Characterization and Composting of Poultry Manure Compost and its Effect on Yield of Maize

Composting of poultry manure cage litter and deep litter with organic and inorganic additives in various combinations were taken up and change in chemical and biochemical properties over the period of composting were studied. The composts were tested for efficiency interms of agronomic productivity using a test crop. The organic carbon, C:N ratio, lignin, cellulose and total phenol contents decreased where as nutrient content and humic substances increased during composting. After four months, humic substances were higher in compost treatments compared to poultry manure kept for aging. Compost treatments recorded higher dry matter yield of Maize over control (100% RDF+FYM @ 10 t ha^-1). Composted poultry manure cage litter treated with sericulture waste, green manure, cowdung and urea with 50 per cent RDF recorded a maximum of 257 per cent increase in dry matter yield of maize over control and fresh poultry manure treatments.