|
|
|
|
Back to Plant Nutrition
ORGANIC FERTILIZER:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. HUMUS
3. RECYCLING WASTE
4. COMPOSTING CONDITIONS
5. CONSTITUENTS
6. STATISTICS
7. CONCLUSION
1. INTRODUCTION:
The present times have fortunately revealed to us the importance of Organic content in our soils. The practices of the recent past as related to Chemical Fertilizers has brought about an Ecological Crisis in the making. There is no real antagonism between mineral (chemical) and Organic Fertilizers. Both are essential for immediate soil fertility, efficient soil conservation and flourishing biota. When well composted Organic material and carefully selected and stable Mineral/Chemical Fertilizers are used, the productive capacity of the soil is enhanced. This results in increased speed of growth and weight of crops. At present we are concerned with Organic Fertilizers.
2. HUMUS:
The decayed Organic Material such as plant and animal tissue constitutes humus. The chemical constituents of Organic residue decompose separately into cellulose; hemicellulose; strartches; sugars; oils; fats/ Proteins; amino-acids; amides; Lignin and undecomposed residues. The first group is attacked by microorganisms, releasing carbon dioxide and water, yielding intermediary substances; organic acids; alcohols and microbial cell substances; fats; waxes; hemicellulose etc. The second group (Proteins etc.) are decomposed directly by micro-organisms releasing Nitrates and Nitrites that combine with soluble Nitrogen compounds and yield microbial cell substances that eventually combine with fats; waxes; hemicellulose and Humus nucleus from proteins; Lignin and soil bases to form Humus.
The Natural process of forming Humus is lengthy and inefficient. However there is a method of hastening this process to produce ready to use Humus within 15 days.
3. RECYCLING WASTE:
Municipal waste; Fruit & Vegetable Market waste; Animal manure; Ashes and raw sewage not mixed with detergents and Household/ Commercial chemicals are generated in large quantities. It is estimated that a community of 10,000 people can generate 40-acre inches of sewage effluent per day or an equivalent of 1 million gallons of wastewater. This waste is extremely rich in nutrients especially Nitrogen. Large quantities of carbonaceous materials are present in Fruit and Vegetable Market waste. Fish Mundies and SlaughterHouse wastes are also valuable nutrient sources. The exchange of nutrients between living and non-living parts of the Eco-system is called Nutrient Cycling. When based upon human; animal and vegetable waste it is Nutrient re-cycling at peak efficiency rather than merely creating a nuisance; pollution and source of disease. The act of composting consists of two processes; Mineralization and Immobilization. Mineralization occurs when microbial decomposers convert the nutrients in Organic matter into inorganic ions. Immobilization is the uptake of inorganic nutrient ions by organisms. Thus nutrient cycling conserves the nutrient supply and results in repeated use of these nutrients. Organic matter added to the soil consists of many compounds. These are fats; carbohydrates; proteins and lignins. The process of Mineralization and immobilization eventually breaks down the most resistant elements for use of food. The net effect is the release of energy as heat; formation of carbon dioxide and water; and the appearance of Nitrogen as Ammonium (NH4+); Sulfur as Sulfate (So=4); Phosphorus as Phosphate (PO4-3) and other Nutrients as simple metal ions (Ca+; Mg++; K=). As the elements or ions are released in Organic Matter Decomposition; other specialized organisms oxidize some of them. The oxidized forms are more readily available for use by higher plants.
4. COMPOSTING CONDITIONS:
There are five conditions for composting. These are:
a. Mixture of Plant and Animal Material: The animal material supplies the Nitrogen, which is needed by bacteria. The Carbon component is supplied mostly from plant residue. The Carbon:Nitrogen ratio should be 20:1 for satisfactory decomposition. This balance can be struck by a rule of thumb of 1:30 ratio between manure to other organic materials.
b. Size of Material: The smaller the particles the faster the decomposition process as it yields greater surface area for bacteria. This is achieved by chopping and shredding.
c. Aerobic/ Anaerobic: This means in the presence of Oxygen and in its absence. Anaerobic decomposition kills pathogens; Insect eggs and seeds. It prevents creation of odor. Open air composting is quite the opposite.
d. Water: The decomposing materials should be wet like a sponge yet not dripping. This is achieved by 50 % of the solid volume being supplied as water.
e. Temperature: At first the temperature of the material should rise to 55-60 C, within a few days and then subsequently drop. This process results from correct mixing and is used as an indicator.
5. CONSTITUENTS:
The following material can be used for compost.
a. Grass other clippings.
b. Vegetable; Fruit; Kitchen waste.
c. Paper.
d. Raw Sewage.
e. Animal Manure/ Urine.
f. Municipal wastes (no plastic; metal or glass).
g. Fine silt.
h. Ashes.
i. Dolomite.
j. Crushed Limestone.
k. Compost activator Herbs (Comfrey; Yarrow).
l. Bacteria.
i. EM - Bio Aab. Containing:
(aa) Photosynthetic Bacteria.
Rhodopseudomonos Spp.
(bb) Lactic Acid Bacteria.
Lactabacillus Spp.
(cc) Yeast.
Sacchoromyces Spp.
ii. Bio-Post. Carrying N2 fixing:
(aa) Pectionalytic.
(bb) Ligninolyutic.
(cc) Cellulolytic
And trace elements (Mg; Fe; Cu; B; Mn; Co; Mo).All are recommended in order to produce high quality humus in the shortest period of time and occupy least amount of space.
6. STATISTICS:
a. Raw Sewage: 10acre inches.
b. Green Waste: 15 trolleys.
c. Animal waste. 10 trolleys.
d. Municipal waste. 15 trolleys.
e. Silt. 2 acre inches.
f. Ashes. 2 acre inches.
g. Dolomite. ¼ acre inch.
h. Crushed Limestone. 2 acre inches.
i. Activator Herbs. 1 trolley.
j. Bacteria.
i. EM- Bio-Aab. 125 L base.
ii. Bio Post. 10 bags (500 Kg).This material is introduced in layers from sr. a to sr. I in half quantities each and then repeated till all the material is used. Serial j is introduced along with water; sugar source for the Bio Aab along with 12,500 L of water. This material is placed in tanks covering 1 acre and covered by black plastic. The process is repeated every day for 15 days in adjoining acres to make a total of 15 acres. Each filled acre is turned over after 7 days and recovered.. After 15 days the first batch is ready for bagging. The produce is 4 trolley loads at an estimated cost of Rs.3,700.00 per trolley, less labor and machinery costs. If sold at Rs.5,000.00 per trolley, labor and machinery costs can be retrieved. Thus we have a ready for use Nutrient recycled Fertilizer as well as cover the nuisance of mounds of rotting garbage.
7. CONCLUSION:
This method can readily sole our dire need for waste disposal as well as supply extremely enriched Humus for our fertilizer needs. This same procedure can be adapted for small scale farm yard composting at a much lower price. Thus the needs of the farmers can be met on farm. The huge quantities of Humus produced can be used in City gardens; Nurseries; Potted Vegetable growing etc. This material can also be exported to the Middle East. It is urged that the matter be investigated and adopted at the earliest.
ORGANIC/ MINERAL FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS FRUIT TREES:
AMMONIUM SULFATE SINGLE SUPER PHOSPHATE SULFATE OF POTASH FARM YARD MANURE
Age
1 - 2
2 - 5
5 - 10
Over
1 - 2
2 - 5
5 - 10
Over
1 - 2
2 - 5
5 - 10
Over
Plant
1 - 2
2 - 5
5 - 10
Over
Citrus
1
2
4
6
2
2
3
4
1
1
2
2
20
10
15
50
80
Guava
1/2
1
2
2
1/2
1
2
2
-
1/2
1
1
2
10
20
40
50
Apple
1/2
2
3
3
1/4
1.5
2
2
-
-
1
1
10
-
20
25
25
Apricot
1
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
1
1
2
2
40
-
20
20
20
Peach
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
1/2
1
2
3
20
-
20
20
20
Plum
1/2
1/2
1
2
1/4
1/4
1/2
1
1/2
1/2
1
3
30
-
20
20
20
Pear
1
2
3
5
1/2
1
2
3
1/4
1/2
3/4
2
30
-
20
20
20
Almond
1
1
2.5
3
3/4
3/4
1.5
2
1/2
1/2
1
1.5
40
-
30
30
40
Walnut
2
4
6
8
2
3
5
6
1
2
3
3
40
-
50
30
40
Grape
2
3
4
5
2
4
6
7
1/2
1/2
3/4
1
20
20
20
60
80
Cherry
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
1/2
1
2
2
20
-
30
40
Farm yard manure (in tons/acre) should be added in December. All Single Super Phosphate and Sulfate of Potash and half dose of Ammonium Sulfate should be added two weeks before flowering or by mid February. The remaining Ammonium Sulfate should be added after fruit set. Mineral Fertilizer is shown as bags of 50 Kg.