Container Substrate Temperatures Affect Mineralization of Composts

Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization Dynamics of Manures and Composts

Nitrogen and carbon mineralization rates of 19 manure and compost samples were determined in 1996, with an additional 12 samples evaluated in 1997. These organic amendments were mixed with a soil : sand blend at 2% by dry weight and the amended blends were incubated at constant moisture for 12 (1996) or 24 weeks (1997) at 25 °C. Net N mineralization was measured at 4(1996) or 8-week (1997) inte...

Effects of vermicomposts and composts on plant growth in horticultural container media and soil

Vermicomposts, which are produced by the fragmentation of organic wastes by earthworms, have a fine particulate structure and contain nutrients in forms that are readily available for plant uptake. In greenhouse trials, the growth of marigold and tomato seedlings, in a commercial horticultural potting medium (Metro-Mix 360), was enhanced significantly upon substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 10 ...

Herbicide residues in composts: pH and salinity affect the growth of bioassay plants.

Herbicide residues have raised new concern since 1999 when damage to plants appeared to result from composted turf clippings (Bary et al. 2001; Rynk 2000). Other case reports of some incidents suggested that other unknown sources of phytotoxicity were present in composts used in gardens (Nielson 2003). Several plant bioassays have been reported to test composts for herbicide residues (SPU 2002;...

Winter Temperatures May Affect Calf Birth Weights

Organic Fertilizers and Composts

Introduction Interest in organic production methods for vegetables continues to increase. Production practices for organic field production of vegetables have a long history, but practices to grow organic vegetable transplants in a spring greenhouse are poorly known. Organic fertilizers and composts are available but the efficacy and rates for use have not been evaluated. Experiments in the sum...