Description of practice

Composting is decomposing organic matter for recycling as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming.

Examples of how to use compost Further information
(see Note below)

AMP63 01

Compost (making and) application

Farmyard manure, a mixture of dung, urine, bedding material and fodder residues, is left to decompose for > 4 months. It is spread on the soil using a rear discharge spreader or wheelbarrow and incorporated to increase soil fertility and structure.

 

»WOCAT technology 3993
»WOCAT technology 1228
»WOCAT technology 4176
»WOCAT technology 3215
»WOCAT technology 2284
»WOCAT technology 992
»WOCAT technology 3726
»WOCAT technology 1317
»SSWM (co-) composting (small scale)

AMP63 02

Vermicompost (making and) application

Vermicompost is produced by the decomposition of organic waste at ambient temperature through the synergistic actions of earthworms and microbes. It has a high nutrient content and contains beneficial soil microorganisms, humic acids and enzymes.

 

»Ecoideaz
»WOCAT technology 1022
»WOCAT technology 1236
»WOCAT technology 1695

AMP63 03

Anaerobic digestate

Biodegradable materials are decomposed in a controlled manner in the absence of oxygen. Digestate and methane are the end products. Digestate may be separated in solid and liquid fractions.

 

»Farmers Weekly
»Springer Möller
»WOCAT technology 2949
»WOCAT technology 3371
»WOCAT technology 2137
»SSWM Anaerobic digestion
»Systemicproject.eu

AMP63 04

Carbon enrichment with industrial organic waste recycling

Agricultural soils are enriched with locally available industrial organic matter waste (e.g. sugarcane filter cake, sawdust, coarse wood chips). Such carbon enrichment is a win-win solution for organic matter waste recycling and soil quality.

 

»WOCAT technology 1250

AMP63 05

Micronized organic fertilizers

Specifically developed micronized organic fertilizers are applied through an irrigation system. Before and/or after fertigation, irrigation lines should be cleaned by flushing with water.

 

»Grow Organic
»eOrganic
»Organic Entourage


Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.