2. What is compost?
A mixture of decayed organic materials decomposed by
microorganisms in a warm, moist, and aerobic
Environment, releasing nutrients into readily available
forms for plant use.
Composting is the process of producing compost
through aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic
matter. The decomposition is performed primarily by
aerobes, although larger creatures such as ants,
nematodes, and oligochaete worms also contribute. This
decomposition occurs naturally in all but the most hostile
environments, such as within landfills or in extremely
arid deserts, which prevent the microbes and other
decomposers from thriving.
3. Why Use Compost?
There is a need for sustainable production
through integrated nutrient management.
Compost produces less methane than
uncomposted rice straw when
incorporated in the soil.
It solves the problem of declining yield.
It corrects micronutrient problems such as
Zinc deficiency.
4. Benefits of Using Compost
Big savings,increased farmer self reliance
Increases water holding capacity of the soil.
Acts as buffer to changes in soil pH
Provides humus or organic matter, vitamins,
hormones and plant enzymes which are not
supplied by chemical fertilizers
Different material can be blended or mixed
which can increase the nutrient content of the
compost fertilizer.
5. Composting is the controlled decomposition of
organic matter. Rather than allowing nature to
take its slow course, a composter provides an
optimal environment in which decomposers can
thrive. To encourage the most active microbes, a
compost pile needs the correct mix of the
following ingredients:
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen (from the air)
Water
6. Types of Composting
Home composting
Microbes and heating pile
Worm composting
Industrial composting
7. 3 ways of Making A compost
Traditional method- 3-4 months before
farm wastes are fully decomposed and
ready to use as a compost fertilizer
Rapid Method- with the aid fungus
activator TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM.
Bio-Enriched Method- Employing both
Fungus activator and nitrogen fixing
bacteria.
8. Materials for composting
Some ingredients with higher carbon content:
Dry, straw-type material, such as cereal straws
Autumn leaves
Sawdust and wood chips
Some paper and cardboard (such as corrugated cardboard or
newsprint with soy-based inks)
Some ingredients with higher nitrogen content:
Green plant material (fresh or wilted) such as crop residues, hay,
grass clippings, weeds
Animal manures (choose vegetarian horse manure, cow manure,
llama manure, etc.)
Fruit and vegetable trimmings
Seaweeds
Used Coffee grounds
9. Process of Composting
Step 1: Gather Materials
gather rice straw, weeds sugarcane
baggase, corn stalks and stovers,
mungbean, cowpea, soybean crop
residues and animal manure.
10. Step 2: Prepare Compost Area
Choose a shaded and well-drained area.
11. Step 3: pile materials
Traditional Method- a layer of compost materials
consists of three parts rice straw, one part
manure, soil and ash lime spread on top of each
other.
Rapid Method-A layer of compost materials
consists of three parts rice straw, one part
mixture of animal manure and leguminous
materials , and thin layer of fungus activator.
Bio-enriched Method- mix all rice straw, animal
manure and leguminous materials into a
proportion.
12. Step 5: water compost heap
Water each layer of compost heap until it
is sufficiently moist.
13. Step 6: Cover compost heap
Cover with plastic sheet, used sacks,
banana and coconut leaves to increase
temperature and prevent too much water
into compost heap which could leach the
nutrients.
14. Step 7: Rotate Compost Heap
Traditional Method- turn upside down or rotate,
or mix compost heap after 3 weeks, then again
after five weeks.
Rapid-Method- turn compost heap from top to
bottom after 2 weeks. This step, however, is
optional.
Bio-enriched Method-remove cover after 2-3
weeks or when the compost heap has
decomposed. Separate undecomposed materials
for further composting.
15. Step 8: add bacteria inoculum
applied only on Bio-enriched
Method
For every ton of compost material, spread
evenly on top of each compost layer.
16. Step 9: harvest compost
Traditional method- harvest 4 weeks after
second rotation of compost heap.
Rapid Method-harvest 1-2 weeks after
rotating the compost heap.
Bio-enriched Method- after 1 week
incubation of the bacteria inocula,the
compost is ready to use.
17. Health Precautions
the decomposing compost heap can generate
heat up to 60 degrees celcius. exercise care
handling the compost while rotating it. Wear
protective gloves or foot gear so as not to scald
your hands and feet.
Composting materials and microorganisms may
cause allergies, although they are non-
pathogenic. To avoid inconvenience from
itching, cover nose and mouth with mask, use
long sleeved clothes, and wash body and hands
after working on compost
