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

Perspective

Compost Science & Utilization, (2009), Vol. 17, No. 4, 207

Significant Contributions To Global Sustainability

Societies throughout the world endeavor to move toward integrated methods of food production and waste management and to better cycle nutrients, reduce environmental impacts and diminish the use of fossil energy embodied in fertilizers and pesticides. The ability of

composted organics to suppress plant diseases, improve soil properties, destroy human and animal pathogens and cycle nutrients in ways that resemble natural processes, are some of the benefits that distinguish them from conventional fertility and disease control practices. In this issue of Compost Science and Utilization, seven articles focus on research on plant disease suppression, creating fertile composts from waste mixtures, and relationships between composts and phosphorus release.
Papers from Spain and Italy by Fabio Tittarelli and colleagues, and by Estevez-Schwarz et al., report on the ability of composts made from various combinations of modern urban wastes to produce valuable plant growth substrates. A third by Ruggieri et al. examines ways of measuring air filled porosity in composts, an important parameter that must be optimized for effective compost aeration.
Three articles investigate disease suppression by composts. One by Egwunatum and Lane evaluates the suppressive effects of compost teas toward root diseases of woody plants. Another by Francis Larney and Kelly Turkington examines how cattle manure composting may be used to control the spread of Fusarium head blight, an important disease in grain crops. Marilyn Erickson and colleagues from the Southern US, study the differential influence of compost C:N ratio on the survival of two human pathogens of great recent interest, E. Coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes, during cow manure composting.
Finally, two articles focus on understanding Phosphorus release from composts. One by Mohsen Jalali of Iran, examines the long term availability of Phosphorus in compost amended soils of different types. A second by an Israeli group looks at the interplay between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, compost type and Phosphorus availability during organic chive production.
Together these studies illustrate ways that composts and composting can be important parts of new, more sustainable, waste management and agricultural practices. Researchers around the globe are providing critical data and analysis to support these practices.
As we wrap up this year’s issues of Compost Science & Utilization, it is timely to reflect on what’s to come in 2010. We are entering the second decade of the 21st century, and there is no shortage of disturbing news reports and research studies on the fragility of the world’s soil and water. Practices such as composting and compost utilization have proven benefits to soil and water resources, as well as sanitation, food production, community health, etc. We look forward to publishing the research articles that continue to improve and support these sustainable, resource-renewing practices.
— Frederick Michel, Jr.