IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2019) 10-2

Research articleerd

Physical and Chemical Properties of Compost Made from
Agricultural Wastes
THIDAR KHAING*
University of Mandalay, Mandalay, Myanmar
Email: thidarkhaing7878@gmail.com

SUU SUU WIN
Sagaing Univeristy of Education, Sagaing, Myanmar

NYO NYO WIN
Myitkyina University, Myitkyina, Myanmar
Received 15 December 2018

Accepted 15 August 2019(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Compost is a decomposed organic material that can be used to help grow plants
and keep soil healthy. The main objectives of this research are to prepare compost fromagricultural wastes and study the physical and chemical properties of agricultural wastes
and prepared compost. These agricultural wastes are cow dung, rice husk, saw dust, sesamehusk and chaff. The physical and chemical properties of agricultural wastes and compost
were characterized by pH, moisture, organic matter, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium. The EM (effective microorganism) solution was prepared byusing organic kitchen wastes except onion and garlic peels for mixing in prepared compost.
The microscopic morphology of microorganism was also studies for EM solution. The
results showed that the prepared compost has pH value 7.29, moisture (20.39%), organic
matter (22.89%), calcium (1.96%), magnesium (0.61%), sulphur (0.07%), nitrogen (1.25%),
phosphorus (1.62%), potassium (1.56%), iron (1.30%), manganese (0.02%), copper(0.03%), zinc (0.01%) and chloride (1.07%). The yield percent of prepared compost was
found to (58.45%) based upon the amount of agricultural wastes. The physical and chemical
properties of agricultural wastes and prepared compost were used in soil management in agood way to improve and maintain soil quality, soil fertility, and conserve the environment.
Keywords agricultural wastes, physical and chemical properties, EM solution, compostINTRODUCTION
Compost means to put together the correct amounts of compostable materials to make a great soilamendment. It is the biological reduction of organic material to humus; it is made from residues ofplants and/or animals that are piled, moistened and allowed to decompose, and bacteria, insects andworms in the pile help this break down (Raabe, 2004). Quality control during compost production
should ensure adequate chemical and physical properties (Inbar et al., 1993), as well as an adequate
degree of stability and maturity (Benito et al., 2003). The beneficial effects on crop production andsoil quality reported in literature (Hoitink et al., 1997; Atiyeh et al., 2001) are related to thephysical, chemical, and biological properties of the composts (He et al., 1995). Agricultural wastes
are defined as the residues from the growing and processing of raw agricultural products such as
fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy products, and crops. They are the non-product outputs ofproduction and processing of agricultural products that may contain material that can benefit man
but whose economic values are less than the cost of collection, transportation, and processing for
beneficial use. Their composition will depend on the system and type of agricultural activities andthey can be in the form of liquids, slurries, or solids. Agricultural waste otherwise called agrowaste is comprised of animal waste (manure, animal carcasses), food processing waste (only 20%
of maize is canned and 80% is waste), crop waste (corn stalks, sugarcane bagasse, drops and culls
from fruits and vegetables, pruning) and hazardous and toxic agricultural waste (pesticides,Ⓒ ISERD61

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2019) 10-2

insecticides and herbicides, etc). Estimates of agricultural waste arising are rare, but they are
generally thought of as contributing a significant proportion of the total waste matter in thedeveloped world (Agamuthu, 2009). Effective Microorganisms (EM) are mixed cultures ofbeneficial naturally occurring organisms that can be applied as inoculants to increase the microbialdiversity of soil ecosystem. They consist mainly of the photosynthesizing bacteria, lactic acidbacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes and fermenting fungi. These microorganisms are physiologicallycompatible with one another and can coexist in liquid culture. There is evidence that EM
inoculation to the soil can improve the quality of soil, plant growth and yield (Kengo and Hui-lian,2000).
Therefore, the present investigation was conducted to study produce a good quality compost
from agricultural wastes. The physical and chemical properties of the agricultural wastes andcompost were determined by the end of processing period. These properties include pH, moisture,organic matter, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese,copper, zinc and chloride.
METHODOLOGY
Sample collection: The agricultural waste materials such as cow dung, rice husk, saw dust, sesamehusk and chaff were collected for the preparation of compost in June 2018. Cow dung wascollected from Myitnge village and rice husk, saw dust, sesame husk and chaff were collected fromproduction of Industrial Zone (I), Pyingyitagon Townships, Mandalay Region, Myanmar. Cowdung samples were dried under the sunlight for 3 months. The rice husk, saw dust, sesame husk andchaff were pounded and sieved with 60 sieve mesh size to get the size of powder.
Preparation of effective microorganism solution: The EM solution was prepared in container all
the wastes of the fruits and vegetables from the kitchen except onion and garlic peels were placedin a 10 liters container to ferment for one month. The fermentation time took about one month toobtain effective microorganism (EM) solution.
Preparation of aerobic digester: The plastic container (50.8 cm) was taken. One hole (2.54 cm indiameter) was made at the centre of the base of the container to seep the liquid of the decomposing
organic matter from container. Four holes were made around the top of the container, at 38.1 cm
from each other. Another four holes were made around the bottom third of the container, at 38.1 cm
from each other.
Preparation of compost by using aerobic method: Compost was prepared by mixing of cow
dung (0.25 kg), rice husk (0.25 kg), saw dust (0.25 kg), sesame husk (0.25 kg), chaff (0.25 kg) andEM (10 L) solution in container (50.8 cm).
Turning over for compost under aerobic condition: During decomposition, the waste products
were turned over regularly, in order that it remains well aerate and all the materials were converted
into compost. The first turning over was done after two weeks. The second turning overtook thatafter one week. Then, each turning over was done after one week. During the process, water was
sprinkled over the container, if necessary. After one month, decomposition was complete because
the waste materials were changed into an unrecognizable crumbly dark mass. However, somestalks do not decomposed completely and can still be seen.
Analysis of physical and chemical composition of agricultural wastes and compost: The
agricultural wastes and compost were air dried and physical and chemical properties were
determined based upon the total weight of selected materials used (FAO, 2008).
Determination of pH of agricultural wastes and compost: Cow dung (5 g), rice husk (5 g), saw
dust(5 g), sesame hush (5 g), chaff (5 g) and prepare compost (5 g) were weighed accurately andplaced into a each beaker and 100 mL of distilled water was added into each beaker (the ratio ofsample to water was 1:4). It was shaken and heated for 30 minutes. It was cooled and filtered. The
filtered was determined by digital pH meter.
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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2019) 10-2

Determination of moisture contents of agricultural wastes and compost: With the oven-drying
method, the loss of water on heating agricultural wastes and compost at 105°C in a silica crucible
and heating it in a temperature control oven for 5 hours.
Determination of total sulphur contents of agricultural wastes and compost: 2-5 mL of aliquot
was taken into 50 mL volumetric flask. 5 mL of 50% acetic acid, 2 mL of 0.25% Gum Acacia and1 mL of ortho-phosphoric acid was added into the flask. It was shaken for 1 min. 0.2 g of BaCl 2
crystal was added and shaken for 1 min. Make the volume up to 50 mL with distilled water.
Measure the turbidity intensity at 440 nm.
Determination of total nitrogen by using Kjeldahl method: 0.5 g of each sample was put into
600 mL digestion tube and 1 g of catalyst was added. It was heated gently unit frothing ceases. Theflask was removed from the heater and cool, distilled water was added and transfer to the suitable
volumetric flask. Accurately 20-25 mL of 2% Boric Acid was placed in the receiving conical flask.
2-3 drops of methyl red indicator was added. Water was add enough to cover the end of thecondenser outlet tube. 5 mL of aliquot pipette into the distillation tube and 5 mL of 40% NaOH
was added and the ammonia was distilled for about 4 minutes. The receiving flask was removedand rinsed the outlet tube into the receiving flask with a small amount of distilled water. Excessacid was titrated with 0.02 NH2SO4. Determine the blank a reagent in the same manner.
Determination of total phosphorus by using Molybivanado phosphoric acid method: Pipette
5-25 mL of aliquot depending on P content in a 50 mL volumetric flask and add 5 mL of Barton’sReagent and dilute to 50 mL with distilled water. After 1 hour, measure with spectrophotometer at420 nm.
Determination of potassium, calcium and magnesium by using atomic absorptionspectroscopic method: Potassium, calcium and magnesium content of agricultural wastes andcompost were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic Method (AAS), at Department ofAgriculture (Land Use), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mandalay.
Determination of organic matter in agricultural wastes and compost: Loss of weight on
ignition can be used as a direct measure of the Organic Matter (OM). The sample is ashed at 500600°C by placing a suitable weight (0.5-1.0 g) of the sample in a silica crucible and heating it in amuffle furnace for 4-6 hours.
Determination of yield percent of compost: The compost was dried and the yield percent wasdetermined based upon the total weight of selected materials used.
Isolation of microorganism from EM solution by using sub-micrometer: Isolation ofmicroorganism from EM solution was done at Department of Biotechnology, Mandalay
Technology University (MTU). The microscopic morphology of microorganism was also studied
for EM solution (Krieg, 1984).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Physical and Chemical Properties of Agricultural Wastes
Physical and chemical properties of agricultural wastes used for composting were measured. The
results are shown in Table 1. According to these results the pH value of rice husk is greater thanothers. The pH value is directly affects plant growth. Calcium, potassium and moisture werehighest values in cow dung. Sesame husk has highest phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen amount andhigher organic matter. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are essential minerals for agriculture.
The mixture of the richest sources, such as sesame husk, saw dust, chaff, cow dung and rice husk
were combined and made the compost which used for agriculture. The agricultural wastes improvethe overall health of soil and produce healthy various plants. The physical and chemical propertiesof prepared compost were rechecked in agricultural wastes and the results are described in Table 2.

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2019) 10-2

Table 1 Physical and chemical properties of agricultural wastes used for composting
Parameter

Sesame husk

Saw dust

Chaff

Cow dung

Rice husk

pH
Moisture (%)
Organic matter (%)
Total Ca (%)
Total Mg (%)
Total S (%)
Total N (%)
Total P (%)
Total K (%)

6.62
6.2489.97
1.07
0.15
57.10
3.36
0.48
0.51

6.95
9.61
91.18
0.52
0.07
16.90
0.19
0.01
0.06

7.14
12.19
23.49
0.23
0.11
2.50
0.09
0.01
1.01

7.23
22.80
51.03
9.70
0.57
38.60
2.18
0.41
1.15

7.43
12.93
79.36
0.19
0.12
31.50
0.41
0.02
0.93

Table 2 Physical and chemical properties of compost
Parameter

Results
7.29
20.39
22.89
1.96
0.62
0.07
1.25
1.62
1.56
1.30
0.02
0.03
0.01
1.07

pH
Moisture (%)
Organic matter (%)
Total Ca (%)
Total Mg (%)
Total S (%)
Total N (%)
Total P (%)
Total K (%)
Total Fe (%)
Total Mn (%)
Total Cu (%)
Total Zn (%)
Total Cl (%)

In accordance with the comparisons of physical and chemical properties of crude wastes andprepared compost, sulphur and nitrogen content are significantly decreased in compost which may
be produced of gas in combination period. The organic matter is also reduced in prepared compost
which is decomposed of agricultural wastes, cow dung and EM solution in moist aerobic conditions.
Yield Percent of Compost
Yield percent of compost was obtained 58.45% on based upon the total weight of material inaerobic condition.
Table 3 Cultural and Microscopic Morphology of Isolated Bacteria
Colony Morphology
Sample Sizename (mm)EM 12EM 23EM 32

ColorWhite(Transparent)
White(Opaque)White(Transparent )Elevation

Shape

Flat

Irregular

RaisedIrregular

RaisedIrregularⒸ ISERD64

Microscopic Morphology
Size
Gram’
Shape(µm) reaction
2-2.5×
Rod,+5-6
spore
1.5-2×
Rod,+3-4
spore
1-1.5×
Rod,+5-7
spore

FamilyBacillaceae

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2019) 10-2

The Isolation of Microorganism from EM Solution
The microorganisms were isolated from prepare effective microorganisms solution. Thesemicroorganisms were used accelerator on composting process. EM cultures have been usedeffectively to inoculate both farm wastes as well as hasten the treatment process. EM enhances soil
fertility and promotes grow ripening in crops. The isolated bacteria were shown in Table 3.

Fig. 1 Cultural and microscopic morphology of isolated bacteria
Three bacterial isolates (EM 1, EM 2, EM 3,) from sample EM were isolated on Nutrient
media. According to the cultural and microscopic morphology, all three bacterial isolates on
Bacillaceae shows in Fig. 1. Bacillaceae is mainly due to their ability to form resistant endospores.
It is believed to be the key factor determining the ecology of these bacteria. They also performfundamental roles in soil ecology and in plant health and growth stimulation.
CONCLUSION
According to physical and chemical properties of compost which should be used as organic
fertilizer. As a result of analysis data of prepared compost showed that suitable for plant growthand health. In addition, waste products and compost were observed to be suitable for agriculturalused. According to cultural and microscopic morphology, two aerobic bacterial strains wereobserved in liquid of EM solutions with different conditions. The compost should be used widely inagriculture because of their low cost, good fertility of the soil and supplying more trace elements. It
provides many essential nutrients for plant growth and therefore is often used as fertilizer.
Therefore, prepared compost has great potential for applications and as a source of plants nutrients.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to acknowledge my sincere gratitude to Dr. Thida Win, Rector, University ofMandalay for their permission to perform this research work. We particularly want to thank Dr. Yi
Yi Myint, Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, University of Mandalay, for her
providing research facilities, guidance, and suggestions on my research work.
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