In organic fertilizer production, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) and fiber content of raw materials are two key factors affecting fermentation efficiency and product quality. Balancing these two parameters has become a core technical challenge in producing high-quality organic fertilizers.
In organic fertilizer production process, optimal C/N ratio (25-30:1) ensures efficient microbial activity during composting, while proper fiber content maintains aerobic conditions. These factors directly determine fermentation speed, temperature stability, and final product quality. Correct C/N balance prevents nitrogen loss, and adequate fiber creates porous structure for oxygen circulation – both critical for successful decomposition and nutrient preservation in organic fertilizer manufacturing.
Solutions for C/N Ratio Imbalance
The ideal C/N ratio should be maintained between 25-30:1. Too high will lead to nitrogen deficiency and slow fermentation; too low will cause nitrogen loss and ammonia volatilization.
- Scientific Raw Material Formulation
Mix high-carbon materials (such as straw, sawdust) with high-nitrogen materials (such as livestock manure, soybean meal) in proportion. For example: mixing cow manure (C/N about 20:1) with wheat straw (C/N about 80:1) at a 3:1 ratio can achieve the ideal C/N ratio. - Adding Nitrogen Source Adjusters
For materials with excessively high C/N ratio, inorganic nitrogen sources such as urea and ammonium sulfate, or nitrogen-rich organic wastes like oil cake and fish meal can be added to quickly reduce the C/N ratio.
Innovative Methods for Fiber Treatment
Excessive fiber content can hinder microbial activity and affect fermentation uniformity. Modern solutions include:
- Mechanical Pretreatment: Use crushers and shredders to break fibrous materials into 3-5cm pieces, increasing surface area
- Bio-enzymatic Technology: Add cellulase and hemicellulase preparations to accelerate fiber decomposition
- Composite Strain Fermentation: Select strains specialized in fiber decomposition (such as Trichoderma and white rot fungi) combined with conventional fermentation strains
Comprehensive Optimization Strategy
In actual production, we recommend the “three-step method”:
- Test and analyze raw materials to determine initial C/N ratio and fiber content
- Design formulations based on test results, adding adjusters when necessary
- Adopt appropriate pretreatment processes and optimize fermentation conditions
By precisely controlling these two key parameters, not only can the fermentation cycle be shortened by more than 30%, but the nutrient content and biological activity of organic fertilizers can also be significantly improved, providing higher quality products for organic agriculture.
