Increasing nutrients solubility from some natural rocks during composting of organic wastes
Abstract: In this study, 15 different mixtures of organic wastes and natural rocks were tested. The first five mixtures (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) composed of animal manure (cow dung), poultry manure and pith at C/N ratio of about 30:1 without application of natural rocks. The second five mixtures (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) were mixed initially with natural rocks (Rock phosphate, feldspar, sulphur, dolomite and bentonite). The mixtures (11, 12, 13, 14 and 15) were mixed after 6 weeks with natural rocks. Composting process was extended for 10 weeks under aerobic conditions with proper moisture content. Different parameters were tested to investigate the performance of composting process to produce a good quality fertilizer. Physical and chemical parameters such as: bulk density, moisture content, temperature, pH, elecftric conductivity, organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, amonia-N, nitrate-N, total and soluble phosphorus, total and soluble potassium, soluble cacium, soluble maghnesium and microbiological detection (acid producing bacteria, total and fecal coliform bacteria, salomonell and shigella bacteria) and nematoda were monitored. The initial application of natural rocks caused more release of some macro-elements, and converted them to the soluble form. It also increased the percentage of solubility of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium by an average of 27.4, 38.5, 58.4 and 59.4% in comparison with the same mixtures without the application of natural rocks. However, these values were less with the addition of natural rocks after 6 weeks of the initial of composting period
Publication year 2004
Pages 71-88
Availability location Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, ARC
Availability number
Organization Name
City Cairo
serial title Minia Journal of Agricultural Research and Development
ISSN 1110-0257
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    صلاح محمود الحجار الجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة
    منى محمد حمدى الجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة
Agris Categories Soil biology
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Composting. Dolomite. Minerals. Organic wastes. Sulphur.
Publication Type Journal
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