Abstract
The objectives of the study were to test the electrofocusing technique to determine its suitability as a method for the characterization of organic fertilizers from a qualitative point of view and identification of the organic matrix in an unknown fertilizer; no laboratory methods for this purpose are presently available.
Analytical electrofocusing (EF) is shown to fulfill these objectives and may be easily adopted as a routine manual procedure. A solution of sodium hydroxide was chosen as the extractant because it allows comparisons between various types of humified materials and permits the evolution of organic matter to be followed during “maturation” of the fertilizer itself. The organic fertilizers considered included many nitrogen-rich waste materials, mostly of animal origin. They are divided into different groups according to origin and EF profiles.
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Govi, M., Ciavatta, C., Vittori Antisari, L. et al. Characterization of humified substances in organic fertilizers by means of analytical electrofocusing (EF): A first approach. Fertilizer Research 28, 333–339 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054334
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054334