Why Apply AO-Compost?

AO-COMPOST INCREASES THE NUMBER OF NITRIFYING & MICROORGANISM IN THE SOIL

Upon the decay of virtually all living things (plant and animals) ammonia is released as a by-product of decay. The nitrogen in the ammonia is in a form not readily available for use by green plants. Nitrifying bacteria changes the ammonia form of nitrogen to nitrites and nitrates. Nitrates are the most available form of nitrogen to plants.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria are able to utilize the atmospheric nitrogen (the earth's atmosphere is comprised of approximately 82% nitrogen) by the conversion of free nitrogen to nitrogen combined with other elements. The combined forms are then ultimately available to green plants. Higher plants cannot use atmospheric nitrogen until this process occurs.

These organisms are essential to all other plants such as flowers, turf grasses, trees, etc., because they provide a usable form of nitrogen which could otherwise not be obtained. The only other alternative is the addition of commercial chemical fertilizers which are more costly, less efficient in the delivery of the nutrient to the plant, environmentally less desirable, and are not considered to be sustainable for the necessary period of time.

AO-COMPOST PROMOTES BETTER SOIL TILTH, IMPROVED INFILTRATION & WATER RETENTION CAPACITY

It has been said, "a teaspoon of soil may contain billions of organisms," upon which plant growth, soil fertility, and even soil development, depend.

When populations of favorable microorganisms are increased to the level that COMPOST provides, there is a corresponding level of heightened biological activity within the soil profile. This activity is complex and sets in motion a chain of events that positively impacts the condition and health of the soil environment. As mentioned earlier, the soil has a "living component." The health of this soil fraction is critical to the overall condition of the mineral soil solution and other organic parts of the soil.

Other soil organisms are dependent upon the activities of the beneficial bacteria provided by COMPOST and naturally found in the soil. As a result, not only is soil bacteria increased, but many other important organisms benefit from the increased activity. They, in turn, become part of the nutrient cycle and soil conditioning process, and complement the bacterial action. Some of these soil organisms cause physical changes in the soil horizon. For example, earthworms contribute to soil aeration infiltration of water, and the incorporation of plant residues in the nutrient cycle. Earthworm activity is commonly increased with the use of compost.

AO-COMPOST REDUCES FERTILIZER COSTS

COMPOST permits the "tapping" of another source of nitrogen and some other plant nutrients, thus reducing the normal need to supply supplemental chemical fertilizer by 50-75%. Such reductions are feasible for two reasons: 1) A natural source of nitrogen is being substituted for commercial sources, and 2) COMPOST increases the efficiency of commercial fertilizers. This is accomplished through enzymatic action of bacteria on commercial sources of nitrogen due to leaching and volatilization.

AO-COMPOST HELPS LANDSCAPERS MANAGE PLANT RESIDUES FOR GREATER PROFITS

The use and management of plant residues are essential for protection against soil erosion and maintenance of soil conditions. In order to maintain soil organic matter, there must be a continuing supply to replace that which is lost though biological activity and weathering. It is sometimes difficult to manage heavier plant residues, and extra costs are incurred in tillage and fertilizer operations.
COMPOST helps break down plant residues to soil organic matter and humus. Tillage operations will then require less fuel energy and maintenance demands, as plant residues are diminished.

AO-COMPOST INCREASES THE AVAILABILITY OF MINOR NUTRIENTS & TRACE MINERALS

The normal "life/death" process occurring within the soil environment provides a continuing process of building complex organic substances and the breaking down of this material into different forms than were originally found in the soil. One product of this process is the formation of humus. Humus is the final product of organic material decomposition. It is composed of extremely small particles that provide a vast array of chemical activities due to the increased particle surface area and serve as attachment zones for many compounds. This "attachment" and chemical activity holds plant nutrients within the root zone until used by plants and provides a more usable form of many plant nutrients.

AO-COMPOST REDUCES LOSSES OF AMMONIUM FERTILIZERS TO VAPORIZATION & LEACHING

Ammonium compounds supplied by chemical fertilizers are subject to relatively high rates of loss due to leaching and volatilization. COMPOST can help reduce such losses in several ways. Increased water holding capacity of the soil will, in turn, retain a large portion of compounds found within the soil solution. Less water will be lost, therefore, fewer of these sources of nitrogen will leach beyond the plant root zone. Optimal growth rates of plants, resulting in higher levels of carbohydrates within plant tissues, will more effectively metabolize nitrogenous compounds, resulting in more efficient use of available ammonium sources within the soil. This, combined with more efficient nitrogen cycling, due to increased microorganism activity, provides less time for losses due to volatilization.

AO-COMPOST SUPPRESSES SOIL BORNE PLANT DISEASE DEVELOPMENT

Disease suppressive compost can be an effective and viable alternative to chemical fungicides to combat plant diseases in many applications when used in combination with integrated pest and soil management practices. Disease suppressive compost also has the potential for replacing Methyl Bromide use in the production of fruit and vegetable crops. Diseases that have been shown to be effectively suppressed by compost use include those caused by Fusaruim, Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia Solari.

There are two primary mechanisms by which the colonies of biocontrol organisms in compost combat disease: 1.) General suppression and 2.) Specific suppression. General suppression occurs when a high-microbial activity environment is created in which the germination of pathogen Propagules is inhibited. Specific suppression involves the action of a specific microbial agent in suppressing a specific pathogen. This can be successfully achieved by inoculating the compost with the desired microbial agent.

In addition to suppressing the spread of disease at nurseries and in turf propagation, disease suppressive compost mixes also provide nutrients and organic matter bolstering general soil health for more vivorant plant growth.

AO-COMPOST IS APPLICABLE TO ALL VARIETIES OF PLANTS

Although different plants have a great variety of different management needs, all green plants benefit from improved soil conditions and having all their nutritional needs met. COMPOST contributes to the overall well-being of all types of plants including trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowers, lawns, and even house plants, because it is founded upon basic biological and scientific principles. The benefits described next are applicable to Palms as they are to Petunias.

Using AO-COMPOST HELPS TO INCREASE "GROWING SUCCESS" IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

Optimizes more vigorous root systems due to better plant nutrition, better soil condition, soil aeration and soil retention.
Optimizes both growth and quality due to better plant nutrition.
Optimizes growth and completion of plant life cycles including blooming and seed development thus shortening the planting to maturation time frame.
Optimizes soil/moisture relationships contributing to more efficient use of available water resources.
Optimizes fruit and flower maturation conditions resulting in improved taste, quality and visual appeal.
Reduces dependence on the use of commercial chemical fertilizers, thus reducing growing costs.
Effectively suppresses soil borne plant pathogens.
Reduces logistic problems associated with commercial chemical fertilizers.