EFFECT OF TWO AERATION SYSTEMS ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS DURING COMPOSTING OF THE CATTLE AND POULTRY MANURES

Abstract

: The evaluation of the most suitable aeration technology for cattle and poultry manures composting was carried out using two identical two piles prepared of both manures. Forced ventilation was employed in one of the piles of each manure, whereas mechanical turning was used in the other two piles. The temperature, pH, EC, bulk density, organic carbon, organic matter total nitrogen and C/N ratio were investigated at 0, 1, 7, 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 days of composting of cattle (CM) and poultry (PM) manures piles under FVS and MTS techniques. In the FVS piles, temperatures degree were 70 and 65 °C at seven days of composting and remained stable up to 40 days. Whereas, the temperatures of MTS piles, peaked 51.0 ℃ and 58.1 at 7 days of composting period for the CM and PM, respectively, it approximately remained stable up to 50 day. The FVS had a significant impact on the content of organic carbon and OM, of both poultry and cattle manures, in compared to the MTS. During the composting periods of all piles showed that, the increase in percentage of total nitrogen was mostly observed in 35 day for forced aeration System "FVS" piles with poultry and/or cattle manure. The C/N ratio of poultry and cattle manure piles significantly affected with the forced aeration system (Forced Ventilation System "FVS") than with the Mechanically Turned System "MTS".