e-ISSN 2231-8542
ISSN 1511-3701
Nor Hanuni Ramli, Nur Eliza Badrul Hisham, Farhan Mohd Said, Nur Ezyan Badrul Hisham and Olusegun Abayomi Olalere
Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 42, Issue 4, November 2019
Keywords: Compost, microbe growth, wood vinegar
Published on: 13 Nov 2019
This paper presents an experimental study of the effect of wood vinegar at different concentrations on the biological and physicochemical properties of the composts by using the solution with the ratio of wood vinegar to distilled water in the range of 1:100 to 1:500 (v/v). The composting process was conducted by in-vessel composting method within 60 days where temperature and pH were recorded daily. The composts were then analyzed on the microbe counts, pH, moisture content, water holding capacity, and nutrient contents. XRF and CHNS analyzers were used to measure the NPK content exist before and after composting process. This research attempted to investigate the effect of wood vinegar concentration towards physiochemical and biological properties of the composts. The results showed that lower concentration of wood vinegar could potentially enhance microbial activity which could accelerate the composting process. However, in terms of physical properties, sample 1:400 (v/v) had recorded the highest reading for water holding capacity and moisture content which were about 2 to 19 % (ml/100g) and 1 to 27 % (w/w) higher than other samples, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that sample 1:400 (v/v) shows the best condition where it has achieved well-balanced condition between physicochemical and biological properties.
ISSN 1511-3701
e-ISSN 2231-8542