Role of Compost in Agriculture

1. Role of Compost in Agriculture Compost testing determines the physical and chemical properties of compost and analyzes problems associated with compost quality. Compost is widely known to enhance and enrich the properties and nutrients of soils to increase productivity. Sunbeam laboratories are proven to provide high-quality compost testing based on research, development, and quality control in a variety of fields. Composting is a process in which organic matter is stabilized to turn organic waste into a valuable soil modification. With a change in the quality of the soil and compost use, farmers reap benefits like crop growth and environmental benefits. Compost also leads to improved moisture retention suppressing plants being infected by diseases and infested by pests. The use of compost reduces the usage of chemical fertilizers. It encourages natural break down of organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material by adding useful bacteria to soil. The composting process eliminates the presence of weed seeds and pathogens. This is an excellent and effective method for proper waste management and thus reduced landfill waste. Compost is organic material processed to be decomposed, such as leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen waste. Farmers know the value and benefits of the rich, earthy content and understand how to make and use compost to reduce the fertilizers. Testing of compost is essential to know the quality and amount of nutrients present in compost. Active Organic Matter test measures the amount of organic matter decomposed or digested by microbes into useable material by plants. Loss On Ignition (LOI) measures the amount of organic matter is useful in determining how much raw organic matter is available for microbial food to digest into plant-available nutrients. Compost tests vary due to the amount and quality of the raw materials used, degree of decomposition, moisture content, pH, nutrient content, salt content, acidity/alkalinity, and contaminants. There are some parameters of the compost indicated many things like A foul odor is means too wet or too tight compost pile. Large particle sizes are indicative of incomplete decomposition. Carbon/nitrogen ratio, smell, and particle size indicate characteristics or the effectiveness of the composting process. Finished compost is dark brown and crumbly and has an earthy smell.     Get compost tested from a certified testing laboratory that briefly describes the compost quality. Get your compost checked today!