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Production and evaluation of the composting process from agroindustrial waste of Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane).

Abstract:

The present study focused on taking advantage of sugarcane residues in a technical way through the production and evaluation of the process of composting. The process was studied using combinations of three types of raw material, two microorganism sources and two aeration methods. The piles were established in a three-factor design, and the temperature, pH and electrical conductivity were evaluated twice a week. Other parameters such as organic matter, microbial population, moisture percentage, macro and micronutrients, Pfeifer chromatography and C/N ratio were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the process. The best way to aerate the piles was the mechanical one; the formulation most balanced for macro and micronutrients and with the highest concentration of organic matter was the one with 50% of bagasse, 25% of'cachaza'[fermented juice?] and 25% of ash. By the end of the process the formulation with the C/N ratio closest to the recommended value (between 20 and 30) was that with 40% bagasse, 30%'cachaza'and 30% ash. The commercial microorganisms demonstrated a very high level of survival during the process. The temperature reached the initial temperature [?] of 45 C; the optimum pH for the process was 8 to 8.5 but at the end it was raised to 9-9.5.