CURRENT RESEARCH

Compost Science & Utilization, (2008), Vol. 16, No. 1, 4

Materials and Methods
Composting Of Biodegradable Organic Wastes For Sustainable Agriculture

Investigators: M.A. Ali Khan, Manoj Kumar, Kavita Kashyap, Ruby Rani, Sanjay Yada, Priti Kaushik Siraohi Environmental Science Lab. Dept. of Botany, Simbhaoli, Ghaziabad, India

Objectives: To recycle, reduce and reuse hazardous distillery spent wash (DSW). Pressmud cake

(PMC) fly ash, Eicchornia/Azolla/trash/litter and DSW inoculated with Trichoderma viride were observed for temperature based decomposer phases (psychrophilic, mesophillic, thermophilic, stabilization and poikilothermic). N. Mineralization in immature (IMC) and mature compost (MC) was evaluated by C/N ratio and plant bioassay test (Vigna radiata L). DSW rapidly decomposes green manure (Sesbania aculeata) for soil health management Trichoderma showed early decomposition by humus-enzyme complex and hastened the decomposition rate of residuals in soil, essential for reactions and sustainability. Holistic effect was investigated of ferti-irrigation (liquid fertilizer) of treated distillery effluent on presown (priming) and postsown crop productivity and soil fertility. Partially treated effluent was further treated through reverse osmosis to remove inorganic solids and recalcitrant compounds for healthy ecosystems.

Monitoring Nutrient Emissions And Turning Effects During Manure Storage

Investigators: M. Hassouna, S. Espagnol, P. Robin, J-M Paillat, P. Levasseur, Y. Li, INRA, Agrocampus Rennes; INRA, Saint Gilles; IFIP, Le Rheu; CIRAD: School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University

Objectives: To improve knowledge of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from livestock production with various management options. Study goal is to quantify NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 emissions from manure heaps, turned and not turned, to examine effect on gaseous emissions and additional information about emissions during composting in commercial conditions. Concentrations inside and outside the greenhouses were measured by photoacoustic infrared absorption spectrometry with a gas analyzer. Emissions were calculated by combining various flows and differential concentrations.

Effect Of Vermicompost On Growth, Yield And Quality Of Spinach

Investigators: Gh. Peyvast, University of Guilan Horticultural Department, Rasht, Islamic Republic of Iran, J.A. Olfati, S. Madeni, A. Forghani, University of Guilan Horticultural and Soil Science Departments, Rasht, Islamic Republic of Iran

Objectives: Different amounts of vermicompost (0, 10, 20 and 30 %) on growth, yield and chemical characteristics of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) cultivar `Virofly` were investigated in an unheated greenhouse. Results showed that an addition of vermicompost to soil can increase plant heights and numbers of leaves significantly. Spinach leaves and root were highest when fertilized with vermicompost and lowest when the vermicompost was not supplied. The plants with 10% vermicompost added to soil gave significantly highest potassium, phosphorus, total nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, nitrate amount in petioles and leaves, total soluble solid and microelements such as Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc.

Soil Organic Matter Quality And Zn And Pb Sorption As Affected By A Sewage Sludge And Sewage Sludge Compost Application

Investigators: R. Vaca, J.A. Lugo, P. del Aguila, Laboratorio de Edafología y Ambiente, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario 100, 50000 Toluca, México; M.V. Esteller, Centro Interamericano de Recursos del Agua, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México

Objectives: Sewage sludge (SS) and sewage sludge compost (SSC) were applied to soil under controlled conditions, at rates of 0 and 200 Mg ha-1, to investigate changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM), humic acids (HA) and Pb and Zn sorption in the soil. Infrared spectroscopy, visible spectrophotometry, and sorption isotherms (mono-metal and competitive sorption systems) methods were used. The E4/E6 (l at 465 and 665 nm) ratio and the infrared spectra of DOM and HA showed aromatic behaviour in compost-soil (SSC-S); in contrast sewage sludge-soil (SS-S) showed an aliphatic behaviour. Application of either SS or SSC increased the Pb and Zn sorption capacity of soil. The Pb and Zn sorption increased in soil and soil mixtures with a competitive metal system. The metal affinity sequence for soil, SS-S, and SSC-S was compared with the predicted affinity sequences obtained from metal properties. Poor correspondence was observed between the metal affinity sequence and the metal affinity sequence predicted by ionic potential, indicating that metals bonding to soils were not predominantly electrostatic. An affinity sequence based on Pearson's theory agreed with the metal affinity sequences for soils. A statistical analysis showed that the bands assigned to esters (1080 cm-1) of DOM, phenolic OH (1420 cm-1), amide I (1650 cm-1), carboxyl and carbonyl C=O stretches of different nature, C=O stretch of aromatic esters, aliphatic cetone, aldehyde (1720 cm-1), ethers and esters (1230 cm-1), aliphatic alcohols (1125 cm-1), and lignin (1380 cm-1) of HA were correlated with Zn constants of Langmuir adsorption isotherm (P < 0.05).

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