What is composting? Why is it useful and what microorganisms make it function?
Composting is a natural process in which organic materials such as kitchen scraps, garden waste, and yard trimmings are broken down by microorganisms into nutrient-rich soil amendment known as compost. This process helps to reduce waste going into landfills and provides a sustainable way to recycle organic materials for gardening and farming.
Composting is useful because it helps to enrich soil, improve soil structure and fertility, retain moisture, and suppress plant diseases. It also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and helps to combat climate change by reducing methane emissions from decomposing organic matter in landfills.
The microorganisms that make composting function include bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers such as earthworms and insects. Bacteria and fungi are the primary decomposers that break down the organic materials into simpler compounds that can be used by plants. Earthworms and other soil organisms further break down the compost into humus, a dark, nutrient-rich organic material that improves soil health.