Compost Science Complete scientific data on compost process control and end product quality

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Compost Science & Utilization, (2006), Vol. 14, No. 4, 236

Crop Response
Composting of olive mill wastes for use in organic farming
Investigators: G. Martinez, R. Carbonell, R. Ordonez, JV. Giraldez and I. Llanos, IFAPA and CIFA, and University of Cordoba, Spain
Objectives: To explore simple, low cost techniques to compost olive mill pomace for its use in organic farming using local resources and to show a simple model of the evolution to improve composting process management.

Evaluation of some reagents for determining available phosphorus in composted manure
Investigators: A. Egrinya Encji, S. Inanaga, J. Li, Z. Li and L. Duan, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China and Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan
Objectives: To compare manure P concentrations using four commonly used soil P extracting solutions; and to evaluate suitability of four P tests for predicting available P using rice as test crop. The hypothesis of the researchers in comparing the reagents for P was that the tests would provide comparable estimates of available P concentrations in manure.

Environmental Impact
Removal of polycyclic aromatic compounds from liquid cultures and soil
Investigators: A. Anastasi, G. Varese, F. Bosco, F. Chimirri and V. Marchisio, Department of Plant Biology, University of Turin, Italy
Objectives: To evaluate impacts of a consortium of three fungi isolated from compost to decolorize liquid cultures, and to see whether the consortium displayed inhibitory/synergic effects and determine which enzymes could be involved.

Materials and Methods
Dry matter mass balance estimates
Investigators: Francis J. Larney and Katherine E. Buckley, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta, Canada
Objectives: To compare four methods of estimating dry matter mass balance (DMMB) during composting of beef cattle feedlot manure. Methods used were “weighing-in, weighing-out” approaches, with others based on mass of certain manure constituents. Four approaches estimated DMMB for stockpiled manure.

Leaching selected anions and cations for compost-amended sandy soil columns
Investigators: Y. Yang, Zhenli He, P.J. Stoffella, D.A. Graetz, X. Yang and D.J. Banks, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyand, China; University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fort Pierce, Florida; College of Natural Resources, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; and University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Objectives: To evaluate effects of biosolids rate on leaching losses of heavy metals and other environmentally sensitive substances from sandy soils with contrasting properties. Information is needed for development of best management practices for sandy soils.

Suppression of soil-borne mycosis by grape marc compost
Investigators: M. Santos, F. Dianez, M. de Cara and J.C. Tello, University of Almeria, Almeria, Spain
Objectives: To evaluate natural grape marc compost suppression as well as suppression when amended with biological control microorganisms isolated from the compost and assayed in vitro. Pathogens were chosen for their ubiquity and importance among intensive crops under plastic in Spain.

Microbial Ecology
Soil micronutrient availability after compost addition
Investigators: A. L. Wright, T.L. Provin, F. M. Hons, D.A. Zuberer and R. H. White, University of Florida and Texas A&M University
Objectives: To determine the influence of compost source and application rate in a multiyear study on the seasonal dynamics of soil organic carbon, dissolved organic C and water-extractable micronutrients in St. Augustine grass turf.

Soil Improvement

Evaluation of compost for use as a soil amendment in corn and soybean production
Investigators: P.M. Walker, K.D. Smiciklas and T.R. Kelley, Department of Agriculture, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
Objectives: To conduct two long-term field studies investigating utilization of compost as a soil amendment for maize and soybean production by: 1) Evaluating several applications rates of mature compost compared to uncomposted raw materials and inorganic fertilizer N upon growth; and 2) Determining effect of compost application on long-term soil health and quality by monitoring soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and selected elemental concentrations.