title: Characterization of compost produced from separated pig manure and a variety of bulking agents at low initial C/N ratios.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the composting of separated pig manure solids with or without a variety of bulking agents at a low initial C/N ratio (12.5-23.3). Compost stability was investigated using an oxygen uptake rate (OUR) test and compost maturity was investigated using a germination index test. All treatments showed typical patterns of compost temperature. Temperatures above 60°C were achieved by Day 2, followed by a thermophilic phase (50-60°C), which lasted for 1 to 2 weeks followed by a cooling phase. The stability of one of treatments which did not contain any bulking agent - OUR of 25 mmol O(2) kg(-1) OM hour(-1) - was negatively affected by its initial high water content (69%). The addition of a bulking agent and initial water content below 60% were necessary to compost the separated solid fraction of pig manure at a low initial C/N ratio.
authors.affiliation: Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. tereza.nolan@teagasc.ie
authors.forename: Tereza
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: Shane M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Troy
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kwapinski
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Leahy
authors.forename: Peadar G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Lawlor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D018525:Germination; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008372:Manure; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen