Ramadan, M., Awad, O., Abu EL-Ela, N., Shatat, H., Abd EL-Atty, M. (1999). Efficiency of Cattle Manure Composting at Farms in One of the Delta Villages, Egypt. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 29(3), 399-414. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.350463
Mohamed Ramadan; Osama Awad; Nadia Abu EL-Ela; Hanan Shatat; Magda Abd EL-Atty. "Efficiency of Cattle Manure Composting at Farms in One of the Delta Villages, Egypt". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 29, 3, 1999, 399-414. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.350463
Ramadan, M., Awad, O., Abu EL-Ela, N., Shatat, H., Abd EL-Atty, M. (1999). 'Efficiency of Cattle Manure Composting at Farms in One of the Delta Villages, Egypt', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 29(3), pp. 399-414. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.350463
Ramadan, M., Awad, O., Abu EL-Ela, N., Shatat, H., Abd EL-Atty, M. Efficiency of Cattle Manure Composting at Farms in One of the Delta Villages, Egypt. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 1999; 29(3): 399-414. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.350463
Efficiency of Cattle Manure Composting at Farms in One of the Delta Villages, Egypt
1Environmental Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
2Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
In Egypt, 60% of the population are living in villages. Farmers are piling the generated manures from their barns into different dimensions. The present study aims at evaluating the physico-chemical stabilization, and pathogenic and entomolyic destruction of the composted manure. A representative sample of fifteen piles representing different durations was selected. Most of the studied pile dimensions were not optimum. Time allowed for fermentation was not enough to stabilize it. None of the piles surveyed had undergone turning. The presence of poor conditions of fermentation will not allow temperature to build up and hasten the decomposition. The slightly alkaline medium is extremely useful in application on acidic soils. Sodium Chloride, total nitrogen, and organic carbon conform with the decree of Egyptian Minister of Agriculture No. 100/1967. C/N is not in agreement with the limits stated by the said decree. The high values prove the ineffectiveness of the fermentation process. Heavy metals were present in very small concentrations. The presence of high values of total and fecal coliforms indicated that none of the piles was stabilized. The presence of larvae house and blow flies indicated that the materials undergone fermentation were a good media for flies breeding. The isolation of parasites in 90% of the piles means that the temperature did not increase to a degree enough to kill various parasitic stages. For proper manure management, local farmers should be instructed to follow systematic operating practices with emphasis on producing a high quality and pathogen free compost.