The Quality of Composts: Implications for Use Jean Bonhotal Cornell Waste Management Institute http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu
Why Compost? Cornell Waste Management Institute Managing Organic Waste through Composting Reduces Volume by 50%
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
Effects of erosion
Recycling Organics Makes Good Sense! Healthy Soils = Healthy Food! Cornell Waste Management Institute
Cornell 4/18/2017 Waste Management Institute
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
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
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
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
Quality Issues Low Nutrient High Carbon Organic Matter Chemicals-pesticides Cornell Waste Management Institute
Leaf & Yard Residuals Inerts- garbage Herbicides/Pesticides Lead Salt Level Cornell Waste Management Institute
Food Scrap & Processing Residual High in Salt Physical Contaminants Varies with Feedstock Cornell Waste Management Institute
Manure Compost High in Organic Matter? Low in contaminants Little garbage or inerts Can be high in P Pharmaceuticals
Manure Compost Samples Average values for selected analytes Cornell Waste Management Institute
Metal Results (dry basis unless specified) (units ppm) Cornell Waste Management Institute
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
Fat, Oils, Meat Highest in Nutrients Physical Contaminants Use Limitations Cornell Waste Management Institute
Biosolids Compost Inerts Chemical Contaminant Bacteria Viruses Drugs Change in feedstock Use Limitations Cornell Waste Management Institute
Trade-Offs/Decision Improve pad surface: Increased OM Significantly higher nitrogen Soil pad: Lower organic matter Loose more TKN Cause nutrient concentration issue
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
Trade-offs/Decision Frequent Turning: Reduced Organic Matter Loose More Nitrogen Reach Maturity Faster Pathogen Reduction Reduce or Eliminate Johnes
Vermi- Composting Cornell Waste Management Institute
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.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: http://compost.css.cornell.edu/maps.html 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
3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
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
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.
Timing of Compost Application Fall Spring Mid season Maturity Cornell Waste Management Institute
MINISINK SITE
January 2004 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
Grape Production
Crop Production
In furrow micro-dosing Cornell Waste Management Institute
Healthy Beans
Hydro-seed with Road Kill Compost/Soil Mix
Application to 1:1 ROCK SLOPE 2 compost mulch w/native seed mix Barton Creek Development Austin, TX AUGUST 17, 2002 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
8 MONTHS LATER IRRIGATION INSTALLED, NEVER USED 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
West Cypress Hills on October 05, 2004. Before Compost Application 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
Compost Socks 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
Filter Tubes Installed for Storm Water Protection 3/26/2008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
Orchards- Food scraps To apples
Tree Establishment Cornell Waste Management Institute
3 years without amendment Cornell Waste Management Institute
3 years Cornell Waste Management Institute
Landscaping Project Cornell Waste Management Institute
Cornell Waste Management Institute
http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu Cornell Waste Management Institute
Jean Bonhotal Cornell Waste Management Institute http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu