What control measures do we need for compost production and use

The management of the composting process depends on the periodical control of temperature, moisture content and oxygen concentration. The determination of the quantitities of ammonium, nitrite and nitrate in the compost allows the evaluation of its maturity, the quality of the composting process and of the storage of the product, and the risk of N immobilization or release in the soil. Plant phytotoxicity tests can assess the maturity and the quality of the produced compost. The choice of the appropriate compost, application strategy and use, should be guided by analyses of pH-value, salinity, intensity of colour extract and nutrient content.