EXERCISE 3 PREPARATION OF FARM
YARD MANURE (FYM) AND
COMPOSTS
Introduction
Farm yard manure (FYM) and compost are age old practices of returning plant
nutrients to the soil. These are prepared by decomposing dung and urine of farm
animals and other organic residues such as kitchen wastes, crop residues, animal
wastes, slaughter house wastes etc. In organic farming system, preparation of
on-farm compost is recommended. We have to follow the NPOP (National
Programme for Organic Production) norms while preparing the compost. The
NPOP standards permit and restrict certain ingredients for composting and use
as nutrient under organic farming. The traditional methods of preparing organic
manures and composts are faulty in which losses of the nutrients is higher. These
techniques are slow. The process of composting and nutrient content of the
compost can be enhanced if the compost is prepared using the earthworms. Such
compost is called vermicompost. Liquid manure called vermiwash is also
prepared using earthworms.
In this Exercise, we shall explain the methodology of preparation of compost
(using pit method), vermicompost, liquid FYM manure and vermiwash. The
other forms of liquid manures recommended in organic farming have been
described in the Practical Exercise 5 of this manual.
Objectives
After going through the experiments under this exercise, you will be in a position
to acquaint yourselves with the :
methods of preparation of compost, vermicompost, liquid FYM and
vermiwash; and
explain the hygienic disposal of organic wastes.
Study Guide
These references are common for all the three experiments to be presented below.
You may refer the relevant book/guide for the individual experiment.
1) Das, P.C. (1998). Manures and Fertilizers. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.
2) Yawalker, K.S., Agrawal, J. P. and Bokde, S. ( 1992). Manures and
Fertilizers. Agri-Horticultural Publishing House, Nagpur, India.
3) Gaur, A.C., Neelakantan, S and Dargan, K.S. (1990).0rganic Manures.
I.C.A.R. New Delhi.
4) Tamhane, R.V., Motirarnani, D.P., Bali, [Link] Donahue, R.L. (1970).
Manures, Compost, Green Manures, Sawdust and Sewage. (In) Soils their
Chemistry and Fertility in Tropical Asia. Prentice-Hall of Private Limited,
New Delhi.
Practical Manual- 5) Gupta, P. K. (2000). Hand Book of Soil, Fertilizer and Manure. Agro
Organic Production System
Botanica, Bikaner. Jodhpur.
6 ) srivbstava, [Link] Khanna, S.S. (1974). Organic Manures as Supplement
to N Fertilizer. Fertilizer News 19(12): 39-43.
7) Seetharaman, S., Biswas, B.C., Maheshwari, S. and Yadav, D.S. (1986).
Hand Book on Fertilizer Usage. The Fertilizer Association of India, New
el hi.
Now, we shall explain the different methodologies (most common and
convenient) for preparing the compost, vemicompost, liquid FYM and
vermiwash.
Note : Carry out all the following experiments under the supervision of
counselor and submit the report to the Programme Incharge with a forward
from the counselor.
Preparation of Farm Yard
EXPERIMENT-I PREPARATION OF Manure (FYXI) and
Compost
COMPOST
Structure
i) Introduction
Objectives
ii) Procedure
Requirements
iii) Observation and Result
iv) Precautions
i) INTRODUCTION
Compost is an important form of organic manure. In organic farming, composts
are prepared at the farm using crop residues, dung, bedding and urine of animals
and other farm wastes. Several methods of its preparation are available and have
been described in the Block 2 of Course 2. Please refer it for theoretical aspects.
After completing this experiment, you will be in a position to:
explain the steps involved in compost preparation; and
prepare a good quality compost for organic farming.
ii) PROCEDURE
Let us examine the principle and requirements of this experiment.
a) Principle
The principle of composting have been described in the above referred units.
Please go through it. However, just to remind you, the composts are prepared
with the help of microbes (normal compost) and earthworms (vermicompost).
These microbes bring down the C : N ratio to the level of 20:l of the organic
matter. They convert the complex materials into simple and easily available forms.
For example: the protein is broken down in the form of amino acids and further
b) Requirements
Animal dung, crop residues, green leguminous leaves, gunny bag, pebbles, pits,
open space, buckets, drum and spade. Here we shall discribe the pit method of
compost preparation.
1) Dig a pit with the help of spade in an open shaded place. The pit should
have a dimension of 6 m long, 2 m wide and 1 m deep. (The whole trench
may be divided into 1 m sections).
21
Practical Manual-
Organic Production System '
Practical Manual-
Organic Production System
Pre-digestion: Before inoculation (application of earthworm), the organic matter Prc~arafio"of F ~ r mYard
Manure (FYM)and
should be pre-digested. During pre-digestion, the temperature inside the heap Compost
goes down due to dissipation of heat. By the time the partially decomposed
matter is fed to the earthworm, it does not heat up again. The organic residues
should be chopped and shredded properly into small pieces and blended with
dung slurry. This mixture is left for one month to digest.
c) Steps
Here, we shall describe the vermicompost production using pit method.
(Source : Lal, O.P., Srivastava, Y.N. and Singh, S.R. 2003. Vermicomposting.
Indian Farming, 53(12):6-9.)
a) Construct a pit of 3.0 x 2.0 x 1.0 m size (L x W x D) over ground surface
using bricks. Make an opening in the bottom of the pit.
b) Fill first layer of sand or sandy soil at a height of 5- 6 cm to drain excess
water.
c) Spread paddy straw as a second layer (30 cm) for aeration.
d) Place 15 to 30 days old dung at a thickness of 20-30 cm as third layer.
e) Then place pre-digested material as fourth layer of the about 50 cm.
f) Inoculate earthworms @lo00 worms per square metre area or 1.0 kg
earthworms in 100 kg of organic matter.
g) Water is sprayed and bed should be covered by gunny bag. Maintain
50-60% moisture by intermittent water spraying.
iii) OBSERVATION AND RESULT
When the vermicompost is ready, it looks dark brown in colour and free flowing.
I The material is converted into granules. Note down the time taken for reaching
I
to this stage.
i iv) PRECAUTIONS
The followingprecautions have to be followed while preparing the vermicompost:
The African species of earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugenae
are ideal for the preparation of vermicompost.
Only plant-based materials such as grass, leaves or vegetable peelings should
be used in preparing vermicompost.
Materials of animal origin such as eggshells, meat, bone, chicken droppings,
etc., are not suitable for preparing vermicompost.
Gliricidia loppings and tobacco leaves are not suitable for rearing
earthworms.
The earthworms should be protected against birds, termites, ants and rats.
Adequate moisture should be maintained during the process. Either stagnant
water or lack of moisture could kill the earthworms.
The vermicompost should be removed from the bed at a regular interval
and replaced by fresh waste materials.
Practical iCIanual-
organic ~mductionsystem EXPERIMENT-III PREPARATION OF LIQUID
FARM YARD MANURE
Structure
i) Introduction
Objectives
ii) Procedure
Principle
Requirements
Steps
iii) Observation and Result
iv) Precautions
i) INTRODUCTION
The liquid manures are prepared to use them directly on the crop plants. We
know that through foliar application, plants can absorb nutrients 20 times faster
as compared to the soil application. Liquid manures are usekl for instant plant
response and when there are nutrient deficiencies in standing crop. Application
of liquid manures is also useful for overcoming adverse soil conditions. i
Objectives
After completing this experiment, you will be in a position to:
prepare a liquid FYM; and
make its application on the crops.
ii) PROCEDURE
The principle and requirements for this experiment have been dealt below:
a) Principle
As indicated in the procedure, we blend some leaves of leguminous plants along
!
with the FYM. This mixture gets decomposed gradually and the diluted material
oozed out fiom the cloth and mixed with the water.
b) Requirements
1) Dung
2) Leaves of legumes
3) Drum
4) Water
c) Steps
Five to seven kg of cow dung along with similar quantity of green leaves of
leguminous plants are mixed and filled in a gunny bag. Then the content is
immersed in a dnun containing fiesh water. The water of the drum is to be
stirred for five minutes every day. After 20 to 25 days, your liquid manure will
be ready for use. Remove gunny bag from the drum, squeeze it and add 200 to Preparation of Farm Yard
Manure (FY M) and
250 g molasses. The molasses increasesthe sticking quality ofthe manure. Before Compost
use, dilute this with equal amount of water.
iii) OBSERVATION AND RESULT
The organic matter in the gunny bag decomposes and slowly the extract comes
out in the drum. The water is rich in nutrient content. The content will be dark
brown in colour.
iv) PRECAUTIONS
Stir at the prescribed time.
Do not stir fast.
Do not squeeze firmly.
Practical Manual-
Organic Production System EXPERIMENT-IV PREPARATION OF
VERMWASH
Structure
i) Introduction
Objectives
ii) Procedure
Principle
Requirements
Steps
iii) Observation and Result
iv) Precautions
- i) INTRODUCTION
Vermiwash is an extract obtained after pouring the water through a column of
earthworm. It is in fact a bathwater of the earthworm. It is highly rich in nutrient
content and useful for foliar application. Vermiwash is diluted with water (10%)
before spraying. This has been found to be very effective on plants. Cow urine
may be mixed to dilute (1 litre of vermiwash, 1 litre of cow's urine and 8 litres of
water) and sprayed on plants to function as an effective foliar spray and pesticide
(Source :Ecoscience Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu).
Objectives
After completing this experiment, you will be able to;
3
define vermiwash;
I
I explain the vermiwash preparation methodology; and
prepare a good quality vermiwash.
t
ii) PROCEDURE
t
We shall now explain the principle and requirements of this experiment.
a) Principle
The trickling water takes away all the body secretions of the earthworm along
with it and also other nutrients from the decomposed materials. The collected
water contains many nutrients readily available to the crop plants.
b) Requirements
1) Earthen pot
2) Earthworm
3) Water
4) Vermicompost
5) Plastic net
c) Steps Preparation of Farm Yard
Manure (FYM) and
1) Take an earthen pot of 10 kg capacity and fill Compost
with pieces of stone up to 5 cm height from
the bottom. Make a hole in the bottom of the
pot and fit a tap in it as shown in the Figure 1.
2) Place a thick layer of coir fiber or straw (10 cm
thick) at the bottom and place vermicompost
containing 1-2 kg earthworm.
3) Also mix the kitchen waste in it.
4) Allow the composting process to continue for
one week or more till brownish black compost
is obtained.
5) Occasionally, pour cow dung slurry for the
worms. Keep draining the water through tap.
6 ) After the formation of compost, pour two litres
of water in the pot [Link] 24 hours, about
1.5 litre of verrniwash is collected. This process Fig. 1
should be repeated for one or two weeks till
the brown colour of wash water disappears.
iii) OBSERVATION AND RESULT
You will get thick dark brown clear water. It is vermiwash. As suggested in the
introduction, you should dilute while spraying.
iv) PRECAUTIONS - - -
Water should be poured slowly.
Do not mix any undecomposed material while watering.
e DOnot add any green material.
Do not compact the contents.