The compost is a product obtained from raw material of plant or animal origin. After going through a process of degradation and decomposition, the compost serves as a fertilizer and soil restorer. Compost's biggest hallmark is its production from organic materials.
These organic materials can be freshly trimmed grass, feathers, manure, fishmeal, dry leaves, sawdust, crushed bark, fresh herbs, among others. Waste from the agricultural sector is an excellent raw material for compost.
By going through a decomposition process under specific humidity and temperature conditions, this waste degrades into compost. Microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, participate in its preparation, and living beings (insects, annelids, mollusks, etc.) intervene to obtain the final result.
At the end of the process, the compost has a dark appearance, with a smell very similar to that of the earth, and has a great richness in nutrients. It is used in the field of gardening and agriculture as an excellent organic fertilizer, and sometimes it is also used as an erosion control agent to prevent soil degradation.
The health and fertility of the soils will depend, to a large extent, on the presence of organic matter to their credit, since these elements are essential for the conservation of the soil and the formation of humus.
Compost types
Depending on the raw materials used, the final purpose of the compost and the composting method used, there are different types of compost at the agricultural level:
Basic compost
This is the compost of elemental processing. To make this type of compost, several layers of organic matter must be placed and ensure that the temperature and humidity conditions are adequate.
It can be made inside a closed container or outdoors. If the compost is prepared in a closed container, it must be ensured that it is large enough to guarantee the necessary humidity conditions. Composting can take a few months.
In the case of compost in the open air, the decomposition of organic materials occurs much faster, since the microorganisms present in the soil catalyze the process.
It is also recommended to turn the preparation periodically, to ensure a uniform preparation of the entire mixture.
Hot compost
This type of compost is made from manure, soil and water, in addition to the reaction with oxygen from the air, which plays a fundamental role in the degradation process.
It is a compost commonly used in rural areas. It should be prepared outdoors, in a partially shaded, ventilated area and above ground.
Its production process consists of placing on the ground a raised layer of branches or tree bark, and on this a section of organic matter (freshly pruned grass, dry leaves, straw, etc.) previously moistened.
Then a small layer of manure is placed and, later, a little earth on it. Finally, this preparation must be sealed with a little water.
The configuration described previously must be repeated three or four times, until reaching approximately 1.75 meters in height. The edges are held up with sticks or branches to ensure the stability of the entire structure.
The pile must be covered with a layer of plastic or a tarp, to avoid direct exposure to environmental conditions (rain, sun, strong breeze, etc.).
Subsequently, the compost tower is heated up to 60 ° C. Days later the temperature drops, and it is at this point when a little water must be added to the compost to finish the process.
Coffee compost
For the elaboration of this type of compost, the residues of the coffee planting are used, which are characterized by having a rapid decomposition.
The coffee remains must be deposited in an underground hole. In turn, said hole must be covered in its entirety. The compost will be ready to use in a couple of weeks.
Coffee-based compost is widely recognized in the gardening world for its high nitrogen content. In addition, when mixed with water it can be used as an excellent liquid fertilizer.
Worm compost
Also known as vermicompost, this process consists of getting the maximum benefit from red earthworms (Scientific name: Lumbricus rubellus), and from their saprophagous activity, since they feed on organic components.
The red earthworm serves as a primary consumer of organic material. By digesting manure, they generate gases and increase the presence of vitamin B12 in the soil, among other nutrients.
The vermicompost basically consists of generating the favorable conditions so that the red earthworms elaborate a high quality humus, which considerably increases the nutritive levels of the soil.
This type of worms is capable of processing different types of organic matter, such as food waste.
It is vitally important to ensure adequate levels of relative humidity (around 70%) and temperature (approximately 21 ° C), so that the worms reproduce properly and the desired result is obtained.
Avi-composting
Through this process, the interaction of birds is incorporated into the compost to speed up the degradation process of the material. The birds most used for this are chickens.
In the area where the compost is being formed, residues of organic matter are introduced, whether of domestic or agricultural origin, and in this environment the chickens are incorporated.
The hens feed on this organic formation, that is, the compost bin works at the same time as a trough for the hens.
In parallel, the hens incorporate their excrement, also known in the poultry field as chicken manure. This organic material will intensify compost formation in the designated area.
References
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- The world of compost (2002). Recovered from: tierramor.org
- Types of organic compost (nd). Recovered from: wellindal.es
- Types and uses of compost (nd). Recovered from: compostajedomestico.wordpress.com
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2018). Compost. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2018). Lumbricus rubellus. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org