BZT® Compost Activator- Composting Farm - Peru

Biological Treatment Summary

The Situation

One of the best composting farms in Peru was selected by the Peruvian Agriculture University to supply compost for the campus and fields.  The goal was set to increase the farm’s output to 20 tons/year, as local composting historically could not meet the needs of the University.

Objective

To obtain finished compost in less than 40 days rather than 68-180 days as per local methods.

A compost of cattle manure, sawdust, and water was treated with BZT® Compost Activator, and a control pile was also created without BZT®. The pile was turned every week, with regular checking of moisture and temperature.

The Results

After twenty-one days, the pile treated with BZT® Compost Activator was reportedly higher in temperature than the control pile, and it appeared to be breaking down much more quickly. It was observed that the BZT® pile would need ten more days to pass the thermophilic stage versus six more weeks for the control pile.

At forty days, the BZT® pile had passed the thermophilic stage and was ready to be applied as a soil conditioner. At sixty days, the BZT® pile reached the “cured compost” stage, in which the compost can be used in direct contact with the plant roots.