Utilization of Compost (Food, Paper, Landscape, and Manure) in Row Crop Production

K. D. Smiciklas^†, P. M. Walker^†, and T. R. Kelley^‡

^†Department of Agriculture

^‡Department of Health Sciences

Illinois State University

Normal, IL 61790

Abstract | Acknowledgments | Justification | Objectives | Methods and Materials | Results | Conclusions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to conduct an applied field study investigating the feasibility of utilizing composted food, paper, landscape, and manure waste in corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) production. Two separate field sites were established; at the first site 0, 11.2, 22.4, 33.6, and 44.8 Mg/ha of mature compost; 44.8 Mg/ha of raw, uncomposted material; and 168 kg/ha fertilizer nitrogen (N) were evaluated since 1994. At the second site, 0, 22.4, 44.8, 67.2, and 134.4 Mg/ha of mature compost; 134.4 Mg/ha of raw, uncomposted material; and 168 kg/ha fertilizer N were evaluated since 1996. Finished compost was initiated by blending of pulped cafeteria food waste with waste paper, or by mixing landscape waste with dairy, swine, sheep, and beef manure. Growth and yield of corn and soybean plants supplied with high rates of mature compost was similar to plants supplied with fertilizer N. The use of mature compost did not alter most measured soil parameters one to four years after annual application. The use of raw, uncomposted material tended to restrict the seed yield of corn and soybean. Additional data is needed to access seasonal variation and long-term effects of compost application.

Acknowledgments

Fiscal resources for this project were provided by:

· A. O. Smith Harvestore

· Department of Agriculture, Illinois State University

· Council of Food and Agricultural Research in Illinois (C-FAR)

· Illinois State University

· Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources

· Office of Residential Life, Illinois State University

· Office of Solid Waste Research (OSWR)

· PMI Food Equipment Group

· Simpson Farms

· Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Grants Program

Justification

Need to recycle various materials

· limited landfill space for food and paper waste

· desire to recycle landscape waste in productive fashion

· need to utilize animal manure that minimizes odor release

· feasibility of producing and using "on-farm" compost

Lack of agronomic information

· use of composted materials on soil quality

· use of raw, uncomposted materials on soil quality

· use of mature compost or raw, uncomposted material for corn and soybean production

 

Objectives

1. Investigate the feasibility of composting pulped food waste, waste paper, landscape waste, and animal manure in an agricultural setting

2.  Elucidate feasibility of utilizing mature compost and raw, uncomposted material as a soil amendment in corn and soybean production

3.  Determine optimal rate (if any) of mature compost for corn and soybean production

4. Determine the effect of mature compost and raw, uncomposted material application on long-term soil health and quality by monitoring soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and elemental concentrations

 

Methods and Materials

Compost creation and application

Food/paper waste

·  70% pulped cafeteria food waste and 30% ground waste paper

·  placed in long rows, mixed daily as needed

·  applied to field plots in early spring via calibrated manure spreader, incorporated with primary and secondary tillage

Landscape/manure waste

·  50% landscape waste (leaves, grass clippings, wood chips) and 50% animal manure (solid & liquid beef, swine, sheep, and dairy)

·  placed in long rows, mixed daily as needed

·  applied to field plots in early spring via calibrated manure spreader, incorporated with primary and secondary tillage

Experimental sites and field layouts

Site 1 (lower rates of annual compost application)

·  Normal, IL at Illinois State University Farm

·  5 ha of uniform soil (Flanagan silt loam)

·  plot: 9.1 m wide (12 rows – 76 cm spacing) by 30.5 m in length

·  randomized complete block (RCB) with 3 replicates

Site 2 (greater rates of annual compost application)

·  Normal, IL at Illinois State University Farm

·  5 ha of uniform soil (Flanagan silt loam)

·  plot: 9.1 m wide (12 rows – 76 cm spacing) by 22.9 m in length

·  randomized complete block with 4 replicates

Soil sampling

·  twice yearly (before compost application in spring, after crop removal in fall)

·  measured parameters (0 – 23 cm depth sample):

· soil pH, organic matter, CEC, soil texture

· concentration of P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Mn, B

Treatments - abbreviation in parentheses

Site 1 (lower rates of annual compost application)

·  mature compost:

·  raw, uncomposted material

·  inorganic fertilizer nitrogen

Site 2 (greater rates of annual compost application)

·  mature compost

·  raw, uncomposted material

·  inorganic fertilizer nitrogen

Cultural Practices (both sites)

·  planting date and population

•corn: early – late May at 55,000 plants ha^-1

•soybean: mid May – early June at 365,000 plants ha^-1

·  crop row spacing of 76 cm

·  for corn plots only:

•sampled 3 plants/plot at physiological maturity (R6)

•plant (stover and grain) dry weight (g plant^-1)

•elemental concentrations and content (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Na, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, B)

·  seed yield measured by harvesting center 2 to 4 rows of each plot at maturity

Statistics (both sites)

·  analysis of variance (ANOVA) – RCB design

·  treatments means compared by calculating Fisher’s protected least significant difference (FLSD) at 0.05 probability level

 

Results

Table 1. Evaluation of properties for raw material versus mature compost for application to corn and soybean plots at Normal, IL.

†numbers reported are the mean plus/minus the standard deviation

‡not measured

 

Table 2. Evaluation of properties for raw material versus mature compost for application to corn and soybean plots at Normal, IL.

†numbers reported are the mean plus/minus the standard deviation

‡not measured

 

Figure 1. Influence of mature compost and uncomposted material on grain yield of corn at Normal, IL  (LSD_0.05 = 1.0)

Figure 2. Influence of mature compost and uncomposted material on seed yield of soybean at Normal, IL (LSD_0.05 = 0.3)

Table 3. Measurements of soil quality after three years of annual compost application at Normal, IL for site 1 (lower compost rates).

Table 4. Measurements of soil quality after one year of annual compost application at Normal, IL for site 2 (greater compost rates).

Conclusions

1.  Food/paper waste or landscape/animal manure waste can be recycled into usable compost for corn and soybean production.

2.  Grain yield of corn plants supplied with high rates of mature compost was similar to corn plants supplied with fertilizer N.

3.  Grain yield of corn plants supplied with raw, uncomposted material was substandard, compared to corn plants supplied with fertilizer N.

4.  The rate of compost application did not alter seed yield of soybean plants.

5.  The use of mature compost did not alter any measured soil parameters one to three year after annual application, regardless of the rate of application.

6.  Additional data is needed to access seasonal variation and long-term effects of mature compost to agricultural soils.

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