Compost

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
For the process of producing compost, see composting.
Compost educator displaying finished compost to student group

Compost (pronounced /ˈkɒmpɒst/ or US /ˈkɒmpoʊst/), sometimes known as brown manure, is the end result of controlled aerobic decomposition of organic matter known as composting. It is used in landscaping, horticulture and agriculture as a soil conditioner and fertilizer to add vital humus or humic acids. It is also useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover (see compost uses).

Compost serves as a growing medium, or a porous, absorbent material that holds moisture and soluble minerals, providing the support and nutrients in which plants can flourish, although it is rarely used alone, being primarily mixed with soil, sand, grit, bark chips, vermiculite, perlite, or clay granules to produce loam.


Contents

[edit] Ingredients

Given enough time, all biodegradable material will oxidize to "compost". One objective of composting today is to treat readily degradable materials that may otherwise enter landfills, and decompose anaerobically, releasing greenhouse gasses. Most small-scale domestic systems are not maintained at the thermophilic temperatures required to eliminate possible pathogens and disease vectors, or deter vermin, therefore pet droppings, meat scrap, and dairy products are best left to larger scale high-rate, aerobic composting systems. A local green waste recycling facility may operate such a system. However, hobby animal manure (horses, goats, sheep, chickens), fruit and vegetable food waste and garden waste are excellent raw materials for home composting.


Major types of biodegradable waste used:

Vermicompost being harvested
A handful of compost

Inorganic additives

[edit] Uses

Compost is generally recommended as an additive to soil, or other matrices such as coir and peat, as a tilth improver supplying humus and nutrients. Generally direct seeding into a compost is not recommended due to the speed with which it may dry and the possible presence of phytotoxins which may inhibit germination,[1][2][3] and the possible tie up of nitrogen by incompletely decomposed lignin.[4] It is very common to see blends of 20–30% compost used for transplanting seedlings at cotyledon stage or later.

[edit] As alternative to landfilling

As concern about landfill space increases, worldwide interest in recycling by means of composting is growing, since composting is a process for converting decomposable organic wastes into useful stable products.[5] Industrial scale composting in the form of in-vessel composting, aerated static pile composting, and anaerobic digestion takes place in most western countries now, and in many areas is mandated by law. There are process and product standards in the UK[6] and the US[7] and it is regulated in Canada and Australia as well. For further on municipal or industrial composts refer to the following pages.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Morel, P. and Guillemain, G. 2004. Assessment of the possible phytotoxicity of a substrate using an easy and representative biotest. Acta Horticulture 644:417–423
  2. ^ Itävaara et al. Compost maturity - problems associated with testing. in Proceedings of Composting. Innsbruck Austria 18-21.10.2000
  3. ^ Phytotoxicity and maturation
  4. ^ Effect of lignin content on bio-availability
  5. ^ A Brief History of Solid Waste Management
  6. ^ British Standards Institute Specifications FAQ
  7. ^ US Composting Council testing parameters

[edit] Literature

  • Insam, H; Riddech, N; Klammer, S (Eds.): Microbiology of Composting ,Springer Verlag, Berlin New York 2002, ISBN 978-3-540-67568-6
  • Hogg, D., J. Barth, E. Favoino, M. Centemero, V. Caimi, F. Amlinger, W. Devliegher, W. Brinton., S. Antler. 2002. Comparison of compost standards within the EU, North America, and Australasia. Waste and Resources Action Programme Committee (UK) (see wrap.or.uk)

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Topics related to waste management
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost"
Personal tools