The composting process through the eyes of a scientist (Part 2)

Composting involves the breakdown and transformation of bioavailable materials, in which microbial communities, i.e. unicellular and filamentous bacteria (actinomycetes or radionuclides) and eukaryotic fungi, play a major role. Composting consists of several stages, each with its own microbial composition. 

Thank you very much! The author of the article Prof. Dr. Erzsébet Karaffa (left) – University of Debrecen 👩‍🔬

Prof. Dr. Erzsébet Karaffa (left) and Dr. Csilla Kovács (right) Tricho Immun the inventors of our organic and chemical-free...

The mesophilic phase

In the initial, introductory stage, the compost temperature is higher than 25 °C (mesophilic phase). The present bacteria and fungi break down smaller molecules (e.g. sugars, amino acids). Bacteria at this stage may include plant, animal and human pathogens (e.g. pseudomonas, salmonella, E. coli), which die in the next high temperature stage, while mycorrhizal spores of the Glomeromycota group survive and are present in large numbers in the mature compost. The initial stage of filamentous fungi (tube and basidiomycete fungi, mycorrhizal fungi), and yeasts are also present.

Thermophilic phase characteristics

In the second stage, the temperature of the compost can rise up to 65 °C (thermophilic phase). This also called the degradation stage, where thermophilic microbes, which prefer high temperatures, break down various organic substances (fats, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin). At this stage, the diversity of microbes is reduced. The Gram-positive bacilli, which form the endospore (a thick-walled, resistant form of bacteria), clearly dominate. To achieve high temperatures, a humid environment, good air supply (aerobic processes take place) and the presence of sufficient nutrients on which the microbes can rapidly metabolize are necessary.

In the next, ripening or cooling stage, the compost temperature to a temperature suitable for its environment, and the compost will again be populated by mesophilic microbes, increasing the diversity of microbes. They will break down the residual sugars, cellulose and hemicellulose, and at this stage humic substances will be formed. 

Role of bacteria and fungi

The thick-walled, previously present, Gram-positive bacteria Species of the Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) phylum, and bacteria belonging to a phylum other than the Gram-negative phylum present in the initial stage (e.g. Flavobacterium, Cytophaga) are present in this stage. In addition to these, Gram-positive actinomycetes (Actinomycetota strain) are also involved in the degradation of organic matter.

The molecules they produce give the compost and the soil its characteristic "earthy smell". The filamentous mushrooms they also reappear. The enzymes they produce are the most efficient at breaking down the cellulose and lignin polymer molecules in plant residues into smaller molecules that are utilised by other microbial groups, especially the abundant bacteria.

Benefits of composting in soil

Composting helps sustainable cultivation by breaking down plant waste, which is transformed into nutrients that can be re-used by plants. On the other hand the compost applied increases the diversity of microbes in the soil (biodiversity) and helps to maintain microbial communities important for soil life, and reproduction. 

The use of compost can increase the mycorrhizal. At the same time, the use of compost reduces the number of plant pathogens that can be transmitted from the soil.

Danuba Garden support in composting

To help speed up the composting process, both in the compost bin and in the compost heap mulching process, theIno Bact N-Cell which makes the degradation process more efficient by using two strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens bacteria. 

The bacteria in it use the organic matter in the compost and soil, such as stalk residues, to build their bodies, and they capture a significant amount of nitrogen from the air for this decomposition process. This is why it is important to have an airy compost. This way, when these bacteria die, this nitrogen will be in organic fixation, i.e. it will not be washed out of the upper root zone, but will be available for use by the plants. So with the finished compost, we can enrich our soil with organic matter and easily absorbed nitrogen.

The preparation can be dissolved in 0.5 dl/10 l of water and used for 1 m³ of compost or 200 m² of surface area. The treatment can be repeated after a few months.

This bacteria-containing product works best in moist but aerated compost, so it is best to water and agitate/loosen it.

📰 Ha érdekel a komposztálás, ne hagyd ki Nelli kolléganőnk composting 1×1 nor his article!