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Compost production. Compost. *Compost is 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 a process. Biological.
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Compost *Compost is 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 a process. Biological
Compost Grass clippings Food scraps Leaves
What do you need to make compost? Decomposers These are the microbes (mainly bacteria and fungi) that do all the work for you. Food for the decomposers The organic materials to be composted.
Microbes break down organic compounds to: *Obtain energy to carry on life processes. *Acquire nutrients (N, P, K) to sustain population.
Three most important factors for making good compost are 1. Chemical makeup of raw ingredients or feedstocks. 2. Physical size and shape of feedstocks and porosity of the pile. 3. Population of organisms involved in composting process.
1. Oxygen and Aeration Hot air low O2 O2 O2 cool air O2 rich
Turning tools can make the job easier Turning the pile mixes fresh air into the pile
2. Moisture level *Optimal range 45-60% by weight. *Low moisture impededs composting process because 1. microbes need water 2. dry pile will become cool, slow down composting.
4. Particle size *Particle size regulate microbial access to food. *Small particles have more surface area than large particles ; easy access.
6. Carbon/nitrogen ratio *Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are the primary nutrients required by the microorganisms involved in composting. *Microorganisms use carbon for both energy and growth, while nitrogen is essential for protein production and reproduction.
*If amount of C relative to N is too high, slows composting process. *If C:N ratio is too low, more likely to lose N as ammonia gas (bad odor).
Rules of thumb *Green materials have lower C:N ratios than woody materials or dead leaves.
Browns High carbon materials such as Leaves (30-80:1) Straw (40-100:1) Paper (150-200:1) Sawdust (100-500:1) Animal bedding mixed with manure (30-80:1)
Greens High nitrogen materials such as • Vegetable scraps (12-20:1) • Coffee grounds (20:1) • Grass clippings (12-25:1) • Manure • Cow (20:1) • Horse (25:1) • Poultry (10:1), with litter (13-18:1) • Hog (5-7:1)
Benefits of Compost *Provides humus or organic matter, vitamins, hormones, and plant enzymes which are not supplied by chemical fertilizers. *Kills pathogenic organisms, weeds and other unwanted seeds when temperatures of over 60oC is reached. *Acts as buffer to changes in soil pH. * Improves soil.
Improvement of soil by 1. Biological Contributions: *Inoculation or increased microbial diversity. *Increases microbial activity in soil, primarily by providing carbon as a food source for the microorganisms *Can reduce soil borne plant diseases
2. Physical Contributions *Increased water absorption *Increased water retention *Improved drought tolerance *Reduced soil erosion
3. Chemical Contributions *Increase cation exchange (more negative charges) which increases soil ability capacityto hold nutrients. *Good source of micro nutrients. *May buffer pH ( greater stability or resistance to change pH). Have many nutrients that not exist in chemical fertilizer.
Garden trimmings Leaves Grass clippings Kitchen scraps The best food for your decomposers • Also • Used potting soil • Manure • Sawdust • Hair
Materials to avoid Cat or dog waste (attracts pests, could spread disease) Diseased or insect ridden plants (could infect or attack garden plants when compost is used)
*Lime (increases compost pH and promotes ammonia odor problems.
Examples of composting technologies
*Simplest technologies are composting bins or backyard piles.
