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Evaluating Compost Feedstock Amendments and Decomposition Dynamics with European Green Crabs

Date

2021-08-04T13:52:23Z

Authors

Victor, Sharon

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Abstract

Two studies were carried out using Carcinus maenas to evaluate different feedstocks for composting with green crab (GC) biomass, including a sawdust (SD)-based carbon source with a mass ratio of 1:2 and a straw (SW)-based carbon source with a mass ratio of 1:4 while using a C: N ratio target of 25:1. Decomposition of carbon and nitrogen, and changes in respiration rates and temperature changes were monitored periodically over the studies. The SD and SW-based composts were combined with a potting media at different percentages (0, 10, 20, 50) and planted with Garden cress. The plant’s height and germination index improved with the addition of SD+GC-based compost. The positive influence of the soil properties with the compost suggested that the TOC and TN availability in SD+GC compost brought a sound output on plant growth, helped to recover the nutrient efficiency, making it a suitable method to redefine the nutrient cycles.

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Keywords

composting, decomposition dynamics, plant growth study, green crabs

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