Organic fertilizer, a vital pillar of green agriculture, relies heavily on the raw materials used to produce it. The quality and efficacy of the product are directly affected by the selection of raw materials. Organic fertilizer production lines draw on a wide range of raw materials, primarily categorized as agricultural waste, livestock and poultry manure, industrial organic waste, and municipal organic waste. Each raw material undergoes scientific processing before entering the production line.
Agricultural waste, including crop straw, rice husks, peanut shells, and sawdust, is the most common raw material. These materials are rich in cellulose and lignin, providing a good loose structure for organic fertilizer. Corn stalks, for example, must first be pulverized before being combined with nitrogen sources to adjust the carbon-nitrogen ratio and avoid nutrient imbalances during fermentation. Rice husks require pre-composting to reduce their crude fiber content and improve subsequent fermentation efficiency.
Livestock and poultry manure, including chicken, cow, sheep, and pig manure, is the core nitrogen source for organic fertilizer. Chicken manure, known as the "golden raw material for organic fertilizer," is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, its high water content requires solid-liquid separation to reduce the moisture content to approximately 60%. Cow dung has a loose texture and a gentle fermentation process, making it suitable for mixing with crude fiber materials such as straw. This effectively improves the aeration of the fermented material and enhances composting efficiency.
Industrial organic waste, such as distiller's grains from breweries, filter mud from sugar refineries, and medicinal residues from traditional Chinese medicine factories, is also an important source of raw materials. These materials are rich in organic matter and special nutrients, which impart unique benefits to organic fertilizers. For example, distiller's grains are rich in amino acids and vitamins, and adding them to the production line can enhance the biological activity of organic fertilizers. However, industrial waste must be rigorously tested to ensure that it contains no harmful substances such as heavy metals and antibiotics, and meets safety standards for organic fertilizer raw materials.
Municipal organic waste, such as kitchen waste and garden leaves, can also be used as raw materials after being sorted, collected, and treated. Kitchen waste has a high organic matter content and is easily decomposed, but it must first be removed of impurities such as plastic and glass, and then processed through processes such as pulverization and dehydration to avoid impacting organic fertilizer production line operation and product quality.
In actual production, a single raw material cannot meet the nutritional balance requirements of organic fertilizers, and a combination of multiple raw materials in appropriate proportions is often required. For example, the combination of "straw + chicken manure + distiller's grains" ensures a balanced carbon-nitrogen ratio while enriching the nutrient profile. The scientific selection and processing of raw materials is the foundation for organic fertilizer production lines to produce high-quality, efficient, green fertilizers and a key component in promoting sustainable agricultural development.
