Effects of adding high water-absorption resin on cow waste composting

We evaluated the effects of adding high water-absorption resin (gel) on the compost of high-moisture cow waste. Four treatments were designed. Cow waste were mixed with sawdust 70% in volume, and were supplemented with gel; 1) 0%; 2)0.4%; 3)0.8%; 4)0.4% (crush) in weight. Composting was conducted for 4 months. Addition of gel tended to hasten the initial increase of fermentation temperature. This effect was enhanced by increasing the amount of gel or crushing treatment. But after the initial 3 days, time course changes in fermentation temperature didn't differ among treatments. No difference in the chemical constituents of the final compost and no inhibitory effect for germination were observed. These results indicated that addition of gel hastened the initial increase of fermentation temperature, but failed to keep constructive property and improve shortening of composting period, and had only a short-term effect.