Chemical characterization of three compost of (Sugarbeet) vinasee with other agroindustrial residues

Abstract

Increasing amounts of liquid and solid wastes are produced by the food and agricultural industries in Andalusia. However, the recycling of these residues is not always billed and their elimination, is, at times, an environmental problem. Beet vinasse, a high density liquid waste from the sugar industry, contains high levels of OM (35%), N (3%) and K (3%), which make the vinasse a potential fertilizer. However, the direct application of concentrated vinasse on agricultural land may lead to economical and environmental problems because of high salinity (EC 250-300 dS m-1), low P content (P205 0.012%) and its liquid dense character (1.3g cm-3). The co-composting of vinasse with other agricultural residues could be used to overcome these disadvantages by producing a compost easily handled with higher P content and lower salinity.