Composting with EM technology by Maple Orgtech

We are pleased to introduce Maple Orgtech (India) Limited (www.mapleorgtech.com) as the only authorized entity for manufacturing EM technology in India under the agreement with EMRO, Japan. EM technology is being used successfully in more than 140 countries for the last 30 years.


Composting is generally thought of as an environmentally-conscious waste management method. At present, the fundamental challenge composting facilities face is in properly aerating the piles. New and turned piles quickly lead to pathogen growth, production of greenhouse gases and odours, and attraction of pests (vectors).


EM stands for Effective Microorganisms.  EM Compost is fermented compost supplemented with beneficial microbes; it matures in anaerobic conditions. This provides two major advantages:

1. Cost savings: Frequent turning during composting is no longer required, which reduced manpower, machine use and fuel consumption.
2. Nutrients: particularly nitrogen is retained by the EM compost and it suppresses greenhouse gases like H2S and ammonia.

EM Technology ensures you produce microbe rich, high nutrient quality compost. Further to time, labour, odour and pathogen management, listed below are some more benefits of EM treated compost deriving from trials and studies worldwide.

• Stable C:N ratio.
• Microbial activity and diversity is far greater than untreated compost
• Decomposition rates are accelerated.  Compost is ready within 6-8 weeks.

EM composting leads to very quick and obvious results as regards quantity and quality of yield.

COMPOSTING USING EM TECHNOLOGY

This is a sandwich method where biomass is added layer by layer to make a heap on the ground. Each layer is adequately sprayed with diluted AEM.


Preparation OF AEM (Activated EM.1 Solution) for the spraying:

Requirements:

1.       20 litres capacity with a lid (air tight) plastic Container or jerry can.
2.       1litre of Maple EM.1 Stock Solution.
3.       1kg of Molasses/ Jaggery
4.       18 litres of clean water (Chlorine free)

Procedure:

•  Mix 1lt of Maple EM.1 Stock Solution,1Kg of molasses/ jaggery with 18 lts of clean water in a an air tight Plastic container/ jerry can and mix well with addition of handful( 20-25 gm) of black salt.
•  Store the container under shade for 7-10 days for fermentation to take place.
•  The container should be opened daily for few seconds to release the gases formed during the process. During fermentation a white layer of yeast will appear on the surface of the solution.

PRECAUTIONS:

•      Glass container should not be used. Use only Clean Plastic container/ Can.
•      Uncontaminated Molasses.
•      Keep in a warm place during fermentation. Should be stored in shade only away from sunlight.
•      If water contains chlorine , keep the water in sun for a day to make it chlorine free)

The detailed Composting procedure is as follows:

• Clean the site where the heap is to be made (10 x 5 x 4.5 feet). Ensure there is no stagnant water. Avoid making compost on any concrete flooring or pits.

COMPOST HEAP DIMENSIONS

•   It is best to use 5 lt of AEM per heap of compost (1 Ton). AEM may be diluted with water up to 1:100. If the biomass is very wet, then use 1:50 ratio; otherwise, use 1:100. Higher quantity application of AEM will never cause any harm.
•  Use molasses or jaggery syrup to hasten the process of decomposition. It is recommended that molasses/ jaggery be used in the same quantity as AEM for making compost. Thus, mixing AEM: molasses or jaggery syrup: water could be in the ratio of 1:1:100 or 1:1:50 depending upon the biomass.
•   Make a layer of animal waste about 6 inches high on the composting site and spray this with EM mixed water to maintain moisture content about 50 – 60 percent.
• First layer- Farm wastes, Horticulture and agricultural wastes, household kitchen wastes, leaves and branches of plants and trees.
• Second layer- Cow dung slurry, poultry, animal husbandry wastes.

Spray AEM (Activated EM Solution)

•  Repeat the process of making layers alternately with animal and crop waste to attain a height of about 4-5 feet.
•  Cover the entire heap by a 3 - 4 cm thick layer of animal dung and mud mixture to maintain the moisture level and temperature inside the heap. This could also be done by covering the heap with old gunnysacks, polythene sheets etc.

Some farmers also make their heaps under a tree to reduce moisture loss; this however may lead to the tree roots taking away most of the nutrients from the heap.

•  Moisture content in the compost should be checked every 2-3 days and a moisture level of 60% should be maintained. If the compost is losing its moisture make 3 - 4 holes on the top of the heap and pour (if required) 40 - 50 liters (or as required) water to maintain sufficient moisture for proper decomposition.
•  Constant turnings of the heap should be done as scheduled below:

Turnings:

1.     1st turning  – 0-7 days
2.     2nd turning – 8-15 days (AEM to be Sprayed)
3.     3rd  turning – 30-35 days

Application:

•     10 to 15 days prior to sowing apply 4 tons per acre.
•     Compost can also be broadcasted once the crop attains 1 - 2 feet height.
•     Ideally, compost should be used for every new crop grown. Missing one cycle could show poor results at a later date.

Note: When there is scarcity of animal waste, more green materials with high dry matter content should be used. Organic matter converts into useful compost in 40 - 45 days depending upon used organic matter and climatic conditions.

Important Points to be kept in mind during Composting:

•  Use of green leaves and weeds increase the nitrogen content of the Compost. Overall ratio of plant waste to animal waste should be 2:1.
•  Always make compost on soil. Do not attempt to spread any plastic sheet beneath the composting heap.
•  When dry sugarcane leaves, rice husks, stem and branch of trees are used, chopping or shredding of the material helps faster degradation. Usually, these types of materials contain high percentage of carbon. Therefore, one needs to increase the amount of green matter, or oil cake, or use fresh animal urine to balance the C/N ratio of compost.

• To avoid losses of nutrients and microbial population, never expose compost to direct sunlight.

Composting Process is Complete When:

•  The temperature inside the heap becomes stable at about 5°C higher than the ambient temperature.
•  White mould starts appearing on the biomass. It would also be sweet smelling.
•  The biomass would crumble very easily when disturbed.
•  It is not necessary for the compost to look brown or black or like processed tea leaves. However, this texture can be obtained if the ready compost is sieved.
•  C/N ratio of EM compost initially might be higher than conventional recommendation but once compost mixed up in the soil further degradation takes place and C/N ratio automatically becomes within the normal range.

ii. Infield (in situ) Composting

For farmers with large landholdings, infield composting is recommended. Crop residues can be converted into valuable compost to improve the fertility of the soil. Plough the field after a harvest to ensure that all crop residues are buried beneath the soil. Flood the field with irrigation water mixed with about 20 liters per 0.5 ha of Activated EM. AEM can be applied either through drip method or by spraying directly on to the flooded field. For better results, mix about 200 kg Bokashi to the field before ploughing.

After 30 days (in summer) and 35 - 40 days (in winter) the entire waste organic matter will convert into useful compost.

Note: To increase the quantity of biomass and nitrogen intake, it is recommended that green manuring should be carried out immediately after harvesting

For More information about EM Technology or Product Contact :  

Shubhi Nigam (Business Development)

 Maple Orgtech (India) Limited

033-40608483

shubhi.nigam@mapleorgtech.com

Kolkata

Audited by Smitha Santhosh