
Composts can prove to have a significant advantage for farmers as they reduce waste and enrich the soil. It is quite useful for recycling kitchen waste, mitigating the impact of drought and reducing greenhouse emissions. Everything decomposes, but composting speeds up the process by using decomposing organisms like worms, so bugs, and nematodes.
Composting can be carried out in aerobic conditions using microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, for breaking down organic matter into simple substances. The process of composting depends on the environmental conditions in the composting system impacted by oxygen, moisture, temperature, organic matter and the size and activity of microbes. Mentioned below are some of the methods of composting used by farmers.
Top 5 Methods of Composting
Vermicomposting
It is an eco-biotechnological process done with the joint action of earthworms and microbes to convert organic waste to nutrient-rich vermicompost. Some of the earthworm species that are responsible for consuming organic waste are red worms, tiger worms, and red wigglers. They consume flower waste, animal waste, agricultural waste, sewage sludge, etc. and excrete a humus-like substance. It is produced during the earthworm's physical and biochemical processes. Aeration, fragmentation, and turnover are some physical actions of earthworms, and the transportation of inorganic and organic products, enrichment of nitrogen, and enzymatic digestion are biochemical processes.
Hot Composting
One of the most efficient systems for producing quality compost in a short time is hot composting. Also, it works towards the destruction of weed seeds, pathogens and larvae. Two methods can be used for hot composting: the windrow method and the bin method. It needs a high degree of management, using the in-vessel method and hot composting, and needs a lesser degree of management.
Cold Composting
This process is ideal for adding organic matter around trees, in garden plots, in eroded areas, etc. The time required to decompose organic matter using this process is governed, to a large extent, by environmental conditions and could take two years or more.
Sheet Composting
Sheet composting is undertaken by spreading organic material on the soil surface or allowing it to decompose. After some time, the organic material will decompose and filter in the soil. Sheet composting is ideal for forage land, erosion control, no-till applications, roadside landscaping, etc. It does not destroy the weed seeds, larvae, pathogens, etc. Its composting materials must be plant residue and manure. The time of decomposition is governed by environmental conditions and can be quite long.
Trench Composting
In trench composting, a trench up to 8 inches deep is dug and filled up with 3-4 inches of organic material covered with soil. After waiting for a few weeks, farmers can plant directly above the trench. This process does not help in the destruction of weed seeds, fly larvae, and pathogens, and the composting process can be quite slow.
These were some of the main methods of composting. The benefit of composting is the enrichment of the soil, helping retain moisture and eliminating plant diseases and pests. Composting is a better alternative to chemical fertilisers. Moreover, it lowers carbon footprint and reduces methane emissions from landfills. Additionally, it reduces the decrease in nitrogen availability that occurs due to organic materials such as sawdust or straw when they are added directly to the soil.