Agricultural wastes recycling: composting process and maturity characters [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Cattle manura utilization as a peat substitute in both green house and under field conditions has been proposed . This alternative requires certain preparatory procedures including composting. Composting of cattle manure was carried out in one cubic meter perforated boxes for 100 days . The aims of this work were to study the composting process, changes occuried in the product during composting and product properties of relevance to its potential. and to evaluate possible criteria indicating compost maturity. Most of physical and chemical properties appeared at high rate of changes during the first 30 to 60 days of composting time. Total soluble salts (EC) exhibited a constant value for the first 40days followed by a sharp increase in FC ( from 3.70 to 5.90 dSm,1 ) . Nitrate Levels increased ( from 0.1 to 0.31 mgt gm )due to nitrification at temperature degree less than 40°C. Although most changes took place at the first high temparature stage (thermophilic stage) , slowdown decomposition persisted after temperature returned to ambient level as a measured in the compost water extract. Plant bioassays also. indicated that 40 to 60 days . old compost inhibited growth and limited response to fertilization for container media. Both of these factors were eleminated after 80 d . of composting time. Chemical properties or water extracts may therefore serve as indicators of compost maturity and of the material suitability as an organic component.

Summary in Arabic.

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