Feasibility of the Compost Production Using Pistachio Hull and Mixed of Pistachio Hull and Broiler Litter

Pistachio hull، a by-product of Pistachio processing، is a source of environmental pollution and can cause the health problems. Therefore، it must be treated by proper، sanitary and economical manners. The aim of this study is to determine the ability of composted pistachio hull and mixed of pistachio hull and broiler litter using compost maturity parameters. A cross-sectional study was carried out during September 2011 to March 2012 in Rafsanjan، southeast of Iran. The collected pist achio hulls were placed in two windrows، pistachio hull and pistachio hull mixed with broiler litter. The windrows were turned over manually at intervals of 7، 14، 21، 28، 35، 42، 70، 80، 110، and 120 days relative to the sampling time. Chemical parameters including pH، EC، water soluble carbon، carbon to nitrogen ratio were measured following every turn over. The chemical parameters examined in the composted pistachio hull and the composted pistachio hull mixed with broiler litter were as follows: the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) as 18. 71 ± 0. 14 and 11. 92 ± 0. 09، pH as 7. 93 ± 0. 03 and 8. 11 ± 0. 11، water soluble carbon (mg per g) as 7. 23 ± 0. 16 and 3. 81 ± 0. 29، respectively. According to the results، the composts of pistachio hull mixed with broiler litter are maturated within 70 days. As the quality of both composts is often in the range of the standard compost in Iran، both composting methods are recommended to maintain the environmental health of the region and avoid financial loss.