PDC LESSON 7.7 COMPOST – HOW DECOMPOSTING TAKE PLACE

 

PERMACULTURE COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

PDC LESSON 7.7 COMPOST – HOW DECOMPOSTING TAKE PLACE


How decomposition takes place 

 

Almost immediately the action starts. Psychrophiles start working at 6° C.  These start to digest carbon compounds and will alter the chemical state of organic matter giving of small amounts of energy that will eventually raise the temperature of the pile for the next group of bacteria to thrive- mesophiles, a mid-temperature bacterium that thrive at 20-44 °C.  

These do the most work at decomposing the heap. Even if the heap does not reach higher temperatures than this it does not really matter as most decomposition takes place at this temperature. Larger creatures such as worms and insects are working in tandem with the mesophiles breaking down organic matter into smaller pieces by eating and digesting it. It becomes easier if matter has been shredded beforehand where more surface area is exposed to the bacteria and decomposition will speed up. 

 

If conditions are right- enough air, water, carbon/ nitrogen balance and the pile is big enough, the temperature will rise even further to 44- 70 oC by the thermophiles. 

Decomposition is now in full swing, and the heat can get very intense. The thermophiles can maintain this temperature for 3- 5 days before dying back. Turning the compost heap at this stage will provide a new fix of oxygen and a new cycle can happen again. Up to 3-4 times. 

The advantage of such a temperature is that disease and weed seeds are destroyed. Once the heat drops back down again the microbial activity starts to decrease and other organisms take over to complete the breaking down process. At these mid temperatures the fungi such as actinomycetes and streptomyces are at work producing natural antibiotics that keep disease at bay. You know these organisms are present when you see white cobwebby structures- a sign of good healthy compost. In perfect conditions the compost can be ready in 6 weeks, but it will more likely be several months. 

If compost is used very fresh, it can still have nitrogen draw down as it is still decomposing instead of being able to give it to the plants. 

Text from the roots, Elisabeth Ferkonia (Aus.) PDC studied with Bill Mollison, 



 

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