This document provides an overview of biocomposting. It describes the three phases of composting (mesophilic, thermophilic, and curing), the key organisms involved (bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, earthworms), materials used, and common composting methods like the Indore and Bangalore approaches. The benefits of composting are highlighted as improving soil quality by adding nutrients, improving soil structure, and enabling plant growth. In conclusion, composting is presented as an economically and environmentally sound waste management process.
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A self study report on topic biocomposting
1. A SELF STUDY REPORT ON TOPIC
BIOCOMPOSTING
• Presented by:- Parveen kumar
• Msc. BOTANY (3rd SEM)
• ROLL no. 170000302010
Composting
2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Benefits of composting
• Mechanism of composting
• Phases of composting
• Organisms involved in composting
1. Bacteria
2. Actinomycetes
3. Fungi
4. Earthworms -:Vermicomposting
• Material required for composting
• Methods for composting
• Result and discussion
• Conclusion
• References
3. INTRODUCTION
• Composting is a waste managing biological process
• Microoganisms such as bacteria , fungi , and actinomycetes decomposes
organic matter into co2 ,water , heat and humus
• Compost -:compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and
recycled as fertilizer & soil amendent
• Composting can be either aerobic or anaerobic
• Aerobic composting requires oxygen while anerobic not
• Composting organisms requires 4 ingredients to work effectively -:1)carbon
2)nitrogen 3)oxygen 4)water
4. BENEFITS OF COMPOSTING
• Improves soil quality by adding nutrients such as nitrogen , phosphorus and
magnesium etc. –Soil conditioner
• Improve water holding capacity of soil
• Enhances structure and texture of soil
• Enables the soil to retain nutrients , moisture , & air – for plant growth
• Micronutrients such as Mn , Cu , Fe , & Zn also found in compost
Parameters in Composting
Carbon: nitrogen ratio 30:1
Ideal moisture 50 – 60%
Ph 6 – 8
Temperature 55 – 75°C (thermophile range)
Oxygen availability 5 -15
5. MECHANISMS OF COMPOSTING
• Composting is biochemical process
• Aerobic and anerobic microorganisms decomposes organic matter into valuable
manure –compost
Mesophilic state [25 – 30°c] promotes mesophilic microbes
Organic matter organic matter compost
temp 55 - 60°c [ C:N ratio 25:1]
[Thermophilic state - destroy pathogens]
Finally compost is made and utilize as fertilizer
Rich in nutrients –N , P , & C – for plants growth
6.
7. PHASES OF COMPOSTING
There are 3 phases for composting
1.Mesophilic phase
Mesophilic microorganisms rapidly breakdown the soluble & readily
degradable compounds
Temp range 10 – 40°c is considereed
2.Thermophilic phase
Temp raise & enters to thermophilic range
Temp range 40 – 70°c
High temp accelerate the breakdown of [proteins , fats ,starch ,cellulase &
hemicellulase ]
3.Curing or maturation phase
Temp cool down & mesophilic microbes once again
Almost all organic substrates are degraded
Final stage of aerobic composting
9. ORGANISMS INVOLVED IN COMPOSATING
BACTERIA
Smallest and most numerous
biological component
Responsible –decomposition & heat
generation in compost
Process start with mesophile
[predominant]
Bacteria –bacillus genus are
dominates mesophilic phase
E.g. of bactera – Bacillus brevis & B.
subtilis
10. Continue…..
Actinomycetes
Higher form filamentous bacteria &
resemble with fungi
Complex organic compounds – cellulose ,
lignin , chitin & proteins
Enzymes –chemically breakdown tough
debris [ woody stems , bark or news
paper]
Release –carbon , nitrogen & ammonia
[earthy smell of compost]
Some species appear in thermophilic
phase and others in curing phase
Decompose more resistant compounds
E.g. Actinobifida chromogena,
Microbispora bispora
11. Continue…..
Fungi
Responsible for decomposition of complex
plant polymers
complex polymers –polyromantic compounds
& plastics
Breaks tough debris & enables bacteria to
continue the process
Extremely dry , acidic , or low in nitrogen
dealt by fungi
Live on outer surface of compost as gray
colonies
Numerous in both phases –mesophilic &
thermophilic
E.g. Aspergillus fumigatus , Humicola grisea
13. Earthworms
Most important and large physical decomposers
Ingest organic matter & digest it with the help of tiny
stones [gizzards]
Leave dark & fertile casting
Each day casting =worms weight
Castings are rich in plant nutrients – N , Ca , Mg , & P
14. Suitable species of worms
Eisenia fetida Eisenia hortensis
Lumbricus
rubellus Eudrilus eugeniae Perionyx excavatus
15. Vermicomposting
Using worms to recycle food scraps & other organic material into
valuable soil amendment –vermicompost
Mesophilic process -earthworms & microbes active @ 10 -
32°C
Consume various organic waste & reduce the volume by
40-60%
Containing water-soluble nutrients
Vermicompost is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and
soil conditioner
16. MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR COMPOSTING
1.Weeds 1. Cow dung 1. Night soil
2.Stubbles bhusa 2. Buffalo dung 2. Street refuge
3.Crop residues 3. Poultry dung 3. Municipal refuse
4.Remments of fodder
Farm
refuses
Animal
dung
Town
refuse
17. Methods for composting
Indore method
Size of the pit :- Breadth 6 - 8 feet
Depth 2 - 3 feet
Length 10 feet or more as per requirement
Raw material :- mix plant residues , weeds , sugarcane leaves , grass
,wood ashes , bran etc. animal dung , water , urine soaked mud
Filling the composting pits :-spread dry waste with cattle
dung & soil in ratio of 4:2:1 upto 2 inch
Sprinkle water over material
Filled the pit with raw matter upto 1 feet above the ground
level
18. continue
• Turning –material is turned 3-4 times for proper aeration &
moisture
• First tuning :- 10-15 days after filling the pits
• Second turning :- 15 days after first turning
• Third turning :- after 2 months of second turning
Turning
19. Continue……
Bangalore method :
• Worked out by L.N. Acharya at Indian institute of science , Bangalore
• This method saves Labour cost
• No need of turning & regular sprinkling of water
Method of filling the composting pits :-
Spread moist farm refuse @bottom of the pit upto 1 inch
Then , spread cattle dung & urinated mud followed by 1 or 2 inch soil layer
Finally heap is made up up to 1.5 – 2 feet above ground level
Heap is covered with thick mud
20. After 8-9 months all material decomposes and
compost becomes ready for the application.
Bangalore
method
21. • Microorganisms degrades organic waste into nutrients
• Produce organic fertilizer – manure
• Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides & fertilizers
• Improve plant growth & water holding capacity of soil -conserve water
• Bacteria excreting N , P , Mg in soil & utilize by plants
• Compost used as soil amendment for agriculture
• Soil building & erosion control
• Good source of minerals & microorganisms
• Finally decomposed organic matter – HUMUS
• Reduces soil temp fluctuations
• Inc. water & nutrients holding capacity of soil
• Serve as nitrogen reservoir for plant
• Maintain C:N ration in soil – 30:1
22. conclusion
Converts raw organic matter into humus
Maintain high & healthy soil life level
Complex organic compounds breaks into simpler forms
Composting –best fitted waste managing option
Economically & environmentally sound method that avoids all
pollution concerns
23. References
Trautmann , Nancy , “CORNELL Composting –
Compost Microorganisms” CORNELL
Composting – Compost Microorganisms.
Cornell Waste Management Institute , Web. 13
Dec 2015
“Microbes in the compost pile.” Microbes in the
compost pile. Mansfield C. T. Web. 13 Dec 2015
David. R. Hershey , Sir Albert Howard an The
Indoor Process , 1992