ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on non-traditional uses of compost. The two applications that are the use of compost as a medium for plant disease suppression and the use of compost as a medium for biofiltration. Compost has been used for many years as a medium for biofiltration. It also been used as a filter medium for storm runoff, and in Germany it has been used as a filler between panels for sound insulation. Biofiltration involves two principal actions physical adsorption on compost particles and water surfaces surrounding compost particles and microbial degradation of the compound. Microbial action can involve metabolism, utilization or oxidation of organic compounds. Users of compost are concerned and interested in the effect of composting on the destruction of plant pathogens. Most of the literature on the destruction of pathogens in compost pertains to human pathogens. Composting of plant residues can be effective in the destruction of plant pathogens and, therefore, the compost can be used safely.
