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Integrating Agriculture, Conservation and Ecotourism: Examples from the Field pp 27–53Cite as

Organic Compost and Manufactured Fertilizers: Economics and Ecology

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Part of the book series: Issues in Agroecology – Present Status and Future Prospectus ((AGRO,volume 1))

Abstract

Compost is a highly diverse group of organic soil amendments which provides substantial nutritive fertility to soils. The benefits of compost addition to soils are vast and have been well documented by a growing body of research. Composts are manufactured in a variety of methods and scales from simple localized plots to large scale commercial operations. This review examines the role of organic matter in soils, the process of composting, and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of compost. The global use of compost and its agro-ecological implications is explored. The review concludes with appropriate uses of compost, its comparison to traditional commercial fertilizer, as well as some limitations for its proper use.

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Acknowledgements

To Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Veracruz (LP12 Agroecosistemas Sustentables) for the facilities provided to CLS in the preparation of the contribution to this review. Thanks also are due to M.C. Itzel Galaviz Villa for contributing to the report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University AgCenter, 307 MB Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    David C. Weindorf

  2. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas Agrilife Research, 1229 North US Highway 281, Stephenville, TX, 76401, USA

    James P. Muir

  3. Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Veracruz, 421, Veracruz, Mexico, C.P. 91700

    Cesáreo Landeros-Sánchez

  4. Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Veracruz, Km 86.5 Carretera Federal Xalapa-Veracruz, vía Paso de Ovejas, entre Paso San Juan y Puente Jula, Tepetates, Veracruz, México, C.P. 91690

    Cesáreo Landeros-Sánchez

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  1. David C. Weindorf
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  3. Cesáreo Landeros-Sánchez
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Correspondence to David C. Weindorf .

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  1. , Suite 200, Cardno ENTRIX, University Avenue 701, Sacramento, 95825, California, USA

    W. Bruce Campbell

  2. , Campus Veracruz, Colegio de Postgraduados, Km. 86.5 Carr. Fed. Xalapa-Veracruz, via paso de Ovejas, Veracruz, 91690, Veracruz, Mexico

    Silvia Lopez Ortiz

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Weindorf, D.C., Muir, J.P., Landeros-Sánchez, C. (2011). Organic Compost and Manufactured Fertilizers: Economics and Ecology. In: Campbell, W., Lopez Ortiz, S. (eds) Integrating Agriculture, Conservation and Ecotourism: Examples from the Field. Issues in Agroecology – Present Status and Future Prospectus, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1309-3_2

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