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Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (25): 85-93.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0317

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Effects of Carbon to Nitrogen Ratios on Quality of Lavender Straw Aerobic Compost

A Yingge1,2(), HE Liangrong1(), FU Yanbo2,3, BIAN Qingyong2,3, MENG Ajing2, DAI Yufang4, JIAO Yunqi4   

  1. 1 Agricultural College of Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang 843300
    2 Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830000
    3 National Soil Quality Observation and Experiment Station of Aksu, Aksu, Xinjiang 843000
    4 Xinjiang Natural Aromatic Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd., Yili, Xinjiang 835203
  • Received:2025-04-14 Revised:2025-08-18 Online:2025-09-05 Published:2025-09-16

Abstract:

To determine the optimal composting process parameters for lavender straw, based on 4 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio gradients of 20, 25, 30 and 35, 6 different raw material ratios were set according to the material. Lavender straw, dried flower straw and sheep manure were respectively composted at dry weight ratios of 0:1:9 (T1=20), 1:0:0 (T2=25), 0:1:1 (T3=25), 0:1:0 (T4=30), 2:18:1 (T5=30) and 1:1:0 (T6=35). The effects of different carbon-to-nitrogen ratio treatments on temperature, moisture content, pH, germination index, and quality during the composting process were investigated. The results showed that the T3 treatment had a faster temperature rise and a longer duration of high-temperature period compared to other treatments, and T1 treatment followed; T6 and T5 treatments had a shorter duration of high-temperature period, while T2 and T4 treatments did not reach the standard of high-temperature period. The moisture content during the composting process generally showed a downward trend; at the end of the composting process, the moisture content of T3 treatment was the lowest (28%), significantly lower than other treatments (P<0.05); T3 treatment had the lowest pH (pH 7.9), significantly lower than other treatments; T1 treatment had the highest electrical conductivity, with no significant difference comparing to other treatments; T3 treatment had the highest total nitrogen content and organic matter content; T5 treatment had significantly higher total phosphorus content than other treatments; T6 treatment had the highest total potassium content. The seed germination index of T2, T3 and T5 treatments was significantly higher than other treatments. According to the National Organic Fertilizer Maturity Standard, T3 and T6 treatments met the national standards. The comprehensive evaluation showed that the comprehensive evaluation value of T3 treatment was the highest, the maturity degree was the highest, and the maturity quality was the best.

Key words: aerobic composting, lavender straw, carbon to nitrogen ratio, maturity, resource utilization