Composted materials as organic fertilizers

Abstract The subject-matter of this review paper is divided into three sections. The first section briefly discusses on input, transformation and loss of native and added organic matter in soil and on principal effects of fresh organic matter addition on soil properties. The subject of the second section focuses on organic compost. The third section discusses extensively on the most commonly used waste composting process, substrate materials and products of compostation, i.e. criteria and parameters for the evaluation of compost quality as organic fertilizers, including various proposed “humification degree” indexes and compositional, structural and functional properties of humic-like substances in compost. The paper ends with some conclusive comments and recommendations.

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