Use of Various Organics Substrates and Evolution of Chemical Parameters during Composting of Panicum maximum Jacq and Oriza sativa L. Straw

Aims: The present study was initiated with the objective of evaluating the quality of composts obtained from different organic substrates.

Place and Duration of Study: The test was conducted at the research station of the INERA (Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research) of Farako-Bâ in western Burkina Faso.

Methodology: Aerobic composting was conducted through use of compost heaps composed of various organic and plant substrates, and physical and chemical parameters were measured during the process. Two types of biomass comprising Oriza sativa and Panicum maximum straw and two types of substrates including cattle manure and poultry manure were subjected to windrow composting. Two treatments were defined with the combination of rice straw + cattle manure (T1) and the combination of Panicum maximum straw + poultry manure (T2).

Results: The study showed that the composts from both treatments gave basic pH for water and low C:N ratios (> 20) and were rich in mineral elements. The best quality compost is obtained in T2 with values of total P (0.52%), Ca (2.05%) and Mg (0.62%) higher than those of T1 by 44%, 39% and 39% respectively.

Conclusion: This study highlights the possibility of composting these substrates, which may contribute to improving the organic matter requirements of the soil.