Characterization of Household Solid Waste Compost Inoculated with Effective Microorganisms

Said Suleiman Bakari1, Laila M. Moh’d1, Mohammed K. Maalim2, Zakia M. Aboubakari1, Layla A. Salim1, and

Hassan R. Ali1

1. Department of Natural Sciences, The State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania

2. Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract: The huge quantity of organic waste can be converted into reusable by-product through composting. This study was conducted to assess and characterize the household organic waste compost inoculated with Effective Microorganisms (EM). The compost was prepared using organic waste collected from 50 households situated in the suburban-Zanzibar. Three compost piles were made; treated as compost without EM (control), compost with EM and compost with EM plus chicken manure. The compost were analyzed for pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic matter (OM), Organic Carbon (OC), N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and C/N ratio. Results revealed that the compost inoculated with EM consortium decomposed faster (40 days) compared to 60 days for control compost. The physicochemical data showed that pH and EC of the compost decrease as EM consortium inoculated to the compost. N and K contents of the compost treated with EM were slightly higher that ranges between 0.19%-0.28% and 0.3%-0.6% compared to control which were 0.16% and 0.06% respectively. However, P contents remained the same in all treatments while C/N ratio for all treatments ranged between 11:1 to15:1, which is a typical value for compost manure. This research suggests that the application of EM is suitable for enhancing decomposition process and influencing the physicochemical properties of the compost.

Key words: household waste, effective microorganisms, compost characteristics