Compost is a humus-like product that can be used as organic fertilizer or soil conditioner to improve nutrients level, soil aeration, water and nutrient retention and prevent soil erosion.How is compost produced?
Compost is produced in the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled aerobic conditions. A wide range of substrate materials can be used to produce compost. What are the important nutrients in compost?
Compost should be made with the correct ingredients for maximum growth of selected crops.
The important nutrients often mentioned are N-P-K or Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
Different plants require different NPK ratios.How is NPK measured?
NPK is expressed as total percentage of weight as packaged. Organic compost and nutrients usually have lower NPK than chemical nutrients.
NPK can vary. Eg from 1-1-2 to as high as 10-15-15.What is the use of NPK?
| N - |
Nitrogen is a major element for the growth of plants. With a good supply of nitrogen, plants grow sturdily and mature rapidly, with rich, dark green foliage. ecoWise compost includes discarded soyabean from drinks manufacturers. The soyabean biosolids are mixed and enter the processing chambers. This improves the nitrogen levels. |
| P - |
Phosphorus is important for healthy growth, fruit and flower development, root development and better disease resistance. |
| K - |
Potassium, commonly known as potash. Potassium oxide is essential for plants to resist diseases, providing resistance to cold and dry weather and also minimizes excessive water loss. |
Is a higher NPK better?
No, higher NPK especially from chemical sources may result in 'burning' of leaves and roots if not applied correctly. By its nature, organic compost has lower NPK and the nutrients are released over a longer period of time providing a consistent supply of nutrients.Isn't normal soil good enough for plant growth?
There are different qualities of soils. Over fertilization, water logging and insufficient soil aeration, lead to poor soil quality. The addition of compost has chemical, biological and physical advantages. Plants require healthy soil to grow at their optimum rate.What are chemical advantages using compost:
Good compost adds macro & micro nutrients to the soil in a slow release form, decreases the quantity of fertilizers required, helps increase the Cation Exchange Capacity of soil which increases the availability of nutrients, improves soil structure via the slow release of humic & fulvic acids which initiate the dissociation of tightly bound clay particles and increases soil moisture retention.What are the biological advantages:
Compost decreases the quantity of pesticides required, promotes native bacteria growth, reducing the number of pathogens due to competition and promotes the growth of beneficial organisms such as earth worms & spiders which improve soil structure and feed on pests.What are the physical advantages:
Compost can minimise soil erosion by protecting soil from being washed/blown away and helps aerate soil by physically separating soil aggregates.What should a good compost be made of?
| Good quality compost should have the following characteristics: | ||
| • | no foul smell. A foul smell indicates that the compost is anaerobic and may be harmful to plants. | |
| • | should be brown or dark brown (almost black). If the compost is green or charcoal black in colour, it is either immature or has been carbonised. Immature compost can lock up nutrients and even harm plants by producing Volatile Fatty Acids and toxins while decomposing in the soil. Carbonised compost has no real beneficial effect on soil or plants | |
| • | should be mature enough so that it does not self-heat more than 40°C. | |
| • | a pH between 5.5 - 8. A pH between 6 - 7.5 is ideal. | |
| • | contains no impurities or heavy metals that will be toxic to plants. | |
| • | has good moisture retention qualities. | |
| • | does not leach its entire nutrient content after a short period of time. | |
| • | not be made up predominantly of mineral nutrients which are easily washed away | |
What are the advantages of ecoWise Compost
ecoWise produces a high quality compost that is newly matured. The compost contains nutrients in two forms (organic and mineral form). The mineral portion is immediately available for plants to take up. The organic portion is bound in compost particles and slowly breaks down to become available to plants over time. ecoWise compost acts as both an instant and slow release nutrient source.What are the typical makeup of ecoWise compost
| Typical average results are: | |
| Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio | 16 - 24 |
| pH value | 5.5 – 8 |
| Available Nitrogen (N) | 1.5 % |
| Available Phosphorus (P2O5) | 1.5 % |
| Total Potassium (K2O) | 0.9 % |
| Moisture content | less than 25% (wet weight) |
| Conductivity | 1.2 ms/cm |
| Organic matter | Minimum 25% by dry weight |
How is ecoWise compost produced?
The compost is produced in a closed thermophilic system that eliminates the risk of contamination from pests. Only organic ingredients from horticulture wastes are used. Temperature control of the composting vessels gives total control of the composting environment ensuring that the product is pasteurized and free of any pathogens and weed seeds. The end result is a product which gives excellent results.How is the quality of ecoWise compost maintained?
In addition to its in-house procedures and tests, ecoWise composting facilities and compost undergo annual certification and checks by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) organization. BFA is an internationally recognized body for the issuance of a mark of quality for organic materials
ecoWise compost has also been awarded the use of the GreenLabel mark as an environmentally friendly product by the Singapore Environmental Council.
ecoWise compost is often used by gardeners, landscapers, nurseries and organic farmers.
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