Mineralization of Nitrogen and Carbon From Organic Compost From Animal Production Waste

Abstract

<jats:p>ABSTRACT Elucidating the mineralization of organic composts makes it possible to understand the release of nutrients to plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mineralization of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) from organic compost from residues of the production and slaughter of small ruminants, applied on a Neossolo Flúvico (Fluvents). The compost consists of remains of grass (forage), manure and slaughter residues such as blood, viscera and the carcass of goats and sheep. Under laboratory conditions, two experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, considering the doses of organic compost at the following levels: zero; 3.75, 7.5, 15 and 30 Mg ha-1. For the N and C mineralization tests, 11 and 32 collection times (sampling periods) were evaluated, respectively. Inorganic N content (ammonium and nitrate) was measured in the N mineralization test, and CO2-C concentration was quantified in the C mineralization test. The largest increments between the applied doses of organic compost from residues of the production and slaughter of small ruminants were 70% and 69% for potentially mineralizable N and C, with amounts of 7.5 and 30 Mg ha-1 at doses of 3.75 and 7.5 Mg ha-1, respectively. Organic C and N from residues of the production and slaughter of small ruminants are rapidly mineralized in the soil (up to 45 days) due to their low C/N ratio.</jats:p>

Soil fertility and nutritional status of elephant grass fertilized with organic compost from small ruminant production and slaughter systems

“…A predominance of nitrate over ammonium contents was also observed (Figure 1), indicating that the nitrification process was not limited (Sahrawat, 2008), mainly at high organic compost rates (from 45.2 t ha -1 upwards). A similar result was described by Rogeri et al (2015), in a study with poultry litter applied to a Cambisol (Inceptisol/Cambissolo Húmico), and by Araújo et al (2020), with the same organic compost as in this study, in a laboratory experiment.…”

“…Similar results were found in a laboratory study on mineralization, where organic compost from residues of goat and sheep production and slaughter increased the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and organic carbon, with increments of 70 and 69 % at rates of 7.5 and 30 Mg ha -1 , respectively (Araújo et al, 2020). Thus, this organic compostis rapidly mineralized in the soil, with a half-life of 45.8 days for carbon and 44.1 days for nitrogen, due to its low C/N ratio (7.4:1) (Araújo et al, 2020). Given the results of the above mineralization study and our results under field conditions, the application of organic compost is only interesting for one growth period in cut forages but could be an interesting option to improvenutrient cycling in livestock systems.…”

Decomposition Rate of Organic Residues and Soil Organisms’ Abundance in a Subtropical Pyrus pyrifolia Field

“…However, the role of soil organisms' community in organic residues decomposition in a 16-year P. pyrifolia field remains unclear. Some studies have described that compost may influence soil organic matter dynamics by improving decay rate, and primming effect, which in turn influences nutrient cycling, and soil organisms' abundance [25][26][27]. On the other hand, other works have shown that soil organic residues management may alter soil reaction by the H + extrusion and the release of some C-rich compounds, thus promoting rootability improvement [17,28].…”

Low tech biochar production could be a highly effective nature-based solution for climate change mitigation in the developing world

“…If we extend the time frame of the carbon foot print analysis and consider the fate of the carbon contained in either compost or biochar once added to soil then a slightly different picture emerges. The half-life of compost can be as low as 45 days (Araújo et al 2020).…”