Anaerobic Composting of Farmyard Manure as Affected by Chicken Manure, Urea and Waste Water

Abstract

the objectives of this study were to investigate the stage of
maturity and to determine nutrient contents of farmyard manure (FYM)
composted with 2% chicken manure (CHM), 1% urea, and 25% waste
water, during the summer seasons of 1997 and 1998. The treatments were
replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. The total number of
experimental units was repeated eight times for destructive sampling at 15
days intervals for a period of four months. The treatments were buried in
auger holes (90-cm depth) and samples were collected and chemically
analysed. The analysis included crude fibre, cellulose, starch, calcium,
magnesium, sodium, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents. The
stage of maturity of FYM was measured by the biodegradation of crude
fibre, cellulose and starch contents which decreased significantly (P≤
0.005). The rate of crude fibre decomposition was highest in urea
followed by CHM and waste water. The rate of cellulose decomposition
of both urea and waste water treatments was significantly higher than the
CHM and control treatments. Starch disappeared in the 12th week in CHM
treatment and in the 14th week in waste water treatment. CHM treatment
was superior in calcium release followed by waste water and urea
treatments. The lowest sodium was detected in waste water treatment
followed by both CHM and urea. Waste water, however, showed the
highest nitrogen and phosphorus contents compared to the other
treatments. Potassium content was the highest in CHM followed by urea
and waste water. In conclusion, the best compost ripening time was after
three months when its nutritive value was the highest and the physical
properties were best