Effect of the raw materials and mixing ratio of composted wastes on the dynamic of organic matter stabilization and nitrogen availability in composts of Sub-Saharan Africa

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2010-02, Vol.101 (3), p.1002-1013
• Main Authors: Kaboré, Théodore Wind-Tinbnoma, Houot, Sabine, Hien, Edmond, Zombré, Prosper, Hien, Victor, Masse, Dominique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa South of the Sahara; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Availability; biodegradability; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of sewage sludges and wastes; Biotechnology; Brassica; Carbon - chemistry; Carbon Dioxide - chemistry; Cellulose - chemistry; Composting; composts; Daucus carota; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fertilizers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Households; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial Waste; Inorganic nitrogen; Kinetics; kitchen waste; Leaves; Life Sciences; Meat; mineralization; nitrogen; Nitrogen - chemistry; nutrient availability; organic matter; organic wastes; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; physicochemical properties; Pollution; Principal Component Analysis; Raw materials; Refuse; Refuse Disposal - methods; slaughterhouse wastes; Soil; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Solid urban wastes; Stabilization; Sub-Saharan Africa; Time Factors; waste paper; Wastes; yard wastes
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.08.101

The effect of raw materials and their proportions in initial mixtures on organic matter (OM) stabilization and nitrogen (N) availability during pit composting in Sub-Saharan Africa was assessed using biochemical fractionation and laboratory incubations to characterize composts sampled throughout the composting process. Stabilization of OM occurred more rapidly in mixtures with slaughter-house wastes, it was progressive in mixture with household refuses while tree leaves compost remained unstable. Carbon mineralization from compost samples was positively correlated to water soluble and hemicellulose-like organic fractions. Mixtures containing large proportions of household refuses reached the highest stability and total N but available N remained weak. Slaughter-house wastes in the initial mixtures made possible to reach good OM stabilization and the largest N availability. The nature of initial mixing influenced composting parameters, OM stabilization and N availability. It is suggested mixing household refuses and slaughter-house wastes with tree leaves to reach better amending and fertilizer qualities of composts.