Nitrogen Availability and Leaching from Soil Amended with Municipal Solid Waste Compost

Abstract

Beneficial use of municipal solid waste compost depends on identifying a management strategy that supports crop production and protects water quality. Effects of compost and N fertilizer management strategies on corn (Zea mays L.) yield and NO−3‐N leaching were evaluated in a 3‐yr study on a Hubbard loamy sand soil (sandy, mixed, Udorthentic Haploboroll). Two composts were each applied at either 90 Mg ha−1 yr−1 from 1993 to 1995, or at 270 Mg ha−1 in one application in 1993. The compost and non‐amended plots were sidedressed annually with N fertilizer as urea at 0, 125, and 250 kg ha−1. Biochemical properties of the compost as well as compost management strongly affected crop response and fate of N. Compost increased grain yield with no significant yield response to N fertilizer with the single compost application in Year 1 and the annual compost application in Year 3. Plant N uptake increased with N fertilizer rate, except in the 270 Mg ha−1 compost treatments in Year 1. Over the 3‐yr period, NO−3‐N leaching with the 270 Mg ha−1 compost application was 1.8 times greater compared to that with the annual application. The estimated N mineralization ranged from 0 to 12% and 3 to 6% in the annual and single compost addition, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, annual compost application with reduced supplemental N fertilizer was the best management strategy to reach optimum crop yield while minimizing NO−1‐N leaching losses.

Soil and vegetable crop response to addition of different levels of municipal waste compost under Mediterranean greenhouse conditions

“…According to Mamo et al (1999) and Horwath et al (2002), the addition of N fertilizer enhances compost mineralization. It has been suggested that added N is first incorporated into the soil microbial biomass, thus stimulating mineralization of the organic matter applied.…”

“…In the open field, this strategy produced acceptable results, i.e. adequate yields, higher C stock in soil and minimal risks of NO 3 -N leaching (Mamo et al, 1999;Cai and Qin, 2006). However, the greenhouse environment could have allowed for continuous microbial activity through the whole year, decreasing C sequestration while stimulating C losses.…”

“…With regard to the best compost supply scheduling, we chose the annual addition proposed by Mamo et al (1999) and Hartl et al (2003).…”

Percolação de nitrato em Latossolo Amarelo distrófico afetada pela aplicação de composto de lixo urbano e adubação mineral

“…Sobre estes aspectos é importante considerar o experimento realizado no campo, por Mamo et al (1999), que, aplicando, anualmente, num Entissol, 90 Mg ha -1 (base seca) de composto de lixo (783 kg ha -1 de N-total), durante três anos sucessivos, verificaram que as perdas de N-NO 3 -por percolação, a 1,2 m de profundidade, foram de 86, 23 e 43 kg ha -1 , respectivamente, no primeiro, segundo e terceiro ano de monitoramento. Para uma única aplicação de composto, equivalente a 270 Mg ha -1 (2.349 kg ha -1 de N-total), as respectivas perdas foram de 117, 61 e 62 kg ha -1 .…”

Title “Organic Fertilizers” in Vietnam’s Markets: Nutrient Composition and Efficacy of Their Application

“…The application of compost is recommended not only for improving soil productivity, but also for reducing eutrophication because of excessive application of chemical fertilizers [16][17][18][19][20]. Under the Asian monsoon climate, nutrient leaching via surface runoff or percolation through the unsaturated zone into groundwater is predicted to be high because of the high frequency of heavy rainfall [21].…”