Physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological analysis of bovine and goat manure composts

Composting is an aerobic process that makes possible the utilization of organic wastes where microorganisms participate transforming degradable wastes such as: animal manure and plant residues, which can be safely and beneficially used as biofertilizers and soil amendments. This study evaluated the physicochemical, nutritional, and microbiological composition of two composts: one based on bovine manure and the other on goat manure. A random block design was used, with four treatments, four replications, a compost as an experimental unit (goat and cattle). It was found that in the thermophilic phase temperatures were similar in composting, between 55.12 ⁰C (goat) and 54.25 ⁰C (cattle). The moisture content of both types of compost was initial 80%, then between 70-60% and 34% at the end of composting. The final pH of the composts was 8.5 in goats, which was statistically higher than 7.8 in cattle. The C/N ratio was higher in the daily removal composts with 17.3 in goat and 21.3 in cattle, respectively: the organic matter (OM) was equally higher in composts with daily removal of 21.1 for goats and 16.9 for cattle. In the nutrient content in the goat composts that were removed daily showed values of: N with 0.71%, P with 1700 mg/kg, K 5000 mg/kg, Fe 14648 mg/kg, Mn 350 mg/kg, Zn 91.08 mg/kg and those of cattle, N with 0.46%, P with 700 mg/kg, K with 2700 mg/kg, Fe 12136 mg/kg, Mn 250 mg/kg, Zn 66.16 mg/kg. Goat compost is shown to be superior in terms of macro and micronutrient values, C/N ratio and MO. The microbiological analysis of the goat and cattle composts showed negative results for the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp.