Changes in physical properties of sandy soil after long-term compost treatment

Abstract Studying the long-term effect of composted sewage sludge application on chemical, physical and biological properties of soil, an experiment was established in 2003 at the Research Institute of Nyíregyháza in Hungary. The applied compost was prepared from sewage sludge (40%), straw (25%), bentonite (5%) and rhyolite (30%). The compost was ploughed into the 0-25 cm soil layer every 3rd year in the following amounts: 0, 9, 18 and 27 Mg ha−1 of dry matter. As expected, the compost application improved the structure of sandy soil, which is related with an increase in the organic matter content of soil. The infiltration into soil was improved significantly, reducing the water erosion under simulated high intensity rainfall. The soil compaction level was reduced in the first year after compost re-treatment. In accordance with the decrease in bulk density, the air permeability of soil increased tendentially. However, in the second year the positive effects of compost application were observed only in the plots treated with the highest compost dose because of quick degradation of the organic matter. According to the results, the sewage sludge compost seems to be an effective soil improving material for acidic sandy soils, but the beneficial effect of application lasts only for two years.

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The effect of various composts on vegetable green mass on two soil types

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/72/1612 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 179-183

Author(s):

Judit Szűcsné Szolomájer ◽

Marianna Makádi ◽

Ibolya Demeter ◽

Attila Tomócsik ◽

Tibor Aranyos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Matter Content ◽

Soil Types ◽

Test Plant ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Supply Capacity

Composting of sewage sludges makes easier the utilization of sewage sludge in the agriculture and the composts in good quality could increase the nutrient content of soil. Due to the composting process, the sewage sludge composts with high organic matter content can be utilized in the same way as other composts or farmyard manure.Composts produced in different ways have different effects on the physical, chemical and biological properties of different soils, although their positive effects have already proved in the literature. In our study the effects of composts from different composting processes were investigated in soil-plant systems. The different physical and chemical properties of the two examined soil types (arenosol and chernozem)strongly influenced the nutrient supply capacity of composts which could be characterized by the growth of ray-grass as a test plant in the pot experiment. In this work we examined the effects of three different composts on the green weight of plants on the fourth and eighth weeks after the treatment and sowing.

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EFFECT OF LONG-TERM PIG SLURRY AND SOLID CATTLE MANURE APPLICATION ON SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss89-005 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 39-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

A. NDAYEGAMIYE ◽

D. CÔTÉ

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Humic Acids ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Matter Content ◽

Cattle Manure ◽

Pig Slurry

Chemical and biological properties were evaluated in 1987 on an acidic silty loam soil following a long-term field study established in 1978 and cultivated with silage corn. Treatments included a control, solid cattle manure (20, 40 and 60 Mg ha−1 FYM) and pig slurry (60, 120 m3 ha−1 SLU) applied every 2 yr and annually, respectively. No fertilizer was applied. The results of this study have shown that neither treatment significantly affected soil pH values, total-N contents and C:N ratios compared to the control. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil was significantly higher with FYM treatment than with control or SLU application. The highest rates of FYM and SLU have also increased (P < 0.05) soil organic carbon, microbial activity and potentially mineralizable nitrogen. The soil microflora populations (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, ammonifiers and nitrifiers) were greatly improved by both treatments. There were no significant differences in organic matter content or the relative amount of humic and fulvic acids between FYM and SLU plots. In spite of these results, FYM application (40 and 60 Mg ha−1) did affect more significantly the distribution of organic carbon in HA and the E4/E6 quotients than SLU additions. Humic acids extracted from SLU amended soils had a lower C content and lower E4/E6 ratios than humic acids from FYM soils. Long-term SLU application did not contribute to decreased organic matter content, CEC and humic acids yield, probably because of optimal organic residues returned to the soil by the corn crops. The FYM application generally improved soil chemical and biological properties. For a sustainable soil productivity, long-term SLU application should then be avoided in rotation in which small amounts of plant residues are returned, especially on soils with low organic matter contents. Key words: Organic matter, microbial activity, nitrogen mineralization potential, CEC, solid cattle manure, pig slurry

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Changes in organic matter content of soil as a result of long-term fertilization

Cereal Research Communications ◽

10.1556/crc.33.2005.1.12 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 53-55

Author(s):

Katalin Berecz ◽

Katalin Debreczeni

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content

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Comparison of the mineralogical effects of an experimental forest fire on a goethite/ferrihydrite soil with a topsoil that contains hematite, maghemite and goethite

Clay Minerals ◽

10.1180/claymin.2009.044.2.239 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 239-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

P. Nørnberg ◽

A. L. Vendelboe ◽

H. P. Gunnlaugsson ◽

J. P. Merrison ◽

K. Finster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

High Temperature ◽

Forest Fire ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Humid Climate ◽

Fe Mineralogy ◽

Reducing Environment

AbstractA long-standing unresolved puzzle related to the Danish temperate humid climate is the presence of extended areas with large Fe contents, where goethite and ferrihydrite are present in the topsoil along with hematite and maghemite. Hematite and, particularly, maghemite would normally be interpreted as the result of high temperature as found after forest fires. However, a body of evidence argues against these sites having been exposed to fire. In an attempt to get closer to an explanation of this Fe mineralogy, an experimental forest fire was produced. The results showed a clear mineralogical zonation down to 10 cm depth. This was not observed at the natural sites, which contained a mixture of goethite/ferrihydrite, hematite and maghemite down to 20 cm depth. The experimental forest fire left charcoal and ashes at the topsoil, produced high pH and decreased organic matter content, all of which is in contrast to the natural sites. The conclusion from this work is that the mineralogy of these sites is not consistent with exposure to forest fire, but may instead result from long-term transformation in a reducing environment, possibly involving microbiology.

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The Effects of Long‐Term Land‐Use Change on Soil Properties in Perth, Ontario Canada

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.8271 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Trina Stephens

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Organic Matter ◽

North America ◽

Land Use Change ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Carbon Storage ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Topographic Gradients

Land‐use change can have a major impact on soil properties, leading to long‐term changes in soilnutrient cycling rates and carbon storage. While a substantial amount of research has been conducted onland‐use change in tropical regions, empirical evidence of long‐term conversion of forested land toagricultural land in North America is lacking. Pervasive deforestation for the sake of agriculturethroughout much of North America is likely to have modified soil properties, with implications for theglobal climate. Here, we examined the response of physical, chemical and biological soil properties toconversion of forest to agricultural land (100 years ago) on Roebuck Farm near Perth, Ontario, Canada.Soil samples were collected at three sites from under forest and agricultural vegetative cover on bothhigh‐ and low‐lying topographic positions (12 locations in total; soil profile sampled to a depth of 40cm).Our results revealed that bulk density, pH, and nitrate concentrations were all higher in soils collectedfrom cultivate sites. In contrast, samples from forested sites exhibited greater water‐holding capacity,porosity, organic matter content, ammonia concentrations and cation exchange capacity. Many of these characteristics are linked to greater organic matter abundance and diversity in soils under forestvegetation as compared with agricultural soils. Microbial activity and Q10 values were also higher in theforest soils. While soil properties in the forest were fairly similar across topographic gradients, low‐lyingpositions under agricultural regions had higher bulk density and organic matter content than upslopepositions, suggesting significant movement of material along topographic gradients. Differences in soilproperties are attributed largely to increased compaction and loss of organic matter inputs in theagricultural system. Our results suggest that the conversion of forested land cover to agriculture landcover reduces soil quality and carbon storage, alters long‐term site productivity, and contributes toincreased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

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Sludge Treatment for Application in Agriculture Should be the Option Number One for Ukraine

Linnaeus Eco-Tech ◽

10.15626/eco-tech.2010.037 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 356-362

Author(s):

Lidiia Svirenko ◽

Viktoriia Bondar

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Matter Content ◽

Biofuel Production ◽

National Standard ◽

Arable Soils ◽

Climatic Zones

Ukraine is well-known in the world as a country with soil rich for humus. Approximately 68% of arable soils in Ukraine have been classificated as chernozem. For last decades decrease of organic matter content in soils of various agri-climatic zones has been surveyed in the country. The main reason of the mentioned process is enormous lack of organic fertilizer (manure) in agriculture connected with decrease in livestock (in 3 times since year 1992). Besides there is expansion of technical crops for biofuel production (like Brassica napus, Helianthus annuus), which are the provocateurs of soils exhaustion. At the same time such important source of organic matter for application in agriculture as sewage sludge (SS) from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is not used in Ukraine nowadays. To stop arable soils degradation in regions it is necessary to develop up-to-date management for fertilizer production on WWTPs. The base for the process has to be the acceptance of the goal-oriented National programme, corresponding governmental decrees and implementation of national standard for using sewage sludge as fertilizer.

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Soil structure after 18 years of long-term different tillage systems and fertilisation in Haplic Luvisol

Soil and Water Research ◽

10.17221/38/2017-swr ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 140-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Šimanský Vladimír ◽

Lukáč Martin

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Structure ◽

Management Practices ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Soil Tillage ◽

Arable Soils ◽

Water Stable Aggregates

Soil structure is a key determinant of many soil environmental processes and is essential for supporting terrestrial ecosystem productivity. Management of arable soils plays a significant role in forming and maintaining their structure. Between 1994 and 2011, we studied the influence of soil tillage and fertilisation regimes on the stability of soil structure of loamy Haplic Luvisol in a replicated long-term field experiment in the Dolná Malanta locality (Slovakia). Soil samples were repeatedly collected from plots exposed to the following treatments: conventional tillage (CT) and minimum tillage (MT) combined with conventional (NPK) and crop residue-enhanced fertilisation (CR+NPK). MT resulted in an increase of critical soil organic matter content (St) by 7% in comparison with CT. Addition of crop residues and NPK fertilisers significantly increased St values (by 7%) in comparison with NPK-only treatments. Soil tillage and fertilisation did not have any significant impact on other parameters of soil structure such as dry sieving mean weight diameters (MWD), mean weight diameter of water-stable aggregates (MWDWSA), vulnerability coefficient (Kv), stability index of water-stable aggregates (Sw), index of crusting (Ic), contents of water-stable macro- (WSAma) and micro-aggregates (WSAmi). Ic was correlated with organic matter content in all combinations of treatments. Surprisingly, humus quality did not interact with soil management practices to affect soil structure parameters. Higher sums of base cations, CEC and base saturation (Bs) were linked to higher Sw values, however higher values of hydrolytic acidity (Ha) resulted in lower aggregate stability in CT treatments. Higher content of K+ was responsible for higher values of MWDWSA and MWD in CT. In MT, contents of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ were significantly correlated with contents of WSAmi and WSAma. Higher contents of Na+ negatively affected St values and positive correlations were detected between Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ and Ic in NPK treatments.

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Organic Matter Clogging Results in Undeveloped Hardpan and Soil Mineral Leakage in the Rice Terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras

Water ◽

10.3390/w12113158 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3158

Author(s):

Tomoyo Kurozumi ◽

Yasushi Mori ◽

Hiroaki Somura ◽

Milagros O-How

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Infiltration Process ◽

Soil Nutrition

Rice terraces in Cordillera, Philippines, a world cultural heritage site, are threatened by the risk of collapse. It is crucial to manage these rice terraces for their conservation, while simultaneously practicing traditional farming. We examined the soil environment and investigated its effects on rice terrace conservation, by focusing on the hardpan condition; infiltration process, which is related to the collapse of rice terraces; and soil nutrition conditions in these sites. Field survey and soil analysis revealed that in areas where the hardpan was not sufficiently developed and water infiltration was effectively suppressed, organic matter content was significantly high, suggesting organic matter clogging. In these rice terraces, the amounts of P, K, Ca, and Mn were significantly low, showing the mineral leaching under reductive soil conditions. Therefore, hardpan formation, rather than organic matter clogging, is essential for the suppression of infiltration and prevention of potential terrace collapse. Because hardpan formation or organic matter clogging cannot be identified from the surface of flooded rice paddies, it is difficult to identify the influencing factor. Thus, we suggest that the hard soil layer should be checked before the planting season and drainage is allowed after the cropping season in the rainy season.

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Response of Fractal Analysis to Soil Quality Succession in Long-Term Compound Soil Improvement of Mu Us Sandy Land, China

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2020/5463107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Haiou Zhang ◽

Jiancang Xie ◽

Jichang Han ◽

Haipeng Nan ◽

Zhen Guo

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sandy Soil ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Soft Rock ◽

Clay Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Sandy Land ◽

Mu Us Sandy Land

The degraded aeolian sandy soil in China’s Mu Us Sandy Land requires amendment before it can be suitable for maize or other agricultural production. The addition of material from the local “soft” bedrock can create a new compound soil whose particle composition and structural stability are key issues for sustainable soil development in the region. We used field data from 2010 to 2018 to study the variations in fractal characteristics of compound soil particles at soft rock to sand volume ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 5, along with changes in soil organic matter. Over the study period, all three compound soils showed gradual increases in clay and silt content with corresponding decreasing sand content. The fractal dimension (FD) of particles at ratio 1 : 2 increased by 8.8%, higher than those at 1 : 1 (8.6%) and 1 : 5 (7.7%). The organic matter content (OMC) of particles at ratio 1 : 2 reached a maximum (6.24 ± 0.30 g/kg), an increase of 12 times over the original value. The FD and OMC of particles at ratios 1 : 1 and 1 : 5 were less stable but showed overall increase. The 1 : 2 ratio compound soil was most suitable for maize growth as its clear increase in silt and clay content most improved the texture and OMC of the original sandy soil. Such research has important theoretical and practical significance for understanding the evolutionary mechanism and sustainable use of the compound soil in agriculture within the Mu Us Sandy Land.

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