Download Land ApplicationPPT - Indiana Rural Community Assistance Program

Land Application
Presentation 11:
The Composting Toolkit
Funded by the Indiana
Department of
Environmental
Management Recycling
Grants Program
Developed by the Indiana
Rural Community
Assistance Program RCAP
Land Application
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Land application is the direct incorporation of
raw, uncomposted leaves, grass, and other nonwoody landscape wastes into the soil.
The raw yard waste decomposes slowly over a
period of time and becomes incorporated back
into the soil.
Benefits of Land Application
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Land application returns valuable organic
matter to the soil and keeps it out of disposal
facilities.
Because the materials are directly incorporated
into the soil you “cut out the middleman” from
needing to market and/or distribute the end
product.
Challenges with Land Application
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Must be managed so as to prevent any
aesthetic or environmental problems
Runoff, leachate, and odors must all be
considered
Only an option if material is incorporated into
the soil long before a crop is planted
The material being incorporated needs to be
uniform and free of all contaminants.
Decomposition Process
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Decomposition takes place in an uncontrolled manner, soil
characteristics such as temperature, moisture, oxygen levels,
and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can fluctuate.
Decomposition of land-applied materials occurs somewhat
differently than the controlled activity of a windrow process.
Land-applied landscape waste is first degraded near the soil
surface by macro-organisms such as earthworms and soil
insects. Once these larger organisms reduce the size and
consume some of the material, smaller organisms begin
decomposing the material at low temperatures and relatively
slow rates.
Application Rates
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Most studies of application rates have been
conducted on corn fields. The following is a
summary of three studies of interest:
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Barrington, IL: 10 tons of leaves per acre or 5 tons
of grass clippings per acre
A.E. Peterson: 20 – 40 tons of leaves per acre
New Jersey: 3-inch layer of leaves chisel plowed
into the soil
Application Timetable
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For Leaves: Apply in the fall. A number of studies
recommend adding supplemental Nitrogen to aid
decomposition.
For Grass Clippings: Apply at least six weeks prior to
a crop planting.
For finished yard waste: Apply prior to crop
plantings. One study recommended adding
supplemental Nitrogen to prevent the compost from
up-taking soil Nitrogen needed by the food crop.
Facility Registration Required
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Just like with composting facilities, the
Indiana Department of Environmental
Management (IDEM) requires the
registration of large scale land application
programs.
Technical Assistance
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It is wise to consult with experts in the field of
soil studies before carrying out a land
application program. Resources include:
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Soil and Water Conservation District
County Extension
QUESTIONS?
Thank You!
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Additional Questions, Comments, or You
Think You Have A Potential Pilot Community
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Please Feel Free to Contact Me:
Mark W. Davis
Technical Assistance Provider
Rural Community Assistance Program
Office: 1-800-382-9895
Wireless: (812) 320-0720
E-mail: [email protected]