Carbon and nitrogen mineralization in an ultisol fertilized with urban waste compost

Studies about nitrogen and carbon mineralization in soils amended with urban waste compost are important to evaluate the reactions of this waste in soil and to define the best rates for crops. Two experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions to evaluate carbon and nitrogen mineralization in an Ultisol fertilized with urban waste compost. The Ultisol first experiment had a completely randomized design, with five urban waste compost rates of 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 t ha(-1) and three replicates. In the second experiment, N mineralization was evaluated at the same waste compost rates along eleven incubation periods (0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112, and 126 days), in three replicates. The following results were obtained for a medium texture Ultisol fertilized with urban waste compost:. regardless of urban waste compost dose the greatest increase in N-NO3 in the soil was found up to 42 days, stabilizing afterwards; the mineralization rate of organic carbon of less than 2% in 168 days indicates that urban waste compost contributes to increase soil organic matter. In the absence of other N fertilizers, urban waste compost releases N to plants slowly at a rate of 12% in 126 days, demonstrating its potential as slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.