An Analysis of the Quality of Compost Produced from Vermicomposting Fresh Cut Flower Waste

Abstract Higher levels of pesticide applications are used when growing cut flowers compared to other crops such as tomatoes, lettuce, and rice, much the floriculture industry production occurs in developing countries where less environmental regulations may be place those United States. Therefore, special consideration should given flower disposal from floral shops due potential excessive leaching pesticides into land waterways. Most retail florists dispose their waste municipal dumpsters. There an estimated 13,200 shop locations States, comprised single location multiple companies. While States Department Agriculture (USDA) has stringent guidelines prevent importation pests plant diseases, there no on spent that contain residues or chemicals. Vermicomposting is a method composting for pollution abatement while having added benefit acting alternative management traditional landfill dumping. The castings produced valuable commodity agricultural, horticultural, related industries. main objective this research was analyze quality compost vermicomposting fresh waste. Analysis results based U.S. Composting Council's Tests Methods Examination Compost by Seal Testing Approval (STA) program. When STA standards, pH, soluble salts, organic matter, total nitrogen, carbon, carbon-to-nitrogen, bioassay, respirometry all were found within normal ranges sold horticulture industry. Chemical analysis level arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, zinc well below set standards. Additionally, vermicompost lab tested 23 herbicides insecticides. Of those, one herbicide (clopyralid) two insecticides (clofentezine lufenuron) sample trace amounts, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards acceptable amount products. Results indicated collected can incorporated system create suitable use