Abstract

The utilization of wastes from concentrated rubber latex industry for composting is promising as a sustainable and environmentally friendly method.The aim of this study was to utilize wastes including skim latex serum (SS) and concentrated latex sludge (CS) as a raw composting ingredient after being combined with para rubber wood sawdust (SD) at a ratio of SS, CS, and SD of 1:1:1.Effective microorganisms, pig manure and chicken manure were used as natural activator sand were added to the composted materials at ratios of 10, 20, and 30 wt%.The best activator for composting was found to be PM added at a ratio of 10 wt% after a composting time of 25 days.The growth of Chinese kale after application of this compost to which chitosan had been added produced a much higher yield of fresh weight than those was achieved using commercial compost. Thus, compost from waste materials produced from the rubber latex industry could be employed in conjunction with chitosan to promote better agricultural growth, and logically should contribute to cost saving in the latex industry as well as aiding its waste disposal.