Vol. 8, Special Issue 5 (2023)

A study to assess the effect of chemical composition of different ingredients and micro and macro climatic data on the time duration of compost making was conducted under the agro climatic conditions of Kashmir Valley. Poultry farm waste in the form of poultry carcass and poultry litter was selected for this purpose. Four t group recipes formulated for composting were: G1: Poultry carcass + Poultry litter, G2: Poultry carcass + Poultry litter + Paddy straw, G3: Poultry carcass + Poultry litter + Effective Microbes and G4: Poultry carcass + Poultry litter + Paddy straw + Effective Microbes. Moisture content of 59.34 per cent and a slightly acidic pH of 6.7 were observed in poultry carcass. Electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved salts (TDS) recorded were 2.89 mS/cm and 4.31 ppt respectively. Poultry carcass contained 7.94 g/Kg nitrogen, 1.24 g/Kg phosphorus and 3.18 g/Kg potassium. Poultry litter had a moisture content of 65.13 per cent and a basic pH of 10.1. Electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolve salts (TDS) recorded were 1.35 mS/cm and 0.9 ppt respectively. 0.42 g/Kg nitrogen, 0.03 g/Kg phosphorus and 0.48g/Kg potassium was also observed. Paddy straw was used as a carbon source during composting experiment. A lower moisture content of 25.03 per cent and pH of 6.7 were observed in paddy straw. Compost making was fast in group 4 with 93.03±1.77 days during summer and 96.04±1.99 during winter season. In group 1 (control group) the time duration was highest with 114.01±1.35 days in summer and 122.4±3.22 during winter season.

Conclusion: Chemical composition of different ingredients, climatic parameters had a significant effect on compost making