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Low-input, on-farm composting of high C:N ratio residues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

D.B. Churchill ,
W.R. Horwath ,
L.F. Elliott  and
D.M. Bilsland
D.B. Churchill
Affiliation:
Project Leader, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, National Forage Seed Production Research Center, Corvallis, OR 97331
W.R. Horwath
Affiliation:
Research Soil Microbiologist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, National Forage Seed Production Research Center, Corvallis, OR 97331
L.F. Elliott
Affiliation:
Research Leader, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, National Forage Seed Production Research Center, Corvallis, OR 97331
D.M. Bilsland
Affiliation:
Senior Faculty Research Assistant, Bioresource Engineering Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.
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Abstract

Farm residues with high C:N ratios are difficult to use because of their low economic value and excessive volume. Composting is ideal for upgrading such residues, but was not thought possible without co-composting or lowering of the C:N ratio. We developed a low-input method to compost perennial ryegrass straw on-farm by forming windrows and turning them either zero, two, four, or six times throughout the year with a commercial, straddle-type turner. No water beyond normal rainfall and no N other than that contained in the straw was added. The volume of straw was reduced by up to 88% with four or six turns over 20 to 24 weeks. The average internal temperature of straw windrows reached a maximum of 54°C with four turns. The ability to compost these residues will help in the development of sustainable farming systems by allowing recycling of straw waste.

Keywords

low-input cropping systemsryegrassligninstraw
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , March 1996 , pp. 7 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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