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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic amendment on the evolution of soil organic matter content and humification rates, under fodder crops land utilization system. To accomplish this objective a research (autumn 2004 to summer 2007) was carried out at Foggia (Southern Italy) applying one agro-industrial anaerobic digestate and a on-farming compost on these three fodder crops (Italian clover, proteic pea and Italian ryegrass) In a split-plot experimental design with three replications the following fertilizing treatments were compared: 0 mineral fertilization with chemical fertilizers (Min); II) organic fertilization, with stabilized anaerobic digestate coming from wine distillery (Org-B); organic fertilization, with olive-pomace compost (Org-C); IV) organic-mineral fertilization (Mix), with a commercial product. These treatments were compared with an unfertilized control (F0)

After three years of organic amendments application (2004-2007). the Org-C treatment reached the highest content of soil total organic matter and it also increased total extract carbon by 11% compared to with the Min one. Furthermore, on the Org-B treatment the stabilised organic matter (fulvic and humic acids) increased by 3.3% versus the F0 treatment. The on-farming compost applications enhanced the total N and available P by 18 8% and 51.4% compared to unfertilized control.

These results suggest that organic amendments in the agro-ecosystems of Southern Italy could support soil fertility, with the possibility to reduce the risks of soil degradation and desertification