[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]





                                                       HERE'S HOW
                               			  SAMPLING WASTES


                                                       ON GUAM MAKE FOR
									HEALTHY PLANTS &
									A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT


















                                             PUBLISHED BY THE GUAM COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
                                              Funded by a grant from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
                                                Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 

				ORGANIC MATERIALS CAN...
						   Provide essential plant nutrients
						   help soil hold water

				TAKING SAMPLES CAN...

                                      help you know how much organic waste to apply


                                       avoid environmental pollution


                                       serve as basis for analysis by Co-op Extension


                                       be easier than you might think!
 




                                                          wily SAMPUD81

                                                           -1
                                                     ORGANICUTASTES, CIOMPOSTS OR
                                                            OTHER ORGANKMATERIALS


                             SAMPLING OF WASTES, COMPOSTS OR OTHER (ORGANIC MATERIALS:
                                          FOR HEALTHY PLANTS AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
                                                  by P.P. Motavalli, F.I. Cruz, and J. McConnell

                                 rganic materials such as animal wastes, household
                             compost, grass clippings or other plant residues, can be
                             used as valuable soil amendments for increasing soil fer-
                             tility. Not only can they provide essential plant nutrients,
                             but they also can be beneficial to soil physical proper-
                             ties, such as increasing soil water-holding capacity and
                             aggregation. A knowledge of the nutrient content of a
                             particular organic material can help you determine how
                             much material to apply to soil to meet plant nutrient re-
                             quirements for current and succeeding crops. Exces-
                             sive applications of organic materials, such as animal
                             wastes, can result in environmental pollution, primarily
                             due to the threat of high levels of nutrients or harmful
                             microrganisms entering into surface or groundwaters.
                             The Soil and PlantTesting
                             Laboratory and Guam Co-
                             operative Extension of the
                             University of Guam an
                                                      a-
                             lyze organic materials and
                             provide recommendations
                             on the handling and appli-
                             cation of these materials
                             for soil fertility purposes.


                                                                                                   13A(Y'L? 3





                            DIVEARS1111


                                               THE DIVERSE COMPOSITION AND FORM OF ORGANIC MATERIALS
                                                    Organic materials vary considerably in their nutri-
                                               ent composition and physical form as seen below in a
                                               table of common organic materials found on Guam.
                                               Organic materials contain many of the essential plant
                                               nutrients required for plant growth including: nitrogen,
                                               phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and
                                               micronutrients.
                                                    For a given organic material, such as grass clip-
                                               pings, nutrient composition will be affected by the fertil-
                                               ity of the soil on which the grass is growing, the stage of
                                                      growth the grass is cut, and the way in which the
                              "A good measure         grass clippings are handled and stored, A good
                              of how fast an or-      measure of how fast an organic material will de-
                              ganic material will     compose in the soil is the carbon to nitrogen ratio
                                                      of the material. Generally, plants growing on soils
                              decompose in the        amended with organic materials with carbon to
                              soil is the carbon      nitrogen ratios above 20 to 30 will tend to have
                              to nitrogen ratio."     short-term nitrogen deficiency. This occurs be-
                                                      cause soil microbes use carbon as an energy
                                                      source and will take up nitrogen from the soil for
                                               their growth if not enough nitrogen is contained in the
                                               applied organic material. Materials that are more finely
                                               cut or ground up will decompose faster than larger pieces.
                                                    Several methods exist for handling organic materi-
                                               als with high carbon to nitrogen ratios, such as paper,
                                               cardboard or woody stems. These methods include ap-
                                               plying extra nitrogen with the organic material or
                                               composting the organic material before applying it to soil.
                                               Composting in the presence of sufficient air also de-
                                               creases the large bulk of many organic materials and

                            PAGE 4





                                                                              NUTRIENTS


                                 reduces many unpleasant odors. If you have any ques-
                                 tions regarding the health hazards or the dangers of han-
                                 dling a specific organic material, contact a public health
                                 official or your local extension office before handling it.
                                      Organic materials exist in several physical forms
                                 such as solids, liquids or slurries. The large amount of
                                 water contained in some may increase transportation
                                 costs because of added weight. However, organic mate-
                                 rials in liquid or slurry form such as hog waste contained
                                 in holding tanks, can be easily pumped, thereby reduc-
                                 ing labor costs.


                                 NIJTR113NT CONTENT AND PHYSICAL FORM OF SEVER11L AVAILIBLE,
                                    11GIUNICi il-LU 11"JILAILM" ON GUAM

                                  ORGANIC                NITROGEN               CARBON TO                   COMMON
                                  MATERIAL                CONTENT             NITROGEN RATIO                   FORM
                                                      (% OF DRY WEIGHT)
                                  Swine manure                3.7                     13                    Solid, slurry
                                                                                                              or liquid

                                  Chicken manure              6.1                        7                  Solid, slurry
                                                                                                              or liquid

                                  Grass clippings             2.4                     19                        Solid

                                  Tangan-Tangan
                                    leaves                    3.2                     13                        Solid

                                  Raw sawdust                 0.1                     511                       Solid

                                  Seaweed                     1.9                     19                        Solid

                                  Sewage sludge               5.5                        6                 Solid or slurry

                                  Corn residue                1.0                     43                        Solid



                                                                                                                  PAGE 5















                                              PLANT AVAILABILITY OF ORGANic NUTRIENTS
                                                   The nutrients contained in organic materials are of-
                                              ten not immediately available for use by the growing plant.
                                              The biological soil process by which organic nutrients
                                              are converted to forms that plants can use is called "min-
                                              eralization."
                                                   Since organic materials contain different forms of a
                                              single nutrient such as nitrogen, the process of mineral-
                                              ization usually occurs over a long period of time. Appli-
                                              cation of organic materials, therefore, tends to have long-
                                              term effects on nutrient release in a soil.
                                                                     A good rule to follow on Guam is
                               "A good rule to follow           that roughly 50% of the organic nitro-
                                                                gen applied will be available to plants
                               on Guam is that                  the first growing season after applica-
                               roughly 50% of the or-           tion of an organic material. In the fol-
                               ganic nitrogen ap-               lowing seasons approximately 10% of
                               plied will be available          the organic nitrogen remaining after
                               to plants the first              each season will be released for plant
                               growing season after             use.
                               application....                       First year availability of organic
                                                                phosphorus for plant growth isapproxi-
                                                                mately 60% and is approximately 80%
                                              for organic potassium. These rates may vary depending
                                              on the method of application of organic materials, the
                                              type of soil, and whether the material is applied in the
                                              rainy or dry season.



                            111ACIE 6





                                                 T 11KIN(J"r SAMPLES


                                                HOW TO YAKE SAMPLES OF ORGANIC MATERIALS
                                  The objective of sampling is to obtain a representa-
                             tive sample of the organic material you wish to use as a
                             soil amendment. If possible before sampling, try to mix
                             or stir up all liquid or slur-
                             ries so that solids that have

                             settled to the bottom will be
                             in solution. Solids should
                             also be mixed before sam-
                             pling if they contain several
                             types of organic materials.
                             If an organic material is piled, take subsamples from sev-
                             eral places in the same pile and mix together and submit
                             as one composite sample. If you have several separate
                             types of organic materials then you may wish to sample
                             them separately and submit each one to the Soil and
                             Plant Testing Laboratory for comparison.

                                                             EQUIPMENT FOR TAVING SAMPLES
                                   Several types of tools can be used for sampling or-
                             ganic materials including: a shovel; trowel; bucket, and
                             glass or plastic containers. For sampling organic mate-
                             rials with potential human health hazards, such as ani-
                             mal wastes, rubber or plastic gloves are also recom-
                             mended. Do not sample raw sewage or materials con-
                             taining toxic wastes such as pesticides, heavy metals or
                             petroleum products due to the potential health hazard to
                             you and your family.


                                                                                                      PAGE 7





                            HOW TO SAMPLE



                                                SAMPLING PROCEDURE


                                                L       IDENTIFY     the organic material you wish to
                                                        sample and determine the precautions you must
                                                        take to safely handle the material. If you have
                                                        any questions regarding the health hazards or
                                                        dangers associated with handling a specific or-
                                                        ganic material, be sure to first contact Public

                                                        Health, the Guam Environmental Protection

                                                        Agency or the Guam Cooperative Extension of-
                                                        fice before handling the material.




                                                        MIX the organic material together to insure a uni-
                                                AW 0
                                                        form sample. This mixing is especially important
                                                        for liquids in which solid material may have settled.




                                                3
                                                        TAKE SEVERAL subsamples from the pile or
                                                   0
                                                        tank and mix together in a bucket. Place approxi-
                                                        mately 1/2 pound or 1 quart of the composite
                                                        sample in a plastic bag or other suitable container
                                                        which can be tightly sealed. If the material is















                                   collected and stored in a plastic bag or container
                                   for more than several hours, be sure to refriger-
                                   ate it to prevent the material from molding and
                                   further decomposing.


                                   CLEARLY MARK the container with your name,
                                   the date of sampling and the type of organic ma-
                                   terial sampled using an indelible marker.


                                   FILL OUT AN ORGANIC materials sample sub-
                                   mission sheet which you can obtain from the of-
                                   fices of the Cooperative Extension Service or the
                                   Agricultural Experiment Station at the University
                                   of Guam. The information you provide on this
                                   sheet such as the type of organic material
                                   sampled, the date of sampling and the intended
                                   use of the material are essential for providing a
                                   good recommendation so please take the time to

                                   fill it out.



                                   YOUR SAMPLE is ready to turn in for analysis.


                                                                                               IDAGE 9





                            OJETTING RESULTS



                                              DROP OFF SAMPLES
                                                   Drop off your sample and the submission sheet at
                                              the offices of the Cooperative Extension Service or the
                                              Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Guam.
                                              Be sure to ask if there are any fees associated with the
                                              laboratory services and pay them prior to receiving labo-
                                              ratory results.

                                                  Agricultural Experiment Station
                                                  College of Agriculture and Life.Sciences
                                                  University of Guam
                                                  Telephone: 735-2134

                                                  Agriculture and Natural Resources
                                                  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
                                                  University of Guam
                                                  Telephone: 735-2080

                                                  Inarajan Experiment Station
                                                  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
                                                  University of Guam (Near Southern Regional Health Center)
                                                  Telephone: 828-8624


                                              RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
                                                     You will receive your organic material sample test
                                              results within approximately two weeks after the time you
                                              submit the samples. A rush service of four working days
                                              is also available for an additional charge. Depending on
                                              the laboratory tests you requested, you will receive in-
                                              formation on the nutrient and moisture contents of the
                                              organic material. Contact Guam Cooperative Extension
                                              or your local extension office if you have any questions
                                              about the best management program for your conditions.


                            PAGE 10





                             K(INNINRIG SM9RDNAS IN OMAN



                                SENDING ORGANIC SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS FROM OUTSIDE GUAM
                                 In order to insure that a new pest or disease is not
                             introduced inadvertently into Guam, extra precautions are
                             required to prepare organic samples coming from out-
                             side Guam for analysis. The following procedure is re-
                             quired for preparation and sending of organic samples to
                             Guam:


                             R .Oven dry (600 to 700C) the organic material for two
                                days or more and grind to the form of a powder. No
                                liquids or slurries will be accepted from outside Guam.
                             2. Double bag the dried material in plastic and securely
                                seal the bags to insure no leakage of the material.
                                Be sure to identify each sample on the outside of the
                                bag. Fill out an organic waste submission sheet. If a
                                submission sheet is not available, include a list of all
                                the samples and their identification. Be sure to in-
                                clude your name, address and telephone and fax
                                numbers. Please also indicate form of payment.
                             OB. Place the marked bags in a sturdy mailing container
                                and securely seal the container.
                             4. Send the package via U.S. mail or other postal ser-
                                vices to:    Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory
                                          College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
                                                   University of Guam
                                                      UOG Station
                                               Mangilao, Guam 96923 USA





                                        This booklet is published by THE GIJAM C'OASTAL MANAGE-
                             A It
                              `1  .                                     `
                                        MENT PROGRAM, funded by a grant from the Office of Ocean and
                                        Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                        Administration, under grant NA570ZO356.













                                                  0
                                      PRINTED ON GUAM ON RECYCLED PAPER





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