Changes in Chemical Properties and Temperature during the Composting of Tobacco Waste with Other Organic Materials, and Effects of Resulting Composts on Lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.) and Spinach (Spinacea oleraceaL.)

Abstract

This study (i) investigated changes that take place during the composting of tobacco wastes with other organic materials, (ii) characterized the resulting composts, and (iii) evaluated their agronomic effectiveness. Four composts were made, all of which contained tobacco waste and sawdust/wood shavings but differed in the third ingredient, which was either cow dung, pig dung, poultry manure or cabbage waste. Changes in pH and electrical conductivity (EC) during composting were consistent with those generally observed, in spite of the presence of toxic tobacco wastes. Changes in temperature regime and the results of a bioassay (germination test) suggested that compost maturity was achieved after 45-59 days in all four composts. Mixing of tobacco waste with other organic wastes reduced the nicotine content of tobacco wastes from 12180 mg kg-1 to 4872 mg kg-1 by dilution while composting reduced it further to < 160 mg kg-1 in the final composts. Tobacco waste had a depressing effect on microbial activity in soil but the composts stimulated it, possibly as a result of their lower EC and reduced nicotine and related alkaloid levels.All final composts had C:N ratios < 17 and so were considered conducive to N mineralization and thus suitable for horticultural use. However, they had high electrical conductivity (6.0 to 9.3 mS cm-1 ) and may not be ideal for salt-sensitive crops or as sole components in horticultural growing media without modification. Application of the composts to soil (to supply 80 mg N kg-1 ) improved the growth of lettuce relative to the control and uncomposted tobacco waste but full growth potential was not attained due to inadequate nitrogen supply. A subsequent experiment with spinach designed to address the N limitation revealed that satisfactory yields could be obtained by the application of 20 t ha-1 cow dung compost or 10 t ha-1 compost in combination with NPK fertilizer supplying 50 kg N ha-1 • *Corresponding author-pmnkeni @ufh.ac.za 101 Downloaded by [University of South Carolina ] at 01:56

The Effects of Goat Manure, Sewage Sludge And Effective Microorganisms on the Composting of Pine Bark

“…The observed trend in compost pH, whereby the pH initially declined but later increased, was in agreement with a similar trend reported by Adediran et al (2004), in a study in which a mixture of tobacco waste with sawdust and wood shavings was co-composted with either cow dung, pig dung, poultry manure or cabbage waste. For the goat manure composts the initial fall in pH could be due to the production of organic acids during the early stages of composting (Gray et al 1971) whereas the rise most likely reflects microbial decomposition of the organic acids (Barekzai and Mengel 1993), cited by Kirchmann and Widen (1994) and the release of alkali and alkali earth metals previously bound in the organic matter (Smith and Hughes 2002).…”

Assessing the subsequent effect of nitrogen released from tobacco-waste on maize crop using a15N isotope technique

“…As a result, TW had a significant effect on the growth and total N content of maize plants under the pot conditions. Similar results have also been obtained for other plants [1][2][3]. The results showed that TW applications up to 40 t ha −1 had a significant residual effect.…”

“…Tobacco-waste (TW) or residues obtained *Corresponding author. Email: rkaraman2000@hotmail.com during the manufacturing of cigarettes can help with sustainable agricultural systems and organic farming when used as organic fertiliser [3,4]. It has also been reported that an inadequate amount of soil organic matter is the main reason for soil and underground water pollution [5].…”

Influence of composted tobacco waste and farmyard manure applications on the yield and nutrient composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata)

“…Tobacco solid waste is classified as an agroindustrial waste. Direct use of tobacco waste could create an unfavorable soil environment; however, composting tobacco waste could accelerate the breakdown of nicotine and result in the production of a less toxic and more useful organic amendment (Adediran et al, 2004). Turkish soils are known to be widely deficient in N, P and trace elements, and have low rates of organic matter (OM).…”