20121106 - compost quality and influence on soil and plantsastover/compost_course/20121106 - compost...

Compost quality and influence on soils and plants

09.11.2012, Tartu (Estonia)

jf, FiBL, CH-Frick 1

Research Institute of Organic AgricultureForschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau

Aspect of compost quality and its influence on soil fertility and plant growth and health.

Jacques Fuchs ([email protected])

Institut de recherche de l’agriculture biologique

www.fibl.org

Aspect of compost quality and its influence on soil fertility and plant growth and health.

› Introduction

› Compost quality management: Swiss concept

› Benefits from utilization of compost

› Disease control with quality compost

› Compost quality management in practice

› Conclusions

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Introduction

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Introduction

› Biowaste compost production› Often payment for taking over the green waste covers nearly

the production costs (for minimal quality compost)

› Costs for production of higher quality have to be covered with the sale of the compost

› Composting / biogas production / burning› Competition for input materials between composting and

biogas production increases continuously

› Motivations for composting› Disposal of green waste ?

› Soil fertility improvement ?

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Introduction

› Compost user

› Some users (among others horticultural producers) are convinced of the advantages of compost. They use compost to improve the fertility of their soils and to support the production of their plants.

› Other users still consider compost as a waste product and are not willing to pay for it.

› Compost producers have to work on the relationship with these users, to convince them of the positive effects of compost on soil and plants.

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Introduction

› Quality management: the solution to assure the future of composting

› Only good compost are products which can stimulate the interest of the plant growers

› Qualitative good products alone is not enough to secure the compost market. Communication with the different potential users of compost is very important. To convince him from the advantage of the compost, different actions can be undertaken:› Demonstration trials

› Meetings

› Visit of trials fields,

› …

› As first, a clear quality management concept is needed !




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Compost quality management: Swiss concept

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› Minimum quality requirements: Swiss legislation› FAC guidelines 1995

› Heavy metals, impurities, hygienisation: ORRChim

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› Swiss Legislation: heavy metals

Element Limit [g/t DM] Limit organic production[g/t DM]

lead (Pb) 120 45

cadmium (Cd) 1 0.7

copper (Cu) 100 70

nickel (Ni) 30 25

mercury (Hg) 1 0.4

zinc (Zn) 400 200

chrome 70

chrome VI 0

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› Swiss legislation: hygienization

› List of materials, which can be composted or treated by anaerobic digestion

› Compost:› 3 weeks with temperature > 55°C, or

› 1 week with temperature > 65°C, or

› other technique with proof of efficacy

› Digestate:› 24 hours with temperature > 53°C, or

› other technique with proof of efficacy (for example pasteurization prior to AD)

› risk material (need permission to be treated): 20 min, by 133°C

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› Minimum quality requirements: Swiss Legislation› FAC guidelines 1995

› Heavy metals, impurities, hygienisation: ORRChim

› Objective: no negative impact on the environment

› Swiss compost and digestate guidelines 2010› Voluntary standard of the compost trade

› Objective: To avoid problems in relation to utilization of digestate and compost

› Support for choosing the appropriate product, depending on the utilization

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› Swiss compost and digestate guidelines 2010

› Five product classes

› Digestate liquid for agricultural use

› Digestate solid for agricultural use

› Compost for agricultural use

› Compost for field horticulture

› Compost for covered cultures




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Criteria

Composts and digestates for agricultura l use Compost for horticultural use

Digestate liquid

Digestate solid

CompostCompost for

field horticulture

Compost for covered cultures

DM (dry matter)

[% FM]X X X > 50 % > 55 %

OM (organic matter)

[% DM]X X X < 50 % < 40 %

pH X X X < 7.8 < 7.5

Minimal requirements; recommendation; X: has to be mentioned; (X): mention recommended

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› Evolution of pH during composting process

Gra

ph

: D

r. U

lric

h G

all

i

Duration of process4

5

6

7

8

9


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Criteria


Digestate liquid

Digestate solid

CompostCompost for

field horticulture


DM (dry matter)

[% FM]X X X > 50 % > 55 %

OM (organic matter)

[% DM]X X X < 50 % < 40 %

pH X X X < 7.8 < 7.5

Particle size [mm] X X < 25 < 15

Coulor of extract (X) < 1.0 < 0.5 < 0.2


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› Evolution of the coloration of compost extract during composting process

Gra

ph

: D

r. U

lric

h G

all

i

Duration of process0

50

100

150


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Criteria


Digestate liquid

Digestate solid Compost

Compost for field

horticulture


DM (dry matter)

[% FM]X X X > 50 % > 55 %

OM (organic matter)

[% DM]X X X < 50 % < 40 %

pH X X X < 7.8 < 7.5

Particle size [mm] X X < 25 < 15

Coulor of extract (X) < 1.0 < 0.5 < 0.2

Salinity

[g KCleq/kg DM]X X X < 20 < 10


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Criteria

Composts and digestates for agricultural use Compost for horticultural use

Digestate liquid


Compost for field

horticulture


Total nitrogen

[g/kg DM]X X X > 10 > 12

Ammonium

(N-NH4) [mg/kg DM]> 3’000 > 600 < 600 < 200 < 40

Nitrate

(N-NO3) [mg/kg DM]X > 80 > 160

Nitrite

(N-NO2) [mg/kg DM](X) < 20 mg/kg

DW< 10 mg/kg

DW





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Gra

ph

: D

r. U

lric

h G

all

iDuration of process

0

200

400

600

NO3--NNH4

+-N NO2--N


› Evolution of Nmin during composting process

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Criteria


Digestate liquid


Compost for field

horticulture


Total nitrogen

[g/kg DM]X X X > 10 > 12

Ammonium

(N-NH4) [mg/kg DM]> 3’000 > 600 < 600 < 200 < 40

Nitrate

(N-NO3) [mg/kg DM]X > 80 > 160

Nitrite

(N-NO2) [mg/kg DM](X) < 20 mg/kg

DW< 10 mg/kg

DW

Nmin. [mg/kg DM] > 3‘000 > 600 > 60 > 100 > 160

N-NO3/Nmin. (X) > 0.4 > 0.8


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0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1

NO

3- -N :

Nm

in

Ratio Nitrate : Nmin.

Gra

ph

: D

r. U

lric

h G

all

i

Duration of process


› Evolution of Nmin during composting process

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Criteria


Digestate liquid

Digestate solid

CompostCompost for

field horticulture


Biotest cress open > 50% from control

> 75% from control

Biotest cress closed (X)> 25% from

control> 50% from

control

Biotest lettuce > 50% from control

> 70% from control


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› Training programme› Basic module

› general overview of biowaste management

› grounding in the legal basics

› biological basics of composting

› aspects of management of a composting plant

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› Training programme› Quality module

› process and quality control

› simple chemical tests, plant tests

› analysis and interpretation of results

› installation of a simple laboratory on the composting plant




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Benefits from utilization of compost

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› Effects of compost on the soil

› Macro- und micro-nutrients

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Digestate for agricultural use

Compost for agricultural use

Compost for horticultural use


total N[g/kg DM]

median (minimum; maximum)

15.3(9.4; 20.3)

16.6(8.7; 26.0)

14.6(9.2; 27.6)

15.1(8.6; 25.2)

total P[g/kg DM]

median (minimum; maximum)

3. 6(2.0; 8.0)

3.0(1.7; 6.1)

3.0(1.3; 12.7)

3.3(2.1; 8.8)

total K[g/kg DM]median (minimum; maximum)

12.5(6.4; 20.8)

12.0(5.7; 25.2)

11.6(2.2; 20.7)

10.7(5.5; 27.8)

total Mg [g/kg DM]median (minimum; maximum)

6.8(3.7; 9.7)

4.8(3.6; 10.3)

6.5(4.4; 10.7)

6.5(4.4; 13.3)

total Ca [g/kg DM]median (minimum; maximum)

46.6(23.0; 57.8)

53.1(24.0; 83.7)

64.035.0; 91.5)

44.5(69.4; 29.5)

Total Fe [mg/kg DM]median (minimum; maximum)

8.9(3.7; 12.3)

8.8(2.9; 16.7)

10.1(5.4; 14.7)

12.0(6.1; 15.8)

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› Organic matter

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› Reproduction potential of humus

Effectiveness of humus reproduction for organic carbon of different organicfertilizations (according to Reinhold 2006)

14

21

21

28

28

35

35

43

51

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Fertigkompost

Frischkompost

Festmist, Rind

Gärprodukt, fest

Gülle, Rind

Gülle, Schwein

Getreidestroh

Gärprodukt, flüssig

Gründüngung, Rübenblatt, Grünschnitt

Humus-C in % zu Dünger-C

Mature compost

Young compost

Cattle manure

Digestate solid

Digestate liquid

Cattle slurry

Pig slurry

Cereal straw

Green manure, grass

humus-C in % to fertilizer-C

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Bibliography Test duration Compost quantity

Effect on OM-content of the soil

[in % of control]

Aichberger and al., 2000

9 years 15-40 t FM / ha +12%

Bragato and al., 1998

5 years 7,5-15 t FM / ha + 21 %

Jenkinson and al., 1987

140 yearsmanure:

35 t /ha and year+ 176 %

Kjellenberg and Granstedt, 2005

33 years4 t FM / ha and

year+ 8 bis + 25 %

Compost Diffusion, 1999

7 years 40-100 m3 / year +10 % to 37 %




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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

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› Effects on soil structure

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› Effects on soil structure

› Reduced soil density(e.g. 6% in the case of Compost Diffusion)

› Soil management is easier, saving of fuel

(observations of FiBL in a test of compost application in fruit growing)

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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

› Soil porosity

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› Effects on soil porosity




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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

› Soil porosity

› Soil aeration

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› Effects on soil aeration

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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

› Soil porosity

› Soil aeration

› Water capacity

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› Effects on water capacity of soil

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› Effects on water capacity of soil

› Compost Diffusion, 1999: + 8%

› Eyras and al., 1998: +20 to +25%

› Gagnon and al., 1998: +3 to +5%

› Shiralipour and al., 1996: + 3% to +16%

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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

› Soil porosity

› Soil aeration

› Water capacity

› Erosion




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› Effects on erosion

› Reduction of wind-erosion› Hartmann, 2002: -30 to -50%

› De Vos, 1996: same erosion with 4 Beaufort without compost and 6-7 Beaufort with compost

› Reduction of water-erosion› Ojeda and al., 2003: -50%

› Bazzoffi and al., 1998: -10 to -50%

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› Effects on soil structure, soil porosity, soil aeration, water capacity and erosion

› Effect can be also negative if application of the products is not correct› For exemple: excessive application of liquide digestate in a poor

buffered soil can break down its structure (Unterfrauner, 2008)

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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

› Soil porosity

› Soil aeration

› Water capacity

› Erosion

› Soil pH

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› Effects on soil pH

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› Effects on soil pH› Project FOEN: heavy soil

5.5

6

6.5

7

T D1 D2 Ca1 Ca2 Ch1 Ch2 Cc1 Cc2

vale

ur p

H

2004

Di

Di: digestate; Ca: compost for agricultural use; Ch: compost for horticultural use; Cc: compost fur covered cultures

Ca Ch CcT

pH v

alue

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5.5

6

6.5

7

T D1 D2 Ca1 Ca2 Ch1 Ch2 Cc1 Cc2

vale

ur p

H

2005


› Effects on soil pH› Project FOEN: sandy soil

Di

Di: digestate; Ca: compost for agricultural use; Ch: compost for horticultural use; Cc: compost fur covered cultures

Ca Ch CcT

pH v

alue




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› Effects on soil pH

› Allowed compost quantity (CH): 25 tons DM / 3 years

› Correspond to 1’500 CaO (500 kg / year)

› Correspond to maintenance liming quantity

› Enough to redress pH value ?

In some soils yes (FiBL trials with corn)

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› Organic matter

› Soil structure

› Soil porosity

› Soil aeration

› Water capacity

› Erosion

› Soil pH

› Microflora

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› Effects on soil microflora

› Indirect through influence of soil characteristics

› Supply of nutrients for soil microorganisms

› Supply of compost microorganisms to the soil

› Improvement of the microbial balance in the soil

› Improvement of the soil microbiological activity

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Disease control with quality compost

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› Influence of compost on plant health and vitality

› Indirect: › supply of macro- and micro-nutrients

› soil structure

› humus quantity and quality

› water regulation

› Direct: › influence of soil microflora through compost and compost microflora

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› Not all composts are equal




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› Quality compost as plant protection agent in practice

› Example 1: Compost in culture substrate

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0

20

40

60

80

100

Pla

nt

surv

ival

[%

]

0 0.5 1 2 4g. P. ultimum / liter substrate:

Peat substrate

a

dddd

2/3 peat + 1/3 compost

a

bb

cc

1/3 peat + 2/3 compost

a

ab

b

b

c

Compost

ab abb

b

b

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› Buffers the system microbiologically

› Prevents pathogen invasion

› Reduces disease incidence drastically

› Secures plant production

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› Example 2: Compost after soil steaming




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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Days after soil steaming

NO

2[p

pm

in

wat

erex

trak

t2:

1]

steamed, without compost

steamed, with 10% de compost

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Transplanted 1 day after soil steaming

n: soil non-treated

c: soil steamed without compost

b: soil steamed with 10% compost

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Soil before steaming

:

viab

lew

eed

seed

s

:

no

n v

iab

le w

eed

see

ds

:

pat

ho

gen

s

:

anta

go

nis

ts

SteamingSoil after steaming

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0

1

2

3

pla

nt

wei

gh

t [g

/po

t]

0 1 2 4 8[g P. ultimum /litre soil]:

untreated

a

b

cd

ef

cd

steamed

bb

d

f

d

+ 10% compost

c

e

fg

ghh

steamed

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› Detoxification of the soil

› Allows earlier planting of seedlings

› Prevents soil re-colonisation with pathogens

› Allows sustainable soil steaming

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› Example 3: Compost in the field

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0

20

40

60

80

100

Su

rviv

al [

%]

0 1 2 4 8 16g. P. ultimum / liter soil:

Soil without compost

a

bc

c c

c

c

Soil with compost(last amendment 1 year ago)

aa

abb

b

c

aababab

bb

Soil with compost(last amendment 1 week ago)

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g Pythium ultimum / liter soil

0 1 2 4 8 16

without compost

withcompost

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› Reduces disease incidence

› The more intensively the field is cultivated, the more evident is the positive effect of compost on plant health

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› Example 4: Compost effect on the whole plant

with compostwithout compost




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-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

Pro

tec

tio

n [

%]

10% compost

30% compost

50% compost

Compost 1

e*

bc

cd*

Compost 2

a

cd*

bc

Compost 3

a

ab

abc

Compost 4

cd*

abc

a

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› Reduces disease incidence without direct contact with the pathogen

› Efficacy varies greatly from compost to compost

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Compost quality management in practice

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› Quality management: from collecting the biowaste to compost use

› Quality of the green waste

› Composition of the starting mixture

› Management of composting process

› Compost storage

› Choice of the adequate compost for each utilization

› Compost application strategy

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› Example: Inadequate process management:

› For example no hygienisation

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› Example: Inadequate storage:

› For example phytotoxicity




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Evaluation of compost quality

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› With own senses

Fist test

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› With own senses

Smelling test

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› With own senses

Degree ofdegradation, structure, compostgranularity

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› With own senses

Contaminants in compost

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› With simple analysis

› Process parameters: › O2

› moisture› temperature

› Chemical and physical analyses› pH› salinity› NH4, NO2, NO3

› Biotests› phytotoxicity tests› disease suppressivity tests




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Conclusions

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Conclusions

› Quality compost can improve soil fertility and plant growth and health

› Quality management is the key for a successful production and use of compost

› Training and experience are necessary to ensure production of quality compost and its correct use

› The choice of the right product and application strategy is decisive to obtain the desired impact

› The relation between compost producer and compost user has to be improved to assure the future of composts

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Thank you very much for your attention …

www.fibl.org www.biophyt.ch

20121106 - compost quality and influence on soil and plantsastover/compost_course/20121106 - compost...

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