Organic Agriculture Production: Composition of A Balanced Diet of Compost Organisms
Organic Agriculture Production: Composition of A Balanced Diet of Compost Organisms
Organic Agriculture Production: Composition of A Balanced Diet of Compost Organisms
Importance of composting
Sangalang, et.al (1977) claim that the composting process involves the decomposition
of organic materials to form small bits of organic matter called compost. The whole process is
done by organisms that use organic matter principally as a source of carbon and secondarily as a
source of nitrogen and other elements for their growth and reproduction.
If the organic matter contains little or no N, the microorganism gets it from the soil. A majority
of the decomposers are microorganism. Microorganisms such as earthworms, termite, and other
insects also contribute in breaking down organic materials. Therefore, the two requirements
for the process to occur are (1) composting materials and (2) decomposers to speed up the
process. The composting materials must be easy to decompose, and the needs of the
microorganisms must be adequately supplied.
“Browns” – Browns are compost materials that are brown and dry. Examples of
which are sawdust, dried leaves, straw and small twigs, and others. “Browns” are high
in carbon, which for microbes are energy food.
“Greens” – Greens are compost materials that are green and moist like kitchen wastes,
grass cuttings, and the like. “Greens” are high in nitrogen, which microbes need to make
proteins
If you add about 3 parts of browns to 1 part of greens, then the compost organisms will
have a balanced diet.
2. Right temperature
Organic materials will eventually decay even in a cold compost pile. However, the decay
process is sped up in a hot compost pile. When bacteria and fungi grow rapidly, they burn a lot
of food, and give off a lot of heat. If the compost pile is big enough, the heat will build up inside
the pile. Bacteria that grow well at high temperature take over and speed up the decay
process.
Methods of composting
Composting is the rotting down of plant and animal residues before it is applied to the soil.
The following are the different methods of composting adapted
fromhttp://www.compostjunkie.com/composting-techniques.html.
1. Sheet Composting
“Sheet composting, also known as sheet mulching, can be a great way to add organic
matter back into your soils. Essentially, this composting technique entails spreading thin layers of
organic materials (i.e. compost ingredients) on top of the soil surface. Some also consider this
technique to be "composting in place." Using green manure is another means of sheet composting.
This technique is often used on a large scale; however, it can also be done successfully in your
backyard.”
2. In-vessel Composting
“In-vessel composting is becoming more and more popular with large-scale compost
producers. This method involves composting within an enclosed containment system, often a
large cylindrical-shaped container. The equipment involved in setting up an in-vessel composting
system is typically quite expensive, and therefore usually limits it's usage to industrial-sized
composting operations. There are numerous benefits of in-vessel composting, such as an increased
processing speed, year-round composting, and a highly controlled environment.”
4.Trench Composting
“Trench composting involves digging holes in your garden soil and burying raw
compost ingredients. Some people swear by this method, whereas others want nothing to do with it.
Similar to anaerobic composting, this method of decomposition is quite simple; however, the
materials tend to take longer to breakdown than when using other composting techniques.”
5. Bokashi Composting
6. Composting Barrels
“You can buy composting barrels from a commercial supplier or you save your money and
make one yourself.”
7. Vermicomposting
Composting is the process of converting organic materials like leaves and animal
manure into “humus” an organic matter through decomposition by the action of microbes
and other organisms. Humus is rich in nutrients and contributes to soil texture and water
retention.
Date developed: Document No. 1
Training Needs Analysis for
Organic Agriculture Production Issued by: Page 3 of 7
GAS 11 MPAIHS
Developed by: Revision No.
MICHELLE A. MORONG
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION
GAS 11 –Third Quarter - Week 1
According to Lomat (undated), normal decomposition of grass cuttings can take up to six
months. However, this can be accelerated to as short as 30 – 45 days by the use of earthworms
to digest the organic materials. This is called vermicomposting (vermis in Latin) that yield
beneficial by-products known as vermicompost or vermicast. In a single process, two products
are produced: the vermicast which is pure worm excreta and the worm biomass.
The production of vermi compost is timely since inorganic fertilizer is now becoming very
expensive and there is also an increasing demand for organically produced agricultural crops. An
added benefit is that the earthworm can be made into high protein animal and fish feed
supplement.
Steps in vermicomposting
a. Gathering of materials
Composting materials such as rice straw, grass, leaves, kitchen wastes, animal
manure, and used mushroom substrate will be collected and shredded as the
earthworm may not be able to digest them effectively. After which, some animal
manures will be added to increase the nitrogen content of the materials.
Vermi bed/Wormbed, Courtesy of Bukig National Agricultural & Technical School (BNATS-Aparri)
Windrows
Windrows are piles of substrates that are decomposed before feeding them to
the worms. They are usually about one meter wide and at least a meter high and can
be of any length as desired.
Preparation of beddings. Bedding is the living medium for the worms and also a food source. A
wide variety of bedding materials can be used including newspapers, sawdust, rice straw, pre
composted manure, and dried leaves. After preparing the bedding materials, they should be
subjected to either anaerobic or aerobic decomposition.
Arrange the bedding materials or substrate into a bed about two (2) feet high under partial
shade like a tree. Cover the bed with plastic for two weeks for anaerobic decomposition by bacteria
and fungi present in the material until the temperature will rise to about 70°C
Remove the plastic cover when the temperature of the bed cools. The media should smell
sweet.
When the bedding materials reached the moisture content of about 60-80% (when a
fistful is squeezed a few drops of water should fall), the earthworms will be placed on top at the
rate of 1 kg per square meter. Put sidings of hollow blocks or sawali. Protect against birds, cats,
rats etc., as well as heavy rains as nutrients will leach.
Harvesting, Drying, and Storing. After 45-60 days the vermin compost can be harvested by
passing the composted materials through a sieve to separate the worms from the decomposed
leaves. The worms can be recycled into other composting beds or made into vermi-meal. The
compost should be spread-over to dry for one day ready for sale. The vermi-cast is then prepared for
packaging. The final products are placed in bags ready for storage, distribution or for use.
TIPS:
Compost is ready to use when it is dark brown, crumbly, and has an earthy smell.
Fill an onion
bag with fresh food and bury it in the middle of the bed. After a week or so, the
bag will be filled with worms that you can empty to a new worm bed. This
facilitates the gathering of worms.
fruit & vegetable scraps Nitrogen add with dry carbon items
lawn & garden weeds Nitrogen only use weeds which have not gone to seed
straw or hay Carbon straw is best; hay (with seeds) is less ideal
shredded paper Carbon avoid using glossy paper and colored inks