Production process of nutrient soil

Nutritious soil is an artificial mixed substrate that provides nutrients, water retention, and breathability for plant growth, widely used in horticulture, agriculture, and home planting. The production process involves multiple stages such as raw material selection, proportioning design, fermentation treatment, and quality inspection. The following is a detailed analysis of the production process of nutrient soil:

1、 Raw material selection and pretreatment
The core of nutrient soil is organic matter+functional auxiliary materials, and the raw materials need to meet the requirements of safety, environmental protection, and low cost.
1. Basic raw materials
Organic raw materials (accounting for 60%~80%):
Peat soil: It has good water retention and breathability, but attention should be paid to the rational utilization of non renewable resources.
Coconut coir: an environmentally friendly alternative that requires desalination treatment (conductivity EC value ≤ 0.5mS/cm).
Rotten leaf soil: It needs to be fully decomposed to avoid insect eggs and pathogens.
Agricultural and forestry waste: such as straw, sawdust, mushroom residue, rice husk, etc., need to be crushed and fermented.
Organic fertilizer: Animal manure (chicken manure, cow manure, etc.) needs to be sterilized by high-temperature fermentation.
Functional excipients (regulating structure, nutrients):
Vermiculite/perlite: increases breathability, accounting for 5% to 15%.
River sand/volcanic rock: improve drainage.
Slow release fertilizers: such as bone meal, soybean cake fertilizer, biochar, etc.
PH adjusters: lime (acid adjustment), sulfur (alkali adjustment).
2. Raw material pretreatment
Crushing: Straw, sawdust, etc. need to be crushed to ≤ 2cm for fermentation.
Screening: Remove impurities such as stones and plastics.
Sterilization: Treat with high-temperature steam (above 70 ℃) or chemical agents (such as quicklime) to kill pathogens.
2、 Proportion design
Adjust the formula according to the needs of different plants, taking into account nutrients, breathability, and water retention:
Universal nutrient soil: peat (40%)+coconut coir (20%)+perlite (15%)+decomposed organic fertilizer (20%)+slow-release fertilizer (5%).
Succulent plants: The proportion of particles needs to be increased (such as red jade soil+volcanic rock+coconut coir).
Vegetable seedling cultivation: Increase organic matter (decomposed cow manure+earthworm manure) and reduce salt content.
Key parameter control:
PH value: 5.5~6.5 (suitable for most plants).
EC value (conductivity): ≤ 1.5mS/cm (avoid burning seedlings).
Porosity: 30%~50%.
3、 Fermentation and maturation process
Organic raw materials (such as feces and straw) must be fermented to avoid root burning and disease transmission.
1. Composting fermentation
Pile building: Mix the raw materials in a C/N ratio (25-30:1) and add fermentation agents (EM bacteria, Bacillus subtilis).
Temperature control: Raise the temperature of the pile to 55-65 ℃ and maintain it for 5-7 days (to kill insect eggs and grass seeds).
Pile flipping: Flip the pile every 3-5 days to ensure oxygen supply.
Maturity standard: The temperature drops to ambient temperature, there is no odor, and it appears loose and dark brown in color.
2. Trough fermentation
Suitable for large-scale production, the fermentation cycle can be shortened to 15-20 days through mechanized operation of the flipping machine.
4、 Mixing and Processing
Quantitative ingredients: Weigh according to the formula ratio and input into the mixer through a conveyor belt.
Uniform mixing:
Use a dual axis paddle mixer and mix for 10-15 minutes.
Spray water to adjust the humidity to 30%~40%.
Adjust pH: Add sulfur powder or lime powder according to the test results.
Secondary screening: sieving (aperture ≤ 5mm) to remove lumps and impurities.
5、 Sterilization and packaging
Sterilization treatment: UV irradiation or brief high-temperature treatment (to avoid damaging beneficial bacteria).
packing:
Small size: 5-20kg/bag, using breathable and moisture-proof packaging bags.
Large size: ton bags or bulk, labeled with ingredients, pH value, and suitable plants.
6、 Quality inspection
Physical and chemical indicators: detect pH, EC value, organic matter content (≥ 30%), and nitrogen phosphorus potassium ratio.
Biosafety: Pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and roundworm eggs should not be detected.
Stability testing: Simulate the planting environment and observe whether it is compacted or moldy.
7、 Environmental Protection and Cost Control
Wastewater treatment: Fermentation leachate needs to be collected and purified.
Waste gas treatment: Compost ammonia is filtered through a biological filtration tower.
Localization of raw materials: Prioritize the use of surrounding agricultural and forestry waste to reduce costs.
precautions
Incomplete fermentation can lead to damage to plant roots.
Nutritious soil should avoid long-term sealed storage to prevent the growth of anaerobic bacteria.
When customizing production, the formula needs to be adjusted according to the user's planting environment (such as balconies, greenhouses).
Through scientific proportioning and standardized processes, nutrient soil can achieve efficient, safe, and sustainable production, meeting diverse planting needs.