Gross N transformation rates after application of household compost or domestic sewage sludge to agricultural soil

P. Ambus, L.K. Kure, E.S. Jensen

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Gross N mineralization and immobilization was examined in soil amended with compost and sewage sludge on seven occasions during a year using N-15 pool dilution and enrichment techniques. Gross N mineralization was initially stimulated with both wastes and accelerated through the first 112 days of incubation, peaking at 5 mg N.kg(-1).d(-1) with compost compared with 4 mg N.kg(-1).d(-1) in control and sludge-treated soil. The magnitudes of mineralization rates exceeded those of immobilization by on average 6.3 ( compost) and 11.4 ( sludge) times, leading to a persistent net N mineralization cumulating up to 160 mg N.kg(-1) soil(compost) and 54 mg N.kg(-1) soil (sludge) over the season from May to November. The numerical model FLUAZ comprehensively predicted rates of gross mineralization and immobilization. Sludge exhibited an early season N-release, whereas compost released only 10% of the N during the first two months of incubation. This indicates that compost should be applied well in advance of sowing in order to match crop N demands.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalAgronomie
    Volume22
    Issue number7-8
    Pages (from-to)723-730
    ISSN0249-5627
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2002
    Event11th Nitrogen Workshop - Reims, France
    Duration: 9 Sept 200112 Sept 2001
    Conference number: 11

    Conference

    Conference11th Nitrogen Workshop
    Number11
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    CityReims
    Period09/09/200112/09/2001

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