Question

: Define composting.

Answer 1

Hint:-The organic matter which is very rich in nutrients and is used in gardens, horticulture, organic farming and many other such purposes is called compost. The process by which compost is made is called composting. Microorganisms are used in the process of composting. Let us know more about composting.

Complete Answer:-Composting is the process by which organic materials are decomposed to turn into a humus-like material known as compost. Compost is used in agriculture and organic farming as it is a good plant fertilizer. The components required for the composting process are human resource and management, internal biological heat and aerobic condition.
Process of composting relies on the microorganisms for the breaking down of organic material into compost. The active compost commonly contain these microbes-
Bacteria- most numerous of all microorganisms found in compost.
Actinobacteria- paper products are broken down by these.
Fungi- materials, such as lignin in woody material, which cannot be broken down by bacteria are broken down by fungi.
Protozoa- help in the consumption of organic particulates, fungi and bacteria.
Rotifers- population of small protozoans and bacteria are controlled with the help of rotifers.
Earthworms form an important ingredient of composting as they not only ingest partially composted materials but also help in maintaining the proper aeration throughout the compost.
Some other important constituents required by microorganisms involved in composting to work efficiently are carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and water.
When given the optimum conditions, composting process pass through mainly 3 phases-
Mesophilic phase, thermophilic phase and maturation phase.
Organic solid waste or green waste, animal and human waste are the materials which can be broken down by the composting process.


Note:- Vermicomposting is one of the technologies of composting, mainly using various types of worms such as white worms, red wigglers, and other earthworms. In this technique, a mixture of vegetable or food waste, vermicast and bedding materials is created.
It is noteworthy to mention that the rearing of worms for the purpose of vermicomposting is called vermiculture.