Effect of post-production vermicompost and thermophilic compost blending on nutrient availability

Abstract

Composting is a common waste management strategy for recycling nutrients from organic household or agri-cultural wastes. However, thermophilic (e.g. windrow) composting and vermicomposting (using earthworms) produce different nutrient and enzyme profiles. Vermicompost is purported to have greater fertility benefits, but is also more expensive than thermophilic compost. The objective of this study was to examine a novel approach to designing organic fertility amendments by blending mature vermicompost and thermophilic compost. To examine the effect of blending, vermicompost was admixed to thermophilic compost at 20, 50 and 70 % by mass, with and without the addition of coir (cocopeat). Electric conductivity, water-extractable, immediately available N, P and K were measured. Vermicompost and coir synergistically affected the availability of these nutrients. Synergistic effects were between 15 and 40 % for total inorganic N in blends with coir. Without coir, synergism occurred only at vermicompost additions >= 50 %. Synergism for available P and K was present in all blends and ranged from 10% to 35%. Electrical conductivity measurements suggest that blending affected compost within three days of starting the incubation. The activity of five of seven measured enzymes were linearly and positively related to the fraction of vermicompost in the blend. Blending mature composts with differing properties may be another tool, in addition to adjusting feedstock and process parameters, to affect positively the fertility properties of composts.