People and the Earth’s

Ecosystem
First Sem., S.Y. 2024 - 2025
 the upper layer of earth in which plants grow,
a black or dark brown material typically
SOIL: consisting of a mixture of organic remains,
clay, and rock particles.

commonly referred to as earth or dirt, a mixture of organic

matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together
support the life of plants and soil organisms. Some scientific
definitions distinguish dirt from soil by restricting the former
term specifically to displaced soil.
 SOIL:
an upper thin layer of the earth
composed of mixture of fragments of
rocks, organic matter, water & air
in varying proportions and having
developed horizontal layers
produced through action of climate
& living organisms
 SOIL PROFILE
Organic original forms
still recognizable

Admixture of organic
matter/humus, minerals
(top soil)

Contains substances leached

from A horizon, less fertile,
low in o.m., less growth of
microorganisms

Zone of minimum change;

the layer where A & B horizons
are derived (parent material)
 Kind and type of soil developed
depends on the kind of parent material

Red soil

Yellow soil

White soil

Black soil
A Fertile Soil
 Minerals
though there are 100 elements found in nature,
only 8 principal chemical elements are present
in the mineral matter

Oxide Magnesium
Silicate Calcium
Aluminum Sodium

Iron Potassium
 ORGANIC MATTER:
ONE WHO CALLS THE SHOTS

sum total of all carbon-containing

substances in the soil

consists of living organisms, dead

plant & animal residues & other
organic materials in various phases
of decomposition
ORGANIC MATTER.......

serves as reservoir of the different

elements needed by plant

continuously supply the different

micronutrients

improves the water-holding

capacity of the soil
Organic Matter……..

has a buffering capacity in the

regulation of soil pH

official home of the different

microorganisms (fungi, bacteria,
algae, actinomycetes,etc)
Organic matter…….

contains “humus”
(a dark, complex mixture of organic
substances no longer identifiable as
tissues

the final and stable product of

decomposition

influence on soil physical properties

high cation adsortion capacity

A depleted soil which lacks organic matter
Three (3) Basic Properties of a Soil

Physical Property
soil texture
soil structure
soil color
soil temperature
Chemical Property

a) Soil pH

- a numerical system to express

the acidity of the soils

- one of the most if not the most

important fertility factors of the
soil
Why is soil pH important?

the chemical reactions & microbial

activities in the soils are largely
controlled by soil reaction

availability of essential plant nutrients

& existence of toxic elements in soil
depend so much on pH
Classification of soils as to level of pH

pH 7 - - - - - - - - - neutral soils (neither

acidic nor alkaline)

lower than pH7 - - -more acidic soils

above pH 7 - - - - - more alkaline soils

the ideal soil pH for most crops is 6.0 – 7.0

most favorable to availability of

nutrients

enhances microbial activities in

the soil nitrogen fixation, faster
decomposition,etc)
Chart of the Effect of Soil pH on nutrient availability
b) Cation exchange capacity (CEC)

total cations adsorbed in the soil

affected by the level of soil pH

amount of organic matter

type and amount of clay

 c) % Base saturation
- Percentage of CEC saturated by bases
( Ca , Mg, K, Na, Al)

Application/ Importance of Base saturation

assessment of lime requirement in
acid soils
soil classification
 BIOLOGICAL PROPERTY

Diverse population of macro &

microorganisms which facilitate various
biological and chemical processes in
the soil
IMPORTANCE OF SOIL MICROORGANISMS

maintain soil fertility

clean up all dead organic materials
fix gaseous Nitrogen into forms that
can be used by plants to main fertility
of soil
can be used to extract minerals
 are the prime food for all marine &
fresh water life

effectively degrade “xenobiotic”

compounds (herbicides & pesticides)
example: desulfomonile – a sulfate-reducing
bacterium which degrades chlorinated pesticides
(frequent chemical pollutants in ground water)
 1 teaspoon of soil contains:
- 1 billion bacteria
- 120,000 fungi
- 25,000 algae

All of them plays a key role in the

Carbon & Nitrogen cycles
 “WITHOUT MICROBES,
LIFE ON EARTH COULD NOT EXIST”
1 cm of top soil is developed in 100
to 300 or more years

It takes time to rehabilitate or

rebuild a depleted soil
Organic Nutrient Management
Climate

Apply nutrient
with crop needs
Cr
op
Irr
ig

re
at

sid
M

io
an

Organic
ue
wa
ur

t
e

fertilizer
er

P
Soil K N P
K N
K P N
Indigenous
nutrient supply
 Organic Nutrient Management

Nutritional Requirement of Plant

Proper Nutrition is essential for
satisfactory growth and production.
There are 16 nutrient elements needed
by plants to operate a normal cycle.
 Organic Nutrient Management
The 16 Nutrient Elements
Needed by Plants
Carbon (C) Boron (B)
Hydrogen (H) Chlorine (Cl)
Oxygen (O) Copper (Cu)
Nitrogen (N) Iron (Fe)
Phosphorus (P) Manganese (Mn)
Potassium (K) Molybdenum (Mo)
Calcium (Ca) Zinc (Zn)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulfur (S)
Major & Minor Elements in the Soil

Major Elements

Primary : N, P , K
Secondary : Ca, Mg, S

Minor Elements:

- Cu, Mo, Zn, Mn, Fe, B, Cl

Non-mineral elements

- Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen

(these are found in water and air)

 Functions of Major Elements
Nitrogen

- is a part of all living cells

- necessary part of all proteins,

enzymes and metabolic processes
involved in the synthesis and transfer
of energy
- Promotes the vegetative parts of the plants

- Is found in the chlorophyll

- aids in the utilization of phosphorus and

potassium and other elements in the
formation of the internal parts and during
reproductive phase
 Phosphorus
- Stimulates early root formation and growth

- Hastens maturity of crops

- Increases ratio of grain and fruit to stalk

- Beneficial effect is achieved with suffcient

potassium and vice versa
 • Important, in conjunction with Ca and B, in the proper development of cell walls.

Potassium
(Came from Latin word “Kalium”)

- together with phosphorus, it all accumulates

to a large extent in all young shoots and leaves

- important, in conjunction with Ca and B,

in the proper development of cell walls

- improve the flavor keeping quality, fruit color,

grain weight and size of the produce
 Potassium……..

- play a definite role (together with phosphorus)

in the formation of sugar, starch, fibrous
materials and fats & protein synthesis
- Increase resistance of crops to diseases
and pests

- Controls plant cell turgor and through this the

opening and closing of leaf stoma. This in turn
controls the plants ability to effectively respond
to drought stress
 Calcium

- Corrects acidity of the soil

- Improves structure of the soil

- Forms a structural part of plant cell walls

- if in excess, can induce symptom of

potassium deficiency and various
trace elements (Fe, B, Zn, Cu & Mn)
 Magnesium

- Constituent of chlorophyll

- Promotes absorption & translocation of

phosphorus
 Sulfur

- Needed in the development of essential

organic compounds, proteins, vitamins,etc.

- Greatly needed by legumes

 Minor Elements
Boron
- Found particularly in the growing points,
flowers and in phloem
- Important for the germination of pollen

- Formation of flowers, fruit and roots

- Transportation of substances within the

plant
Copper

- Required by plants for oxidation and

reduction

- Promotes the formation of Vitamin A

 Zinc

- Important in plant metbolism

- Needed in the development of internode

of the young shoots
 Molybdenum

- Required for the assimilation of nitrates and,

- Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in the

root nodules of leguminous crops
Manganese
- Like iron, it is necessary for the formation of
chlorophyll

- Reduction of nitrates and respiration

- Catalyst in many other metabolic processes

- Participates in protein synthesis and

the formation of ascorbic acid
Aluminum

- Exerts toxic action in plants especially in

very low soil pH

- Little amount of this appears to produce

beneficial effects
Iron
- Constituent of enzymes

- A key element in respiration, photosynthesis,

reduction of nitrates and sulfates

- Reduce availability of potassium

- Render unavailable if soil is over-limed

TWO MOST IMPORTANT LIFE CYCLES
(Currently affect climate & agriculture)

Nitrogen Cycle

Carbon Cycle
NITROGEN CYCLE
- Nitrous oxide is 300 times more effective
in absorbing heat than carbon dioxide

- For every ton of nitrogen that human

activities add to the biosphere, between
10 to 50 kg is emitted into the atmosphere
as nitrous oxide by denitrifying bacteria
 Microorganisms known as “methanogens”
Produce 75% of natural resources of methane
In the atmosphere

Ideal environments of methanogens are landfill,

Rice paddies and guts of ruminants and they
Add 150 M tons of methane to the atmosphere
Per year
For the past 100 years, methane is 23 times
global -warming potential than carbon dioxide
CARBON CYCLE
Carbon (C)

- 4th most abundant element in the

universe

- an element present in air, oceans,

soil, rocks & all living things
- Soil respiration and carbon dioxide release
doubles with every 5-10 degrees centigrade
increase in temperature

- Every ton of Carbon lost in the soil, 3.7 tons

of carbon dioxide adds up to the atmosphere
- Cyanobacteria & photosynthetic algae draw
Carbon from the atmosphere

- these decomposing fungi and soil bacteria

are responsible in breaking down organic
matter and release carbon dioxide back into
the atmosphere
 - Every ton per hectare increase of organic
carbon in the soil represents 3.67 tons
carbon sequestered and removed from
the atmosphere

- 30-36% of all green house gas (GHG)

emissions cause global warming / climate
change
RNING ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRES
THRU ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Pollution & destruction of

environment

Depletion of soil resource

Climate Change /Environmental Degradation

Flooding

Erratic weather
condition
BY USING MORE

CHEMICALS TO

CORRECT THE

IMBALANCE ..

WERE ACTUALLY

CAUSING THE

IMBALANCE

MORE STRONGER
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ?
 and
Vermicompo
sting
Vermicomposting…

…Is a LOW-COST, LOW-

TECH but
SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED
technology

Low cost because materials

used in vermicomposting are
abundant and available all
over.
Benefits of
Vermicomposting
Eliminate the problem on waste disposal and
the need for landfill and dumpsites.
Reduce use of inorganic fertilizer and
pesticides, increase yield, profit
Improves the soil physical condition through
soil aggregation and aeration
videos\garbage men.flv
Example of materials that can be used:

- Grass
- Rice straw
- Corn stalks
- Cane tops
- Madre de cacao leaves
- Ipil-ipil leaves
- and other nitrogenous materials
Low tech because the procedure is
simple…

STEPS
1. Gathering
2. Mixing
3. Shredding
4. Composting
5. Vermicomposting
6. Harvesting
Scientifically based…

because many scientists all

over the world have attested to the
efficacy of vermi compost.

A study conducted by Ms. Lina

Villegas of BPI (Bureau of Plant
Industry) funded by Dr. Guerrero
of PCARMD shows its
benefits.
 BPI’s TEST RESULTS By Mrs. Lina Villegas

VERMICOMPOST COMPOSITION

Determination Animal Manure Plant/Leaves______________

% Rat Chicken Peanut Neem Azolla Ipil-ipil Kakawate Cocodust
+ Ipil-ipil
Total Nitrogen (N) 1.40 1.52 1.33 1.06 2.26 2.33 2.74 0.15

Total Phosphorous (P) 2.53 0.49 0.47 0.73 0.69 0.69 1.33 0.23

Total Potassium (K2O) 0.37 1.28 0.37 0.38 1.52 1.10 3.54 0.04

Total Calcium 3.10 0.43 1.09 0.63 0.05 0.15 0.29 0.08

Total Magnesium (Mg) 0.40 0.24 0.51 0.30 0.31 0.33 0.52 0.0

Total Iron (Fe) 1.50 1.47 0.62 0.33 0.49 0.17 0.43 0.16

Total Manganese (Ma) 0.16 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.00

Total Copper (Cu) 0.02 0.02 0.0003 0.0003 0.008 0.004 0.005 0.01

Total Zinc (Zn) 0.11 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.06 0.04 0.01 0.02

Moisture Content (%) 15.53 33.27 -- -- 19.70 22.52 10.85 --

PH (%) 6.70 7.20 7.20 6.80 6.80 5.70 7.20 4.4

 What is Vermiculture/
Vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is the process of
producing organic fertilizer
(vermicompost) using agricultural wastes
through the digestive action of worms.
Vermiculture or vermicomposting is
derived from the Latin terms vermis,
meaning worms. Vermicomposting is
essentially the consumption of organic
material by earthworms. This speeds up
the process of decomposition and
provides a nutrient-rich end product,
The African nightcrawler, known
scientifically as Eudrilus eugeniae, is
the compost or manure earthworm
that feeds on decaying organic
materials. It can stay up to the 6-inch
portion of the top soil but is
dependent on decaying organic
materials above the soil for survival.
African Worm
(Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg)
Dark mauve or pink throughout
8-12 cm in length
Clitellium covering segments 14-18
Prominent widely place female pores on
segment 14
Male pores on segments 17-18
They are hermaphrodite-
they possess both male
and female organs.

Cocoon
 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT OUR
WORMS

 No RH Bill- They double their

population every month;
 Hermaphrodites – when they
mate, the two worms will both
become pregnant;
 Voracious appetite-They can
consume as much as their body
weight per day;
 They breath through their skin
 They shy away from light
 Very efficient farm
 They have 5 hearts
 Very complex digestive system workers – works 24
hours without pay! All
you need to do is just to
give them food.
Growth requirements
Temp. range 70-80°F or 21-27°C
Reproductive rate – approx. 7 young per
week under ideal conditions
Ave. no. of young per cocoon- 2
Time of emergence from the cocoon –
Approx 15-30 days under ideal conditions
Time to sexual maturity – Approx. 30-95
days under ideal conditions. (Wikipedia)
Essential Requirement
Bedding
Worm food
Moisture
Aeration
Temperature
Bedding
High absorbency
Must be able to absorb and retain water fairly well
for the worms to thrive
Good bulking potential
Not too dense nor too tight to provide aeration on
the bedding
Low protein and/or nitrogen content
Degradation should be slow
Example of Bedding Material
Bedding Absorbency Bulking C:N
Material Potential Ratio
Peat moss good medium 58
sawdust Poor- Poor- 142-750
medium medium
Corn stalks poor good 60-73
Horse Medium- good 22-56
manure good
Suitable Organic Waste
FARM INDUSTRIAL/URBAN

Chicken Brewery
Turkey Potato
Duck Paper
Horse Sewage
Cattle Restaurant
Pig Food market
Rabbit Yard waste
Worm Food
Manure (cattle, poultry swine, rabbit)
Fresh food scraps (leftovers, peelings
etc.)
Pre-composted food wastes
Legume hays
Corrugated cardboards
Fish, poultry
Moisture/Aeration/
Temperature
Ideal moisture content is 70-80%
Worms breathe with their skin so moisture
of the beddings less than 50% is critical
Worms will not survive in an anaerobic
condition
Above 35°C worms will leave the area or
die
Pests and Diseases
Birds, ants, centipedes
Mites (red mites)
Agricultural chemicals
Sour crop or protein poisoning
The result of too much protein in the bedding
Maintain a neutral or above pH of the bedding
 Establishment of
Vermicomposting Facility
1. Site selection
Backyard production
 Should be shaded, well-drained with
available water supply
 Containers like wooden or bamboo
boxes, concrete or earthen pots can be
used
Carbon and Nitrogen (C/N)
ratio

• All biodegradable materials contain carbon

(C) and nitrogen (N); higher carbon content
will mean slower decomposition, hence,
addition of materials rich or high in nitrogen
(animal manure, leguminous plants, etc.) is
required to the process
 Basic raw materials for composting

1. Crop residue (rice straw, corn stalks,

sugar cane bagasse, weeds, etc.)
2. Animal Manure
3. Leguminous Plants
4. Kitchen Waste
 GRASS
MANURE

MADRE DE CACAO LEAVES / CHOPPED BANANA

LEGUMES TRUNK
 Composting site/area

1. Consider the volume (dimensions: width/diameter,

length, and depth) of needed supply of fertilizer;
2. Proximity and availability of raw materials;
3. Area with minimal sunlight / or covered garbage area;
4. Good drainage system and area of minimum
contamination; and
5. Accessibility of the composting area.
Characteristics of good composting area

1. Good drainage system

2. Availability of water supply
3. Proximity to the source of raw materials
4. Accessibility of the composting site
5. Area of minimum contamination
6. Types of soil
7. Area with minimal sunlight
 Basic of vermicomposting

• Site selection – characteristics like shaded area and

free from predators, near water source, etc.
• Prepare Materials – worms, worm buns, substrate:
manure + ipil-ipil (kakawate) 2:1, Rice straw + Manure
1:1, grasses + chichen manure 3:1, sawdust (except
from that of gemilina tree) + ipil-ipil 3:1 (or any
equivalent materials available in the area)
• Anaerobic decomposition (absence of oxygen) followed
by aerobic decomposition presence of
oxygen)harvesting
 STEPS IN VERMICOMPOSTING

GATHERING OF MATERIALS

PREPARATION OF MATERIALS

ANAEROBIC DECOMPOSITION
(10-12 DAYS)

AEROBIC DECOMPOSITION
(30-35 DAYS)

VERMICOMPOST EARTHWORM BIOMASS

MARKET ON FARM USE VERMI-MEAL RECYCLE

PRODUCTION
PREPARED BY: DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AQUATIC AND MARINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA
1. Gathering of materials

Peanut shells Water Hyacinth

Corn cobs Coco peat

2. Preparation of Materials
Chopped collected materials if shredder
is not available
Use shredder
to reduce size
of materials
3. Waste materials are partially decomposed for
10-12 days or until such time that the material
is already partially decomposed
4. Worms are introduced to partially
decomposed materials. Vermicomposting last
for 30-35 days depending on the materials
used.
3. Harvesting
The vermicompost is ready for harvest when
small black granules all over the pile appear
and that chopped grasses are no longer
visible
 Methods of Harvesting
 Manual Method
 Involved hand-
sorting, picking
 the worms
from the compost by
hand
 Labor intensive ,
applicable to small-
scale growers
 Self Harvesting (Migration) Method
 Screen method is very common and easy to use.
 The downward-migration system where the worms
are forced downward by strong light through
screen into a prepared container with moist
material
 The upward-migration system is done with the
screen of the prepared moist materials is on top of
the worm bed.
 Mechanical Method
 Quickest and easiest method for separating
worms from vermicompost
 Use of rotating cylinder
 Mechanical sieve
SUMMARY OF
PROCEDURES
STEP 1 – PREPARE THE WORM
BIN (BAHAY NG BULATI)
STEP 2 – 1ST LAYER(LIVESTOCK
MANURE)
SPREAD OUT EVENLY
STEP 3 – 2ND LAYER(PLANT
PARTS-LEAVES, TRUNKS,
FRUITS)
 STEP 4 – 3RD
LAYER(LIVESTOCK MANURE)
STEP 5 – 4TH LAYER(PLANT
PARTS-LEAVES, TRUNKS,
FRUITS)
 STEP 6 – 5TH
LAYER(LIVESTOCK MANURE)
NOTE: SPRAY EMAS IN EVERY
LAYER
STEP 7-COVER THE WORM BIN AND
WAIT FOR 2 WEEKS. MICROBES WILL
DO THEIR DECOMPOSITION JOB!
STEP 8- AFTER 15 DAYS-
DEPLOY THE WORMS
 STEP 9- COVER THE WORM BIN TO
PROTECT FROM PREDATORS. WATER
2-3 TIMES A WEEK
HANDS-ON:VERMI CULTURE
 Vermicompost recovery is 50-60
percent at 30 percent moisture
 It is air dried, packed and stored for
future use.
Benefits of Vermicompost
 Contains up to 8% N,
0.7% P, 1% K and some
trace elements (J.
Nicholas, 1995)
 Contain high percentage
of humus (Holcombre et al
1995)
 Build up soil fertility and
improving soil health for
sustainable agriculture
Contains high level of beneficial
microorganisms
Has the ability to suppress diseases
significantly as the result of studies
conducted in Ohio in Phythium on
cucumbers, Rhizoctonia on radishes
Has the ability to repel pests as reported by
Edwards and Arancon (2004) significant
decrease in arthropod (aphid, mealy bug,
spider mite) population and subsequent
reduction in plant damage in tomato, pepper,
and cabbage using vermicompost.
 Build up soil fertility and improving soil health
for sustainable agriculture
 Contain high percentage of humus
(Holcombre et al 1995)
 Vermicomposting (Production Process)

Gathering/Mixing of Raw Mat. 75 Shredding

% Carbon Source and 25 % Pre-Compositing
Nitrogen Source

Packaging Stocking
Harvesting
12
5
 THE WORMS WORK FOR YOU 24 HOURS A
DAY,
7 DAYS A WEEK
AND 365 DAYS A YEAR
PRODUCING THE HIGHEST QUALITY
ORGANIC FERTILIZER
GOOD LIVING CONDITION

PROTECTION FROM PREDATORS

ENOUGH COMPOST AS FOOD

12
6
 VERMI-BED
1 Meter

3 Meters

Materials:
140 pcs Hollow Blocks
8 Bags Cement 2 layers Hollow
2 cu.m. Mixing Sand blocks
6 pcs Round Bar 6mm
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
HOUSING (WORM BIN)
COSTALES NATURE FARMS VERMICULTURE
SECTION
VERMICULTURE IN LAYERED
CRATES
VERMICULTURE IN A DRUM
VERMICULTURE IN CEMENTED
PLOTS
VERMICULTURE IN PIGPENS
VERMICULTURE IN IRON BARS
AND LAMINATED SACKS
THE MOST PRACTICAL VERMI BIN
OPTION - 1
THE MOST PRACTICAL VERMI BIN
OPTION - 2
Improved Practices on Vermiculture and
Vermicomposting

Vermi Bed - 2 X 2 meters

Stocking - 5 kgs. per square meter
Vermicasting Production per month – 400 kgs.
 Vermi-bed

Vermicompost
Worm (African Night
Crawler )
 Vermicompost can be
processed into vemi-tea which
is a good foliar fertilizer.
 Productivity of Earthworms in Animal
and Vegetable Waste:
The Worm’s sexual Resume’ Life Cycle

TIME FOR TIME TO TIME EGG

COCO TO
SPECIES ONS MATU
TO SEXUAL RITY
HATCH
(DAY MATURITY
S) (DAYS) (DAYS)

Eisenia fetida 32-73 53-76 85-149

Eudrilus
Eugeniae 12-27 32-95 43-122
Perionyx
excavatus 16-21 28-56 44-71

Dendrobaena
veneta 40-126 57-86 97-14
Clitellum
 Some facts:
 They are hermaphrodite and some species live for ten
years or longer.
 Produce most cocoons over a period of 20 weeks.
 Peak biomass at 10-12 weeks and began to lose wt at 14
weeks.
 Peak cocoon production after 10 weeks.
 The optimum temperature for growth and survival is 25C
but they died at temperatures below 9C and above 30C.
 The moisture content for optimal growth is 50-80% MC,
with considerable decreases in growth at 70-90% MC.
 All species are very sensitive to ammonia and cannot
survive long in organic wastes containing much ammonia
(e.g., fresh poultry manure).
 They are tolerant to pH but given a choice, they prefer
more acid material, with an apparent pH of 5.0.
 Under favorable condition:
Stocked earthworms would start mating. Two
earthworms bind together in a clitellum and
exchange sperm.
Mating is done once a week.
Rate of egg production is 3-5
eggs/week/earthworm.
The egg would be hatched in 2-5 weeks and
sexually matured in 6 months.
Next victim
Five Basic Things That Worms
Need:
1. A hospitable living environment, usually
called “bedding”.
2. Adequate moisture (greater than % water
content by weight)
3. A food source
4. Adequate aeration
5. Protection from temperature extremes
 CARBON TO NITROGEN RATIO (C:N 30:1)

(3) (1) NITROGEN SOURCE

CARBON
SOURCE Animal
Plant Source
Manure

Grass
• Kakawate
Rice straw
Leaves
Corn
• Ipil-ipil Leaves
Stalks/Stover All animal
• Mongo
Wood manures
• Kudzu
Some examples Saw dust except dog,
• “Baging Ilog”
Cocodust cat and
of carbon and Cococoir
• Wild Sunflower
human
• Katuray leaves
nitrogen sources Paper
• Azolla
Cane tops
• Peanut
Cane trash
Identifying of Materials

Source of Carbon 75%

Grass, Rice Straw, Corn Stalks,
Sugar Cane Tops, Yard Waste

Source of Nitrogen 25 %
- Vines, Madre de Cacao/Kakawate and
Ipil-ipil
- Animal Manure - Chicken, Cow, and Pig
 Good Bedding Materials must
have the following
characteristics:
1. High absorbency. Worms breathe
through their skin and therefore must
have a moist environment in which to
live.
2. Good bulking potential. The materials
for composting can be collected from
the farm, garden or kitchen. Dry or
fresh materials can be used.
Coarse or dry materials like manures
should be pulverized and for large
volume of materials, Shredder is
recommended to hasten microbial
action with particle size (1-2.5 cm).
3. High Carbon; Low Nitrogen ratio. High
Nitrogen levels can result in rapid
degradation & its heating, creating
fatal conditions.
Some Facts
When compared with soil, worms casts also
contain 1.5 times calcium, 3 times more
exchangeable magnesium and 8 times as
many microorganisms which promotes
healthy plant growth.

The casts are rich in humic acid, which

condition the soil, have a perfect pH balance,
and have plant growth factors similar to
those found in seaweed.

Source : IIRR Research Study

CARBONIZED RICE HULL
(CRH)
CARBONIZED RICE HULL
Carbonized rice hull (CRH) is made from
incomplete or partial burning of rice hull.
It is porous and bulky with uniform intact
black particles.
It contains phosphorous (P), potassium (K),
calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and
micronutrients vital to growing crops.
Because it is also sterilized, it is free from
disease organisms.
USES OF CRH
1. As substrate to organic fertilizer
When mixed with other organic materials
like bokashi, CRH can be a good source
of organic fertilizer (OF)
USES OF CRH
2.As soil conditioner
Makes the clay soil porous
Replenish nutrients and other
microelements in the soil that were lost due
to continuous cropping.
Improves soil structure by increasing bulk
density, water holding capacity, and
aeration.
It is a good potting media when mixed with
other materials
USES OF CRH
3.As water purifier

Activated carbon from CRH filters the dirty

particles in water, making it effective in
purifying household/drinking water.
USES OF CRH
4. As base material for making
microbial inoculants, Effective Micro
Organisms(EM)

 When 30-50% of CRH is mixed with

EM Bokashi , it becomes more
useful. Naturally, CRH is a habitat for
beneficial micro organisms that
facilitate composting.

 CRH can be used as inoculant-carrier

for rhizobia, a nitrogen-fixing
bacteria found in the roots of
legumes
USES OF CRH
5. As Pest Control Agent

 Contains silica that irritates the

golden kuhol.

 When applied after leveling, snails

are forced to come out, making
handpicking faster and easier.
USES OF CRH
6.As charcoal for fuel

Charcoal briquettes from CRH are good

alternative sources of fuel. Compared with
plain rice hull that takes relatively more time
to produce heat, CRH can easily be ignited to
produce heat or convert heat into fuel for
cooking
USES OF CRH
7.As deodorizer / odor suppressant

CRH also cleanses and deodorizes bad air smell

through its activated carbon that absorbs foul
odors in the air. The same principle applies
when a charcoal is placed inside a refrigerator.

CRH is used as mulch bed in animal pen and

poultry houses to reduce foul smell from urine
and manure
 MAKING OF CARBONIZED RICE HULL
(ANG PAGGAWA NG CARBONIZED RICE HULL)
DRY RICE HULL CARBONIZER SHOVEL

LIGHTER OR WATERING PALE

FIRE WOOD
MATCH STICKS
STEP 1

Start a fire using the lighter and

firewood and let it kindle
 STEP 2

1 Make sure that the fire won’t die

out before covering it with the
Carbonizer

2
 STEP 3
1
Pour and stack the dried rice
hull around the carbonizer.

2
 STEP 4
When the rice hull at the top are
1 carbonized, use the shovel to
cover it with the dried rice hull
from the bottom

2
 STEP 5 When the rice hull is almost
carbonized (80%). Remove the
carbonizer by tipping it over to
the side using the long shovel.
Extra caution is exercised for
1 the carbonizer is extremely hot

2
STEP 6

Mix the rice hull and let the

remaining embers to carbonize
the rest of the mixture until all of
it (100%) are carbonized
STEP 7

When all of the rice hull are

carbonized, sprinkle water onto
the CRH using the watering pale
to extinguish the remaining
embers
STEP 8
Lay the CRH thinly and make
sure that the embers have died
out to prevent the carbonized
rice hull turn to ash
STEP 9
When its dry, collect and
store the CRH into sacks.
After that, its ready to be
used or sold
How to fabricate
your own
carbonizer?
FOR THE CHAMBER:
Get any 20 L used oil can, about 40 cm height.

Remove the top cover and make a hole at the

bottom of the can about9-10 cm diameter for
the chimney
Alternative: Make use of
defective pressure tanks.
Cut in half to make two
carbonizers.\
Use a metal puncher to make 30-40
holes at 2-cm diameter aligned at 12 x
20 cm distance
ALTERNATIVE
Use welding rod to make holes
From the junk shop,
buy used GI Pipe
Size: 5 to 6 feet high
and 3 inches
diameter
To make it
more sturdy,
Install metal
braces
 To lasts for
years,
Install
additional
metal braces
AVP – CRH MAKING
THANK YOU
 EM BOKASHI
(ORGANIC FERTILIZER)

Anaerobic EM Bokashi Aerobic EM Bokashi

(No Air) (With Air)
 EM BOKASHI
(ORGANIC FERTILIZER - Fermented Organic matter with
EM )
Anaerobic EM Bokashi (No air during fermentation)

• Can be used for agriculture as an organic

fertilizer,
animal husbandry/aquaculture as a feed
additive,
kitchen garbage treatment
 EM BOKASHI
(ORGANIC FERTILIZER - Fermented Organic matter with
EM )
Anaerobic EM Bokashi (No air during fermentation)
• Longer fermentation period compared to aerobic
type

• The quality is stable under anaerobic condition

and can be kept longer than aerobic type.
Materials
Materials for Anaerobic Bokashi

As main materials(more than 50% by volume):

 Rice bran (darak),
Rice husk(ipa),
Chopped rice straw(dayami)
Wheat bran, Corn meal

*Other materials with high carbon content

Materials
Materials for Anaerobic Bokashi
Can be mixed with:
Soybean meal,
Copra meal,
Bean husk,
Fish meal,
Bone meal,
Duckweed /Azolla,
Leaves of Ipil-ipil or Kakawate,
Animal manure(except dog & cats)
Fish Amino Acid (FAA)
*Other materials with high nitrogen content
 Materials
Materials for Anaerobic Bokashi

-EMAS and Molasses

1-5 % to the water volume

-Clean water
About 30% of Materials by weight
(20-30L for 100kg materials)
Our Favorite Mix for Anaerobic Bokashi
100 kl D3(Gaspang)
100 kl CRH(Carbonized Rice
Hull)
50 kl Copra meal(palyat)
200 ml EMAS
200 ml molasses
30-40 liters water
ep 1: Dilute EMAS and Molasses in water

E M
EMAS AS
200 ml Molasses
200 ml

Water
30 liters
 tep 2-Mix all the solid ingredients and
diluted EMAS solution

CRH
RICE BRAN

COPRA
MEAL

MIX ALTOGETHER
Step 3: Check for 30-40% Moisture
content
Step 3: Ferment for 2-3 weeks
in an air-tight condition (no air)
EM Bokashi is ready for use, when it
has a sweet-sour fermented smell.

2 - 3 weeks

Anaerobic EM Bokashi is more potent with longer

fermentation period. It can be kept for years
 costing
MATERIALS QTY UNI PACKAGIN WEIGH AMOUN UNIT TOTAL
T G T T(in COST COST
Peso)
Rice 20 Kg Sack 50 150 3 60
Bran(D3)
CRH 20 Kg Sack 20 20 1 20

Copra meal 10 Kg Sack 50 500 10 100

EMAS 200 ml Liter 1000 50 .05 10

Molasses 200 ml Liter 1000 20 .02 4

TOTAL 50 kg 194

COST PER 3.8

KG 8
 Usage of Bokashi
(anaerobic type)
• Feed additive for poultry and livestock
• Soil fertilizer
• Composting agent
• Treatment of kitchen garbage
• Key ingredient for mud balls for the
treatment of pond, lakes, rivers, sewage
systems
• Treatment of manures eg. Chicken dung
HANDS-ON, MAKING OF ANAEROBIC TYPE BOKASHI…
 Aerobic EM Bokashi

Aerobic EM Bokashi
• Mainly used for agriculture as organic fertilizer
• Easily produced on a large scale compared to the
anaerobic type
Materials
Materials for aerobic Bokashi

As main materials(more than 50% by volume):

 Rice bran (darak),
Rice husk(ipa),
Chopped rice straw(dayami)
Wheat bran, Corn meal

*Other materials with high carbon content

Materials
Materials for aerobic Bokashi

Can be mixed with:

Soybean meal,
Copra meal,
Bean husk,
Fish meal,
Bone meal,
Duckweed /Azolla,
Leaves of Ipil-ipil or Kakawate,
Animal manure(except dog & cats)
Fish Amino Acid (FAA)
*Other materials with high nitrogen content
 Materials
Materials for Aerobic Bokashi

-EMAS and Molasses

1-5 % to the water volume

-Clean water
About 40% of Materials by weight
(40L for 100kg materials)
Our Favorite Mix for Aerobic Bokashi
100 kl D3(Gaspang)
100 kl CRH(Carbonized Rice Hull)
50 kl dried rabbit or chicken manure
200 ml EMAS
200 ml molasses
40-50 liter water

CRH RICE
BRAN

ANIMAL DUNG
MIN REQUIREMENT (IN KG) PER HA = 1000
kg
1000 X P 2.08 = P 2,080/ha
ep 1: Dilute EMAS and Molasses in water

E MAS
EMAS Molasses
200 ml 200 ml

Water
40 liters
 tep 2-Mix all the solid ingredients and
diluted EMAS solution

CRH
RICE
BRAN

ANIMAL DUNG
Step 3: Check for 40-50% Moisture
content
Step 4: Cover the bokashi with
gunny bags
 Step 5: Ferment for 1 week in a
covered area without rain and direct
sunlight
Management during fermentation

Turn over the mixture if its

temperature exceeds 50oC
 1 week

Aerobic Bokashi is ready for use when

- it has a sweet-sour fermented smell.
- its temperature is stable.
 Storage of Aerobic Bokashi
1. Dry without direct sunlight

2. Pack

Aerobic EM Bokashi can be kept for 6

months under good storage condition
 costing
MATERIALS QTY UNI PACKAGIN WEIGH AMOUN UNIT TOTAL
T G T T(in COST COST
Peso)
Rice 20 Kg Sack 50 150 3 60
Bran(D3)
CRH 20 Kg Sack 20 20 1 20

Manure 10 Kg Sack 50 50 1 10

EMAS 200 ml Liter 1000 50 .05 10

Molasses 200 ml Liter 1000 20 .02 4

TOTAL 50 kg 104

COST PER 2.0

KG 8
ORGANIC
FERTILIZER
SOIL CONDITIONER
 Usage of Aerobic Bokashi

• Soil fertilizer
• Composting agent
• Treatment of kitchen garbage
• Key ingredient for mud balls for the
treatment of pond, lakes, rivers, sewage
systems
• Treatment of manures
 FORTIFIED
ORGANIC
FERTILIZER
1. Mix 2 bags of D2 rice bran (100 kgs) with 30 liters of IMO
solution (1 liter IMO with 29 liters of water) thoroughly
2. Cover the mixture with a canvas
3. Open after 3 days and mix with 200 kgs of pig
manure/chicken dung/cow manure
4. Spray with 30 liters FAA solution (1 liter FAA 29 liters water)
5. Cover and Open after 3 days
6. Add and mix 100 kgs pure soil from the same farm
7. Spray with 30 liters FAA/FFJ/CALPHOS solution (200 ml
FAA/200ml FFJ/ 100 ml CALPHOS with 29 liters water)
8. Cover and open after 3 days
9. Spray 15 liters solution of FFA/FFJ (250ml
FAA/ and 250 ml FFJ with 15 liters of water
10.Repeat item no. 9 for 5 days)
11.Add and mix 100 kgs carbonized rice hulls
(CRH), (from here it’s optional, but you can
have the best organic fertilizer if you
continue up to item # 17)
12.Spray as in item # 4
13.Cover and open after 3 days
14.Add and mix 100 kgs vermicast
15.Spray 30 liters solution of IMO and FAA
(500ml IMO and 500 ml FAA)
 Foliar fertilizer
application
• Can be sprayed on and underneath the
leaves
• Can be drenched into the soil
• Application should be early
morning or late in the afternoon
• Solid Organic Fertilizer – is applied basally by
incorporating in the soil prior to planting or
transplanting and being absorbed by the plants through
the root system.
• Liquid/Foliar Fertilizer – are sprayed to the plants,
particularly on the leaves, which are absorbed through
stomata.
• Time/Condition of Application – early morning or late in
the afternoon and not windy and no rain
 Basal VS foliar fertilizer
application

SIMILARITIES
• both contains macro and micronutrients
• both have microorganism

DIFFERENCES
• basal fertilizer is applied on the soil while foliar is on and underneath the
leaves
• plants can absorb foliar fertilizer than basal fertilizer