compost vs. raw organic matter

joel b gruver (jgruv@wam.umd.edu)
Thu, 5 Sep 1996 21:53:11 -0400 (EDT)

Hello to all,
I am investigating compost as
a soil ammendment, specifically the unique
characteristics of compost as a soil ammendment vs. land application of
the raw compost ingredients.

If anyone has any unique insights on the following post them my way:

1) What aspects of the composting process bring about the
neutralization of pH ?

2) Does compost have a unique/different capacity to modify soil
physical properties as compared to additions of raw organic materials ?

3) Does soil ammendment with mature compost have a significantly
different effect on soil microbial ecology then the application of raw
organics ?

I look forward to hearing your reponses and reference suggestions...
Joel Gruver
U of MD, Agronomy
jgruv@wam.umd.edu