Soil Dynamic Models: Predicting the Behavior of Fertilizers in the Soil

This chapter provides an overview of the most dominant processes for the situation where organic biobased derivatives are added to the soil, with emphasis on decomposition, production of mineral nutrients, and losses to the environment. Organic compounds in the soil (organic matter, organic fertilizers, biobased derivatives, soil biomass) are subject to microbiological conversion reaction. Decomposition of organic matter usually occurs relatively quickly as long as enough molecular oxygen is present. Two major models can be distinguished in modeling mineralization of organic matter: multi‐pool models with a constant decomposition rate factor and models with a time‐dependent decomposition rate factor. Leaching is the loss of nutrients via draining of water as a result of excess rainfall or irrigation. It is of environmental concern as it contributes to the contamination of the groundwater and surface‐water systems. The chapter presents an overview of processes for some selected soil dynamic models.