Disposal and storage of raw poultry manure has become an environmental problem because of the associated air, water and soil pollution. Poultry manure begins to decompose immediately after excretion giving off ammonia which, in high concentrations, can have adverse effects on the health and productivity of birds as well as the health of the farm workers. Application to land is the most common way for utilizing poultry manure as a viable source of major plant nutrients and soil conditioner to improve soil tilth and reduce the problems associated with soil compaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of drying depth and temperature on the nutritional profile of dried poultry manure and its suitability as a plant fertilizer. Drying temperature and manure depth had no significant effects on manure pH, but the loss of ammonia during the drying process decreased the pH (from 8.4 to 6.4-6.7). Greater nitrogen losses (44-55 %) were observed at the deeper manure layer (3 cm) and the higher temperature (60°C) which resulted in a reduction of N:P:K (from 4.58:1.29:1 to 2.07:1.30:1-2.57:1.28:1). Drying of poultry manure helped reduce the presence and offensiveness of odor by 65.3 and 69.3%, respectively. Drying of poultry manure also achieved significant reductions in bacteria (65.6-99.8%), yeast and mold (74.1-99.6%) and E. coli (99.97 %). Dried poultry manure can be used as a fertilizer source for plants because of its high nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents which are essential for plant growth. Other elements (such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt and zinc) which are lacking in commercial fertilizer are also present in manure in significant amounts.

Problem statement: MSW has traditionally been dealt with thorough the practice of land filling and incineration. However, deleterious environmental impacts have promoted municipalities in Canada to recycle non-putrescible wastes and compost the putrescible ones. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of MSW compost on the growth and production of three vegetable crops (potatoes, corn and squash). Approach: Each crop received 5 treatments: MSW 1 , MSW 2 , MSW 3 , NPK and 0.5 NPK, 0.5 MSW 1 . MSW 2 and MSW 3 were twice and three times MSW 1 , respectively. MSW 1 was determined for corn and potato based on phosphorous requirements by these crops and the phosphorous content of the MSW compost and was determined for squash based on the nitrogen requirement by the plant and the nitrogen content of the MSW compost. The choice of chemical fertilizer and application rate were based on the optimum NPK ratio for each plant. Samples from the plants were taken at specific growth stages and at harvest for visual health and dry matter analyses. Results: The plant yield for each crop followed the same patterns as those of the visual observations for health ranking and the dry matter. The results showed that 0.5 NPK + 0.5 MSW 1 gave the best plant growth, health and yield for potato and corn while NPK gave the best plant growth, heath and yield for squash. Squash did not seem to respond well to MSW compost. Conclusion: The plots that received MSW 2 were healthier than those reserved MSW 1 and MSW 3 . High rate of MSW may provide higher level of heavy metals than the plant can tolerate while low rate of MSW may not contain all the other required micro-nutrients. Long tern effects of MSW compost on the chemical and microbiological properties of the soil and the plant properties such as taste, appearance, storability, susceptibility to bugs and disease should be evaluated.