Volatile organic acids (C1-C4) can be build up during the first stages of metabolic process under anaerobic conditions of organic residues management. The phytotoxicity can leads to significant losses of crop production. The phytotoxicity of this acids was the aim of this revision. The type and amount of acids produced during the process are basically dependent on the amount and quality of the residue and the phytoxicity is directly related to the length of C compounds, to the acid concentration, and to the soil solution pH. The main effects, as germination inhibition and root expansion, are related to damaged root meristematic tissue or respiration inhibition and consequently leading to inhibition of cell division.
phytoxicity; pH; anaerobic decomposition; organic matter
