Rapid Composting Technology in the Philippines: Its Role in Producing Good-Quality Organic Fertilizers

 

Virginia C. Cuevas
Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS),
College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines at Los Baños,
College, Laguna, Philippines, 1997-10-01

Abstract

Rapid composting technology involves inoculating the plant substrates used for composting with cultures of Trichoderma harziamum, a cellulose decomposer fungus. The fungus, grown in a medium of sawdust mixed with the leaves of ipil ipil, is called compost fungus activator (CFA). There must be favorable conditions for the decay process, such as adequate moisture, an appropriate initial C:N ratio of substrates, and aeration. The composting period is shortened to just four weeks. The transfer of this technology to Filipino farmers through a National Program is described. Constraints in technology transfer, economic benefits from the use of compost processed through this technology, and other benefits attributed to the technology are explained. Soil fertility problems in the Philippines, and official fertilizer recommendations, are discussed, together with how the use of compost processed through the rapid composting technology might address these fertility problems.....

(Link:  http://agnet.org/library.php?func=view&id=20110804171753 )

 

Commercial Compost

When commercially-produced compost is used, 500 - 750 kg/ha should be applied (10 - 15 bags, 50 kgs each) as basal fertilizer. As with the farm compost, half of the recommended level of chemical fertilizers should be applied 30 - 45 days after transplanting.
It can be seen that the recommended level of compost to be applied by farmers when they make it themselves is higher than when commercial compost is used. Experience has shown that the compost produced on farms has a very low N, P and K content, because only small amounts of nitrogenous substrates are used for composting. Table 1(573) shows that farmers' compost contained only 1% of N, P and K. Farmers have difficulty in obtaining large amounts of animal manure. Filipino farmers do not usually confine their draft animals in feedlots, but graze them in the open field, which makes it difficult to collect the livestock manure.
Commercially produced compost is regulated by the FPA. For a product to be registered as a commercial organic fertilizer, it must contain a total of at least 7% of the three main elements, N, P and K, and at least 10% carbon. The National Program requires that of this 7%, the N content is not lower than 1.5%, while P and K make up the remainder. Thus, commercial compost has a much higher N, P and K content than the compost produced by most farmers. To compensate for the low nutrient content of compost produced on farms, larger quantities of the fertilizer are therefore recommended.