B.B. Aşık_, S. Dorak

Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, 16059 Bursa, Turkey

DOI: 10.15547/ast.2018.03.049

(Manuscript received 17 May 2018; accepted for publication 16 August 2018)

Abstract. In this study, physical and chemical properties of sugar factory waste (sugar beet seed wastes) were determined. The following parameters were analyzed: pH, EC, organic matter, C:N ratio, total concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn, and the content of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn. The EC values of waste material were 8.96-10.25 dS/m. pH values varied from 4.96 to 7.30. Organic matter content changed between 86.54 and 89.02%. C:N ratio changed from 18.68 to 24.49. Total N content varied from 2.10 to 2.70%. Waste material contains different quantities of plant nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, etc.). The physicochemical characterization is important when planning the use and management of organic waste. Heavy metal concentrations of seed waste were below the regulatory limits of Turkey and the European Union. Finally, the compost from sugar factory waste products is of good quality and suitable for use as fertilizer in agriculture.