Compost Composition
Compost is manufactured from organic matter and its main use is to fertilize soil and farmlands. In turn, it is the most complete and complex manure that exists in the market. Chemical manures or synthetic ones, are just artificial concentrates of chemical substances. On the opposite, the compost composition is quite different, since the origin is natural. However, its greatest advantage over the other type of manures is that it has nutrients that form complex networks alongside more organic molecules, thus so favoring the liberation and absorption of nutrients from the plants and vegetation in general.
Chemical Composition of Compost
Compost is formed from chemical elements that are used as nutrients for all types of vegetables. These elements can be grouped into two types and are vital for a good growth:
The macronutrients: they are needed in most quantities
- Nitrogen (N): Its part of the structure of aminoacids, thus its esscential for synthesis of proteins. Also is part of the structure of funciónchloroplast responsable of photosynthesis.
- Phosphorus (P): Its main function is beeing part of the energètic molecule ATP. Further is part of the structure of the DNA.
- Potassium (K): it is needed to regulate the functions of the plants, also transport simple carbohydrates throw the plants tissues, so it is the key element for the fruit development.
- Calcium (Ca): it is fundamental for the creation of cellular walls of the plants.
- Magnesium (Mg): it is part of the chlorophyll (the molecule that gives the green color to vegetables) and also it works to metabolize and absorb phosphorus.
- Sulfur (S): its role is structural and functional. It forms part of the amino acids, and in turn, of the proteins and the enzymes, enabling the chemical reactions in the plants.
The micronutrients or trace elements: Elements such as boron, chlorine, copper, nickel, manganese, molybdenum, zinc and iron are considered essential micronutrients for the development of vegetables; plants need them in less quantity, otherwise it can produce phytotoxicity. They fulfill a great variety of structural, enzymatic, photosynthetic, hormonal functions, among others.
