Effect of Poultry Compost on Productivity and Quality of Beets

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 524c-524
Author(s):  
Anusuya Rangarajan ◽  
Lydia Stivers ◽  
Steve Reiners
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Ammonium N ◽  
Potential Use

One characteristic of compost that might provide greater incentive for use by vegetable growers is suppression of soil-borne diseases in crops grown on compost-amended soils. The mode of action of low rates of compost on vegetable growth may include stimulation of microbial activity for suppression of soil-borne diseases, enhanced plant resistance, and improved nutrient availability. Preliminary research on beets demonstrated that higher stands and decreased loss to root rot diseases in poultry compost-amended plots contributed to marketable yields which were twice that of the control plots. This presentation will summarize research results from studies to determine if compost reduced disease severity by changing in soil microbial activity or if these products primarily improved plant growth as a result of increased nutrient availability. Three field experiments explored impact of two commercially available poultry compost products (2 to 5 T/A) and two rates of chemical fertilizer, on growth and disease incidence on beets. Soil microbial activity was estimated using an enzyme assay, and soil nitrate-N and ammonium-N concentrations were also measured, three times over the season. Results indicated that these composts act primarily through a nutrient affect to enhance beet yield. Neither compost affected microbial activity in the top 8 inches of soil. Both products had significant, opposite effects on available soil nitrogen. One product significantly increased the amount of available soil nitrogen over the season and beet yields. The different methods of production of the two poultry composts tested in this research had significant implications for potential use in either greenhouse or field systems. The effects of these composts on crop fertility and composition will be discussed.

Integrated use of biochar and compost to improve soil microbial activity, nutrient availability, and plant growth in arid soil

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akmal ◽  
Zubaira Maqbool ◽  
Khalid Saifullah Khan ◽  
Qaiser Hussain ◽  
Shahzada Sohail Ijaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Arid Soil ◽  
Soil Microbial

Ascophyllum extract application can promote plant growth and root yield in carrot associated with increased root-zone soil microbial activity

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Zahidul Alam ◽  
Gordon Braun ◽  
Jeffrey Norrie ◽  
D. Mark Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Root Yield ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Promote Plant Growth

Alam, M. Z., Braun, G., Norrie, J. and Hodges, D. M. 2014. Ascophyllum extract application can promote plant growth and root yield in carrot associated with increased root-zone soil microbial activity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 337–348. Root growth and soil microbial activity were examined in two cultivars of carrot following treatment with Ascophyllum nodosum marine-plant extract. Field experiments were established in grower-managed fields of Maverick and Pronto carrots during 2010 and 2011. Soluble Ascophyllum extract powder (SAEP) was applied weekly, bi-weekly or tri-weekly at rates of 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.0 g L−1 over 11 to 13 wk. Results indicate that SAEP treatment increased root yields of Maverick and Pronto by about 20 and 15%, respectively, reduced proportion of smaller roots and improved harvest index (HI). Maximum yield was found at or above 0.50 g L−1 SAEP for Maverick and at 0.75 g L−1 for Pronto. Soil microbial colony counts, respiration and metabolic activity increased following SAEP applications, but varied with SAEP rate and application frequency. Using the Biolog microbial analysis system, maximum average well colour development (AWCD), substrate diversity (H), substrate evenness (E), and substrate richness (S) responses to extract treatment generally showed successive increases at 0.50, 0.75 and 1 g L−1 SAEP at tri-weekly application frequencies. With more frequent applications, rates below 1 g L−1 led to greater microbial growth, respiration and functional activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a strong relationship between carrot growth, soil microbial populations and activity parameters. These results suggest that seaweed extract application can result in an increase in soil microbial activity associated with increased yield in carrots.

scholarly journals Impacts of Heavy Metals on Soil Microbial Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Justiniano Régo ◽  
Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Dam Failure ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Environmental Balance

Concern about soil quality has been increasing due to environmental impacts from anthropogenic actions. The imbalance between its components alters activities in ecosystems. One of the main actions affecting soil quality is the presence of heavy metals, impairing the functioning of the ecosystem. This work evaluated the impacts of metal-contaminated soil on microbial activity after dam failure in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Microbial respiration measurements and colony quantifications were used for evaluations. Thus, it is hoped that through these bioindicators, we can assess the quality of the environment and from these biostimulators restore the environmental balance, benefiting local communities affected by the disaster. After microbial biostimulation of the soil, there was an increase in the number of bacterial colonies as well as greater accumulation of CO2 over the days. Thus, the addition of nutrients to the metal-impacted soil was essential for initiating the restoration of the affected ecosystem equilibrium.

Changes in soil microbial activity, essential oil quantity, and quality of Thai basil as response to biofertilizers and humic acid

2020 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 120439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anahita Boveiri Dehsheikh ◽  
Mohammad Mahmoodi Sourestani ◽  
Maryam Zolfaghari ◽  
Naeimeh Enayatizamir
Keyword(s):  
Humic Acid ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil Microbial
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