Evaluation of co-composting methods using effective microorganisms

Abstract

Organic matter is indispensable for increasing crop yield, fertility and water holding capacity of the soil. Using organic fertilizer or compost promotes circular economy and resource recovery. Conversely, the method of composting is very important to enhance the quality of compost and simplify further complication on the final users. In this study the co-composting methods were evaluated by adding effective microorganisms with municipal solid waste i.e., food waste (31.2%), wet and dry grass (44.21%), soil (22.45%), sugarcane straw (0.09%) and urine separated excreta (44.21%). The composting methods was comparatively evaluated in terms of composting period, pH, temperature, moisture content and chemical parameters composted for 60 days. The experiment was performed for pit and heap composting methods with and without effective microorganisms. Both composting methods were turned periodically once in a week and to increase the reliability of the experiment, each treatments method was replicated two times for similar effective microorganism and composting matter. The analysis showed that using effective microorganism has significant change among the composting methods in moisture content, organic matter, temperature, total nitrogen, and exchangeable cations (Ca and Mg). In this regard, pit and heap aided with effective microorganism co-composting process matured on 39th and 45th day respectively.