The economic viability of composting is related to the use of abundant raw materials, with competitive cost and low levels of chemical and biological contamination. Following these criteria, the biomass of elephant grass and castor cake are identified as very promising materials. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of end products and efficiency indices of the composting process in three formulations of the mixture of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and castor bean cake with different C: N ratios, and a reference treatment with the mixture of elephant grass biomass and Crotalaria juncea. The composting of the mixture of elephant grass with castor bean cake allows to obtain stabilized organic material, with high N content, with no need to use any inoculant or additive. Composts stabilized at approximately 60 days after initiation of composting provided reductions of approximately 50% of its mass and 65% of its volume after 90 days of composting. Composts with smaller initial C:N ratios presented greater proportional loss of nitrogen during composting.
organic manure; substrate; organic compost
