Typology of exogenous organic matters based on chemical and biochemical composition to predict potential nitrogen mineralization G. Lashermes a , B. Nicolardot b,1 , V. Parnaudeau b,i , L. Thuriès c,2 , R. Chaussod d , M.L. Guillotin e , M. Linères f , B. Mary g , L. Metzger h , T. Morvan i , A. Tricaud j , C. Villette k , S. Houot a, * a INRA, UMR1091 Environnement et Grandes Cultures, F-78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France b INRA, UR1158 Agronomie Laon-Reims-Mons, F-51686 Reims, France c Phalippou-Frayssinet, Organic Fertilizers, F-81240 Rouairoux, France d INRA – Université de Bourgogne, UMR1229 Microbiologie des Sols et de l’Environnement, F-21065 Dijon, France e LCA, F-17074 La Rochelle, France f INRA, UMR1220 Transfert Sol-Plante et Cycle des Eléments Minéraux dans les Ecosystèmes Cultivés, F-33883 Villenave d’Ornon, France g INRA, US1158 Unité Agro-Impact, F-02007 Laon, France h RITTMO, F-68000 Colmar, France i INRA, UMR1069, Soil Agro and HydroSystem, F-35000 Rennes, France j SAS, F-45160 Ardon, France k LDAR, F-02007 Laon, France article info Article history: Received 17 April 2009 Received in revised form 26 July 2009 Accepted 6 August 2009 Available online 1 September 2009 Keywords: Exogenous organic matter N mineralization Biochemical fractionation Typology Hierarchical classification abstract Our aim was to develop a typology predicting potential N availability of exogenous organic matters (EOMs) in soil based on their chemical characteristics. A database of 273 EOMs was constructed including analytical data of biochemical fractionation, organic C and N, and results of N mineralization during incu- bation of soil–EOM mixtures in controlled conditions. Multiple factor analysis and hierarchical classifica- tion were performed to gather EOMs with similar composition and N mineralization behavior. A typology was then defined using composition criteria to predict potential N mineralization. Six classes of EOM potential N mineralization in soil were defined, from high potential N mineralization to risk of inducing N immobilization in soil after application. These classes were defined on the basis of EOM organic N con- tent and soluble, cellulose-, and lignin-like fractions. A decision tree based on these variables was con- structed in order to easily attribute any EOM to 1 of the 6 classes. Ó 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. 1. Introduction Traditionally, animal manures have been used as fertilizers in crop production. More recently, in areas where animal breeding has disappeared, other organic materials originating from urban and industrial activities have replaced animal manures onto culti- vated soils to restore soil organic matter content and fertility. Exogenous organic matters (EOMs) are sources of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), including both mineral N and organic forms under- going progressive mineralization in soil. Mineral N can be immedi- ately available for crops but can also be temporary immobilized by microbial biomass during EOM biodegradation in soil (Bernal et al., 1998). Consequently, EOM decomposition can either be a source of plant available N or compete with plant for it (Flavel and Murphy, 2006). On the other hand, mineral N can be potentially lost in the environment by volatilization, denitrification and leaching. A sus- tainable management of EOMs hence requires that the application of EOM supports crop production and protects water and air qual- ity (Mamo et al., 1999). It is particularly important to synchronize the N supply from EOM with plant requirements in agricultural systems where other sources of mineral N such as fertilizer are limited or excluded (Palm et al., 2001b). Thus, building tools help- ing to better anticipate the effect of EOM inputs on N dynamics in soil and to improve the management of EOM application is a real challenge. 0960-8524/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2009.08.025 Abbreviations: EOM, exogenous organic matter; CEL, cellulose-like fraction; HEM, hemicellulose-like fraction; LIG, lignin-like fraction; SOL, soluble fraction; N14, N mineralized after 14 days of incubation; N91, N mineralized after 91 days of incubation; C o , organic carbon; N o , organic nitrogen; MFA, multiple factor analysis; HC, hierarchical classification. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 1 30 81 54 01; fax: +33 1 30 81 53 96. E-mail address: sabine.houot@grignon.inra.fr (S. Houot). 1 Present address: ENESAD, UMR 1210, INRA-ENESAD-Université de Bourgogne, Biologie et Gestion des Adventices, 26 Bd Docteur Petitjean, BP 87999, 21079 Dijon Cedex, France. 2 Present address: CIRAD, UPR78, Risque Environnemental Lié au Recyclage, F- 97408 St. Denis (La Réunion), France. Bioresource Technology 101 (2010) 157–164 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Bioresource Technology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biortech