COMPOST

PAPER OF ENGLISH 3

PRESENTED BY :
Group : IV
Guhartini
HikmaTuriya
Julian Irawan
Dwi Indah Mayasari

(NIM 061430401224)
(NIM 061430401225)
(NIM 061430401226)
(NIM 061430401989)

Class : 3.KC
LECTURE

: Dra. Risnawati, M.Pd

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTEMENT

STATE POLYTECHNIC OF SRIWIJAYA

2016

COMPOST

I.

DEFINITION
Compost (/kmpst/ or /kmpost/) is organic matter that has been

decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key

ingredient in organic farming. At the simplest level, the process of composting
simply requires making a heap of wetted organic matter known as green waste
(leaves, food waste) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after
a period of weeks or months. Modern, methodical composting is a multi-step,
closely monitored process with measured inputs of water, air, and carbon- and
nitrogen-rich materials. The decomposition process is aided by shredding the plant
matter, adding water and ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the
mixture. Worms and fungi further break up the material. Bacteria requiring
oxygen to function (aerobic bacteria) and fungi manage the chemical process by
converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide and ammonium. The ammonium
(NH4) is the form of nitrogen used by plants. When available ammonium is not
used by plants it is further converted by bacteria into nitrates (NO3) through the
process of nitrification.
Compost is rich in nutrients. It is used in gardens, landscaping,
horticulture, and agriculture. The compost itself is beneficial for the land in many
ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, addition of vital humus or humic
acids, and as a natural pesticide for soil. In ecosystems, compost is useful for
erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill
cover (see compost uses). Organic ingredients intended for composting can
alternatively be used to generate biogas through anaerobic digestion.

II.

NUTRIENTS
Organic matter is transformed into compost through the work of

microorganisms, soil fauna, enzymes and fungi. When making compost, your job
is to provide the best possible environment for these beneficial organisms to do
their work. If you do so, the decomposition process works very rapidly
sometimes in as little as two weeks. If you don't provide the optimum
environment, decomposition will still happen, but it may take from several
months to several years. The trick to making an abundance of compost in a short
time is to balance the following four things:
a) Carbon
Carbon-rich materials are the energy food for microorganisms. You can
identify high-carbon plant materials because they are dry, tough, or
fibrous, and tan or brown in color. Examples are dry leaves, straw, rotted
hay, sawdust, shredded paper, and cornstalks.
b) Nitrogen
High-nitrogen materials provide the protein-rich components that
microorganisms require to grow and multiply. Freshly pulled weeds, fresh
grass clippings, over-ripe fruits and vegetables, kitchen scraps and other
moist green matter are the sorts of nitrogen-rich materials you'll probably
have on hand. Other high-protein organic matter includes kelp meal,
seaweed, manure and animal by-products like blood or bone meal.
c) Water
Moisture is very important for the composting process. But too much
moisture will drown the microorganisms, and too little will dehydrate
them. A general rule of thumb is to keep the material in your compost pile
as moist as a well-wrung sponge. If you need to add water (unchlorinated
is best), insert your garden hose into the middle of the pile in several
places, or sprinkle the pile with water next time you turn it. Using an

enclosed container or covering your pile with a tarp will make it easier to
maintain the right moisture level.
d) Oxygen
To do their work most efficiently, microorganisms require a lot of oxygen.
When your pile is first assembled, there will probably be plenty of air
between the layers of materials. But as the microorganisms begin to work,
they will start consuming oxygen. Unless you turn or in some way aerate
your compost pile, they will run out of oxygen and become sluggish.
III.

BENEFITS
A) Compost contains a full spectrum of essential plant nutrients. You can
test the nutrient levels in your compost and soil to find out what other
supplements it may need for specific plants.
Compost contains macro and micronutrients often absent in

synthetic fertilizers.
Compost releases nutrients slowlyover months or years, unlike

synthetic fertilizers
Compost enriched soil retains fertilizers better. Less fertilizer runs

off to pollute waterways.

Compost buffers the soil, neutralizing both acid & alkaline soils,
bringing pH levels to the optimum range for nutrient availability to

plants.
B) Compost helps bind clusters of soil particles, called aggregates, which
provide good soil structure. Such soil is full of tiny air channels &
pores that hold air, moisture and nutrients.
Compost helps sandy soil retain water and nutrients.
Compost loosens tightly bound particles in clay or silt soil so roots

can spread, water drain & air penetrate.

Compost alters soil structure, making it less likely to erode, and

prevents soil spattering on plantsspreading disease.

Compost can hold nutrients tight enough to prevent them from
washing out, but loosely enough so plants can take them up as

needed.
C) Compost brings and feeds diverse life in the soil. These bacteria, fungi,
insects, worms and more support healthy plant growth.

Compost bacteria break down organics into plant available

nutrients. Some bacteria convert nitrogen from the air into a plant

available nutrient.
Compost enriched soil have lots of beneficial insects, worms and

other organisms that burrow through soil keeping it well aerated.

Compost may suppress diseases and harmful pests that could

overrun poor, lifeless soil.

D) Healthy soil is an important factor in protecting our waters. Compost
increases soils ability to retain water & decreases runoff. Runoff
pollutes water by carrying soil, fertilizers and pesticides to nearby
streams.
Compost encourages healthy root systems, which decrease run off
Compost can reduce or eliminate use of synthetic fertilizers
Compost can reduce chemical pesticides since it contains
beneficial microorganisms that may protect plants from diseases
and pests.

IV.

INGREDIENTS
a. Manure

Manure is organic matter, mostly derived from animal feces except in the
case of green manure, which can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture.
Manure contribute tothe fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and
nutrients, such as Nitrogen, that are trapped by bacteria in the soil. Higher
organisms then feed on the fungi and bacteria in a chain of life that comprises the
soil food web. It is alsoa product obtained after decomposition of organic matter
like cow dung which replenishes the soil with essential elements and add humus
to the soil.
b. Vegetables Waste

Vegetables waste and food waste sealed in a plastic bag on a landfill site
doesn't decompose properly. Instead, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas,
which contributes to global warming, as well as a liquid, leachate, which can
contaminate water supplies.
Composting your kitchen food waste is easy and requires little time, effort
or space, depending on which system you use. The compost is invaluable for the
soil in your garden or potted plants: It's a complete and natural food for the soil,
helping to improve its structure, water-retaining abilities and overall health.
Worm composting is small enough to keep on a balcony, patio or in a
porch, so it's ideal if you don't have much outside space. It's also one of the
cleanest, neatest and easiest composting systems to use. A ready-made kit
provides both the bin with its lid and the worms. As you fill each layer with small
amounts of scraps and leftovers, the worms work their way up through the layers,

eating the waste (they consume up to half of their body weight a day). It's this
action that speeds up the composting process, leaving you with rich, dark compost
in the lowest tray after only a few months. After you've emptied out the compost,
the empty tray can be placed on top of the stack and filled with more food waste.
The liquid that collects at the bottom of the bin should be siphoned off regularly,
but it makes a wonderful tonic for your plants when diluted 1:10 with water. Store
it in screw-top wine bottles until you need to use it.
If you regularly add a few handfuls of chopped food waste and shredded
dry fiber (cardboard is best), ensure good air circulation, a fairly constant
temperature and prevent water logging, this efficient composting system should
last for years
c. Dry Leaves

Dry leaves contains nitrogen or protein-rich matter to provides raw

materials for making enzymes for compost. A healthy compost pile should have
much more carbon and nitrogen such as from vegetables waste and dry leaves.
A simple ruleof thumbs is to use one-third green and two-third brown
materials.the bulkiness of the brown materials allows oxygen to penetrate and
nourish the organismsthat reside there. Too much nitrogen make for a dense,
smelly, slowly decomposting anaerobic mass.
Good composting hygiene means covering fresh nitrogen-rich materials,
which can release odors if exposed to open air, with carbon-rich material, which
often exudes a fresh, wonderfull smell. If in doubt, add more carbon.

d. Sawdust

Sawdust actually makes a great amendment for your compost pile, as it

will add a filler that is somewhat absorptive and will wick up water from rain and
juices from the green material, which help with the composting process.
It does not matter what kind of wood your sawdust is from. Sawdust from
all types of trees, soft or hard, can be used in your compost pile.
The one thing to be mindful of is if you will be composting sawdust
from chemically treated wood. In this case, you will want to take a few extra steps
to ensure that these chemicals work their way out of the compost before you use it
in your vegetable garden. The best way to do this is to just douse your compost
pile with water a few extra times during the summer. This, along with normal
rainfall, should leech any harmful chemicals out of your compost pile and will
dilute the chemicals being leeched out to levels that will not harm the surrounding
area. Composting sawdust is an excellent way to reclaim some value from what
otherwise would be a waste product. Think of it as using one hobby to feed
another.
e. EM4

An effective microorganism (EM) refers to any of the predominantly

anaerobic organisms blended in commercial agricultural amendments or of
environmental applications such as for septic tanks.
EM technology is purported to support sustainable practices in farming,
improve composting operations, and to reduce environmental pollution. Many of
the

so-called

"pit

additives"

used

for

improving

the

performance

of sanitation systems, namely pit latrines, septic tanks and wastewater treatment
plants, are also based on effective microorganisms. Despite the claims made by
manufacturers, available studies which have used scientific methods to investigate
these additives have come to the conclusion that long-term beneficial effects are
not proven. Effective Microorganisms that distinguishes it from other microbial
blends is the phototropic strain of bacteria called rhodopsuedomonas palustris
an ancient group of beneficial microbes known to break down and digest toxic
substances. This unique ingredient has been shown to produce a broad variety of
antioxidant by products including: inositol, ubiquinone, saponin, low-molecular
polysaccharides, polyphenols, and chelates of minerals. These antioxidant
alliances act to promote natural defense systems that suppress the growth of
detrimental bacteria.
V.

EQUIPMENT
a. Plastic Drum
The Function of Plastic Drum is to mix all ingredients together.

b. Polybag
The function of polybag is for puting the finished compost and also to
a germination test.

c. Shovel
The function of shovel to stir all the ingredients to mix.

d. Knife
The function of a knife is to chop all ingredients.

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e. Bucket
The function of the bucket to wash all the ingredients that should be in
the clear.

f. Balance
The function of balance is for balancing the componens all of the
ingredients of compost.

VI.

PROCEDURE
1. Collect waste vegetables, dry leaves and sawdust into one.
2. Cut into pieces waste vegetables and dry leaves about 2-5 cm/section.
These cuts are necessary to accelerate the decomposition process.
3. After all leaves cut, and then immersed it in the EM4 for a few
seconds.
4. Put manure approximately 1/3 part into the plastic drum.
5. Enter the leaves into the plastic drum.
6. Watering with EM4.
7. Stir the components until clearly.
8. Enter into polybag.
9. Close the polybag.
10. Mix the composition once every 2 weeks and give water every 3
days to accelerate the growth of these materials.

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