Bench-scale composting of two agricultural wastes

The composting of wheat straw and corn slalk was carried out in bench-scale reactors at preset constant temperatures, 35°C and 45°C. Measurement of the CO 2 released and the NDF content, and determinations of cellulose and laccase activities were performed during short-time incubation (20 days). The data showed that the biodegradability of the lignocellulosic materials was very similar (except when corn stalk was composted at 45°C) and the composting resulted in a high metabolization into CO 2. Cellulase and laccase measurements revealed some differences in the microbial activities at 35°C and 45°C. Laccase seemed to be involved in the degradation process only at 35°C, while cellulase was also implicated at 45°C.