Compost : As a Component of INM

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Introduction

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment.

Compost : As a Component of INM

Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming.

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S. No. Parameters Quantity

1. Organic matter 70 %

2. pH 7.5

3. Organic carbon 33.11%

4. Nitrogen 1.82 %

5. Phosphorus 1.29 %

6. Potassium 1.25 %

7. Fe (ppm) 1019

8. Mn (ppm) 111

9. Cu (ppm) 180

10. Zn (ppm) 280

Nutrient profile of Compost

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Benefits of Compost

In addition to, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, certain micronutrients viz. manganese, copper, iron, and zinc also found in compost which helps them to control diseases and insects.

Compost improves the quality of soil, and for this reason it is considered as a soil conditioner.

Compost improves the structure and texture of the soil enable them to retain nutrients, moisture, and air for the betterment of growth of plants.

It contains a variety of the basic nutrients required for healthy growth of plants.

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Mechanism of Composting

Composting is a biochemical process in which aerobic and anaerobic microorganism decomposes organic matter into valuable manure called as compost.

Organic matter

Release heat

(Thermophilic state, which helps to destroy pathogens)

Temp 55-60o c

Organic matter compost

(Mesophilic state ,Temp. 25-30o c, promote

mesophilic microbes for rapid decomposition )

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Microorganism Involved in Composting

Anaerobes

Which decompose organic matter in absence of oxygen

Two type of microbes which help in composting process are:

Aerobes

Which decompose organic matter in presence of oxygen

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Material required for Composting

Farm refuses

• Weeds

• Stubbles bhusa

• Crop residues

• Remnents of fodder

• Hedge clipping

Town refuse

• Night soil

• Street refuse

• Municipal fuse

Animal dung

• Cow dung

• Buffalo dung

• Poultry dung

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Methods of Preparation of Compost

This method was developed by A. Howard and Y. D. Wad at the Institute of Plant industry, Indore, India

Demonstration of this method at large scale was initiated at J. N. Krishi Vidyalaya, Indore.

This method was worked out by L. N. Acharya at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Indore Method Bangalore Method NADEP Method

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Compost : As a Component of INM

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Indore method

Size of the pit

Raw materials Methods of filling the pits

Turning

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Size of the pit

Breadth - 6-8 feet

Depth - 2-3 feet ( not more than 3 feet)

Length - 10 feet or more as per requirement

Indore method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Raw material

Mix plant residues, weeds, sugarcane leaves, grass, wood ashes, bran etc.

Animal dung

Urine soaked mud

Wood ashes

Water

Indore method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Filling the composting pits

One more layer of bedding material with wood ash and urinated mud should be added.

First of all, spread dry wastes with cattle dung and soil in ratio of 4:2:1 up to 2 inch layer in Composting pit.

Afterwards, sprinkle the water over the materials

Pit is filled with above materials up to 1 foot above the ground level

Indore method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Turning

The material is turned three times for proper aeration and moisture.

First turning :

10-15 days after filling the pits.

Second turning :

15 days after first turning.

Third turning :

After 2 month of second turning

Indore method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Bangalore method

This method saves labour cost because there is no need of turning and regular sprinkling of water.

Composting is done in trenches of 30’ × 6’ × 3’ or in pits of 20’ × 6’ ×3.

Size of the pit

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Method of Filling the Composting Pits

Finally the heap is covered with 1 inch thick mud.

After 8-9 months all material decomposes and compost becomes ready for the application.

Spread the moist farm refuse at the bottom of the pit up to one inch.

Then, spread two inch of cattle dung and urinated mud followed by 1 or 2 inch layer of soil

This heap is made up to 1.5-2.0 feet above the ground level following above process.

Bangalore method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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NADEP Method

This method facilitates a lot of composting through minimum use of cattle dung.

In this method, the decomposition process takes place aerobically.

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Steps for NADEP Method of Composting

Selection of site and compost making

Material required

Method of filling tank

Second filling

NADEP Method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Selection of site

Plastering of inner wall and floor of the tank should be done by mixture of dung and mud.

The tank should be located near cattle shed or farm site.

The tank should be 10’ ×6’ ×3’in size and are prepared with 9’ inch thick wall

Proper blocks and holes of 7 inches should be left on all the four side of the tank wall for the circulation of air.

NADEP Method Compost : As a Component of INM

Size of pit

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Materials Required

S. No.

Material Quantity (Kg)

1. Farm residues 1400-1500

2. Cattle dung 90-100

3. Dry sieved soil 1750

4. water 1500-2000

NADEP Method

Compost : As a Component of INM

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Method of Filling Tank

Slurry made of cow dung and water should be sprinkled on the floor and the walls of tank. The filling of tank follows these steps:

First layer

Plant residues are spread evenly in layer up to 6 inches (10-100 Kg) in tank.

Second layer:

4-5 Kg Cattle dung of gobber gas-slurry in 125 to 150 litres of water should be apply on the first layer.

Third layer:

50-60 Kg sieved soil added on the second layer of tank .

In this way, the tank is filled layer by layer up to 1.5 feet above the brick level of tank.

Filled tank should be covered and sealed by 3 inch layer of soil (300-400Kg)

It should also be pasted with a mixture of dung and soil.

NADEP Method Compost : As a Component of INM

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Second Filling

Periodically the paste of cattle dung and water should be sprinkle to maintain 15-20% moisture.

At this stage, the process of the first filling is repeated and again sealed with paste of mud & dung.

After 20 days, the plant residue contracts and goes down in the tank by 20-25 inches.

NADEP Method Compost : As a Component of INM

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