ABSTRACT
Compost is an organic matter resource. The feedstock, its characteristics, and level of contaminants determine the amount of organic matter in relation to other constituents. As a source of organic matter, its primary impact is on the soil physical properties. However, several important soil chemical characteristics are also affected by the addition of organic matter. The chapter discusses the soil changes that occur as a result of application of compost to soils. The soil organic matter also changes several important soil chemical characteristics. Unlike chemical properties, which are relatively easy to measure, physical properties are much harder to quantify. As a result, there are considerably fewer publications on the changes to soil physical characteristics due to compost application. The effect of compost on soil chemical properties is a result of the interaction of the organic matter with soil minerals and the chemical characteristics of the compost.
