Odor Control and Disease Suppression in the Composting of Food Residuals
This Research and Development grant demonstrated 98% control of Rhizoctonia solani (Damping off) in compost based potting soils. Results were verified through growth chamber studies conducted at Bloomsburg University (Bloomsburg, PA). Successful compost recipes demonstrated compost derived from food residuals could be made even when food residuals accounted for 47% of the volume of the initial mix. Composting proceeded with good odor control resulting in final product with Cation Exchange Capacity exceeding 75 meq/ 100 grams.
