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Develop methods, technologies and guidelines for improved handling and treatment of animal manures and other residues for the purpose of improving their value, reducing their impact on air and water quality and establishing their benefit in improving soil resources. Co-utilization of residues from rural and urban sources with manures will be the focus for achieving the goals. Methods that are cost-effective and readily adopted by the users will be a prime objective.
Collaborative laboratory, growth chamber and field studies will evaluate nutrient stabilization and conservation, odor control, and pathogen and vector attraction reduction when residues are treated/handled by composting, alkaline stabilization or simple physical mixing with other residues. Organic or inorganic residues tested will include landscape trimmings, water treatment sludges, food residuals, coal combustion residuals, cement kiln dust, industrial metal byproducts along with cattle, dairy and poultry manures. Odor reduction will be tested in the laboratory and in tunnel studies in the field. Nutrient (N and P) availability will be tested in the laboratory and with plant response studies. Pathogen survival will be conducted on materials in the field testing the effect of amendments and environment on survival. Final products will be evaluated for agronomic and horticultural value, benefit to environment, and safety for use in food chain crops.