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Decomposition of Potato Processing Wastes in Soil¹

ABSTRACT

Solid filtered or centrifuged potato processing wastes were obtained from three potato processors in Idaho. The waste samples were dried and ground to pass a 2-mm sieve and added to soils at rates of 0, 2.5, 10, and 25 g/kg. The 100-g samples of Portneuf silt loam soil containing the waste material was incubated at 26 °C and decomposition of the added wastes was determined by measuring CO₂ evolution in a flowing air stream passing over the soil in the incubation flask. Each increment of added organic waste material increased the amount of carbon evolved during the 12-week incubation. The waste materials contained 6.8, 20.4, or 65.5 g N/kg waste. However, these differences in N did not change the amount of CO₂ evolved at the 12-week incubation, although the evolution curves were shaped somewhat differently during the 12 weeks. Regression analyses of the cumulative carbon resulted in highly significant R² values being obtained for each potato processing waste material. Decomposition of the solid waste materials ranged from 24 to 92% depending upon the source and application rate. The rapid decomposition of the solid wastes verified field research indicating that potato wastes have not more than 1 yr residual fertilizer value. The organic waste is not likely to accumulate in the field.

Key Words: waste disposal • carbon content • nitrogen content • food processing waste

¹ Contribution from the Snake River Conservation Research Center, USDA, Agric. Res. Service, Kimberly, ID 83341.

² Soil Scientist.

Received for publication March 28, 1985.