The Evaluation of Sawdust Swine Waste Compost on the Soil Ecosystem, Pollution and Vegetable Production

We have successfully developed so called “biological sawdust bed pig-feeding technique” to prevent the production of swine waste water and reduction of offensive odor from piggeries by means of a specific microbial agent under mesophilic, aerobic and solid fermentation conditions. The mixture of swine feces, urine, microbial agent and sawdust is the only by-product in this pig-feeding technique. This type of compost is called “sawdust swine waste compost or SSW compost.” The main characteristics of SSW compost include as follows: pH 8.0, moisture content 40%, total N 2.2%, P2O5 3.9%, K20 3.0%, Zn 480 ppm, Cu 190 ppm, total C 39.8%, C/N ratio 18.0 and some special microorganisms such as Asperqillusterreus, Bacillussubtilis etc. Field experiment has shown that when the SSW compost was applied to the acidic soil (pH 5.0) and neutral soil (pH 7.1) at the rate of 50 Tons/ha (w/w), respectively, after 1 year application, the amount of Zn and Cu in acidic soil was significantly increased from 15 to 22.8 ppm and 14.5 to 26.7 ppm, respectively. However, the amount of Zn and Cu in neutral soil was only slightly increased from 5.7 to 6.3 ppm and 6.5 to 7.0ppm, respectively, as compared with the check (noncompost) treatment. Furthermore, the production of Chinese cabbage in acidic soil was remarkably increased 18-19% in 25 and 50 Tons/ha SSW compost treatment and Zn and Cu content of leaves in SSW compost treatment was 30-36% and 20-30% higher than in check treatment, respectively. The proper application of SSW compost not only improves the soilfertilitybut also increases the vegetable production. However, the accumulation of Zn and Cu in acidic soil and in crop leaves should be carefully considered if the compost was treated for the long term application.

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Self-healing of bio-cementitious mortar incubated within neutral and acidic soil

Materials and Structures ◽

10.1617/s11527-021-01690-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed Esaker ◽

Omar Hamza ◽

Adam Souid ◽

David Elliott

Keyword(s):

Soil Ph ◽

Healing Process ◽

Chemical Exposure ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

Self Healing ◽

Chemical Attack ◽

Before And After ◽

Ground Conditions ◽

Neutral Soil ◽

Healing Agent

AbstractThe efficiency of bio self-healing of pre-cracked mortar specimens incubated in sand was investigated. The investigation examined the effect of soil pH representing industrially recognised classes of exposure, ranging from no risk of chemical attack (neutral pH ≈ 7) to very high risk (pH ≈ 4.5). Simultaneously, the soil was subjected to fully and partially saturated cycles for 120 days to resemble groundwater-level fluctuation. Bacillus subtilis with nutrients were impregnated into perlite and utilised as a bacterial healing agent. The healing agent was added to half of the mortar specimens for comparison purposes. Mineral precipitations were observed in both control and bio-mortar specimens, and the healing products were examined by SEM–EDX scanning. The healing ratio was evaluated by comparing (1) the repair rate of the crack area and (2) by capillary water absorption and sorptivity index—before and after incubation. The results indicated that bacteria-doped specimens (bio-mortar) exhibited the most efficient crack-healing in all incubation conditions i.e. different chemical exposure classes. In the pH neutral soil, the average healing ratios for the control and bio-mortar specimens were 38% and 82%, respectively. However, the healing ratio decreased by 43% for specimens incubated in acidic soil (pH ≈ 4) compared with specimens incubated in neutral soil (pH ≈ 7). The study implies that bio self-healing is generally beneficial for concrete embedded within soil; however, aggressive ground conditions can inhibit the healing process.

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The effect of selected fungicides on survival of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in various kinds of soils

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2002.003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 27-39

Author(s):

Stanisław Barczyński ◽

Zofia Machowicz-Stefaniak ◽

Piotr Sobiczewski

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

The Other ◽

Sterile Soil ◽

Nonsterile Soil ◽

Other Hand ◽

Neutral Soil

The effect of 10 fungicides on survival of A. tumefaciens in various types of soils was studied. In fertile, nonsterile soil Dithane M-45 (mancozeb), Euparen 50 WP (tolyfluanid), Kaptan 50 WP (captan) and Ridomil Gold 80 WP (metalaxyl) at concentration of 1000 ppm showed the highest antibacterial activity. Similar trends in activity of these fungicides occurred in fertile, sterile soil, however a little lower in case of Kaptan and Euparen. In most of investigated soils Befran 25 SL (imimnoctadyne), Syllit 65 WP (dodine) and Thiram Granulfo 80 WG (thiram) increased bacteria number. In sandy acidic soil (pH 3,5) all tested fungicides totally eliminated bacteria. On the other hand in sandy neutral soil only Dithane, Euparen, Kaptan and Ridomil showed such activity. Ten fold decrease of fungicides concentration generally did not influence Kaptan and Ridomil effectiveness but it decreased the activity of Dithane and Euparen.

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Soil greenhouse gas fluxes from different tree species on Taihang Mountain, North China

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-11-1649-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1649-1666 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

X. P. Liu ◽

W. J. Zhang ◽

C. S. Hu ◽

X. G. Tang

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Tree Species ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

Total N ◽

Gas Fluxes ◽

Greenhouse Gas Fluxes

Abstract. The objectives of this study were to investigate seasonal variation of greenhouse gas fluxes from soils on sites dominated by plantation (Robinia pseudoacacia, Punica granatum, and Ziziphus jujube) and natural regenerated forests (Vitex negundo var. heterophylla, Leptodermis oblonga, and Bothriochloa ischcemum), and to identify how tree species, litter exclusion, and soil properties (soil temperature, soil moisture, soil organic carbon, total N, soil bulk density, and soil pH) explained the temporal and spatial variation in soil greenhouse gas fluxes. Fluxes of greenhouse gases were measured using static chamber and gas chromatography techniques. Six static chambers were randomly installed in each tree species. Three chambers were randomly designated to measure the impacts of surface litter exclusion, and the remaining three were used as a control. Field measurements were conducted biweekly from May 2010 to April 2012. Soil CO2 emissions from all tree species were significantly affected by soil temperature, soil moisture, and their interaction. Driven by the seasonality of temperature and precipitation, soil CO2 emissions demonstrated a clear seasonal pattern, with fluxes significantly higher during the rainy season than during the dry season. Soil CH4 and N2O fluxes were not significantly correlated with soil temperature, soil moisture, or their interaction, and no significant seasonal differences were detected. Soil organic carbon and total N were significantly positively correlated with CO2 and N2O fluxes. Soil bulk density was significantly negatively correlated with CO2 and N2O fluxes. Soil pH was not correlated with CO2 and N2O emissions. Soil CH4 fluxes did not display pronounced dependency on soil organic carbon, total N, soil bulk density, and soil pH. Removal of surface litter significantly decreased in CO2 emissions and CH4 uptakes. Soils in six tree species acted as sinks for atmospheric CH4. With the exception of Ziziphus jujube, soils in all tree species acted as sinks for atmospheric N2O. Tree species had a significant effect on CO2 and N2O releases but not on CH4 uptake. The lower net global warming potential in natural regenerated vegetation suggested that natural regenerated vegetation were more desirable plant species in reducing global warming.

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Liming Effects of Sawdust Ash and Lime on Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Yield in Acidic Soil of Southeastern Nigeria

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2019/v28i530121 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

C. V. Ogbenna ◽

V. E. Osodeke

Keyword(s):

Soil Ph ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Yield Data ◽

Southeastern Nigeria ◽

Head Weight

Aim: A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of sawdust ash and lime (Ca(OH)2) on soil characteristics and yield of sunflower in acidic soil of southeastern Nigeria. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, using sawdust ash (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 t ha-1) as the sub plot and lime (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 t ha-1) as the main plot. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted outdoors at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria, during the 2010 planting season. Materials and Methods: Treatment combinations were applied to the 60 buckets containing soil, mixed thoroughly and watered adequately. After 1 week of treatment application, two sunflower seeds were planted and later thinned to one seedling per bucket. Plant growth and yield data were collected. Pre planting and post-harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil properties. Results: Results showed that with the exception of organic carbon there was significant effect of treatments on all soil chemical properties. Lime and sawdust ash (SDA) as single and combined treatments significantly increased total nitrogen (P=0.05), available phosphorus (P<0.010), and base saturation (P<0.012). The interaction between SDA and lime significantly (P=0.05) increased total exchangeable bases and effective cation exchange capacity, while soil pH was significantly increased (P=0.05) by single applications. The increases in soil chemical properties led to significant positive response of the sunflower. With the exception of number of leaves, other plant parameters (Plant height, stem diameter, head weight, 50 seed weight, head diameter) had significant increases for sawdust ash alone at P=0.05. Correlation studies showed positive significant relationship between soil pH and sunflower yield. Conclusion: The study showed that sunflower performed best at the combination of 3 tha-1 SDA and 1.5 t ha-1 lime producing a mean head weight of 45.4 g.

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Can combined compost and biochar application improve the quality of a highly weathered coastal savanna soil?

10.1101/2020.07.24.219279 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kwame Agyei Frimpong ◽

Emmanuel Abban-Baidoo ◽

Bernd Marschner

Keyword(s):

Soil Quality ◽

Rice Husk ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

Basal Respiration ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Corn Cob ◽

Compost Application ◽

Rice Husk Biochar ◽

Compost Treatment

AbstractSoil fertility decline represents a major constraint to crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Many studies have shown that addition of biochar or compost can effectively improve soil quality. Biochar produced from crop residues are often N-poor but rich in stable C while poultry manure composts, which is often rich in nutrients including N decomposes rapidly under high rainfall and temperature conditions. Combined biochar and compost application can compensate for the shortcomings of each other such that their interactive effect is likely to improve soil quality. A 30-days incubation experiment was carried out on a Haplic acrisol amended with corn cob biochar, rice husk biochar, coconut husk biochar, poultry manure compost and composted rice husk or corn cob biochar to examine the effect of compost and biochar, applied singly, in combination or as co-compost on basal soil respiration, and soil quality indicators such as soil pH; soil microbial carbon; cation exchange capacity; total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available nitrogen concentration. The results showed that addition of the different amendments increased soil pH compared with the untreated control with the combined corn cob and rice biochar and compost treatments recording the highest pH values. Basal respiration following sole compost, composted biochar and combined biochar and compost application were significantly greater than the sole biochar and the control treatments. TOC increased by 37% in the sole compost treatment to 117.3% in the combined corn cob biochar and compost treatment, respectively. MBC increased by 132.2% in the combined rice husk biochar and compost treatment and by 247% in the sole compost treatment compared to the control. The study has demonstrated the potential of compost, biochar and especially composted biochar to enhance soil quality, C stabilization and reduce soil C loss through basal respiration.

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Root architecture, rooting profiles and physiological responses of potential slope plants grown on acidic soil

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.9595 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e9595

Author(s):

Deivaseeno Dorairaj ◽

Muhammad Fahmi Suradi ◽

Nursyamimi Syafiqah Mansor ◽

Normaniza Osman

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Progressive Increase ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

Melastoma Malabathricum ◽

Root Anchorage ◽

Healthy Growth

Globally, there has been an increase in the frequency of landslides which is the result of slope failures. The combination of high intensity rainfall and high temperature resulted in the formation of acidic soil which is detrimental to the healthy growth of plants. Proper plant coverage on slopes is a prerequisite to mitigate and rehabilitate the soil. However, not all plant species are able to grow in marginal land. Thus, this study was undertaken to find a suitable slope plant species. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different soil pH on root profiles and growth of three different potential slope plant species namely, Melastoma malabathricum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Syzygium campanulatum. M. malabathricum showed the highest tolerance to acidic soil as it recorded the highest plant height and photosynthetic rate. The root systems of M. malabathricum, H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum were identified as M, VH- and R-types, respectively. The study proposed M. malabathricum which possessed dense and shallow roots to be planted at the toe or top of the slope while H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum to be planted in the middle of a slope. S. campanulatum consistently recorded high root length and root length density across all three types of soil pH while M. malabathricum showed progressive increase in length as the soil pH increased. The root average diameter and root volume of M. malabathricum outperformed the other two plant species irrespective of soil pH. In terms of biomass, M. malabathricum exhibited the highest root and shoot dry weights followed by S. campanulatum. Thus, we propose M. malabathricum to be planted on slopes as a form of soil rehabilitation. The plant species displayed denser rooting, hence a stronger root anchorage that can hold the soil particles together which will be beneficial for slope stabilization.

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Liming improves soil microbial growth, but trash blanket placement increases labile carbon and nitrogen availability in a sugarcane soil of subtropical Australia

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr17116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 235 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

X. Y. Liu ◽

M. Rezaei Rashti ◽

M. Esfandbod ◽

B. Powell ◽

C. R. Chen

Keyword(s):

Soil Ph ◽

Enzyme Activities ◽

Nitrogen Availability ◽

Microbial Community Composition ◽

Cropping System ◽

Hot Water ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

N Availability ◽

Total N ◽

Soil Microbial

Liming has been widely used to decrease soil acidity, but its effects on soil nitrogen (N) availability and microbial processes in sugarcane fields are largely unknown. Adjacent sugarcane soils at 26 months after liming (26ML), 14 months after liming (14ML) and with no lime amendment (CK) in Bundaberg, Australia, were selected to investigate the effect of liming on soil N bioavailability and microbial activity in a long-term subtropical sugarcane cropping system. Liming in both 14ML and 26ML treatments significantly increased soil pH (by 1.2–1.4 units) and exchangeable Ca2+ (>2-fold) compared with the CK treatment. The lower concentrations of hot water extractable organic carbon (C) and total N and ammonium-N in the 14ML, compared with the CK and 26ML treatments, can be attributed to the absence of trash blanket placement in the former. Enhanced microbial immobilisation due to improved soil pH by liming (14ML and 26ML treatments) led to increased soil microbial biomass C and N, particularly in the presence of a trash blanket (26 ML treatment), but decreased soil respiration and metabolic quotient indicated that acidic stress conditions were alleviated in the liming treatments. Soil pH was the main factor governing soil enzyme activities, with an overall decrease in all enzyme activities in response to liming. Overall, liming and trash blanket practices improved sugarcane soil fertility. Further study is warranted to investigate the shifts in soil microbial community composition and the diversity and abundance of N-associated functional genes in response to liming in sugarcane fields.

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Nutrient and microbial dynamics of soils amended with sewage sludge stabilized with clay minerals and biochar; a preliminary study.

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-367 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Georgios Giannopoulos ◽

Anastasia-Garyfallia Karagianni ◽

Athanasios Balidakis ◽

Ioannis Ipsilantis ◽

Theodora Matsi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Clay Minerals ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

Alkaline Soil ◽

Critical Levels ◽

Microbial Dynamics ◽

Air Drying ◽

Organic C

Sewage sludge production from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) progressively exceeds 60 Million m3 p.a. in the EU. Although it is rich in organic matter (OM) and essential nutrients for crop production, sewage sludge is mainly disposed in landfills. Under the framework of Cyclic Economy and EU Green Deal, sewage sludge represents an ideal soil amendment and fertilizer with a potential to increase soil OM, provide nutrients and reduce chemical fertilization. Nonetheless, its agronomic use comes with limitations due to the presence of heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms. Several stabilization technologies, including composting, thermal treatment and liming, aim to produce safe sewage sludge products suitable for agronomic use.This incubation study investigated the effects of municipal sewage sludge (stabilized by alternative and common methods) on nutrient and microbial dynamics in two soils; an acidic (pH 5) and an alkaline (pH 8). Stabilized sewage sludge (Thessaloniki WWTP, Greece) with clay minerals (bentonite and vermiculite), biochar (pine residues), Ca(OH)2 and air-drying, was applied at 1% and 3% dw, in soil mesocosms (300 g). Non-amended soils were also included as control. Soils were incubated (15 days; 25oC) and equilibrated with periodic wetting and air-drying. Then, chemical soil properties, heavy metal concentrations and microbial abundance were determined using standard methods.Treated sewage sludge addition in the acidic soil, noticeably increased soil pH (pH 5.2 &#8211; 8.5), compared to the control treatment (pH 5.0). In the alkaline soil, pH remained at similar levels (pH 8.1 &#8211; 8.6). Interestingly, EC increased from 0.42 up to 4.10 and 0.80 up to 3.08 dS m-1 for the acidic and alkaline soils, respectively. The C/N ratio was approx. 10 for all treatments, except biochar (C/N=16). Higher NO3-&#160;concentrations were observed for (CaOH)2, biochar and vermiculite stabilized sewage sludge treatments, and higher NH4+ concentrations were observed for air-dried, bentonite and vermiculite stabilized sewage sludge treatments, in both soils, when compared to the control. Heavy metal concentration increased in all treatments, yet, it remained below legislative critical levels. Sewage sludge amendment increased total heterotroph abundance in all treatments (5.4 &#8211; 7.5 log10 CFU g-1) compared to the control. Antibiotic resistant prokaryote abundance ranged between 3.9 &#8211; 7.0 log10 CFU g-1 and no persistent pattern was found. Pathogens remained below legislative critical levels in all treatments.Our preliminary results show that stabilized sewage sludge has the potential to be a safe soil conditioner and fertilizer under the framework of Cyclic Economy and EU Green Deal. A desirable increase in soil fertility and organic C was observed for both soils, and an advantageous pH increase for acidic soil. Though, care should be taken not to exceed EC>2 dS m-1 when amending agricultural soils with sewage sludge products. Also, further experimentation is required to understand the effects of soil amendments on plant nutrition and productivity.&#160;Funding Acknowledgement: The research work was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the &#8220;First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant&#8221; (Project Number: HFRI-FM17-1907).

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Biochar mitigates the N2O emissions from acidic soil by increasing the nosZ and nirK gene abundance and soil pH

Journal of Environmental Management ◽

10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109891 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 255 ◽

pp. 109891 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Muhammad Aamer ◽

Muhammad Shaaban ◽

Muhammad Umair Hassan ◽

Huang Guoqin ◽

Liu Ying ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Ph ◽

Acidic Soil ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Gene Abundance ◽

Nirk Gene

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Soil chemical and biological properties affected by 21-year application of composted manure with chemical fertilizers in a Chinese Mollisol

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss2010-046 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 419-428 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

X. H. Li ◽

X. Z. Han ◽

H. B. Li ◽

C. Song ◽

J. Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Enzyme Activities ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Pig Manure ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Total N ◽

Available N

Li, X. H., Han, X. Z., Li, H. B., Song, C., Yan, J. and Liang, Y. 2012. Soil chemical and biological properties affected by 21-year application of composted manure with chemical fertilizers in a Chinese Mollisol. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 419–428. The effects of 21-yr of application of chemical fertilizers, composted pig manure (CPM) alone, and chemical fertilizers combined with compost on soil chemical and biological properties were investigated. Soil samples (0–20cm) were collected from a long-term fertilization experiment under corn (Zea mays L.) production in 2006, prior to seeding, at the corn tasseling stage and following harvest. Fertilizer treatments were: no fertilizer (CK), nitrogen fertilizer alone (N), N + phosphorus (NP), N + P + potassium (NPK), CPM, N + CPM, N + P + CPM (NP + CPM), and N + P + K + CPM (NPK + CPM). Long-term application of N alone resulted in a reduction of soil pH by 0.38 units and reduced the available P concentration compared with CK. An increase in soil pH was seen with CPM alone and NPK + CPM. Both fertilizers sources, singly and combined, increased the total N and available N concentrations. Total P and total K concentrations were greatest with the NPK + CPM treatment. All fertilizer treatments increased the soil organic carbon (SOC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) at the tasseling stage. The NPK + CPM treatment showed the greatest increase in SOC (12%), LFOC (78%) and MBC (44%) concentrations, compared with CK. Soil enzyme activities (invertase, urease, acid and alkaline phosphatases) tended to be greater at tasseling than other sampling dates, with highest enzyme activities in the NPK + CPM treatments. These findings suggest that a long-term application of CPM combined with NPK is an efficient strategy to maintain or increase soil quality in Mollisols for sustainable agriculture.

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