Dsarrollo Suntentable

Agrodok 8

The preparation and use of compost

Madeleine Inckel Peter de Smet Tim Tersmette Tom Veldkamp

© Agromisa Foundation, Wageningen, 2005. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. First edition: 1980 Fifth revised edition: 1999 Seventh edition: 2005Authors: Madeleine Inckel, Peter de Smet, Tim Tersmette, Tom Veldkamp Translation: Mrs. E.W.M. Verheij Printed by: Digigrafi, Wageningen, The Netherlands Third revision by: Mira Louis and Marg Leijdens ISBN: 90-8573-006-6 NUGI: 835

Foreword
Foreword to the third revised edition This booklet has been compiled to give information about how compost can be applied in the tropics and subtropics. Itgives a simple description of the processes taking place in the soil and during composting. Practical suggestions are given for constructing a compost heap. A few selected compost methods and applications are given and a literature list has been added for supplementary information.

The reader is advised to first read through the whole booklet to get a general impression before looking forspecific information. We welcome, with interest, any remarks, additions or queries about this booklet or related matters. The Authors Wageningen, May 1990.
Foreword to the fourth revised edition We have made some minor alterations in this third revised edition. Hopefully this Agrodok will continue to be a help to produce your own compost.

The publisher Wageningen, October 1994.
Foreword to the fifthrevised edition We thank Mira Louis for preparing materials for this 5th revision. KIOF, The Kenyan Institute for Organic Farming in Nairobi, and the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA) in Coventry, UK, both gave us valuable information to improve this Agrodok. We are very grateful to them. Their addresses are given in the back of this book. We hope that many people will make use of theinformation given.

Marg Leijdens, Coordinator Agrodok Publications Wageningen, 1999.
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Foreword

Contents
1 2 2.1 2.2 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Reasons for composting Fertilizing: the role of organic matter and compost Organic matter and soil processes Compost The composting process Heating phase Cooling down phase Maturationphase The practice of composting Organic material Micro-organisms Air Moisture Site of the compost heap Size and setting up of the heap Methods to make compost Indore method Bangalore method Heating process or block method Pit composting Trench composting Basket composting Boma composting Composting specific materials Composting water plants Composting seaweed Composting coffee pulp Compostingdomestic waste 6 8 8 9 11 12 13 13 14 14 16 16 17 17 19 22 22 24 25 27 28 29 30 33 33 34 35 36

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The preparation and use of compost

6.5 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 8 8.1 9 9.1 9.2 9.3 10 10.1 10.2 10.3

Composting human waste or sewage Putting compost to use Fertilizing Nursery soil, potting soil, planting trees Erosion prevention and erosion control Compost for fish feed Liquid manure and plantteas How to make liquid manure and plant teas Bokashi The organic materials Preparation of bokashi Applying bokashi Your own organic fertilizer Advantages and disadvantages Whether or not to start preparing organic fertilizers Practical questions as a guideline for starting

39 40 40 42 43 43 47 47 50 51 53 56 57 57 58 59 60 62 64

Appendix 1: Composition of organic materials Further readingUseful addresses

Contents

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Reasons for composting

Compost is an organic fertilizer that can be made on the farm at very low cost. The most important input is the farmer’s labour. Compost is decomposed organic matter, such as crop residues and/or animal manure. Most of these ingredients can be easily found around the farm. Agromisa’s Question and Answer Service frequently receives...