Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 12.1 Schematic diagram representation of compost process
that cool down resulting to obtain maturing stages. Thermal techniques been suc-
cessfully developed for assessment of compost maturity based on comparative
method via evaluating organic material (OM) transformation of lignocellulosic ma-
terials in-process (Dell'Abate et al. 1998 , 2000 ). The final compost product, humus,
consists of the resistant parts of the organic wastes, some breakdown products, plus
dead and living micro-organisms. For the process to give a satisfactory compost
product, the organisms must be given optimum conditions of food, air, moisture and
temperature (Pivato et al. 2013 ).
12.5
Enrichment Process
Non harvested plant residues particular non-lignified tissues of such as leaves,
stems, branches and roots constitute the residues from the production of food and
fiber. These plant residues are recycled in soil through composting, mulching or
direct incorporation into soil. Since, plant residues contain all the elements, their
addition increase the nutrients status of the soil and crop productivity (Vimal and
Talashilkar 1986 ). Compost is the store house of major plant nutrients (NPK) as
well as micronutrients. It safeguards the rural and public health and maintains the
quality of environment at extreamly low cost (Gaur 1984 ).
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the major plant nutrients derive from the
soil for plant growth and development. These nutrients are supplied to the soil ei-
ther through mineral fertilizers or by supplementing the soil with compost. Of these
three nutrients, nitrogen is most important for growth as it is the key block of protein
molecule upon which life is based, and thus it is the most indispensable component
of the protoplasm of plant, animals and microorganisms. Despite of its critical role
in the plant nutrition, nitrogen is assimilated almost entirely in the inorganic state as
nitrate or ammonium. On the other hand, the bulk of nitrogenous materials found in
the soil added in the form of plants. Microorganisms degrade these complex organic
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