PERSPECTIVE

Compost Science & Utilization, (2007), Vol. 15, No. 2, 67

RESEARCH TO BALANCE NUTRIENTS AND ENERGY

RECENT RESEARCH in Austria showed how composting is the commonly used method to process biogenic residuals. Another approach is anaerobic digestion with biogas production. Researchers are concentrating on advanced aerobic treatment of residues from anaerobic systems by cocomposting.

One major challenge is to “crack” anaerobically stabilized and resistant organic matter under aerobic conditions.
This research reflects an ongoing concern on how to balance the essential need to return nutrients to crops and soils while making available for renewable energy the supply of feedstock to turn into sustainable power. This is no small achievement in a world that needs to cut back on imported petroleum use while not diminishing the release of nutrients and nitrogen, with their positive impacts on moisture, temperature and soil structure. No one knows this balancing act better than researchers in their laboratories and composters in the field.
The Austrian researchers - Katharina Meissl and Ena Smidt - are with the Institute of Waste Management at the University of Natural Resources in Vienna. They write that high quality composts can increase and enrich the terrestrial carbon pool. “The decrease of organic matter in soils causes momentous problems in some European areas and worldwide. Therefore, it is aimed to produce high quality composts rich in stable organic matter to remediate agricultural soils and to prevent soil organic matter depletion.”
They conclude that composting residues from anaerobic digestion leads to quality composts. Their future research will utilize residues such as sludge and other biogenic materials. “Cocomposting residues from anaerobic digestion is an appropriate management alternative,” they summarize.
Other research studies reported in this issue of Compost Science & Utilization also evaluate the roles of nutrients. In addition to the paper by Meissl and Smidt (page 78), there are the following:
“Soil Biology and Nitrogen Dynamics of Vineyard Soils as Affected by a Mature Biowaste Compost Application” by Nendel and Reuter;
“Nitrogen Utilization, Yield, Quality and Soil Properties in a Sugarbeet Crop Amended with MSW Compost,” by Montemurro and Maiorana;
“Total and Immobilized Enzymatic Activity of Organic Materials Before and After Composting,” by Moreno, Jindo, Hernández and García;
“Study of Organic Matter Evolution in Citrus Compost By Isoelectrofocusing Technique,” by Trinchera, Tittarelli and Intrigliolo;
“Mineralization and N Fertilizer Equivalent Value of Composts as Assessed by Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea),” by Bowden, Spargo and Evanylo;
“Movement of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Downslope and Beneath a Manure and Organic Waste Composting Site,” by Confesor, Hamlett, Shannon and Graves;
“Soil Micronutrient Availability after Compost Addition to St. Augustine Grass ,” by Wright, Provin, Hons, Zuberer and White.
Future reports in this journal will show the interconnectedness of specific topics.
Jerome Goldstein

Copyright 2007, The JG Press, Inc.