Composting

How soil forms in nature…

DefinitionOrganic compounds… are broken down into soil.

• Composting: The controlled decomposition of kitchen and yard waste to increase nutrients of soil.

Browns and GreensTree products, fruits and vegetables…

• Browns: Carbon based compounds from trees; energy for microbes (carbohydrates).

• Greens: Nitrogen and carbon compounds from fruits and vegetables (source of protein).

Temperature

• Temperature is a function or decomposition rate. Higher the temperature, the quicker it decomposes.

• As microorganisms decompose the organic materials, their body heat causes the temperature in the pile to rise dramatically.

Heat changes things…

Decomposition is like Respiration:CO2 + H2O+nutrients+heat released…

Oxygen

Aerobic Bacteria-> CO2 +H2O + nutrients+ heatFasterNo smellDecomposes matterWith oxygen present…Soil/surface water

Anaerobic Bacteria->CH4 + H2S + nutrients +heatSlowerSmells Methane/hydrogen sulfide (toxic)Decomposes matter with no oxygen…Landfills/undergroundSeptic Tanks

Moisture

• Too dry and nothing happens…• Too wet and it stinks it becomes anaerobic

Ideally, home compost piles would contain 40 - 60% moisture. It should feel as moist as a wrung out sponge. Dry carbon layers can be watered as the pile is built, then with each turning, add more water as necessary.

Soil pH

• pH range from 6-8 pH unitsFor living organisms.First the compost may turn Acidic and then neutralize over Time. Anything with Sugar Will ferment and turn sour…

Soil Food Web

Energy flows from plant materials through these organisms and the nutrients are left for plants to absorb and use.

Primary Consumers

They break down the organics into nutrients in the soil. Aerobic Bacteria do most of the work.

• Fungi also break down waste (cellulose) stuff tough for bacteria to digest.

Secondary Consumers

• Protozoans (Diverse) Protozoa obtain their food from organic matter in the same way as bacteria do but also act as secondary consumers ingesting bacteria and fungi.

1. Rotifers : 2. Ciliates( Paramecium):

Secondary Consumers(Continued)

3. Amoebas:

4. Flagellates:

They consume bacteria (controlling populations) and release that nitrogen into soil for plants.

Tertiary Consumers

• These organisms eat protozoans and return that nitrogen to the soil for plants…

Nematodes:

Insects:

Finished Compost

• Just like nature, composting improves soils…• Benefits:• 1. Plant growth nutrients in compost include

nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.• 2. fixes soil structure• 3. Adds beneficial microbes to better cycle

nutrients• 4. Reduces plant diseases