Abstract
In Morocco, greenhouse tomato production is a source of organic waste. This biomass constitutes an important source of carbon, macronutrients (NPK), and microelements (Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe). This research aims to investigate the composting process of tomato plant residues by sheep manure integration at different proportions and its effect on organic matter mineralization and humification, nitrogen dynamics, and agronomic value of the final compost. The composting process was run in an experimental conditions using two different mixing ratios set up on volume basis: R1 (2:3 tomato plant residues “TPR” + 1:3 sheep manure “SM”) and R2 (1:3 tomato plant residues “TPR” + 2:3 sheep manure “SM”) and two controls TRP (1:1 tomato plant residues “TPR”) and SM (1:1 sheep manure). Parameters such as temperature, pH, EC, C:N ratio, mineral nitrogen, and macroelements (phosphorus and potassium) were measured for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experiment, compost humification ratio and compost quality were assessed. Results showed that when TPR is composted alone, nitrogen loss and lack of aeration were observed due to a lower C:N ratio and higher moisture content. The addition of sheep manure in treatment R2 not only resulted in reaching rapidly thermophile phase and maintaining it for longer periods, but also it reduced N loss, decreased electrical conductivity, and increased concentrations of humic acid and macroelements. The present results provide opportunities to improve composting of TPR as well as the agronomic quality of the produced compost by sheep manure integration.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Labomine Laboratory for supporting generously this work, especially Dr Elgourna Z., El Berhichi J., and Idhalla A. The authors would also like to thank Dr Soulaymani A. and Mr Doulhoussn M. for their participation in arranging analytical procedures and results discussion.
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Tabrika, I., Azim, K., Mayad, E.H. et al. Composting of tomato plant residues: improvement of composting process and compost quality by integration of sheep manure. Org. Agr. 10, 229–242 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-019-00268-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-019-00268-0