Synthetic Compost Preparation and Application

Synthetic Compost Preparation and Application




1. Definition:

Synthetic Compost is a soil conditioner and fertilizer that provide nutrients to plants through the root zone. Also it improves the soil texture through the cemented particles those enable sandy particles to aggregate and at the same time through its hay and straw contents enable the separation of the heavy particles of the clay soils into small aggregates. In both cases compost enables soils to have good aeration and high water holding capacity to retain moisture. Due to fermentation and decomposition processes, a-well-made compost reaches a high temperature that kill many pests. So compost is the decomposed organic matter that improves soil texture and structure,

2. Production Scale:

2.1. Farm level:

2.1.1. Dig a 10x3x2 meter trench in an isolated area within the farm, use bulldozer if available
2.1.2. Dump in every green matter like crop residues, rotten fruit, plant leaves, twigs, animal dung, slaughter house refusals, blood, fish bones, kitchen waste etc (Bird dung is highly preferable as its nitrogen content is high, cattle dung needs more time as it’s decomposition is not that full to kill the associated pests)
2.1.3. Make a layer of 30 to 50 cm, broadcast about urea at rate of one kilogram to one cubic meter of compost, wet with water (Avoid dryness, avoid sogginess).
2.1.4. Repeat – wait for 2 to 3 months, introduce the bulldozer to turn it up
2.1.5. Repeat for one or two without moistening

2.2. Homestead garden level:

2.2.1. Construct a one meter square bamboo or wood material box
2.2.2. Chop organic matter like twigs, leaves, fruit, saw-dust or hay. Add dung manure and/or ash in 20~30 cm heap height
2.2.3. Wet the system and add a smear of light soil and repeat
2.2.4. After 3~4 weeks turn the whole system and arrange again in the box without adding water – during rainy season cover with plastic sheet or banana leaves if available
2.2.5. After 3~6 months compost will be ready (Depending on day temperature, the warmer the temperature, the shorten the duration)
2.2.6. Sieve and apply to plants return big particles back

3. Criteria of readiness:

3.1. The whole size will shrink 20~30%
3.2. No bad smell
3.3. Normal temperature
3.4. Homogeneous black color

4. Application:

4.1. When drilling apply 1~2 kg to each seedbed almost 1~2 shovels before planting
4.2. When broadcasting apply 15 ton per feddan before planting

5. Importance:

5.1. It affects soil structure positively through providing nutrients easy to be absorbed
5.2. It affects soil texture positively through enabling water deep percolation to reach the root zone
5.3. It affects soil texture positively through enabling the exchange of gases in the root zone
5.4. Enable households to get rid of their garbage and the left over stuff