International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Effect of different substrate on moisture percentage of compost

    , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Biological sciences, University of South Asia, Lahore, Pakistan
  • 2Department of Biological sciences, University of South Asia, Lahore, Pakistan
  • 3Department of Biological sciences, University of South Asia, Lahore, Pakistan

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 6, Issue (8), Pages 34-36, August,10 (2017)

Abstract

The maintenance of moisture is very important in composting process. Moisture content is a dominant parameter in composting as it is necessary for the activity of microbes. It enhances the metabolic rate of microbes and hence increases the rate of degradation. This study was designed to observe the effect of substrate on moisture percentage. The 50% moisture was optimized in all windrows containing different substrate. It was concluded from this research that the greater moisture showed by substrate composed of cow dung+ screening matter + green waste + paper and lowest was shown by waste composed of cow dung+ screening matter + green waste + saw dust. The decrease in moisture % in all treatments was observed. The decrease in moisture from 50% is a sign of compost maturity and high activity of microorganisms and better degradation.

References

  1. Zhang N., Wu K., He X., Li S.Q., Zhang Z.H., Shen B. and Shen Q.R. (2011)., A new bioorganic fertilizer can effectively control banana wilt by strong colonization with Bacillus subtilis N11., Plant and Soil, 344(1-2), 87-97.
  2. Tom L., Richard H., Veeken A. and Silva T. (2002)., Moisture relationships in composting process., Compost science and utilization, 10(4), 286-302.
  3. Sundberg C., Yu D., Franke-Whittle I., Kauppi S., Smårs S., Insam H. and Jönsson H. (2013)., Effects of pH and microbial composition on odour in food waste composting., Waste Management, 33(1), 204-211.
  4. Liang C., Das K.C. and McClendon R.W. (2003)., The influence of temperature and moisture contents regimes on the aerobic microbial activity of a bio solids composting blend., Bioresource Technology, 86(2), 131-137.
  5. Tiquia S.M., Tam N.F.Y. and Hodgkiss I.J. (1996)., Microbial activities during composting of spent pig-manure sawdust litter at different moisture contents., Bioresource Technology, 55(3), 201-206.
  6. Makan A., Assobhei O. and Mountadar M. (2013)., Effect of initial moisture content on the in-vessel composting under air pressure of organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Morocco., Iranian Journal of Environmental Health, 10, 3.