FS8
TLE – Organic Agriculture
Activity Sheet Quarter 1 - Week 4
Applying Appropriate Composting Method
Based on Production Requirements
REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS
FS TLE8 – Organic Agriculture
Activity Sheet No. 4
First Edition, 2022
Published in the Philippines
By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any
work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for the exploitation of
such work for a profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a
condition the payment of royalties.
This Learning Activity Sheet is developed by DepEd Region 6 – Western
Visayas.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this learning resource may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical
without written permission from the DepEd Regional Office 6 – Western Visayas.
Development FS TLE8 – Organic Agriculture Production I
Learning Activity Sheet
Contextualized by SDO Himamaylan City Writer: Aida L. Talorong
Editor: Reynaldo P. Evangelio
Quality Assurance Team: Reynaldo P. Evangelio, Mylene D. Lopez,
Jarrett Irvin C. Gayosa, Helen Grace S. Poderoso
Schools Division of Iloilo Writers: Visluzminda M. Catedral,
Domingo C. Clarito Jr.
Schools Division of Iloilo Management Team:
Roel F. Bermejo
Novelyn M. Vilchez
Ferdinand S. Sy
Azucena T. Falales
Ruben S. Libutaque
Lilibeth E. Larupay
Abraham P. Imas
Remia D. Manejero
Regional Management Team
Ramir B. Uytico
Pedro T. Escobarte, Jr.
Elena P. Gonzaga
Donald T. Genine
April C. Velez
Elvie R. Verde
Introductory Message
Welcome to FS TLE7 – Agricultural Crops Production I!
This Learning Activity Sheet is a product of the collaborative efforts of the
Schools Division of Himamaylan City and DepEd Regional Office VI - Western Visayas
through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD). This is
developed to guide the learning facilitators (teachers, parents, and responsible adults)
in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Basic Education
Curriculum.
This Activity Sheet is self-directed instructional material aimed to guide the
learners in accomplishing activities at their own pace and time using the contextualized
resources in the community. This will also assist the learners in acquiring lifelong
learning skills, knowledge, and attitudes for productivity and employment.
For the learning facilitator:
The FS TLE8 – Agricultural Crops Production I Activity Sheet will help you
facilitate the teaching-learning activities specified in each Most Essential Learning
Competency (MELC) with minimal or no face-to-face encounter between you and
learner. This will be made available to the learners with the references/links to ease
the independent learning.
For the learner:
The FS TLE8 – Agricultural Crops Production I Activity Sheet is developed
to help you continue learning even if you are not in school. This learning material
provides you with meaningful and engaging activities for independent learning. Being
an active learner, carefully read and understand the instructions then perform the
activities and answer the assessments. This will be returned to your facilitator on the
agreed schedule.
Quarter 1 – Week 4
FS TLE8 – Organic Agriculture
Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 3
Name of Learner: ____________________________________________________
Grade and Section: ______________________ Date: _______________________
Applying Appropriate Composting Method
Based on Production Requirements
I.
Learning Competency with Code
LO 2. Prepare composting area and raw materials (FSTLE_OA-OF-Id-h-2)
1.5 Apply appropriate composting method based on production requirements
II. Background Information for Learners
Composting is the natural process of 'rotting' or decomposition of organic matter
by microorganisms under controlled conditions. Raw organic materials such as crop
residues, animal wastes, food garbage, some municipal wastes, and suitable industrial
wastes, enhance their suitability for application to the soil as a fertilizing resource, after
having undergone composting.
Compost is a rich source of organic matter. Soil organic matter plays an important
role in sustaining soil fertility, and hence in sustainable agricultural production. In addition
to being a source of plant nutrients, it improves the physicochemical and biological
properties of the soil. As a result of these improvements, the soil: (a) becomes more
resistant to stresses such as drought, diseases, and toxicity; (b) helps the crop in
improved uptake of plant nutrients; and (c) possesses an active nutrient cycling capacity
because of vigorous microbial activity. These advantages manifest themselves in reduced
cropping risks, higher yields and lower outlays on inorganic fertilizers for farmers.
Three Methods of Composting
1. Anaerobic Composting- decomposition occurs where oxygen (O) is absent or in
limited supply. Under this method, anaerobic micro-organisms dominate and develop
intermediate compounds including methane, organic acids, hydrogen sulfide, and
other substances. In this process, fewer nutrients are lost it requires low temperature but
it takes longer to decompose, and it has little work involved. Anaerobic composting stinks
to high heaven.
Examples:
A. Bokashi Composting- is a special anaerobic composting technique that involves
fermenting food waste in a closed container for just a few weeks. You can compost
kitchen wastes under the sink without troublesome odors when you use an airtight bucket.
B. Stacks or Pile Composting - A simple pile of food scraps and other green organic
matter can turn work for the anaerobic style of composting as the
1
materials settle and become tightly packed. Loose compost piles require high
levels of moisture to trigger the anaerobic composting process. Aim for at least a
50-percent moisture content in the pile. An open anaerobic composting pile
creates a strong odor that can become a nuisance if you can't locate it far away
from the home.
C. Submerged Composting - keeping your composting materials submerged in water
is one way to prevent unwanted odors from bothering you or your neighbors. This
method can be used with an open container or a closed system because the water
creates an anaerobic environment.
D. Container Composting- a tightly closed container will create an ideal environment
for anaerobic composting without the micro-organism used in the Bokashi method.
A sealed garbage bag, plastic bucket with an air-tight lid, or specially designed
closed composting bin will all work. You can use anywhere from a 50- to 99percent moisture level inside the container. Compost created in a closed
container, the submerged method or the anaerobic stack method should all age
for six months to a year before being used on plants due to the high acidity level.
2. Aerobic Composting- takes place in the presence of ample Oxygen. In this process,
aerobic microorganisms break down organic matter and produce carbon dioxide (CO2),
ammonia, water, heat, and humus, the relatively stable organic end product. The
processing time is shorter; hence this process destroys many micro-organisms that are
human or plant pathogens as well as weed seeds, provided it undergoes sufficiently
high temperature. Although more nutrients are lost from the materials by aerobic
composting, it is considered more efficient and useful than anaerobic composting for
agricultural production.
Examples:
A. Compost Heap or Compost Pile Method - Pile is very simple, where organic
matter needs to be divided into three different types and to be placed in a heap
one over the other, covered by a thin layer of soil or dry leaves. Simply designate
a small area of your garden or yard, as a place where you will pile up
compostable materials into a heap. A passive compost heap can take six months
to two years, for the materials to completely decompose. However, frequently
turning the pile with a pitchfork will speed the decomposition process.
Compost Pile Tip: As you pile it on, your compost heap usually takes on the
shape of an inverted “V”. Rainwater runs right off it and does not soak and
penetrate through the compost materials. As you build the pile, form it into the
shape of a volcano, with a crater at the top. This will help to collect rainwater,
directing it to the center core of the pile.
B. Compost pit method- Compost pits are one of the simplest methods of composting
organic material for the garden, but they are labor-intensive to set up. Once you
select a site for your pit, you will need to dig the pit and then add the compost
material, such as fruit and vegetable scraps and grass clippings. Once you fill the
pit with compostable material, it requires minimal maintenance while the material
decomposes into usable organic material for your garden and yard. Mixing has to
be done every 15 days, and there is no fixed time in which the compost may be
ready.
C. Berkley method-uses a labor-intensive technique and has precise requirements of
the material to be composted. Is a fast, efficient, high-temperature, composting
2
technique that will produce high-quality compost in 18 days. The procedures have
only 3 basic steps which are; (1) Build compost heap (2) 4days – no turning and
(3) Then turn every 2nd day for 14 days.
3. Vermicomposting - uses worms (African Night Crawler), oxygen, and moisture to
safely break down organic material with few odors. Basically, worms do most of
the heavy lifting, and bacteria also help. The African night crawler (Eudrillus
euheniae) is tropical worm species and best suited to our climatic conditions.
Vermicomposting is preferable to the other two methods, for these reasons:
1. Very little odor (it should smell “earthy”)
2. Very little, if any, dangerous anaerobic bacteria and methane
3. No need to “turn” frequently
4. Can be done indoors or outdoors
5. Easy to harvest or collect the fertilizer
Materials for composting
1. Brown materials – are carbon or carbohydrate – rich items that provides energy to the
microorganisms in the pile and give compost its light, fluffy body. Typical items are
wood based or fibrous: dry leaves, sawdust, rice straw, corn stalks, wood ash,
shredded newspaper, branches, and tree bark.
rice straw
saw dust
dry leaves
2. Green materials – are nitrogen-based wastes materials. They provide amino acids
and proteins needed for the bacteria and fungi to do their job. Animal manures (except
for cat and dog), food scraps, green leaves (leguminous crops), and grass clippings
are excellent nitrogen- rich green materials.
Ipil-ipil leaves
chopped Napier grass
Madre de Cacao leaves
cow manure
3
Other Composting Methods
1. Compost tea is a liquid extract of compost that contains plant growth compounds
and beneficial organisms. Liquid extracts have been used for hundreds of years in
agriculture to promote plant and soil health.
2. “Humanure” is human excrement (feces and urine) that is recycled via composting
for agricultural or other purposes. The term was first used in a 1994 book by Joseph
Jenkins, that advocates the use of this organic soil amendment.
The following are the steps in preparing compost.
1. Choose a site near your supply of waste materials. It should also be near
your house and at a level that will not be flooded easily.
2. Construct a shelter to protect the pile from hard rain, measuring at
least two meters by three or four meters. If this cannot be done, provide
covering of the pile with polyethylene materials.
3. Spread a five to six –inch layer of soil under the shelter.
4. Gather and dust weeds, leaves, animal manure, wood ashes,
garbage, garden waste, kitchen leftovers, and other biodegradable
materials on top of the soil layer. Continue adding weeds, grasses,
garden cuttings until the pile is about shoulder high. Keep the sides of
pile vertical with lightly dished top to hold water.
5. Water the pile evenly every day or every two days to keep it moist.
The moisture will help in rotting the file faster.
6. Provide aerators like bamboo poles in the middle of the pile to allow
air to pass down the pile thereby helping decomposers in its process.
4
Modern method of composting nowadays is a multi-step, closely
monitored process aided by shredding the plant matter, adding water, and ensuring proper
aeration by regularly turning the mixture. Worms, fungi, and organisms further break up the
material. Aerobic bacteria manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat,
carbon dioxide, and ammonium. The ammonium is further converted by bacteria into plant
nourishing nitrites and nitrates through the process of nitrification.
How to make compost:
1. Select a site near your supply of materials. It should at least be
150 feet away from the house. A well-drained area with adequate
water is ideal.
2. Gather and prepare compost materials. Farm wastes in the
form of animal manure, grass trimmings, crop residue, rice straw,
kitchen refuse, and decayed leaves can also be used as compost
materials.
3. Pile up the materials. a.) Pile up layers of chopped grasses,
straw and kitchen leftovers about 12-15 inches on thick covering of
the compost bin. b.) Pile the second layer of animal manure about
5-8 cm. thick over the first layer. c.) Spread a layer of loam soil
mixed with lime or wood ash at least 4-5 cm. thick over the manure
layer. d.) repeat steps a-c or until the pile has reached the height of
1 ½ meters. Sprinkle the compost pile with water to make it moist.
4. Provide breathers. This is to hasten decomposition. Place two or
more perforated bamboo poles on the side and in the middle of the
compost pile.
5. Provide moisture. Add water evenly to the top of the pile
for a day or two to keep it moist. This will make the materials
rot fast, but too much water also is unadvisable.
6. Cover the compost pile. Cover the top of the pile with either
plastic material or galvanized iron. This is to protect the pile
from wash out in case of heavy rain.
7. Take care of the compost pile. After a month of preparation,
the compost pile can be turned over to hasten decomposition. This
compost could be used as fertilizer three months after preparation.
Compost Maturity
The compost is ripe if:
1. The temperature in all parts of the pile drops to 33–35°C, temperature, after the
2nd or 3rd turning.
2. The different materials in the substrate are no longer recognizable.
3. The compost is dark brown to black, and looks like soil.
4. The ripe compost does not emit a foul odor.
5
Avoid composting greasy food, dairy products, diseased plants, fresh animal feces, or
dry lint as these materials are difficult to decompose, attract pests, or emit bad smells.
Accompanying DepEd Textbook and Educational Sites
Emily Marriott and Ed Zaborski. “Making and Using Compost for Organic Farming”.
eOrganic. Accessed on May 3, 2022. https://eorganic.org/node/2880
“8 Methods of Composting”. Direct Compost Solution. Published March 10, 2022.
Accessed on May 4, 2022 https://directcompostsolutions.com.au/8-methodscomposting/
“Composting Process and Techniques”. On Farm Composting Method. Food and Agriculture
Organization. Accessed on May 4, 2022. https://www.fao.org/3/y5104e/y5104e05.htm
“Composting Compost Pile”. GardenersNet.Com. Published April 20, 2022.
Accessed on May 3, 2022 https://www.gardenersnet.com/composting/compostpile-heap.htm
“How to Make Compost: 6 Common Composting Materials – 2022”. Master Class.
Updated February 24, 2022. Accessed May 3,2022.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-compost#ron-finley-detailsthe-types-of-materials-that-work-best-for-composting
Kolifrath, Jessica. “Anaerobic Composting Methods”. Home Guides. Accessed
on May 5, 2022.https://homeguides.sfgate.com/anaerobic-composting-
methods39907.html
Nazareno and Sajorda (2013). Technology and Livelihood Education-Grade 9:
Agricultural Crop Production Learner’s Material. 1 st Edition. 135-138p.
IV. Activity Proper
1. Directions / Instructions
Read and understand the informative text in this Learning Activity Sheet to answer
the varied activities and exercises below. Ask assistance from any member of the
family to accomplish the required tasks.
2. Exercises / Activities
A. Activity 1
Directions: Answer the following questions below. Write your answers on the
space provided before the number.
1._____________ is the natural process of 'rotting' or decomposition of
organic matter by microorganisms under controlled conditions.
2._____________ a composting method where Oxygen is absent or in
limited supply.
3. ____________ composting takes place in an ample amount of oxygen.
6
4.___________ uses worms, oxygen and moisture to safely break down
organic material.
5. ___________ is a rich source of organic matter hence; it improves the
physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. (Compost)
6. The ammonium is further converted by bacteria into plant
nourishing nitrites and nitrates through the process _______________.
B. Activity 2
Directions: Give and write what is asked to each number below.
1. What are the examples of aerobic composting? Give a brief description of
each method.
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. What are the examples of anaerobic composting? Describe each briefly.
a.
b.
c.
3. What are the main reasons why Vermicomposting is a highly recommended
method of composting for farmers?
a.
b
c.
d.
e.
C. Activity 3
A. Arrange the procedure in preparing compost in an orderly manner. Write 1 for
the first, 2 for the second, and so forth.
____1. Spread a five to a six-inch layer of soil under the shelter.
____ 2. Provide aerators like bamboo poles in the middle of the pile to allow
air to pass down the pile thereby helping decomposers in its process.
____ 3. Construct a shelter to protect the pile from hard rain, measuring at
least two meters by three or four meters. If this cannot be done,
provide coverage of the pile with polyethylene materials.
____ 4. Choose a site near your supply of waste materials. It should also be
near your house and at a level that will not be flooded easily.
____ 5. Water the pile evenly every day or every two days to keep it moist.
The moisture will help in rotting the file faster
____ 6. Gather and dust weeds, leaves, animal manure, wood ashes, garbage
garden waste, kitchen leftovers, and other biodegradable materials on top
of the soil layers. Continue adding weeds, grasses, and garden cuttings
until the pile is about shoulder high. Keep the side of the pile vertical with
a lightly dished top to hold water.
7
D. Activity 4:
Let’s Make Compost!
Make compost available waste materials from your household. You may use aerobic
or anaerobic composting. If possible, record all your activities in this task by using
your Smartphone and send it to our group chat. If ever Smartphone is not available
make a narrative about your activity.
Watch the video by clicking the URL https://youtu.be/gjwZalZGmQA this would be a
great help for you to widen your knowledge in making composting. You may refer to
the rubric below for your scoring.
Rubric for compost making
Score Evaluation
The project can be applied to real-life sustainable education.
The work is presented in a way that catches the attention of
the teacher (resourceful and creative)
The presentation and the content of the work is appropriate
Demonstrates a clear knowledge of their subject/theme.
Demonstrates confidence in their work.
TOTAL (of 25 points)
Scoring
5
4
3
2
1
Excellent
Very good
Good
Average
Needs improvement
V. Reflection
Directions: Answer the questions below. Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.
1. As a young agriculturist, I will enrich my knowledge in different methods of
composting by_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
2. I will adopt composting to my home garden and promotes its composting benefits
to other farmer in our community through__________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
8
9
Activity 1
1. Composting
2. Anaerobic
3. Aerobic
4. Vermicomposting
5. Compost
6. Nitrification
Activity 3
1. 3
2.6
3.2
4.1
5.5
6.4
VI. Answer Key