Step-1:Mixing of raw material - Indian Institute of …

1 Silver Jubilee Year of IISS (1988-2013)Rapid Composting MethodsIndian Institute of Soil Science ( Indian Council of Agricultural Research)Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal-462038 ( )Step-2: HeapingStep-3: CoveringFig 1: Different steps of phospho-sulpho-nitro compost prepared by heap method Compiled & Edited by Published byDivision of Soil Biology, IISS, BhopalFor detailed informationHead, Division of Soil Biology, IISS, BhopalIndian Institute of Soil ScienceNabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal-462038 ( )Dr. Manna and Dr.

2 Asha SahuDr. A. Subba Rao (Director)Publication Year : January, 2013 Step-1:Mixing of raw materialSponsored byThe normal time taken for compost preparation in most methods is rather long, ranging from 100-180 days. Considerable research has therefore been done to accelerate the composting process. This is possible by the introduction of suitable microorganisms with demonstrate efficiency in the rate of organic matter decomposition. The compost producers are presently using microbial inoculants for fast decomposition of biodegradable material and suppression of foul odor.

3 These cultures being supplied under different trade names are costly and may not be of desired quality. Now government institutes like Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Indian Institute of Soil Science, have isolated efficient cultures and these cultures are multiplied and being used by compost producers. Some processes through which compost production can be speeded up by using compost accelerators are described this method, use of suitable minerals, fertilizers and microbial cultures to fortify the compost so that the end product contains more nutrients per unit volume or weight.

4 It also makes use of compost accelerating culture and biofertilisers for further nutrient enrichment. This reduced the bulk which has to be transported and applied per unit of nutrients delivered. In this respect, this method employs both the fortification and the acceleration strategy. Like conventional compost, PSNC can be prepared by the heap or pit method for which a bright sunny site is selected. For the heap method, the floor should be temporarily cemented about feet above the floor so that nutrients will not leak in to the soil.

5 About 1000 kg of wastes can be accommodated in a 12' x ' x ' (Lx Wx H) heap. To prepare 1000 kg of PSNC, the inputs required are 1000 kg organic wastes, 200 kg cow dung, 333 kg phosphate rock, 120 kg pyrites, 13 kg urea and 50 kg soil. In addition, suitable fungal and bacterial culture are also employed in the process. 30 kg of wastes (dry wt. basis) are spread on the floor followed by 30 kg of cow dung (fresh cow dung), 660 g urea ( % N basis) is then added. For this, dissolve urea in 20 liter water and spray a part of solution of urea over the layer.

6 17 kg Mussouri rock phosphate or MRP (5% PO basis) is spread over the layer. As 25 MRP not now mined, another suitable rock phosphate can be used. Then 6 kg of pyrites (22% S content) is added at the rate of 10 % on materials dry weight basis. A portion of finely powdered soil is then spread at the rate of 5% on materials dry weight basis. Water is sprayed over the layer to attain 60-70 % moisture. All above steps are repeated in the stated sequence until the heap is 3-4 feet accelerate the decomposition process, fungal culture is added at the rate of 500 g mycelial mat/tonne of material 8where as bacterial culture having 10 viable cells/ml is added (50 ml/kg of material ).

7 To further accelerate the process, the multi-bio-inoculum containing cellulose decomposers (Paecilomyces fusisporus and Aspergillus awamori), P-solubilizers (Bacillus polymyxa and Pseudomonas striata) and N-fixer (Azotobacter chroococcum) etc. were added at 5 and 30 days of decomposition @ 500 g mycelial mat/1000 kg material on dry weight basis. After 3-4 weeks of decomposition, the first turning is done which is followed by a second turning two weeks later. Moisture is to be maintained at 60-70% of materials on dry weight , the upper side and all boundaries of the heap are covered with cow dung slurry to maintain optimum moisture content inside the heap.

8 To avoid rain, wind, and to maintain the moisture and temperature the heap should be covered with a polythene sheet. Fungal bioinoculum treated wastes decomposed faster and attained maximum maturity criteria (C:N ratio, lignin/cellulose ratio and CEC/TOC ratio) in four months as compared to the usual six months in compost prepared from vegetable waste, soybean straw and wheat straw (Table 1). However, cotton stalk and sugarcane trash may need more time to attain maturity criteria for good quality of compost production.

9 For faster decomposition of cotton stalk and pigeonpea woody tissue, the size of the materials would be reduced to 3-4 cm. Phospho-Sulpho-Nitro-Compost (PSNC)Inputs Required:Method of Preparation:Table 1: Chemical parameters of microbial enriched PSNC compost trashVegetableswastesPigeonpearesidue-I+ I-I+ :NLignin(LCelluloseL:CelluloseCECS oybeanstrawWheatstrawCottonstalkSugarcan e-I-I :- without Bioinoculum, +I :- with Bioinoculum, +I-I+I-I+I-I+I(%)3428302536313630N(%) )(%)4240374234453336(%) evaluation of PSNC: Table 2.

10 Chemical composition of fortified and enriched PSNC prepared from four types of wastes (mean of 3 years)There is a noticeable improvement in available nutrient content PSNC as compare to ordinary compost. After 110 days of decomposition, PSNC contained % P. The content of NH-N and NO-N 43varied from to and to g/kg respectively (Table 2). In addition, the C:N ratio in PSNC was 17-28 as compared to 22-25 in FYM and ordinary compost. Higher values were recorded in the compost prepared from wheat straw, which has been considered as nutritionally better quality compost among all the sources of materials used.