Research on the composting process in the presence of yeast cultures

Abstract

An integrated approach to increasing or restoring soil fertility, including deoccupied territories, consists in combining effective and at the same time affordable methods. Compost, which is formed from organic waste in individual households, is the main element of an integrated approach to increasing soil fertility and waste management in countries that build an economy on the sustainable development principles. Depending on composting process methods, the formation of mature compost lasts 1–3 years, the preferred period is 1 year. The prevalence of this approach to managing the solid household waste organic fraction depends on the population`s awareness about the various composting methods effectiveness and the compost use to increase soil fertility. Diverse and unreliable information about the composting method duration, the ban on the inclusion of certain components in compost significantly reduce the readiness and composting practical implementation. This is especially true for the anaerobic and pseudo-anaerobic method of composting, which is less expensive in terms of labor and material resources, but requires a longer period of time to form mature compost. Purpose. Research into aerobic and anaerobic composting processes of organic waste in the yeast cultures presence. Methods. Compost moisture was determined by weight and using a portable device, the content of individual chemical elements in the compost was determined by the express method using a portable device YG–09, the pH value was determined by a portable device Intelegent soil detector, and the pH level was determined by a portable device. Results. The yeast cultures presence in composting leads to an approximation of the rate of the mesophilic stage in anaerobic and aerobic conditions over time. In the first 40 days from the composting start, regardless of the method, there is a small difference in the N and K content. In general, the content of potassium increases by 5.5 times, and the content of nitrogen by 9 times over 360 days of the composting process, regardless of whether the composting method is anaerobic or aerobic. Conclusions. The composting process in the presence of primary yeast cultures in anaerobic or pseudoanaerobic conditions occurs more slowly than in aerobic conditions, only in the first 20 days. With increasing time, the difference between the composting speeds is leveled, as evidenced by the moisture content of the compost. The composting process in anaerobic conditions in the presence of secondary yeast cultures generally proceeds more slowly than the aerobic process.