International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Autumn 2020

Purpose Faecal sludge (FS) and organic market waste (MW) have resources that could be recovered by co-composting though not fully explored under changing climatic conditions in Nigeria. This study explored the characteristics and nutrient quality of co-composts produced from pre-treated FS and MW feedstocks in Nigeria. Methods The study was exploratory and analytical in design and co-composting was purposively selected for resource-recovery. The raw faecal sludge (FS) was harvested from septic tanks of households (50%) and institutions (50%) through mechanical evacuation service trucks and dewatered using 0.1% gradient sand filter. The biodegradable MW was sorted and used for further studies. The dewatered FS (DFS) and MW were mixed in ratios 1:3, 1:5 and 1:7, respectively with DFS and MW as controls. Each of the mixes was made into 1m3 heap and co-composted using the windrow method. The experiments were monitored for 88 days with fortnight composite sampling from each mix (13-weeks). The samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, moisture-contents, micronutrients, macronutrients and pollutants using Standard Methods. Results At maturity, N:P:K (%) indicate good composts at 9: 5: 4, 18: 7: 19 and 3: 3: 1 in the 1: 3, 1: 5 and 1: 7 mixes, respectively, while those of controls were: 19:12:12 (DFS) and 17:14:11(MW) with no significant differences between experimental and control mixes. Also, four factors extracted (pollutants, agronomic, macronutrients and micronutrients), explained 78.2% variability. Conclusion The matured co-compost satisfied nutrients and pollutants quality for agricultural use,   recovered organic fertiliser from raw domestic and institutional faecal sludge and market waste.

Purpose Due to increasing water demand in worldwide, treated wastewater (TWW) will become an important component in agriculture, particularly in countries facing the water scarcity. Using judiciously the already existing water resources in agriculture production can be proved by using efficient irrigation method. MethodsThis study investigates the impact of two irrigation water quality including; treated wastewater (TWW) and tap water (FW) with two modes of drip irrigation; subsurface at different depth (5, 15 and 25 cm depth) and surface drip irrigation on yield production and growth parameters of okra during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. Okra was chosen for its economical and nutritional values. Results Results revealed that the maximum agronomic performance of okra was recorded with TWW by comparing it with FW. SDI also offers more reliable growth and yield data than surface irrigation. TWW influenced positively the growth parameters and yield attitudes of okra. Plant height was maximum in WSDI25 treatment with 257 cm and 214 cm, in 2017 and 2018, respectively followed by WSDI15 and WSDI5 then WSDI0. The same order was observed for the different treatments in the plot by irrigated by FW. Fruit number per plant was observed to be maximum in WSDI5 (55.8) and WSDI15 (54.8), and minimum in FSDI0 (33.8) and FSDI5 (33.7). Okra yield was maximum in WSDI5 treatment (4.59 t/ha) and minimum in FSDI0 treatment (2.2 t/ha) in 2017. Conclusion The results of this study showed that application of TWW under (5 -15) cm depth of drip line is recommended for higher productivity of okra.

Purpose Improper management of poultry feather (PF) leads to various environmental problems. Biodegradation of PF using Streptomyces sp. was initiated to recover N because PF is rich in keratin protein which is difficult to break down. Methods PF was collected, washed, chopped, and was transferred to plastic pots (200 ml each containing 30g PF). Streptomyces sp. was cultured using selective media and transferred to plastic pot at different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ml broth) with three replications. PF was composted under this condition for 75 days. The poultry feather compost (PFC) was used as fertilizer to grow okra in a separate experiment in pots. Different rates (0, 153, 306, 460, 613, and 766 kg ha-1) of PFC equivalent to 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg urea ha-1 based on N content was applied. Inorganic N was applied at the recommended dose (150 kg urea ha-1). Results Both total and available N content increased significantly in PFC with increasing concentration of Streptomyces sp. broth in composting media. Maximum N (15.31% total; 1.51% available) was found when PF was treated with 4 and 5 ml of Streptomyces sp. broth. Considering the plant’s agronomic attributes and fruit yield, the application of 460 kg ha-1 PFC was found most suitable for growing okra. Conclusion Composting of PF with Streptomyces sp. is a viable technique to recover N from PF. PFC can make N rich organic amendment and reduce the use of chemical fertilizer (urea) in the agricultural field.

Purpose In the current scenario, food wastage is a significant concern throughout the world. This food wastage may convert to compost, and that compost may apply in the agriculture field for the better yield of crops. In this context, a field study conducted on the effects of compost prepared from food wastage on the yield of cabbage, cauliflower, and radish. Methods The experiment consisted of twelve treatments and twelve control plants of all the plants. Field soil of both control and treatment plots were analyzed by standard methods. Standard methods took different morphological and chemical parameters of all the plants. Results Results indicated that compost from food waste increased soil fertility. The application of manure was significantly (p < 0.01) superior over the morphological and biochemical properties of the control group plants. The application of compost increased leaf relative water content and decreased the electrolyte leakage in all the plants. The yield of cabbage (control-0.00 t•ha-1, treatment-37.05 t•ha-1), cauliflower (control-10.16 t•ha-1, treatment-22.36 t•ha-1) and radish (control-7.30 t•ha-1, treatment-20.33 t•ha-1) were significantly higher in the treatment group than the control group. The yield increment in percentages of cabbage, cauliflower, and radish was infinite %, 220.08 %, and 278.49 %, respectively. The day in terms of time, compost, and their interaction has a significant effect on the better health of cabbage, cauliflower, and radish, and more yields achieved. Conclusion Therefore, food waste is used for making compost, which is helpful for organic cabbage, cauliflower, and radish production in a sub-tropical condition.

Purpose This article aims to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of metabolites present in the waste from sugarcane processing industry, such as vinasse, filter cake and bagasse, in order to reuse them as raw materials for the production of natural herbicides. Methods Vinasse, filter cake and bagasse were submitted to different treatments, which originated 15 different samples. They were chemically identified by negative-ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI(-)FT-ICR MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Furthermore, they were submitted to phytotoxic assays, and to total phenolic content determination. Correlation between chemical and biological methods was performed through chemometric analysis and multiple linear regression. Results From vinasse, dichloromethane (VDiCl) and ethyl acetate (VAcOEt) samples were the most phytotoxic fractions at the concentrations of 500 mg L-1 and 250 mg L-1. VDiCl inhibited L. sativa root growth by 72.6% and 59.7%, respectively, while VAcOEt inhibited by 62.13% and 30.67%, respectively. The IC50 values established for VDiCl e VAcOEt were 168.4 mg L-1 e 262.3 mg L-1, respectively. The set of analyzes provided evidence that the synergistic action between fatty acids and phenolic compounds was of paramount importance for greater phytotoxicity of fractions. Conclusion The results indicate that the waste from the sugarcane processing industry, especially vinasse, can be reused as raw material for the production of natural herbicides, minimizing the environmental risks of incorrect disposal.

Purpose The miniature rose is one of the most important potted flowers. So far, however, no research has focused on its optimal growing medium. This experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of different media on the growth and development of miniature roses. Method Organic materials including peat moss, cocopeat, and licorice root residue were used alone or in combination. Fifty percent of each medium was field soil (sandy loam) and the other 50% included either peat, cocopeat, licorice residues or combinations of equal ratios including peat + cocopeat, peat + licorice residues, cocopeat + licorice residue Results The highest values of root and shoot fresh and dry weight, lateral branches length, leaf number, leaf area, relative water content, flower number and appearance quality were observed in 50% peat moss. Meanwhile, the tallest plants were observed in cocopeat bed, the highest root/shoot ratio in Licorice residue, the largest root volume in peat moss+ coco peat mixture and the highest amount of chlorophyll and carotenoid were observed in plants growing on Peat + licorice residue. In terms of length and diameter of the branches, there was no statistically significant difference between the peat and peat + cocopeat treatments. Conclusion Miniature roses grew best on 50% peat moss + 50% field soil and also on 25% peat moss + 25% cocopeat + 50% field soil. Unlike some plants, miniature roses cannot grow well if peat moss is completely replaced by cocopeat. Licorice residue had a negative effect on plant growth.

Purpose To ensure the sustainability of rice husk recycling schemes, there are essential conditions that should be considered. In this study, a system in which a fertilizer was obtained after rice husk heat treatment, which also produces hot water as a heat recovery strategy, was considered, and its financial sustainability, based on different conditions in place, was then evaluated. Method Based on a previous study, three essential conditions that are necessary for the sustainability of the system were identified (i.e., free or low-cost rice husk collection and hauling, production of silica in the amorphous state, and complete recycling of rice husk ash). The necessity of these conditions was confirmed based on the sustainability of the financial balance of the system. Results A 24-h d-1 operated system is more profitable than one that is operated at 6-h d-1. The pelletizing process is costly; however, the fertilizer in the pellet form can be sold at a relatively higher price. The system was unsustainable when rice husk collection and hauling as well as ash disposal fees were charged. Conclusion Therefore, the cost of rice husk collection, hauling, and ash disposal as well as the amorphous state of the ash were confirmed as conditions that are necessary to ensure the sustainability of a rice husk recycling scheme.

Purpose Solid waste management has become a serious global problem. There is a strong need to recycle them as these wastes are rich in plant nutrients and soil conditioners. The different organic wastes can be efficiently degraded into nutrient-rich vermicompost by using earthworms. In this review, an attempt has been made to highlight the vermicomposting of different organic wastes by using different earthworm species. Methods An extensive literature search was done on Science Direct, Pubmed Central, Google Scholar, Springerlink by using various search strings, and appropriate studies of vermicomposting of different organic waste were selected. Results Any kind of organic waste can be converted into manure through vermicomposting. It was observed that for efficient vermicomposting, the waste should be mixed with another organic material. e.g., animal dung. It was observed that the vermireactors having 25 % to 30 % of waste mixed with about 70 % to 75 % of other organic rich material like cattle dung can be easily converted into a valuable product, but the high proportion of organic waste causes mortality in the earthworms. Conclusion This study indicated that vermicomposting is an effective and a better option for the recycling of different types of organic solid waste but these wastes cannot be directly degraded with the help of earthworms.  The vermicompost so produced can be used to promote the growth of wide range of crops in the fields. The farmers should also be educated regarding the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and also get motivated to use vermicompost in their fields.