Maxies Agri Business (Pvt) Ltd.

Background

Sustainability of any livestock development business depends on how well it manages its solid/liquid

waste. Maxies and company (Pvt) Ltd. generates about 3000 metric tons of solid waste in the form of

broiler litter from its close house broiler operation annually. If it is not handled well, it will become a

serious environmental problem and therefore, a sister company, the Maxies Agri Business (Pvt) Ltd. was

formed to engage in converting the wasteful material, broiler litter to a useful material, the compost.

Composting process at Maxies Agri Business – Windrow method

Our composting process, known as windrow composting, starts with adjusting the carbon to nitrogen

ratio of the composting raw materials. After adjusting the moisture level of the raw material mixture, long

piles with 5-6 feet in height and 10-12 feet base width and a length of 160 feet are built in side long

huts. Turning of the piles are done every fortnightly during the active thermophylic decomposing period.

Core temperatures of the piles are monitored during this period to make sure that the required temperature

to kill pathogenic microorganisms, weed seeds and maggots are achieved. Secondary decomposing or

maturation, lasts for about 30 days. The entire composting process takes about 120 days to complete. A

suspension of spores of Trichoderma viride, a fungus that is known to have many beneficial attributes for

plant growth and can control plant pathogenic fungi, particularly fungi that cause root infections of crops,

is sprayed on to the maturing compost pile. Finally, the end product is ground, sieved and bagged.

Each batch of compost is chemically analyzed by an independent laboratory, the Coconut Research

Institute of Sri Lanka.

Raw materials are mixed proportionately in

order to adjust carbon to nitrogen ratio and

moisture content

Piling the mixture as a windrow pile with a

height of 5-6 feet , base of 10-12 feet and 160

feet long

Turning the pile every fortnightly

for mixing & aeration

Monitoring of temperature of the composting pile

Round dial – measuring temperature at a depth of 1

meter (Note low temperature due to low decomposing

activity due to low oxygen level)

Small dial – Temperature at a depth of 30cm ( Note

high temperature due to high decomposing activity

Basic composition of Maxies Agri Compost

Given below is the analysis results of last three batches of Maxies Agri compost (analysis was carried out

by Coconut Research Institute, CRI of Sri Lanka). Figures given in red are in wet weight basis.

Sample

Code (CRI SPND Lab No)

Moisture

% (d.w.b.)

N P K Mg Ca Na OC C/N

Ratio % d.w.b.

F-139 29.55 22.80

(w.w.b.)

1.35

0.301 (P2O5-

0.688)

1.98 (K2O-

2.38)

0.537 (MgO-

0.891)

2.33 0.411 23 17

F-140 29.78 22.95

(w.w.b.)

1.46 0.312 (P2O5-

0.714)

1.96 (K2O-

2.38)

0.540 (MgO-

0.896)

2.37 0.433 22 15

F-147 28.78 22.35

(w.w.b.)

2.28 0.28 (P2O5-

0.64)

1.72 (K2O-

2.07)

0.56 (MgO-

0.94)

2.64 0.38 26.30. 14.85

F-168 30.37

23.29

(w.w.b)

2.73 0.89

(P2O5-

2.03)

2.13

(K2O-

2.73)

0.77

(MgO-

1.27)

Growth of Trichoderma viride after spraying

a suspension of spores on to the pile

Packaging sizes and Pricing:

Maxies Agri compost comes in two sizes; 10kg and 20kg bags, packed in printed gunny bag with an

inner polythene packing material to keep quality preserved.

Prices:

10 kg bag Rs. 125.00 (retail price)

20 kg bag Rs. 250.00 (retail price)

Bulk price Rs. 8,500.00 per ton

For large quantities – Prices are negotiable

Bioassay for presence of micronutrients in Maxies Agri Compost:

Testing of compost samples for micronutrients involves sophisticated testing procedures and needs large

amount of resources. The easiest way to prove a given compost sample contains all micronutrients

necessary for plant growth is to carry out a bioassay using a common crop.

The substratum mixture for the bioassay was designed as follows;

Combination of substrates

Percentages by volume

Maxies Agri

Compost

0 25 50

River sand 100 75 50

Bagged compost comes in two sizes

Seeds of green chilies (Capsicum annum) were planted in each pot and the trial was carried out until the

first harvest was collected.

Adequacy of macronutrient content in Maxies Agri compost

A simple experiment was carried out as follows, using different combinations of Maxies Agri compost

and coir dust. Green chilies, Capsicum annum was employed as the bio indicator.

`

Combination of

substrates

Percentage by volume

Maxies Agri compost 10 20 30 40

Coir dust 90 80 70 60

Pots were used for the trial and about 10 days old green chili plants were transplanted and maintained

until flowering.

This was obtained from two plants from two

pots.

No deficiency syndrome was observed in the

plants. No additional compost was used except

water throughout the period.

This proves that Maxies Agri compost is a

complete fertilizer, at least for the growth and

fruiting of green chilies.

10% compost

Yellowing of leaves showing

deficiency syndrome

20% compost

No deficiency syndrome

Note: No flowers

30% compost

No deficiency syndrome shown

Note: Signs of flowering

Green chili harvest from 2 plants in pots

Comparison of growth performance

Using 30% Maxies Agri compost application rate with coir dust, a comparative study was done with

another compost.

Compost type Coir dust

Maxies Agri compost 30% 70%

Another compost type 30% 70%

40% compost

No deficiency syndrome, many leaves

Note: No flowers, signs of too much of

nitrogen

Pot on the left contains 30% Maxies Agri

compost and 70% coir dust

Note: Rapid growth of Chili plant in pot where

Maxies Agri compost is used.

The best combination is 30% Maxies Agri

compost and 70% coir dust

Development of Trichoderma viride by Maxies Agri Business

Trichoderma sp. are fungi that are present in certain numbers in nearly all agricultural soils and in other

environments such as decaying wood. Among their other activities, they naturally grow towards hyphae

of other fungi, coil about them and degrade cells of the target fungi. This process (mycoparasitism) limits

growth and activity of plant pathogenic fungi. Some Trichoderma strains sometimes may produce

antibiotics. However, population densities present in the wild are not sufficient for highly effectively

control of plant diseases. Therefore, Trichoderma cultures are built and are available commercially for

applying enough quantities to control plant diseases.

Trichoderma viride is one of the species that have great potential for controlling plant diseases which

produces growth promoters, and enhances plant immunity against plant pathogens.

Maxies Agri Business (Pvt) Ltd. developed; two such Trichoderma viride cultures from local sources

and a culture technique for mass scale production of spores.

One of the sources of Trichoderma viride isolate from

decaying wood from local source

Pure plate cultures of Trichoderma viride (different strains)

Application of compost in agriculture:

Paddy cultivation:

A plot of land in Daraluwa, in the Kurunagala district was used for the trial and the cultivation was done

from April 26th to August, 2011 in the Yala season. Maxies Agri compost treatments were 100%, 50%

and 100% chemical fertilizer and application rate was 9880 kg of compost per hectare (4000kg/acre).

During ploughing, a suspension of spores of Trichoderma viride was sprayed to the soil. Just before

sawing, germinated seeds were dipped in a suspension of Trichoderma viride for 30 minutes. Harvest

after 105 days was as follows;

Paddy yield ( kg/hectare)

100% Compost

fertilizer

50% Compost

fertilizer

100% Chemical

fertilizer

4840 5428 1601

Mass scale culture method was developed at Maxies

Agri Business (Pvt) Ltd. for applying in the compost

Trichoderma viride isolates that have mycoparasitic

or characteristics of controlling the growth of

other fungi like Fusarium sp. (colony at the top of

the plate) isolated from onion root disease) were

tested.

Note the fast growing Trichoderma viride isolate

(green colony) controlling the spread of Fusarium

sp.

Remarks of the farmer

• Soil of the area where 100% chemical fertilizer was used was poor than those of other two areas.

• Weedicide was used 8 days after sawing .

• Pesticide was used 30 days after sawing to control Nilaparvata lugens (keedawa).

• Another pesticide was sprayed after flowering to control Leptocorisa oratorius or acuta) .

Application of compost to the soil

before ploughing

Ploughing is done using a tractor

Compost treated paddy

field

Left to right: 100% chemical fertilizer, 50%

compost, and 100% compost application.

Note the improved root & shoot system due to

application of compost & Trichoderma viride

i

Observed attributes

100% Compost

50% Compost

100% Chemical fertilizer

No. of tillers per

seedling

20.0 13.6 5.3

No. of roots per

seedling

704 504 272

Table above shows the effects of treatments on growth attributes of rice plants in this trial. Probably both

application of Maxies Agri compost and Trichoderma viride) have improved the growth characteristics

of rice plant.

The following table shows the paddy yield of the second trial in a clay soil with the application of Maxies

Agri Compost – this was done in a village called Bujjampola in the Kurunagal district of Sri Lanka

Paddy yield ( kg/hectare)

100% Compost

fertilizer

50% Compost

fertilizer

100% Chemical

fertilizer

9118 8004 4052

Use of Maxies Agri compost and Trichoderma viride to control nematode infection of roots (root

gall) of Centella asiatica

Centella asiatica is a popular leafy vegetable (consume fresh) in Asian countries. Nematode root

infection which causes formation of root nodules of this plant resulting poor growth leading to poor leaf

yield. Farmers in Sri Lanka use Curaterr (carbofuran), a toxic pesticide to control this condition. It is

known that Trichoderma viride is a nematode trapping fungus which can be used to control infections in

roots cause by soil nematodes.

Therefore, a growth trial was carried out to observe the effects of Maxies Agri compost and

Trichoderma viride on the growth rates and nematode infection of Centella asiativa root systems.

This research was done by Mrs. B.V.T. Shamalie,

Agriculture monitoring officer, Department of

Agriculture, Agriculture Extension Office, Marawila, Sri

Lanka.

Findings are as follows;

• Trichoderma viride with Maxies Agri compost significantly increased the fresh weight of top

harvest; it increased number of leaves, leaf length, stalk length, root length and number of roots.

• With regards to first harvest, Curaterr with chemical fertilizer and compost with Trichoderma

viride had similar economical importance but use of toxic chemical on freshly eaten vegetable is

to be considered.

• Compost & Trichoderma viride had nematicidal effects in controlling nematode infection on

Centella asiatica roots similar to Curaterr.

Use of Maxies Agri compost in coconut plantation

As a perennial crop, coconut takes a long life cycle (some times more than 50 years) and it needs

abundance of nutrients both, macro and micro to sustain growth and yield. Since the demand for nutrients

is continuous, the supply will eventually be depleted. Coconut farmers normally fertilize coconut

plantations with chemical fertilizers to nutrient depleted soil without considering the micronutrient

depletion in the soil. Therefore, it is important to add compost materials to the soil.

Application rates of Maxies Agri compost to coconut plants

Under normal circumstances, following fertilizer application rates could be helpful.

• 4-5kg of compost and 500g of dolomite for 2 months old coconut seedling per year.

• 15-20kg of compost and 500g of dolomite for 1 year old coconut plant per year.

• 28kg of compost and 1000g of muriate of potash per fruit bearing plant per year.

Shown in the following figures are coconut plants planted in a soil that has been classified by Coconut

Research Institute of Sri Lanka as category S3 (suitable, category S1 is the best and S5 is the poorest)

Root systems of Centella asiatica

Left T1– With the application of compost & Trichoderma viride

Right T2– Control, without compost & the fungus but with chemical fertilizer

Note – root system on the left, without root nodules while root system on the right with root nodules

Centella cultivation ready to be harvested

where yield is between 10,000-12,500 nuts/hectare/year. Only Maxies Agri compost was used for

fertilization of these plants from transplanting.

Why it is important to add compost to the soil

Because it;

• improves physical characteristics such as soil structure and

Just transplanted coconut seedling Four months old coconut

18 months old coconut plant

moisture retaining capacity,

• modifies and stabilizes chemical characteristics of soils such as pH and increases cation

exchange capacity and provides macro and micronutrients,

• improves its biological characteristics such as supplying biota and suppressing plant diseases,

• Provides other benefits such as binding and degrading toxic contaminants such as pesticides,

weedicides etc. Further, it binds nutrients and releases them gradually so that the nutrients will be

available to plants in required quantities for a longer period of time.

Soil carbon sequestration

Adding compost to soil is carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is the long term storage of carbon in

the soil. This is the process of transferring carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in to the soil crop residues

or other organic solids, and in a form that is not immediately remitted.

Benefits of soil carbon sequestration to the human being

• Removing carbon dioxide from atmosphere.

• Improved soil and water quality.

• Decreased nutrient lost

• Reduce soil erosion

• Increased water conservation

• Greater crop production

Contact

D.C.Hettiarachchi

B.Sc.(Biol), P.Dip. (Industrial Microbiology), M.Sc.(Industrial Microbiology)

Consultant (Research & Development) to the Chairman

Maxies & Co. (pvt) Ltd.

Wennappuwa, Sri Lanka

E.mail: chris.hetti@maxies.lk

chrishetti@yahoo.com

m +94 773566959,

t +94 31 4873387

f +94 31 2255656

Research interest:

• Probiotics-Bacillus subtilis, B.coagulans (Lactobacillus sporangens)

• Algae culture

• Rotifer culture

• Shrimp aquaculture

• Fish diseases

• Waste water treatment

• Food hygiene

• Solid waste recycling