Effects of temperature on the release of nutrient elements of solid organic materials under conditions of oversaturation

The effects of temperature on the release of chemical components of six solid organic materials under conditions of oversaturation were investigated in this paper. The six materials were peat moss (PM), weathered coals (WC), charred rice husks (CRH), sawdust (Sd), turfgrass clippings (TC), and chicken manure (CM). Significant differences were observed in the available nitrogen and phosphorus content of the aqueous extracts of organic materials at different temperatures. The available nitrogen content in aqueous extracts of PM and WC at 25 °C was higher than that registered at 15 °C and 35 °C. Available nitrogen content in the aqueous extracts of CRH, Sd, TC, and WC at 35 °C was higher than at 15 °C and 25 °C. The available phosphorus content in the aqueous extracts of organic materials at 35 °C was higher than that available at 15 °C and 25 °C, with the exception of Sd. In addition, the release of available phosphorus in the aqueous solution of organic materials at different temperatures varied constantly for 108 h. The release of potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) ions in the aqueous extracts of organic materials was basically steady over time, with the exception of CM. High temperature (35 °C) may significantly hasten the release of K+ from organic substrates (except for WC) with low temperatures significantly inhibiting release of K+ in Sd and CRH. High temperatures (35 °C) might significantly facilitate the release of Na+ in CM and TC. However, no significant differences were manifested in the release of Na+ from organic substrates at different temperatures, with the exception of CM and TC. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the release of calcium, magnesium and iron ions with time, nor were there any significant differences in the contents of iron ions in the aqueous extracts of organic materials at different temperatures. The results indicate that multiple mediums should be pretreated in water for a week before being used for planting. They should be used when all mineral elements of organic materials are steady and ignoring the effect of organic mediums.