The effect of raw materials and their proportions in initial mixtures on organic matter (OM) stabilization
and nitrogen (N) availability during pit composting in Sub-Saharan Africa was assessed using biochemical
fractionation and laboratory incubations to characterize composts sampled throughout the composting
process. Stabilization of OM occurred more rapidly in mixtures with slaughter-house wastes, it was progressive
in mixture with household refuses while tree leaves compost remained unstable. Carbon mineralization
from compost samples was positively correlated to water soluble and hemicellulose-like organic
fractions. Mixtures containing large proportions of household refuses reached the highest stability and
total N but available N remained weak. Slaughter-house wastes in the initial mixtures made possible
to reach good OM stabilization and the largest N availability. The nature of initial mixing influenced composting
parameters, OM stabilization and N availability. It is suggested mixing household refuses and
slaughter-house wastes with tree leaves to reach better amending and fertilizer qualities of composts