Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth

Purpose Faecal sludge (FS) has been co-composted with many organic solid wastes globally. Agricultural wastes, such as oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and cocoa pod husks (CPH), have received very little research attention as far as combining with FS is concerned. This study aimed at co-compostin...

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Main Authors: Eric Gbenatey Nartey, Philip Amoah, Godfred Kwabena Ofosu-Budu, Ashley Muspratt, Surendra Kumar Pradhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: OICC Press 2024-01-01
Series:International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
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Online Access:https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/3187
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author Eric Gbenatey Nartey
Philip Amoah
Godfred Kwabena Ofosu-Budu
Ashley Muspratt
Surendra Kumar Pradhan
author_facet Eric Gbenatey Nartey
Philip Amoah
Godfred Kwabena Ofosu-Budu
Ashley Muspratt
Surendra Kumar Pradhan
author_sort Eric Gbenatey Nartey
collection DOAJ
description Purpose Faecal sludge (FS) has been co-composted with many organic solid wastes globally. Agricultural wastes, such as oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and cocoa pod husks (CPH), have received very little research attention as far as combining with FS is concerned. This study aimed at co-composting these wastes at different ratios to produce safe compost for use as soilless medium for raising tomato transplants. Methods Dewatered FS (DFS) was mixed with shredded EFB and CPH at five different ratios: 1DFS:1EFB, 1DFS:1CPH, and DFS:EFB:CPH in ratios of 1:1:1, 2:1:1, and 2:2:1 and composted for 3 months. Select physicochemical parameters and pathogens were monitored every fortnightly and 3 weeks, respectively. Results Maximum temperatures obtained ranged 46.8â54.5 C. Though these temperatures were lower than sanitizing temperatures prescribed by USEPA, no E. coli was found in any of the piles at the end of composting. The ratio 2DFS:2EFB:1CPH was found to be the safest formulation and hence was used to grow tomato under greenhouse conditions. Tomato seeds were sown in three different growing media: 100% FS-based compost, 100% rice husk biochar, and 50% FS-based compostâ50% rice husk biochar mix. Conclusion Results showed that FS-based compost was a suitable growing medium for tomato. Further studies into the optimal rate and frequency of application of compost teas on tomato are recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-1ea0ebd986f14d99b8e00b1deda288932025-08-20T03:54:57ZengOICC PressInternational Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture2195-32282251-77152024-01-016110.1007/s40093-016-0149-zEffects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growthEric Gbenatey Nartey0Philip Amoah1Godfred Kwabena Ofosu-Budu2Ashley Muspratt3Surendra Kumar Pradhan4International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Accra, GhanaInternational Water Management Institute (IWMI), Accra, GhanaCollege of Agricultural and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre-Kade, Legon, GhanaPivot Ltd, Mombasa, KenyaInternational Water Management Institute (IWMI), Accra, GhanaPurpose Faecal sludge (FS) has been co-composted with many organic solid wastes globally. Agricultural wastes, such as oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and cocoa pod husks (CPH), have received very little research attention as far as combining with FS is concerned. This study aimed at co-composting these wastes at different ratios to produce safe compost for use as soilless medium for raising tomato transplants. Methods Dewatered FS (DFS) was mixed with shredded EFB and CPH at five different ratios: 1DFS:1EFB, 1DFS:1CPH, and DFS:EFB:CPH in ratios of 1:1:1, 2:1:1, and 2:2:1 and composted for 3 months. Select physicochemical parameters and pathogens were monitored every fortnightly and 3 weeks, respectively. Results Maximum temperatures obtained ranged 46.8â54.5 C. Though these temperatures were lower than sanitizing temperatures prescribed by USEPA, no E. coli was found in any of the piles at the end of composting. The ratio 2DFS:2EFB:1CPH was found to be the safest formulation and hence was used to grow tomato under greenhouse conditions. Tomato seeds were sown in three different growing media: 100% FS-based compost, 100% rice husk biochar, and 50% FS-based compostâ50% rice husk biochar mix. Conclusion Results showed that FS-based compost was a suitable growing medium for tomato. Further studies into the optimal rate and frequency of application of compost teas on tomato are recommended.https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/3187Faecal sludgeCo-compostingCocoa pod husksTransplantCompost teaTomato
spellingShingle Eric Gbenatey Nartey
Philip Amoah
Godfred Kwabena Ofosu-Budu
Ashley Muspratt
Surendra Kumar Pradhan
Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
Faecal sludge
Co-composting
Cocoa pod husks
Transplant
Compost tea
Tomato
title Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
title_full Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
title_fullStr Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
title_full_unstemmed Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
title_short Effects of co-composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
title_sort effects of co composting of faecal sludge and agricultural wastes on tomato transplant and growth
topic Faecal sludge
Co-composting
Cocoa pod husks
Transplant
Compost tea
Tomato
url https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/3187
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