What is the role of moisture content and temperature in the composting process?
In the process of composting there are certain aspects which play an important role. Among them are moisture content and temperature. Water is an important element that helps transports substances within the compost pile and makes the nutrients in organic material accessible to the microbes. Microorganisms also require an optimum temperature range to carry on the process of composting. Certain temperatures promote rapid composting and destroy pathogens and weed seeds. Microbial activity can raise the temperature of the pile’s core to at least 140 °F otherwise anaerobic conditions might set in leading to decrease in rate of composting. Therefore adequate moisture and optimum temperature should be maintained in order to increase the rate of composting.
