Trichoderma harzianum Rifai as activator for rapid composting of vegetable refuse

• Main Author: Navarro, Maximin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1993
• Subjects: Compost; Fertilizers and manures; Vegetables > Fertilizers and manures
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/1142
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aimed to use Trichoderma harzianum Rifai as activator for rapid composting of vegetable refuse and to apply the ripe compost as fertilizer. There were two treatments of refuse, the first treatment was refuse with compost activator and the second treatment was refuse only which served as the control. The composting period was monitored by measuring the pH and temperature (oC) of the treatments and recording visual observations. The final pH, weight (gram), percent Carbon, percent Nitrogen content and C-N ratio of the ripe compost were measured. The ripe compost was used as fertilizer of Brassica chinensis L. (pechay). Results of the composting phase show that the mean ripening period of the refuse with compost activator was faster (14.1 days) compared to the control (23 days). The pH readings during the composting period were all alkaline. Temperature readings were highest on the first day of incubation and decreased as composting period proceeds. The weight of the ripe compost was only 7.1-13.4 percent of the initial weight of refuse. The ripe compost has an alkaline pH, low Nitrogen percent content, high Carbon percent content and high C-N ratio. On the other hand, results of the planting phase, shows that the effect of compost on the growth of pechay was not significant.