Abstract:
Due to the over usage of chemical fertilizers there is a high risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to find an alternative source for fertilizers. Objectives: The study was aimed at producing a good quality compost using different combinations of locally available resources. Methods: Six treatments (T1- Kitchen waste (KW)+ Gliricidia leaf (GL) + Yard waste (YW), T2 – KW + GL + YW + Spirulina biomass (SB), T3 - GL+ Cow dung (CD) + YW, T4 - GL + CD + YW + SB, T5- YW + CD, T6 - YW + CD + SB) were designed in completely randomized design and materials were composted in plastic bin with initial C:N ratio of 35:1. After 4th, 6th and 8th weeks, physical properties (sand content, decomposition rate in terms of particle size and moisture content) and chemical properties (pH, C, N, and C: N ratio, K, P and Ca) were measured. Results: Compost produced in all treatments complied with SLS standards in terms of moisture content, pH, C, N, C/N ratio, K and Ca except P. Compost of T5 and T6 did not comply with the SLS standard of less than 10% sand percentage and decomposition rate of more than 80%. However, other four treatments of T1, T2, T3 and T4 complied with the SLS standards for sand % and decomposition rate. The results of nitrogen and decomposition rate in T1 and T2 compost revealed that use of Spirulina does help to increase the compost quality compared to without Spirulina application. Conclusion: As the compost produced in T1, T2, T3 and T4 complied with SLS standards in all parameters except P, these treatments could be recommended to produce compost with suitable P supplements.
