ABSTRACT
Water hyacinth composts can be used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and crop yield, reducing the dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This study aimed to monitor physicochemical parameters of the composting of water hyacinth waste blended with other organic wastes. Two composting piles were assembled using different organic materials: water hyacinth waste, potato residue, olive pomace and dairy cow manure (pile 1) or rice straw (pile 2). Composting pile 1 ran for 251 days and pile 2 lasted 244 days. Both piles registered temperatures above 55 ºC for several weeks, whereas moisture and pH values were found within adequate intervals, ensuring good conditions for sanitation and microbial activity. The C/N ratio decreased during the composting period, stabilizing in values close to those that are commonly referred as adequate (12.6, pile 1; 10.9, pile 2). Measured quality parameters indicate that the final organic compost is very suitable for agricultural use.
