Compost Brewer Chlorination

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:23:00 GMT

This article provides formulas for compost tea brewer chlorination. It includes 2 examples, using the 200L SmartBugs and 3500L DownUnder brewers.

Compost tea brewer chlorination:

A chlorine concentration of 200 ppm is the maximum required to sterilize a clean compost tea brewer before use, anything in excess is wastful. Add sufficient water to cover the membranes and then add chlorine equivalent to 200 ppm chlorine.

Example 1. 200L SmartBug Brewer

Twenty litres of water is required to cover the diffuser. Therefore add 33ml of a 12% chlorine solution to the 20 litres and soak for say half an hour. After this time the brewer can be filled with clean water to 100 mm of the top. In theory the chlorine concentration will now be diluted to less than 20ppm which is dissipated by aeration with the balance of the water being ‘sterilized’.

Example 2. 3500 Litre DownUnder brewer

In a 3500 litre brewer it takes about 200 litres to cover the membranes so add 330ml of 12% chlorine solution. Then after thirty minutes fill the compost tea brewer unit to 3500L it should then be about 10ppm chlorine.

After blowing – off the chlorine by aeration, add Oresome Antifoam, then the molasses and MicroBooster CN30- Concentrate before adding LivingSoilthe the molasses will bind up any residual chlorine thus protecting the beneficial microbes.

It maybe wise to invest in a swimming pool chlorine test kit to ensure the 200ppm chlorine level is achieved. Use dilutions of say 100 : 1 to work within the range of the test kit.

Formula:

If using less than 12% solution of Chlorine use the following formula to achieve 200 ppm of chlorine:
% of chlorine in the product, divided by 0.02 (200ppm) = water to chlorine addition.

Example - Product at 12% chlorine divided by 0.02 = 600 to 1 water to chlorine.

Therefore 200 litres divided by 600 = 0.33 or 330ml of 12% chlorine.

PandA application rates

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:16:00 GMT

For further details on PandA application. The table in this case study provides directions for use of PandA with a range of crops.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE Product evaluation Label only Caution: This label is a guide only. Undiluted and high concentrations of PandA may have a herbicidal and fungicidal effect. While at low concentrations it acts as a BioStimulant having significant beneficial effects on crop nutrition, quality, yield and soil health. PandA must be tested on a small area to observe crop reaction under the prevailing environmental and application conditions as these may alter the outcome. *All foliar applications are based on wetting the foliage thoroughly to the point of run-off ( POR)**
Crop	Rates of PandA	Comments
Citrus, Macadamia Nuts, Mango, Avocado, Apples Coffee, Bananas, Pawpaw	5-8L/ha Max concentration 1:300 (PandA:Water)	Foliar spray monthly start pre-flowering /early flowering and continue during fruit fill, up to fruit maturity. Soil application via drip.
Pineapples	6-8L/ha Max concentration 1:200-1:250 (PandA:Water)	Use to as required to improve nutrition and health. Then monthly during fruit fill to increase sugar and improve keeping quality.
Grapes, Passionfruit, Blueberries, Kiwifruit	Max concentration 1:400 (PandA:Water)	Foliar apply every 2 weeks during fruit fill. Soil application trough drip irrigation at 2L-3L/ha
Tomato, Capsicum, Melons, Zucchini, Cucumbers	Max concentration 1:300 (PandA:Water)	Commence foliar sprays 2 weeks after transplanting and continue at fortnightly intervals to harvest.
Potato, Sweet potato, Onions Ginger	Max concentration 1:300 (PandA:Water)	Commence foliar sprays 4 weeks after emergence followed by every 2 weeks
Wheat & Other cereal grains, Maize, Cotton, Sunflowers, Soybeans	1-2L/ha Max concentration 1:300 (PandA:Water)	Foliar sprays 3-4 after emergence and repeat if possible.
Leafy Vegetables	1.25 -2L/1000L Max concentration 1:500-1:800 (PandA:Water)	Apply to transplant trays at 1:1000 @ max 1.5L/tray 198 cells. Foliar sprays 2 weeks after transplanting /emergence and continue every 2 weeks
Forage sorghum	Max concentration 1:300 (PandA:Water)	2-3L/ha Apply via irrigation
Sugar Cane	Max concentration 1:300 (PandA:Water)	Apply foliar sprays 2-3 times up to fill-in
Cell grown seedlings Cut Flowers	Max concentration 1:1000 (PandA:Water)	Weekly foliar sprays
Turf, Lawns, Greens	0.5-1.0L/50L/100m²	Foliar sprays every month
Hydroponics	Max concentration 1:4000	Used for pH modification and as a bio-stimulant
Compost teas & Microbial brews	1-2L/1000L	Add to the brewer with CN30 and Molasses and to field application

Case Studies

Compost Brewer Chlorination

PandA application rates