime > A2. The sequential extraction results revealed that exchangeable forms of the studied heavy metals were transformed into the organically bound form. When compared with the control, high concentrations of the metals (except Ni) were found in the Organic Matter (OM) bound and residual forms following the addition of commercial soil conditioners such as A2 and T50, respectively. For the metals measured in the study, with the addition of A2, 96% of Pb, 99% of Cu and Cd, 86% of Ni and 97% of Zn are transformed into OM bound and residual forms, and with the addition of T50, 80% of Pb, 99% of Cu, Cd and ZN, and 78% of Ni were converted to OM bound and residual forms. These results indicated that the application of 1.5% lime combined with 10% compost substantially enhanced plant growth in the contaminated soils.

Mechanical Pruning and Soil Organic Amending in Two Terroirs. Effects on Wine Chemical Composition and Sensory Profile

The knowledge about the interaction between mechanical pruning and soil organic amending is still scarce. This study aimed to examine the effects of the interaction between these two practices on wine quality. Syrah grapes from two trial fields in Portugal subjected to two different pruning systems (mechanical pruning; hand spur pruning) and five different organic amendment treatments (control, biochar, municipal solid waste compost, cattle manure, and sewage sludge) were harvested and vinified for four years. Mechanical pruning significantly reduced wine alcoholic strength, pH, and total anthocyanins. Mechanical pruning and organic amendments, tendentially reduced wine total phenols and tannin power, known as an “estimation of the astringency potential of the wines”. Tasters found low but significant differences in global appreciation with the pruning system. Sludge tended to reduce wine global appreciation more than municipal solid waste compost and cattle manure, while biochar had no effect on tasters’ preference when compared to the control. There was strong relation between yield and tasters’ preference only above 6 kg/vine and 8 kg/vine depending on the terroir. Mechanical pruning tendentially has significant effects on wine quality when yield raises above a certain level. Thus, with this pruning system, the choice of the organic amendment and its amount must be done considering the destiny of the produced grapes. To the best of our knowledge, effects of the interaction of mechanical pruning with soil organic amending on wine quality are a novelty.

A study of triangular membership function and multiple regressions to calculate the MSW compost index

The municipal solid waste compost consists of elements with a varied composition, including light and heavy metal elements. For MSW compost to act as a soil conditioner, and to ensure agricultural stakeholders to believe in its use for crops production, validation of elements is obligatory. The triangular membership function evaluates each element of a fuzzy set for both discrete and continuous values, and regression analysis estimates the relationship between values. In this paper, a triangular membership function (μf) is studied and used to characterize the effect of individual elements available in the compost sample. The characterization determines the variation in the composition of elements in the compost sample and accordingly calculates its scorei. Furthermore, a reinvestigation is done by applying multiple regression analysis, especially on heavy metals, to compare their composition with light mineral nutrients and other supplementary elements. A relationship between R=4.12 and R2=0.067498635 is derived to determine the predicted value and defines the composition of heavy metals as attributed to another mineral nutrients. Furthermore, a correlation (Co) is derived to find the performance of the compost sample todecide whether both light and supplementary mineral nutrients are capable of minimizing the effect of heavy metals. A gratuity score (Gsi) is added to each heavy metal depending on the correlation value to form a composti. The scorei=88.11 and composti = 9.12 obtained, was summated to derive Ci=97.23, stating that the increase in score value declares that the compost sample is mature enough to be used for agriculture and enhance crops productivity.

Municipal solid waste compost and its derivatives, a suitable alternative to peat moss in the growth of Dracaena marginata tricolor

Municipal solid waste compost and its derivatives, a suitable alternative to peat moss in the growth of Dracaena marginata tricolor

Evaluation and Acceleration of Municipal Biowaste Compost Production and its Effect on Growth and Yield of Amaranthus

To limit the accumulation of municipal solid waste, quick solid waste management techniques are more vital to reuse, reduce, and recycle the Municipal Solid Wastes MSW). A study was conducted to shorten the composting time and assess the degradation efficiency of different micro consumers in Municipal Solid Waste Compost (MSWC) production and followed by a field experiment with Amaranthus as a test crop to evaluate the influence of MSWC on crop yield. Various sources viz., Saw dust balls impregnated with Panchakavya solution, TNAU Biomineralizer, PUSA decomposer, Effective Microorganisms (EM) solution, RCOF Waste decomposer and Novel microbial consortia were used for rapid production of biowaste compost. The results showed that the PUSA decomposer and EM Solution significantly reduced the period of composting to 35 and 37 days respectively. The nutrient parameters of compost viz., C:N ratio (13:1), total N (3.37%), total P (0.14%) and total K (0.65%) were better in the compost prepared with PUSA decomposer followed by those with EM solution and novel microbial consortia. The bio compost obtained from this study was utilized in the field experiment to assess the biomass production of Amaranthus. Enriched MSWC @ 5t ha-1 + 75% NPK produced greater amount of biomass (27.84 t ha-1), in comparison with control which produced 59.7% higher biomass yield. The overall results indicated that proper microbial inoculation of solid biowastes shortened the duration of composting and combined application of municipal biowaste compost with inorganic fertilizers saved 25 percent of fertilizer dosage, improved the soil quality and crop yield thus ensuring ecofriendly disposal of wastes.

Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Antimony Mobility, Phytotoxicity and Bioavailability in Polluted Soils

The effect of a municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), added at 1 and 2% rates, on the mobility, phytotoxicity, and bioavailability of antimony (Sb) was investigated in two soils (SA: acidic soil; SB: alkaline soil), spiked with two Sb concentrations (100 and 1000 mg kg−1). The impact of MSWC on microbial activity and biochemical functioning within the Sb-polluted soils was also considered. MSWC addition reduced water-soluble Sb and favored an increase in residual Sb (e.g., by 1.45- and 1.14-fold in SA-100 and SA-1000 treated with 2% MSWC, respectively). Significant increases in dehydrogenase activity were recorded in both the amended soils, as well as a clear positive effect of MSWC on the metabolic activity and catabolic diversity of respective microbial communities. MSWC alleviated Sb phytotoxicity in triticale plants and decreased Sb uptake by roots. However, increased Sb translocation from roots to shoots was recorded in the amended soils, according to the compost rate. Overall, the results obtained indicated that MSWC, particularly at a 2% rate, can be used for the recovery of Sb-polluted soils. It also emerged that using MSWC in combination with triticale plants can be an option for the remediation of Sb-polluted soils, by means of assisted phytoextraction.

The Use of Municipal Solid Waste Compost in Combination with Proper Irrigation Scheduling Influences the Productivity, Microbial Activity and Water Use Efficiency of Direct Seeded Rice

Appropriate irrigation scheduling, along with proper nutrient management practice for direct seeded rice (DSR), are very much essential to attain higher water use efficiency. Huge amounts of municipal waste are been produced every year and these wastes are left untreated and have caused many environmental hazards. However, these wastes can be converted into potential manures for crop production when enhanced with microbial consortia. Concerning these, the current research was carried out to know the effect of compost of enriched municipal soil waste (E-MSWC) with suitable irrigation scheduling on growth, yield, microbial activity, and water use efficiency of the DSR grown under Indo-Gangetic plains during two consecutive rice seasons of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 at Varanasi, India. From the experiment, it was found that E-MSWC applied at 10 Mg·ha−1 along with 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was capable to improve growth, yield, soil microbes, and water use efficiency (WUE) of rice. Amongst different enriched MSWC, the consortia (blend of N-fixing, P and Zn-solubilizing bacteria and Trichoderma) enriched MSWC was found to be the most effective. Concerning, different irrigation scheduling, it was observed that 50 mm cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) based irrigation was the most suitable as compared to providing irrigation at 75 mm CPE. Comparing rice varieties used in the research, the rice variety Swarna has appeared as a better choice in terms of yield and WUE than the variety, Sahbhagi. Thus, it can be recommended that irrigation at 50 mm of CPE in conjunction with 75% RDF + E-MSWC (consortia) at 10 Mg·ha−1 could improve the water use efficiency of rice grown in Indo-Gangetic plains.

Nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur mineralization in soil treated with amended municipal solid waste compost under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Purpose Our study had considered some organic amendments to enhance nutrient level of marketed municipal solid waste (MSW) compost for its potential use as fertilizer for growing crops in alluvial soils. Method We prepared three types of amended compost by mixing 20% mustard oil cake (MOC), and 30% poultry manure (PM) or cowdung (CD) or sugarcane press mud (SPM) with 50% MSW compost. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) mineralization study was done in soil treated with three amended and one unamended composts with three replications through an incubation experiment at a temperature of 25 ± 1°C for 82 days under aerobic (field capacity) and anaerobic (submerged) conditions. The mineralization data were fitted to the first-order kinetic model. Results The soil NO3--N content was 2-3 times higher in aerobic condition than in anaerobic condition, while the NH4+-N was higher in anaerobic soils. The kinetic model reveals that poultry manure and sugarcane press mud had higher capability to supply N for use by the crops. The P release was the highest at day 15 with three-time higher availability in anaerobic condition. The S mineralization in soil was higher in field capacity than in submerged condition. ConclusionThe compost mixture comprising MSW, MOC and SPM in a ratio of 5:2:3 demonstrated the highest cumulative N, P and S mineralization in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The N and S availability decreased while the P availability increased in submerged soils which result has fertilizer management implications for wet land rice crop.

Compost Quality and Sanitation on Industrial Scale Composting of Municipal Solid Waste and Sewage Sludge

Municipal solid waste and sewage sludge are produced in large quantities that are often managed through industrial composting treatment. Because of their origin, composition, and complexity, ensuring adequate stabilization of the organic matter, and sanitation of fecal contaminants during composting is of the utmost significance, and difficult to achieve on an industrial scale. In this study, the operations of six industrial composting facilities that process municipal solid waste and sewage sludge were evaluated from the point of view of the sanitation achieved and the quality of the compost produced. In addition, the results were compared using the model of industrial compost from green waste. Differences between the plants were ascribable to operations other than composting systems. High phytotoxicity and fecal contamination above legislation thresholds were found in compost produced from municipal solid waste. In contrast, compost from sewage sludge were more stable and mature than those produced from green waste, and also had an adequate level of sanitation. The raw material and operational factors are of great relevance to obtain a stable, mature, and pathogen-free compost.