In organic farming, a wide variety of materials are available for soil fertilization and improvement, including farmyard manure, commercial organic fertilizers, microbial fertilizers, and mineral fertilizers.
▲ Characteristics and Usage of Human Manure Fertilizer
Human manure fertilizer, a nitrogen-based organic fertilizer, is characterized by rapid decomposition and significant fertilizer efficiency. However, it contains relatively low levels of nutrients such as organic matter, phosphorus, and potassium, limiting its soil improvement potential and making it more suitable for use as a fast-acting fertilizer. It is important to note that human manure fertilizer contains a large number of pathogens and parasite eggs, so it must be adequately stored and fermented to ensure that the nutrients are converted to fast-acting forms and effectively absorbed by crops. Furthermore, it is important to avoid adding alkaline substances such as wood ash and lime during the decomposition process to prevent nitrogen loss through conversion to ammonia. Furthermore, the sun-drying process also results in significant nitrogen loss and potential environmental pollution, making this method unsuitable.
When applying human manure fertilizer, you can combine it with highly absorbent materials such as hay, fallen leaves, and peat to reduce nitrogen loss. This fertilizer can be used as a base fertilizer, applying 500-1000 kg per mu (approximately 1.5 acres). It can also be used as a topdressing fertilizer on dry land, but it should be diluted 3-4 times before application and mulching. For paddy fields, it should be diluted 2-3 times after drainage and applied by pouring. Combined with tillage to evenly absorb the fertilizer into the soil, water again after 2-3 days. It is important to avoid excessive application to chlorine-sensitive crops such as potatoes, melons, and sugar beets.
To further improve soil fertility, it is recommended to combine human manure fertilizer with organic fertilizers such as manure and compost. Avoid applying this fertilizer to leafy vegetables, tubers, and root crops. When using it on other plants, ensure it is fully decomposed and decontaminated, and keep it separate from edible parts of the plant.
▲ Composition and Function of Manure
Manure, also known as stable manure, is a fertilizer made by mixing livestock manure and various bedding materials. Its composition varies depending on the type of livestock, feeding conditions, and bedding materials used. Generally, manure is rich in organic matter, averaging 25%, along with 0.5% nitrogen, 0.25% total phosphorus (P2O5), and 0.6% total potassium (K2O). Under the same bedding materials, sheep manure has the highest nutrient content, followed by horse manure, and then pig and cattle manure. The nutrients in fresh manure are primarily organic compounds such as cellulose and hemicellulose, with a high C/N ratio. It requires composting to be effectively absorbed by crops.
Because manure is rich in organic matter, it has significant long-lasting effects and improves soil quality, especially in promoting soil maturation in low-yield fields. Because its nutrients are released slowly, manure is often used as a base fertilizer, typically using between 300 and 750 kg per mu. High-quality, well-rotted manure or liquid manure can also be used as topdressing and as an ingredient in seedbed soil and nutrient soil.
▲ Advantages and Application Methods of Compost
Compost is a type of fertilizer made from raw materials such as straw, fallen leaves, and weeds, which are then piled (or fermented) with human and animal manure, urine, and soil. It includes both conventional and high-temperature compost. This fertilizer is rich in organic matter and has a low C/N ratio. Most nutrients are fast-acting, especially potassium, making it a high-quality potassium-source organic fertilizer. Its stable, long-lasting effects and comprehensive nutritional profile make it an ideal organic fertilizer.
High-quality compost also contains vitamins, growth hormones, and various trace elements, making it an effective soil improver with long-term application. Compost is typically applied as a base fertilizer in conjunction with tillage to ensure thorough integration of the soil and fertilizer. The application rate per mu (approximately 1,500 to 2,500 kg) is generally controlled between broadcast, furrow, or hole application. It is important to note that composting materials should avoid containing municipal sewage sludge, and when adding microbial agents, ensure that they are genetically modified (GM)-free.
▲ Biogas Manure Composition and Application Recommendations
Biogas manure is the residue and liquid fertilizer obtained after anaerobic fermentation of organic materials such as crop straw, human and animal feces, and weeds in a sealed biogas digester to produce biogas. Its nutrient content is influenced by a variety of factors, including the ingredient ratio, pH, fermentation temperature, containment level, moisture content, and biogas-producing bacteria inoculation. Biogas manure is highly mineralized and humified, containing both fast-acting and slow-acting nutrients, and is rich in humus, hormones, and vitamins.
Specifically, biogas residue is rich in total nitrogen, fast-acting phosphorus, and fast-acting potassium, while liquid biogas contains a certain amount of total nitrogen, fast-acting phosphorus, and fast-acting potassium, as well as trace elements such as boron, copper, and iron. When applying biogas residue, approximately 1,600 kg per mu (approximately 1,600 kg per mu) is suitable as a base fertilizer, while biogas liquid is suitable as a topdressing fertilizer, approximately 2,000 kg per mu (approximately 2,000 kg per mu). Deep furrow application is recommended to minimize fertilizer loss. Biogas liquid can also be used for foliar spraying, seed soaking, and aphid control. However, excessive application of biogas fertilizer can lead to excessive crop growth and reduced yields, so it should be used in moderation. Furthermore, since biogas fertilizer may react with alkaline fertilizers such as wood ash and lime, resulting in nitrogen loss, it is not recommended to mix it with other fertilizers.
▲ Cake Fertilizer Application and Precautions
Cake fertilizer, the residue left after oil extraction from oilseed crops, comes in a variety of forms, such as soybean cake and rapeseed cake. These cakes are rich in organic matter and protein, with organic matter content reaching 75% to 85% and nitrogen content reaching 7%. Therefore, farmers often use cake fertilizer as a nitrogen fertilizer. However, because cake fertilizer contains oil and fatty acid compounds, and the nutrients are in organic form, it must undergo fermentation for effective crop absorption and to avoid the potential adverse effects of oil cake. Generally speaking, the amount of cake fertilizer applied per mu (approximately 150-225 kg) should be controlled between 150 and 225 kg. It is suitable for use as base fertilizer or topdressing, and should be applied to a depth of 10-20 cm. Furthermore, given the strict requirements of organic agriculture for non-GMO ingredients, cake fertilizer must be made from non-GMO products.
▲ Methods of Returning Straw Fertilizer to Fields
Straw, a byproduct of crop harvests, including rice straw and wheat straw, is a rich organic matter resource. Returning straw to the field increases soil organic matter content, improves soil structure, loosens the soil, and increases porosity, thereby promoting soil microbial activity and the development of crop roots. Furthermore, the appropriate application of straw-based organic fertilizers can help enhance crop resistance to lodging.
Currently, the main methods of returning straw to the field include composting (such as composting), incorporating it through the stomach (via livestock manure), and directly returning it to the field (such as shredded straw and broadcasting). When implementing direct return of straw to the field, the choice should be tailored to local conditions, and direct return of diseased straw to the field should be avoided to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
▲ Types and Utilization of Green Manure
Green manure, as the name suggests, is an organic fertilizer made from the green parts of plants. Over twenty crops, including milk vetch, sweet potato, alfalfa, sweet clover, and broad beans, can be used as green manure. These green manure crops are not only highly adaptable and grow rapidly, but also produce high fresh grass yields and are rich in organic matter and trace elements. When plowed, they significantly increase soil nutrient levels, improve soil structure, prevent soil erosion, and significantly contribute to the ecological environment and water quality.
Green manure utilization methods include direct compaction, composting, and return to the field through the stomach. When plowing green manure, choose a time when fresh grass yield and total nutrient content are highest, and ensure that the plowing depth is between 10 and 20 cm. Generally, the amount of green manure used should be between 1,000 and 2,000 kilograms per mu (approximately 1,000 to 2,000 kg) and lime application can accelerate its decomposition.
▲ Handling and Use of Livestock and Poultry Manure
Livestock and poultry manure is a high-quality organic fertilizer. Its importance as a source of organic fertilizer has become increasingly prominent, especially in the context of the rapid development of modern livestock farming. Rich in nutrients and with rapid effectiveness, it is often used as a base fertilizer or topdressing. However, it must be treated prior to use to eliminate potential insect eggs, pathogens, and weed seeds.
In organic farming, it is recommended that livestock and poultry manure produced from non-intensive livestock farms be used as raw material. Care should be taken to avoid the addition of genetically modified microbial agents during the composting process.
