title: Performance of four stabilization bioprocesses of beef cattle feedlot manure.
abstract: The biological stabilization of beef cattle manure is crucial for promoting sanitation in feedlot pens. This study compared the performance of composting, vermicomposting, static windrows, and anaerobic digestion for stabilization of beef cattle feedlot manure based on the degradation of organic matter, nutrient retention, and stability of the final product in each process using uni- and multivariate analysis. The cluster analysis showed that composting and vermicomposting were the most similar processes. The principal component analysis showed that the more oxidative processes (composting and vermicomposting) degraded beef cattle feedlot manure more effectively (up to 45%) than static windrows and anaerobic digestion. Stabilization processes did not affect the amount of phosphorus, whereas potassium losses ranged from 3% (anaerobic digestion) to 30% (static windrow) and differed significantly across processes. Electrical conductivity decreased only in static windrow (30%). A decrease in the C/N ratio were observed in all processes, but the reduction was smaller in static windrow (5%). Larger reductions in C/N ratio were associated with greater increases in the humic to fulvic acid ratio. Composting and vermicomposting processes more effectively degraded beef cattle manure and produced stable organic fertilizers. Anaerobic digestion more effectively retained macronutrients (N and K) and converted organic N to ammonium. The use of static windrows is the least effective bioprocess for the stabilization of beef cattle feedlot manure.
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Western Parana State University, Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program, Rua Universitária, 2069, Jardim Universitário, 85.819-110, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: monicasarollisilva@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mônica Sarolli Silva de Mendonça
authors.initials: MSSM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Western Parana State University, Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program, Rua Universitária, 2069, Jardim Universitário, 85.819-110, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Higor E Francisconi
authors.initials: HEF
authors.lastname: Lorin
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Western Parana State University, Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program, Rua Universitária, 2069, Jardim Universitário, 85.819-110, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Antonio de Mendonça
authors.initials: LAM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Western Parana State University, Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program, Rua Universitária, 2069, Jardim Universitário, 85.819-110, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Taiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cestonaro
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Western Parana State University, Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program, Rua Universitária, 2069, Jardim Universitário, 85.819-110, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dercio C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Western Parana State University, Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program, Rua Universitária, 2069, Jardim Universitário, 85.819-110, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francieli H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Bernardi
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D012987:Soil; D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Composting; Static windrows; Vermicomposting