Pit compost

About an easy composting method , pit composting

1. 1 Pit Composting Group 2

2. Group members Name Index No F Arham AG/GT/2012/3484 AAS Farwin AG/GT/2012/3485 K Sharmilan AG/GT/2012/3487 WCS Wanasinghe AG/GT/2012/3490 RWN Kumara AG/GT/2012/3492 AAMJ Sanistan AG/GT/2012/3493 M Edison AG/GT/2012/3494 K Jamunakavi AG/GT/2012/3496 YKS Sandaruwan AG/GT/2012/3498 UWU Lakmali AG/GT/2012/3499 AGDS Sirisena AG/GT/2012/3500 HMCN Herath AG/GT/2012/3501 AWI Chathurangi AG/GT/2012/3502 RMPCS Rathnayaka AG/GT/2012/3503 LC Paranagamage AG/GT/2012/3504 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 2

3. Content 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 3 Introduction Sources which can be used to pit method Location selection Pit making Method Vermicomposting Well made compost Factors affects pit composting Advantages of Pit method Disadvantages of Pit method

4. Introduction We need an increase of food production for the rapidly growing world population. But the people consider only about increasing the quantity not the quality. Chemicals used to increase agricultural production have negative impacts ecologically, economically and socially. The best alternative for that is using organic chemicals instead of inorganic fertilizers. Composting is one way to produce manure in a green way domestically as well as large scale Agriculture. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 4

5. What is compost? An organic stable manure produced by the soil microbes activity on organic matter. It is a natural manure. Can be used as a nutrient source and a mulch. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 5

6. Compost composition Water 75% Organic matter 22% Salts 3% Nitrogen 0.3-06 % Phosphorous 0.2 % Potassium 0.15 – 0.4 % 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 6

7. Composting methods Pit method Barrel method Heap method Fence method …different methods in different countries 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 7

8. Composting is an effective and environmentally friendly solution for turning yard waste and kitchen scraps into a beneficial soil amendment. The traditional method of composting calls for the creation of a large compost pile located outdoors. However, if this method is too unsightly or too cumbersome for you, you can explore alternatives to the compost pile. One alternative is to make a compost pit. This underground method of composting, sometimes also called " trench composting ," is a compact and tidy way to help your organic waste decompose and enrich your soil. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 8

9. Sources which can be used to pit method Agricultural waste- dung , straw ,maize waste Industrial waste- paper , card board Domestic waste- vegetable ,Egg shells ,fruits Not to use- Polythene , plastic , yoghurt cups and any artificially made thing 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 9

10. Location selection By making the pit close to the crop waste, you can reduce the transport cost S hould find a hard soil because if there is a loose soil, nutrients are infiltrated into the soil . Access to water Access to raw material 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 10

11. Not to do…… In region of low temperature. In low rainfall. In high Rainfall, water is collected in the pit. Hence the soil microorganisms don’t get sufficient O 2 amount for activity as well nutrients can be washed out from the rain. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 11

12. Pit making 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 12 Top Length 2m Depth 0.5m Bottom Length 1.5m Dig the hole for your compost pit.  Your compost hole should be about 0.5m deep. The area of the hole will be determined by the amount of organic matter you want to add. Sizes can be vary according to the requirement.

13. Method First a mulching layer for 1 inch width is put inside the pit. For that straw, saw dust , husks can be used . The other things which are used to make compost such as giricedia , cowpea , ground nut , Albesia leaves are dried under light sun. B etter if you can cut those in to small pieces. Make sure your carbon-rich materials (such as paper and dried leaves) are mixed thoroughly with your nitrogen-rich materials (like vegetable scraps and fresh grass clippings) Inoculant nutrients are made in liquid form. For that, Dung 22.5 kg ( 1 bucket ) Ash 2.5 kg ( 2 hands full ) Well digested compost manure 4.5Kg 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 13

14. Method Cont This mixture is dissolved in 4.45L of water ( ̴ 3 buckets) . A portion of processed mixture is poured in to the cover layer inside the pit. Then an organic layer and pour some water Again the inoculant nutrient pour and pour some water This is repeated until it reaches 2 inches above the ground level. Water should be poured for each layer . This pouring should be done as water flowing out . Underground compost decomposes slowly, because it doesn't have access to as much fresh oxygen as aboveground piles. To speed the process, ensure the area stays fairly wet. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 14

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16. Method Cont After the pit is full , it is compacted well , Finally it is covered from a 2 inches width soil layer. Then apply a clay layer or else keep a black polythene and keep a weight over it . To avoid infiltration of rainfall, there should be a shade to be enough to cover the whole pot . This mixture in the pit should be turned and stirred well in 2 nd week , 4 th week and 2 nd month. After 2 and half months we can use the compost. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 16

17. Actions should be taken to apply enough water in dry periods cover the compost pit from coconut leaves or polythene to avoid absorbing excess leaves in rainy seasons. 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 17

18. Vermicomposting in Pit Method of preparation Selection of Earthworms Size of pit convenient size= 2m*1m*1m Preparation of Vermin-bed It should consist of bottom - Broken bricks and sand layer (5 cm) up - A thick layer of good loamy soil (15-20 cm) This layer is inhabitated by earthworms 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 18

19. Vermicomposting in Pit Cont Inoculation of Earthworms About 100 worms are introduced to the above size pit. Organic layering It should consist of : A fresh cattle dung layer on the vermin bed Dry leaves or hay layer - 5 cm Then it should be watered without flooding 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 19

20. Vermicomposting in Pit Cont Wet Organic Layering After 4 weeks from the preparations, a moist/organic waste layer (5 cm) This addition can be repeated every 3-4 days Then it should be mixed properly, without disturbing to the vermin-bed Harvesting the Vermicompost Rate of application mature vermicompost is recommended at 5 tonnes /ha 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 20

21. Well made compost.. Dark in color Pleasant odor Some moisture Homogeneous 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 21

22. Factors affects pit composting Feedstock Moisture Soil microbes Aeation 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 22

23. Advantages of Pit method Completely remove disagreeable odor Simple mechanism Inexpensive Easy to manipulate No need of big attention High temperature inside the pit kills the pathogens No bothersome animals are spread 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 23

24. Disadvantages of Pit method Labor intensive Not enough practical knowledge with farmers Time consuming Cannot be practiced in high rainfall regions Not enough aeration inside the pit 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 24

25. Reference li, ueKsla Menaka Fernando S. Subhasinghe http:// www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Compost-Pit Vermicomposting for Sustainable agriculture By P.K.Gupta 9/28/2014 Pit Composting | Green Technology 25