The potential of compost made through a novel rapid composting method for nitrogen availability and microbial activity in soil

Summary

There is an urgent need to reverse the loss of soil organic matter (SOM) and increase soil productivity fertility to achieve climate goals and sustainable intensification of food production. Compost application is one of the main tools to improve soil functions and provide essential ecosystem services, including C sequestration and sustainable food production. Despite its benefit, compost production and application is facing several challenges, including its intensive labor and skill requirement, slow release of nutrients, and contribution to GHG emissions. Technological advancement has recently been made to reduce the environmental impacts of composting and to further upcycle biowaste to liquid N fertilizer and compost in an automated closed system in 7-9 days. The current study aims to evaluate the quality and agronomic value of the compost produced in the automated system in 7 days at thermophilic temperature (AuDC) in comparison to the conventional windrow method (WrC) and commercial organic fertilizer (OrF). The maturity was tested using the Solvita stability test and phytotoxicity test. The impact of the compost on the soil was evaluated by conducting a controlled incubation experiment for 91 days, during which mineral nitrogen (N) dynamics and enzyme activities were determined in unamended control (CTR) and soil samples amended with 20 Mg DM ha -1 of AuDC and WrC; and 6 Mg DM ha-1 of OrF.