Detailed Explanation of Organic Fertilizer Production Methods and Steps

Organic fertilizer refers to a type of fertilizer formed from natural organic matter through microbial decomposition or fermentation. In China, it is also called farmyard manure. Its characteristics include: a wide source of raw materials and large quantities; complete nutrients but low content; slow but long-lasting fertilizer effect, which can only be absorbed by plants after microbial decomposition and transformation; and good soil improvement and fertility enhancement effects. Commonly used natural fertilizer varieties include green manure, human feces and urine, barnyard manure, compost, waterlogged compost, biogas fertilizer, and waste fertilizer, etc.

1. Mix duck manure, grass, flowers, leaves, etc. with water evenly, remove debris, then put them into non-toxic plastic bags, add water and ferment together, or pile them up and cover tightly with plastic for fermentation. When the fermentation temperature reaches 45°C, spread them out to cool down. When the temperature remains constant, the fermentation process is complete, and the fertilizer is ready for use.

2. Raw materials (taking the production of 1 ton of organic fertilizer as an example): 1.8 tons of human feces and urine or livestock and poultry manure, 0.3 tons of straw powder or leaf powder, 2.5 kg of cornmeal, and 1 kg of rapid fermentation microbial agent. Human feces and urine, livestock and poultry manure + leaf or straw powder + cornmeal + microbial agent → stir → pile and compost → air dry.

① First, control the moisture content of the mixed raw materials at about 40%-50%, then mix the microbial agent with cornmeal, sprinkle it on the surface of the mixed fertilizer, and manually load the raw materials evenly into the mixer for crushing and stirring. When stirring and crushing the fertilizer, its water content should be controlled, generally not exceeding 40%-45%. Too much or too little water will affect the fermentation quality. It is advisable that the fertilizer can be pinched into a ball by hand, water is visible at the finger seams but does not drip, and it breaks apart when dropped. Stir evenly, thoroughly, and loosely without leaving raw lumps.

② Pile the stirred ingredients into long strips 1.5-2 m wide and 0.3-0.4 m high, cover with grass curtains or burlap pieces for aerobic fermentation piling. Generally, the temperature rises to 50°C within 24 hours of piling, and can rise to 60-70°C within 48 hours. During fermentation, such high temperatures can kill all pathogenic bacteria, insect eggs, grass seeds, etc. According to fertilizer production trials, composting for fertilizer in spring, summer, and autumn generally takes 6 days, and in winter generally 7 days. When the fertilizer is covered with white mycelium inside and out, it is fully decomposed. It can then be slightly dried and sieved.

3. Chicken manure contains a large amount of harmful microorganisms and pathogens, so it must never be applied directly and must undergo deep high-temperature fermentation. The main purposes of fermentation are two: one is to kill harmful pathogens, and the other is to organicize incompletely digested substances and increase the actual organic matter content.

① Fermentation is mainly carried out in a fermentation tank, that is, piling chicken manure in the fermentation tank, preferably adding an appropriate amount of fermentation microbial agent at the same time, then covering with agricultural plastic film. The fermentation time is usually 10-20 days.

② After deep fermentation, the chicken manure is dried and crushed. The crushed chicken manure can be applied directly, but it is still only called traditional farmyard manure and cannot yet be called commercial organic fertilizer.