Orange peel compost: an alternative for organic matter use and cycling in the Caribbean Region of Colombia

Abstract

Food industries generate organic waste that puts pressure on the environment, but selected and processed are inputs for soil conditioners. The objective of this work was to characterize the compost derived from decomposition residues of orange juice agribusiness as an alternative for the use and cycling of organic matter in a semi-arid climate. Orange peel, soil, litter, rice husk, and chicken manure were collected, and six treatments were formed by modifying the percentage of inputs. Color, odor, texture, humidity, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, Na, Carbon, and microbiological diversity were evaluated. The results were compared with the Colombian technical standard NTC 5167. The results showed contributions of nutrients <1%, alkaline pH, high EC, low microbial load, and presence of plant pathogens in T1, T2, T3, and T5, being T6 the one that showed the highest abundance and diversity of species. The product obtained in the different treatments complies with the parameters of pH, EC, and humidity. Still, four of the six treatments presented pathogens that can limit their use in agricultural work, so monitoring the microbiological activity in the process is necessary.