Determination of Compost Biomaturity. I. Literature Review

ABSTRACT Biomaturity of a compost is essential for its optimal use as a soil amendment and a source of plant nutrients. Immature composts pose problems of malodours and fire during storage; flies and bag- bursting during marketing; and phytotoxicity and pollution during use. Determination of the biomaturity of a compost, however, is a difficult task because of the complexities of the process, and a lack of comprehension or appreciation of many of its aspects. This article reviews more than twenty five tests that have been proposed for testing the biomaturity of composts. Concluding that none is adequate by itself, the authors propose an experimental approach for evolving a single, facile and reliable test based on the science of composting. Subsequent parts of this series report on the results of the proposed experimentation.