Understanding the Shift in the Microbiome of Composts That Are Optimized for a Better Fit-for-Purpose in Growing Media.

ABSTRACT: Three characteristics are considered key for optimal use of composts in growing media: maturity, pH and organic matter content. Maturation is a critical step in the processing of composts contributing to compost quality. Blending of composts with chopped heath biomass, sieving out the larger fraction of composts and acidification of composts by adding elemental sulfur may be used either to increase organic matter content or to reduce pH for a better fit in growing media. While several studies have shown the effectiveness of these treatments to improve the use of composts in growing media, the effect of these treatments on the compost microbiome has merely been assessed before. In the present study, five immature composts were allowed to mature, and were subsequently acidified, blended or s

SUBMITTER: Pot S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059793 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature