DECOMPOSITION OF A WINERY-SLUDGE AS AFFECTED BY SOIL CHARACTERISTICS - A LABORATORY TRIAL

Carbon mineralization of a winery-sludge added to various soils was mo nitored over 60 days in a laboratory incubation experiment; the rate a nd extent of decomposition varied greatly among the soils and were fou nd to be affected by the following soil properties: C/N, cation and an ion exchange capacities, total microbial activity (F.D.A), Some kineti c models were evaluated for their suitability in describing the decomp osition process; the ''Power function'' model best described carbon mi neralization of winery-sludge organic matter in soil.