Physical and chemical characterization of the composting process prepared with Bora (Eichhornia crassipes), coffee husk and garden waste

Abstract

The physical and chemical characteristics of compost vary with the handling conditions, type of material used in its preparation, and environmental conditions, therefore it is important to monitor the evolution of the composting process. The objective of this work was to evaluate the temperature at two depths in the pile, pH, organic matter (OM), organic carbon (CO), total nitrogen (TN), carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N); electrical conductivity (EC) and the contents of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) during the composting process of substrates based on bora, coffee husk and garden waste. The quantified values were examined by analysis of variance, the statistical design used was random blocks with repeated measurements over time, the treatments evaluated came from a 3x3 factorial arrangement, types of compost and evaluation times, respectively, and four repetitions. Three days after the composting process began the highest temperature values were obtained, corresponding to the thermophilic stage that lasted for five days, and the maturation phase began 45 days into the process. The values of pH, electrical conductivity and K varied depending on time and type of compost. The variables pH, percentages of OM, CO, C/N ratio and P content decreased during the composting process, while EC increased.