Biodegradation of olive husk mixed with other agricultural wastes

In this study, the evolution of the most important parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and C/N ratio) describing the composting process of olive oil husk with other organic wastes was investigated. Four windrows for obtaining two mixed wastes composts (MWCs) and two green wastes composts (GWCs) were prepared.     

Co-composting of filter cake and bagasse; by-products from a sugar mill

Thailand has nearly 2 million tonnes of filter cake waste containing 1.8% total N from the sugar cane industry to dispose of annually. Compost studies were conducted to determine how rapidly this material can be converted to a stable product that may be useful in crop production, and to characterize the N transformations. Two kinds of sugar mill by-products were composted, filter cake and filter cake mixed with bagasse, at a 2:1 ratio to reduce the C:N ratio in an attempt to reduce N loss during composting. Materials were mixed manually at 3-5 day intervals during the composting process. Both composts were analyzed at least weekly to measure temperature, pH, NH4+, NO3-, total N content, C loss, and germination index. For both mixtures, the thermophilic stage lasted 15-20 days and was higher than ambient for nearly 80 days. The degradation of organic matter (OM) was rapid in both mixtures to approximately 40 days, after which it began to stabilize. Both mixtures achieved maturity at approximately 90 days as indicated by a stable C/N, low NH4+/NO3-, lack of heat production and a germination index higher than 80%. Mixing filter cake with bagasse helped conserve N during composting. Because N was in excess, approximately 12-15% was lost from the composts. Mixing more bagasse with the filter cake may result in further reduction in N losses. Both composts have potential for use in crop production.     

Compost amendments enhance peat suppressiveness to Pythium ultimum,Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia minor

Peat is the most common organic material used for the preparation of potting mix because of its homogeneous and favorable agronomic characteristics. However, this organic material is poorly suppressive against soilborne pathogens and fungicides are routinely used to manage damping-off diseases. In the present study, we investigated the suppressive capability of five compost – peat mixtures towards the plant pathogens Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia minor – Lepidium sativum pathosystems. For all organic media, 18 parameters were measured including enzymatic activities (glucanase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate), microbiological (BIOLOG® EcoPlates?, culturable bacteria and fungi), and chemical features (pH, EC, total, extractable and humic carbon, total and organic N, NH₄–N, total protein and water content). In addition, ¹³C-CPMAS-NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize the organic materials. Peat amended with composts reduced disease damping-off caused by P. ultimum, R. solani and S. minor in 60% of the mixtures and compost derived from animal manure showed the largest and most consistent disease suppression. Sterilization decreased or eliminated suppressiveness of 42.8% of the mixtures. The most useful parameters to predict disease suppression were different for each pathogen: extractable carbon, O-aryl C and C/N ratio for P. ultimum, alkyl/O-alkyl ratio, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and chitobiosidase enzymatic activities for R. solani and EC for S. minor. Our results demonstrate that the addition of composts to peat could be useful for the control of soilborne pathogens.     

Characterisation of the organic matter pool in manures

In this research, different types of animal manure were evaluated with respect to organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (C(ot)), total N (N(t)), C(ot)/N(t) ratio, water-soluble organic carbon (C(w)), organic N (N(org)), carbohydrates, C(w)/N(org) ratio, humic acid-like carbon (C(ha)), fulvic acid-like carbon (C(fa)), humification index ((C(ha)/C(ot))x100) (HI) and the C(ha)/C(fa) and NH(4)(+)-N/NO(3)(-)-N ratios. In comparison with the limits set by the Spanish legislation for organic fertilisers, most of the manures had high OM contents, moderate N(org) concentrations (except in the case of the chicken and pig manures where this parameter was high) and C(ot)/N(t) ratios above the value stated in the legislation. The study of the different fractions of organic matter showed that the horse, pig and rabbit manures had the greatest content of C(ot). However, the fraction of easily-biodegradable organic compounds (C(w)) was significantly higher in the horse, goat and chicken manures. The study also showed that, in most cases, the percentage of fulvic acid-like C was greater than that of the humic acid-like C, indicating that the organic matter of these wastes is not completely humified. Values of HI ((C(ha)/C(ot))x100) and C(ha)/C(fa) ratio in the studied manures were not significantly different. Regarding the parameters related to the organic matter stability such as C(w), carbohydrates and the C(ot)/N(t), C(w)/N(org) and NH(4)(+)-N/NO(3)(-)-N ratios, it has been determined that the organic matter of these materials was not completely stabilised. The heterogeneity in OM composition of the studied manures did not allow the formulation of simple equations for evaluation of the composition of these wastes from easily-determined parameters.     

Quality evaluation of co-composted wheat straw, poultry droppings and oil seed cakes

Poultry droppings, neem cake, castor cake, jatropha cake and grass clippings were used separately as organic nitrogen additives to decrease the high C:N ratio of wheat straw. Composting was carried out aerobically in presence of fungal consortium developed by including Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus nidulans, Trichoderma viride and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The degraded product was characterized to assess the technical viability of organic nitrogen supplements as well as fungal consortium in improving the quality of compost and hastening the process of decomposition of high lignocellulolytic waste. Evaluation of maturity showed that mixture of wheat straw, poultry dropping and jatropha cake had the lowest C:N ratio of 10:1, the highest humic acid fraction of 3.15%, the lowest dehydrogenase activity and a germination index exceeding 80% in 60 days of decomposition. Inoculated and grass clipping amended wheat straw–poultry dropping mixture resulted in compost with highest humus content of 11.8% and C:N ratio of 13.5, humic acid fraction of 2.84% and germination index of 59.66%. Fungal consortium was effective in improving the humus content of all the composted mixtures. In some treatments, germination index could not be correlated with C:N ratio. Non edible oil seed cake supplemented substrate mixtures did not respond to fungal inoculation as far as C:N ratio was concerned.     

Composting of de-inking paper sludge with poultry manure at three nitrogen levels using mechanical turning: behavior of physico-chemical parameters.

De-inking paper sludge (DPS) is rich in carbon (C) but poor in nitrogen (N). Thus, it has a high C:N ratio which limits the composting process. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the effect of three N treatments on DPS composting. Compost piles of 100 m3 were formed by mixing raw DPS with poultry manure and chicken broiler floor litter, giving on average 0.6%, 0.7% and 0.9% total N. The changes in physico-chemical parameters, total weight and fiber losses, and maturity of composting piles of DPS were monitored during 24 weeks. The compost piles had a neutral to alkaline pH throughout the study. Inorganic N decreased whereas organic N increased over time for all treatments. These changes in magnitude were different among N treatments resulting in a final total N content of 0.9% for the 0.6% N treatment whereas final total N contents of 0.7% and 0.9% N were measured for the 0.7% and 0.9% N treatments. The total weight, cellulose and hemicellulose losses were higher in 0.6% N treatment giving the lowest C:N ratio after 24 weeks of composting. However, none of the 24 week-old composts of DPS were mature based on their final C:N ratio and colorimetric test of maturity. Except for copper, their final total trace element contents meet most known standards or guidelines for organic soil conditioners. Overall, 0.6% N treatment was the best to enhance DPS composting using mechanical turning, but a period of more than 24 weeks was required to reach compost maturity.     

Amending soils of different texture with six compost types: impact on soil nutrient availability, plant growth and nutrient uptake

Background

Composts with different feedstocks may have differential effects on soil properties and plant growth which, may be further modulated by soil texture.

Materials and methods

In a 77-day pot experiment in the glasshouse, we investigated the effect of a single application as mulch of six types of composts derived from different starting feedstocks in two soils (13% and 46% clay, referred to as S13 and S46) on soil physical, chemical and biological properties, plant growth and nutrient uptake. Composts were placed as 2.5?cm thick mulch layer on the soil surface and wheat plants were grown and harvested at 42?days and at 77?days (grain filling).

Results

Composts differed in total and available N and P and particle size with C1, C3, C4 and C5 being fine-textured, whereas C2 and C6 were coarse-textured. Compost addition as mulch increased soil total organic C and EC, but had no effect on pH. In all treatments, cumulative soil respiration was higher in S13 than in S46 and was increased by compost addition with the greatest increase with C2 and C6. Compared to the unamended soil, most compost mulches (except C2) increased macroaggregate stability. Compost mulches significantly increased available P and N in both soils, except for C2. Compost mulches increased available N up to 6-fold in both soils with the strongest increase by C5. Most composts also increased wheat growth and shoot P and N concentrations with the greatest effect on plant N concentration by C5 and on plant P concentration by C4. However, C2 decreased shoot N and P concentrations compared to the unamended soil. Most compost mulches (except C2) increased mycorrhizal colonization by up to 50% compared to the unamended soil.

Conclusions

Fine-textured compost mulches generally had a greater effect on soil properties and plant growth than coarse-textured composts. Despite distinct differences between the soils with respect to clay content, TOC and available P, the effect of the compost mulches on soil and plant properties was quite similar.     

Seasonal changes in sedimentation of particulate matter and lipid content of zooplankton collected by sediment trap in the Arctic Ocean off Axel Heiberg Island

Summary Sedimentation of particulate matter measured at a depth of 100 m varied from 0.2 to 6.0 mg dry weight m^-2 d^-1 over approximately monthly intervals between September 1986 and June 1987 on the continental shelf of the western Arctic Ocean north of the Canadian Arctic Islands. Detritus deposited during December and January, the period of maximum sedimentation, contained relatively low amounts of organic carbon and nitrogen (4.0% and 0.5% of dry weight, respectively) with a carbon: nitrogen ratio > 7. Maximum rates of organic carbon and nitrogen sedimentation (0.60 and 0.12 mg m^-2 d^-1, respectively) during February were associated with debris enriched with organic matter (organic carbon and nitrogen content of 17.0% and 3.4% of dry weight, C:N=5). Dry weight of macrozooplankton, predominantly Calanus hyperboreus and Metridia longa, separated from preserved trap contents, equalled or exceeded by up to an order-of-magnitude the weight of sedimented debris. Lipid content of CV and adult female stages of C. hyperboreus decreased from 46%–64% of dry weight in September to 20%–30% in January. Females of C. hyperboreus with lower lipid levels (7% of dry weight) between April and June were probably in a post-reproductive condition.     

Influence of different organic waste materials on the transformation of nitrogen in soils

Organic waste materials like crop residues, well-decomposed cow dung, composts, and other rural and urban wastes are considered highly useful resources in enhancing soil fertility and also in build-up of soil organic matter. Organic matter decomposition provides plant nutrients in soil, which in turn increases crop productivity. Availability of nutrients and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus from organic waste materials is dependent upon the nature of organic residues, climatic conditions, and soil moisture activity. Keeping these factors in view, the present investigation was undertaken to study the transformation of N from different organic waste materials in two contrasting soils from an eastern India, subtropical region. The results showed that the amounts of ammoniacal-N (NH4-N), nitrate-N (NO3-N), hydrolysable N (HL-N), and nonhydrolysable (NHL-N) were increased for up to 60 days of soil submergence and increased further with the increase (1% by weight of soil) of organic residue application. Considering the effect of various organic waste materials, it was found that the amounts of NH4-N, NO3-N, HL-N, and NHL-N were higher with the application of groundnut hull as compared to wheat straw and potato skin, which may be due to relatively narrow carbon:N ratio of groundnut (22:43) than that of wheat straw (62:84) and potato skin (71:32); however, the results showed that the release of NH4-N, NO3-N, HL-N, and NHL-N was in the order of groundnut hull > wheat straw > potato skin.     

Effects of Composts from Agroindustrial Wastes on Microbial Activity of a Typic Xerofluvent Soil Under Mediterranean Conditions,SE Turkey

Supplementing the nutrient requirement of crops through organic manures as compost derived from agroindustrial wastes plays a key role in sustaining soil fertility, and crop productivity and reducing use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, this work was conducted for investigating the effects of addition of oily cumin compost (CC) and oily oregano compost (OC) (these composts were derived from oily cumin and oily oregano wastes of aromatic plant factory) at rates of 40 t ha^?1 to identify those potential organic amendments that might improve the quality of an Entisol. Additionally, those effects on the biochemical properties of a Typic xerofluvent soil were compared to chemical fertilization (CF) and also control (CT) during a cotton vegetation period under a Mediterranean climatic condition. Soil biological status was evaluated by measuring the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal soil respiration (BSR), N-mineralization (N_min), soil metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase-DHG, urease-UA, protease-PRO, and alkaline phosphate-ALKPA) in soil samples that were collected on the 19th, 78th and 190th days followed by compost application to the experimental soils. The MBC, BSR and qCO₂, as well as soil enzyme activities, increased significantly in the compost-treated soils compared with the CF-treated soil and nontreated soils (CT) with respect mean values. The level of microbial activity of soil applied chemical fertilizer was almost the same to those of control soil. As a result of cumin compost (CC) application 137-1810% increase of the level of microbial activity with respect to the CT and CF, followed by OC, 47-314% occurred at the end of the experiment. Because of this there were no toxic effects caused by composts observed. The application of these composts to the soil resulted in the most increase in DHG activity significantly. The application of CC with a C/N ratio of 23 resulted a more favorable soil biological properties than the application of OC (C/N ratio = 32) during cotton vegetation period (190 days). Results from this study suggest that composted aromatic plant wastes can be used to enhance the soil microbial activity, thereby promoting plant growth.     

Selenium-rich dissolved organic matter determines selenium uptake in wheat grown on Low-selenium arable land soils

Aims

The study aimed to find soil parameters that are best related to Se plant uptake for low Se soils with predominantly organic Se, and to explore the mechanisms that control Se bioavailability in the soils under study.

Methods

A pot experiment using nineteen soil samples taken from different fields of arable land (potato fields) in the Netherlands was conducted on summer wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Selenium in wheat shoots and soil parameters, including basic soil properties, C:N ratio, inorganic selenite content, and Se and organic C in different soil extractions (0.01 M CaCl₂, 0.43 M HNO₃, hot water, ammonium oxalate, aqua regia) were analysed. Regression analysis was performed to identify soil parameters that determine Se content in wheat shoots.

Results

The regression model shows that Se:DOC ratio in 0.01 M CaCl₂ soil extraction explained about 88 % of the variability of Se uptake in wheat shoots. Selenium uptake increased with Se:DOC ratio in CaCl₂ extraction, which can be interpreted as a measure of the content of soluble Se-rich organic molecules. Selenium:DOC ratio in CaCl₂ extraction and Se uptake increased towards higher soil pH and lower soil C:N ratio. The soil C:N ratio is also negatively correlated to Se:organic C ratio in other extractions (0.43 M HNO₃, hot water, ammonium oxalate, aqua regia), indicating that at low soil C:N ratio soil organic matter is richer in Se. Contrarily, the soil pH is positively and strongly correlated to Se:organic C ratio in CaCl₂ and hot water extractions, but only weakly correlated to Se:organic C ratio in other extractions.

Conclusions

Selenium-rich dissolved organic matter is the source of bioavailable Se in low Se soils with predominantly organic Se. The soil pH and quality of soil organic matter (i.e. soil C:N ratio) are the main soil properties determining Se bioavailability in these soil types.

     

Treatment of hydroponic wastewater by denitrification filters using plant prunings as the organic carbon source

This study investigated the feasibility of using pre-treated plant liquors as organic carbon sources for the treatment of hydroponic wastewater containing high nitrate-N (>300 mg N/L). The waste plant material was pre-treated to extract organic carbon-rich liquors. When this plant liquor was used as an organic carbon source in denitrification filters at the organic carbon:nitrogen dose rate of 3C:N, nitrate removal efficiencies were >95% and final effluent nitrate concentrations were consistently <20mg N/L. However, at this dose rate, relatively high concentrations (>140 mg/L) of organic carbon (fBOD5) remained in the final effluents. Therefore, a 'compromise' organic carbon:nitrogen dose rate (2C:N) was trialled, at which nitrate removal efficiencies were maintained at >85%, final effluent nitrate concentrations were consistently below 45 mg N/L, and effluent fBOD5 concentrations were <25mg/L. This study has demonstrated that waste plant material is a suitable carbon source for the removal of nitrate from hydroponic wastewater in a denitrification filter.     

Carbon mineralization and distribution of nutrients within different particle-size fractions of commercially produced olive mill pomace

Composting is a realistic option for disposal of olive mill pomace (OMP) by making it suitable as a soil amendment for organic farming. The chemical and physical characteristics and contribution of particle-size fractions to total nutrients and carbon mineralization of seven commercial composts of OMP (COMP) were investigated. Higher proportions of manure, co-composted with OMP, reduced the organic matter (OM), total carbon and C:N ratio of the product, but increased the content of nutrients and fine particles. The fine particles had higher nutrient contents, but less OM and carbon and, unlike larger particles, did not exhibit any phytotoxicity. Less than 1.5% of added carbon was mineralized in whole compost, but a lower rate was found with larger particles. Separation of COMP by particle size fractionation and application as a soil conditioner is recommended for better optimization of COMP with the <1 mm fraction providing the higher quality compost.     

The impact of agricultural land use changes on soil organic carbon dynamics in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area of China

Aims

Over recent decades, a large uncultivated area has been converted to woodland and shrubland plantations to protect and restore riparian ecosystems in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area, a water source area of China’s Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project. Besides water quality, afforestation may alter soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and stock in terrestrial ecosystems, but its effects remain poorly quantified and understood.

Methods

We investigated soil organic C and nitrogen (N) content, and δ ¹³C and δ ¹⁵N values of organic soil in plant root-spheres and open areas in an afforested, shrubland and adjacent cropped soil. Soil C and N recalcitrance indexes (RIC and RIN) were calculated as the ratio of unhydrolyzable C and N to total C and N.

Results

Afforestation significantly increased SOC levels in plant root-spheres with the largest accumulation of C in the afforested soil. Afforestation also increased belowground biomass. The C:N ratios in organic soil changed from low to high in the order the cropped, the shrubland and the afforested soil. The RIC in the afforested and shrubland were higher than that in cropped soil, but the RIN increased from the afforested to shrubland to cropped soil. The δ¹⁵N values of the organic soil was enriched from the afforested to shrubland to cropped soil, indicating an increased N loss from the cropped soil compared to afforested or shrubland soil. Changes in the δ¹³C ratio further revealed that the decay rate of C in the three land use types was the highest in the cropped soil.

Conclusions

Afforestation increased the SOC stocks resulted from a combination of large C input from belowground and low C losses because of decreasing soil C decomposition. Shifts in vegetation due to land use change could alter both the quantity and quality of the soil C and thus, have potential effects on ecosystem function and recovery.     

Low algal carbon content and its effect on the C : P stoichiometry of periphyton

1. We examined the contribution of algal cells to periphytic organic carbon and assessed the effects of variable biomass composition on the carbon : phosphorus (C : P) ratio of periphyton. We compiled more than 5000 published and unpublished observations of periphytic carbon : chlorophyll a (C : Chl) ratios, an index of algal prevalence, from a variety of substrata collected from lake and low‐salinity coastal habitats. In addition, we converted estimates of algal biovolume into algal C to obtain an independent measure of cellular algal carbon in periphyton. This information was used in a model relating periphyton C : P ratio to algal cellular carbon, the algal C : P ratio, and the C : P ratio of non‐algal organic matter in periphyton. 2. The mean C : Chl ratio of periphyton (405) was relatively high with values in >25% of the samples exceeding 500. On average, 8.4% of total periphyton C was accounted for by C in algal cells. Only 15% of samples were found to have more than 15% periphyton C in cellular algal carbon. Our model showed a nonlinear relationship between periphytic C : P ratios and the C : P ratio of algal cells in the periphyton when non‐algal organic matter was present. However, even at relatively low cellular algal C (<10% of total C), algal C : P ratios can strongly affect the C : P ratio of periphyton as a whole (i.e. algal cells plus other organic matter). 3. The high C : Chl ratios and the low biovolume‐derived algal C of periphyton samples in our data set indicate that algal cells are typically a minor component of organic carbon in periphyton, However, this minor contribution would not preclude algal cellular stoichiometry from notably influencing periphyton C : P ratios.     

Towards an understanding of the dynamics of compost N in the soil-plant-atmosphere system using 15N tracer

Aims

The principal aim of the present review is to synthesize and evaluate published information on the N fertilizer value of composts, and their effect on the utilization of conventional N fertilizers by crops.

Methods

We have examined the literature where the dynamics of N in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum are traced using composts that were either artificially enriched in the ¹⁵N stable isotope (in units of atom % ¹⁵N excess) or had a natural ¹⁵N abundance (δ¹⁵N in units of ‰ or per mil) due to isotope discrimination processes that occur during composting. The methods used to produce artificially-enriched composts and to test uniformity of labelling are reviewed.

Results

Limited data show that composts are generally inferior sources of N for crops compared with their raw materials due to a lower N mineralization capacity. Immobilization of fertilizer N increases in compost-amended soils and may reduce recovery by a crop, but fertilizer N losses are reduced overall. However, co-application of compost and urea should be avoided due to the risk of increased NH₃ volatilization due to the action of compost-derived urease. High annual rates of compost application can exacerbate environmental problems including nitrate contamination of groundwater.

Conclusions

Efforts are required to improve the N fertilizer value of composts by minimizing NH₃ volatilization losses during composting. More attention should also be given to the use of the natural ¹⁵N abundance of compost as a tracer.     

不同林窗马尾松凋落叶与土壤养分变化研究

以现有42年生的马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工纯林,经过采伐形成4种不同大小有效面积的林窗（100、400、900和1 600 m²）为研究对象,以未经采伐的42年生马尾松人工纯林为对照样地,采用凋落叶分解袋法,研究不同大小有效面积林窗对马尾松凋落叶、土壤C、N、P及化学计量比和养分损失率的影响。研究结果表明：（1）不同大小有效面积林窗下的马尾松凋落叶、土壤C、N、P含量及养分损失率除土壤P含量和马尾松凋落叶P养分损失率外,均存在显著差异。随着林窗有效面积G1~G4的增大,马尾松凋落叶C、N、P含量均呈降低趋势,三者均在G3林窗体现出较小值。马尾松凋落叶C、N、P养分损失率、土壤C、N、P养分含量多呈抛物线趋势,且均在G2或G3林窗体现出最大值。（2）不同大小有效面积林窗下的马尾松凋落叶、土壤C/N/P均存在显著差异。随着林窗有效面积G1~G4的增大,马尾松人工林土壤C/N/P基本呈抛物线变化趋势,土壤C/N在G3林窗出现最大值,土壤C/P、N/P均在G2林窗体现出最大值;土壤C/N、C/P、N/P变异系数分别为13.31%、16.51%、17.21%。马尾松凋落叶C/N、C/P均在G3体现出最小值。（3）马尾松凋落叶C、N含量与土壤C、C/N/P及环境因子的相关性较强,P含量与它们的相关性较弱;C/N与土壤P、C/N/P及环境因子的相关性较强,C/P、N/P与土壤C/P及环境因子的相关性较强;C、N养分损失率与土壤C、C/N、C/P及环境因子的相关性较强,P养分损失率与土壤C、N、P含量及其化学计量比和环境因子的相关性较弱。土壤C、N、P含量及其化学计量比与环境因子的相关性较强。     

Decomposition of macroalgae,vascular plants and sediment detritus in seawater: Use of stepwise thermogravimetry

The applicability of a recently presented method (Stepwise Thermogravimetry, STG) to characterize biogenic organic matter (Kristensen 1990) was tested in comparative decomposition experiments. The initial microbial decay of pre-dried, fresh detritus from 6 different plant materials (2 macroalgae, 2 seagrasses, and 2 tree leaves) was examined for 70 days in aerobic seawater slurries. In addition, slurries of sediment detritus of low reactivity, representing the late stage of plant decay, were allowed to decompose aerobically and anaerobically for 200 days. Macroalgae lost 40–44% carbon over 70 days, whereas seagrasses lost 29–33% and tree leaves lost 0–8%. After a 3–5 days leaching phase, the temporal pattern of POC and PON loss from the plant detritus was exponential with higher rates for the former resulting in a 5–28% reduced C:N ratio. The Rp index decreased (<20%) during the initial leaching phase followed by a 30–40% increase to the end. Initial Rp was directly proportional to decay rate. POC loss in the anaerobic sediment slurry was 10% over the 200 day period (the aerobic was hampered by low pH). Preferential loss of PON caused a 30% increase in C:N ratio. The Rp index of sediment detritus also increased with 30%. Although the present laboratory experiments not fully simulate the natural environment, the Rp-C:N relationship obtained from the two slurry experiments can illustrate the general pattern of plant decay from fresh to refractory (humic) detritus. During initial aerobic decay, rapid leaching and microbial growth causes a decrease in both Rp and C:N (Rapid growth, phase 1). When all labile substrates have been consumed and the slower decay is controlled by enzymatic attack on particles with an associated production of humic compounds and accumulation of nitrogen rich bacterial cell remains, Rp increases and C:N decreases (Slow growth, phase 2). Later, when condensed humic compounds have accumulated, decay ceases. Most carbon is now bound in forms which are of low availability to bacteria and a preferential mineralization of nitrogen occurs; both Rp and C:N increases (Condenzation, phase 3).     

Co-composting of oil exhausted olive-cake, poultry manure and industrial residues of agro-food activity for soil amendment

The co-composting of exhausted olive-cake with poultry manure and sesame shells was investigated. These organic solid wastes were watered by the confectionary wastewater which is characterized by its high content of residual sugars raising its COD. Four aerated windrows were performed to establish the effects of confectionary by-products on the compost process. Different mixtures of the agro-industrial wastes were used. During the composting process, physico-chemical parameters (temperature, moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total carbon and total nitrogen) were studied. The stability of the biological system was noticed after 70 days. The final products were characterized by their relatively high organic matter content, and low C/N ratio of 14-17. The humidification of the windrows with the wastewater seemed to have accelerated the composting process in comparison to a windrow humidified with water. In addition, the organic matter degradation was enhanced to reach 55-70%. The application of the obtained composts to soil appeared to significantly improve the soil fertility. Indeed, field experiments showed an increase in potato yield; the production was 30.5-37.5 tons ha(-1), compared to 30.5 tons ha(-1) with farm manure.