Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION XI
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF DAVAO DE ORO
MONKAYO EAST DISTRICT
MONKAYO, DAVAO DE ORO
PASIAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
School Year 2021-2022
P1, Pasian, Monkayo, Davao de Oro

TECHNOLOGY and LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION 10

(ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION)

Quarter 2: Module 3
Learning Activity Sheet (LAS)

COMPOST and HARVEST FERTILIZER

(Check Quality of Harvest Based on PNS Indications of Fully Decomposed Fertilizer)

AINA ELOISA B. ALONZO

T-I/TLE 10 Teacher

Kindly contact this mobile number if there will be any questions: 0926 473 1533
(Supplemental material)
I. Learning Competency with Code:
LO1. Prepare composting area and raw materials
LO1.8: Carrying - Out Processing of Compost Fertilizer Based on
Production Requirements.

II. Background Information for Learners:

Carry out the processing of compost fertilizer based on production

requirements.

Composting Process

Composting is a natural biological process, carried out under

controlled aerobic conditions (requires oxygen) and is nature's way of
recycling. Composting biodegrades organic waste like; food waste, manure,
leaves, grass trimmings, paper, wood, feathers, crop residue, etc., and turns
it into valuable organic fertilizer.

In this process, various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi,

break down organic matter into simpler substances. The effectiveness of
the composting process is dependent upon the environmental conditions
present within the composting system i.e. oxygen, temperature, moisture,
material disturbance, organic matter, and the size and activity of microbial
populations.

Composting is not a mysterious or complicated process. Natural

recycling (composting) occurs continuously in the natural environment.
Organic matter is metabolized by microorganisms and consumed by
invertebrates. The resulting nutrients are returned to the soil to support
plant growth.

The essential elements required by the composting microorganisms

are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and moisture. If any of these elements are
lacking, or if they are not provided in the proper proportion, the
microorganisms will not flourish and will not provide adequate heat.
NOTE: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times.
 A composting process that operates at optimum performance will convert
organic matter into stable compost that is odor and pathogen-free, and a
poor breeding substrate for flies and other insects. Also, it will significantly
reduce the volume and weight of organic waste as the composting process
converts much of the biodegradable component to gaseous carbon dioxide.

The composting process is carried out by three classes of microbes:

1. Psychrophiles - low-temperature microbes
2. Mesophiles -medium temperature microbes
3. Thermophiles - high-temperature microbes

Generally, composting begins at mesophilic temperatures and progresses

into the thermophilic range. In later stages, other organisms including
Actinomycetes, Centipedes, Millipedes, Fungi, Sowbugs, Spiders, and
Earthworms assist in the process.

Things to Consider in Carrying -out Processing for Compost Fertilizer:

Temperature is were directly proportional to the biological activity within

the composting system. At a temperature of 155 degrees F, organic matter will
decompose about twice as fast as at 130 degrees F. Temperatures above 155
degrees F may destroy certain microbe populations. In this case, the temperature
may rapidly decline. The temperature will slowly rise again as the microbe
population regenerates.

Moisture content, oxygen availability, and microbial activity all influence

temperature. When the pile temperature is increasing, it is operating at optimum
performance and should be left alone. As the temperature peaks, and begins to
decrease, the pile should be turned to incorporate oxygen into the compost.
Subsequently, the pile should respond to the turning and incorporation of
oxygen, and temperature should again cycle upwards. The turning process should
be continued until the pile fails to re-heat. This indicates that the compost
material is biologically stable.

NOTE: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times.

 Composting microorganisms thrive in moist conditions. For optimum
performance, moisture content within the composting environment should be
maintained at 45 percent. Too much water can cause the compost pile to go
anaerobic and emit obnoxious odors. Too little will prevent the microorganisms
from propagating.

Particle Size. The ideal particle size is around 2 to 3 inches. In some cases,
such as in the composting of grass clippings, the raw material may be too dense
to permit adequate airflow or maybe too moist. A common solution to this
problem is to add a bulking agent (straw, dry leaves, paper, and cardboard) to
allow for proper airflow. Mixing materials of different sizes and textures also help
aerate the compost pile.

Turning. During the composting process, oxygen is used up quickly by the

microbes as they metabolize the organic matter. As the oxygen becomes
depleted the composting process slows and temperatures decline. Aerating the
compost by turning should ensure an adequate supply of oxygen to the microbes.

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio. The microbes in compost use carbon for energy
and nitrogen for protein synthesis. The proportion of these two elements
required by the microbes‟ averages about 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen.
Accordingly, the ideal ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen (C: N) is 30 to 1 (measured on
a dry weight basis). This ratio governs the speed at which the microbes
decompose organic waste

The C: N ratio of materials can be calculated by using table 1 below.

Example, if you have two bags of cow manure (C:N = 20:1) and one bag of
corn stalks (C:N = 60:1) then combined you have a C:N ration of (20:1 + 20:1 +
60:1)/3 = (100:1)/3 = 33:1

NOTE: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times.

 Table 1: Lists of Carbon/Nitrogen Ratios of Some Common Organic
Materials.

Composting Period. The composting period is governed by several factors

including, temperature, moisture, oxygen, particle size, the carbon-to-nitrogen
ratio, and the degree of turning involved. Generally, effective management of
these factors will accelerate the composting process.

Processing of compost fertilizer

To process compost fertilizer produced in a compost bin/compost pile,

observe the following steps/procedures:

1. Collecting. Gather/Collect the ready to harvest compost fertilizer

from the compost bin and place in a partially shaded area for air
drying process.
2. Drying. Air dry the compost fertilizer for 2 – 3 days until the finished
product can already crumbles in your hand.
3. Sieving/Screening. Using a locally made sieving tool (made of fine
mesh wire nailed on wood for easy handling), perform manual
sieving of the product in order separate the big particles to produce
a good quality compost fertilizer.
4. Bagging. Place the processed compost fertilizer in a bagging
container either in sack or in plastic bags.
5. Labelling. For marketing purposes, label the packing container
which includes the following:
a. Business name and location

NOTE: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times.

 b. Name of the product
c. Net content
d. Nutrient content/analysis
6. Storing. Keep the finished product in a dry and safe storage area free
from contamination.

If compost will be utilized for mulching or fertilizing vegetable and fruit tree
crops, the compost after collecting can be directly applied to the garden or farm.
While vermicompost that will be utilized in the production of vermi tea can be
processed by following the procedure below:

VermiTea or Compost Tea Making

Materials:
Compost or vermicast
Molasses or brown sugar/muscovado
Water
Net or Katsa
Plastic container
1. Prepare 1 kilo vermi cast or compost and I kilo brown sugar/muscovado
or ½ kilo molasses
2. Put it inside the net bag or katsa
3. Soak in 20 liters of water. Cover the container.
4. Place in area exposed to sunlight.
5. The tea can be used after 12 to 24 hours of soaking but if you want
fermented tea this can be brewed for 7 days.
6. The tea can be applied by spraying or drenching to the crops.

III. Directions:
Different activities to enhance your learning.

IV. Activity Proper:

A. MULTIPLE CHOICES
Direction: Read each item carefully. Write the correct answers in your in a clean
sheet of paper. Let us determine how much you already know about carry out
the processing of compost fertilizer based on production requirements. Take this
test.
_____1. It is a natural biological process, carried out under controlled aerobic
conditions (requires oxygen) and is nature's way of recycling.
a. Composting b. Harvesting c. Bagging d. Sieving
_____2. The composting process is carried out by three classes of microbes
except?
a. Nitrogen level
b. Psychrophiles - low-temperature microbes
c. Mesophiles -medium temperature microbes
d. Thermophiles - high-temperature microbes
_____3. Which is one of the composting processes is carried out by low-
temperature microbes.
a. Thermophiles b. Psychrophiles c. Temperature d. Mesophiles
_____4. Below are essential elements required by the composting microorganism
which is not included?
a. carbon b. Nitrogen c. Oxygen and moisture d. Hydrogen
_____5. Generally, compost is ready to be harvested when the finished product
is…
a. A rich dark brown color b. Smells like earth soil.
c. Crumbles in your hand d. All of the above

V. Reflection:
(Write your answer in the notebook)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

VI. References:
Philippine National Standards for Organic Fertilizer.(2001). Bureau of Product Standards
Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines, file:///C:/Users/catedral/Documents/PNS
BAFPS%2040 %20Fertilizer.pdf
VII. Answer Key:
Multiple Choices: 1. final product 4. 21 days
1. D 4. A 2. beginning 5. biological activity
2. A 5. C 3. analysis
3. B

Prepared by:

AINA ELOISA B. ALONZO

T-I – Pasian National High School

Note: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times