Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
10:29
Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
Published on: March 21, 2016
Nitrogen dynamics in soil amended with manures composted in dynamic and static systems
Ania Escudero1, Ander González-Arias, Oscar del Hierro
1Neiker-Tecnalia, Berreaga 1, E-48160, Derio, Spain. aescudero@neiker.net
Journal of Environmental Management
|June 5, 2012
Summary
This study evaluated compost stability and nitrogen dynamics. Mature composts showed low nitrogen release and leaching potential, suggesting high application rates are safe for soil.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Compost stability and nitrogen (N) dynamics are crucial for sustainable agriculture.
- Understanding N release and leaching from composts informs application strategies.
- Different composting methods (static vs. dynamic) can influence compost properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the stability of three composts (C1, C2, C3) produced via different methods.
- To investigate nitrogen mineralization and leaching from these composts in soil under laboratory conditions.
- To determine safe application rates for mature composts based on N dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Compost stability was evaluated using chemical characteristics and respiration rates.
- Laboratory incubation assays at 28°C simulated 30 days of extreme rainfall.
- Nitrogen mineralization and nitrate (NO3-) leaching were measured after applying compost doses equivalent to 170 and 450 kg N ha(-1).
Main Results:
- Composts C1 (static sheep manure) and C3 (dynamic cattle/sheep manure) showed similar stability and N dynamics.
- Compost C2 (dynamic cattle/sheep manure) exhibited higher lability, indicated by a higher C/N ratio and respiration rate.
- C2 resulted in the highest N mineralization and N leaching rates, but overall N release and leaching potential remained low across all composts.
Conclusions:
- Mature composts, even at high application rates (>170 kg N ha(-1)), pose a low risk of nitrogen leaching.
- Compost stability is influenced by the composting process, affecting N dynamics.
- Further research into compost lability can optimize nutrient management in agriculture.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
01:49The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
01:29Soil Microbial Ecology
Soil microbial ecology is defined by highly diverse, spatially structured communities that drive nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover, and overall ecosystem stability. Although a gram of soil can contain thousands of bacterial and archaeal taxa, the ecological processes they mediate are even more crucial for sustaining terrestrial life.Microhabitats and NichesSoil is a heterogeneous mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. Microbes inhabit distinct microhabitats formed by...
01:22Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.