Application of post-filtered diatomaceous earth from brewing industry in composting

Research has been conducted on composting of diatomaceous earth after beer filtration and selectively collected organic waste. The content of post-filtered diatomaceous earth (PFDE) in experimental composts was 10, 30 and 50 wt. %. During composting, the temperature of the compost heaps was measured as a parameter characterizing the intensity of biochemical changes. The model of dependence of temperature on the composting time was used to compare the temperatures in all experimental mixtures which revealed that the composting in all mixtures was on a similar level. In mature composts, bacteria of Salmonella group and parasites of alimentary canal were not isolated. The content of organic substance on the level above 30% in dry mass and the content of fertilizer parameters (N, P, K) presents the possibility of using composts as organic fertilizers. Micro-plot field experiments were conducted in order to verify the influence of produced compost on the size and quality of plant yield. Vegetable plants were tested in two vegetative seasons in two doses (40 t/ha and 60t/ha) of each compost. Depending on the plant species, the compost containing 30 wt.% or 50 wt. % of diatomaceous earth after beer filtration turned out to be the best one.