Effect of Manual Turning Frequency on Physico-Chemical Parameters During the Oil Palm Frond and Cow Dung Composting

This study aims at investigating the efficiency of oil palm frond composting, by the manual turning in different treatments. Oil palm frond (OPF) and cow dung, mixed at a 3:1 ratio, with 60% (w/v) moisture content, was set up in bin composting. The process was done for 60 days through manual turning system by hand at intervals of once and twice every 10 days during the composting process. The composting activity of both treatments throughout the composting period was measured by several parameters such as temperature, moisture content, organic matter and total organic carbon (TOC). Both treatments showed approximately similar results in temperature, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) during the process. An Increase in total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) in turning twice treatment (T1) was partially faster than the other treatment. Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio (C/N) in both treatments decreased with time and reached the optimum range for mature compost at the end of process. Results represent that T1 is an alternative method for the composting process.