Composting

The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Species in the phylum inhabit a broad range of environments. Most species are free-living, feeding on microorganisms, but many are parasitic. Parasitic worms (helminths) are the cause of soil-transmitted helminthiases.

thumb|Humus has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is an accumulation of Soil carbon|organic carbon. Besides the three major [[soil horizons of (A) surface/topsoil, (B) subsoil, and (C) substratum, most soils have an organic horizon (O) on the very surface. Hard bedrock (R) is not in a strict sense soil.]]

thumb|upright=1.3|Community-level composting in a rural area in Germany

Oligochaeta is a subclass of soft-bodied animals in the phylum Annelida, which is made up of many types of aquatic and terrestrial worms, including all of the various earthworms. Specifically, oligochaetes comprise the terrestrial megadrile earthworms (some of which are semiaquatic or fully aquatic), and freshwater or semiterrestrial microdrile forms, including the tubificids, pot worms and ice worms (Enchytraeidae), blackworms (Lumbriculidae) and several interstitial marine worms.

thumb|Decomposition of strawberries, reverse time lapse alt=African buffalo skull decomposing in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania|thumb|African buffalo skull decomposing in the [[Serengeti National Park, Tanzania]] thumb|A rotten apple after it fell from a tree thumb|Decomposing fallen nurse log in a forest

thumb|right|Bark chips applied as mulch A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. Reasons for applying mulch include conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, reducing weed growth, and enhancing the visual appeal of the area.

thumb|upright=1.2|Vermicomposting uses worms to decompose waste and make nutrient-rich "worm manure".

species of annelid

species of insect

toilet using natural processes to decompose matter

waste product from brewing coffee; used to adulterate pure coffee, to grow mushrooms, to stain wood, to freshen air, to make body soap scrubs, to treat wastewater, or to make biogas

[[File:Bakhátas magaságyás 2.png|thumb|A schematic image of a Hügelkultur mound.

horticulture

fermentation process for food waste and similar organic matter

ratio

thumb|upright=1.2|Produce and sunflowers from a Cuban organopónico thumb|upright=1.2|Crop rows at Alamar Organic Farm in Havana. Many organoponics have been developed in urban environments, as seen by the city-scape in the background. Organopónicos or organoponics is a system of urban agriculture using organic gardens. It originated in Cuba and is still mostly focused there. It often consists of low-level concrete walls filled with organic matter and soil, with lines of drip irrigation laid on the surface of the growing media. Organopónicos is a labour-intensive form of local agriculture.

A bioeffector is a viable microorganism or active natural compound which directly or indirectly affects plant performance (biofertilizer), and thus has the potential to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use in crop production.

organic compounds that are important components of humus

type of biodegradable waste

any material that originates from living organisms

thumb|30th Dynasty mudbricks excavated in [[Luxor. Ancient mudbricks are a common source of sebakh.]] Sebakh (, less commonly transliterated as sebbakh) is an Arabic word that translates to "fertilizer". In English, the term is primarily used to describe decomposed mudbricks from archaeological sites, which is an organic material that can be employed both as an agricultural fertilizer and as a fuel for fires.

food industry waste material

by product from the olive oil mill extraction process