Golf

Motorsport
Athletics
Cross Country
Others
Life and style
Twins
Bad Idea
NV TV
Pearl of Africa
Opportunities
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
Ugandan History
Special Edition
University Guide
Schools guide
Supplement
Epaper

Home
Agribusiness
Making quality compost for better crop yields

Monetise rural Bugisu for development

Previous Story

From an acre of land,Tumwebaze raises sh12m...

Next Story

Making quality compost for better crop yields

By Vision Reporter

Added 20th August 2012 07:36 PM

Compost manure is not only cheaper than inorganic fertilisers, but it also improves soil productivity by providing nutrients, improving soil
structure and increasing the water retention capacity of the soils.

By Francis Okot
 
Compost manure is not only cheaper than inorganic fertilisers, but it also improves soil productivity by providing nutrients, improving soil
structure and increasing the water retention capacity of the soils. 
 
A farmer can supplement inorganic fertiliser with compost. Compost is decayed organic material used as fertiliser. It is made using recycled
garden and kitchen waste. Two methods can be employed to make compost, pile and pit methods. 
In nine weeks the compost is ready for use. The preparation can be done throughout the year for continuous supply of compost manure.
 
Materials: Vegetative materials and farm waste such as maize stovers, soybean and bean stovers, finger millet, rice and sorghum straws. Other
materials include sweet potato vines, dry and green grass, lantana, leaves and stems of crotolaria and mucuna, animal and poultry wastes or
slurry/kitchen wastes.
 
How to make compost manure using pile method Dig a pit 45cm deep which could be either square or rectangular. Heap the soil on one side.
Put four poles (2m long) in each corner of the pit. After setting up the pit, chop the materials in small pieces and put the first layer. Pile up to
45cm deep then add10 litres of water.
 
Add a second layer of dry vegetation of hedge cuttings to about 20cm thick and add water then put a third layer of animal or poultry waste or
slurry, this provides microorganisms that are essential for decomposition. Also add ash as it contains essential minerals. Need
You canhelp? then add the ×
fourth layer (about 20cm thick), consisting of green materials from leguminous trees such as Calliandra, Leucaena and Tithonia. 
Our staff is always ready to
  help
Sprinkle topsoil up to 5cm thick. The soil contains bacteria, which helps in the decomposition. Repeat the placement of layers as in the steps
above starting with dry vegetation, then animal or poultry wastes/slurry, ash, green vegetation and topsoil. Remember to add water with every
layer. Live help is online...
 
The final pile should be 1.5-2m high at most with vertical sides and a flat top. To complete the pile, cover with a layer of 10cm thick of topsoil.
This prevents nutrients from escaping from the compost pile. Finally cover the whole compost pile with dry vegetation like banana leaves to
reduce moisture loss through evaporation.
 
Storage 
Store compost by covering with polythene bags or banana leaves or under a roof. Compost can be stored for three to six months
 
The writer works with Victoria Seeds Limited
 

Apply Humic Acid This Season - No Need For Extra

Tanks/Messes
Ad nebraskahumic.com

Automate your
Fertilization - Biofeeder
& Biofeed Fertilizer
Ad greenersolutionsfl.com

Cranes' Confidence Sky

High After Ivory Coast
Win
newvision.co.ug

Manure Pump Units -

Manure Management
Ad bazookafarmstar.com

Africa Cup Of Nations

Schedule
newvision.co.ug

Desabre Calls For Unity

As Cranes Arrive In Need help? ×
Our staff is always ready to
Egypt
help
newvision.co.ug

Live help is online...