scholarly journals Compost Effects on Soil Chemical Properties and Field Nursery Production

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Gonzalez ◽  
Leslie R. Cooperband
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Total Soil ◽  
Shrub Biomass

Abstract Field production of ornamental shrubs results in significant topsoil removal and degradation of soil chemical properties. We amended field soils with compost to evaluate effects on soil chemical properties and shrub biomass production. We applied either duck manure-sawdust (DM), potato cull-sawdust-dairy manure (PC) or paper mill sludge-bark (PMB) composts to a silt loam soil as a) incorporated 2.5 cm (1 in) of compost tilled into the top 15 cm (6 in) of soil or b) incorporated + mulched 2.5 cm (1 in) tilled into soil + 2.5 cm (1 in) applied over the soil surface. We grew Spirea japonicum ‘Gumball’, Juniper chinensis ‘Pfitzeriana’ and Berberis thunbergia ‘Atropurpurea’ seedlings and measured total and plant available nutrients and shrub biomass production and nutrient contents over two growing seasons. Total soil C was 15–21% higher in all mulched treatments compared to incorporated-only and no-amendment control treatments. Total soil N, P and Cu, available P, S, Ca, Mg, K, pH and EC increased with increasing TC. Mulched DM compost produced significantly higher DTPA-extractable Zn relative to other treatments. In the second growing season, mulched DM compost produced 39–42% greater total barberry biomass than all other treatments. Among all shrub species, the best soil chemical predictors of plant growth were TC, TS, soluble P, exchangeable Ca and K and DTPA-Zn. The best tissue nutrient-content predictors of plant growth were total shoot N, P and Zn and root Zn. The unique growth response of barberry to mulched DM compost suggests that all shrubs may not respond to compost amendments, particularly over the short term.

Growth of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Hydrosoils of Different Composition

Weed Science ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry K. Steward
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Hydrilla Verticillata ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Flowing Water ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Rooting Media

Hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata(L. f.) Royle ♯ HYLLI] was cultured in flowing water in outside aquaria on rooting media differing in fertility and texture. Nutrient content was determined for rooting media at the beginning of the experiment and for plant tissues at harvest. Growth, as measured by rates of stem elongation, areal coverage of aquaria by plants, and biomass accrual, was highly related to N-, P-, and K-fertility of rooting media. Rooting media were the most important source of phosphorous since water supplies were not adequate to support plant growth. There was evidence of P-deficiencies in plants grown on infertile rooting media. Both N and K were adequately supplied from either water, rooting media, or both. Production of plant biomass was most closely related to P-levels in tissues which were closely related to supplies in rooting media. Pretest soil N (comparable to preestablishment conditions) was best related to biomass production, indicating that growth and establishment of hydrilla may be predictable through assessment of hydrosoil fertility. The need for sampling and analytical procedures to assess fertility is emphasized.

Long-term nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization of cassava influences soil chemical properties in North Vietnam

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung Nguyen ◽  
J J Schoenau ◽  
K. C.J. Van Rees ◽  
Dang Nguyen ◽  
P. Qian
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Inorganic P ◽  
Total Soil ◽  
North Vietnam ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus ◽  
Soil Inorganic

The long-term effects of yearly fertilizer applications on soil chemical properties and nutrient availability are not well documented for cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Vietnam. In 1990, research plots were established (randomized complete block design) with 12 treatments to test effects of different rates of N, P and K on soil properties in Acrisols (FAO-UNESCO Soil Classification) at Thai Nguyen University, North Vietnam. In June 1998, composite soil samples (0- to 10-cm and 10- to 20-cm depth) were collected from each plot. Nine years of N application significantly reduced the labile pools of soil inorganic P, total soil P and soil extractable K and Mg. Total soil N was only slightly increased in the 10- to 30-cm depth. Long-term applications of P significantly increased soil inorganic P fractions, but reduced concentrations and supply rates of nitrate and K. Moreover, 9 yr of K application significantly increased soil organic C (two depths), soil total N (10-30 cm) and soil extractable K in the 0- to 10-cm depth. Generally, the results show that long-term applications of mineral fertilizers in a ratio of N:P2O5:K2O of 2:1:2 (at the rates of 80 N:40 P2O5:80 K2O or 160 N:80 P2O5:160 K2O) are effective in maintaining the total content and availability of applied nutrients, but when applied alone are associated with decreases in other nutrients. Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers, cassava, ion exchange resin, soil properties

scholarly journals Organic Soil Amendment and Tillage Affect Soil Quality and Plant Performance in Simulated Residential Landscapes

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1522-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawna Loper ◽  
Amy L. Shober ◽  
Christine Wiese ◽  
Geoffrey C. Denny ◽  
Craig D. Stanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
Ornamental Plant ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Residential Landscapes ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

The urban soil environment is usually not conducive to healthy root growth and function, leading to problems with plant establishment, growth, and aesthetic quality. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of compost with or without the application of shallow tillage or aeration will improve soil physical and chemical properties and plant growth compared with an unamended control in simulated new residential landscapes. Twenty-four mixed landscape plots were established in a randomized complete block design to simulate new residential landscapes. Each plot was constructed using 10 cm of subsoil fill material over a compacted field soil and planted with Stenotaphrum secundatum and mixed ornamental plant species. Composted dairy manure solids were applied as an organic soil amendment at a depth of 5 cm (≈256 Mg·ha−1) in combination with two mechanical soil treatments (tillage to 15 cm and plug aeration) for a total of five soil management treatments plus an untreated control. Soil physical and chemical properties, plant growth, and quality and plant tissue nutrient concentrations were assessed periodically to determine the effect of soil treatment on soil and plant quality. Applications of compost to soils significantly reduced soil bulk density and pH and increased soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, and Mehlich-1 phosphorus and potassium concentrations. All ornamental plant species, with the exception of Raphiolepis indica (L.) Lindl. ex Ker Gawl., exhibited more growth when grown in soils amended with composted dairy manure solids. In most instances, plant tissue nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were higher for plants grown in soils receiving compost. Results of our study suggested that the addition of composted dairy manure solids to soils can improve soil properties and enhance plant growth in residential landscapes when sandy fill soils are used. In contrast, shallow tillage and aeration had little effect on soil properties or plant growth.

scholarly journals Soil chemical properties and maize yield under application of pig slurry biofertilizer

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo E. Bócoli ◽  
José R. Mantovani ◽  
José M. Miranda ◽  
Douglas J. Marques ◽  
Adriano B. da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Randomized Block Design

ABSTRACT Organic materials subjected to a process of anaerobic digestion in a digester produce biofertilizer that can be used in agriculture as nutrient source. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pig slurry biofertilizer on soil chemical properties and on corn yield and nutrient concentrations in leaves and kernels. The experiment was conducted in the field from November 2012 to April 2013, and was arranged in a randomized block design with seven treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of doses of pig slurry biofertilizer (0; 40; 80; 120; 160; 200 and 240 m3 ha-1), applied to the soil surface in a single application, at stage V2 of corn plants. Thirty-three days after biofertilization, soil samples were collected in each plot. Corn was harvested 129 days after sowing. Doses up to 240 m3 ha-1 of pig slurry biofertilizer applied to soil with good fertility did not influence soil chemical properties and corn yield. The use of pig slurry biofertilizer had no detectable effect on nutrient concentrations in corn leaves and kernels.

Three long-term trials end with a quasi-equilibrium between soil C, N, and pH: an implication for C sequestration

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Conyers ◽  
Philip Newton ◽  
Jason Condon ◽  
Graeme Poile ◽  
Pauline Mele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Quasi Equilibrium ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
N Fertility

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term changes in some key soil chemical properties at the completion of three long-term trials in south-eastern Australia and the relationship between those soil properties. From a soil organic matter perspective, the build-up of carbon (%C) requires an accumulation of nitrogen (%N), and the build-up of %C and %N fertility comes at the cost of soil acidity. Rotation, tillage, and stubble practices combine to alter the quantity, quality (C : N), and the depth distribution of organic matter in a soil, but the three soil chemical properties reported here seem to also be in quasi-equilibrium at the three long-term sites. The consequence is that if the build-up of soil organic matter leads to soil acidification, then the maintenance of agricultural production will require liming. The emission of CO2 when limestone reacts with soil acids, plus the C cost of limestone application, will negate a proportion of the gains from C sequestration as organic matter in soil. Such cautionary information was doubtless unforeseen when these three long-term trials were initiated.

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