Soil Biochemical Indicators and Biological Fertility in Agricultural Soils: A Case Study from Northern Italy

Industrial farming without considering soil biological features could lead to soil degradation. We aimed to evaluate the biochemical properties (BPs) and biological fertility (BF) of different soils under processing tomato cultivation; estimate the BF through the calculation of a simplified BF index (BFIs); determine if the crop was affected by BP and BF. Three farms were individuated in Modena (MO), Ferrara (MEZ) and Ravenna (RA) provinces, Italy. Soil analysis included total and labile organic C, microbial biomass-C (Cmic) and microbial respiration measurements. The metabolic (qCO2), mineralization (qM) and microbial (qMIC) quotients, and BFIs were calculated. Furthermore, plant nutrient contents were determined. The low Cmic content and qMIC, and high qCO2 found in MEZ soils indicate the occurrence of stressful conditions. The high qMIC and qM, and the low qCO2 demonstrated an efficient organic carbon incorporation as Cmic in MO soils. In RA soils, the low total and labile organic C contents limited the Cmic and microbial respiration. Therefore, as confirmed by the BFIs, while MO showed the healthiest soils, RA soils had an inefficient ecophysiological energy state. However, no effects on plant nutrient contents were observed, likely because of masked by fertigation. Finally, BP monitoring is needed in order to avoid soil degradation and, in turn, crop production decline.

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Are researchers following best storage practices for measuring soil biochemical properties?

SOIL ◽

10.5194/soil-7-95-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 95-106

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Rhymes ◽

Irene Cordero ◽

Mathilde Chomel ◽

Jocelyn M. Lavallee ◽

Angela L. Straathof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Best Practice ◽

Storage Temperature ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Soil Extracts ◽

Organic C ◽

C And N

Abstract. It is widely accepted that the measurement of organic and inorganic forms of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soils should be performed on fresh extracts taken from fresh soil samples. However, this is often not possible, and it is common practice to store samples (soils and/or extracts), despite a lack of guidance on best practice. We utilised a case study on a temperate grassland soil taken from different depths to demonstrate how differences in soil and/or soil extract storage temperature (4 or −20 ∘C) and duration can influence sample integrity for the quantification of soil-dissolved organic C and N (DOC and DON), extractable inorganic nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-) and microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN). The appropriateness of different storage treatments varied between topsoils and subsoils, highlighting the need to consider appropriate storage methods based on soil depth and soil properties. In general, we found that storing soils and extracts by freezing at −20 ∘C was least effective at maintaining measured values of fresh material, whilst refrigerating (4 ∘C) soils for less than a week for DOC and DON and up to a year for MBC and MBN and refrigerating soil extracts for less than a week for NH4+ and NO3- did not jeopardise sample integrity. We discuss and provide the appropriate tools to ensure researchers consider best storage practice methods when designing and organising ecological research involving assessments of soil properties related to C and N cycling. We encourage researchers to use standardised methods where possible and to report their storage treatment (i.e. temperature, duration) when publishing findings on aspects of soil and ecosystem functioning. In the absence of published storage recommendations for a given soil type, we encourage researchers to conduct a pilot study and publish their findings.

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Microbial and enzymatic activity in soil after organic composting

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832010000300017 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 757-764 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Isabel Cristina Vinhal-Freitas ◽

Dalcimar Regina Batista Wangen ◽

Adão de Siqueira Ferreira ◽

Gilberto Fernandes Corrêa ◽

Beno Wendling

Keyword(s):

Microbial Activity ◽

Energy Use ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Household Waste ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Organic C ◽

Compost Amendment ◽

Total Glucose ◽

The Impact ◽

Organic Compost

Microbial activity and biochemical properties are important indicators of the impact of organic composting on soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate some indicators of soil microbial and biochemical processes after application of compost (household waste). A Typic Acrustox, sampled at a depth of 10 cm under Cerrado biome vegetation, was evaluated in three treatments: control (soil without organic compost amendment) and soil with two doses of domestic organic compost (10 and 20 g kg-1 soil). The following properties were evaluated: released C (C-CO2): microbial respiration 15 days after incubation; microbial biomass C (MBC); total glucose (TG); metabolic quotient (qCO2); and enzyme activity of β-glucosidase and acid and alkaline phosphatase. The application of household compost, at doses of 10 and 20 g kg-1 Typic Acrustox, resulted in significant gains in microbial activity, organic C and C stock, as evidenced by increased MBC and TG levels. On the other hand, qCO2 decreases indicated greater microbial diversity and more efficient energy use. The addition of compost, particularly the 20 g kg-1 dose, strongly influenced the enzyme β-glucosidase and phosphatase (acid and alkaline). The β-glucosidase activity was significantly increased and acid phosphatase activity increased more than the alkaline. The ratio of β-glucosidase to MBC was greater in the control than in the composted treatments which suggests that there were more enzymes in the control than in the substrate or that the addition of compost induced a great MBC increase.

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Soil Properties Spatial Variability and Delineation of Site-Specific Management Zones Based on Soil Fertility Using Fuzzy Clustering in a Hilly Field in Jianyang, Sichuan, China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11247084 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (24) ◽

pp. 7084 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mohamed S. Metwally ◽

Sameh M. Shaddad ◽

Manqiang Liu ◽

Rong-Jiang Yao ◽

Ahmed I. Abdo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Variability ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Degradation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Site Specific ◽

Management Zones ◽

Nutrient Contents

Avoiding soil degradation and improving crop productivity could be achieved by performing sustainable soil nutrient management with an appropriate understanding of soil properties’ spatial variability. The present fertilizer recommendations for the region where the study area is located are typically symmetric for large regions. This leads to the under-application of fertilizers in zones with low nutrient contents and over-application in zones with high nutrient contents. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess soil management zones (MZs) in the study area for effective soil nutrient management and to evaluate soil properties’ spatial variability. A total of 100 geo-referenced soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–20 cm, processed and analyzed for pH, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP), while C:N, C:P and N:P ratios were calculated. Soil properties’ coefficients of variation (CVs) widely varied from low (1.132%) to moderate (45.748%). Ordinary kriging and semi-variogram analysis showed differed spatial variability patterns for the studied soil properties with spatial dependence ranged from weak to strong. MZs were delineated by performing principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy K-means clustering. Four PCs with eigen values more than 1 dominated 84.44% of the total variance, so they were retained for clustering analysis. Three MZs were delineated based on the two criteria modified partition entropy (MPE) and fuzzy performance index (FPI). The studied soil properties differed significantly among MZs. Thus, the methodology used for MZ delineation could be used effectively for soil site-specific nutrient management for avoiding soil degradation concurrently with maximizing crop production in the study area.

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Chemical and microbiological attributes of an oxisol treated with successive applications of sewage sludge¹

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832011000400040 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 1461-1470 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

José Rafael Pires Bueno ◽

Ronaldo Severiano Berton ◽

Adriana Parada Dias da Silveira ◽

Marcio Koiti Chiba ◽

Cristiano Alberto de Andrade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Crop Production ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Organic C ◽

Metal Levels ◽

Microbiological Properties

Studies on sewage sludge (SS) have confirmed the possibilities of using this waste as fertilizer and/or soil conditioner in crop production areas. Despite restrictions with regard to the levels of potentially toxic elements (PTE) and pathogens, it is believed that properly treated SS with low PTE levels, applied to soil at adequate rates, may improve the soil chemical and microbiological properties. This study consisted of a long-term field experiment conducted on a Typic Haplorthox (eutroferric Red Latosol) treated with SS for seven successive years for maize production, to evaluate changes in the soil chemical and microbiological properties. The treatments consisted of two SS rates (single and double dose of the crop N requirement) and a mineral fertilizer treatment. Soil was sampled in the 0-0.20 m layer and analyzed for chemical properties (organic C, pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Pb) and microbiological properties (basal respiration, microbial biomass activity, microbial biomass C, metabolic quotient, microbial quotient, and protease and dehydrogenase enzyme activities). Successive SS applications to soil increased the macro- and micronutrient availability, but the highest SS dose reduced the soil pH significantly, indicating a need for periodic corrections. The SS treatments also affected soil microbial activity and biomass negatively. There were no significant differences among treatments for maize grain yield. After seven annual applications of the recommended sludge rate, the heavy metal levels in the soil had not reached toxic levels.

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Are researchers following best storage practices for measuring soil biochemical properties?

10.5194/soil-2020-79 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Rhymes ◽

Irene Cordero ◽

Mathilde Chomel ◽

Jocelyn M. Lavallee ◽

Angela L. Straathof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Practice ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Soil Extract ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Organic C ◽

C And N ◽

C And N Cycling ◽

Forms Of Carbon ◽

Practice Methods

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Effects of green-manure and tillage management on soil microbial community composition, nutrients and tree growth in a walnut orchard

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96472-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ningguang Dong ◽

Guanglong Hu ◽

Yunqi Zhang ◽

Jianxun Qi ◽

Yonghao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Green Manure ◽

Rhizosphere Soil ◽

Green Manures ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C ◽

Nutrient Contents ◽

Walnut Tree

AbstractThis study characterized the effect of green manures (February orchid, hairy vetch, rattail fescue and a no-green-manure control) and the termination method (flail or disk) on nutrient contents, enzyme activities, microbial biomass, microbial community structure of rhizosphere soil and vegetative growth of walnut tree. All three selected green manures significantly enhanced the water content, organic C, total N and available P. The rattail fescue significantly decreased the mineral N. Total organic C, total N, mineral N and available P were significantly greater under flail than under disk. Hairy vetch and February orchid significantly improved levels of soil β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activity, whereas rattail fescue improved only β-glucosidase activity. All of the green manures significantly decreased phenoloxidase activity. β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activities were significantly greater under flail relative to disk. The termination method had no significant effect on phenoloxidase activity. The different types of green manures and termination methods significantly altered the soil microbial biomass and microbial community structure. The green-manure treatments were characterized by a significantly greater abundance of Gram-positive (Gram +) bacteria, total bacteria and saprophytic fungi compared to the control. Hairy vetch significantly decreased the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) while February orchid and rattail fescue increased their abundance compared to the no-green-manure treatment. The abundance rates of Gram+ bacteria, actinomycetes, saprophytic fungi and AMF were significantly greater in soils under flail than under disk. In terms of vegetative growth of walnut tree, hairy vetch showed the greatest positive effects. The growth of walnut tree was significantly greater under flail relative to disk. Our results indicate that green-manure application benefits the rhizosphere soil micro-ecology, rhizosphere soil nutrient contents and tree growth. Overall, the hairy vetch and flail combined treatment is recommended for walnut orchards in northern China.

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Soil stripping and replacement for the rehabilitation of bauxite-mined land at Weipa. I. Initial changes to soil organic matter and related parameters

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr99043 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 345 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

G. D. Schwenke ◽

D. R. Mulligan ◽

L. C. Bell

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Surface Soil ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Low Grade ◽

Double Pass ◽

Organic C ◽

The Difference

At Weipa, in Queensland, Australia, sown tree and shrub species sometimes fail to establish on bauxite-mined land, possibly because surface-soil organic matter declines during soil stripping and replacement. We devised 2 field experiments to investigate the links between soil rehabilitation operations, organic matter decline, and revegetation failure. Experiment 1 compared two routinely practiced operations, dual-strip (DS) and stockpile soil, with double-pass (DP), an alternative method, and subsoil only, an occasional result of the DS operation. Other treatments included variations in stripping-time, ripping-time, fertiliser rate, and cultivation. Dilution of topsoil with subsoil, low-grade bauxite, and ironstone accounted for the 46% decline of surface-soil (0–10 cm) organic C in DS compared with pre-strip soil. In contrast, organic C in the surface-soil (0–10 cm) of DP plots (25.0 t/ha) closely resembled the pre-strip area (28.6 t/ha). However, profile (0–60 cm) organic C did not differ between DS (91.5 t/ha), DP (107 t/ha), and pre-strip soil (89.9 t/ha). Eighteen months after plots were sown with native vegetation, surface-soil (0–10 cm) organic C had declined by an average of 9% across all plots. In Experiment 2, we measured the potential for post-rehabilitation decline of organic matter in hand-stripped and replaced soil columns that simulated the DS operation. Soils were incubated in situ without organic inputs. After 1 year’s incubation, organic C had declined by up to 26% and microbial biomass C by up to 61%. The difference in organic C decline between vegetated replaced soils (Expt 1) and bare replaced soils (Expt 2) showed that organic inputs affect levels of organic matter more than soil disturbance. Where topsoil was replaced at the top of the profile (DP) and not ploughed, inputs from volunteer native grasses balanced oxidation losses and organic C levels did not decline.

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Long-term effects of fertilisers and organic sources on soil organic carbon fractions under a rice–wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of north-west India

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr16097 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 296 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. Das ◽

B. S. Dwivedi ◽

V. K. Singh ◽

S. P. Datta ◽

M. C. Meena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Farmyard Manure ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Gangetic Plain ◽

Organic C ◽

Labile C ◽

Labile C Fractions

Decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) content is considered a key constraint for sustenance of rice–wheat system (RWS) productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plain region. We, therefore, studied the effects of fertilisers and manures on SOC pools, and their relationships with crop yields after 18 years of continuous RWS. Total organic C increased significantly with the integrated use of fertilisers and organic sources (from 13 to 16.03gkg–1) compared with unfertilised control (11.5gkg–1) or sole fertiliser (NPKZn; 12.17gkg–1) treatment at 0–7.5cm soil depth. Averaged across soil depths, labile fractions like microbial biomass C (MBC) and permanganate-oxidisable C (PmOC) were generally higher in treatments that received farmyard manure (FYM), sulfitation pressmud (SPM) or green gram residue (GR) along with NPK fertiliser, ranging from 192 to 276mgkg–1 and from 0.60 to 0.75gkg–1 respectively compared with NPKZn and NPK+cereal residue (CR) treatments, in which MBC and PmOC ranged from 118 to 170mgkg–1 and from 0.43 to 0.57gkg–1 respectively. Oxidisable organic C fractions revealed that very labile C and labile C fractions were much larger in the NPK+FYM or NPK+GR+FYM treatments, whereas the less-labile C and non-labile C fractions were larger under control and NPK+CR treatments. On average, Walkley–Black C, PmOC and MBC contributed 29–46%, 4.7–6.6% and 1.16–2.40% towards TOC respectively. Integrated plant nutrient supply options, except NPK+CR, also produced sustainable high yields of RWS.

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Landscape position, sampling time and tillage, but not legume species, affect labile carbon and nitrogen fractions in a four-year-old rejuvenated grazed pasture

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1139/cjss-2021-0052 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gazali Issah ◽

Jeff Schoenau ◽

J. Diane Knight

Keyword(s):

Sampling Time ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Legume Species ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Organic C ◽

Substrate Quality ◽

Pasture Legumes ◽

C Storage ◽

Grazed Pasture ◽

Over Time

Termination by tillage is one strategy used for regenerating pasture stands. Yet, research gaps exist on how tillage affects carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) forms and amounts in western Canadian soils. We measured total soil organic C (SOC), dissolved organic C (DOC), total dissolved N (TDN), light fraction organic C (LFOC) and N (LFON), microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), and inorganic N as indicators of soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. After tillage termination in fall 2018, we sampled soils (0‒10cm; 0‒15cm) under three legume species (alfalfa, cicer milkvetch and sainfoin) three times (spring, summer and fall of 2019) across three landscape positions. Legume species did not affect the measured parameters. Over time, tillage affected DOC, TDN, and inorganic N. Averaged across three pasture legumes and three landscape positions, tillage increased DOC 29% by summer. Fall-applied tillage led to 59% and 33% higher TDN in the succeeding summer and fall. Inorganic N increased by 14% and 40% across landscape positions and sampling after tillage. Averaged across landscape positions, MBC decreased by 31% from spring to summer and increased by 51% from summer to fall. However, MBN increased by 53% and decreased by 5% within the same period. The seasonal fluctuations in MBC/MBN reflected variations in moisture, temperature, and substrate quality. Total SOC, LFOC, and LFON increased on the upper slopes and fall sampling time. Although single intensive tillage did not affect total SOC, several tillage operations could accelerate SOM loss and reduced total C storage over time.

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Soil organic carbon sequestration potential for Canadian Agricultural Ecoregions calculated using the Introductory Carbon Balance Model

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss07093 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 88 (4) ◽

pp. 451-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M A Bolinder ◽

O. Andrén ◽

T. Kätterer ◽

L -E Parent

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Carbon Balance ◽

Crop Production ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Balance Model ◽

Agricultural Crop ◽

Organic C ◽

Soil Biological Activity ◽

Sequestration Potential

The potential for storage of atmospheric CO2-C as soil organic C (SOC) in agroecosystems depends largely on soil biological activity and the quantity and quality of annual C inputs to soil. In this study we used the Introductory Carbon Balance Model (ICBM) approach driven by daily standard weather station data, specific soil properties and crop characteristics at the scale of Canadian agricultural ecoregions. The objectives were to calculate a climate-dependent soil biological activity parameter representative for annual agricultural crop production systems (re_crop) and to estimate the effect of fallow (re_fallow). These parameters are based on the daily product of soil temperature and stored water that influence biological activity in the arable layer, and are used to adjust the decomposition rates of the ICBM SOC pools. We also tested re_crop and re_fallow on SOC stock change data for different site and treatment combinations from long-term field experiments located in some of the ecoregions. An re_crop value of 0.95 for western ecoregions was on average 0.23 units lower than that of the eastern ecoregions, indicating a lower decomposition rate of SOC. Although the estimated annual C inputs to soil for small-grain cereals were on average ≈7.5% higher in the eastern ecoregions (305 vs. 285 g C m-2 yr-1), the overall results suggest that the western ecoregions would have a greater potential to maintain high SOC levels in the long term. However, these parameters varied between ecoregions and, consequently, the SOC sequestration potential was not always higher for the western ecoregions. The effect of fallow was on average ≈0.04, i.e., SOC decomposed slightly faster under fallow. Predictions for 24 out of 33 site and treatment combinations across Canada were significantly improved (P = 0.003), compared with a previous application with the ICBM that did not differentiate between crops and fallow. The methodology used here enabled us to examine regional differences in the potential for SOC sequestration as a balance between annual C inputs to soil and soil biological activity. Key words: Annual C inputs, climate, fallow, soil biological activity, agroecosystems

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