Compost is a type of natural fertilizer with a black color and a good earthy smell that results from the decomposition of a mixture of plant residues caused by microbes and friendly insects.
The composting process is different from normal composting because composting requires management in order to get good results where the remains of various plants (which are collectively known as raw materials) are collected and make a pile or pile that will rot and become complete compost.
Have you ever used compost? The answer may be yes. But do you know how to prepare compost? If you were asking yourself this question then you have come to the right place. Here you will learn step by step how to make compost.
BASIC MATERIALS IN MAKING COMPOST FERTILIZER
Germs and Insects
Most of the compost heap is decomposed by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi which in wet conditions require Carbon (C) as an energy source and Nitrogen (N) as an important component of proteins, amino acids and enzymes necessary for the growth of their cells and breed. This means that in order for composting microbes to multiply and carry out biological activities, they need raw materials sources of Carbon and raw materials sources of Nitrogen in a good balance.
Likewise, some crop-friendly insects are involved in digesting raw materials when making compost. The insects are such as cockroaches, caterpillars, red worms, bito caterpillars, siafu etc
Air
Microbes need oxygen air so that they can rot the raw materials by decay that requires air ( aerobic decomposition ). In a sufficient amount of oxygen air, germs reproduce rapidly and thus the food rots quickly. Likewise, the carbon dioxide produced due to the decomposition of raw materials needs to be released outside the plant. So if you want to make compost quickly, you have to make sure the bin has good air circulation.
Moisture
Microbes need moisture in order to survive and thus rot the raw materials easily. The biological activity of microbes can stop if the plant is in a state of extreme dryness. Likewise, when the grass is very wet, it shrinks and prevents the entry of air and thus leads to the occurrence of rot that does not require air (anaerobic decomposition).
Heat
Heat stimulates the biological activity of microbes and cleans the grain by killing weed seeds and pathogens in the raw material. A large amount of heat increases in the soil due to the biological activities carried out by microbes in the decomposition of raw materials and to a certain extent due to solar radiation