Influence of Varied Organic Carbon Sources on Cow Dung Compost Quality: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Abstract

In the context of Indonesian agriculture, governmental endorsement of compost fertilization has been established as a strategy to mitigate agricultural waste and enhance soil properties. The integration of cow dung with organic carbon derived from agricultural residues is postulated to yield compost of a quality that conforms to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). The objective of this meta-analysis was to ascertain the optimal organic carbon sources for the composting of cow dung by synthesizing data from 30 pertinent studies. The Hedges’ effect size was computed utilizing Microsoft Excel 2016, while ANOVA, performed in SPSS version 22, facilitated the assessment of standard error means (SEMs) and the determination of statistical significance (p-values). It was observed that the organic carbon source exerted a significant influence on the compost's pH and nitrogen content, with an alkaline pH correlating with augmented nitrogen levels. The meta-analysis delineated variance in requisite composting durations when cow dung was amalgamated with distinct organic carbon materials, namely rice straw, weeds, vegetable/fruit remnants, rice husks, sawdust, palm oil by-products, and corn stalks. This variance was manifest across a spectrum from short-term to extended composting periods. The discernible impact of organic carbon materials on compost pH and nitrogen content underscores the necessity of strategic selection of these materials to optimize compost quality. By identifying the most efficacious organic carbon sources for cow dung composting, the study's insights can be instrumental in formulating guidelines that not only ensure compliance with SNI standards but also contribute to soil quality amelioration and the reduction of agricultural waste in Indonesia.