1. What is the CN Ratio?

The Carbon to Nitrogen (C/N) ratio is a measurement of the relative amounts of carbon and nitrogen in organic materials. It's an important factor in composting and soil fertility management.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the CN ratio formula:

Where:

• \( Material\ Weight \) — Weight of each material in kilograms
• \( C\% \) — Percentage of carbon in the material
• \( N\% \) — Percentage of nitrogen in the material

Explanation: The calculator sums the total carbon and nitrogen from all materials, then divides the total carbon by the total nitrogen.

3. Importance of CN Ratio

Details: The CN ratio affects decomposition rates in compost. Ideal ratios (25-30:1) promote efficient decomposition. High ratios slow decomposition while low ratios may cause nitrogen loss.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the weight of each material in kg, its carbon percentage, and nitrogen percentage. You can add multiple materials to calculate a combined CN ratio.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's an ideal CN ratio for composting?
A: 25-30:1 is ideal. Higher ratios decompose slowly; lower ratios may lose nitrogen as ammonia.

Q2: How do I find the C% and N% of materials?
A: Laboratory testing is most accurate, but many common materials have published average values.

Q3: Can I use this for soil amendment planning?
A: Yes, it helps balance carbon and nitrogen inputs to maintain soil fertility.

Q4: What are typical CN ratios of common materials?
A: Food scraps ~15:1, leaves ~60:1, straw ~80:1, sawdust ~400:1, manure ~15-20:1.

Q5: How does CN ratio affect plant growth?
A: Materials with high CN ratios can temporarily tie up nitrogen as microbes decompose them.