Effectiveness of Various Types of Bio-Activators to Quality of Compost Fertilizer.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Plant litter or plants that grow naturally and the plant materials of the cultivated plants are quite abundant both in fresh and dry form. In the case of a plant, litter is not processed and left on the surface of the soil as organic material then the process of decomposition and reshuffle requires a long time. The research aimed to find out the effectiveness of bio-activators on the formation and quality of compost fertilizer. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study design was used in a factorial pattern with two factors. The First factor is bio-activator consists of four levels, namely: EM-4, PROMI, Orgadec and (EM-4+PROMI+Orgadec). The second factor is organic matter consists of seven levels, namely: <i>Imperata cylindrica</i>, paddy straw, <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> leaves, (<i>Imperata cylindrica</i> + paddy straw), (<i>Imperata cylindrica</i> + <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> leaves), (paddy straw + <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> leaves), (<i>Imperata cylindrica </i>+ paddy straw + <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> leaves). There were 28 treatments, each treatment was repeated three times to obtain 84 treatment units. <b>Results:</b> The result showed that compost fertilizer with Orgadec bio-activator treatment and PROMI is the best quality (pH compost, water content, P-total, N-total, C-organic, C/N ratio). <b>Conclusion:</b> The compost fertilizer with Orgadec bio-activator is the best quality for this research (pH compost, moisture content, P-total, N-total, C-organic, C/N ratio).

Compost Quality Recommendations for Remediating Urban Soils.

Poor soil health is a critical problem in many urban landscapes. Degraded soil restricts plant growth and microorganism activity, limiting the ability of urban landscapes to perform much needed ecosystem services. Incorporation of approximately 33% compost by volume into degraded soil has been proven to improve soil health and structure over time while avoiding the financial and environmental costs of importing soil mixes from elsewhere. However, additions of high volumes of compost could potentially increase the risk of nutrient loss through leaching and runoff. The objective of our study was to consider the effects of different compost amendments on soil health, plant health and susceptibility to nutrient leaching in order to identify ranges of acceptable compost characteristics that could be used for soil remediation in the urban landscape. A bioassay was conducted with Phaseolus vulgaris (Bush Bean) to measure the effect of nine composts from different feedstocks on various plant health parameters. Leachate was collected prior to planting to measure nutrient loss from each treatment. All compost amendments were found to improve soil health. Nutrient-rich, manure-based composts produced the greatest plant growth, but also leached high concentrations of nitrate and phosphorus. Some treatments provided sufficient nutrients for plant growth without excess nutrient loss. When incorporating as much as 33% compost by volume into a landscape bed, the optimal compost will generally have a C:N ratio of 10-20, P-content <1.0% and a soluble salt content between 1.0 and 3.5 mmhos/cm. These recommendations should ensure optimal plant and soil health and minimize nutrient leaching.

Neural Classification of Compost Maturity by Means of the Self-Organising Feature Map Artificial Neural Network and Learning Vector Quantization Algorithm.

Self-Organising Feature Map (SOFM) neural models and the Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) algorithm were used to produce a classifier identifying the quality classes of compost, according to the degree of its maturation within a period of time recorded in digital images. Digital images of compost at different stages of maturation were taken in a laboratory. They were used to generate an SOFM neural topological map with centres of concentration of the classified cases. The radial neurons on the map were adequately labelled to represent five suggested quality classes describing the degree of maturation of the composted organic matter. This enabled the creation of a neural separator classifying the degree of compost maturation based on easily accessible graphic information encoded in the digital images. The research resulted in the development of original software for quick and easy assessment of compost maturity. The generated SOFM neural model was the kernel of the constructed IT system.

Quality standards for urban waste composts: The need for biological effect data.

The recently approved European Union (EU) Circular Economy Package intends to boost the production of fertilizing products, such as composts obtained from urban wastes (UWC) and the harmonization of their quality standards (certification), to avoid market rejection. UWC quality assessment frameworks in Europe, including the Portuguese and EU latest proposal on regulation of UWC production/commercialization are mostly based on physical-chemical and agronomical characterization. These do not provide any insight on the fraction of contaminant/mixture of contaminants bioavailable for non-target organisms, nor the existence of potential antagonistic and/or synergistic effects on them. The main objective of the present work if to evaluate the effects of UWC application on crop soils using seven standard ecotoxicological tests. Five UWC, two derived from source-separated organic wastes and three from mixed urban wastes were selected and tested using a battery of ISO guideline assays with plants and soil invertebrates. The tested doses intended to simulate over-use and repeated application scenarios, common practices among farmers. The results showed that the highest toxicity was observed for the UWC originated from source-separated organic wastes, when using concentrations slightly above the maximum annual doses. Excepting for this UWC, all the derived NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) were equal or higher than the maximum annual doses. The UWC toxicity for the tested species increased as follows: T. aestivum < L. sativa < E. crypticus < F. candida < E. andrei. UWC salinity, rather than the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), could explain the negative effects observed, considering that the composts are all equally stabilized. These results reinforce the need to include data from biological susceptibility of the receptors at risk on the existing regulation, to obtain a more realistic view of the potential risks and to adapt the UWC application practices, ultimately boosting the confidence of target-consumers.

Integrating aeration and rotation processes to accelerate composting of agricultural residues.

The active phase of conventional static composting systems varies dramatically, ranging from several weeks to several months. Therefore, this study was to examine the effect of a combined continuous aeration-rotation process on shortening the active phase of composted material. A mixture of tomato plant residues with 20%-chicken manure (v/v) was composted in two identical pilot-scale bioreactors. One of them was static, and the other was continuously rotated at 3 rpm; each was supplied with continuous aeration. Compost temperatures (Tc) were measured throughout the composting process; the moisture content (MC) and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) were measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. The quality and stage of compost were evaluated at the end of the experiment using Dewar, Solvita, and visual tests. Continuous aeration-rotation significantly reduced the active phase period to 4.5 days, increased the compost temperature (Tc) to 60°C after 3 days of operation, and remained at 50-65°C for approximately 3 consecutive days (thermophilic stage). In contrast, compost in the static bioreactor remained in the mesophilic stage (Tc < 45°C). During the composting process, the C/N ratio was reduced from 30/1 to 23/1 in the rotating bioreactor, while it remained at 30/1 in the static bioreactor, indicating that the nitrogen content was not a limiting factor affecting the composting process. The MC was within the optimum range for microorganisms (58-61%) for both bioreactors. After the active phase had ended in the rotating bioreactor, the compost was inactive and ready for further maturation, while compost from the static bioreactor was still immature and active. These results show that the proposed method can be done on a commercial scale to significantly reduce the composting period and to enhance the compost stability and productivity.

Interaction of nanoclay-reinforced packaging nanocomposites with food simulants and compost environments.

The production of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has increased exponentially over the last few decades. ENMs, made from use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), have been applied to the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and automobile industries. Of particular interest are their applications in packaging nanocomposites for consumer and non-consumer goods. ENPs in nanocomposites are of interest as a packaging material because they reduce the amount of polymer needed, while improving the physical properties. However, the transformation of ENPs in nanocomposite production, their fate, and their toxicity remain unknown while in contact with the package content or after the end of life. The objectives of this chapter are (a) to provide an overview of the main nanoclays used in packaging; (b) to categorize the main polymeric packaging nanocomposites; (c) to provide an overview of the fate and mass transport of ENPs, especially nanoclays; (d) to describe the mass transfer of nanoclays in food simulants and in compost environments; and (e) to identify current and future research needs.

Thermal resistance of Clostridium difficile endospores in dairy compost upon exposure to wet and dry heat treatments.

AIM: Thermal resistance of Clostridium difficile endospores in finished dairy compost was compared at 55 and 65°C under wet and dry heat conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: A three-strain cocktail of C. difficile endospores was inoculated into dairy compost to a final concentration of c. 5·5 log CFU per gram and the moisture content (MC) of the compost was adjusted to be 20, 30 and 40%. For the dry heat treatment at 55 and 65°C, the compost samples were placed in an environmental chamber, whereas for the wet heat treatment, the inoculated compost samples were placed in a tray submerged in a water bath. The MCs of composts were maintained well throughout the wet heat treatment while the dry heat treatment reduced the MCs of composts to <10% by the end of come-up time. During the come-up time, the log endospore reductions at a selected temperature were not significantly different in compost with three selected MCs, in each heat treatment. During the holding time, endospore counts reduced by <0·5 log CFU per gram at 55 and 65°C of dry heat treatment, whereas 0·7-0·8 and 0·6-3·0 log CFU per gram reductions were observed at 55 and 65°C in wet heat treatment respectively. CONCLUSION: The recommended minimum composting guidelines were not sufficient to reduce C. difficile endospore counts to an undetectable level (five endospores per gram). Increasing the temperature of thermophilic phase to 65°C, and maintaining higher MCs of composting feedstocks have significant (P < 0·05) effects on the endospore inactivation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our study identified factors that significantly affecting the thermal resistance of C. difficile endospores during composting, and the results suggest the current composting guidelines need to be amended in order to reduce the dissemination of C. difficile endospores in agricultural environment.

Current Scenario of the Tehran Municipal Solid Waste Handling Rules towards Green Technology.

This study aims to study the waste management process and recycling of municipal waste in Tehran. Currently, Kahrizak is the defined landfill area which collects the waste generated from 22 districts of Tehran. The organic wastes undergo to the windrow composting method in order to manage the partial of the waste generated in the city. Samples from the compost pile generated in Kahrizak were examined to evaluate its fertilizer value to be used further by the farmers. The results show that the obtained compost does not reach the acceptable quality to be used further in agriculture, due to lack of homogeneity, aeration and presence of heavy metals. Overall, it has been concluded that, due to the improper waste segregation and management prior to sending to landfill and presence of non-organic materials such as hazardous metals and medical wastes, causes difficulties in proper waste management, implementation and producing high quality compost. Based on this study the existence of stakeholders, society, economy and proper handling rules can effectively improve the waste management system in the country and leads to the sustainable green environment.

Public Health Bacteriology of Commercially Composted Domestic Food and Garden Waste by the 11 Councils in Northern Ireland - Persistence Of Clostridium perfringens and Implications for Local Food Safety.

BACKGROUND: New legislation has been introduced in Northern Ireland from April 2017, requiring domestic households to recycle all domestic food waste items. The purpose of this study was to examine the bacteriology of compost derived from this source which is supplied free-of-charge to the public for horticultural use. METHODS: Municipal compost samples were compared microbiologically with commercial garden compost samples, examining total viable count and diversity of bacteria cultivated. RESULTS: The municipal compost had a mean Total Viable Count (TVC) of 1.53 × 108 colony forming units (cfu)/ g compost, whereas the commercial garden compost had a mean TVC of 4.5 × 107 cfu/g compost. Campylobacter, Salmonella and Listeria were not isolated from any compost. Twenty-three bacterial genera were represented amongst the 46 organisms recovered. Of these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens were the most clinically significant. DISCUSSION: The application of municipal compost to cultivate non-food plants, such as roses and flowers presents minimal risk, provided safe handling practices are adopted and hands are thoroughly washed and dried afterwards. However, if applied to soil growing food produce, it is important that municipal compost does not enter the food chain without an effective critical control point which would prevent germination of spores of Clostridium perfringens. Risk may be increased in products such as marinades, home canning, home bottling and associated products. These methods of food preparation are common in ethnic Eastern European populations in Northern Ireland, where awareness of risk needs to be increased.

Obsolete Laws: Economic and Moral Aspects, Case Study-Composting Standards.

From the early days of philosophy, ethics and justice, there is wide consensus that the constancy of the laws establishes the legal system. On the other hand, the rate at which we accumulate knowledge is gaining speed like never before. Due to the recently increased attention of academics to climate change and other environmental issues, a lot of new knowledge has been obtained about carbon management, its role in nature and mechanisms regarding the formation and degradation of organic matter. A multidisciplinary techno-economic assessment of current composting standards and laws that took into account the current state of knowledge about carbon management was carried out as a case study. Economic and environmental damage caused by outdated laws was revealed. In addition, it was found that the introduction of the best composts into the market is permitted, causing additional negative environmental as well as economic impacts.