Composting is a natural process. Almost all organic matter decomposes in the presence of suitable temperature and moisture. Proper composting yields good quality compost which is the basic building block for soil fertility.
Different field trials have shown that Biodynamic composting is the most effective and most economical way of composting in comparison to all the other composting methods. BD compost contains all major and micro nutrients along with higher percentage of stable organic carbon thereby providing humus and micro-climate for easy and sufficient availability of nutrients required by the crop for optimum production. In other words, BD compost is an effective soil conditioner and is an immediate source of nutrient for a crop.
Salient features of BD compost
- Easy to adopt
- No structural costs involved
- Use of cow dung is very low (30%)
- The period of decomposition is 70-90 days, depending on season
- The nutrient value of the compost is very high
- No weed, seeds and other pathogens
- Compost can be made in accordance with specific crop requirement
- It can be made anywhere & anytime and has longer storage life
- During application, it is needed in lesser quantity than traditional compost and has shelf life of nearly 6-8 months.
Material required for making one ton of ready compost
- 10 quintal dry organic matter (preferably crop residues or leaf litter/ grass/chopped straws)
- 3-4 quintal dung (preferably fresh or not more than 15/20days old)
- 1 quintal green organic matter (green grass / leaves of Pongamia, Neem, Gajar
grass, etc. / weeds) - Half kg of slacked lime (If the pH of soil is more than 7.7 then lime is not to be
used) - 1000-1500lts of water
- One set BD502-507 or 1kg S9 (CPP)
Procedure of Biodynamic composting
- Select a plane surface and clean the area by removing of grass and weeds with the
help of a spade. - Mark the required area (15ft long and 5ft wide) and shower sufficient water over the selected compost area. The length of heap / compost bed should be aligned in east-west direction for better composting.
- Make the 1st layer with dry organic (Carbonaceous) matter by spreading it on selected area up to a height of 1ft. The organic matter should be kept moist by sprinkling desired quantity of water on it two three days in advance. If the weather permits then it can also be moistened on the same day.
- Inoculation of Biodynamic compost heap/bed with S9 – Make a solution of 1kg S9 (CPP) in 13lts of water by stirring the mixer clockwise and anti-clockwise alternately for 45 to 60 minutes. 2lts of this S9 solution is sprinkled on each layer uniformly. The remaining S9 solution should be sprayed over the uppermost layer.
- The second layer is prepared by spreading dung or dung slurry of nearly 2-3 inches above the first layer.
- This is followed by the third layer of green organic matter (nitrogenous) of nearly 3 inches. 250gms of soaked lime is spread evenly over this green matter.
- The fourth layer is prepared by spreading dung or dung slurry of nearly 2-3 inches above this green matter layer. A layer of fertile soil can be laid in between this and the previous layer to ensure that the dung is not laid immediately over the lime.
- Alternate layers of organic matter, layer of dung, the green matter layer and another layer of dung is laid till the height of compost heap/bed reaches to about 3.5 / 4 feet.
- Composting with BD 502-507 – The preparations are to be inserted in the compost heap/bed. The preparations BD502, BD503 and BD504 are inserted on one side of compost at equal distances in the middle part of heap. BD505 and
BD506 are inserted on the other side of the pile in the similar manner. BD507, which is in liquid form, is mixed and stirred with 1 liter of water for 15 minutes and inserted on top surface of the heap/bed at 3 equidistant holes. The granular preparations are coated with fresh cow dung before insertion. - After inoculating the BD compost heap/bed, either with S9 or BD502-507, a thin paste is prepared by mixing equal proportion of dung and clay. This is then applied over the whole heap to form a thin layered covering of the ready heap.
Precaution, follow up and storage
- Proper attention must be given to the aeration of the material. Without adequate air, the heap will not heat up and would get smelly. To ensure this, do not firm down the material too much. Also ensure that no one stands over the material
while making the heap. - To check the composting process, insert an iron rod of 6-8 mm inside the heap for
about 5-10 minutes. - Complete turning of the whole compost heap is to be done compulsorily after 30
days. - Avoid building heaps under trees with rampant roots or at water-logged places.
- The ready compost should be kept at dry and cool place and should be watered regularly to maintain its moisture till it is used in the fields.
- The compost should always be applied on moist soil.