Forecasting agrobiological properties of wheat straw with different additives—multiple regression models including chemical parameters

Abstract

Abstract The agrobiological properties of 37 composts prepared from wheat straw with a series of organic or mineral additives have been determined through standard chemical analyses and greenhouse experiments with soils of different carbonate content and in the presence, or absence of mineral fertilization. Plant yield on soils treated with the composts was studied in successive stages of development of rye grass (Lolium rigidum), showing significant differences that paralleled the values of a limited number of compost parameters. Under greenhouse conditions and in the presence of mineral supply, the least matured composts led to improved plant yield only in the early harvests, decreasing thereafter which points to a behavior typical for the microbial immobilization of the additional nutrients. The germination (phytotoxicity) index was found poorly correlated with the yield in the different soils, whereas the N and lignin contents provided the most significant information, the results suggesting no cause‐...