Editorial

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Closing the cycle for the cut rose industry by the reuse of its organic wastes: A case study in Ecuador

The soil conditions and the yield and quality of Rosa sp. var. Freedom were determined following the incorporation into the soil of rose waste composts, with or without fertigation; the effects of these treatments were compared with those of non-stabilised chopped rose wastes þ fertigation (FWF). The growing conditions were those of a commercial greenhouse. The use of the composts, alone or combined with fertigation, increased the available P and K contents of the soil with respect to FWF. However, only the compost þ fertigation treatments improved, in general, the soil fertility regarding the organic matter (OM), nitrogen and available micronutrient concentrations, in comparison to FWF. When the composts were added alone, irrigation with alkaline water increased the soil pH and, in consequence, reduced the availability of micronutrients. Overall, the combined use of compost and fertigation increased the cut rose yield and quality relative to the application of compost alone and FWF. Principal component analysis indicated that the OM, available Cu, Mn and Zn and total N contents and the pH of the soil were the principal soil parameters determining the yield and quality of the roses. This analysis classified the treatments in three groups: the compost þ fertigation treatments; the treatments with compost alone; and the FWF treatment. The compost þ fertigation treatments gave the highest net income (average for these treatments ¼ 80388.92 US dollars ha 1). Therefore, the compost þ fertigation treatments were highly beneficial with regard to increasing soil fertility and cut rose yield, quality and profitability

Characterization of Agro-Livestock Wastes for Composting in Rural Zones in Ecuador: The Case of the Parish of San Andrés

In Ecuador, the agriculture and livestock sectors are very important within the economy of rural areas. These activities generate a large amount of waste whose management is not optimized. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize different agro-livestock wastes generated in a rural area, the parish of San Andrés (Chimborazo-Ecuador), in order to know their composition to design suitable composting processes for their treatment. To this end, different physicochemical and chemical parameters were determined in 24 crop residue samples and 18 manure samples, and two piles were elaborated with the same proportion of wastes (51% vegetable residue + 35% cow manure + 14% sawdust) and composted by turning or passive aeration. Throughout the composting process, the temperature and oxygen concentration were recorded and the evolution of different physicochemical, chemical, and biological parameters and the quality of the final composts were studied. The results indicated that the agro-livestock residues presented notable macro and micronutrient and organic matter contents and low levels of heavy metals, these properties being positive for their subsequent treatment in a co-composting experiment. This experiment demonstrated that the composting processes are a feasible strategy for the treatment of these residues and yield compost with an adequate agricultural quality (notable nitrogen content, low heavy metal and soluble mineral salt contents and 92–94% in germination index). Moreover, the passive aeration system can be recommended because this aeration method reduced composting times and the work associated with the process. However, more studies are required on this composting system and other agro-livestock wastes to establish a management protocol for all the waste generated, which will contribute to the sustainability of the agro-livestock sector in the area studie

Agronomic, Economic and Environmental Comparative of Different Aeration Systems for On-Farm Composting

On-farm composting of agro-livestock wastes can be considered the most appropriate method for their recycling. Pile turning (PW) is one of the most widely used aeration systems for composting. However, this system has long composting periods and is inefficient at supplying oxygen and controlling the temperature. To minimize these drawbacks, the combination of turnings with forced aeration (PR) is an option; in this work, this combination was compared to PW as an aeration system for the co-composting of vegetable waste with different manures. In this comparative study, the evolution of the process, the compost quality and the economic and environmental impacts of the process were evaluated. The PR system was more appropriate for obtaining sanitized composts (the temperature was ≥55 °C for at least three consecutive days) with an adequate degree of maturity. Furthermore, this system reduced the organic matter and nutrient losses, yielding composts with higher agronomic value and a higher total combined value of the nutrients than those obtained using the PW system. However, the energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions were lower for the PW system, since this aeration system was based only on turnings without the use of forced aeration, as in the case of the PR system. Agricultural valorization of composts will offset this energy consumption and its impact, since it will contribute to reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers. However, more studies are required on the PR composting system and other agro-livestock wastes for the creation of centralized on-farm composting sites, where all steps of the composting chain are optimize

Development of organic fertilizers from food market waste and urban gardening by composting in Ecuador

Currently, the management of urban waste streams in developing countries is not optimized yet, and in many cases these wastes are disposed untreated in open dumps. This fact causes serious environmental and health problems due to the presence of contaminants and pathogens. Frequently, the use of specific low-cost strategies reduces the total amount of wastes. These strategies are mainly associated to the identification, separate collection and composting of specific organic waste streams, such as vegetable and fruit refuses from food markets and urban gardening activities. Concretely, in the Chimborazo Region (Ecuador), more than 80% of municipal solid waste is dumped into environment due to the lack of an efficient waste management strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a demonstration project at field scale in this region to evaluate the feasibility of implanting the composting technology not only for the management of the organic waste fluxes from food market and gardening activities to be scaled-up in other developing regions, but also to obtain an end-product with a commercial value as organic fertilizer. Three co-composting mixtures were prepared using market wastes mixed with pruning of trees and ornamental palms as bulking agents. Two piles were created using different proportions of market waste and prunings of trees and ornamental palms: pile 1 (50:33:17) with a C/N ratio 25; pile 2: (60:30:10) with C/N ratio 24 and pile 3 (75:0:25) with C/N ratio 33), prepared with market waste and prunings of ornamental palm. Throughout the process, the temperature of the mixtures was monitored and organic matter evolution was determined using thermogravimetric and chemical techniques. Additionally, physico-chemical, chemical and agronomic parameters were determined to evaluate compost quality. The results obtained indicated that all the piles showed a suitable development of the composting process, with a significant organic matter decomposition, reached in a shorter period of time in pile 3. At the end of the process, all the composts showed absence of phytotoxicity and suitable agronomic properties for their use as organic fertilizers. This reflects the viability of the proposed alternative to be scaled-up in developing areas, not only to manage and recycle urban waste fluxes, but also to obtain organic fertilizers, including added value in economic terms related to nutrient contents.This work was supported by a PhD scholarship to JJS of the National Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation SENESCYT of Ecuador and it was also developed in the framework of the project of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness co-funded by the EU through the Social Funds (ref. AGL2013-41612-R)

Sostenibilidad del sector agroindustrial de Ecuador mediante el compostaje de sus residuos y el uso agrícola de los materiales obtenidos

El desarrollo del sector agroindustrial en América del Sur da la oportunidad de aplicar las estrategias más eficaces para la eliminación y tratamiento de residuos orgánicos que se generan. Por lo tanto, es importante identificar la variabilidad en la composición de los residuos agroindustriales para llevar a cabo su gestión adecuada. La provincia ecuatoriana de Chimborazo se encuentra en la zona central del corredor interandino. Las principales agroindustrias en esta provincia están relacionadas con la producción de verduras, carne, plantas ornamentales, harina de distintos cereales y madera. La gestión de los residuos procedentes de estas agroindustrias no está optimizada con respecto a las consecuencias ambientales asociadas. Por lo tanto, el objetivo principal de esta tesis fue la gestión sostenible de los residuos agroindustriales generados en la provincia de Chimborazo mediante el compostaje y la evaluación del uso agrícola de los compost obtenidos.The increase of the agroindustrial sector in South America gives the opportunity to apply the most effective strategies for the disposal and treatment of organic wastes generated. Therefore, it is important to identify the variability in the composition of the agroindustrial wastes to carry out their adequate management. The Ecuadorian province of Chimborazo is located in the central area of the inter-Andean corridor. The main agroindustries in this province are related to the production of vegetables, meat, ornamental plants, flour from different cereals and wood. The management of the wastes from these agroindustries is not optimized with respect to the associated environmental consequences. Therefore, the main aim of this thesis was the sustainable management of agroindustrial wastes from Chimborazo Province by composting and the evaluation the agricultural use of composts obtained

Oportunidades y desafíos de la gestión de residuos orgánicos procedentes del sector agroindutrial en América del Sur: Provincia de Chimborazo (ECUADOR)

La provincia de Chimborazo ecuatoriana se encuentra ubicada en la zona central del Corredor Interandino. Las principales agroindustrias de esta provincia están relacionadas con la producción de hortalizas, carne, plantas ornamentales, harina de diferentes cereales y madera. La gestión de los residuos provenientes de las agroindustrias no está optimizada, con las consecuencias ambientales asociadas. En este experimento, 27 muestras de diferentes tipos de residuos agroindustriales de origen vegetal y de la industria de procesamiento de alimentos de origen animal, industria de la madera y la producción de plantas ornamentales fueron caracterizados mediante la determinación de diversos parámetros, tales como: pH, conductividad eléctrica, aniones solubles en agua, materia orgánica, carbono orgánico total (Corg); nitrógeno total (Nt), la relación C / N, carbono soluble en agua (Chidro), polifenoles solubles en agua, macro y micronutrientes, elementos potencialmente tóxicos y el índice de germinación (IG). Los resultados mostraron que, en general, los residuos agroindustriales se caracterizaron por el pH ácido, bajos valores de CE y altos contenidos de materia orgánica. Los macro y micronutrientes y las concentraciones de metales pesados fueron más altos en los desechos agroindustriales de origen animal que en los residuos agroindustrias de origen vegetal. La mayor parte de los residuos estudiados mostraron valores de la relación C / N y del IG, así como contenidos Chidro, que indicaron una falta de estabilidad de la materia orgánicaThe Ecuadorian province of Chimborazo is located in the central area of inter-Andean corridor. The main agroindustries in this province are related to the production of vegetables, meat, ornamental plant, flour of different cereals and wood. The management of the wastes from these agroindustries is not optimized, with the environmental consequences associated. Therefore, the aim of this work was to carry out the characterization of the different organic wastes from agroindustry in order to evaluate their potential use as soil amendments. In this experiment, 27 samples of different types of agroindustrial wastes from vegetable and animal food-processing industry, wood industry and ornamental plant production were evaluated on pH, electrical conductivity, water-soluble anions, organic matter; total organic carbon (Corg); total nitrogen (Nt), C/N ratio, water-soluble carbon (Cw), water-soluble polyphenols, macro and micronutrients, potentially pollutant elements and germination index (GI). The results showed that, in general, the agroindustrial residues were characterized by acidic pH and low EC values and high organic matter contents. The macro and micronutrient and heavy metal concentrations were higher in the animal agroindustrial wastes than in those from vegetable agroindustries. Most of the studied wastes showed values of C/N ratio and of GI, as well as Cw contents, which indicated a lack of stability of their organic matte

Composting as a method to recycle renewable plant resources back tothe ornamental plant industry: Agronomic and economic assessmentof composts

tIn this experiment, three piles were elaborated with rose waste (RW), sawdust (S), and different manures– broiler chicken manure (BCM), hen manure (HM), and quail manure (QM) – and were composted bywindrow composting. Parameters associated with the degradation and humification of organic matter(OM) during composting and with the agronomic and economic value of the final composts were deter-mined. All piles had temperatures >55◦C for more than two weeks, ensuring compost sanitization. OMdegradation was greater and faster in the pile with QM. This pile had the lowest water-soluble polyphenolcontent. Principal component analysis indicated that the use of BCM augmented the OM humificationduring composting; this material also influenced the mineralization of the OM. In general, the compostsobtained presented an adequate level of stability and maturity and an absence of phytotoxicity, and therewere notable concentrations of OM and nutrients, especially nitrogen. In addition, all the composts hadan economic value when their nutrient contents were assessed. Phosphorus was the fertilization unitwith the greatest contribution to the total value of the composts. However, the use of BCM produced acompost with properties that made it more suitable as an organic amendment for rose growing

Técnicas de Análisis de Laboratorio para Caracterización de Suelos, Residuos Orgánicos, Compost y Alimentos

Inadequate management of organic solid waste from the agro-industrial sector has led to the contamination of natural resources, especially on the ground. The composting process is an environmentally friendly ecotechnology, its final product is the compost used as an organic amendment in the agricultural sector. For the implementation of this treatment system, it is important to characterize the physical-chemical, chemical and biological soils, residues, compost as well as those foods produced as raw material for the agro-industrial sector. On the other hand, the numerous analysis techniques that are used in various laboratories in the country make it necessary to have reliable analytical techniques that guarantee reliability in the results obtained, so the objective of this document is the detailed description of laboratory analysis techniques. for the characterization of soil samples, organic waste, compost and food with the purpose of guaranteeing quality in the results. For this, laboratory analysis techniques have been compiled that have been validated and standardized according to current norms, regulations and investigations that will allow obtaining reliable results when implemented in other laboratories. The techniques presented will be developed from the characterization of soils, organic waste, compost and food, including the preparation of samples, the determination of physical and chemical parameters, and the interpretation of the results. Keywords: soil, compost samples, biomass, organic waste, contaminationUna inadecuada gestión de los residuos sólidos orgánicos provenientes del sector agroindustrial ha llevado a la contaminación de los recursos naturales especialmente sobre el suelo. El proceso de compostaje es una ecotecnología amigable con el ambiente, su producto final es el compost utilizado como enmienda orgánica en el sector agropecuario. Para la implementación de este sistema de tratamiento es importante la caracterización físico-química, química y biológica de los suelos, residuos, compost, así como de aquellos alimentos producidos como materia prima para el sector agroindustrial. Por otra parte, las numerosas técnicas de análisis que se utilizan en varios laboratorios del país hacen necesario contar con técnicas analíticas fiables que garanticen confiabilidad en los resultados obtenidos, por lo que el objetivo de este documento es la descripción detallada de técnicas de análisis de laboratorio para la caracterización de muestras de suelos, residuos orgánicos, compost y alimentos con el propósito de garantizar calidad en los resultados. Para ello, se han compilado técnicas de análisis de laboratorio que han sido validadas y estandarizadas según normas y regulaciones vigentes e investigaciones que permitirán obtener resultados confiables al ser implementadas en otros laboratorios. Las técnicas presentadas se desarrollarán desde la caracterización de suelos, residuos orgánicos, compost y alimentos, incluyendo la preparación de muestras, la determinación de parámetros físicos y químicos, y la interpretación de los resultados. Palabras clave: suelo, muestras de compost, biomasa, residuos orgánicos, contaminació