Nutrient dynamics of corn fed to livestock in conservation-based agroecosystems in neotropical savannas

Mineral deficiencies in soil-plant-animal relations are linked to chemical properties and reproductive problems in grazing animals. The objective of this study was to determine the dynamics of K, Ca, and Mg in the green leaf biomass of two types of introduced forages, Brachiaria dyctioneura (Bd) and Centrosema macrocarpum (Cm), compared to the natural vegetation of the neotropical savannah (NS) in an agricultural ecosystem. The three types of vegetation, associated with the corn crop, served as livestock feed during the dry season. The soil’s nutrient content (0-15 cm depth), the production and nutritional dynamics of green leaf biomass, and leaf/stem relationships in the fields during the grazing period were determined. In the corn crop-livestock agroecosystem, K decreased (%) in concentration as the grazing period progressed, presenting the following trend: Bd>Cm>NS. The dynamics of Ca and Mg in green leaf biomass increased slightly (p<0.05) by the end of the grazing period for Bd and Cm, in contrast to a significant decrease in the natural vegetation of the savannah. The concentration of K in the soil did not reveal significant differences between ground cover and NS plants, and the soils under Cm evidenced the highest percentage of Ca. A higher percentage of Mg was observed in the soil planted with Cm. For the three types of vegetation, an improvement was observed in the nutritional quality of the forage and soil and in the yield (kg/ha). These findings are valuable contributions within the context of production in savannas and to forage quality for livestock.

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Effect of different doses of Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) (LAM.) de wit. tree green leaf biomass on rice yield and soil chemical properties

Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries ◽

10.3329/ralf.v2i3.26161 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 385-394

Author(s):

Niloy Paul ◽

Mohammad Kamrul Hasan ◽

Md Nasir Uddin Khan

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Leucaena Leucocephala ◽

Rice Yield ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Green Leaf ◽

Leaf Biomass ◽

Rice Grain ◽

Total N ◽

Different Doses

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different doses of ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala ) (Lam.) de Wit. tree green leaf biomass on rice yield and soil chemical properties. Four different treatments such as T0: Recommended fertilizer dose (Urea 195 kg/ha, TSP 50 kg/ha, MOP 142 kg/ha, Gypsum 75 kg/ha and Zinc Sulphate 4 kg/ha), T1: 5 t/ha, T2: 7.5 t/ha, and T3: 10 t/ha ipil-ipil tree green leaf was used in this study in a Randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the treatment T3 was performed better than recommended fertilizer dose in case all yield contributing characters of rice except grain yield. The highest (5.29 t/ha) rice grain yield was obtained in recommended fertilizer dose followed by 10 t/ha, 7.5 t/ha and 5 t/ha ipil-ipil tree green leaf biomass amendment having 4.80, 3.16 and 2.36 t/ha respectively. The highest grain yield that was obtained from recommended fertilizer dose was 10.21% higher compared to the highest dose (10 t/ha) of ipil-ipil tree green leaf biomass. It was mentioned that among the different doses of ipil-ipil tree green leaf biomass 10 t/ha performed the best over others. The ipil-ipil tree green leaf biomass was also significantly influenced on some essential nutrient status which is very important for rice production. The highest amount of total N, available P, exchangeable K and available S were found in the treatment T3 and the lowest in the treatment T1. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ipil-ipil tree leaf has beneficial effects and could be combined with inorganic fertilizer for sustainable crop yield and maintaining soil fertility.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(3): 385-394, December 2015

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Evaluating the post-fire natural regeneration of Mediterranean-type scrublands in Central Spain

Mediterranean Botany ◽

10.5209/mbot.67331 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. e67331

Author(s):

Rosina Magaña Ugarte ◽

María Manuela Redondo ◽

Daniel Sánchez-Mata

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Fire Regimes ◽

Natural Vegetation ◽

Soil Restoration ◽

Potential Natural Vegetation ◽

Retama Sphaerocarpa ◽

Soil Enrichment ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Burnt Areas

We performed a five-year assessment of the natural vegetation restoration capacity following the 2012 fires in Valdemaqueda (Madrid, Spain) via the characterization of the post-fire and residual vegetation and the analysis of soil physico-chemical characteristics. Six pilot-plots were established in the affected site. Forest species, representative of the potential natural vegetation of the area (Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. lagunae and Quercus rotundifolia woodlands) and broom shrubs (Cytisus scoparius, Retama sphaerocarpa) were planted to assess the relationship among the stages of ecological succession, competition, and soil restoration processes following devastating fire events. The fire-driven alteration of the soil’s physico-chemical properties was evident, given the increased pH and reduced C/N ratio in the first years of the study. However, we observed an increased soil enrichment in the last years of study, accompanied by the propagation of herbaceous species, su[1]pporting our seed bank findings, showing a clear difference in the sprouting rate between burnt and control plots (80% vs. 20%, respectively). The establishment of robust, pyrophyte shrub species (Cistus ladanifer, C. laurifolius, Rosmarinus officinalis) rather than natural succession evidenced the clear conversion of the vegetation in burnt areas. These findings in the pilot-plots allowed evidencing the high vulnerability of the natural vegetation to the settling of pyrophytes, given their low survival rate under the strong competitive pressure of these pyrophytic species. The proliferation of these pyrophytes could translate into changes in soil macro- and microbiota, nutrient dynamics, species diversity, and interaction, added to the alteration of fire regimes in the area. Overall, these results highlight the risk for soil impoverishment and possible erosion of the fire-affected sites. Moreover, they underline the importance of the establishment and regeneration of Genisteae species to outcompete pioneer pyrophytic species, favoring the restoration of the area’s potential natural vegetation

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Soil development of an artificial soil mix: nutrient dynamics, plant growth, and initial physical changes

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr99048 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 465 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. A. Cox ◽

R. J. Whelan

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Formation ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Soil Development ◽

Artificial Soil ◽

Microbial Decomposition ◽

Organic C ◽

Trunk Diameter ◽

Soil Mix

An artificial soil mix made out of industry wastes and sewage sludge has been created for the revegetation of an industrial site. Physico-chemical properties were measured over time to examine soil formation in a chronosequence of 11 gardens aged 3–11 years, and in a 3-year longitudinal study of 8 replicate experimental plots. In the field plots, available nutrient content was initially high but declined quickly in 3 months. Particle weathering occurred, with an increase in the finer soil fractions after 1 year. pH was initially 7.62 and declined to 6.85 by 3 years. Native tree growth was exceptionally good over the 2 years monitored, with average trunk diameter increases of 144 mm for Corymbia maculata, 94 mm for Acacia floribunda, and 39 mm for Callistemon salignus. In the chronosequence study, there was a build- up of nutrients (C, N, and P) in the soil mix over 6–10 years, with a slight decrease by 11 years. This study has shown that soil development has occurred in the short and longer terms, with rapid changes seen in the first 12 months. High levels of N and P remaining after 11 years, and abundant organic C for microbial decomposition, indicate the potential for nutrient cycling

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Nutrient cycling differs between cropped soils with century-old and recently pyrolyzed biochar

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-15676 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Victor Burgeon ◽

Julien Fouché ◽

Sarah Garré ◽

Ramin Heidarian-Dehkordi ◽

Gilles Colinet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Cycling ◽

Soil Solution ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Soil Productivity ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation

The amendment of biochar to soils is often considered for its potential as a climate change mitigation and adaptation tool through agriculture. Its presence in tropical agroecosystems has been reported to positively impact soil productivity whilst successfully storing C on the short&#8201;and long-term. In temperate systems, recent research showed limited to no effect on productivity following recent biochar addition to soils. Its long-term effects on productivity and nutrient cycling have, however, been overlooked yet are essential before the use of biochar can be generalized.Our study was set up in a conventionally cropped field, containing relict charcoal kiln sites used as a model for century old biochar (CoBC, ~220 years old). These sites were compared to soils amended with recently pyrolyzed biochar (YBC) and biochar free soils (REF) to study nutrient dynamics in the soil-water-plant system. Our research focused on soil chemical properties, crop nutrient uptake and soil solution nutrient concentrations. Crop plant samples were collected over three consecutive land occupations (chicory, winter wheat and a cover crop) and soil solutions gathered through the use of suctions cups inserted in different horizons of the studied Luvisol throughout the field.Our results showed that YBC mainly influenced the soil solution composition whereas CoBC mainly impacted the total and plant available soil nutrient content. In soils with YBC, our results showed lower nitrate and potassium concentrations in subsoil horizons, suggesting a decreased leaching, and higher phosphate concentrations in topsoil horizons. With time and the oxidation of biochar particles, our results reported higher total soil N, available K and Ca in the topsoil horizon when compared to REF, whereas available P was significantly smaller. Although significant changes occurred in terms of plant available nutrient contents and soil solution nutrient concentrations, this did not transcend in variations in crop productivity between soils for neither of the studied crops. Overall, our study highlights that young or aged biochar behave as two distinct products in terms of nutrient cycling in soils. As such the sustainability of these soils differ and their management must therefore evolve with time.

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Fine root biomass and nutrient content in a black spruce peat soil with and without alder

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s96-097 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

pp. 163-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

J. S. Bhatti ◽

N. W. Foster ◽

P. W. Hazlett

Keyword(s):

Fine Roots ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Fine Root ◽

Black Spruce ◽

Peat Soil ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Fine Root Biomass ◽

Boreal Peatlands ◽

Strong Positive Relationship

Vertical distribution of fine root biomass and nutrient content was examined within a black spruce (Picea mariana) stand growing on a boreal peat soil in northeastern Ontario. The influence of site physical and chemical properties on fine root biomass production was assessed. More then 80% of the fine roots were present in moss plus the top 10 cm of peat where nutrients and aeration are most favourable. The fine root biomass (W/V) was significantly higher with alder (5.9 kg m−3) (Alnus rugosa) as understory vegetation compared to non-alder locations (2.9 kg m−3). Total nutrient content in fine roots was 54, 3.2, 5.4, 63 and 5.7 kg ha−1 on the alder site and 20, 1.4, 2.3, 28 and 4.2 kg ha−1 of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg on the non-alder site, respectively. The mass (W/V) of nutrients in fine roots was strongly dependent upon the availability of nutrients in the peat. Fine root content had a strong positive relationship with peat available P and exchangeable K contents suggesting that P and K may be limiting nutrients for black spruce in this peat soil. Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boreal peatlands, aeration, water table

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

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/72/1612 ◽

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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Cashew Growth and Canopy Dynamics as Influenced by Manuring in a Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecology of Nigeria

Advances in Research ◽

10.9734/air/2020/v21i930236 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 80-88

Author(s):

Beatrice Abanum Nduka ◽

Olorunfemi Sunday Ojo Akanbi ◽

Idrisu Mohammed ◽

Seun Adewale Adeosun ◽

Osasogie Ugioro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Canopy Development ◽

Canopy Volume ◽

Before And After ◽

Soil Status ◽

Physical And Chemical

A two-year experiment was conducted to study the response of manuring on growth and canopy development on three-year-old Cashew trees. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. Soil characteristics including the chemical and physical properties were analyzed before and after the experiments. Fecti-plus organic pelletized fertilizer was applied at different rates of 0,750.6 and 1,501.2 kg/ha-1 respectively around the circumference of the tree. Before the application, the fertilizer sample was also analyzed. Data collected were plant height, stem girth, canopy dynamics which includes: Canopy diameter, canopy radius, canopy spread (North-South and East-West directions), canopy volume, canopy ground cover and percentage ground cover. The results from the pre soil sample show a relatively low status but were significantly enhanced after the application of the pelletized organic fertilizer (Ferti-plus). The soil nutrient composition of Oc, Om, N, K, Na, Ca and Mg+ was significantly highest in the plots having 1,501.2 kg/ha-1 treatments. Generally, there was a significant increase in the soil nutrient with the addition of pelletized fertilizer in respective of the rate of application. Also the results on the canopy dynamic in terms of canopy volume, spread and diameter revealed better development with the use of 1501.2 kg/ha-1 pelletized fertilizer and significantly different to 750.6 kg/ha-1 and those in the no-manure (control)plots. Meanwhile, the use of pelletized organic fertilizer gave superior growth and canopy development. It also influenced the growth of the Cashew plants, as well as the physical and chemical properties of the soil status.

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Efficiency of Rice Husk Biochar with Poultry Litter Co-Composts in Oxisols for Improving Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Enhancing Maize Performance

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11122409 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 2409

Author(s):

Hamed Alarefee ◽

Che Fauziah Ishak ◽

Daljit Singh Karam ◽

Radziah Othman

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Organic Manure ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Higher Plant

Efficient use of co-composted organic manure with biochar is one of the sustainable management practices in an agriculture system to increase soil fertility and crop yield. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the use of co-composted biochar, biochar in formulation with poultry litter (PL), and PL compost on soil properties and maize growth. Organic amendments were applied at 10 Mg ha−1, and synthetic fertilizer was applied at the recommended rate of maize (N: P2O5: K2O at 60:60:40 kg ha−1). The results showed that addition of organic amendment significantly increased the total biomass parameter compared to the control, which ranged from 23.2% to 988.5%. The pure biochar treatment yielded lower biomass than the control by 27.1%, which was attributed to its low nutrient content. Consequently, the application of the co-composted biochar achieved higher plant height and aerial portion, which ranged from 46.86% to 25.74% and 7.8% to 108.2%, respectively, in comparison to the recommended fertilizer rate. In addition, the soil amended with co-composted biochar had a significant increase in soil organic matter and had significantly higher chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations in plants, which increased with an increase in the biochar ratio of the co-composts. This was probably attributed to the release of the nutrients retained during composting, thereby possibly making the co-composted biochar act as a slow-release fertilizer. In conclusion, the addition of organic manure with biochar enhanced the nutrient supply by gradual release in comparison to the mineral fertilizer.

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Changes in Soil Phosphorus Pools and Chemical Properties under Liming in Nitisols of Farawocha, South Ethiopia

Applied and Environmental Soil Science ◽

10.1155/2021/5518545 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Fikeremareyam Chulo ◽

Fanuel Laekemariam ◽

Alemayehu Kiflu

Keyword(s):

Soil Ph ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Acid Soil ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Organic Part ◽

Exchangeable Acidity ◽

P Pools

Understanding the nutrient dynamics in acid soil is fundamental to carry out proper management. The study was conducted to investigate phosphorus (P) pools and selected properties under different rates of lime for acid nitisols of Farawocha, Southern Ethiopia. Four lime rates incubated for a month in three replications were tested. The lime rates were 0 t/ha (0%), 5.25 t/ha (50%), 10.5 t/ha (100%), and 15.75 t/ha (150%). Lime requirement (LR) for 100% was calculated targeting soil pH of 6.5. Data on the P pools such as soluble P (P-sol) and bounded forms of P with iron (Fe-P), aluminum (Al-P), calcium (Ca-P), organic part (Org-P), residual P (Res-P), and total of P fractions were measured. In addition, changes in soil chemical properties such as pH, exchangeable acidity, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) were analyzed. The result showed that total P was 357.5 mg/kg. Compared to nontreated soil, liming at a rate of 15.75 t/ha significantly improved P-sol (34.2%, r2 = 0.88), Ca-P (61.6%, r2 = 0.92), and Res-P (195%, r2 = 0.94); however, it reduced Fe-P (58.5%, r2 = −0.83), Al-P (71%, r2 = −0.97), and Org-P (19.1%, r2 = 0.93). Overall, the P-associated fractions in the soil, regardless of the lime rates, were in the order of Org_P > Res_P > Fe_P > Ca_P > Al_P > P-sol. Liming raised soil pH by 2.1 units (4.5 to 6.6) over nonlimed soil, whereas it reduced exchangeable acidity from 4.18 to 0.23 meq/100 g soil. Available P, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn, and B contents were significantly improved with lime application. However, liming reduced Fe and Mn contents. In conclusion, these findings showed that liming facilitated the release of P from various pools, modified pH and exchangeable acidity, and resulted in beneficial changes for most of the soil chemical properties.

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Fertiliser use efficiency by containerised nursery plants. 3. Effect of heavy leaching and damaged fertiliser prills on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and nutrient loss

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/a98084 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 217 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

D. O. Huett ◽

S. C. Morris

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Nutrient Leaching ◽

Nutrient Loss ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Leaching Loss ◽

Nutrient Amendment

Nutrient leaching loss, plant growth, and nutrient uptake of 4-week (transplanting to sale) ground-cover species were investigated under a range of leaching conditions and with different sources of a controlled- release fertiliser (CRF), Osmocote NPK (3–4 month) (Osm). Osm was applied pre-planting at a rate equivalent to 800 g N/m3 to pots containing sand, and composted pinebark and hardwood sawdust medium that had received nutrient amendment during formulation. Two experiments were conducted in a glasshouse over summer–autumn where irrigation treatments produced defined leachate volumes. In Expt 1, leachate volumes of <5, 50, and 200 mL every 2 days each received an additional single heavy leaching event of 400 mL after 1, 2, or 3 weeks. In Expt 2, the 3 leachate volumes were each fertilised with new Osm (a newly purchased Osm) or old Osm (a 2-year-old source), where both of these sources contained 0.5–1.5% visibly damaged prills; and damaged Osm, where damaged prills were used exclusively. In both experiments, increasing leachate volume increased (P < 0.001) leaching of N (nitrate + ammonium), P, K, Ca, and Mg. In Expt 1, leaching was highest (P < 0.01) when the heavy leaching event occurred after 2 or 3 weeks for N and after 2 weeks for P. When damaged Osm was used, N, P, and K loss was 3–15 times higher (P < 0.001) than from new and old Osm (98.5–99.5% undamaged). The highest leaching loss of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg occurred in the first week after potting up, with damaged prills at highest leaching volume. Increasing leachate volume (in the presence of a heavy leaching event) reduced (P < 0.001) electrical conductivity (EC) of potting medium after 4 weeks from 1.02 to 0.54 dS/m. Damaged prills reduced (P < 0.001) EC at the high leachate volume in relation to new Osm (2.38 v. 0.29 dS/m). Treatments that increased (P < 0.05) nutrient leaching generally reduced (P < 0.05) nutrient concentrations in shoots and depressed the growth of some plant species. Shoot growth of 2 of 5 species was reduced (P < 0.001) at the highest leachate volume with an additional heavy leaching event in Week 1 or 2, and root growth of all but the slowest growing species declined with increasing leachate volume. Damaged prills reduced (P < 0.001) shoot growth of 2 of the 5 ground-cover species. This study demonstrated that excessive leaching and the use of damaged prills for containerised nursery plants fertilised with CRF results in high nutrient loss, low residual nutrient content, reduced nutrient uptake in shoots, and reduced shoot growth of some species.

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