The Quality of Composts: Implications for Use. Jean Bonhotal Cornell Waste Management Institute

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1 The Quality of Composts: Implications for Use Jean Bonhotal Cornell Waste Management Institute

2 Why Compost? Cornell Waste Management Institute Managing Organic Waste through Composting Reduces Volume by 50%

Suppress Plant Disease Improves soil quality Compost = Healthy

3 It does not burn well Fills up Landfills Convert organics into a soil like product Holds soil moisture during dry seasons Helps to Suppress Plant Disease Improves soil quality Compost = Healthy Soil = Good Food = Healthy People Cornell Waste Management Institute

4 Effects of erosion

5 Recycling Organics Makes Good Sense! Healthy Soils = Healthy Food! Cornell Waste Management Institute

6 Cornell 4/18/2017 Waste Management Institute

7 Questions Compost Buyers Might Ask 1. What feedstock are used to make compost? What carbon source is used? 2. Are any generated Off-Farm? If yes which ones? 3. Are Copper Sulfate or Formaldehyde used on farm? 4. Are pesticides and herbicides used? For what use? Cornell Waste Management Institute

8 Questions Compost Buyers Might Ask (con t) 5. How long is material composted, and by which method? 6. Has hay or bedding been imported from midwest or west? 7. Is it screened and size of screen? 8. Has compost been tested? Are results available? Cornell Waste Management Institute

9 Food Feedstock Manure Food waste Food processing Manure Leaf and yardwaste Vineyard residuals Biosolids Fish waste Organics = 60% or more of our waste stream Cornell Waste Management Institute

10 Crop Requirements & Soil Testing Test soil nutrients Organic Material-Can you have too much ph Know crop requirements 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

11 Quality Issues Low Nutrient High Carbon Organic Matter Chemicals-pesticides Cornell Waste Management Institute

12 Leaf & Yard Residuals Inerts- garbage Herbicides/Pesticides Lead Salt Level Cornell Waste Management Institute

13 Food Scrap & Processing Residual High in Salt Physical Contaminants Varies with Feedstock Cornell Waste Management Institute

14 Manure Compost High in Organic Matter? Low in contaminants Little garbage or inerts Can be high in P Pharmaceuticals

15 Manure Compost Samples Average values for selected analytes Cornell Waste Management Institute

16 Metal Results (dry basis unless specified) (units ppm) Cornell Waste Management Institute

17 Un-separated Dairy Separated Dairy Poultry Figure 1. Suggested ranges of % organic matter for use in topsoil mix from Rodale - light shaded area (8% - 20%) and USCC - dark shaded area (50% - 60%). Diamonds indicate average value and tick marks represent single sample values. Bars show range of values. CWMI - CSS 03/11/03 Seminar

18 Fat, Oils, Meat Highest in Nutrients Physical Contaminants Use Limitations Cornell Waste Management Institute

19 Biosolids Compost Inerts Chemical Contaminant Bacteria Viruses Drugs Change in feedstock Use Limitations Cornell Waste Management Institute

20 Trade-Offs/Decision Improve pad surface: Increased OM Significantly higher nitrogen Soil pad: Lower organic matter Loose more TKN Cause nutrient concentration issue

21 Pathogens Fecal < 1000 MPN/g or Salmonella s.p. < 3 MPN/4g (based on seven individual samples per event) AND Use one of 5 approved methods to Further Reduce Pathogens: Time/temp depending on solids content ph/time then dry to at least 50% solids Testing for enteric viruses/viable helminth ova Testing for reduction of these analytes

22 Trade-offs/Decision Frequent Turning: Reduced Organic Matter Loose More Nitrogen Reach Maturity Faster Pathogen Reduction Reduce or Eliminate Johnes

23 Vermi- Composting Cornell Waste Management Institute

24 V. Compost Uses Recycling food and yard waste provides many benefits for soil and plant response. Compost supplies small amounts of nutrients but the organic matter significantly improves soil structure, allowing better drainage in heavy clay soils and improved water retention in light sandy soils. Cornell Waste Management Institute

Cornell Waste Management Institute cwmi.css.cornell.

native seed mix Austin, TX - August Compost Use for Improved Soil 8 Months Later Irrigation

other pollutants from reaching surface water by acting as a filter.

Find your compost here: http://compost.css.cornell.edu/maps.html Why Use Compost?

surface. Increasing water holding capacity of soil which reduces runoff.

Buffering soil ph which can increase vegetation establishment and growth.

Planting New vegetation Use can be up established to 50% compost directly in tree into planting

and most horticultural applications Three years growth without compost Three years growth with

25 Cornell Waste Management Institute cwmi.css.cornell.edu Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control Application to 1:1 Rock Slope 2 compost mulch with native seed mix Austin, TX - August Compost Use for Improved Soil 8 Months Later Irrigation install, never used Roadkill compost spread Nov 2006 Highland NY DOT Coarse Fine Sheet flow protection March 2007 What is Compost? An organic matter resource that has the unique ability to improve the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of soils. Compost socks/filter tubes Compost socks reduce sediment, fertilizers, chemicals, metals and other pollutants from reaching surface water by acting as a filter. Improves Highly Compacted Soils Compost reduces the bulk density of construction damaged soil. Find your compost here: Why Use Compost? Compost improves soil and controls erosion by: Increasing water infiltration in to the soil surface. Increasing water holding capacity of soil which reduces runoff. Reducing soil particle dislodging Increasing plant growth and soil cover. Buffering soil ph which can increase vegetation establishment and growth. Alleviates soil compacting by increasing Street soil Tree structure. Planting New vegetation Use can be up established to 50% compost directly in tree into planting compost. and most horticultural applications Three years growth without compost Three years growth with compost Before compost addition Turf Maintenance After compost addition Composts can be top-dressed at a rate of ¼ to ½ on turf to promote aggregation of soil particles, increase porosity and reduce bulk density to make a less compact soil. Use 1 to 2 with incorporation for turf establishment Compost adds organic material to build healthy soils where a diverse group of beneficial organisms thrive and helps suppress disease for better growth and health of plantings. Landscape and Nursery

26 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

27 Compost Use Topsoil Blends Container Mix/Potting Soil Nursery Beds Turf Establishment Erosion Control Tree and Shrub Backfill DOT Use Vegetable Crops Cornell Waste Management Institute

Builds healthy soils where a diverse group

28 Benefits of Using Compost 1. Adds organic material. 2. Builds healthy soils where a diverse group of beneficial organism thrive. 3. Helps suppress disease. 4. Increases moisture holding capacity in soils. Cornell Waste Management Institute Note: Immature compost should not be used for germinating seedlings and can affect the health of mature plants.

29 Timing of Compost Application Fall Spring Mid season Maturity Cornell Waste Management Institute

30 MINISINK SITE

31 January /26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

32 Grape Production

33 Crop Production

35 In furrow micro-dosing Cornell Waste Management Institute

36 Healthy Beans

37 Hydro-seed with Road Kill Compost/Soil Mix

39 Application to 1:1 ROCK SLOPE 2 compost mulch w/native seed mix Barton Creek Development Austin, TX AUGUST 17, /26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

40 8 MONTHS LATER IRRIGATION INSTALLED, NEVER USED 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

41 West Cypress Hills on October 05, Before Compost Application 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

42 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

43 Compost Socks 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

44 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

45 Filter Tubes Installed for Storm Water Protection 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute

46 Orchards- Food scraps To apples

47 Tree Establishment Cornell Waste Management Institute

48 3 years without amendment Cornell Waste Management Institute

49 3 years Cornell Waste Management Institute

50 Landscaping Project Cornell Waste Management Institute

51 Cornell Waste Management Institute

52 Cornell Waste Management Institute

53 Jean Bonhotal Cornell Waste Management Institute

Making Organics Work for You

Making Organics Work for You Integrating Compost USE into Waste Management Plans Jean Bonhotal Cornell Waste Management Inst. cwmi.css.cornell.edu Why Compost? Cornell Waste Management Institute Managing