Organic fertilizer management
Organic fertilizer management
Incorporating organic fertilizers reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers , improves soil fertility, and enhances microbial activity.
– Compost and Farmyard Manure : 10–15 tons/ha annually (improves soil structure and nutrient availability) .
– Poultry Manure : 5–7 tons/ha annually (rich in nitrogen and phosphorus)
– Green Manure (Gliricidia, Keppettiya , Sunhemp) : Enhances organic matter and soil moisture retention
How to Make Organic Fertilizer for Betel Plants
Ingredients
Compost (Base Material):
- Dried leaves, vegetable scraps, grass clippings ( 65 kg) - Coconut husk : 7 kg (for aeration)
Green Manure Sources:
- Cow dung (rich in nitrogen and beneficial microbes) (12 kg)
Phosphorus & Potassium Sources:
- Rock phosphate (for phosphorus) (4 kg) - Banana peels (for potassium) (7 kg)
Microbial Enhancers (Optional but Beneficial):
- Jaggery or molasses (to boost microbial activity) (5 kg)
Steps of Preparation
Choose a shaded composting place and create alternating layers of dry and wet materials.
- Bottom Layer: Coconut husks for aeration.
- Second Layer: Dry leaves
- Third Layer: Green manure ( cow dung ) for nitrogen.
- Fifth Layer: Rock phosphate
Keep the compost moist but not soggy, like a wrung-out sponge and turn the pile every 5-7 days to improve aeration and decomposition.
Cover the pile with black polythene and allow the compost to decompose for 3-4 months. Once the compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell, it is ready for field application.
