The Fundamentals of Composting
COMPOST
COMPOST
Compost
is
organic matter
that has been decomposed
and
recycled
as a
fertilizer
and
soil amendment
.
Composting of waste is an
aerobic
method of
decomposing solid wastes.
Composting is a
natural process
that turns organic
material into a
dark rich
substance (humus).
is a good
fertilizer
for plants.
Compost is a key ingredient in
organic farming
.
•
The process of composting requires making a
heap of wet organic matter known as
green
waste
(leaves, food waste) and waiting for the
materials to break down into
humus
after a
period of weeks or months.
•
Modern composting is a
multi-step
, closely
monitored process with measured inputs of
water, air, and carbon
and
nitrogen
-rich
materials.
•
The decomposition process is aided by shredding
the plant matter
,
adding water
and
ensuring
proper aeration
by regularly turning the
mixture.
•
Worms and fungi
further break up the
material.
•
Aerobic bacteria
and fungi manage the
chemical process by converting the inputs into
heat
,
carbon dioxide
, and
ammonium
.
•
The ammonium (NH
+4
) is the form of nitrogen
used by plants.
•
When available ammonium is not used by
plants it is further converted by bacteria into
nitrates
(NO
−
3
) through the process of
nitrification
.
•
Compost is rich in
nutrients
.
•
It is used in
gardens
,
landscaping
,
horticulture
,
and
agriculture
.
•
The compost itself is beneficial for the land in
many ways, including
as a
soil conditioner
,
a
fertilizer
, and
a natural
pesticide
for soil.
Fundamentals of composting
Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water
Microorganisms
Phases of composting
Slow and rapid composting
Pathogen removal
1. Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water
Composting organisms require four equally important ingredients to
work effectively:
•
Carbon
— for energy; the microbial oxidation of carbon
produces the heat.
•
Nitrogen
— to grow and reproduce more organisms to
oxidize the carbon.
•
Oxygen
— for oxidizing the carbon.
•
Water
— in the right amounts to maintain activity without
causing anaerobic conditions.
C:N RATIO
•
The most efficient composting occurs with an
optimal carbon:nitrogen ratio.
•
Should be
30
parts carbon to
1
part nitrogen
by weight (30:1)
•
Mixing equal parts by volume approximates
the ideal C:N range.
2.
Microorganisms
•
There are many types of microorganisms found in active compost of
which the most common are:
•
Bacteria
---------- The most numerous of all the
microorganisms
found in compost. mesophilic or thermophilic bacteria.
•
Actinobacteria
- ----------- for breaking down paper products such as
newspaper
,
bark
, etc.
•
Fungi
-
molds
and
yeast
------------ break down
lignin
in woody
material.
•
Protozoa
- ----------Help consume bacteria, fungi and micro organic
particulates.
•
Rotifers
- ------control populations of bacteria and small protozoans.
•
Earthworms---------- in vermicultures
3.
Phases of composting
•
Latent phase
(Ambient temperature– 22 ◦C). Composting microbes
infiltrate, colonize and acclimatize to the material.
•
Growth phase
(22 – 40 ◦C). Growth and reproduction of microbes,
resulting in a high respiration rate and consequent elevation of
temperature to a mesophilic range.
•
Thermophilic phase
(40 – 60 ◦C). Compost pile achieves peak
temperature and maximum pathogen sterilization. At the end of
this phase the temperature drops to around 40 ◦C.
•
Maturation phase
(40 ◦C – ambient). Slower, secondary mesophilic
phase, with the temperature gradually dropping to ambient
temperature as the microbial activity within the material
decreases. Complex organic chemicals are transformed into humic
compounds and residual ammonia undergoes nitrification to nitrite
and subsequently nitrate.
4.
Slow and rapid composting
•
traditional methods-------- slow-----months
•
Rapid
•
By controlling carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) at
30 to 1,
•
more homogenized and smaller pieces in the
compost,
•
monitoring the moisture level more carefully-
------------ made within 2 to 3 weeks
5.
Pathogen removal
•
Composting can destroy
pathogens
or
unwanted
seeds
.
•
Unwanted living plants (or
weeds
) can be
discouraged by
covering with compost
.
We can use following for composting:
•
Yard waste
•
Kitchen scraps
•
Newspaper
•
Cardboard
•
Organic solid waste
•
Animal manures
•
Human waste and sewage sludge
We can’t use the following:
•
Meat scraps
•
Bones
•
Dairy products
•
Pet waste
•
Diseased plants
•
Invasive weeds
CARE OF COMPOST
ADVANTAGES
•
Early stages as
mulch
–
Keeps weeds from growing
–
Helps retain moisture
–
Beneficial minerals go into soil
•
Later stages for
soil amending
–
Enriches soil
–
Helps with moisture retention
•
Reduces need for
chemical fertilizers
that leach
into our ground water
KINDS OF COMPOSTING
o
Bin composting
o
Tumbler composting
o
Sunken pail composting
o
Sheet composting
o
Anaerobic composting
o
Vermi composting
1.
Bin composting
— what most people do
2.
Tumbler
–
commercial bin that rotates
–
when turned every day, produces compost in about a month
–
small size
–
need multiple tumblers or you have a stretch when you can’t
compost
–
good for kitchen waste
3.
Sunken pail
–
Good for kitchen waste
–
5 gal pails with drainage holes in the bottom
–
buried almost to top and covered
–
When full, throw some dirt in and close up
–
By the time you fill up a second bucket, the first should be done
–
Smelly when open
4. Sheet composting
–
4 to 6 inches over garden in fall
–
spade into soil in the spring
–
Mulching is sheet composting at its simplest
–
Digging holes and burying waste is sheet composting
5.
Anaerobic composting
–
airless, can be done in plastic bags, smelly if bag breaks
–
Good for small quantities
–
Add a few handfuls of dirt
–
Leave in sun and turn every few weeks
6.
Vermicomposting
–
using worms
–
Superior nitrogen-rich compost
–
Secrete calcium carbonate which regulates the soil’s pH
–
Enzymes they secrete promote growth
•
THANKS
Compost is organic matter decomposed into a valuable fertilizer and soil amendment. The process involves aerobic decomposition of waste material, turning it into nutrient-rich humus. Composting requires a mix of organic matter, water, air, and proper carbon:nitrogen ratio for efficient breakdown. The end product, compost, is beneficial for gardening, landscaping, and agriculture, serving as a natural soil conditioner and fertilizer. Learn about the essential components, phases, and benefits of composting in this comprehensive guide.
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Presentation Transcript
COMPOST Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Composting of waste is an aerobic method of decomposing solid wastes. Composting is a natural process that turns organic material into a dark rich substance (humus). is a good fertilizer for plants. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming.
The process of composting requires making a heap of wet organic matter known as green waste (leaves, food waste) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after a period of weeks or months. Modern composting is a multi-step, closely monitored process with measured inputs of water, air, and carbon and nitrogen-rich materials. The decomposition process is aided by shredding the plant matter, adding water and ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the mixture.
Worms and fungi further break up the material. Aerobic bacteria and fungi manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide, and ammonium. The ammonium (NH+4) is the form of nitrogen used by plants. When available ammonium is not used by plants it is further converted by bacteria into nitrates (NO 3) through the process of nitrification.
Compost is rich in nutrients. It is used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. The compost itself is beneficial for the land in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, and a natural pesticide for soil.
Fundamentals of composting Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water Microorganisms Phases of composting Slow and rapid composting Pathogen removal
1. Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water Composting organisms require four equally important ingredients to work effectively: Carbon for energy; the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat. Nitrogen to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon. Oxygen for oxidizing the carbon. Water in the right amounts to maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.
C:N RATIO The most efficient composting occurs with an optimal carbon:nitrogen ratio. Should be 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen by weight (30:1) Mixing equal parts by volume approximates the ideal C:N range.
2. Microorganisms There are many types of microorganisms found in active compost of which the most common are: Bacteria---------- The most numerous of all the microorganisms found in compost. mesophilic or thermophilic bacteria. Actinobacteria- ----------- for breaking down paper products such as newspaper, bark, etc. Fungi- molds and yeast ------------ break down lignin in woody material. Protozoa- ----------Help consume bacteria, fungi and micro organic particulates. Rotifers- ------control populations of bacteria and small protozoans. Earthworms---------- in vermicultures
3.Phases of composting Latent phase (Ambient temperature 22 C). Composting microbes infiltrate, colonize and acclimatize to the material. Growth phase (22 40 C). Growth and reproduction of microbes, resulting in a high respiration rate and consequent elevation of temperature to a mesophilic range. Thermophilic phase (40 60 C). Compost pile achieves peak temperature and maximum pathogen sterilization. At the end of this phase the temperature drops to around 40 C. Maturation phase (40 C ambient). Slower, secondary mesophilic phase, with the temperature gradually dropping to ambient temperature as the microbial activity within the material decreases. Complex organic chemicals are transformed into humic compounds and residual ammonia undergoes nitrification to nitrite and subsequently nitrate.
4. Slow and rapid composting traditional methods-------- slow-----months Rapid By controlling carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) at 30 to 1, more homogenized and smaller pieces in the compost, monitoring the moisture level more carefully- ------------ made within 2 to 3 weeks
5. Pathogen removal Composting can destroy pathogens or unwanted seeds. Unwanted living plants (or weeds) can be discouraged by covering with compost.
We can use following for composting: Yard waste Kitchen scraps Newspaper Cardboard Organic solid waste Animal manures Human waste and sewage sludge We can t use the following: Meat scraps Bones Dairy products Pet waste Diseased plants Invasive weeds
CARE OF COMPOST Concerns Solutions I don t have room Use commercial bin It takes too long Maintain proper conditions Cut up large pieces It smells Not if you maintain C:N ratio Temps too low to kill diseases, fungi, weed seeds Use local community composting facility for problem pieces, compost the rest Attracts animals Bury food waste in center
ADVANTAGES Early stages as mulch Keeps weeds from growing Helps retain moisture Beneficial minerals go into soil Later stages for soil amending Enriches soil Helps with moisture retention Reduces need for chemical fertilizers that leach into our ground water
KINDS OF COMPOSTING oBin composting oTumbler composting oSunken pail composting oSheet composting oAnaerobic composting oVermi composting
1. 2. Bin composting what most people do Tumbler commercial bin that rotates when turned every day, produces compost in about a month small size need multiple tumblers or you have a stretch when you can t compost good for kitchen waste Sunken pail Good for kitchen waste 5 gal pails with drainage holes in the bottom buried almost to top and covered When full, throw some dirt in and close up By the time you fill up a second bucket, the first should be done Smelly when open 3.
4. Sheet composting 4 to 6 inches over garden in fall spade into soil in the spring Mulching is sheet composting at its simplest Digging holes and burying waste is sheet composting 5. Anaerobic composting airless, can be done in plastic bags, smelly if bag breaks Good for small quantities Add a few handfuls of dirt Leave in sun and turn every few weeks
6. Vermicomposting using worms Superior nitrogen-rich compost Secrete calcium carbonate which regulates the soil s pH Enzymes they secrete promote growth
