Chemical and microbiological parameters for the characterisation of the stability and maturity of pruning waste compost

Benito, Marta; Masaguer, Alberto; Moliner, Ana; Arrigo, N. M.; Palma, R. M.

doi:10.1007/s00374-003-0584-7

Cited by 204 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…This is due, in part, to the hardwood species used to make the wood pellets. Organic matter reduction has been suggested to be indicative of compost stability (Benito et al, 2003). However, other research suggests that the degree of humification and microbiological factors are better suited to evaluate the stability of compost where greater ligno-cellulosic materials are used (Mondini et al, 2006).…”

Section: Ommentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of bedding type on compost quality of equine stall waste: Implications for small horse farms

Komar

Miskewitz

Westendorf

et al. 2012

Journal of Animal Science

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Our objective in this study is to compare 4 of the most common bedding materials used by equine operations on the chemical and physical characteristics of composted equine stall waste. Twelve Standardbred horses were adapted to the barn and surrounding environment for 2 wk before the start of the study. Groups of 3 horses were bedded on 1 of 4 different bedding types (wood shavings, pelletized wood materials, long straw, and pelletized straw) for 16 h per day for 18 d. Stalls were cleaned by trained staff daily, and all contents removed were weighed and stored separately by bedding material on a level covered concrete pad for the duration of the study. Compost piles were constructed using 3 replicate piles of each bedding type in a randomized complete block design. Each pile was equipped with a temperature sensor and data logger. Water was added and piles were turned weekly throughout the 100-d compost process. Initial and final samples were taken, dried, and analyzed for DM mass, OM, inorganic nitrogen (nitrate-N and ammonium-N), electrical conductivity, and soluble (plant-available) nutrients. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure, and means were separated using Fischer's protected LSD test (P < 0.05). No significant temperature differences were observed among the bedding materials. The composting process resulted in significant reductions (P < 0.05) in DM mass for each of the 4 bedding materials. The composting process resulted in significant reductions (P < 0.05) in OM and C:N ratio for all 4 bedding materials. The composted long straw material had greater concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (P < 0.05), nitrate-N (P < 0.05), and ammonium-N (P < 0.05) than the composted wood shavings. This study demonstrated that incorporating a simple aerobic composting system may greatly reduce the overall volume of manure and yield a material that is beneficial for land application in pasture-based systems. The straw-based materials may be better suited for composting and subsequent land application; however, factors such as suitability of the bedding material for equine use, material cost, labor, and availability must be considered when selecting a bedding material.

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Section: Ommentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of bedding type on compost quality of equine stall waste: Implications for small horse farms

Komar

Miskewitz

Westendorf

et al. 2012

Journal of Animal Science

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“…Problems associated with immature composts can include malodours, insect swarms, emissions of climate-relevant trace gases and phytotoxicity (Mathur et al 1993). Compost stability is strongly related to microbial activities during the composting process; therefore, several authors have suggested that microbiological parameters can serve as indicators of compost maturity (Eiland et al 2001;Benito et al 2003;Tiquia 2005). Knowledge about the micro-organisms present in composts, their coexistence and the ways they replace each other during the different stages of the biological degradation process should help to ensure a high quality of the final compost product.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of compost maturity and Actinobacteria populations during full-scale composting of organic household waste

Steger¹,

Sjögren²,

Jarvis³

et al. 2007

J Appl Microbiol

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Aims: This study investigates changes in microbiological and physicochemical parameters during large‐scale, thermophilic composting of a single batch of municipal organic waste. The inter‐relationships between the microbial biomass and community structure as well as several physicochemical parameters and estimates of maturation were evaluated. Methods and Results: Analyses of signature fatty acids with the phospholipid fatty acid and ester‐linked methods showed that the total microbial biomass was highest during the early thermophilic phase. The contribution of signature 10Me fatty acids from Actinobacteria indicated a relatively constant proportion around 10% of the microbial community. However, analyses of the Actinobacteria species composition with a PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis approach targeting 16S rRNA genes demonstrated clear shifts in the community structure. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that compost quality, particularly maturity, is linked to the composition of the microbial community structure, but further studies in other full‐scale systems are needed to validate the generality of these findings. Significance and Impact of the Study: The combination of signature lipid and nucleic acid‐based analyses greatly expands the specificity and the scope for assessing the microbial community composition in composts. The results presented in this study give new information on how the development of the compost microbial community is connected to curing and maturation in the later stages of composting, and emphasizes the role of Actinobacteria in this respect.

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“…Parameters based on the alkali-extracted C and microbial biomass clearly reflected the transformation of the OM during composting and can be used as stability parameters in ligno-cellulosic waste composts. C OMPOST STABILITY is determined by the degree of organic matter (OM) decomposition during the composting process (Benito et al, 2003). An adequate stability is essential for an effective and safe utilization of compost in agriculture, since soil amendment with poorly stabilized compost could adversely affect both crops and the environment (Butler et al, 2001).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Extracted Organic Carbon and Microbial Biomass as Stability Parameters in Ligno‐Cellulosic Waste Composts

et al. 2006

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Extracted organic C and microbial biomass were evaluated as stability parameters in 3 different ligno-cellulosic waste composts. Organic C was extracted by both water and alkali and further separated in humic-like carbon (HLC) and nonhumic carbon (NHC). Conventional humification parameters, such as humification index and degree of humification were calculated from NHC and HLC. Microbial biomass carbon (B(C)) was determined as an indicator of the degree of biochemical transformation, whereas ninhydrin reactive N (B(NIN)) was measured to obtain the stability parameter B(NIN)/N(TOT) (N(TOT), total N). The water-extracted organic C did not provide reliable information on the transformations underwent by the ligno-cellulosic wastes during composting, since its content remained almost unaltered during the whole process. In contrast, parameters based on the alkali-extracted organic C and microbial biomass clearly reflected organic matter (OM) changes during the process. There was an increase in the net amount of HLC in the alkali extracts throughout composting, especially in the first 7 to 12 wk of the process, as well as a relative enrichment of HLC with respect to NHC. Values of humification index and degree of humification in end products were consistent with an adequate level of compost stability. The stability parameter B(NIN)/N(TOT) showed to be a reliable indicator of stability in ligno-cellulosic wastes. Parameters based on the alkali-extracted C and microbial biomass clearly reflected the transformation of the OM during composting and can be used as stability parameters in ligno-cellulosic waste composts.

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Chemical and microbiological parameters for the characterisation of the stability and maturity of pruning waste compost

Cited by 204 publications

References 30 publications

Effects of bedding type on compost quality of equine stall waste: Implications for small horse farms

Effects of bedding type on compost quality of equine stall waste: Implications for small horse farms

Development of compost maturity and Actinobacteria populations during full-scale composting of organic household waste

Evaluation of Extracted Organic Carbon and Microbial Biomass as Stability Parameters in Ligno‐Cellulosic Waste Composts

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