Evolution of Composting as a Strategy for Managing Organic Municipal Solid Wastes in Central India

Studies were conducted at Regional office, Madhya Pradesh pollution Control Board and Rani Durgavati University to evaluate the quality of municipal and agricultural waste under aerobic and anaerobic composting. Composting methods with enrichment techniques were adopted with two methods (Aerobic and Anaerobic) and seven treatments in each method. The samples of the aerobic were drawn after 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after composting and in anaerobic compost samples were drawn after 50 days of compost. Effect of bio-inorganic carbonulum (Fungal Consortium), chemical amendments (2% P2O5 and 1% N) and method of composting on organic carbon, C/N ratio, pH, EC and total nutrient status during composting was determined in aerobic and anaerobic composts. The organic carbon, C/N ratio decreased significantly during maturation of the compost irrespective of treatments and method of composting. High organic carbon was recorded in 100 % urban solid waste (USW) compost in both the methods. It ranged from 20.15 % to 24.0 % in aerobic matured compost and from 21.5 to 23.25 in anaerobic matured compost. 100 % agricultural waste (AW) compost had lower C:N ratio 18.65 and 17.47 in aerobic and anaerobic composts, respectively than 100 % USW compost (19.20 to 18.02 in aerobic and anaerobic compost, respectively). Where as the nitrogen content was increased from 0.78 % to 1.29 % in 100 % urban waste compost and 0.75 % to 1.23 % in 100 % agricultural compost. R organic carbon k phosphate treated composts in both methods enhanced the total P content with maximum of 0.89 % in both aerobic and anaerobic composts. There was gradual increase of total potassium content from initial status of 0.44 to 0.64%