Composting of Solid-Separated Manure with Urban Landscape Waste for Crop Productivity.

The Illinois State University Farm (Lexington, IL, USA) has been composting food scraps, landscape waste and livestock waste on a routine basis since 1993. This facility annually composts about 7,500 to 11,500 cubic meters of leaves, 3,000 to 4,000 cubic meters of grass clippings and yard waste, less than 750 cubic meters of sawdust and woodchips, 750,000 liters of separated biosolids from liquid swine manure, 190,000 liters of unprocessed liquid swine manure and 11,500 cubic meters of livestock manure/bedding. A research study is currently being conducted to evaluate soybean (Glycine max) productivity in response to solid-separated compost application. The entire experimental site has uniform soil (Parr-Libson-Drummer Association). The 4.0 ha site has been split into three equal ‘plots’. One plot is the zero rate control, the second plot received compost (at 18 Mg/ha, dry weight basis), and the third plot received traditional fertilizers.  Representative agronomic practices for most Illinois producers (except for compost) have been utilized for soybean plots at this experimental site. Soil samples and plant tissue and productivity data were collected during the 2015 growing season. Preliminary results indicate that soybean yield was similar between compost and fertilizer plots. The application of compost also increased soil P levels, as compared to the zero-rate control. The ultimate impact of this study is to improve soybean yield and productivity in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner.