*0?

II

II

I

IIIIII

I
I

112
770

 

ILI-‘FFCT OF DIFFERENT KINDS CI
ORGANIC MATERIALS AND

' FERTILIZERS ON THE ,

ACCUMULATION OF AMMONIA AND

NITRATE NITROGEN IN COMPOSTS

Thesis for the Degree of M. S.
MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE
P. j. Icnema ‘

I 939

. 0x. . I 1’4 Iricu..w}.§§yli t; lh ”(I .VU-A‘I'LItI ,4 . 31.: I?! o

“k...

 

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF ORGANIC
MATERIALS AND FERTILIZERS ON THE
ACCUMULATION OF AMMONIA AND
NITRATE NITROGEN IN
COMPOSTS

by

I». J. Lemma

A THESIS
Submitted to the Graduate School of Michigan
State College of Agriculture and.Applied
Science in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Soils

1939

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The writer wishes to express his sincere
appreciation to Dr. L. M. Turk for his assistance
throughout the course of this investigation and

in the preparation of this manuscript.

1235:3713

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.................................
REVIEW OF LITERATURE.........................
EXPERIMENTAL............... ....... ...........
Plan of Experiment. ..... ..................
Laboratory Methods................. ..... ..
Experimental Results... ..... ..............

Comparison of Superphosphate
and Bonemeal...OOIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOO

Comparison of Nitrogen Carriers........

Comparison of Different Organic
Materials for Composting...............

DISCUSSION MID SLTLfi'viARYOOOOO'OOOOOOOO.OOOOOOOO

BIBLIOGRAPHYCOCOOC.0.OOOCOOO......OOIOO....OO

PAGE

\N

\J'IU'IW

11

114
18

21

INTRODUCTION

The greenhouse operator in an attempt to solve the problems of
maintaining soil fertility, proper soil reaction, and a good physical
condition of the soil has resorted to the liberal use of barnyard manure
composts. lime, and commercial fertilizers. However, in the use of fer-
tilizers alone and in the preparation of composts he has more or less
favored the use of such organic fertilizers as dried blood and espe-
cially bone meal.

The main purpose of the proposed investigation was to make a com-
parison of the relative values of different kinds of plant refuse mate-
rials for composting, and to compare the relative merits of nitrogen
carriers such as (NHu)2 SO“ and CaCne with organic nitrogen carriers
such as dried blood and milorganite as sources of nitrogen for the com-
posting process. Bone meal and superphosphate were compared as sources
of phosphorus. The accumulation of ammonia nitrogen and especially
nitrate nitrogen in the composts was used as a measure of the rate of
decomposition or as a measure of the value of the compost for soil
improving purposes.

Composting has been practiced for many years and a great deal
has been written on the subject, but, to my knowledge, no studies have
been made with the kind of the materials-~particularly the kinds of

peat and muck-—used in this study.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The importance in the use of composts, manure, peat, etc. in the
management of greenhouse soils is well recognized. No attempt is made
here to review the great mass of literature pertaining to the work that
has been done. A rather complete and recent literature review on this
subject has been presented by Waksman (9, lO)‘, Bauer (2), Smith (5),
and McCool (M). Laurie (3) has reported results of a 5 year study on
the use of peat in the greenhouse in which peat was used alone and in
combination and comparison with other substances in the raising of
various greenhouse craps.

Additional references will be cited in the presentation of experi-

mental results as they relate to the subject in question.

 

’Numbers in parentheses refer to the literature citations as given in
the bibliography on page 21.

EXPERIMENTAL

Plan of Experiment

In constructing the composts for this study, wheat straw, leaves,
and three kinds of organic soils were used. One of the organic soils
was a Carlisle muck (a high lime muck), another was a Rifle peat (of
medium lime content), and the other a Greenwood peat (low lime). For
a description of these organic soils see Veatch (8). These soils were
gathered in early April, 1936 from deposits in regions near Lansing.
The materials were air-dried and just prior to setting up the experi-
ments, moisture determinations were made in order that the materials
could.be used on an oven-dry-weight basis. The composts were set up
on April 23, 1936.

Each of the three organic soils. straw, and leaves was composted
separately; in addition, each of the three organic soils was composted
with equal parts by weight of straw, and two of the organic soils, the
Greenwood peat and the Carlisle muck, were composted with equal parts
by weight of leaves.

Each of these ten compost materials was given seven different
lime and fertilizer treatments; five of the treatments consisted of
lime and superphosphate as a general application; and two of the treat-
ments consisted of lime and bone meal as a general application. Of the
five series of compost materials that received lime and superphosphate,
one received no nitrogen fertilizer, one received (NHM)2 sou, one re-
ceived dried blood.

Ammonium sulphate was added to one of the two series that received

lime and bone meal and dried blood was added to the other series.

Lime, phosphate and nitrogen were added in the same prOportion as
indicated by Turk (6) and Albrecht (1) in the production of synthetic
manure. The chemicals were added in amounts equivalent to a chemical
mixture containing by weight, RB parts of (NHu)2 SO“, no parts of lime,
and 15 parts of 20% superphosphate. This mixture, or its equivalent
of other nitrogen and phosphorus carriers, was added at the rate of
150 lbs. per ton of dry compost material. Where nitrogen was omitted
the lime and phosphorusjgégiadded at the same rate as in the mixture as
indicated above. I

The chemicals were thoroughly mixed with each compost material and
the mixture divided into three portions,and placed in one gallon earthen-
ware jars, thus giving triplicate treatments. There were ten different
compost mixtures and each one received seven different chemical mixtures
in triplicate. The experiment required the use of 210 Jars. The Jars
were stored in the attic of one of the College buildings and no attempt
was made to regulate the temperature.

The following quantities of organic material (other than fertili-
zers) were used per jar: Greenwood peat 293 gm., Rifle peat 379 gm.,
Carlisle muck 868 gm., straw 250 gm., and leaves 250 gm. (These weights
are eXpressed on the oven-dry-weight basis).

Enough water was added periodically to keep the composts continuous-
ly moist. The composts were thoroughly mixed at regular intervals of
two weeks for the first three months.

Determinations for ammonia and nitrate nitrogen were made two, four,
and six months after the experiment was set up.

The general set-up of the experiments is indicated in Tables 1, 2,

and 3; pages 6, 7, and 8 respectively.

Laboratory Methods

At each sampling time the composts were thoroughly mixed just
prior to taking samples. The samples were then placed in flasks to which
was added either dilute HCl or h per cent KCl solution. This mixture
was shaken at intervals during the next 12 to 2% hours. This was then
filtered and an aliquot of the extract was made alkaline with NaOH and

distilled into H per cent H BOu. The distillate was titrated with a

3
standard Hgsou solution and the quantity of ammonia nitrogen computed.
The contents remaining in the kjeldahl flask were made up to about

200 cc. volume with water, Devarda's alloy added and the contents dis-

tilled in order to determine the quantity of nitrate nitrogen.

Experimental Results

The results of all the ammonia and nitrate nitrogen determinations
are presented in Tables 1, 2, and 3. Each figure in the tables repre-
sents the average of results obtained in three jars and the values are
all expressed in terms of mgm. of nitrogen (both as ammonia and nitrate)
per 100 gm. of dry compost.

With such an extensive number of treatments on ten different kinds
of compost material, the discussion of results becomes rather tedious
and involved. It seems unnecessary to call attention to and comment on
all comparisons that are possible to make. Consequently, only the more
pertinent points brought out by the data will be discussed. Additional

comparisons can be made by consulting the tables.

= = = = = = = = = = = = m .m and N. Fm on

= .. .. = z m .mH_oflm m.ma ADV
.pumam um Mode and .am 00H non hao>uaoommou newcuawu epdnpfin was dances“ .ama N. m use m. ma Amv

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Hon, m: aam mNH 0mm mm, mom mm. :m m~ Hma wma Ina Nw, uo>ecq
ens .oH
II has: oauaawso
NNH mma ma mam mm :mm :md [Mum ma mm. «A mam NH mmw mm>aoq m
. fig 0
umom doobnoouo
mmm an 3mm. HN. oma m: INMN on we mm. .mHn moa ma mm eaten
. ens .w
has: oflmaausm
mmm 8 m Mm 0: on 2m mm 19 Hm m3 m: m an :83 a
use .
seem mamam
ooH IMMH NH mad a” wzfl m: mM, Hm mm NH :NH m, m: uenpm
ens .
pmem,coohaoou¢ m
:a JMH ma :wm am mNH on .mmH ‘mm. HmH ma Ho: 0H mossoq .m,
ma am am MHH NH ,wm mm, mm Imm, ~z Ha I~zfl 0H Begum .:
mum mw mma Nma mom om mom mm mm mm mm Hum ma has:
masseuse .m
on
om: mm 0mm sea mum mmw mmm mm ~m am! no [Maw mm swam
3.2m .m
Ana
Nza mad m Nmfl mm and am Ned my mm ma 0mm HH seem
doohnoona .H
Asa
moz mmz moz mmz moz mmnz moz ma non mmz nos ma non H333:
eooam soaps m osaqsmwoaas sooam eoahq m N no ousaz puoasoo
mmmrasamV _ so so :om Renae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmoaonom was mafia can: monmmumsm was oaaq

 

.mssnoz 0:9 mo can

A.umomaoo mud .sm 00H and a mo .awa we commoamkm modam>v
.muqupdmup headaauhom Mdahumb wuabwoooh and wadanopma ofiamwuo uqouomm«d

Scum odds upmoaaoc a“ smmosaan cashed: was manages mo scandasasoom one .H magma

 

=

= w.m can ~.~N nov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

= = = z = = : z = = 2 w.mH can m.ma ADV
.pnmpm pm x055 mun .aw OOH mom hao>apooamou unwoupHs opmupfln was managed .Ema ~.w was m.md Adv
mwa ma :za Hm mam mm Nmm mm ma HN co: :m m mm a. wobmoq
one .0a
and: caudanwo
HmH Mm NNH HNH :HN mm omN H: OH mm N mmm. m mN mo>NoH m
. and .
pmwmwcoozsoona
mmm mm mwmr mm mmH mm IMmm mm MA m: o~m mm. N om taken
was .w
Mos: caudaumo
mm: ~N 0mm, am NN NN Nam INN :H on m m: m4 mH pagan
use .5
poem camfim _
0H: NH NzN HoH mmw HN Nam ON HN mm, mm! mmH ‘mH NN chasm
use .
I poomwwooknooum m,
mHH m: mm mm Nm mmw zzH mmI wN m HN OH mN NN mo>soq .m
m: mm :w mm ma mm Iwm‘ mm mm Immw Ina mm, Ma ma :duum .:
mzN {INN mmm mm, IINNm, Hm moN NN NH NJ mmm. NM :H IMH has:
Luv oHnHHsao .m
Nam :N ImHm Nm IIMNN mN mom IMN mm, mm, NNM ~m NN om ammm,
033 .m
a:
m:N mm m: mNN amH :OH NmN Nm NH NNH NN omN IwN NN seem
cooksoosm .H
Adv IIL
mom whiz moz $.21 not mmz moz mam mom mmz moz mmz menu mm: 323.0:
pooam.vouun ova sea“: dooam_uoau so onadz anomaoo
sow Nxamz Nzo no son Nxsmmp, mm,
Hmcaoaom new dawn ommnnmcmmh aniwqm 05mg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.uassos uses no sea

A.»momaoo and .am 00H mom 2 mo .ama as commonako moadmbv
.mpsospsoup nouHHHpuom mudhsdb Mdu>aooon use wadHuopsa oasmmno pqonomwfld
scum opus manomaoo sH semouaHs opmupHs use mHnoaaN mo sOHusadasoom ens

.N odee

= : : = = = = = = = = = : w.m find N.NN on

= = = = = .. .. z = .. .. = m .0H dad moma ADV
.ouspm as Mode new .am OOH new mamproopmos semouaHs mumupfid dad damages .ams N. m was m. ma Adv

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HmN ow HmN HNH ImmH {Imml mON - mm No :mN aml nH mm uo>NmH
ens .oH
macaw: mamddhdo
mnH Nm om am HNH Nw omH mm ImH om Ime mmN m mm. mopsoH m
use .
prom pooznmoua
mmN o: 00 MM] NNH m: MmN an Hm mm mwm m: HH m: :NMWm
. e .m
nus: oH328
mNN NN Hmm. ma [non mm NNN mm m: 0N NmN om m mH renew a
one .
seam oHNam ,
NmN am IMNN mm NmN Nm mmN N: oaN om NON HmH on o: renew
ens .
poem coozmomnw m
mm. m: :m mmH NN mm m: mm on Mm NmH 0H NH o asssmH .
OHH 1mm Nam. om am on aaN Hm mm am ImON mmH NH wN eassm .:
mmm :N How on HzN No NHN a: m INN, : an] HN mm sues
_ on «HwHHseo .m
Nmm. on! ImNm Imw mom m: awn mm NH 0N :mN mm NH mm seem
A3 3.3m .N
NzN mm; NmH :mN omH Imm :NN m: m Hm, om NNN N: mm seem
dootdmohub 2...
Hsv
mos mas mos -mmz mom mmm mom mas mom Immm moz mmz moz mmz HsHsosss
eOOHm cases a N : oanstOHaa eOOHm_eonn N N so chase umogEoo
cm H mzv so so Now asmzv oz
Haosonom one mafia opsnmNonmmN um ens mafia

 

 

 

 

.mnpaox Ham no can

.Aumomaoo haw .em ooa non 2 mo .ama as dommoumxo mosam>v
.mpdoausmup nouHawuuom madame» wdeaooos use NHNHnopma oHnmmuo psouommfid
Scum puma upmoQEOo a“ somouauq opmuan and manages mo nowamasadoom one .m manna

Comparison of Superphosphate and Bonemeal

Numerous investigators have called attention to the necessity of
including phosphorus and lime in chemical mixtures for most rapid com-
posting. Therefore, some form of phosphorus and lime was added to all
the composts and the "set-up" was so arranged that the effectiveness
of bone meal could be compared with ordinary (20%) superphosphate (see
Table 1). Two different sources of nitrogen (NHu)2 son and dried blood
were used with those composts that received lime and bonemeal and the
results of these treatments can be compared directly with those that
received lime and superphosphate and the corresponding nitrogen treat-
ments (Nave son and dried blood.

At the end of two months it was found that 7 of the 10 composts
had a greater content of ammonia nitrogen where (NHh)2 SOu was used
with superphosphate than where (NHM)2 SO“ was used with bonemeal. In
the case of nitrate nitrogen 7 of the 10 composts receiving bonemeal and
(NHM)Z son had a higher nitrate accumulation than those that received
superphosphate and (NHN)2 SO”. In other words, bonemeal was superior to
superphosphate in most instances relative to the quantities of accumu-
lated nitrate nitrogen at the end of two months.

In comparing the two sources of phosphorus each with dried blood
on each of the ten compost materials, it is observed at the end of two
months that 5 of the 10 composts were highest in ammonia nitrogen where
bonemeal was added, although in most instances not significantly higher.
Nitrate nitrogen was greater in 7 out of 10 cases where bonemeal was
used in comparison with superphosphate.

At the end of u months ammonia nitrogen was highest in 7 out of

10 cases where superphosphate and (NHN)2 son was used in comparison

10

with bonemeal, and in 8 out of 10 cases nitrates were higher with the
bonemeal. Where the phosphates were supplemented with dried blood,
superphosphate gave higher results for both ammonia and nitrate nitro-
gen in 6 out of 10 instances.

The results obtained at the end of 6 months showed a higher am-
monia nitrogen content in 7 out of 10 cases where (NHu)2 son was used
with superphosphate than when used with bonemeal. The number of in-
stances showing highest nitrate content were the same for both phos-
phates where (Nflu)2 son was also added. With the inclusion of dried
blood, bonemeal ranked first in 6 out of 10 cases as far as the quan-
tities of ammonia nitrogen were concerned, and in 5 out of 10 cases in
nitrate nitrogen.

In considering the data for the three incubation periods, involv-
ing the treatments of (NHuje son and dried blood, with both superphos-
phate and bonemeal, there are 60 comparisons. The quantities of ammonia
nitrogen were highest in 36 instances where superphosphate was used as
compared to 2H for bonemeal. In the case of nitrates, the composts
containing bonemeal ranked highest in 36 instances as against 2H for
the composts containing superphosphate.

In comparing the 10 compost materials that received superphosphate
and (NHN)2 son with the 10 composts that received bonemeal and (NHh)2 7
50h, it is observed that at the end of 2 months the composts receiving
superphosphate had an average nitrate content of 87 mgm. per 100 gm.
of dry compost in comparison to 129 mgm. for those that received bone-
meal. With dried blood and superphosphate, the average production of
nitrate nitrogen was 165 mgm. per 100 gm. of dry compost as compared to

189 mgm. with dried blood and bonemeal. At the end of h months the

11

average amount of nitrate nitrogen was 162 mgm. for (hHh)2 SO)4 and
superphosphate and 217 mgm. where (NHN)2 50h and bonemeal was used.
Where dried blood was included the mgms. of nitrate nitrOgen were 287
and 268 for superphosphate and bonemeal respectively. The results with
(NHN)2 son for the 6 month period showed an average nitrate nitrogen
content of 227 and 2M5 mgm. per 100 gm. of dry compost for superphos-
phate and bonemeal respectively.

If the accumulation of nitrate nitrogen can be used as a criterion
of the value of different fertilizer mixtures for composting, these
results show that bonemeal is in general somewhat superior to super-
phosphate. At the end of four months nitrates were higher where dried
blood was used with superphosphate than when used with bonemeal. The
bonemeal and superphosphate were added in equivalent quantities in each
case; the bonemeal was figured on a total phosphoric acid basis and the

superphosphate on an available phosphoric acid basis.

Comparison of Nitrogen Carriers

 

The experiment was set up so that it would be possible to make a
comparison of the value of different nitrogen fertilizers for compost-
ing purposes. The data obtained are so arranged in Table M to make
such a comparison easily possible. The figures in Table M in each case
represent the average quantity of nitrogen as nitrate in the 10 different
composts at the end of the three incubation periods. The Table is divi-
ded into two parts; one part shows the results of the nitrogen fertili-
zers when used with lime and superphosphate and the other when used
with bonemeal and lime. Each part of the Table will be considered sepa-

rately. The nitrogen fertilizers are arranged in decreasing order of

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table M. A comparison of the influence of some nitrogen
fertilizers on the accumulation of nitrate
nitrogen in composts‘.
Two Months Four Months Six Months
Dried blood 165 Dried blood 287 (NHu)2 sou 227
Superphosphate Milorganite 108 Milorganite 213 Dried blood 218
and
Lime (NHM)2 son 87 (NHu)2 sou 162 Milorganite 177
N
CaCN2 23 CaCN2 18 CaC 2 5h
NO N 12 NO N IN NO N 19
Dried blood 189 Dried blood 268 (NHb)2 sou 2M5
Bonemeal and
- '\
Lime (NHu)2 sou 129 (flHu)2 sou 217 Dried blood 229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

' Values are expressed as mgm. of nitrate nitrogen per 100 gm. of dry compost.

The figures in each case represent the average for the 10 different
composts.

 

13

effectiveness (accumulation of nitrates) for each of the three incubation
periods.

In considering the accumulation of nitrates in the composts where
lime and superphosphate was added, it is observed that all of the nitro-
gen fertilizers gave increases over the "no nitrogen" series, although
CaCN2 was not particularly effective. Calcium Cyanamid ranked well
below the other nitrogen fertilizers. For the first two incubation
periods the different nitrogen treatments ranked in the same order,
with dried blood ranking well above the other treatments. However, at
the end of the 6 months incubation period the quantity of nitrate nitro-

gen was higher where (NHM)2 80 was used than for any of the other

h
treatments. The quantity of nitrate nitrogen at the 6 months period,
where either dried blood or milorganite was used, was less than that
for the H months period. This was not true for the (NHh)2 SO1+ and
CaCN2 treatments. The decrease in quantities of nitrate nitrogen (com-
paring the M and 6 month periods) could be accounted for in one of two
ways. The nitrate might have been assimilated by microorganisms or
it may have been reduced and lost by volatilization. An examination of
the ammonia and nitrate data presented in Tables 1, 2, and 3 does not
indicate a loss of nitrogen by volatilization. This, however, could
not be definitely determined because total nitrogen determinations were
not made.

In comparing dried blood and (NHh)2 50% when used with bonemeal
and lime it is again observed that dried blood is superior to (NHh)2
SOu except for the 6 month period; and furthermore there was a decrease

in the quantity of nitrate nitrogen from the h to the 6 month period

where dried blood was added. It is to be remembered that the figures

in

in Table h represent the average of 10 different composts and by refer-
ring to Tables 1, 2, and 3 it is observed that a decrease in nitrates
(as referred to above with dried blood) was not found in all the
composts.

The results obtained using the different nitrogen fertilizers
show that a much more rapid accumulation of nitrates occured where
dried blood and milorganite was used than where (HHu)2 son and CaCN2
was used. The quantities of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen that accumu-

lated where CaCN2 was added were in general low throughout.

Comparison of Different Organic Materials for Composting

 

The data presented in Tables 1, 2, and 3 are summarized in Table
5 to show more briefly and clearly the differences exhibited by the
various composting materials on the rate and quantity of nitrate accumu—
lation. It is recalled that each organic material or mixture of mate-
rials received seven different chemical mixtures. The results of the
nitrate determinations for these seven treatments were averaged for each
of the three incubation periods. Since the treatments were in tripli-
cate, each figure in Table 5 represents the average amount of nitrate
nitrogen in the composts of 21 jars. The different composting materials
received identical chemical treatments, therefore a direct comparison
of the effectiveness of the various composting materials on the accumu-
lation of nitrates can be made from the data in Table 5. The numbers
in parenthesis designate the rank, in the quantity of nitrates present,
of the particular compost for the incubation period indicated.

In comparing the three organic soils (Greenwood, Rifle, and Car-

lisle) where neither straw nor leaves were added, it is seen that a

15

Table 5. The accumulation of nitrates in various composts made
from different organic materials. (Values expressed
as mgm. N as nitrate per 100 gm. of dry compost)*.

 

 

 

 

 

Incubation periods
Compost materials Two Months Four Months Six Months
1. Greenwood Peat M3 (7)(a) 115 (8) 128 (8)
2. Rifle Peat 193 (1) 2uu (2) 229 (1)
3. Carlisle Muck 128 (5) 220 (u) 208 (u)
h. Straw 18 (10) M1 (10) 1H6 (7)
5. Leaves 18 (9) 68 (9) 6o (10)
6. Greenwood Peat & Straw 32 (8) 200 (5) 217 (2)
7. Rifle Peat & Straw 185 (2) 251 (l) 216 (3)
8. Carlisle Muck & Straw 182 (3) 2M2 (3) 191 (5)
9. Greenwood Peat & Leaves 52 (6) 116 (7) 102 (9)
10. Carlisle Muck & Leaves 168 (u) 179 (6) 171 (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Each figure represents the average value obtained for all of the seven
different chemical treatments for each compost material.

(a) Numbers in parentheses refer to the rank of the particular compost,
in the accumulation of nitrates, for the incubation period designated.

16

much greater accumulation of nitrates occurred in the Rifle and Carlisle
than in the Greenwood at the end of each of the three incubation periods.
The Rifle gave results higher than Carlisle. These results indicate-
that Greenwood peat is a very poor material to use for composting
purposes, although it has been used to acidify soils for certain greenp
house plants with very good results. Greenwood is a highly acid peat,
undecomposed, coarse in texture, contains very little mineral matter,
and is low in mineral elements of fertility. ‘Either the highly acid
condition of the peat or the absence of active nitrifying organisms
could explain the low quantity of nitrates in the Greenwood. However,
in some recent studies reported by Turk (7) no benefit was noticed on
the nitrifying capacities of similar organic soils by the addition of
a manure infusion. By referring back to Tables 1, 2, and 3 it is seen
that considerable quantities of ammonia nitrogen accumulated in the
Greenwood and it would seem that either there was an absence of nitrify-
ing bacteria or that conditions of the compost would not permit their
preper functioning or since the Greenwood is an undecomposed peat, it
is possible that most of the nitrate nitrogen was assimilated by
microorganisms as rapidly as it was produced.

The quantities of nitrate nitrogen found in the composts of leaves
and straw alone were lower than for any other material for the first
two incubation periods; and for the 6 month period leaves stood at the
bottom of the list whereas considerable quantities of nitrates accumu-
lated in the straw composts. The low accumulation of nitrates in the
straw and leaves composts may have been due to an absence of active
nitrifying organisms although Bauer (2) in conducting some composts

experiments found no appreciable effect, of adding manure inoculum, on

17

the accumulation of nitrates. The wide carbon-nitrogen ratio of the
straw apparently did not permit an appreciable release of nitrates
until after a period of h months. In the composts of leaves a rapid
release or accumulation of nitrates had not occurred even after 6
months. If rapid composting were desired, tOgether with a high nitrate
content, leaves would not be the most desirable material to use accord-
ing to the data obtained in these experiments.

In the composts to which straw was mixed with the organic soils,
it was found that greater quantities of nitrate nitrogen accumulated
in the Rifle peat and in the Carlisle muck than in the Greenwood peat
for the first two incubation periods but at the third incubation period
the results for the Greenwood were equal or superior to the other two
organic soils. In general, there were no appreciable differences in
the quantities of nitrate that accumulated in the organic soils alone
and when straw was mixed with them except in the case of Greenwood peat
and straw which was decidedly superior to the peat alone, for the latter
two incubation periods.

Much greater quantities of nitrate nitrogen were found in Carlisle
muck and leaves than in the composts made of Greenwood peat and leaves.
No consistent differences were found between these compost mixtures
and when the corresponding organic soils were composted alone.

In considering the data in Table 5 as a whole it is observed that
the most rapid accumulation of nitrates took place where Rifle peat
was used alone and when it was used with straw, the mixture of Carlisle
muck and straw ranked second, while leaves alone and straw alone ranked

below the other materials.

18

DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY

This report gives the results of a study concerning the use of
various organic materials treated with different fertilizers for com-
posting purposes. Special attention was directed to the comparison of
different nitrogen fertilizers. Superphosphate and bonemeal were
compared as sources of phosphorus.

Three organic soils (Carlisle, Rifle, and Greenwood), straw, and
leaves were each composted separately; and in addition each of the
three organic soils was composted with equal parts by weight of straw,
and the Greenwood and Carlisle were each composted with equal parts,
by weight, of leaves.

Twenty-one jars were filled with each of the above materials or
mixtures of materials, giving ten series of twenty-one jars each. Five
of the series received lime and superphosphate; of these, No. 1 received
no nitrogen, No. 2 received (NHu)2 sou, No. 3 received CaCNe, No. h
received milorganite, and No. 5 received dried blood. The two remain-
ing series received lime and bonemeal and in addition one of these
received (NHM)2 son and the other received dried blood.

The amount of fertilizer and lime used.was calculated from the
formula for a chemical mixture used by Turk (6) in the production of
synthetic manure. Water was added as necessary to keep the composts
continuously moist. The composts were thoroughly mixed each two weeks
for the first three months. Determinations for ammonia and nitrate
nitrogen were made two, four, and six months after setting up the

composts.

19

In general, a more rapid accumulation of nitrates occurred with
bonemeal than with superphosphate.

The nitrate content, on the average, was much higher where dried
blood was used than with any of the other nitrogen fertilizers both at
the end of two and four months. On the basis of the accumulation of
nitrates, the nitrogen fertilizers (used with lime and superphosphate)
ranked in the following decreasing order for the incubation periods
of two and four months: Dried blood, Milorganite, (NHh)2 son, and
CaCNe. The accumulation of nitrates where CaCN2 was used was only
slightly greater than where no nitrogen was used after four months
incubation.

After six months a greater accumulation of nitrates was found in
the composts receiving (NHh)2 sou, although not appreciably greater
than in those receiving dried blood. This was true in both the super-
phosphate and bonemeal series.

A more rapid accumulation of nitrates occurred with the use of
Rifle peat and Carlisle muck than with Greenwood peat.

A slow accumulation of nitrates was noted where straw and leaves
were composted alone.

A more rapid accumulation of nitrates occurred where Greenwood
peat was mixed with either leaves or straw than when used alone. How-
ever, in the case of Rifle peat and Greenwood peat, no appreciable
differences were noted, in the rate of nitrate accumulation, where
they were used alone or where they were mixed with straw.

The experimental results here reported indicate wide variations

which are encountered in the composting of different organic materials

and in the use of various fertilizer mixtures. No specific time can

20

be stated as to the time required for the production of the most desir-
able compost. The data presented clearly indicate that the rate of
nitrate accumulation in composts is markedly influenced by the nature
of the composting material, the kind of nitrogen fertilizer used, and
the source of phosphorus.

As a general rule, greenhouse men have favored the use of materials
such as dried blood and especially bonemeal in making their composts
and the results obtained in this study tend to support their experience
and judgment, assuming that the rate of nitrate accumulation is a
measuring stick.

Furthermore, from the results obtained in this study, it would
seem necessary to make nitrate determinations in order to determine
the desirability of a particular compost for soil improvement purposes.

A question may be raised as to the advisability of using lime
in the making of composts to be used for greenhouse plants that require
a strongly acid soil. Under these conditions either the lime should
be omitted from the compost or some acid producing substance added
after the process of composting is completed. The rate of nitrate

production, however, will be greatly reduced by omitting the lime.

(1)

(2)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

21

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Albrecht, W. A. 1932. Artificial Manure Production on the Farm.
Mo. Agri. Expt. Sta. Bul. 258.

Bauer, A. J. 193M. Effects of Composting On the Chemical and
Biological Changes in Peat and Wheat Straw. Journ.
Amer. Soc. Agron. 26: 820—830.

Lauirie, A. 1936. The Use of Peat in the Greenhouse. Mich. Agri.
Expt. Sta. Bul. 19M.

McCool, M. M. 1936. Composts. Contributions From Boyce Thompson
Institute 8:263—281.

Smith, F. B., Stevenson, W. B., and Brown,P. E. 1930. The Pro-
duction of Artificial Manure. Iowa.Agri. Expt. Sta.
Res. Bul. 126.

Turk, L. M. 1936. Synthetic Manure Production in Michigan. Mich.
Agri. Expt. Sta. Ciro. Bul. 157.

Turk, L. M. 1939. Effect of Certain Mineral Elements on Some
Microbiological Activities in Muck Soils. Soil Science,

M7: u25-uu5.

Veatch, J. O. 1933. Agricultural Land Classification and Land
Types of Michigan. Mich. Agri. Expt. Sta. Special
Bul. 231.

Waksman, S. A. 1932. Principles of Soil Microbiology. The Wi1~
liams and Wilkins 00., Baltimore.

Waksman, S. A. 1938. Humus. The Williams and Wilkins 00.,
Baltimore.

 

If 2 "r' h 6
h . f4‘s ROW USE ONLY

 

 

 

 

.
N
h I
.
.
D. \
..
b .
.
.
.
._ t
I Q
d - ‘
_ . i .
v . r u.
.- ~ V V l
. . .._ . .q . ‘—.CD .. 3 . . [u
. .5. {Mall MJM o. ... . . .l v , ...\\ Ir ..
I. in. I’ a .. . w. , . ..
ta; 4. ..e..er.ie . retainer . i-
l I | c l v d!:'. . v r.
f. P :1. .n . . . In
- . A! n ., e. . n A ‘
. (tn-.3 -A . ) title. . .9... t. .L kit...
u \\t II a V ‘ .Qn .h.‘ _. IVJw i
p .§ ‘ .1. v ;.
t . 5"... x...‘ 1
e . . . . .r. r. h >
, egg; ~& A...
. lit? a A... . .k. ..
. , not 31...... .1. s it
I . shhrxn .I I .v
.
.
.
. .
A .
. e .
_ tr
.
_. . .1.
l '6‘ p.
. H n. .l v
«(i f.
t-‘I l v
. K. .
1 ..q .m
. .u.l.0 . .
a. ...:., l. ..
. 4...
n .n. .\.,..,.u.
I . ole. .
. LS1...
\u"
.1 . \
I C
.0
J .
. r .
J n
1. .
. .
y a
. r
t .
.
a» .. I
. . tn . l
e ..
l f
a
d I I
rd .
. . . .
. .. l v . \
r . . . .
a u a 1 . r i t \
v . . u r I .|_. r x
. u \ . r ‘ r . t‘ < n .4
.. . l i . . . r . .
._ .. . . . . .. . .
. . r ‘ u 1 .. .a. . .
a l .o e | n _. t I I.
i. \ t . i or I .
O .1 I r l a‘ I ‘ c
. \ I. I
. - ...... ,. .( . . . . 1...: .
. Q C
h .-. , .....r t .- -.. ...{s .
y . t l 1.. .( G . . u - I
D I r v f l. . I
- _.. I: . r x
. t . . . .
. e. . r . . . r
u a. n e I \ .r . v
r v . 1 .
i ' I I
u
‘
.
. -
.1
.

 

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVER IT

III II ISIIIIIJIIIII!
10 6 8

ARIES

3 1193 03062