The use of pig sludge compost in the growing of grain maize
2002
Ong, H.K. | Tan, S.L., MARDI, P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | Choo, P.Y., Ronema Malaysia Pte. Ltd., P.O. Box 150, 46710 Petaling Jaya, Selangor (Malaysia) | Soo S.P. | Poovan S. (eds.), MARDI, P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
A general practice of Malaysian livestock farmers in waste management in flushing down the manure with plenty of water (about 30-40 L/animal/day). Typically the wastewater generated in pig farm contains 5 to 8% of total solids (TSS) are generally high. The Malaysian effluent standard for TSS is 50 and 100 mg/L in areas within and outside of water catchments respectively. It is clear that the solid content constitutes a major problem in livestock waste management. In an effort to reduce solids in the waste stream, the solids were separated from the slurry by using a solid-liquid separator. Separated solids were composted. Solid stabilisation occurred after 62 days. The matured compost had the following composition: dry matter, 69.5%; total Kjehldahl nitrogen (TKN), 17.7 g/kg; ammoniacal nitrogen, 3.9 g/kg; C/N ratio, 18.5; P, 12.7 g/kg; K, 2.2 g/kg; Cu, 198 mg/kg. This study investigated the possibility of using composted pig sludge in the culti vation of grain maize, either as a total substitute or a supplement to chemical fertilisers normally used. No significant differences were detected between dry grain yields obtained when pig sludge compost was used with chemical fertiliser supplementation and when only chemical fertilisers were used. However, grain yield was significantly lower when total subtitution of chemical fertiliser with pig sludge compost was applied. Nutrient uptke just prior to tesseling showed a significant lower uptake of N and K when only pig sludge compost was applied. No significant differences in uptakes of N, P, K, Ca and Mg were detected at harvest. Shelling percentage remained unchanged whatever the treatment. Results showed that the pig sludge compost could replace by half the amount of chemical fertiliser normally used.
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