Compost Science Complete scientific data on compost process control and end product quality

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Compost Science & Utilization, (2004), Vol. 12, No. 4, 296-297

Crop Response
Biosolids and composts as greenhouse potting mix and nursery container amendments
Investigators: R. Hummel, C. Cogger and A. Bary, Washington State University
Objectives: To evaluate composted dairy solids, composted biosolids and Class A biosolids blends as

media for greenhouse pots and nursery containers; Biosolids blends performed well in both experiments, and a local municipality (Tacoma) is now marketing a biosolids-bark blend.

Coriander and tomato responses to various green waste composts
Investigators: Keith Williams, Muhammad Ali and Davey Jones, University of Cardiff, School of Engineering and the School of Agricultural and Forest Science, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To find markets and to establish consumer confidence in the product. Growth responses of coriander and tomatoes to a range of green waste composts are being studied in an attempt to determine those factors that are present in poorer quality compost and adversely influence plant growth.

Evaluating vermicompost use in agricultural crop production
Investigators: Paula Roberts, Davey Jones, Gareth Edwards-Jones; School of Agricultural and Forest Science, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To assess the response of a selection of greenhouse and field grown cereal crops at a range of different application rates, and the potential for vermicompost use in organic crop production.

Growth responses of garden flowers to vermicompost application
Investigators: Paula Roberts, Davey Jones and Gareth Edwards-Jones, School of Agricultural and Forest Science, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To determine how plants respond to vermicompost produced by different species of earthworm and evaluate the response of three commonly grown flowers by substituting conventional growth media with vermicompost.

Nutrient availability from organic amendments
Investigators: Dan Sullivan, D. Hemphill and Eric Gale, Oregon State University; C. Cogger and A. Bary, Washington State University
Objectives: To compare nitrogen availability from a variety of composted and uncomposted local organic materials; Measuring decomposition and N mineralization through lab incubations; Modeling and data analysis; Evaluating residual available N through field uptake and mineralization experiments.

Impact of compost for increasing yields and improving soils on Guam
Investigators: M. Golabi, M. Denney and C. Iyekar, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, Mangilao
Objectives: To assess how compost can improve soil fertility status and how nitrogen and other nutrients can be supplied without application of synthetic fertilizers.

Residual nitrogen availability from biosolids
Investigators: C. Cogger and A. Bary, Washington State University
Objective: To assess residual biosolids N availability following 10 years of biosolids applications to tall fescue plants
Using process wastewater from anaerobic digestion of MSW on turfgrass
Investigators: R. Michitsch, C. Chong, B. Holbein, R. Voroney and H. Liu, University of Guelph and Super Blue Box Recycling Corp., Guelph, Ontario
Objectives: To evaluate wastewater as a primary nitrogen source for turfgrass production comparing results in both pot culture experiments and open field plots.

Environmental Impact
Comparison of annual and multiyear N-based and P-based manure applications
Investigators: Jessica G. Davis and C.C. Truman, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Objectives: To compare beef manure application strategies in their impact on soil and plant nutrient concentrations and nutrient runoff and leaching. Treatments were a fertilizer control, annual N-based manure application, N based applied every other year, annual P-based, P-based applied every other year, and P-based applied once every four years.

Effect of soil salinity and moisture on animal manure mineralization
Investigator: Thomas L. Thompson, University of Arizona
Objectives: To study mineralization of nitrogen from animal manure under field conditions. Information is needed for development of federally mandated "Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans" required of all large scale animal producers and all associated agricultural lands that receive inputs of animal manure.

Evaluation of vermicomposting in reduction of human pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7
Investigators: Arwel Prysor Williams, Paula Roberts and Davey Jones; School of Agricultural and Forest Science, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To evaluate the quality of vermicompost which is produced from farmyard manures. Previous work has shown that such manures contain populations of E. coli O157:H7. Vermicomposting of farmyard manures is known to reduce populations of enteric bacteria but the fate of O157:H7 is not understood.

Impact of organic phosphorus on phosphorus runoff
Investigators: Jessica G. Davis and Reagan M. Waskom, Department of Soil and Crops Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins , Colorado
Objectives: To examine effects of four P sources applied as raw dairy manure, compost and vermicompost and rock phosphate. Each treatment was applied at 90 and 180 kg P205 ha-1. The high rate of raw manure treatment had significantly higher Olsen P in 2002 and 2003 compared to other treatments including the control. The high rate raw manure treatment resulted in significantly higher total dissolved P values in runoff in 2002 and higher total P, total dissolved P, and dissolved inorganic P values in 2003. Compost and vermicompost applied at the same P205 rate as raw manure resulted in significantly lower P concentration in runoff than raw manure fertilization.

Land application of livestock manures in Hawaii and the American Pacific
Investigators: C. Evensen, R.S. Yost, N. Y. Hue, University of Hawaii
Objectives: To determine interactions of nutrients in tropical soils to which manures are applied; To determine maximum application rates of manure and effluent; To develop comprehensive nutrient management plans on livestock farms in the region.

Reaching midwest organic growers through on-farm partnerships
Investigators: Kathleen Delate and Jerald DeWitt, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Objectives: To establish a new organic research and Extension program at Iowa State University that includes needs assessment for organic farming practices; Demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits associated with long-term practices. Success of the organic farming program will depend upon administrative support, sufficient resources, and community involvement in the decision-making process.

Materials and Methods
Comparison of two in-vessel systems in composting MSW
Investigators: Mark Farrell and Davey Jones, School of Agricultural and Forest Science, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To evaluate the composting side of mechanical biological treatment (MBT) of municipal solid waste produced from a local authority site in North Wales. Two in-vessel systems will be trialed for how they perform in terms of the compost process and product quality (pathogen, heavy metals, organic pollutants, etc.).

Growing herbal plants with composted palm oil mill sludge
Investigators: R. Rahman, A Yaser and M. Kalil,Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Universiti Krebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
Objectives: To determine growth improvement by applying composted mill sludge and sandy soils on C. citratus, one of the Malaysian herbal plants.

Using effluent from anaerobically digested poultry litter as fertilizer
Investigators: B. Liedl, J. Bombardiere, M. Williams, A. Stowers, C. Postalwait, and J. Chatfield, West Virginia State College, Institute, West Virginia
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of digested poultry litter as part of a nutrient management program and provide a solution for livestock residuals. Five fertilizer treatments were used - unfertilized control; pelletized municipal biosolids; commercial crop specific products; one time digested solids; and two times digested solids. Trials included blueberries, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet corn.

Soil fertility management in organic systems
Investigators: Jessica G. Davis and Rick J. Zimmerman, Department of Soil and Crop sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Objectives: To observe increase in soil fertility components over time in organic production. Study took place on a large organic vegetable farm that uses leguminous cover crops as green manures and dairy manure as only fertility inputs. Annual soil test data taken from 12 fields, for 7-18 years. were compiled and analyzed for changes over time in chemical properties for soil fertility components.

Composting of catering and green wastes
Investigators: Paula Roberts, Davey Jones and Gareth Edwards-Jones, School of Agricultural and Forest Science, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Objectives: To use an in-vessel forced aeration composting system as a means of treating biodegradable wastes. Biological and chemical changes in a broad spectrum of green waste combinations are being studied, including plant nutrient dynamics, in particular N, that arise from feedstocks containing a broad range of C:N ratios.

Microbial Ecology
Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on human pathogens in a finished compost
Investigators: S. Pietronave, L. Fracchia, M. Rinaldi and M.G. Martinotti, Department of Chemical, Food, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
Objectives: Investigate the role of indigenous microflora of a finished compost, defined NK12, on the growth suppression of pathogens under different moisture and temperature storages. Total count of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria was evaluated by the most probable number method and growth of seeded Salmonella arizonae 3924 serogroup B and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 84 M in NK12 at different moisture/temperature conditions. Results on sterile and nonsterile NK12 were compared. In all tested experimental conditions, the NK12 indigenous microflora was stable and biologically active. S. arizonae 3924 and E. coli 84 M grew rapidly in sterilized NK12 at different moistures and storage temperatures, and their growth was suppressed in nonsterilized NK12.

Microbial C and N dynamics during the composting process
Investigators: B. Ayed,A. Hassen, N. Jedidi and 0. Bouzaiane, Institut National de la Rechereche Scientifique, Hamman, Tunisia
Objectives: To track microbial biomass dynamics in composting as a shift occurs from prevailing bacteria and actinomycetes to prevailing fungi.