02215naa a2200229 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001902400510006010000170011124501350012826000090026352015150027265000130178765300080180065300120180865300180182065300210183865300210185970000250188070000210190577300590192619836752021-10-14       2013    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d7 ahttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1358-52DOI1 aCHALK, P. M.  aTowards an understanding of the dynamics of compost N in the soil-plant-atmosphere system using 15N tracer.h[electronic resource]  c2013  aAims The principal aim of the present review is to synthesize and evaluate published information on the N fertilizer value of composts, and their effect on the utilization of conventional N fertilizers by crops. Methods We have examined the literature where the dynamics of N in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum are traced using composts that were either artificially enriched in the 15N stable isotope (in units of atom % 15N excess) or had a natural 15N abundance (δ15N in units of ? or per mil) due to isotope discrimination processes that occur during composting. The methods used to produce artificially-enriched composts and to test uniformity of labelling are reviewed. Results Limited data show that composts are generally inferior sources of N for crops compared with their raw materials due to a lower N mineralization capacity. Immobilization of fertilizer N increases in compostamended soils and may reduce recovery by a crop, but fertilizer N losses are reduced overall. However, coapplication of compost and urea should be avoided due to the risk of increased NH3 volatilization due to the action of compost-derived urease. High annual rates of compost application can exacerbate environmental problems including nitrate contamination of groundwater. Conclusions Efforts are required to improve the N fertilizer value of composts by minimizing NH3 volatilization losses during composting. More attention should also be given to the use of the natural 15N abundance of compost as a tracer.  anitrogen  a15N  aCompost  aN fertilizers  aN immobilization  aN mineralization1 aMAGALHÃES, A. M. T.1 aINACIO, C. de T.  tPlant and Soilgv. 362, n. 1/2, p. 373-388, Jan. 2013.