Enhancing Composting Efficiency and Nutrient Retention through Zeolite Amendment: Implications for Sustainable Soil Management and Plant Growth

Abstract

Composting is an effective waste management technique that not only reduces potentially harmful wastes but also generates valuable products for agricultural applications. This study aimed at producing useful agricultural materials from wastes by investigating the influence of natural and Mg-modified zeolite additives on the composting of chicken manure and sawdust as well as the impact of produced compost on the growth and yield of Hordeum vulgare (barley). Three different levels of natural zeolite and Mg-modified zeolite (0, 10%, and 15%) were co-composted with a mixture of chicken manure, sawdust, and dried leaves to produce five different composts (C, CNZ10, CNZ15, CMZ10, CMZ15). These composts, including 100% compost (C) as a control, were then added to sandy soil at a ratio of 1:3 (compost/soil). Our results revealed that the addition of zeolites enhanced the composting process, especially the 15% Mg-modified zeolite composts (CMZ15), which exhibited a lower electrical conductivity and greater NH4+and P retention compared to the other modified and unmodified composts. The NH4+and P retention increased by 30% and over 52%, respectively, when the Mg content was increased from 10% to 15% in the modified zeolite. Furthermore, soil amending with CMZ10 and CMZ15 (SCMZ10 and SCMZ15) and used in pot experiments under greenhouse conditions resulted in higher shoot biomass of barley plants, measuring 7.67 and 7.24 g, respectively, compared to SCNZ10, SCNZ15, and SC (6.19, 6.38, and 5.99 g shoot biomass, respectively). This research demonstrates that co-composting chicken manure and sawdust with zeolite, particularly Mg-modified zeolite, improves compost quality and consequently the yield of agricultural products.