Changes in physicochemical and microbial properties during standardization of on-farm composting of municipal solid waste

To overcome the hazardous problems due to the generation of municipal solid wastes, its management for agriculture purposes is a promising approach. It can be used to improve soil fertility and also as a source of organic amendment to reclaim the salt-affected soils. The present study was conducted to develop onfarm municipal solid wastes compost through the combined use of municipal solid waste and agricultural waste. To standardize the on-farm composting protocol, seven treatment combinations with two decomposing agents like earthworms and microbes were used and monitored for the physical, biochemical, and microbial changes during the composting process till maturity. The composting process was completed in all treatments at 120 days. During the composting period, temperature under different treatments varied between 24 to 27 C and moisture content ranged between 43.88 to 69.32%. After 120 days of composting, the pH of the composting material increased slightly from 6.97 to 7.48 while electrical conductivity increased over the 30 days of composting. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and calcium contents were also higher at the maturity of the compost whereas, the total carbon, C: N, C: P, and C: K ratios lowered with an increase in the composting period. The lowest C: N ratio (17.13) and highest microbial population were recorded in treatment T 7, where 50% municipal solid waste + 50% agricultural wastes were mixed and enriched with earthworm (Eisenia fetida) and degrading microbes. With the standardization of this on-farm composting protocol, the physico-chemical and microbial properties of municipal solid waste can be changed and converted into quality compost within 120 days to improve soil fertility and productivity.