Hitchings, Roger (2008) Compost: the effect on nutrients, soil
health and crop quantity and quality. Institute of Organic
Training and Advice, Craven Arms, Shropshire, UK. The primary
scope of this review is to provide evidence for the effects of
compost as distinct from the effects of fresh or stored manure.
It is intended to help advisers and farmers identify when the
use of compost or a composting process is appropriate. This
review does not address the detailed issues surrounding the
various production of compost but includes some basic
information with particular respect to on-farm composting
operations. The differences between well-made compost and semi
compost (single turned) that may be revealed by this review
could inform decisions about the approach taken to composting in
an on-farm situation. The specific issues addressed by the
review will include: •The different types of compost available
to producers, and their qualities and properties. •The role of
composts in disease suppression and, where sho