Chemical Properties of Mature Compost in Growth Media

Question:

Discuss About The Affects Germination Container Growth Media?

The process of composting is a biological term used to describe the process of organic decomposition under certain controlled aerobic conditions. The compost under consideration is made up of backyard and household organic waste which after maturity is used in container growth media top help in the germination of plants grown in the container. The mature compost for this research will be used in the germination container where vegetables are grown so as to determine the effects of the mature compost on the germination in the growth media.

During the process of composting, there is a breakdown and transformation of organic waste by aerobic micro-organisms into complex organic substances. A mature composed changes the following properties of the soil in the container growth media which in turn affects the germination of the plants:

Chemical Properties: There is an observable change in the pH of the compost as it attains its maturity which is as a result of break-down and formation of organic acids through processes of nitrification and ammonification. The rise in the pH provides a conducive condition for the germination of seeds in the container growth media (Manser, 2013, p. 147).

Physical Properties: Some of the physical properties of the container growth media that will be improved when mature compost is on it applied include the temperature of the soil, the moisture content of the soil, and soil aeration. These physical properties are improved by the application of the mature compost in the container growth media. The composted manure approves the water holding capacity of the soil making water to be available for the seeds during the germination process (Christensen, 2015, p. 214).

Biological Properties: The biological activities that take place in the compost as performed by the enzymes such as arylsulphatase, phosphatase, glucosidase, urease, and dehydrogenase. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down of large substances into a form which can be absorbed by the seeds to assist in germination (Epstein, 2016, p. 158). 

Mature composed has more advantages than the natural soil in the container growth media such as recycling of biosolid waste, the slower rate of mineralization, and reduced volume. The mature composed will be involved in the supplying the seeds germinating with nutrients and organic matter. The organic matter is very critical in the improving of biological, chemical and psychology properties of the soil in which the seeds will be germinating in. The structure of the soil in the container can be improved through bidding between the clay particles and the organic matter by cation bridges and by root growth and microbial activity stimulation (Gold, 2014, p. 168).

Physical Properties of Mature Compost in Growth Media

The organic matter can also improve the structure of the soil indirectly by improving the activities of the microorganisms and hence production of fungal hyphae and microbial slimes which binds the aggregates together. The organic matter is an important nutrients reservoir and has the ability to retain the nutrients which will be used in the germination of seeds in the container.  The mature compost will also be important improving the water holding capability of the soil and water availability for the germinating seeds. The compost has also prevented the nutrients from leaching, reducing evaporation and erosion, preventing diseases that might attack the seeds before germination or during the process of germination (Haug, 2011, p. 178).

The compost also releases fertilisers slowly for a long duration which will help the seeds during the process of germination until they seeds will grow to maturity. The application of compost affects the level of pH. A mature compost normally has alkaline or neutral pH, an addition of compost from manure will lead to decrease or increase on pH of the soil. A good soil structure favours the movement of gasses and water in the soils and proper growth of roots of the germinating seeds. The introduction of mature compost improves the level of Gram-positive bacterial which helps in soil denitrification by improving the density of ammonia in the soil (Heribert, 2012, p. 154).

Schematic diagram of compost mineralization after being applied on germination in growth container media (Parr, 2014, p. 165).

The application of the matures compost in the germination container also have some negative effects on the germinating seeds such as reduction in the level of nitrogen in the soil, inhibit the germination of seeds, and nuisance or unpleasant odour.  

The two common methods that can be used in applying mature composts in germination in container growth media include mulching and incorporation. In the process of compost incorporation, there is an increase in soil microbe’s accessibility and also contact with the roots of plants hence affecting the carbon and nitrogen in the soil. Mulching can be used in dry areas where there if fear of water loss through the process of evaporation (Kerr, 2010, p. 168).

The projects will need three individuals to perform the work effectively. The research team will involve two laboratory technicians and one scientist. Table 1 below shows an outline of the tasks required for every member of the research team:

The technician will be involved in the collection of beans seeds and mature compost since it is possible for them to have access to mature compost due to their involvement in compost preparations. The mixing of container growth media with mature compost involves the skills investigation and analyses which will be critical in the determination of the correct ration of soil and compost to be used. The data analysis and making conclusion will be specifically done by the scientist who is required to have skills like analysing, evaluation, classification, comparing, and contrasting (Silver, 2012, p. 192).

Biological Properties of Mature Compost in Growth Media

This section of methodology outlines the stages required in conducting the research on how the compost maturity affects the germination in container growth media for Australian farmers, a description of the procedure of testing and the equipment and tools required to complete the research. The equipment and materials are shown in the table below:

Table 2: The summary of materials needed

Table 3: Summary of equipment needed

Step 1: Two containers of volume 55L are filled with clay soil and the first one labelled container 1 and the second one labelled container 2. Both of the containers are made to be a media of germination through ensuring that the soil is at the right pH and moisture content. The seeds to be used should also be tested to ensure that they have the ability to germinate. The mature compost was gotten from the already prepared compost pit and ready for utilization. Container 1 was mixed with the mature compost it the right ratio of 1 shovel of clay soil to 1 shovel of compost. Container 1 was not mixed with mature compost rather was left with only germination media of clay soil, moisture, oxygen, and sunlight (Redwood, 2013, p. 157).

Step 2: The beans seeds were then planted in both container 1 and container 2 and both the containers exposed to right conditions for germination to take place. These conditions include sunlight, oxygen, and moisture.

Step 4: After 24 hours, the seeds were observed in the rates of germination of the seeds in container 1 and container 2. The observation was majorly focused on the development of parts of the seeds which include cotyledon, hypocotyl, radicle, and epicotyl. The observation and measurement of these parts were done after every 24 hours and the data recorded (Silver, 2012, p. 201).

Step 5: The dimension of the developed parts of the germinating seeds were measured using the micrometre screw gauge during the early stage of developments to find out which container have the germinating seeds with faster development of cotyledon, hypocotyl, radicle, and epicotyl (Stoffella, 2015, p. 236).

Step 6: The results gotten from the evaluation of the germination rate in both container 1 and container 2 were analysed depending on the rate of growth of cotyledon, hypocotyl, radicle, and epicotyl.

The results of the number of seeds which germinated for both container 1 and container 2 were analysed and then tabulated at every 24 hours. The percentage rate of germination for each container was determined and results analysed.

Advantages of Mature Compost in Container Growth Media

From the results above, it is clear that container 1 had the highest rate of germination compared to container 2. This is because container 1 was mixed with mature compost while container 2 was left with only other growth media. The mature composed will be involved in the supplying the seeds germinating with nutrients and organic matter. The organic matter is very critical in the improving of biological, chemical and physical properties of the soil in which the seeds will be germinating in. The structure of the soil in the container can be improved through bidding between the clay particles and the organic matter by cation bridges and by root growth and microbial activity stimulation (Maheshwari, 2016, p. 158).

A mature compost normally has alkaline or neutral pH, an addition of compost from manure will lead to decrease or increase on pH of the soil. A good structure of soil favours the transfer of gas and water in the soils, and growth of roots for the germinating seeds. The incorporation of mature compost increases the level of Gram-positive bacterial, denitrifies in the soil, and the density of ammonia (Jianming, 2010, p. 167)

Day 1 to day 2: Preparing the tools and setting up the equipment

Day 2 to day 5: performing the experiment

Day 6: Gathering the data and plotting graph

Day 7 to day 9: Analysing the experiment and performing the experiment again

Day 10 to day 12: Makin conclusion and writing report from the experiment

Conclusion

The major objective of this research proposal is to find out how the compost maturity affects the germination in container growth media for Australian farmers who are interested in using compost which is mature in farming and how the end products of compost will affect the germination in container growth media. The process of composting is a biological term used to describe the process of organic decomposition under certain controlled aerobic conditions. The compost under consideration is made from the backyard and household organic waste which after attaining maturity is used in container growth media to help in the germination of seeds grown in the container.

References

Acton, Q, 2014. Issues in Agriculture and the Environment: 2013 Edition. London: ScholarlyEditions.

Manser, A. K., 2013. Practical Handbook of Processing and Recycling Municipal Waste. Toledo: Accounting.

Christensen, K. K., 2015. Development of a Nordic System for Evaluating the Sanitary Quality of Compost. Berlin: Nordic Council of Ministers.

Epstein, E., 2016. The Science of Composting. Toledo: CRC Press.

Gold, M. V., 2014. Compost. London: DIANE Publishing.

Haug, R. T., 2011. The Practical Handbook of Compost Engineering. London: CRC Press.

Heribert, I., 2012. Microbes at Work: From Wastes to Resources. Paris: Springer Science & Business Media.

Heribert, N, 2013. Microbiology of Composting. Colorado: Springer Science & Business Media.

Hiu-lian X, 2014. Nature Farming and Microbial Applications. Michigan: CRC Press.

Howard, W., 2012. Research for small farms: proceedings of the special symposium: invited papers presented at a symposium held November 15-18, 1981, at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland. Melbourne: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

Jianming, H., 2010. Functions of Natural Organic Matter in Changing Environment. Colorado: Springer Science & Business Media.

Kerr, H. W., 2010. Research for small farms: proceedings of the special symposium. Michigan: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

Maheshwari, D. K., 2016. Composting for Sustainable Agriculture. Michigan: management

Mansour, A. A., 2014. Effect of Extracted Humus on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Corn. New York: American University of Beirut. Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Interfaculty Graduate Environmental Sciences Program.

Stoffella, K., 2015. Compost Utilization In Horticultural Cropping Systems. Perth: CRC Press.

Redwood, M., 2013. Agriculture in Urban Planning: Generating Livelihoods and Food Security. Paris: Earthscan.

The United States. Dept. of Agriculture, 2016. Miscellaneous Publication. New York: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Silver, E. S., 2012. Practical Application of Azolla for Rice Production. Michigan: Springer Science & Business Media.