scholarly journals Type and quantity of biochar influenced soil microbial activity and carbon priming effect

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1405
Author(s):  
José Ilmar Tínel de Carvalho Junior ◽  
Maria Isidória Silva Gonzaga ◽  
André Quintão de Almeida ◽  
Jady Araújo ◽  
Lúcia Catherinne Oliveira Santos

Biochar has shown much potential to be used as soil amendment and conditioner as well as an effective alternative to waste disposal. However, the effect of biochar on soil organic matter varies according to the type of feedstock. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different types and rates of application of biochar on soil microbial activity and on soil carbon priming effect. The incubation experiment was set up as a completely randomized design in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with two types of biochar (coconut husk and orange bagasse) and five rates of application (0, 5, 10, 15 and 30 t ha-1), with three replications. Soil microbial activity was evaluated through the concentration of CO2 released from the soil during a period of 130 days. Carbon priming effect was determined based on the CO2 respired in the biochar treated soil and in the control soil. Both biochars increased the total oxidizable carbon in the soil when they were applied at 30 t ha-1, however, the orange bagasse biochar was more effective than the coconut biochar. Coconut biochar increased the cumulative soil microbial respiration at all rates of application during the incubation period, therefore, it contributed to a positive carbon priming effect and should be applied with caution to avoid excessive loss of carbon from the soil. Orange bagasse biochar had little influence on the cumulative CO2 emission, except at 15 t ha-1, which increased soil microbial activity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Maria Josiane Martins ◽  
Tânia Santos Silva ◽  
Igor Paranhos Caldas ◽  
Geovane Teixeira de Azevedo ◽  
Isabelle Carolyne Cardoso ◽  
...  

The allocation of the large amount of swine waste from farms is an international concern. An efficient way of managing such waste is its use in farming. It is already known that the incorporation of organic waste into the soil significantly increases the microbial population. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the impact of the use of swine manure on the soil microbiota in a Eutrophic Oxisol. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design in a 6 × 4 factorial scheme (sixconcentrations of swine manure and four evaluation periods) with four replications. We evaluate the following characteristics: microbial respiration (C-CO2), microbial biomass (µC g-1 soil) and pH.: microbial respiration (C-CO2), microbial biomass (µC g-1 soil) and pH. A significant effect was found in the interaction between concentrations and time of incubation (p < 0.05) of swine manure on microbial activity in the soil. The amount of microbial carbon increased as a function of increased levels of liquid swine manure. No interaction was observed between concentrations and time of incubation for the pH. The evaluation of the isolated factors allowed to observe that the pH decreased as the doses of manure were incremented. Higher and lower pH values were found after 5 and 30 days of incubation. The application of liquid swine manure up to 6000 L ha-1 increases the release of CO2 and carbon in the microbial biomass. The applications of liquid swine manure cause a gradual reduction in soil pH.


2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-398
Author(s):  
Ivã Tavares Butrinowski ◽  
Rosangela Dallemole-Giaretta ◽  
Idalmir dos Santos ◽  
Betania Brum De Bortoli ◽  
Paula Steilmann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of swine manure (SM) doses applied to soils showing pH of 4.8 and 7.2 on the control of damping-off in beetroot seedlings caused by Rhizoctonia solani. To set the trial, plastic bags were filled with 4 kg soil (pH levels of 4.8 and 7.2) and 15 g R. solani inoculum kg soil-1. This mixture was moistened, homogenized and kept in a greenhouse for seven days. Following this period, SM doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) were incorporated into the bags, which were again stored in a greenhouse. After seven days, part of the soil from each plastic bag was separately placed into 16 cells of a 128-cell polystyrene tray, and two beetroot seeds were sown per cell. Seedling emergence and damping-off were evaluated for 21 consecutive days. The other part of the soil was used for microbial activity quantification based on the CO2 release method at 7, 14 and 21 days. The trial was conducted in a completely randomized design, with four replicates per treatment, and repeated twice. All tested SM doses reduced the number of damped-off beetroot seedlings in both trials, and the greatest disease control was provided by treatments that had SM doses of 15% and 20% applied to soil showing pH level of 7.2. In addition, regardless of the pH level, all tested SM doses increased soil microbial activity.


Author(s):  
Jelena Marinkovic ◽  
Ivan Susnica ◽  
Dragana Bjelic ◽  
Branislava Tintor ◽  
Mirjana Vasic

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of conventional and organic production system on microbial activity in the soil cultivated with bean and maize crops. The trial in Djurdjevo was set up according to the conventional farming system, while organic farming system was used in Futog. Two maize hybrids and two bean cultivars were used in the trial. Soil samples were collected in two periods during 2014 (before sowing, at flowering stage of bean crops, and at 9-11 leaf stage of maize) at two depths, at both locations. The following microbiological parameters were tested: the total number of micro?organisms, number of ammonifiers, Azotobacter sp., free nitrogen fixing bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and activity of dehydrogenase enzyme. The results showed that the total number of microorganisms, number of free N-fixers and dehydrogenase activity were higher within organic production, while Azotobacter sp. was more abundant in conventional production. Variations in the number of ammonifiers, fungi and actinomycetes in relation to the type of production were not obtained. Significant differences in microbial activity were also obtained between period and depths of sampling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Justiniano Régo ◽  
Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo

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.


Revista CERES ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Matheus Ramos Caixeta ◽  
Saul Jorge Pinto de Carvalho ◽  
Poliana Coste e Colpa ◽  
Márcio Donizetti de Andrade ◽  
Breno Régis Santos

ABSTRACT Biodiesel stands out as an alternative for petroleum-based products, but its production generates a large amount of by-products. This study was carried out at the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais, Campus Machado, with the objective of evaluating the impacts of the disposal of crude glycerin on agricultural soil and its microbial activity as well as in plant development. An experiment with a completely randomized design, five treatments, and five replicates was developed in the laboratory to analyze microbial activity. Soil samples of 100 g were incubated for 36 days with concentrations of crude glycerin, namely: 0; 48.7; 146.1; 292.2 L ha-1. Besides these four treatments, flasks without soil and glycerin have composed one more treatment. During this period, the CO2 volume released in each sample was evaluated 11 times. Another experiment was developed in the laboratory with hairy beggarticks’ achenes to evaluate crude glycerin effects on plant development. A randomized complete block design was used in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with five replicates, the same glycerin concentrations, and two glycerin sources (laboratory and biodiesel plant-unit). Crude glycerin stimulated soil microbial activity for doses of up to 143.83 L ha-1, being a positive indicative for future studies on its application to agricultural soils. Glycerin applications reduced the hairy beggarticks’ root protrusion, even at the lowest doses. Residues have Na+ contents that limit their application in agricultural soils.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Chalwe ◽  
O. I. Lungu ◽  
A. M. Mweetwa ◽  
E. Phiri ◽  
S. M. C. Njoroge ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Peanut production in Zambia is often characterized by low yields and high aflatoxin incidence in harvested kernels. Soil amendments such as farmyard manure have shown potential to increase yields and reduce pre-harvest aflatoxin incidence. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of composted cattle manure on soil properties that relate to yield and pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination of peanut kernels. Research evaluated the effects of composted cattle manure on soil respiration, plant-available water (PAW), peanut yield and pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in a field experiment conducted in two successive rain-fed cropping seasons starting in December, 2015 and ending in April 2017, in Chongwe District, Zambia. Six (6) levels of compost were incorporated into the top 10 cm of the soil at rates of 0, 4.5, 12.0, 19.5, 27.0, and 34.5 metric tons/ha 1 wk before planting. There was a strong positive relationship between levels of compost and soil microbial respiration (R2=0.84) and PAW (R2=0.86). Secondly, compost manure was associated with increases in pod (R2=0.65) and kernel (R2=0.61) yield. The kernel yield potential of the planted cultivar was achieved at the rate of 12 metric tons per ha. Thirdly, there was a reduction in total aflatoxin levels with increasing levels of compost (R2=0.85). The improvement in peanut yield and the decrease in aflatoxin concentrations in kernels can be attributed to the improvement in soil moisture retention capacity and soil microbial activity arising from manure amendments. This study demonstrated the potential of compost manure to increase soil microbial activity, PAW, peanut yield and minimize aflatoxin contamination at field level.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maren Oelbermann ◽  
Michael English ◽  
Sherry L Schiff

A large portion of carbon (C) is stored in the world’s soils, including those of peatlands, wetlands and permafrost. However, there is disagreement regarding the effects of climate change on the rate of organic matter decomposition in permafrost soils of the arctic. In this study it was hypothesized that soil exposed to a higher ambient temperature would have a greater flux of CO2 as well as a change in the metabolic diversity of culturable soil microorganisms. To evaluate this hypothesis we determined soil C dynamics, soil microbial respiration and activity, and 13C and 15N fractionation in laboratory incubations (at 14 and 21°C) for an organic-rich soil (Mesic Organic Cryosol) and a mineral soil (Turbic Cryosol) collected at the Daring Lake Research Station in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Soil organic C (SOC) and nitrogen (N) stocks (g m-2) and concentration (%) were significantly different (P < 0.05) between soil horizons for both soil types. Stable isotope analysis showed a significant enrichment in δ13C and δ15N with depth and a depletion in δ13C and δ15N with increasing SOC and N concentration. In laboratory incubations, microbial respiration showed three distinct phases of decomposition: a phase with a rapidly increasing rate of respiration (phase 1), a phase in which respiration reached a peak midway through the incubation (phase 2), and a phase in the latter part of the incubation in which respiration stabilized at a lower flux than that of the first phase (phase 3). Fluxes of CO2 were significantly greater at 21°C than at 14°C. The δ13C of the evolved CO2 became significantly enriched with time with the greatest enrichment occurring in phase 2 of the incubation. Soil microbial activity, as measured using Biolog EcoplatesTM, showed a significantly greater average well color development, richness, and Shannon index at 21°C; again the greatest change occurred in phase 2 of the incubation. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the Biolog data also showed a change in the distinct clustering of the soil microbial activity, showing that C sources from the soil were metabolized differently with time at 21 than at 14°C, and between soil horizons. Our results show that Canadian arctic soils contain large stores of C, which readily decompose, and that substantial increases in CO2 emissions and changes in the metabolic diversity of culturable soil microorganisms may occur when ambient temperatures increase from 14 to 21°C. Key words: CO2 flux, C fractionation, global warming, soil organic C and N, stable isotopes


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document