The Importance of Chelation in Composting: A Historical Perspective

? Much more research is presently being done on composting organic wastes than on humification in the soil. Humus research has therefore been reincarnated in the form of composting research. However, chelation is a neglected but important chemical reaction in composting and the utilization of compost as a soil amendment, just as it has been in soil formation and soil fertility. Research is needed to clarify the role of chelation in composting. It is also important to recognize the limitations in interpreting results from compost research in which the role of chelation was not considered.