Feasibility Study of Manufacturing Compost with Rice Straw and Chicken Manure

[Objective] The purpose was to supply basis for the scientific exploitation of rice straw. [Method] The rice straws were cut into 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm segments and soaked for 10, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min resp. and then composted with chicken manure at the ratios of 1∶1, 1∶1.5 and 1∶2, and the temperature, pH value, water content and components of compost were determined. [Result] When the segment length was 6 cm and the soaking time was 180 min, the water content in rice straw approached saturation. In composts with 3 kinds of proportions, the duration of temperature higher than 55 ℃ reached more than 10 d. The water content showed decrease trend along with the increment of compost days but was always in suitable range, and it was not necessary to supplement water. The pH value of materials with 3 proportions increased rapidly in the initial stage of compost and then decreased back, and was stable at about 7 finally. The higher the proportion of chicken manure was, the higher the N and P contents in compost were, and the better the compost quality was. The composts with 3 kinds of proportions were matured and both N and P contents reached the quality request of compost. [Conclusion] Rice straw was good material for compost. Considering comprehensively, the proportion of 1∶1.5 was best for the compost of rice straw and chicken manure.