Effect of bulking materials over the composting of bio-slurry

Abstract

Bio-slurry is considered as a good quality organic fertilizer in Bangladesh agriculture. An experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the effect of bulking materials over the composting of bio-slurry. The experiment was conducted with 4 treatments each of 3 replications. The treatments for compost preparation were, T₀ (50% Bio-slurry + 50% manure), T₁ (50% Bio-slurry + 50% manure and saw dust), T₂ (50% Bio-slurry + 50% manure and rice straw), T₃ (50% Bio-slurry + 50% manure and tree leaves). Compost moisture, pH, temperature and C: N ratio was assessed every week. Maximum temperature found in T₁ (34.03⁰C) and other treatments showed a slower rise in temperature.  Highest C:N ratio (19.30) was obtained in T₃. The pH of the compost was significantly influenced by saw dust which ranged from 8.28 in T₂ to 8.74 in T₁. Moisture content of compost was significantly influenced by bulky materials and ranged from 56.34 to 68.83. At 42 day the highest crude fiber was obtained in T₂ (25.16%). The results suggest that bulky materials treated bio-slurry can be good compost which will be very effective to soil and crops.

Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (2): 142-150