scholarly journals Developing a Vegetable Fertility Program Using Organic Amendments and Inorganic Fertilizers

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Ozores-Hampton
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Soil Carbon Content

This review integrates information from common organic amendments used in conventional vegetable production, including 1) cover crops (legumes and nonlegumes), 2) compost generated from yard wastes, biosolids, municipal solid waste (MSW), animal manures, and other biodegradable waste by-products, and 3) raw animal manure (with and without bedding). Environmental monitoring has shown elevated nitrate concentration to be widespread in both surface and groundwater, often occurring in regions with concentrated horticultural production. Therefore, the objective of this review was to calculate the nutrient content from organic amendments, since these are not considered nutrient sources. Common organic amendments affect soil bulk density, water-holding capacity, soil structure, soil carbon content, macro- and micronutrients, pH, soluble salts, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and biological properties (microbial biomass). The first step in building a conventional tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fertility program will be to take a soil sample and send it to a soil laboratory for a nutrient analysis. These results should be compared with the local crop recommendations. Second, select the organic amendments based on local cover crop suitability and availability of compost, raw animal manure, or both. Then, determine the nutrients available from cover crops and other applied organic amendments and use inorganic fertilizer sources to satisfy the crop nutrient requirements not supplied from these other sources.

scholarly journals The Changing Needs with Time for Mineral Nutrition of an Organic Stone Fruit Orchard Under Mediterranean Conditions

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 997B-997
Author(s):  
Michael Raviv ◽  
Ido Aviani ◽  
Yael Laor
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Nutrition ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Feather Meal ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Functional Richness

Fruit growers apply fertilizer at high rates with soil organic matter (SOM) below 2.0%. As organically certified fertilizers are costly, our objective was to compare the effects of two modes of organic nitrogen nutrition to conventional control on plum tree yield and soil properties. The orchard is located on a Vertisol soil, and planted to plums in 1998. The tested treatments were: A) conventional control, receiving an average of 350 kg of N/ha per year; B) fertilization using cattle manure compost (15 tons/ha per year) + feather meal (1 ton/ha per year); and C) a combination of the same amount of compost + 500 kg of feather meal/ha per year + leguminous cover crop (alfalfa, Medicago sativa cv. Gilboa). By 2003, the SOM of treatment A remained stable and that of treatments B and C increased by 36% and 91%, respectively. As a result, soil bulk density of treatments B and C declined with no change in A. During the first year, levels of soil nutrients were lower in treatments B and C than those in A, but they became higher after 2 to 3 years. Nitrification capacity of the soils of treatments B and C was higher than that of treatment A. This enabled a drastic reduction of the application rates of organic amendments without resulting a decline in the soil's nutrient content in the organic treatments over the next 3 years, due to continued mineralization of the SOM pool. Various soil microbial characteristics (microbial counts, total hydrolytic activity, functional richness, and diversity) were determined. In all these parameters the organic treatments showed higher levels than treatment A. Stem circumferences and yields were similar for all treatments. It can be concluded that soil productivity is affected by SOM, so that after achieving a threshold level of SOM, fertilization needs are reduced considerably.

scholarly journals Nutrient Analysis, Decomposition, and Nitrogen Mineralization of Various Organic Amendments Used for Pechay Production

2014 ◽  
pp. 88-101
Author(s):  
Clea Anne Vallejera ◽  
Anabella Tulin ◽  
Victor Asio ◽  
Chris Dorahy
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Mineralization ◽  
Elemental Analysis ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Swine Manure ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Mineralization Rate ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Microbial Decomposition

Farmers are increasingly using alternative fertilizer inputs such as manures and composts due to the high cost of inorganic fertilizers. However, different organic amendments have varied characteristics and thus also their effects on soil properties and the growth and yield of crops. The study was conducted to determine the characteristics and nutrient content of organic amendments, evaluate the decomposition rate and nitrogen mineralization rate of the various organic amendments, and examine the effects of different organic amendments on pechay. Four organic amendments used include swine manure, chicken dung, mudpress, and vermicast. These were analyzed for total elemental analysis, microbial decomposition, and nitrogen mineralization rate. A pot experiment was carried out to test the effects of these amendments on the growth and yield of pechay. Results showed that organic amended soil significantly increased the rates of microbial decomposition and nitrogen mineralization, organic material content, and the growth and yield of pechay. In terms of total elemental analysis, chicken dung had the highest content of essential nutrients such as P, K, Ca, and Cl as compared to mudpress, vermicast, swine manure, hence, has good potential as source of organic fertilizer for vegetable production. High amounts of heavy metals such as lead, strontium, nickel, copper, and zinc were detected in the swine manure.

scholarly journals Effects of different fertilizer application practices on newly reclaimed soil structure and its nutrient content

2021 ◽  
pp. 781-794
Author(s):  
Zhe Liu ◽  
Zenghui Sun ◽  
Huanyuan Wang ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Tianqing Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Structure ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Reclaimed Soil

Effects of organic fertilizer practice (OF), organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer practice (OC), and conventional fertilization practice (CF) on soil structure were evaluated by combining micro and macro analyses in newly reclaimed cultivated land. Soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil bulk density (BD), soil moisture content (SMC), and aggregate stability were also analyzed. The CF soil structure was mainly composed of moderately separated block and angular structures with the minimum SOM (7.08 g/kg) and the highest BD (1.40 g/cm3), and the pore type was mainly simple surface cracks. Compared with CF, OF and OC significantly increased SOM content by 59.3 and 29.6% (p < 0.05) and CEC by 13.5 and 5.2%, respectively. The newly reclaimed soil structure was improved to a moderately separated clump structure and a well-developed aggregated structure, and the number of composite accumulation pores gradually increased. Moreover, OF and OC were associated with higher mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD) values, and lower BD and fractal dimension (D) values. The water-stable macroaggregates (R0.25) and the aggregate stability of newly reclaimed soil were significantly increased, with a stronger improvement observed under OF. These results confirm the benefits of OC and OF practices on the structural stability, water and fertilizer retention characteristics of newly reclaimed cultivated land, and will be conductive to improving the soil quality and achieving sustainable soil development. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 781-794, 2021 (September) Special

scholarly journals Effects of compost, cover crops, and local conditions on degradation of two agricultural mulches in soil

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
M. B. Samuelson ◽  
E. V. Reid ◽  
R. Drijber ◽  
E. Jeske ◽  
H. Blanco-Canqui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Mesh Bags ◽  
Type Interaction ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Biobased and biodegradable mulches (BDM) are a potentially sustainable alternative to polyethylene plastic mulch because they can be tilled into the soil at the end of the growing season. However, their degradation rate in the soil is uncertain, limiting their on-farm adoption. The objective of this study was to determine whether organic soil management practices could be leveraged to speed degradation of two potentially BDM across two diverse agroecoregions [Lincoln (LNK) and Scottsbluff (SBF), NE, USA]. Management treatments included compost, compost extract, cover crops, all three of these practices combined and a control. The two mulch types studied were a nonwoven polylactic acid fabric with embedded wood particles (PLA), and a starch-polyester mulch film (BLK). Mulches were applied in spring 2017 for vegetable production and removed in fall after harvest. Recovered mulch was sectioned into squares 10 cm2 and buried in mesh bags for 22 months. Mulch degradation, and soil chemical, physical and biological properties were measured at four times over 2 years. Management treatments applied seasonally across 2 years led to expected changes in soil properties, yet they had no effect on mulch degradation. Instead, mulch degradation was driven by the interaction of location and mulch type. The BLK mulch had degraded by 98% at LNK after 12 months, but only by half after 22 months at SBF. Degradation of PLA after 22 months was similar between locations with 29 ± 4% mulch mass remaining at SBF and 33 ± 4% remaining at LNK. Climate and soil characteristics at each location were strong determinants of mulch degradation. Specifically, soils at LNK were finer textured, lower in pH, higher in soil water content, organic matter and nitrates, and with greater bacterial abundance compared to SBF. The strong location by mulch type interaction observed could inform the development of regionally specific predictive models of degradation.

scholarly journals Biochar and Other Organic Amendments Improve the Physicochemical Properties of Soil in Highly Degraded Habitat

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-338
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Getahun ◽  
Diriba Muleta ◽  
Fassil Assefa ◽  
Solomon Kiros ◽  
Mariangela Hungria
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Fertility Restoration ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Randomized Block Design

 Land degradation is an endless challenge in the world. Thus, rehabilitation with organic amendments (OAs) is an urgent priority issue. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of biochar and other OAs application on soil physicochemical properties and growth parameters of cover crops in greenhouse. Biochar, compost and manure were used as OAs. Soil samples were collected from nine random corners of 30 cm depth and composited. In each experiment, five treatments were considered (biochar, compost, manure, mixed and control) at 1:1 ratio of OAs and soil in a pot, with completely randomized design arrangement in triplicate. The field experiment was made on completely randomized block design and each block contained five 41 x 4 m plots assigned at random within the block and separated by 1 m walkways. OAs additions increased soil pH (5.69-8.13), cation exchange capacity (43.78-49.98 cmolc/kg), organic carbon (1.41-2.46%), organic matter (2.43-3.91%), total nitrogen (0.13-0.76%), available P (18.89-28.53 ppm) and (iron, Fe, manganese, Mn, copper, Cu and zinc, Zn) in comparison to non-treated soil. Tripartite treatments had the largest effect on the biomass of cover crops with 3.43 g fivefold of the control (0.7 g) in alfalfa and 4.54 g twofold of the control (2.07 g) in grass pea p ≤ 0.05. Both in field and greenhouse experiments combination of biochar and other OAs showed a better soil fertility increment and plant growth parameters. The study concluded that there is a synergistic effect in OAs on the soil fertility restoration and plant growth performance.

Effect of inter-row cultivation on soil carbon dioxide emission in a peach plantation

2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tóth ◽  
Cs. Farkas
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Favourable Effect ◽  
Volumetric Soil Water Content

Soil biological properties and CO2emission were compared in undisturbed grass and regularly disked rows of a peach plantation. Higher nutrient content and biological activity were found in the undisturbed, grass-covered rows. Significantly higher CO2fluxes were measured in this treatment at almost all the measurement times, in all the soil water content ranges, except the one in which the volumetric soil water content was higher than 45%. The obtained results indicated that in addition to the favourable effect of soil tillage on soil aeration, regular soil disturbance reduces soil microbial activity and soil CO2emission.

scholarly journals Spatial continuity of soil attributes in an Atlantic Forest remnant in the Mantiqueira Range, MG

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela de Castro Nunes Santos ◽  
José Marcio de Mello ◽  
Carlos Rogério de Mello ◽  
Léo Fernandes Ávila
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Spatial Dependence ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Dependence Structure ◽  
Spatial Continuity ◽  
Soil Attributes ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
Spatial Dependence Structure

The spatial characterization of soil attributes is fundamental for the understanding of forest ecosystems. The objective of this work was to develop a geostatistical study of chemical and physical soil attributes at three depths (D1 - 0-20 cm; D2 - 20-50 cm; D3 - 50-100 cm), in an Experimental Hydrographic Micro-catchment entirely covered by Atlantic Forest, in the Mantiqueira Range region, Minas Gerais. All the considered variables presented spatial dependence structure in the three depths, and the largest degrees of spatial dependence were observed for pH in the three depths, soil cation exchange capacity potential in D3, soil organic matter in D1 and D3 and clay and soil bulk density in D2. The method most used for the adjustments of semi-variogram models was the Maximum Likelihood and the most selected model was the Exponential. Furthermore, the ordinary kriging maps allowed good visualization of the spatial distribution of the variables.

scholarly journals NUTRIENT CONTENT IN SUNFLOWERS IRRIGATED WITH OIL EXPLORATION WATER

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADERVAN FERNANDES SOUSA ◽  
LINDBERGUE ARAÚJO CRISOSTOMO ◽  
OLMAR BALLER WEBER ◽  
MARIA EUGENIA ORTIZ ESCOBAR ◽  
TEÓGENES SENNA DE OLIVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Produced Water ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture

ABSTRACT: Irrigation using produced water, which is generated during crude oil and gas recovery and treated by the exploration industry, could be an option for irrigated agriculture in semiarid regions. To determine the viability of this option, the effects of this treated water on the nutritional status of plants should be assessed. For this purpose, we examined the nutritional changes in sunflowers after they were irrigated with oil-produced water and the effects of this water on plant biomass and seed production. The sunflower cultivar BRS 321 was grown for three crop cycles in areas irrigated with filtered produced water (FPW), reverse osmosis-treated produced water (OPW), or ground water (GW). At the end of each cycle, roots, shoots, and seeds were collected to examine their nutrient concentrations. Produced water irrigation affected nutrient accumulation in the sunflower plants. OPW irrigation promoted the accumulation of Ca, Na, N, P, and Mg. FPW irrigation favored the accumulation of Na in both roots and shoots, and biomass and seed production were negatively affected. The Na in the shoots of plants irrigated with FPW increased throughout the three crop cycles. Under controlled conditions, it is possible to reuse reverse osmosis-treated produced water in agriculture. However, more long-term research is needed to understand its cumulative effects on the chemical and biological properties of the soil and crop production.

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

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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