Effects of Sewage Sludge Amendment on Some Soil Properties,Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Raspberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus idaeus</Emphasis> L.)

This study was focused not only at the assessment of effects of different sewage sludge application rates on vegetative parameters and yield of raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) but also heavy metal accumulation in the soil and raspberry leaves. A three-year field study was set up in a completely randomized block design with five sewage sludge application rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0?kg of dry matter per plant) and three replications. One-year-old, virus free ‘Heritage’ saplings were used for the experiment. The results of this study clearly indicated that the sewage sludge application is an effective mean for improvement of vegetative growth, yield, soil and plant chemical properties of raspberry in light textured soils. In addition to macro-element contents, sewage sludge application also caused significant changes in micro-element content of soils. No adverse effects of these increases were observed on plants throughout the experimental period. The most effective application rate was found as 7.5?kg per plant for this ecological condition. It can be concluded that when properly treated and applied to farmland sewage sludge is not only disposed economically but also improved vegetative growth and yield of raspberry.     

Influence of liming and fertilization on lowbush blueberry in harvested peat field condition

The objectives of the study were to determine: (a) if the addition of lime reduces the peat soil acidity to a suitable level for lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) plant growth and yield formation; (b) if the fertilizer rates used create favourable conditions for plant growth on peat soil; and (c) if the nutrients uptake will be sufficient for the lowbush blueberry plant growth in changed soil conditions. The experiment was set up in early spring 2000 on the harvested peat field of the Tartu region, South Estonia (58° 22′N, 26° 43′E). The soil type on the experimental area is Fibric–Dystric Histosol. In the experiment the complex fertilizer and limestone powder were used. The use of a mineral fertilizer increased the growth of blueberry plants significantly. Liming reduced soil acidity but decreased blueberry vegetative growth and increased weed numbers. In the given experiment the strongest blueberry bushes developed with the pH_KCl level of 2.5–2.7. General recommendations are to fertilize lowbush blueberries on peat fields every year with a small amount of mineral fertilizer to secure stabile annual productivity of plants. In the plantations of lowbush blueberry on harvested peat fields one should be careful with the use of limestone.     

Composted sewage sludge and steel mill slag as potential amendments for urban soils involved in afforestation programs

This study aimed to assess the impacts of composted sewage sludge and steel mill slag on urban soil fertility and tree growth. The research was conducted in an urban area (Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil) characterised by extremely unfertile urban soils and with high production of these wastes. Plant growth, soil physico-chemical properties, and chemical composition of leafs were analysed during a 12-month field experiment. Principal factor analysis (PFA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were applied in the evaluation of the investigated soil-plant system. The results showed that soil fertility was increased by the combination of applied waste materials, which provided good conditions for full plant development and maintenance. PFA showed that the variability of the investigated model was mainly due to the role of soil organic matter as source/sink of soil heavy metals. CCA showed that the investigated soil-plant system was characterised by time-dependent evolution, with an equilibrium reached during the final stages, suggesting that the obtained results may be realistic from a long-term perspective. This study provides evidence that composted sewage sludge and steel mill slag are acceptable alternatives for improving urban soil quality and tree growth. The reuse of these wastes could provide a low-cost alternative for their complex and expensive management and disposal with, additionally, the possibility of turning currently bulky refuse material into a commodity.     

Evaluation of Four Commercial Composts on Strawberry Plant Productivity and Soil Characteristics in California

ABSTRACT

Composts can have beneficial effects on strawberry production and these benefits can be dependent on the type of compost used. Four commercial composts were evaluated: cow manure, spent mushroom, yard trimmings, and vermicompost. The nutrient composition, abundance of fungi and bacteria, and microbial activity were determined. Five field trials assessed effects on plant growth, root development, soil microbial activity, nutrient availability, and yield during one growing season. Manure and mushroom compost significantly increased soil electrical conductivity levels to 9.9 ± 1.7 dS/m and 7.3 ± 0.8 dS/m, respectively. Manure, yard trimmings, and mushroom composts shifted soil pH toward optimal levels for up to 7 months. Mushroom compost had the greatest effect on soil nitrate, which was up to 32 mg/kg of soil higher than non-amended soil. Significant effects on yield were more likely to occur where environmental conditions and management practices were less than optimal or compost was not routinely added. Several factors important to plant production were significantly affected by compost: soil salinity, plant establishment, soil nitrate, production curves, soil microbial activity, and soil pH.     

Application rate and plant species affect the ecological safety of sewage sludge as a landscape soil amendment

Recycling sludge as a soil amendment has become a viable option for sludge disposal. However, such application can lead to soil pollution because of its enrichment in contaminants, especially heavy metals. To identify an effective means to ensure the ecological safety of sewage sludge landscape utilization, a glasshouse experiment was conducted by mixing sewage sludge at 0%, 15%, 30%, 60%, and 100% (V/V) amendment ratios to landscape soils and planting five common landscape plants (Aphelandra ruellia, Syngonium podophyllum, Schefflera odorata, Alocasia macrorrhiza, and Dianella ensifolia). Sludge amendment significantly improved fertility and moisture retention capacity of soil, but dramatically increased the contents of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn. Compared with lateritic red soil (CK), sludge amended-soils increased the relative growth rate of landscape plants and enhanced their nutrient uptake and heavy metals accumulation. A rate of 30% or less of sludge application showed positive growth effects for all five landscape plants, and did not cause potential ecological risks of heavy metals to landscape soils. However, rates of 60% or higher posed very high potential ecological risk in multiple metals, particularly in Cd. Interestingly, S. odorata, A. ruellia and A. macrorrhiza could alleviate the ecological risks of Cd, Cu and Zn, respectively, and these results were confirmed by data of relative changes in heavy metal contents in post-experiment soil. Our results suggest that attention to reducing the environmental risks of heavy metals in sludge utilization as landscape soil-amendments should not only be paid to controlling the application dosage of sludge but also to planting suitable plant species.     

The use of green waste compost in peat-based potting mixtures: Fertilization and suppressiveness against soilborne diseases

Twelve commercially produced Dutch green waste composts were evaluated for their suitability to replace 20% (v/v) peat substrate in the cultivation of ornamentals. Salt concentrations were determined in water extracts of the composts and disease suppressive effects were assessed against various soilborne diseases. The Cl-concentration of the compost extract appeared to be the limiting factor for use of the composts in potting mixtures. The Cl-concentrations in 7 and 1 composts, respectively, were too high to replace 20% of peat for growing salt sensitive and moderately salt sensitive plants, according to guidelines set for these groups of plants. The suppressive effects of the composts were tested in peat-based potting mixtures using three bioassays: Phytophthora cinnamomi—lupin, Cylindrocladium spathiphylli—Spathiphyllum and Rhizoctonia solani AG2-1—cauliflower. Disease levels in compost-amended mixtures were compared with the non-amended controls. None of the composts induced suppressiveness against P. cinnamomi; 3 and 9 composts significantly induced suppressiveness against C. spathiphylli and R. solani, respectively. No significant disease enhancement was observed in any of the bioassays. The pH of the potting mixture showed a negative correlation with suppression of the Rhizoctonia disease (R² = 0.56). The effect of pH (pH 4–6) on suppression of R. solani and P. cinnamomi was further studied in non-amended peat. Disease suppression of R. solani in cauliflower decreased with increasing pH in two different kinds of peat, while there was no effect on P. cinnamomi. The suppressive effect of 3 composts was assessed in two experiments against Fusarium wilt in Cyclamen persicum (caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. cyclamini) and Begonia eliator (caused by F. foetens) under near-commercial conditions. None of the composts had a significant effect on Fusarium wilt in Cyclamen. Two and 3 composts significantly induced suppressiveness against Fusarium wilt in Begonia in the first and second experiments, respectively. No significant differences were observed in growth characteristics between Begonia plants grown in compost-amended and non-amended potting mixture in both experiments. In the second experiment, Cyclamen plants grown in compost-amended potting mixture had significant lower number of flowers than plants grown in non-amended potting mixture, which may have been due to lower concentrations of N in the compost-amended potting mixtures. In conclusion, most composts of the origin and composition tested can replace 20% peat in potting mixtures for moderately salt sensitive and salt tolerant plants. Amendment of these composts can contribute to control of Fusarium wilt in Begonia plants.     

Comparative effects of bark and peat based composts on the occurrence of vine weevil larvae and the growth of containerized polyanthus

A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion of bark in potting composts on the numbers of vine weevil larvae on polyanthus plants. In 1989 more larvae were recovered from plants grown in peat compost than those grown in bark but these results were reversed when the study was repeated in 1990. Numbers of larvae also increased with higher ratios of bark:peat in composts but declined as the size fraction of bark used increased. The degree to which bark was composted did not appear to materially affect the numbers of vine weevil recovered. A strong, positive, relationship between larval numbers and foliage dry weight was found. Similarly, larval numbers were bigger with greater root development in bark composts. The results are discussed and it is suggested that the use of bark may promote more vigorous growth in polyanthus and thus enable plants to support more larvae.     

Mixtures of crushed rock, forest soils, and sewage sludge used as soils for grassed green areas

In two container experiments, we evaluated mixtures of crushed rock, forest soil, and sewage sludge for use as growth media in green areas. We applied two types of crushed rock (0–2 mm fraction), two forest soils (sandy loam), and limed sewage sludge (pH 10), and studied the growth of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. westervoldicum) during one growing season.Including ≥0.2 m³ m⁻³ sewage sludge in the soil mixtures initially inhibited growth, presumably due to toxic levels of ammonium-N. Up to 0.25 m³ m⁻³ sludge increased the total yield of ryegrass, but at a level as low as 0.1 m³ m⁻³, more nutrients were available than could be taken up by the crop. At present, up to 0.3 m³ m⁻³ sewage sludge is allowed in soil mixtures used in green areas in Norway, although that level should probably be lowered due to the risk of abnormal (enhanced or inhibited) plant growth, and leaching of nutrients. We recommend a maximum of 0.1 m³ m⁻³ when applying the kind of sludge used in our experiments.All mixtures containing acid forest soil gave better results than those comprising slightly alkaline forest soil. The best mixture for ryegrass was crushed rock and acid forest soil at a ratio of 1:2. Compared to pure acid forest soil ryegrass grew equally well or better on mixtures containing ≥0.50 m³ m⁻³ acid forest soil. The differences in growth between the various soil mixtures were due to texture and physical properties, and to dissimilarities in the effects of sewage sludge on mineralisation of nitrogen in the mixtures comprising acid and slightly alkaline forest soil.     

添加不同物料对设施土壤番茄生长及产量的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了增施不同比例的物料(农家肥、草炭、炉渣、河沙和稀土活钙剂)对设施土壤番茄生长发育及产量的影响.结果表明:添加不同物料处理,番茄幼苗生长发育和单株产量存在很大差异.其中,增施农家肥和草炭能促进番茄植株生长发育和产量形成,植株直径、平均高度、单果重和单株产量均高于对照.而仅增施河沙和炉渣的番茄植株生长发育和产量形成受到影响,直径、平均高度、单果重和单株产量低于对照.但农家肥和河沙配合施用效果最好.     

泥炭基质对黄瓜生长潜能及其与抗病相关酶系的影响

利用泥炭基质和重迎茬土壤(CK)进行黄瓜栽培试验,测定不同基质对黄瓜株高、茎粗、根长鲜重等生长指标及对枯萎病发生情况的影响。结果表明:泥炭栽培的瓜苗在根长及株高上较对照差异显著,侧根量比对照明显增多;泥炭培养基能有效减少苗期猝倒病及枯萎病的发生;泥炭栽培的黄瓜单株产量明显高于对照;泥炭处理的黄瓜PAL、CAT、SOD酶活比同期对照高出33.05%～62.25%、12.56%～43.79%、13.09%～72.82%。说明泥炭培养基对黄瓜表现出良好的促生及抗病作用。     

Influence of paclobutrazol and substrate on daily evapotranspiration of potted geranium

The application of plant growth regulators and the use of different culture media are common practices in potted ornamental crops. We report the results of a study to evaluate the effect of two substrates (peat moss or coconut fiber) and spraying 30 ppm paclobutrazol (PAC) on water resource management of zonal geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum L.H. Bailey) seedlings growing in a greenhouse during spring–summer. Growth, water consumption, leaching, evapotranspiration rate (ET), water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf water potential were determined. Plant growth was greater in peat moss (peat) than in coconut fiber (coconut), while the use of PAC decreased plant growth in both substrates, although more markedly in peat. Coconut produced a higher leaching fraction than peat in both PAC-treated plants and non-treated plants, although PAC application increased the leaching fraction in both substrates. Water consumption was lower in coconut than in peat and decreased in response to PAC. Peat was more effective at improving the water-use efficiency and increased the electrical conductivity in the leachate, while PAC decreased the latter in this same substrate. Daily ET showed a maximum of 200 mL/pot in peat and a minimum of 60 mL/pot in the coconut-PAC treatment. During the experimental period, accumulated ET values were higher in peat than in coconut, while the application of PAC reduced the value in peat but increased it in coconut. The evolution of ET per hour during the day showed that the highest rate (23 mL/h) was registered at midday in peat, while about 90% of ET occurred between 10 and 18 h in all treatments. When a cycle of water stress and recovery was applied, the peat induced the highest ET values of all treatments during the first days of drought, but the lowest ET after a week of drought. PAC modified this response, favoring a more balanced behavior of ET, although after the second cycle of drought this effect disappeared. Based on these results, the best strategy in normal irrigation conditions would be to use coconut fiber and not apply PAC, because this provides plants of excellent commercial quality with low water consumption. In plants at moderate water deficit PAC played a more important role than the substrate, improving the water status of plants with both substrates used. However, in the face of severe water stress the effect of PAC disappeared and peat acted as a better substrate than coconut fiber.     

重金属污染对蔬菜生产的危害以及缓解重金属污染措施的研究进展

重金属会影响蔬菜生长发育,导致其产量和品质的降低,最终危害人类健康。本文从水分代谢、光合作用、呼吸作用、抗氧化酶活性、抗坏血酸、谷胱甘肽、植物络合素、其他矿质元素吸收等方面,综述了重金属对蔬菜生长发育的影响及其生理生化反应,阐述了不同蔬菜种类、品种和器官对重金属的积累机理,总结了缓解土壤重金属污染的有效措施。结合研究现状,就蔬菜安全生产方面提出以下建议：应广泛开展不同蔬菜种类及其品种对重金属积累的差异化研究,针对现有国家无公害标准中土壤重金属临界值,开展蔬菜中低积累种类及其品种筛选,同时开发有效缓解土壤重金属污染的栽培调控措施,以保障蔬菜的安全生产。     

钾肥对大白菜和莴苣产量、重金属和硝酸盐含量的影响

采用田间小区试验研究了酸性土壤上两种钾肥不同用量对大白菜和莴苣产量、重金属和硝酸盐含量的影响。结果表明：施用两种钾肥均明显提高了大白菜和莴苣的产量,分别增产9.0 %～20.0 %和8.7 %～52.0 %,增产作用最大的处理均为高钾处理〔30 kg?（667 m2）-1〕。中量硫酸钾配施泥炭（K2S+M）处理较单施硫酸钾处理使大白菜和莴苣显著增产,分别增产14.6 %和12.1 %。施用钾肥明显降低了大白菜硝酸盐含量,但对莴苣硝酸盐含量以提高作用为主,且随着钾肥施用量的增加呈递减趋势。施用钾肥显著降低了大白菜砷和铅含量,明显降低了莴苣铬含量,对其余重金属的作用不一致。中量硫酸钾配施泥炭处理明显降低了大白菜和莴苣的重金属含量（大白菜汞和莴苣镉除外）,提高了蔬菜的食用安全性。     

忻州市灌区土壤重金属污染评价及分布特征分析

以忻府区某典型污灌区农田土壤为研究对象,对重金属污染进行了风险评价且对土壤剖面的重金属含量和形态进行了分析,以期为污灌区重金属污染土壤的修复、环境治理及科学灌溉等提供参考依据。结果表明:长期污水灌溉已导致农田土壤表层土壤中的Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、Pb、Cd、Hg、As含量相对背景值不同程度的累积,分别是土壤背景值的1.21、0.71、1.23、1.73、1.38、4.62、3.59、1.00倍,只有Zn的平均含量低于土壤的背景值。以国家土壤环境质量标准二级限量值作为污染评价阈值,在25个采样点中,2个采样点的土壤综合污染指数高于0.7,属警戒水平,其它均属于安全水平。8种重金属元素中,表层土壤中的Cu、Zn、Cd、As含量最高,Cr、Hg在80~100 cm含量最高,Ni、Pb在不同土壤中无明显差异。Cr、Zn主要以残渣态形式存在,Cu、Ni、Cd、As主要以残渣态和有机结合态存在,Pb主要以铁锰氧化物结合态和有机结合态存在,Hg以残渣态和可交换态为主,Hg的迁移风险大。     

蘑菇渣和园林废物堆肥复配基质在黄瓜育苗上的应用效果

以腐熟的蘑菇渣堆肥、园林修剪废物堆肥、草炭、蛭石为原料,通过将蘑菇渣堆肥与园林废物堆肥以不同比例替代草炭后对复配基质的理化特性及普通白菜生长的影响筛选出适宜的配方,并以草炭∶蛭石=7 V∶3 V为对照,探讨该配方对黄瓜幼苗生长指标的影响。结果表明,蘑菇渣堆肥∶园林废物堆肥∶草炭∶蛭石=3 V∶4 V∶7 V∶6 V为最佳基质配方;受EC值过高的影响,蘑菇渣堆肥和园林废物堆肥替代草炭最大比例不宜超过40 %;所获配方基质培育出的黄瓜幼苗株高、茎粗、干物质积累和壮苗指数等指标均显著优于对照。     

盐渍化土壤覆土材料理化性状及其对双孢蘑菇生长的影响

研究山西省当地盐渍化土壤添加草炭土、醋糟、谷糠或高粱壳配制的不同覆土材料(Ⅰ:66.7%草炭土,33.3%盐渍化土壤;Ⅱ:50%草炭土,50%盐渍化土壤;Ⅲ~Ⅴ:每立方米盐渍化土壤分别添加45kg醋糟、谷糠或高粱)的理化性状,并比较不同覆土材料对双孢蘑菇(Agaricus bisporus)生长的影响,以草炭土为对照。从覆土至第一潮菇采收结束,Ⅰ和Ⅱ覆土电导率呈逐渐上升趋势,而Ⅲ~Ⅴ覆土的电导率则一直保持较高水平,为1427~1980μS/cm,第三潮菇采收时,Ⅰ~Ⅴ覆土电导率均显著下降;覆土第6天开始,Ⅰ~Ⅴ覆土的pH明显高于对照,为7.47~8.47;Ⅰ和Ⅱ覆土处理的发菌天数与对照相同,Ⅲ~Ⅴ覆土处理则比对照延长3d;各处理的第一潮菇和第三潮菇的采收时间均为5d,第二潮菇采收时间各处理间略有差异,但总产量均高于对照,其中以Ⅲ覆土处理产量最高,达21.3kg/m~2。试验结果表明,盐渍化土壤添加草炭土、醋糟、谷糠或高粱壳均可作为生产双孢蘑菇的覆土材料。     

Substrate temperature fluctuation and dry-weight partitioning of Lantana grown in four green roof growing media

Summary

Four potential green roof substrates were evaluated in a field study for their thermal characteristics and their impact on Lantana camara dry-weight accumulation. The substrates were a) a sandy loam soil (S), b) the sandy loam soil amended with urea formaldehyde resin foam (S:F) at a proportion of 60:40 v/v, c) the sandy loam soil mixed with peat and perlite (S:P:Per) at a proportion of 50:30:20 v/v, respectively and, d) peat amended with urea-formaldehyde resin foam (P:F) at a proportion of 60:40 v/v. Measurements included the monitoring of the substrate temperature and the determination of the dry-weight accumulation rhythm of shoots, leaves and roots. In addition, the lateral spreading of the roots was recorded and the shoot/root ratio determined. Temperature fluctuation within the substrates was found to depend on the type of the substrate, plant growth, and season. Temperature fluctuation was high in S, moderate in S:F and S:P:Per and low in P:F. Shoot and root dry-weight accumulation was reduced in P:F, while root growth was promoted in S substrate. Differences in dry-weight accumulation and the lateral spreading of the roots were affected more by the water holding capacity of the substrate than by the substrate temperature.     

草炭土生物复合肥料对菜心生长的影响

以菜心为试材,研究草炭土固定芽孢杆菌制成的生物复合肥对菜心生长的影响。结果表明:草炭土生物复合肥栽培中的菜心幼苗生长健壮,地上部分和地下部分的生长状况均优于其它处理,说明可将草炭土与生物有益菌进行固定化,形成优质的草炭土肥料应用于蔬菜育苗和生产中。     

栽培基质对三棱虾脊兰生长发育的影响

针对三棱虾脊兰引种过程中成活率低、长势弱二大难题,将栽培基质作为研究因子,以原生地土样为对照,采用草炭、橡树叶和陶粒按6种不同配比制的相应的栽培基质,用于栽植野外引种的带芽三棱虾脊兰假鳞茎。研究不同基质对植株生长发育、开花性状以及净光合效率的影响。结果表明:草炭、橡树叶、陶粒按8∶1∶1的体积比混合所得的基质优于对照和其它配方,能显著促进植株生长和根系的发育,叶长可达到9.9 cm、花朵直径可达到2.69 cm、平均根量11条、根系活力5.07μg.g-1.h-1。该基质的毛管孔隙度与非毛管孔隙度比例为2.27、含水量为35%,适宜三棱虾脊兰的生长,可为其温室栽培提供有利的参考因子。