Authors : Syajariah Sanusi, Huck Ywih Ch'ng, Suhaimi Othman Osman and Norhafizah Md Zain
Abstract: Approximately 1.2 million ton of rice straw waste is generated annually in Malaysia. The rice straw is usually managed through open burning which leads to haze and environmental pollution. This study aims to recycle this waste through composting of rice straw with goat manure slurry and both the biomass and compost were characterized for selected physical, chemical and biological characteristics and phytotoxicity test. The compost was produced by mixing shredded rice straw with goat manure slurry, chicken feed and molasses. Compost temperature were recorded twice daily. The compost mixture before and after composting were analysed for physico-chemical properties. The surface morphological changes of compost mixture sample before composting and after composting were investigated using a Scanning Electron Mcroscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Spread plate count method was carried out to quantify the viable bacterial count on the first day of composting and final composting day. A phytotoxicity test based on germination bioassay was carried out to evaluate whether the finished compost is safe to be applied for agricultural use. The final rice straw compost had no foul odour and low in heavy metals. The seed germination indices of phytotoxicity test were above 90% for the finished compost. The SEM image of the finished rice straw compost indicated uneven compost surface structure with small pores while EDX indicated that the compost had more minerals such as carbon, oxygen, potassium and magnesium. Composting rice straw with goat manure slurry can convert the agricultural wastes into value added organic fertilizer.
Syajariah Sanusi, Huck Ywih Ch'ng, Suhaimi Othman Osman and Norhafizah Md Zain, 2018. Production, Characterization and Phytotoxicity Evaluation of Compost Produced from Rice Straw and Goat Manure Slurry. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 13: 559-567.