[USCC] C:N Ratio

[Scott Reil]

John, that is my understanding as well. In the discussion on adding urea to
wood composting I put forth the proposition that adding biology would be
preferable to adding chemical inputs as the process of natural selection
would find the optimal balances of biology. It is my understanding that your
assertion that the carboniferous nature of wood makes it unsuitable food for
bacteria is correct, and urea is hardly a suitable fungal food; high nitrate
inputs favor bacterial conditions. The necessity of bacterial decomposition
for a less carboniferous food stock such as a manure compost is absolutely
true, but I feel encouraging bacterial growth on a ligneous (and therefore
high carbon) material could actually be detrimental to the very fungii we
are expecting to accomplish the job (due to bacterial tendency to push
towards a baser pH). As the food stock is converted to a more suitable form
for bacterial decomposition, natural succession will move towards a more
bacterial biota, which will naturally adjust pH.

Applications of fish hydrolysate favor both bacterial and fungal sides and
still allows for the selection process I spoke of. Coupling this with
sufficient passive aeration should allow for optimal conditions for both
bacteria and fungii; I specify passive as regular turning would continually
disrupt the growth of the fungal hyphae. The silo seems a perfect vehicle
for this process, as the concerns about anaerobic conditions are eliminated,
and all the biology should consume enough carbon to sequester much of the
off-gassing, as I am sure was already the case from your post. Volatization
of any parent elements should always be a concern as we are either adding to
the gaseous waste stream or losing food sourcing for continued biological
decomposition. 

Carbon and nitrogen are naturally inherent in the compost biology and fuel
their various life cycles. It is my strong opinion that working with these
natural systems is the inherent beauty and best management practice in
composting.

“The first rule of sustainability is to align with natural forces, or at
least not try to defy them.”
 
Paul Hawken


Scott Reil
Safe Lawns and Landscapes LLC
70 Highland Park Drive
Bloomfield CT 06002
860-243-8733



-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of John A. Crockett
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:53 PM
To: U.S. Composting Council listserve; U.S. Composting Council listserve
Subject: [USCC] C:N Ratio

When striving for a great C:N Ratio, are people looking at overall C:N
Ratio, or AVAILABLE?  

IF the primary decomposers in the early part of the composting process are
active (in contrast to total) bacteria, is the carbon in wood, high Lignin
feedstocks, available to the bacteria?  

I've read & heard that the only micro-organisms that can break down Lignin
are white rot, and brown rot fungus, that bacteria cannot access the carbon
in Lignin.  I don't know whether that is true.  Does anyone following the
list know?

Our compost research silos provide us with a great environment to test
various feedstock combinations, including measuring the rate of air flow
that we have to deliver to hold the CO2 in the off-gas down to between 1 -
2%.  If we have to provide > 20 times the volume of compost, in fresh air,
every hour, to hold the CO2 between 1 - 2%, then we feel we have a good
blend of feedstocks.  And the bottom line, of course, is how plants perform
in the finished product.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
  

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