Co-compostaje de residuos florícolas del mercado de flores de la ciudad de Ambato con residuos orgánicos provenientes del mercado la Condamine de la ciudad de Riobamba

Abstract

The aim of this research was thereuse of floricultural waste from the flower market locatedinAmbatocityand the organic waste from La Condamine market located inRiobamba through the elaboration of compost piles and the evaluation of the final compostquality. The experimental units were setwith the following waste proportions: Market waste (RM) (650kg) + Floricultural waste (RF) (250kg) + Sawdust (SERR) (100kg) forpile 1 and RM (750kg) + RF (150kg) + SERR (100kg) for pile 2. The compost piles were monitored daily, taking into account theirtemperature and humidity, as well as the ambient temperature and humidity. An initial, during and final evaluation of organic matter (OM), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N), polyphenols, heavy metals, anions, macronutrients and germination index percentage (IG) was carried out during and after the composting process. Pile 1 presented a higher MO degradationrelated to pile 2, the pH reached high levels the first months of the compostingprocessand ended with optimum values between 6.5 and 8.5; the EC in pile 1 decreased while there was an increase in pile 2. The C/N ratio was less than twenty in the two experimental unitsand polyphenols decreased gradually; on the other hand, macronutrients in the final compost forpile 1 and 2 presentedsimilar concentrationswhile the heavy metals concentrations presented optimal values. Finally, the IG percentagereached more than 80% in the two final composts. For the reasons mentioned above, the two composts are considered“class A”according to the European Standard, it means they are suitable for agricultural use. It is recommended to continue with the study inorder to determine differentalternativesand improve the results obtained.