IMPROVING SMALL-SCALE COMPOSTING OF APPLE WASTE

Small-scale composting operations of interest to fruit and vegetable p rocessors use tractor-operated compost turners. The mixing and aeratio n performance of such compost turners were investigated by monitoring the composting of apple residues mixed with sawdust. The results sugge sted: 1) incorporating liquids into sawdust by passing it through the turner two or three times and using an overdose of the liquid to be ab sorbed; 2) mixing compounds in stages and in equal proportions to obta in uniform pH, TKN, and dry matter; 3) using a porosity of 35 to 40% a nd a C:N of 20 to 25 to reach temperatures of 60 degrees C; 4) bullrin g the residues with a mixture of sawdust and straw to maintain compost structure while increasing the available C thus reducing N losses.