Use of centrifuged residue from the latex concentrate industry as fertilizer

Varasri Tekprasit, F. of Environmental Management, PSU.
Somtip Danteravanich, F. of Environmental Management, PSU.
Udomphon Puetpaiboon, F. of Environmental Management, PSU.
Cherdchan Siriwong, F. of Environmental Management, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : dsomtip@ratree.psu.ac.th

Presented : R' 2000, 5th World Congress on Integrated Resources Management with Environ Tech 2000 Trade Show 5-9, June 2000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Key words : centrifuged residue, latex concentrate industry, fertilizer

This study was conducted to evaluate a potential use of centrifuged residues produced as waste by latex concentrate factories in Songkhla province, Thailand. Results of physical and chemical analysis illustrated that centrifuged residue has a relatively high content of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, and an alkaline pH. It contains organic matter as about fifty percent of its dry weight. Small-scale experiments to compare the use of centrifuged residue as fertilizer with chemical fertilizers, and mixtures of centrifuged residue and chemical fertilizer were carried out by growing Manila grass (Zoysia Mattrella L. Merr.) on soil to which a loading of 40 gNm-2 had been applied. Growth yields of grass and nutrient uptake in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were determined for each set of experiments. It was found that centrifuged residue could be used successfully as fertilizer for growing grass and produced a higher grass yield than when chemical fertilizer was used. Soil pH was also observed to be improved in soil supplemented with centrifuged residue. The results suggested that utilization of this waste as fertilizer should be promoted.

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