Incorporation of solar-heated aeration and greenhouse in grass composting.

Composting is an environment-friendly method for recycling organic waste, and incorporation of heat and aeration can enhance favorable conditions for microbial growth in the process. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of the introduction of solar heat and aeration to the waste grass exposed to the composting process. The compost piles studied were subjected to different processes: application of solar-heated aeration, only-aeration, solar heating with a greenhouse, and control. Solar-heated air was introduced to a compost pile of grass clippings and compared with a greenhouse compost system. The composting process of 70 days was monitored for temperature, oxygen, moisture, organic matter loss, and humification rate. Germination index has been used to evaluate the maturation of the composts produced. The highest temperature was obtained at the compost pile with the greenhouse. This system reached the highest temperature (68.2 °C) on day 15; the ambient temperature on that day was 20.6 °C. The decreases in the C/N ratios after day 70 of composting were 20% and 15% for the greenhouse and the system where solar-heated air was introduced, respectively. Although the temperature of the solar-heated air was higher than that of the greenhouse, thermophilic temperature levels could not be reached in the aerated compost pile, which indicated a cooling effect of excessive aeration even with the heated air. Composting of grass clippings resulted in a decrease in organic matter content and enhancement in seed germination and root growth, obtaining high GI levels, inferring no phytotoxicity. This study showed that composting of grass clippings with low C/N ratios and high humidity can still be possible by using solar energy.

Ar seco e aquecido no processo de dormência e germinação de sementes de Urochloa humidicola / Dry and heated air in the process of dormancy overcoming and germination of Urochloa humidicola

O ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) mostra-se eficaz na superação da dormência em sementes, porém trazendo riscos efetivos aos trabalhadores e ambiente. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a efetividade do tratamento com ácido sulfúrico, preconizado pelas RAS, e o emprego de ventilação com ar seco e aquecido na superação da dormência e desempenho germinativo de sementes de seis lotes de Urochloa humidicola cv. Tully. Os efeitos fisiológicos entre tratamentos térmicos (45, 55, 65 e 75 ºC), por 24 ou 48 h, a escarificação com H2SO4 concentrado por 10 min e um controle, foram comparados pela germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação, o teste de tetrazólio e a massa seca das plântulas. O uso de temperaturas variadas e controladas e de H2SO4 são mecanismos de superação de dormência, porém em lotes com maior vitalidade os resultados foram similares ao H2SO4, podendo ser considerado uma alternativa. De maneira geral, o trabalho não indicou o melhor período (24 ou 48 h), para emprego da ventilação com ar seco, entretanto a temperatura de 60 °C, para os lotes de maior vitalidade (L1, L3 e L5), pode ser recomendada. O H2SO4 nos lotes com maior vitalidade não mostrou significância estatística em relação à testemunha, porém para os lotes com menor vitalidade ocorreu deterioração fisiológica das sementes.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) has shown effectiveness in overcoming dormancy, but its use carries effective workers and environmental risks. The objective of this work was to study the sulfuric acid treatment effectiveness, recommended by the RAS, and the use of ventilation with dry, heated air to overcome the dormancy and germination performance of six seed lots Urochloa humidicola cv. Tully. Comparison between the physiological effects of heat treatments at 45, 55, 65 and 75 ºC, with periods 24 and 48 h and chemical scarification (immersion in concentrated H2SO4) for 10 min, constituting eight treatments and two controls was performed. The seed germination, the germination velocity index, the tetrazolium test and seedling dry weight was evaluated. The use of controlled temperatures and of H2SO4 are mechanisms to overcome dormancy, but in lots with greater vitality were equal to conventional treatment with sulfuric acid results and can be considered as an alternative. In general, the work did not show the best indicated time (24 or 48 h) for use with dry air ventilation, however a temperature of 60 °C for lots of high vitality (L1, L3 and L5) might be recommended. The H2SO4 in plots with high vitality was not statistically significant compared to control, but for lots with less vitality occurred physiological deterioration of seeds.

Ar seco e aquecido no processo de dormência e germinação de sementes de Urochloa humidicola / Dry and heated air in the process of dormancy overcoming and germination of Urochloa humidicola

O ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) mostra-se eficaz na superação da dormência em sementes, porém trazendo riscos efetivos aos trabalhadores e ambiente. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a efetividade do tratamento com ácido sulfúrico, preconizado pelas RAS, e o emprego de ventilação com ar seco e aquecido na superação da dormência e desempenho germinativo de sementes de seis lotes de Urochloa humidicola cv. Tully. Os efeitos fisiológicos entre tratamentos térmicos (45, 55, 65 e 75 ºC), por 24 ou 48 h, a escarificação com H2SO4 concentrado por 10 min e um controle, foram comparados pela germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação, o teste de tetrazólio e a massa seca das plântulas. O uso de temperaturas variadas e controladas e de H2SO4 são mecanismos de superação de dormência, porém em lotes com maior vitalidade os resultados foram similares ao H2SO4, podendo ser considerado uma alternativa. De maneira geral, o trabalho não indicou o melhor período (24 ou 48 h), para emprego da ventilação com ar seco, entretanto a temperatura de 60 °C, para os lotes de maior vitalidade (L1, L3 e L5), pode ser recomendada. O H2SO4 nos lotes com maior vitalidade não mostrou significância estatística em relação à testemunha, porém para os lotes com menor vitalidade ocorreu deterioração fisiológica das sementes.(AU)

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) has shown effectiveness in overcoming dormancy, but its use carries effective workers and environmental risks. The objective of this work was to study the sulfuric acid treatment effectiveness, recommended by the RAS, and the use of ventilation with dry, heated air to overcome the dormancy and germination performance of six seed lots Urochloa humidicola cv. Tully. Comparison between the physiological effects of heat treatments at 45, 55, 65 and 75 ºC, with periods 24 and 48 h and chemical scarification (immersion in concentrated H2SO4) for 10 min, constituting eight treatments and two controls was performed. The seed germination, the germination velocity index, the tetrazolium test and seedling dry weight was evaluated. The use of controlled temperatures and of H2SO4 are mechanisms to overcome dormancy, but in lots with greater vitality were equal to conventional treatment with sulfuric acid results and can be considered as an alternative. In general, the work did not show the best indicated time (24 or 48 h) for use with dry air ventilation, however a temperature of 60 °C for lots of high vitality (L1, L3 and L5) might be recommended. The H2SO4 in plots with high vitality was not statistically significant compared to control, but for lots with less vitality occurred physiological deterioration of seeds.(AU)