Comparative Studies on Compost Production Using EM and Other Microorganisms

Abstract

Comparative studies on compost production, using EM (effective microorganisms), Hi-tech (high technology), LDD.1 (Land Development Department no.1), and (fresh cattle manure) as sources of inoculants were under greenhouse conditions. Rice straw was used as a representative of crop residues and, in some cases, stimulation materials such as chemical fertilizer cattle manure, rice bran, concentrated molasses and ground loamy soil added according to the recommendations of the inoculant producers. Three replicates of each treatment were used and completely randomized design was followed. Changes in temperature; number of cellulolytic fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria (all incubated at 45^oC); volume and C/N ratio of the compost heaps were investigated every 15 days. Results revealed that higher changes in physico-chemical and biological properties of the compost heap tended to be in the orders: LDD.1>FCM>Hi-tech>EM. It is recommended that the inoculants LDD.1 or FMC should be used in the compost production.