Changes in the Distribution of Nitrogen during the Composting of Straw

Abstract

DURING the decomposition of straw on composting with inorganic nitrogen, there is an increase of nitrogen in a water-insoluble form^1,2. Earlier workers² have estimated the amount of protein synthesized using the conventional factor ‘protein’ = 6.25 × N. This method of calculation, although useful in preliminary investigations, is open to criticism when non-protein nitrogen is present. Several other methods have been used for following changes on composting or storing manure. Russell and Richards³ showed that little change occurs in the amide nitrogen of farmyard manure on storage. Ashworth⁴ used the scheme of ‘proximate’ analysis of Waksman and Stevens⁵ to follow changes in the nitrogen compounds in straw composted with dried blood as a source of nitrogen. He did not determine changes in amide or amino nitrogen.