Introducing by

2006-2007
 Introduction
Composting organic wastes is
an environmentally sound
means
of recycling raw organic
materials into valuable soil
amendments with many
. uses
 ?Why use compost
• Composting is a method of stabilizing organic wastes by
the action of microorganism
• Increasing soil organic matter 30t/ha compost provides ~ 6
t/ha of organic matter = long-term benefits for soil
structure, fertility and water holding
• Slow release nutrients 30 t/ha compost is worth ~ £90/ha
• Increasing soil microbial population
• Stabilizing soil pH (fertilizers acidify soil) Better crop
establishment & yields
 The composting process
The basic process is very simple:
• Collection of suitably balanced feedstock
materials
• Shredding
• Composting
• Maturation
• Screening
• Application of finished product
 Material flow for the conventional
.composting process

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?How does composting work
 Types of composting
(Farmyard manure (FYM-
Poultry Manure-
Cattle slurry-
Town refuse-
Sewage sludge-
 Characteristics of compost
General properties of green waste compost

pH 8.6
(Electrical conductivity (dS cm-1 0.773
(%(Dry matter 59
(Density (kg L-1 0.5
(%(Organic matter 19
Nutrient contents
Contamination with heavy metals
((mg/kg dry weight
 HM loading rates
(kg metal/ha/year when compost applied at
(35t/ha/yr
Contamination with inert fragments
((% by weight
 The effects of compost
application

Greater diversity of
soil organisms
Improved soil structure
and water retention

Supply of plant Suppression of plant

nutrients pathogens
 Effects on soil chemistry

• The nitrogen in compost is very stable and is

only released slowly – there is therefore little
risk of it being leached
• Compost is a good source of potassium (in a
readily available form(
• Compost is a reasonably good source of
phosphorous
• Trace elements are also retuned to the soil
Copper addition when organic
(materials are spread (g/ha/yr
Zinc addition when organic materials
(are spread (g/ha/yr
(Organic matter additions (250 kg/ha N
Effect of organic matter inputs on topsoil
(available water capacity (AWC
Compost can help conserve soil moisture

Moisture at 10 cm
Effect of organic matter inputs on topsoil
-microbial biomass
 An example of the effects on crop
yields
(Yield (percent of control

Potatoes Onions Cabbages Carrots

Effect of organic matter inputs on topsoil
microbial biomass
Effect of total nitrogen inputs on topsoil PMN
((potentially mineralisableN
 Effects on soil structure

• Organic matter additions improve soil

structure on both heavy and light land.
• This has beneficial effects on water
holding capacity, drainage, erosion and
root penetration.
• Cultivations are made easier.
 Effects on soil biology

• Biological activity is stimulated by the

addition of nutrients and by the
improvement to soil structure
• Some evidence suggests that there can be
inhibition of plant diseases
Maximum supply of soil microelements
and heavy metals content
Element (United Land (mg/kg ( United Kingdom (Kg/h

Zn 1000 560

Cu 400 280

Ni 100 70

Cd 10 50

Pb 250 1000

Hg 2 2

Cr - 1000
 Maximum limit for soil microelements and
heavy metals content due to supply compost
((mg/kg soil
Element Land England European Germany
United United
Zn 150 300 300 300
Cu 50 135 140 100
Ni 50 75 75 50
Cd 2 3 3 3
Pb 100 300 300 100
Hg 1 4 4.5 2
Cr 150 - - 100
 Conclusions
 Composting can be an effective way of managing
organic wastes.
 On-farm composting is a useful technique for
dealing with farm generated wastes – bringing in
material from elsewhere can be a good business in
itself.
 Application of compost adds to the organic matter
in the soil
 Compost is a good source of available P and K.
 The nitrogen it contains is in a stable state and
relatively unavailable in the short term.
 References
Litterick Audrey, Sinclair Alex ,2006(COMPOST USE IN
AGRICULTURE AND FIELD HORTICULTURE (FACTS CPD points
(PN/066/067/a( 5 points 1PD 3PN 1E,Sac.
Rayns Francis. 2005 ( How does green waste compost affect( center
soil fertility ,EIM FAR Researches.
Dahama. A., K. (1999( Organic farming for sustainable agriculture.
Agro Bolanice, Daryagun, New Delhi 110002.
Elgala, A. M; El Damaty, A. Abdel Latif (1976(, Comparative ability of
natural humus material and synthetic chelates is extracting Fe, Mn, Zn
and Ca from soil. Scitschrift. Pflanzenernahrung W. Boden Kunde helf
3 : 301-307.
Henry Doubleday Research Association (1998(, For Organic
Excellence HDERA-bublication UK.
Schuphan W, (1975(, Yield maximization versus biological value. Qual
plant 24 : 281-310.