Effects of microbial additive on the physiochemical and biological properties of oil palm empty fruit bunches compost

Abstract

This study was focused on the effects of microbial additive on oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) compost. The physical, chemical and biological properties of the compost during composting were investigated. Significantly, microbial inoculated compost decreased the total organic carbon and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, as well as increased the pH and microbial population during composting. Interestingly, the pH of compost increased to 5 for the first week of composting, and then it gradually increased to pH around 8 at the end of the process. The results indicated the degradation of organic acids during composting. The neutral to alkaline pH value of compost was reported as an indicator for good aeration of compost pile. The temperature of compost could reach up to 50- 55oC during thermophilic phase. At the end of composting, the inoculated compost increased in the total microbial population, especially actinomycetes and total bacteria. The microbial inoculated compost was likely to speed up the composting process of oil palm EFB from 64 days to 50 days.