Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Volume LXII
Written by Milena YORDANOVA, Erik MINCHEV, Radoslav BORISOV
The aim of the study was to investigate the possibilities for composting in a small suburban farm, where also vineyards, orchards and vegetable crops are grown. The experiment was carried out in the period 2016-2017 in the experimental field on University of Forestry - Sofia. In the spring of 2016 were selected plant wastes from viticulture and horticulture and were built two compost piles – one only with plant residues (grape vine canes, fruit twigs and grass windrow) and one with rabbit manure,(grape vine canes, fruit twigs and grass windrow+ rabbit manure). In the autumn of 2016 was built a compost pile only with plant residues from vegetable field (frostbitten tomato and pepper stems and fresh leek residues). During composting period it was monitored the temperature regime in the compost piles. They achieved high temperature (60 and above 60 °C). The active phase of composting, in the three compost piles lasted for about a month. At the beginning and after the 6 months period were measured pH and C/N ratio in the compost piles and changes were established. After the 6 months period the C/N ratio was below 20/1, which is an indicator of mature compost. The pH in the spring piles dropped to 7.5-7.6 while the autumn pile remained alkaline - 8.4.
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