Quality evaluation of organic composts commercialized in the region of Entre Douro e Minho

Abstract

The maturity degree is a basic parameter in the apreciation of the quality of organic composts. When unstable or without enough maturity the organic amendment can cause phytotoxity by liberation of volatile organic acids, ammonium or carbon dioxide. With the present work we attempt to quantify the effective quality of composts in comercialization at Entre-Douro-e Minho farmers associations. Quality of composts were evaluated by chemical and biological methods.

The results allow us to conclude that the quality of the organic composts must be improved. While the results of the chemical evaluation classify all samples as bad, biological evaluations bellow a better judgement.