Abstract
In developing countries solid waste management is one of the biggest environmental challenges. The situation is worst in Pakistan, as the public concern and Governmental efforts are far beyond declaring the urban environment hygienic. Tons of solid waste comprising mainly of kitchen and restaurant left over are produced daily in the city Lahore. Their utility in raising fruitful composting will lessen the solid waste disposal problem. In the present study peels of apple (A), banana (B), oranges (C) and potatoes (D) were composted in glass jars under aerobic condition. Filtered aeration was provided with the help of electric air pumps. Four jars including one control (containing autoclaved substrate) for each of substrate were kept at room temperature for 21 days. Samples were taken at zero and every seventh day for analysis of pH, EC, ash, moisture and seed germination. pH and ash content of all the four compost samples increased while an increase in EC of the samples B and D and decrease in samples A and C were observed. A significant increase in seed germination indices for the samples B and D was observed. The aeration and incubation temperature appear promising in terms of enhancing seed germination index and reducing the wastes into a value added phytotoxin free compost, fertilizer. Such efforts are likely to yield useful organic fertilizers while solving the urban solid waste problems.
Zahida Nasreen , Javed Iqbal Qazi. (2012) Effect of forced aeration on lab scale composting of fruits and vegetable waste , Punjab University Journal of Zoology, Volume 27, Issue 2.
-
Views
460 -
Downloads
46
Previous Article
