Organic fertilizer fermentation is a crucial step in the production of organic fertilizers, enabling the resource utilization of agricultural waste. It transforms waste into valuable resources and replenishes nutrients in the soil. However, in practice, due to factors such as raw material ratios and environmental conditions, various problems often arise during the organic fertilizer making process, affecting not only the quality of the organic fertilizer but also potentially leading to resource waste.
An imbalance in raw material ratios is the primary cause of fermentation failure. Organic fertilizer fermentation requires a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio within a reasonable range of 25:1 to 30:1. If there is an excess of carbon-rich materials such as straw and sawdust, it will lead to slow fermentation initiation, difficulty in reaching the required temperature, and the material remaining in a "stagnant" state for a long time. If the proportion of nitrogen-rich materials such as chicken manure and pig manure is too high, it will not only produce a large amount of ammonia gas, causing nutrient loss, but also cause localized overheating of the compost pile, killing beneficial microorganisms and disrupting the fermentation system. In addition, uneven particle size of the raw materials will also affect the fermentation effect; excessively large materials cannot be fully decomposed by microorganisms, while excessively small materials will lead to poor aeration of the compost pile.
Uncontrolled fermentation environment directly hinders the process. Appropriate moisture content is fundamental for microbial activity. If the moisture content is below 40%, microbial activity is insufficient, and fermentation stagnates; if it is above 65%, the compost pile is prone to waterlogging and anaerobic conditions, leading to the growth of putrefactive bacteria, producing foul odors, and preventing complete decomposition. Temperature is also a core indicator. High-quality organic fertilizer fermentation requires reaching a high-temperature stage of 55℃-65℃ and maintaining it for more than 3 days to kill pathogens and insect eggs. If the temperature is insufficient, the detoxification process is incomplete; if the temperature exceeds 70℃, it will inhibit the activity of beneficial bacteria, causing the fermentation to "stall."
Improper operation can lead to subsequent problems. Many farmers neglect the turning of the compost pile during fermentation. After the oxygen inside the pile is depleted, it enters an anaerobic state, which not only prolongs the fermentation cycle but also produces toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide. Some people are eager to use the fertilizer before it is fully decomposed. When applied to the soil, it undergoes secondary fermentation, generating high temperatures that burn crop roots and releasing harmful substances that affect the soil environment. This significantly reduces the overall effectiveness of the organic fertilizer production process.
Organic fertilizer fermentation may seem simple, but it is actually a technical process. Only by carefully controlling the raw material ratio, environmental conditions, and operating procedures can various problems be avoided and high-quality, efficient organic fertilizer be produced.
