The application of organic compost to the soil can increase the production of peach, although part of the N may be lost by leaching and volatilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status, yield of peaches, leaching of N forms and volatilization of NH3-N in a peach orchard with the addition of compost produced from agroindustrial juice waste, poultry slaughterhouse residues and sawdust. The orchard was established in 2009, and in july 2010, 2011 and 2012 the quantities of 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24L of organic compost per m2 were applied on a peach orchard and the total nutrient content in leaves and production was evaluated. In 2012, using lysimeters installed at 20 and 40cm deep in the soil, it was measured the forms of N in the solution in the treatments of 0 and 24L of compost. The volatilization of NH3-N was assessed in all the treatments up to 478h after compost application on the soil. The application of compost on the soil surface increased the content of K and N in whole leaves, increasing fruit production. The compost application at flowering increased the concentration of nitrate in the soil solution at a depth of only 20cm. The ammonia emission increased especially with the augmenting dose of compost applied, and in periods of higher temperature
organic waste; mineral N; Prunus persica
