Composting of tea waste and some properties of compost

This study was carried out with the aim of shortening the process of composting from the tea wastes obtained from the tea factories and determining the main characteristics of the compost. For this purpose; In the study conducted in ？anakkale Onsekiz Mart University (？OMü) Technology and Agricultural Research Application Center (TETAM), tea wastes from tea factories were mixed with fresh goat manure, dry alfalfa and water. The mixture was filled into temperature and air-controlled automatic reactors and the temperature, humidity and air temperatures of the mixture were monitored regularly during the composting period. C/N ratio analyzes with pH, EC, C%, N% values have been followed by taking samples from the tanks opened during each temperature decrease, and some elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, B, Na) analyzes were performed. According to the data obtained; while the pH value of the tea waste used before the compost increased from 5.48 to 6.89, the water soluble salt decreased from 1.885 dS m-1 to 1.690 dS m-1. The C and N values of the tea waste litter were 45.54% and 1.58% and the C/N value was 28.82, while the C and N values of the tea waste compost were 45.55 % and 2.57 % and C/N value was 17.70. Elemental contents were determined as P: 2659, K: 17146, Ca: 7990, Mg: 2766, Fe: 185, Cu: 15, Zn: 38, Mn: 832, B: 30, Na: 669 mg kg-1. According to the data obtained, it is concluded that tea waste compost can be formed in a short time and it can be used in agriculture