Soil management: compost production and use in tropical and subtropical environments [antikvár]

- iii - PREFACE This Soils Bulletin provides training material on composting for extension workers and teachers in countries in the tropics and'subtropics. The objective is to promote the use of locally available organic materials to increase soil organic matter content for the improvement of soil fertility, and as sources of plant nutrients in conjunction with mineral fertilizers. This manual is written for all those concerned with the maintenance and improvement of soil fertility, especially under tropical and subtropical conditions. It is hoped that it will be of value to staff in Government Agricultural Advisory Services and in non-government agencies both at the policy making level and in various levels in extension services. It contains material for use in farmer training. Those involved in planning safe waste disposal systems will also find it useful and it should stimulate thinking among elected officials in local government bodies throughout the tropics. Schoolteachers in rural areas will be able to base science lessons on it. The manual has been written in simple language without detracting from the scientific basis or level of technology involved. This has been done deliberately to enable those whose mother tongue is not English to use it and also to form a bridge between scientific knowledge and practical compost production. The severe drought and famine in parts of Africa in 1985 have shown the necessity for adequate soil-.;-organic matter to prevent hillside erosion and to retain moisture in the soil for crop growth. The cbst of mineral fertilizers and their relative scarcity in some areas, h'as.: increased the need to recycle waste organic materials as sources of crop;-hutrients. This Bulletin explains the basic compo'stihg process, suitable, organic wastes, practical composting methods, use of the product in a variety of situations and a consideration of economic and social benefits. I^ also deals with approaches to practical extension work with farmers on the': sub ject. The book has been written by Howard Dalzell, Director of the Medak Agricultural Centre, India, in conjunction with Ken Gray, Joe Biddlestone and Kamala Thurairajan of the Compost Studies Group at the University of Birmingham, England. The latter group was formed in 1965 in the Department of Chemical Engineering and has been studying the composting process and its application to the treatment of organic wastes from garden, farm and municipal sources. During his 16 years experience of agricultural development in India, Dalzell has carried out the practice of composting with support from the university group in England. This manual is the result of their joint experiences. It is sincerely hoped that the information given in this Soils Bulletin will provide help and encouragement to the many people involved with increasing the food supply in developing countries.