Nutrient Recycling through Aerobic Composting of Farm Wastes

Aerobic composting from cow dung, goat manure and poultry droppings was done separately. Enhydra flactans and Eichhornia pistia were used (1:1) in each group. Addition of saw dust to cow dung increased the expected dry matter content. Considering both position and layer of the compost pile, the initial temperature for first 7 days was significantly (p<0.01) higher for goat (70.28±0.69°C) and poultry compost (66.72±0.69°C) as compared to cow compost (61.47±1.32°C) but for total period, it was higher (P<0.01) for goat compost (68.24±0.48°C) followed by poultry dropping (65.52 ±0.48°C) and cow dung (63.95±0.48°C). The organic matter content was much better for cow dung compost, but the nitrogen value was lower than that of other two. The nitrogen content of composts prepared from goat and poultry droppings was higher as compared to their raw materials but at the same time it was lower for cow compost. The biomass production of hybrid maize fodder was not influenced (P>0.05) by the application of compost. It was estimated that the cost involved in per kg goat compost was Tk. 1.08. Similarly, the value for cow dung and poultry manure was about Tk. 3.47 and Tk. 1.16, respectively.