Influence of municipal compost on temperature, water, nutrient status and the yield of maize in a temperate soil |
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| Authors: | SAR Movahedi Naeini HF Cook |
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| Institution: | Gorgan University of Agriculture, Iran.;T.H. Huxley School, Imperial College at Wye, University of London, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH, UK. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. Composted domestic waste was applied either as a mulch or was incorporated into the topsoil. Mulching reduced the seasonal midday soil temperature ranges from between 14 °C and 27.5 °C to between 14 °C and 26 °C, averaging a 0.6 °C fall. However, at sub-optimal temperatures for maize production under the temperate conditions of South East England, the difference may be critical. Compost mulch also improved soil-water conservation in an average year, but not in a very dry year. Compost application increased soil-available N, but increased K uptake was considered to be more important for crop yield than either N additions or the effect on retained soil water. Overall, compost applied as a surface mulch, or incorporated into medium-textured soils in the south and east of England increased crop yield. |
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| Keywords: | Composts mulches maize uptake potassium soil temperature soil water nitrogen soil |
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