Leaching of nitrogen forms, cations, and metals as influenced by compost amendment to a candler fine sand

Abstract

Leachability of nitrogen forms, cations, and metals was evaluated in an entisol amended with compost. In this study, sugarcane filter cake (SF) and municipal solid waste plus biosolids (MSW + BSD) compost were applied to a Candler fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartapsamments) at rates equivalent to 200 kg N ha‐1(on air‐dry weight basis) and intermittently leached with deionized water in 220 mL fractions for a total of 1,760 mL. The concentrations of NO3‐N in leachate were below 10 mg L‐1 (maximum contaminant limit of NO3‐N; drinking water quality standards) for both compost sources. Leaching of most elements was greater from the soil amended with SF as compared to that with MSW + BSD. The highest concentrations of most elements (except P, Fe and Al) were observed in the second or third leachate fractions. The cumulative amount of NO3‐N recovered in 1760 mL leachate accounted for 2.9 and 2.7% of total N applied using SF and MSW + BSD, respectively. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R‐6056.