Agron. Sustain. Dev. 26 (2006) 135-142
DOI: 10.1051/agro:2006005

Compost of poultry manure and olive mill wastes as an alternative fertilizer

Salma Hachicha, Mohamed Chtourou, Khaled Medhioub and Emna Ammar

UR Étude et Gestion des Environnements Urbains et Côtiers, LARSEN, École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, BP W, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia

(Accepted 23 March 2006; published online 8 July 2006)

Abstract - We studied a compost made of poultry manure, olive mill wastes and mineral-rich wastewater, as an alternative fertiliser. The composts were of high quality, characterized by high levels of nutrients, a relatively low C/N ratio of 15-17 and a fertilizing value similar to that of conventional cattle manure, however without phytotoxicity. Field experiments showed an increase in potato production of 31.5-35.5 t/ha, compared to 30.5 t/ha using cattle manure. The use of olive mill wastewater did not have any negative impact on soil pH, electrical conductivity and phenols. The compost made of poultry manure and olive mill by products appears therefore as a promising ecological alternative to classical fertilizers.

Key words: poultry manure / olive mill cake / olive mill wastewater / composting / agronomic valorisation of by-products / agro-food industries

Corresponding author: Emna Ammar ammarenis@yahoo.fr

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2006