Compost (Part 2)

The micro organism activity in compost

Firstly, we add all our organic or kitchen or plant residues together and add a accelerator such as half decomposed cow dung in it. Then as soon as we cover that mixture the activity of micro organism begins.

At the first stage,

Mesophiles attack and start decomposing the residues. In this stage, sugars and readily available microbial food sources are rapidly metabolized. It causes the temperature of the compost to rise over 40 degree Celsius.

2nd stage,

Then comes the thermophiles, because the activity of the mesophiles rises the temperature and after a certain period, the heat (nearly 75 degree Celsius) becomes unbearable for the micro organism and hence they can not live. That's why to decompose the rest of the compost thermophilic bacteria comes and begin their work. This stage occurs during the next week or two and the temperature reach to very high. Thermophilic organism decompose cellulose and other more resistant material. Humus like compound is formed during this stage.

3rd stage,

It is called curing stage because temperature falls back to ambient temperature. The material is recolonized by mesophilic organism, including certain beneficial organism that produce plant growth stimulating compounds. These beneficial organisms are antagonistic to plant pathogenic fungi. 

Now,

It is time to maintain your compost.

Do you know how can you maintain it?

Then follow this,

At the beginning, when you completed your mixture and covered that, decomposing started. In your compost mesophiles come and start decomposing but since it is covered up then the organisms will soon end up the oxygen and if you do not again mixing it then they will die due to the lack of oxygen and anaerobic condition will prevail. So, it is important for you to suppy oxygen for those organism.

Now, there should be a question. "Why should I cover up my compost?"

Well. To trap temperature, you should cover up your compost because covering up the compost will not let the temperature to escape in the atmosphere and your pile will reach to 2nd and 3rd stage and will let the organisms work and grow. But too much temperature is risky. But we already have a solution. Right? Turning over or Mixing the piles. It can both supply oxygen and control temperature.

Lets see some pictures.

Compost

How to make compost

It is my compost that i showed you in my previous post.

If you want to know about the earlier picture, then click here.

To know the advantages of using Compost, click here.

See?

There is fungus and the compost is almost black. You will be surprise to know that there is a soil like smell rather than that bad smell. I took care of it for every 4-5 days later.