Utilisation of manure composts by high-value crops: Safety and environmental challenges

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2009-11, Vol.100 (22), p.5454-5460
• Main Authors: Moral, R., Paredes, C., Bustamante, M.A., Marhuenda-Egea, F., Bernal, M.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Added value properties; adverse effects; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; animal manure management; animal manures; Animal wastes; antimicrobial properties; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of sewage sludges and wastes; Biotechnology; compost quality; composted manure; Composting; Composts; Crops; Crops, Agricultural - metabolism; Economics; Environment; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; innovations; intensive livestock farming; Livestock; livestock production; Manure; Manure - analysis; Manure - microbiology; nursery crops; Nutrients; orchard soils; Organic fertiliser; organic fertilizers; Organic matter; organic production; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; physical properties; physicochemical properties; plant pathogens; Pollution; Recycling; Reviews; Safety; Soil - analysis; soil amendments; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Solid wastes; Streams; Suppressiveness; Waste management; Wastes
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.12.007

The intensification in livestock production has increased the need of efficient treatments of waste streams especially to preserve as much as possible, the nutrients into the soil-plant system. Composting is a cheap, efficient and sustainable treatment for solid wastes that is always included in any manure treatment scenario. In this paper, an overview about the environmental and safety challenges of composting of manures is made considering the compost quality requirements established by the main demanding sectors. Co-composting and additive strategies are presented as feasible options for the improvement of compost quality. For quality evaluation of manure compost, the use of both classical and innovative instrumental techniques could increase our knowledge about added properties in compost, especially those related to organic matter stability.