scholarly journals Changes of soil-rhizosphere microbiota after organic amendment application in a Hordeum vulgare L. short-term greenhouse experiment

2020 ◽  
Vol 455 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 489-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Obermeier ◽  
Eva-Maria L. Minarsch ◽  
Abilash C. Durai Raj ◽  
Francois Rineau ◽  
Peter Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Hordeum Vulgare ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Greenhouse Experiment ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Soil Rhizosphere

Abstract Aims In order to counteract the enduring decreases in the quality of agricultural land, mechanistic studies for a more sustainable agricultural crop production were performed. They aimed to assess the effects of organic amendments in combination with mineral fertilizer on soil-rhizosphere microbiota and their influence on soil health and plant performance. Methods In a short-term greenhouse experiment, the effects of pelletized spent mushroom substrate, with different combinations of biochar and mineral fertilizer, on agricultural soil and performance of Hordeum vulgare L were scrutinized. To evaluate improved soil quality, different soil biological and chemical properties, microbial activity, bacterial diversity and plant performance were assessed. Results Plant performance increased across all fertilizer combinations. Bacterial β-diversity changed from the initial to the final sampling, pointing at a strong influence of plant development on the rhizosphere with increasing abundances of Acidobacteria and decreasing abundances of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Microbial activity (FDA), potential enzyme activity and metabolic diversity of the microbial community (BIOLOG) were not affected by the amendments, whereas bacterial community structure changed on family level, indicating functional redundancy. Treatments containing biochar and the highest amount of mineral fertilizer (B_MF140) caused the strongest changes, which were most pronounced for the families Xanthobacteraceae, Mycobacteriaceae, and Haliangiaceae. Conclusion Applying organic amendments improved plant performance and maintained soil health, contributing to more sustainable crop production. Nevertheless, long-term field studies are recommended to verify the findings of this short-term experiment.

scholarly journals Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6730
Author(s):  
Jan H. Schmidt ◽  
Johannes Hallmann ◽  
Maria R. Finckh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Tillage System

Reduced nutrient mineralization rates under minimum tillage are usually compensated by mineral fertilizer application. These, however, cannot be applied in organic farming systems. We hypothesized that an organic minimum tillage system based on frequent cover cropping and application of dead mulch would improve soil fertility and compensate for the potential negative effects of minimum tillage. Two long-term field experiments were set up in 2010 and 2011 to compare plowing versus minimum tillage including the application of transferred mulch. A second factor, the application of compost versus mineral potassium and phosphorus, was also compared. In 2019, soils were analyzed for soil pH, organic carbon, macro- and micronutrients, microbial biomass, microbial activity, and total nematode abundance. In addition, performance of pea in the same soils was determined under greenhouse conditions. Across both experiments, macronutrients (+52%), micronutrients (+11%), microbial biomass (+51%), microbial activity (+86%), and bacterivorous nematodes (+112%) increased in minimum tillage compared to the plow-based system. In the greenhouse, pea biomass was 45% higher in the soil that had been subjected to minimum tillage compared to the plow. In conclusion, soil fertility can be improved in organic minimum tillage systems, which include intensive cover cropping and the application of dead mulch, over plow-based systems.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Fertilizer Potential of Slaughterhouse Cattle Paunch

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogenes L. Antille ◽  
Bernadette K. McCabe ◽  
Wilmer Van Der Spek ◽  
Craig P. Baillie
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract. In Australia, recycling of paunch waste to farmland has been suggested as a cost-effective and practicable environmental option, but little is known about its agronomic value. Experimental work was undertaken to assess potential risks due to weed seed contamination, determine the agronomic response of ryegrass ( L.) to soil incorporation of paunch, and investigate short-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Five types of paunch with compost ages between 2 and 16 weeks were compared with urea (46% N) and applied at field equivalent rates of 0 (control), 150, and 300 kg ha-1 N. The risk of weed contamination from paunch applied to soil appeared to be negligible; however, techniques that enable seed viability to be determined may be required to fully discard such risk. Average dry matter yield with paunch was ~30% higher than untreated grass, but ~35% lower than with urea. Dry matter yield in paunch-treated grass was between 2500 and 3250 kg ha-1 over five cuts conducted at 25-day intervals. Paunch N responses were between 1.12 and 3.25 kg DM kg-1 N depending on compost age, but lower than with urea N (~6.5 kg DM kg-1 N). Nitrogen use efficiency of paunch ranged between 3% and 20%, compared to about 35% with urea. Nitrogen fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) of paunch was highest in the 6-week-old compost (~60%) and ranged between 20% and 55% across all other organic materials. Short-term N2O emissions were similar (p > 0.05) with both mineral and organic amendments; however, CH4 emissions were higher (p < 0.05) from paunch compared with urea-treated soil. Overall, there appears to be potential for paunch-derived products to be used as a source of C and nutrients in crop production. Industry quality specifications for compost are available, but they need to be expanded to incorporate guidelines relevant to paunch. There is a requirement for the value proposition to industry to be determined, including reduced cost of paunch disposal via gate fees. Keywords: Byproducts, Composting, Fertilizer replacement value, Nutrient recovery, Nutrient use efficiency, Recycling of abattoir-derived waste.

scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Organic Amendments Produced from Selected Agro-Wastes with Potential for Sustaining Soil Health: A Laboratory Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4919
Author(s):  
Kevin Muyang Tawie Sulok ◽  
Osumanu Haruna Ahmed ◽  
Choy Yuen Khew ◽  
Jarroop Augustine Mercer Zehnder ◽  
Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Laboratory Assessment ◽  
Soil Conditioners

Sustaining soil health cannot be divorced from sustainable crop production. Organic, or natural, farming is being promoted as a good sustainable agriculture practice. One aspect of organic farming that could significantly enhance and sustain soil health, soil quality, and crop productivity is the use of high-quality soil conditioners or organic amendments produced from agro-wastes. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and biological properties of selected agro-wastes with potential for use as organic amendments in sustaining soil health. Standard procedures were used to produce and characterize the soil conditioners, namely fermented plant juice (FPJ), fermented fruit juice (FFJ), palm kernel shell (PKS) biochar, and kitchen waste (KW) compost. The fermented juices (FPJ and FFJ), PKS biochar, and KW compost exhibited chemical and biological properties with good potential as soil conditioners or organic amendments to sustain soil health. The fermented juices contained important microbes that can solubilize P and K in soil for crop use. The high pH and C content of the biochar and compost and the high cation exchange capacity of the biochar are good indicators of the potential of these materials to sustain soil health in terms of the liming effect of acid soils, nutrient and water retention, nutrient reserves, and a suitable habitat for microbial life. Moreover, the organic amendments contain reasonable amounts of macro- and micro-nutrients, which could be released to increase soil fertility. Despite these potential benefits, field application of these organic amendments is necessary to evaluate their effects on soil health and crop production in both the short and long term.

scholarly journals Early Changes in Nitrate Uptake and Assimilation Under Drought in Relation to Transpiration

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vít Gloser ◽  
Michaela Dvorackova ◽  
Daniel Hernandez Mota ◽  
Bojana Petrovic ◽  
Patricia Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Plant Stress ◽  
Xylem Sap ◽  
Nitrate Assimilation ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Agricultural Crop ◽  
Short Term

Soil drying combined with nitrogen (N) deficiency poses a grave threat to agricultural crop production. The rate at which nitrate (NO3−) is taken up depends partly on the uptake and transpiration of water. Rapid changes in nitrate assimilation, in contrast to other N forms, may serve as a component of the plant stress response to drought because nitrate assimilation may lead to changes in xylem pH. The modulation of xylem sap pH may be relevant for stomata regulation via the delivery of abscisic acid (ABA) to guard cells. In several factorial experiments, we investigated the interactions between nitrate and water availability on nitrate fate in the plant, as well as their possible implications for the early drought-stress response. We monitored the short-term response (2–6 days) of nitrate in biomass, transport to shoot and reduction in Pisum sativum, Hordeum vulgare, Vicia faba, and Nicotiana tabacum and correlated this with sap pH and transpiration rates (TRs). Cultivation on inorganic substrate ensured control over nutrient and water supply and prevented nodulation in legume species. NO3− content in biomass decreased in most of the species under drought indicating significant decline in NO3− uptake. Hordeum vulgare had the highest NO3− concentrations in all organs even under drought and low NO3− treatment. This species can likely respond much better to the combined adverse effects of low NO3− and water scarcity. Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was reduced in both roots and leaves of water deficient (WD) plants in all species except H. vulgare, presumably due to its high NO3− contents. Further, transient reduction in NO3− availability had no effect on sap pH. Therefore, it seems unlikely that NRA shifts from shoot root leading to the supposed alkalization of sap. We also did not observe any interactive effects of NO3− and water deficiency on transpiration. Hence, as long as leaf NO3− content remains stable, NO3− availability in soil is not linked to short-term modulation of transpiration.

BIOCHAR IN TEMPERATE SOILS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Lévesque ◽  
Maren Oelbermann ◽  
Noura Ziadi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Plant Stress ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Temperate Soils ◽  
The Impact

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by the pyrolysis of organic residues, is frequently used as a soil amendment to enhance soil fertility and improve soil properties in tropical climates. However, in temperate agriculture, the impact of biochar on soil and plant productivity remains uncertain. The objective of this review is to give an overview of the challenges and opportunities of using biochar as an amendment in temperate soils. Among the various challenges, the type of feedstock and the conditions during pyrolysis produces biochars with different chemical and physical properties, resulting in contrasting effects on soils and crops. Furthermore, biochar aging, biochar application rates and its co-application with mineral fertilizer and/or organic amendments add further complexity to our understanding of the soil-amendment-plant continuum. Although its benefits on crop yield are not yet well demonstrated under field studies, other agronomic benefits of biochar in temperate agriculture have been documented. In this review, we proposed a broader view of biochar as a temperate soil amendment, moving beyond our current focus on crop productivity, and instead target its capacity to improve soil properties. We explored biochar’s benefits in remediating low productive agricultural lands, and its environmental benefits through long-term carbon sequestration and reduced nutrient leaching while curtailing our reliance on fertilizer input. We also discussed the persistence of beneficial impacts of biochar in temperate field conditions. We concluded biochar displays great prospective to improve soil health and its productivity, enhance plant stress resilience, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and restore degraded soils in temperate agriculture.

scholarly journals Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan H. Schmidt ◽  
Johannes Hallmann ◽  
Maria R. Finckh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Cover Cropping

Reduced nutrient mineralization rates under minimum tillage are usually compensated by mineral fertilizer application. These cannot be applied in organic farming systems, however. We hypothesized that organic minimum tillage based on frequent cover cropping and application of dead mulch will improve soil fertility and can compensate for the potential negative effects of minimum tillage. Two long-term field experiments were set up in 2010 and 2011 comparing plough versus minimum tillage including application of transferred mulch. As second factor, the application of compost versus mineral potassium and phosphorus was compared. In 2019, soils were analyzed for soil pH, organic carbon, macro-, micronutrients, microbial biomass, microbial activity and total nematode abundance. In addition, performance of pea in the same soils was determined under greenhouse conditions. Across both experiments, macronutrients (+52%), micronutrients (+11%), microbial biomass (+51%), microbial activity (+86%), and bacterivorous nematodes (+112%) increased in minimum tillage compared with the plough-based system. In the greenhouse, pea biomass was 45% higher in the soil that had been subjected to minimum tillage compared to the plough. In conclusion, soil fertility can be improved in organic minimum tillage systems by intensive cover cropping and application of dead mulch to levels higher than in a plough-based system.

scholarly journals Site-Specific Effects of Organic Amendments on Parameters of Tropical Agricultural Soil and Yield: A Field Experiment in Three Countries in Southeast Asia

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Thuy Thu Doan ◽  
Phimmasone Sisouvanh ◽  
Thanyakan Sengkhrua ◽  
Supranee Sritumboon ◽  
Cornelia Rumpel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Elemental Content ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Site Specific

Organic amendments may improve the quality of acidic tropical agricultural soils with low organic carbon contents under conventional management (mineral fertilization and irrigation) in Southeast Asia. We investigated the effect of biochar, compost and their combination on maize growth and yield, soil physical, biological and chemical properties at harvesting time at four sites in three countries: Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Treatments consisted of 10 t·ha−1 cow manure compost and 7 t·ha−1 of Bamboo biochar and their combination. Maize biomass production and cop yields were recorded for two seasons. Elemental content, pH and nutrient availability of soils were analyzed after the first growing season. We also characterized macrofauna abundance and water infiltration. Few changes were noted for maize biomass production and maize cop yield. Soil chemical parameters showed contrasting, site-specific results. Compost and biochar amendments increased soil organic carbon, pH, total K and N, P and K availability especially for sandy soils in Thailand. The combination of both amendments could reduce nutrient availability as compared to compost only treatments. Physical and biological parameters showed no treatment response. We conclude that the addition of compost, biochar and their mixture to tropical soils have site-specific short-term effects on chemical soil parameters. Their short-term effect on plants is thus mainly related to nutrient input. The site-dependent results despite similar crops, fertilization and irrigation practices suggest that inherent soil parameters and optimization of organic amendment application to specific pedoclimatic conditions need future attention.

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