Composting

1. COMPOSTING
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2. COMPOSTING
• Composting is natural way of recycling.
• Composting is the microbial process of degradation in which the
plant and animal wastes are naturally degraded to produce organic
manure. Organic manure is used for enrichment of the soil that helps
with the growth of plants.
• Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile
during the composting process. They use carbon and nitrogen to
grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to
breathe.
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4. INGREDIENTS FOR COMPOSTING
The ingredients for composting include a proper balance of the following
materials:
• Carbon-rich materials (“browns”) can include dry leaves, plant stalks, and
twigs. The carbon-rich materials provide food for the microorganisms to
consume and digest.
• Nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”) include grass clippings and food scraps.
The nitrogen-rich materials heat up the pile to create ideal conditions for the
material to breakdown.
• Water (moisture).
• Air (oxygen).
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5. • Methods of composting
Methods of
composting
Aerobic method
Anaerobic method
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6. 1. Aerobic method
• Aerobic composting is decomposition of organic matter using
microorganisms that require oxygen.
• The microbes responsible for composting are naturally occurring
and live in the moisture surrounding organic matter.
• Oxygen from the air diffuses in to the moisture and is taken up by
the microbes. As aerobic digestion takes place the by-products are
heat, water and carbon dioxide (CO2).
• While CO2 can be classified as a greenhouse gas it’s evolution
from the composting process is not counted in emissions.
Additionally, CO2 is only 1/20th as harmful to the environment as
methane (the main by-product of anaerobic degradation).
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7. • The heat produced in aerobic composting is sufficient to kill
harmful bacteria and pathogens as these organisms are not
adapted to these environmental conditions.
• It also helps support the growth of beneficial bacteria species
including psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic bacteria
which thrive at the higher temperature levels.
• From start to finish, the HotRot in-vessel aerobic composting
process takes only 8-10 days.
• No leachate is produced as any surplus moisture is extracted as
water vapor which can be condensed and used for watering nearby
vegetation.
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9. 2. Anaerobic method
• Anaerobic composting is decomposition that occurs using microorganisms
that do not require oxygen to survive.
• In an anaerobic system the majority of the chemical energy contained
within the starting material is released as methane.
• The process is characterised by very strong odours and only a small
amount of heat is generated meaning decomposition takes much longer
and doesn’t reach sufficient temperatures to safely kill plant pathogens,
weed and seeds. To overcome these limitations external (artificial) heat is
normally added.
• As the material is broken down by anaerobic digestion, it creates a sludge-
like material that is even more difficult to break down.
• This material, digestate, typically requires aerobic composting to complete
the stabilisation process.
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12. VERMICOMPOSTING
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13. VERMICOMPOSTING
• Worm composting, or vermicomposting, is another method of
composting by using earthworms.
• It takes up little space, the materials are simple and
inexpensive, and it can be done indoors or outdoors.
• It need a container or bin, bedding material, worms, and food
scraps.
• If worm bin is properly maintained, it should not emit odors or
attract pests. The resulting product is vermicompost, a soil
amendment.
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14. • Vermicomposting comprises two methods:
1. Bed Method: This is an easy method in which beds of organic
matter are prepared.
2. Pit Method: In this method, the organic matter is collected in
cemented pits. However, this method is not prominent as it involves
problems of poor aeration and waterlogging.
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16. PROCEDURE OF VERMICOMPOSTING
• To prepare compost, either a plastic or a concrete tank can be used.
The size of the tank depends upon the availability of raw materials.
• Collect the biomass and place it under the sun for about 8-12 days.
Now chop it to the required size using the cutter.
• Prepare a cow dung slurry and sprinkle it on the heap for quick
decomposition.
• Add a layer (2 – 3 inch) of soil or sand at the bottom of the tank.
• Now prepare fine bedding by adding partially decomposed cow dung,
dried leaves and other biodegradable wastes collected from fields and
kitchen. Distribute them evenly on the sand layer.
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17. • Continue adding both the chopped bio-waste and partially
decomposed cow dung layer-wise into the tank up to a depth of
0.5-1.0 ft.
• After adding all the bio-wastes, release the earthworm species over
the mixture and cover the compost mixture with dry straw or gunny
bags.
• Sprinkle water on a regular basis to maintain the moisture content of
the compost.
• Cover the tank with a thatch roof to prevent the entry of ants, lizards,
mouse, snakes, etc. and protect the compost from rainwater and
direct sunshine.
• Have a frequent check to avoid the compost from overheating.
Maintain proper moisture and temperature.
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20. Advantages Of Vermicomposting
 The major benefits of vermicomposting are:
• Develops roots of the plants.
• Improves the physical structure of the soil.
• Vermicomposting increases the fertility and water-resistance of
the soil.
• Helps in germination, plant growth, and crop yield.
• Nurtures soil with plant growth hormones such as auxins,
gibberellic acid, etc.
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21. Disadvantages of Vermicomposting
 Following are the important disadvantages of vermicomposting:
• It is a time-consuming process and takes as long as six months to
convert the organic matter into usable forms.
• It releases a very foul odour.
• Vermicomposting is high maintenance. The feed has to be added
periodically and care should be taken that the worms are not flooded
with too much to eat.
• The bin should not be too dry or too wet. The moisture levels need to
be monitored periodically.
• They nurture the growth of pests and pathogens such as fruit flies,
centipede and flies.
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22. REFERENCE
• https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-
home#:~:text=Composting%20is%20a%20controlled%2C%20aerobic,c
rumbly%2C%20earthy%2Dsmelling%20material.
• https://www.slideshare.net/HarishReddy280/aerobic-composting-
method
• https://www.globalcomposting.solutions/aerobic-vs-anearobic-
composting
• https://byjus.com/biology/vermicomposting/
• https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/agri_majorareas_smmf06.html
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