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Towards an understanding of the dynamics of compost N in the soil-plant-atmosphere system using 15N tracer

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Abstract

Aims

The principal aim of the present review is to synthesize and evaluate published information on the N fertilizer value of composts, and their effect on the utilization of conventional N fertilizers by crops.

Methods

We have examined the literature where the dynamics of N in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum are traced using composts that were either artificially enriched in the 15N stable isotope (in units of atom % 15N excess) or had a natural 15N abundance (δ15N in units of ‰ or per mil) due to isotope discrimination processes that occur during composting. The methods used to produce artificially-enriched composts and to test uniformity of labelling are reviewed.

Results

Limited data show that composts are generally inferior sources of N for crops compared with their raw materials due to a lower N mineralization capacity. Immobilization of fertilizer N increases in compost-amended soils and may reduce recovery by a crop, but fertilizer N losses are reduced overall. However, co-application of compost and urea should be avoided due to the risk of increased NH3 volatilization due to the action of compost-derived urease. High annual rates of compost application can exacerbate environmental problems including nitrate contamination of groundwater.

Conclusions

Efforts are required to improve the N fertilizer value of composts by minimizing NH3 volatilization losses during composting. More attention should also be given to the use of the natural 15N abundance of compost as a tracer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) for financial support. We thank Dr. E.T. Craswell for his comments on the manuscript.

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  1. Phillip M. Chalk

    Present address: International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramerstrasse 5, PO Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. EMBRAPA-Solos, Rua Jardim Botânico 1024, Jardim Botânico, 22.460-000, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Phillip M. Chalk, Alberto M. T. Magalhães & Caio T. Inácio

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  1. Phillip M. Chalk
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  2. Alberto M. T. Magalhães
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  3. Caio T. Inácio
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Correspondence to Phillip M. Chalk.

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Responsible Editor: Per Ambus.

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Chalk, P.M., Magalhães, A.M.T. & Inácio, C.T. Towards an understanding of the dynamics of compost N in the soil-plant-atmosphere system using 15N tracer. Plant Soil 362, 373–388 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1358-5

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