Role of phosphorous additives on nitrogen conservation and maturity during pig manure composting

This study compared different types and addition amounts of phosphorous additives on nitrogen conservation and maturity during pig manure composting. Phosphogypsum and superphosphate were applied with the same amount of phosphorus (5% of the initial total nitrogen, molar basis) or weight (10% of initial dry matter) and compared to a control treatment without additives. Results show that phosphorous additives could effectively conserve nitrogen. Adding phosphogypsum could significantly reduce NH3 emission and total nitrogen loss, but increase N2O emission. Application of 10% superphosphate mitigated NH3 emissions and total nitrogen loss but inhibited the organic matter degradation and compost maturity. More importantly, with the addition of 5% initial total nitrogen (i.e., 2.5% dry matter), superphosphate could synchronously reduce NH3 and N2O emissions and improve compost quality by introducing additional nutrients into the compost. In comprehensive evolution of gaseous emissions, nitrogen loss, and compost maturity, superphosphate addition with 2.5% of initial dry matter was suggested to be used in practice.