Organic fertilizer, with its advantages of improving soil and enhancing crop quality, has become an important fertilizer in modern agriculture. Its raw materials come from a wide range of sources, mostly natural waste or animal and plant residues, which are transformed into efficient nutrients after composting and fermentation. Understanding the types and characteristics of these raw materials is fundamental to the scientific production of organic fertilizers.
Animal and plant waste are the core raw materials for organic fertilizer production. Animal manure, such as pig manure, cow manure, and sheep manure, is rich in basic nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and has a high organic matter content. It is the main raw material for traditional organic fertilizers and is widely used in organic fertilizer production. Poultry manure, such as chicken and duck manure, has a higher nutrient concentration, but also contains high levels of salt and uric acid, requiring thorough composting to prevent seedling damage. In addition, animal slaughter by-products, such as bone meal, blood meal, and hoof and horn meal, are rich in protein and minerals and can be processed into high-nutrient organic fertilizers. However, these raw materials require strict hygiene control to prevent the growth of pathogens.
Plant waste is diverse and found in all aspects of life and agricultural production. Crop straw is the most common type; wheat straw, corn stalks, and rice straw are rich in cellulose and lignin. Although their nutrient content is low, they can effectively improve soil aeration and water retention. Horticultural waste should not be overlooked; fallen leaves, dead branches, and weeds can be transformed into high-quality organic matter after crushing and fermentation. Plant-based waste from daily life, such as vegetable scraps, fruit peels, tea leaves, and coffee grounds, are also excellent raw materials, enabling the resource utilization of kitchen waste. Furthermore, oilseed crop residues such as cottonseed cake, soybean cake, and peanut cake have high nutrient concentrations and are high-quality auxiliary materials for producing efficient organic fertilizers.
Other natural materials can be used as auxiliary raw materials for organic fertilizers. Peat is rich in humus and can enhance the fertilizer retention capacity of organic fertilizers; sawdust and wood shavings, which are wood processing waste, can adjust the carbon-nitrogen ratio of the fermenting materials and promote the composting process. Some industrial waste, such as distiller's grains, vinegar residue, and mushroom residue, can be used in organic fertilizer production after harmless treatment, thus achieving the recycling of waste materials.
It is important to note that regardless of the raw materials used, they must undergo thorough composting and fermentation. This is a crucial step in the organic fertilizer making process, as it kills pathogens, insect eggs, and weed seeds, while also reducing the content of harmful substances. Properly combining different types of raw materials and adjusting the carbon-nitrogen ratio can ensure that the organic fertilizer has a more balanced nutrient content, meeting the growth needs of different crops. These naturally sourced raw materials complete a "nutrient cycle" through recycling, protecting soil health and embodying the principles of green agriculture.
