Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
potassium, calcium magnesium, zinc and iron. This was seen that most important
factors that affect the composting process are concerned with the interrelationship
between the microorganisms and the organic environment. Thus, all possible factors
that affect the microbial activity should be taken in to consideration for the process
of optimization. This is found significant for the production of good quality of com-
post in order to get in shortest possible time. Ferrari et al. (
1991
) demonstrated that
for successful production of marketable compost from sludge, the raw materials
from the sewage waste must be collected separately. So, as to avoid the contami-
nations with inert materials and toxic elements that impede or drastically limit its
use. Similarly, effective use of solid waste considered quite suitable (Chakarbarty
et al.
1991
) and the process of yard waste composting was demonstrated by Rein-
hart (
1991
). On the other hand, Das and Ghatnekar (
1979
) developed a simple and
efficient technique for the degradation of green leafy materials of some terrestrial
and aquatic weeds in polythene and PVC bags. They observed that different leafy
materials individually as well as in different combinations decomposed uniformly
into black color manure called bio-dung due to its dung like appearance within a
short span of 15-20 days. The similar method was modified and optimized later
for the degradation of the green leafy materials of some wild growing plants like
Clerodendrum inerme, Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara
and
Leucaena
leucocephala
(Joshi et al.
1989a
,
b
). Effects of temperature fluctuations correspond-
ing to ambient temperature in sun, shade and room observed on the degradation
of leafy materials (Joshi and Thakre
1991
). Cleveland et al. (
2006
) showed that
organic matter decomposition for nutrient regulation in tropical rain forests did not
effects mass loss during decomposition in nutrient-poor, wet ecosystems, but, ulti-
mately regulate CO
2
losses and hence (storage) by limiting microbial mineralization
of dissolve organic matter (DOM) leached from the litter layer of soil.
Management of municipal solid waste compost is utmost importance in ensur-
ing environmental health and composting is an important aspect of managing solid
waste. As stated earlier, the application of good quality high value compost showed
positive influence on soil productivity due to replenishing nutrients and maintain-
enance of optimum moisture content. On the contrary, bad quality compost may
lead an negative impact on soil health and integrity by accumulation of heavy toxic
pollutants (metal) and immobilization of nitrogen in soil. It is, therefore, an urgent
need to establish quality parameters of compost for application purposes particularly
for crops. The guidelines related to compost related aspects have been given by sev-
eral workers but, based on the recommendation of Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS)
(
2013
) specification have been published on the compost prepared from municipal
solid waste. Such standard prescribed the requirement, method of sampling etc. en-
list for municipal solid waste compost of manure grade. Compost under this standard
is defined as “substance made of one or more unprocessed waste material of bio-
logical nature (plant and animal) and that may include unprocessed mineral material
altered through microbiological decomposition”. Requirement to standards include
description of physical properties including particle size. Standard packaging and
marking for characterization as maximum bulk density of compost (gm cm
−3
) should
be 1.00, moisture by mass 25 %, conductivity (dsm
−1
) 4.0, C:N ratio 20:1, Arsenic (as
