Abstract
Compost manufacturing is a time-consuming process particularly when wood chips are used as raw materials. Decomposition of wood materials is usually facilitated by using different mechanical procedures for large-scale compost production. However, small-scale composting of wood materials especially without a machine has many difficulties. In the study, we carried out experiments by using wood chips and fallen leaves as main raw materials for compost. Small amounts of wood vinegar and waste molasses were added as fermentation accelerators, whereas rice bran, oil cake and fermented chicken manure were added as secondary materials. From the observations and results based on periodical temperature, C/N ratio and germination test, it was found that the addition of wood vinegar and waste molasses as fermentation accelerators had quickened the mixture to attain and sustain the temperatures required for compost maturity. In particular, molasses showed the capacity of maturity periods of 3 and 4 months based on the tests of C/N ratio and germination test, respectively.
