The role of iron oxides in the preservation of soil organic matter under long-term fertilization

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to enlighten the role of highly reactive iron (Fe) minerals in soil organic carbon (SOC) preservation in soil aggregates.

Materials and methods

The effects of four long-term (37-year) fertilization regimes (NPK, chemical fertilization; NPKM, chemical fertilization + cattle manure; M, cattle manure; CK, non-fertilization control) on organic carbon (OC) stability, soil iron fractions in bulk soil, and soil aggregates were studied to characterize the capacity and mechanism of Fe minerals to preserve SOM in soil.

Results and discussion

Long-term fertilization significantly altered the Fe fractions in soil and soil aggregates. The two applications with manure (NPKM and M) increased the non-crystalline Fe content, while the chemical fertilizer (NPK) increased the crystalline Fe content. Besides, long-term fertilization with manure greatly increased the content of SOC and soil total nitrogen (STN). The non-crystalline Fe was positively correlated with the SOC content in both soil and soil aggregates. Meanwhile, the long-term fertilization treatments greatly changed the mass distribution and OC content of soil aggregates.

Conclusions

Long-term manure fertilization promoted the formation of non-crystalline Fe fractions, which bounds to SOC to form soil macro-aggregates. Thus, the formation of SOC-Fe association in soil and soil aggregates plays a crucial role in SOC preservation.

     

施肥对灌漠土作物产量、土壤肥力与重金属含量的影响

有机物还田是提升土壤肥力的主要措施,但也存在造成土壤金属污染的潜在风险。为查明不同有机物还田对土壤质量及作物产量的影响,本文通过长期定位试验,研究了无肥对照、常规施化肥(氮磷配施)以及70%常规化肥与牛粪、沼渣、污泥、鸡粪、菌渣和猪粪配施对土壤理化性状、有机碳和氮的固存率、氮磷钾活化系数、作物产量及重金属含量的影响。结果表明:牛粪、沼渣、污泥、菌渣、鸡粪和猪粪与70%化肥配施虽作物产量与常规施化肥相似,但6种有机物处理土壤有机质、全氮和碱解氮含量都较常规施化肥处理显著增加,污泥、鸡粪和猪粪处理土壤全磷与速效磷含量较常规施化肥处理显著增加,而且牛粪、沼渣、鸡粪和猪粪处理的速效钾、土壤磷活化系数和土壤钾活化系数较常规施化肥处理也显著提升。牛粪、沼渣、污泥、菌渣、鸡粪和猪粪处理土壤有机碳固存率为36.42%～71.61%,较常规施化肥处理都显著提高;而其氮固存率为6.47%～49.44%,仅有菌渣处理与常规施化肥处理差异不显著,而其他处理较常规施化肥处理显著增加。长期施鸡粪和菌渣处理的土壤铜含量较常规施化肥处理显著增加,增加量分别为4.17mg·kg~(-1)和14.2mg·kg~(-1);而污泥、鸡粪和菌渣处理的土壤锌含量较常规施化肥处理显著增加,增加量分别为13.53 mg·kg~(-1)、22.60 mg·kg~(-1)和49.73mg·kg~(-1)。综上,等有机质(4 500kg×hm~(-2))的牛粪、沼渣、污泥、菌渣、鸡粪和猪粪可替代30%氮磷肥,作物产量不受影响;不同有机物培肥土壤效果为污泥、鸡粪和猪粪优于牛粪和沼渣,而沼渣的培肥效果略差。为保证土壤环境质量稳定不恶化,种植小麦时有机物铜和锌的年携入量应分别低于53.01g×hm~(-2)和221.30 g×hm~(-2),而种植玉米时应分别低于153.40 g×hm~(-2)和347.04 g×hm~(-2)。     

Liming effects of beef cattle feedlot manure or compost

Abstract

Soil pH can be increased by manure or compost application because feed rations usually contain calcium carbonate. This study was conducted from 1992 to 1996 to evaluate effects of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N)‐based manure and compost application management strategies on soil pH level. Composted and uncomposted beef cattle (Bos taunts) feedlot manure was applied to supply N or P needs of corn (Zea mays L.) for either a one‐ or two‐year period. Phosphorus‐based manure or compost treatments also received additional fertilizer N (ammonium nitrate) to provide for a total of 151‐kg available N ha^‐1 yr^‐1. Fertilized and unfertilized checks also were included. Manure and composted manure contained about 9 g CaCO₃kg^‐1 resulting in application rates of up to 1730 kg CaCO₃ ha^‐1 in 4 years. The surface soil (0–150 mm) pH was significantly decreased with ammonium nitrate application compared to soil in the unfertilized check or to soil receiving manure or compost. Soil pH was significantly increased with the N‐based management strategy compared with the soil original level. In contrast, 4 yr of P‐based manure and compost application strategy maintained soil pH at the original level. Nitrogen‐based applications resulted in higher soil pH than P‐based. Beef cattle feedlot manure and compost can be good sources of CaCO₃ for soils requiring lime addition.     

Nitrous oxide emissions under a four-year crop rotation system in northern Japan: impacts of reduced tillage,composted cattle manure application and increased plant residue input

In the context of their role in global warming, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soil under different management practices were studied in Hokkaido, northern Japan. To assess the impacts of reduced tillage, composted cattle manure-based fertilization and amendments with crop residues and green manure on N₂O emissions from soil, a field experiment was conducted under a four-year crop rotation on a well-drained Andisol. The crop rotation included potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) or sweet corn (Zea mays L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). The cumulative N₂O emissions for the four-year study period differed widely (0.33 to 4.90?kg?N?ha^?1), depending on the treatments imposed, being the greatest for a combination of conventional moldboard plow tillage, composted cattle manure-based fertilization and increased plant residue input, and the lowest for a combination of conventional tillage, chemical fertilizer-based fertilization and normal plant residue input treatments. The cumulative N₂O emissions under reduced tillage were all small, irrespective of fertilization and plant residue input treatments. Composted cattle manure-based fertilization (P?≤?0.01) and increased plant residue input (P?≤?0.01) significantly increased cumulative N₂O emissions. Tillage showed a significant interaction with fertilization and plant residue input, indicating that N₂O emissions were enhanced when composted cattle manure, crop residues and green manure were incorporated by conventional tillage. In the present study, the N₂O emission factors for chemical fertilizer, composted cattle manure and crop residues were 0.26?±?0.44, 0.11?±?0.16 and ?0.03?±?0.52%, respectively, all much lower than the country-specific emission factor for Japan's well-drained soils (0.62%) and the default emission factor used in the IPCC guideline (1%).     

Corn biomass,uptake and fractionation of soil phosphorus in five soils amended with organic wastes as P fertilizers

Abstract

Sustainable food production includes mitigating environmental pollution and avoiding unnecessary use of non-renewable mineral phosphate resources. Efficient phosphorus (P) utilization from organic wastes is crucial for alternative P sources to be adopted as fertilizers. There must be predictable plant responses in terms of P uptake and plant growth. An 18-week pot experiment was conducted to assess corn (Zea mays L.) plant growth, P uptake, soil test P and P fractionation in response to application of organic P fertilizer versus inorganic P fertilizer in five soils. Fertilizers were applied at a single P rate using: mono-ammonium phosphate, anaerobically digested dairy manure, composted chicken manure, vegetable compost and a no-P control. Five soils used varied in soil texture and pH. Corn biomass and tissue P concentrations were different among P fertilizers in two soils (Warden and Quincy), with greater shoot biomass for composted chicken manure and higher tissue P concentration for MAP. Plant dry biomass ranged from highest to lowest with fertilizer treatment as follows: composted chicken manure?>?AD dairy?=?MAP?=?no-P control?=?vegetable compost. Soil test P was higher in soils with any P fertilizer treatment versus the no-P control. The loosely bound and soluble P (2.7?mg P kg^?1) accounted for the smallest pool of inorganic P fractions, followed by iron bound P (13.7?mg P kg^?1), aluminum bound P (43.4?mg P kg^?1) and reductant soluble P (67.9?mg P kg^?1) while calcium bound P (584.6?mg P kg^?1) represented the largest pool of inorganic P.     

Effect of Organic Materials on Yields and Nutrient Accumulation of Wheat

ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using a sandy clay loam treated with garbage and mushroom composts, cattle and chicken manures, or municipal sludge at rates of 0, 30, or 60 ton ha^?1. The organic materials were applied to the pots and incubated for 15 d. The soil samples were watered at field capacity. In this experiment, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was used as a test crop. At the end of the experiment, it was found that treating sandy clay loam with the organic materials increased plant total and grain yields, protein content, 1000-kernel weight, number of grains in spike, and accumulation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) by wheat compared with the control treatment, depending on the organic material applications. Thus, the increases were found to be statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Among the types of organic materials, the sewage sludge was the most effective material in increasing N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mn content of leaf, grain, and stem samples of the wheat plant. It was followed by mushroom compost and cattle manure. Based on the results, sewage sludge and garbage compost are suggested for use as an amendment for the soil studied. Comparing the beneficial effects of the organic materials applied for improving plant growth and nutrient accumulation, the materials can be arranged in the following descending order: municipal sludge > chicken manure > cattle manure > garbage compost > mushroom compost. It is suggested that recycling of organic materials for agricultural usage as an organic-matter resource is an alternative, organic fertilization option in Turkey.     

Amended and composted log yard fines as a growth medium for crimson clover and red top grass

Abstract

Log yard residues (LYR) a bark and soil waste material produced during log handling, could find use as a growth medium for plants. In this study, log yard fines (LYF), a screened fraction of the LYR (<1.3 cm), were either not amended or amended with a N‐S fertilizer mixture (LYF + F) or with cow manure (LYF + M) and then composted outdoors in insulated, aerated tanks for 18–22 weeks. The resulting substrates were then evaluated as growth media for ‘Chief crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and ‘Streaker’ red top (Agrostis alba L.). Plants were fertilized (0 or 78 kg N/ha) and grown in a growth chamber.

Temperatures in the LYF and LYF + F piles were similar to ambient conditions over the 5–6 month treatment period, whereas the manure‐amended pile reached a maximum of 34°C after two weeks and then cooled to ambient after two additional weeks. The final C/N ratio of the nonamended LYF was 85 as compared to 36 for LYF + M and 44 for LYF + F. Clover and red top grew best (height and biomass) in LYF + F and poorest in LYF + M, regardless of fertilization regime. Red top grew poorly in the nonamended, unfertilized LYF presumably due to the high C/N ratio of this medium. In summary, this study suggested that LYF could be either amended with fertilizer and aged in piles or directly land applied with supplemental fertilization to support plant growth.     

施肥结构对冷浸田土壤肥力及水稻生长的影响

冷浸田因长期受冷泉水浸渍,土体封闭,难以通气与氧化,土壤溶液Eh下降,有效养分低,水稻产量低。本研究通过田间小区试验和动态取样与室内测定,探求了单质化肥、稳定性肥、复合肥配施生鸡粪和熟鸡粪等施肥方式对冷浸田土壤肥力及水稻生长的影响。结果表明:与单质化肥处理比较,复合肥与熟鸡粪配施处理土壤松结态腐殖质占重组腐殖质的比例提高10.8%,紧结态腐殖质占重组腐殖质的比例降低15.5%,土壤有机质和活性有机质含量分别提高8.9%和4.0%,土壤阳离子交换量提高10.2%,早稻土壤细菌数和微生物活性分别提高390.0%和13.0%;同时土壤磷酸铝盐和磷酸钙盐含量分别提高40.0%和28.0%,且磷酸铝盐和磷酸钙盐占无机磷总量的比例提高,闭蓄态磷占无机磷总量的比例降低,促使土壤中难溶性磷向易溶性磷转化,提高土壤有效磷含量;最终早稻磷、钾吸收量分别提高14.0%和127.0%,早、晚稻产量分别增加11.0%和8.0%。由此得出,有机无机平衡施肥是适合于冷浸田土壤培肥、水稻增产的施肥方式。     

肥水蚓坑措施下不同施肥对土壤养分和山地苹果生产的影响

陕北黄土高原丘陵沟壑区是山地苹果重要产区,为提升山地果园土壤养分和果实品质及产量,以“肥水蚓坑”措施为基础,通过田间试验探讨不施肥、单施化肥、有机无机肥配施(牛粪+化肥、菇渣+化肥、牛粪+菇渣+化肥)等不同施肥对山地果园土壤养分、叶片营养、苹果产量与品质的影响。结果表明：(1)不施肥处理的土壤有机质含量和速效养分含量均低于施肥处理,其中,单施化肥处理低于有机无机肥配施处理,牛粪+菇渣+化肥处理的效果优于其他施肥处理。(2)施肥处理的苹果叶片不同生育期的全氮、磷、钾含量均显著高于不施肥对照,有机无机肥配施处理优于单施化肥处理。(3)不施肥处理与施肥处理的苹果果实硬度和果形指数无显著差异,施肥处理均可显著提高苹果产量和果实可溶性固形物、可溶性糖及维生素C含量,牛粪+菇渣+化肥优于其他处理,单施化肥的果实可滴定酸含量显著高于不施肥和有机无机肥配施。单施化肥的果实糖酸比与不施肥无显著差异,却显著低于有机无机肥配施。综上,“肥水蚓坑”结合有机无机肥配施可以减少化肥的施用,提高土壤养分含量,确保苹果提质增产,牛粪+菇渣+化肥(牛粪∶菇渣=1∶1)是山地苹果提质增产的优质管理模式,值得在陕北黄土丘陵...     

Nitrous oxide emission,global warming potential,and denitrifier abundances as affected by long-term fertilization on Mollisols of Northeastern China

ABSTRACT

A long-term field experiment was performed to assess the effects of fertilization regimes on greenhouse gas emissions, soil properties, soil denitrifies, and maize (Zea mays) grain yield on Mollisols of Northeastern China. Chemical nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers plus pig manure (MNPK) treatment significantly increased soil N₂O emissions by 29.9–226.4% and global warming potential (GWP) by 29.8–230.7% compared to unfertilized control (CK), chemical N fertilizer only (N), chemical N, P, and K fertilizers (NPK) and chemical N, P, and K fertilizers plus corn straw (SNPK) treatments. However, the MNPK treatment yielded similar greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) as compared with other treatments, mainly due to higher maize grain yield. There were also higher gene copy numbers of nirK, nirS, and nosZ in topsoil (0–20 cm depth) under MNPK treatment. Automatic linear modeling analysis indicated that main factors influencing soil N₂O emissions were soil organic carbon (SOC), NO₃^? content, and nirK gene abundance. Although the application of chemical fertilizers plus organic manure increases N₂O emissions due to higher N and C availability and nirK gene activity in the soil, this is still a promising fertilizer management due to its notable enhancement of maize grain yield and SOC content.     

Interactive effects of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria and organic fertilization on P nutrition of Zea mays L. and Brassica napus L.

The organic matter supply can promote the dispersal and activity of applied plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), but the complementary effect of organic fertilization and PGPR application on the turnover of P is scarcely known. The effects of the application of two PGPR strains (Pseudomonas fluorescens strain DR54 and Enterobacter radicincitans sp. nov. strain DSM 16656) alone and in combination with organic fertilization (cattle manure and biowaste compost) on growth and P uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were investigated under semi–field conditions. Furthermore, P pools and phosphatase activities in soil and the arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of maize were examined. The organic‐fertilizer amendments increased the growth and P uptake of both plant species and the soil P pools. The application of the E. radicincitans strain increased P uptake of oilseed rape when no organic fertilizer was added. Furthermore, the application of both bacterial strains increased the activities of phosphatases under both plant species. Here, the effect of the PGPR application even exceeded the effect of organic fertilization. The magnitude of this effect varied between the different fertilizing treatments and between the two bacterial strains. Phosphatase activities were increased to the greatest extent after application of P. fluorescens in the unfertilized soil. Under rape increases of 52% for acid phosphatase activities (ACP), 103% for alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP), and 133% for phosphodiesterase (PDE) were observed therewith. In the unfertilized soil, the application of P. fluorescens also resulted in a strong increase of the arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of maize. We conclude that application of PGPR can promote the P mobilization and supply of crops in P‐deficient soils, however, in combination with organic fertilization these effects might be masked by a general improved P supply of the crops. Interactive effects of applied bacterial strains and organic fertilization depend on the sort of organic fertilizer and crop species used.     

Comparison of Chemical Methods of Assessing Potentially Available Organic Nitrogen from Organic Residues Applied to a Sandy Soil

Abstract

More than 90% of the nitrogen (N) in soils is bond as organic N compounds. The available N can be estimated on the mineral N released during time‐consuming incubations of soil. Several chemical methods have been developed as substitutes for incubations. On the other hand, there has been an increase in waste production. Residues could potentially offset the need for mineral fertilizers, being both an economic and environmental benefit. Thus, the development of a routine method for prediction of N supply both from soil organic matter (SOM) and the application of organic residues is of great interest. An incubation experiment was performed in a Cambic Arenosol to evaluate different chemical methods. Air‐dried soil was mixed with increasing amounts of composted solid municipal waste, secondary pulp‐mill sludge, hornmeal, poultry manure, the solid phase from pig slurry, and composted pig manure. Samples were incubated for 244 days under a controlled environment. Among the chemical extractants studied, hot 2 M potassium chloride (KCl) and hot 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) showed promise in indicating values of N₀ (potentially available nitrogen), and these simple methods are suitable for use in routine laboratory conditions.     

Influence of organic amendments used for benz[a]anthracene remediation in a farmland soil: pollutant distribution and bacterial changes

Purpose

Organic amendments are usually carried out at field-scale for efficient remediation of organic pollutants; however, their effects on pollutant distribution and the corresponding microbial mechanisms were rarely discussed. The main aim of this study was to compare the fate of benz[a]anthracene in soil amended by several bioremediation materials and underlying microbial mechanisms.

Materials and methods

In this study, the potential for biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in a farmland soil was investigated in microcosms spiked with ¹⁴C-benz[a]anthracene as the tracer. A series of organic amendments including lignin, straw, mushroom culture waste, and cow manure, as well as a fungal inoculum of Pleurotus ostreatus, were compared. Illumina sequencing was introduced to reveal the bacterial community in different amendments. The metagenomic function was predicted with the bioinformatics tool of phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt).

Results and discussion

From the results, the lignin-contained substrates (lignin, straw, mushroom culture waste) showed increase trend in the dissipation of benz[a]anthracene, while Pleurotus ostreatus and cow manure resulted in opposite trends. Specifically, mushroom culture waste mainly increased ¹⁴C to the formation of humin-bound residue (39.5?±?6.8%); lignin amendment significantly (P?<?0.05) enhanced the mineralization to CO₂ (7.38?±?0.89%) and humic acid–related nonextractable residue (9.77?±?0.45%). The influence of straw on the environmental fate of benz[a]anthracene was marginal. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes demonstrated that mushroom culture waste and lignin significantly changed bacterial community composition, leading to increases in the relative abundance of Pseudomonadaceae, Methylophilaceae, Bacillaceae, and Burkholderiaceae. Moreover, the result of PICRUSt showed that the genes-encoding bacterial cytochrome P450 enzymes were significantly increased in the lignin treatment, suggesting a possible co-metabolism between lignin degradation and PAH mineralization.

Conclusions

These findings suggest lignin-containing organic amendments could be promising soil remediation agents of benz[a]anthracene by stimulating mineralization and sequestration of pollutants.

     

Tillage,fertilizer type,and plant residue input impacts on soil carbon sequestration rates on a Japanese Andosol

ABSTRACT

To identify efficient field management practices for enhanced soil carbon sequestration suited to crop rotation-based Andosol fields in northern Japan, the impacts of a combination of tillage, fertilizer type, and plant residue input on soil carbon sequestration rates were studied in a 4-year field experiment (April 2007 to March 2011). The rates of changes in soil organic carbon over the entire study period were determined by soil carbon stock change and by net ecosystem carbon budget. Across eight field management treatments and two replicates for each treatment, the rates of changes in soil organic carbon determined by net ecosystem carbon budget were positively correlated with the rates determined by soil carbon stock change (r = 0.766, n = 16). The arithmetic means of the rates determined by net ecosystem carbon budget (1.24 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) were greater than those determined by soil carbon stock change (?0.18 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) because decomposing crop residues and composted cattle manure in soil were included in the calculation of the net ecosystem carbon budget but were excluded in the calculation of soil carbon stock change (decomposing crop residues and composted cattle manure in soil samples were removed by sieving in measuring the soil carbon stock change). Both methods led to the same conclusion that soil carbon sequestration was significantly enhanced by composted cattle manure application and increased input of plant carbon from crop residues and green manure but was not enhanced by reduced tillage. The p values for net ecosystem carbon budget were smaller than those for soil carbon stock change in analysis of variance; therefore, the net ecosystem carbon budget was more sensitive to field management practice than the soil carbon stock change.     

不同来源有机物料对菜用蚕豆生长和品质及根际土壤性状的影响

通过盆栽试验，分析了不同来源有机物料(鸡粪、牛粪、菇渣)对菜用蚕豆生长和品质、根际土化学和生物学性状的影响。结果表明：①3种有机物料对蚕豆分枝数、荚干重、籽粒干重、大粒重、大粒蚕豆占比、籽粒淀粉含量均有积极作用，其中牛粪和菇渣能显著(P<0.05)提高大粒蚕豆占比，鸡粪能显著(P<0.05)提高二粒荚和三粒荚的占比，并且对籽粒淀粉含量的提升效果最为明显(比对照增加69.1%)；②3种有机物料增加了根际土中细菌、真菌数量，显著(P<0.05)提高了根际土中性转化酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶活性(除牛粪使中性转化酶活性提高不显著外)，其中鸡粪对细菌数量、中性转化酶活性、脲酶活性的提高程度均最大；③鸡粪能显著(P<0.05)增加根际土有机碳、全氮、NH₄⁺-N含量，牛粪、鸡粪能显著(P<0.05)提高土壤pH。大粒蚕豆占比与土壤酸性磷酸酶活性、有效磷含量呈显著正相关。蚕豆淀粉含量与细菌数量、中性转化酶活性、有机碳、全氮、NH₄⁺-N含量呈显著正相关，这说明有机物料的施用可能为细菌生长提供了更多的碳源和能源，导致细菌数量增加。细菌是酶的重要产生者，细菌数量的增加可能提高了碳氮循环相关酶(中性转化酶、脲酶)的产生量和活性，从而使更多的有机氮转变为无机氮(NH₄⁺-N)，提高了土壤养分(NH₄⁺-N、全氮)水平，进而提高了蚕豆营养品质。     

长期不同施肥对黄泥田土壤酶活性和微生物的影响

以农业部耕地保育福建观测实验站的长期肥料试验为平台,研究了长期不同施肥对黄泥田土壤酶活性和微生物的影响。结果表明:与不施肥(CK)相比,单施NPK(NPK)、NPK配施牛粪(NPKM)及NPK配施秸秆(NPKS)的土壤酶活性均有不同程度的提高,其中NPKM可显著提高转化酶活性,NPKS可显著提高脲酶活性。施肥均不同程度地提高了土壤细菌、真菌及放线菌的数量,尤其是放线菌数量,提高幅度均达到显著性水平;NPKS可显著提高土壤细菌数量,NPKM可显著提高土壤真菌数量。施肥均会对真菌群落产生重要影响;单施化肥对土壤细菌群落的影响不大,增施有机物料会对细菌群落产生明显影响;施用牛粪会对放线菌优势群落产生影响。以上结果表明,有机无机配施更有利于提高土壤酶活性和土壤微生物数量,提升土壤生物肥力。     

Changes in the chemical properties of acid soil and aggregate stability in the whole profile under long-term management history

ABSTRACT

The effects of long-term (1959–2005) liming in combination with cattle manure application on the chemical properties and aggregate stability of acid soil were investigated in the whole soil profile to a 100 cm depth. Investigations were performed in a long-term liming and fertilizing field trial at Vezaiciai Branch of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry situated in West Lithuania. The soil of the study site is Bathygleyic Distric Glossic Retisol (WRB 2014) with a texture of moraine loam. Acid soil had been periodically limed and manured at different intensity for 47 years. The experiment involved the following treatments: (1) unlimed and unfertilized (control); (2) unlimed and 60 t ha^?1 manure; (3) limed and unfertilized; and (4) limed and 60 t ha^?1 manure. During the 47-year period, liming was performed using pulverized limestone at a rate 1.0 (by hydrolytic soil acidity) every 7 years. During the whole study period, the soil received 38.7–36.5 t ha^?1 CaCO₃; 840 t ha^?1 cattle manure, 2740 kg ha^?1 mineral nitrogen; 3030 kg ha^?1 phosphorus and 3810?kg?ha^?1 potassium. The data showed that long-term (47 years) periodic liming of different intensities in combination with cattle manure application significantly changed the chemical properties of the whole soil profile. The soil acidification was neutralized in the topsoil and subsoil to the 60?cm depth when the soil had been systematically limed with 1.0 rate every 7 years in combination with 60?t?ha^?1 manure application every 3–4 years. Periodic long-term liming in combination with manuring had a positive effect on the improvement of chemical properties of acid soil profile in the ElB₁ and ElB₂ horizons. The data of the soil structure in the topsoil and subsoil showed that such liming practice together with manuring had a positive effect on soil aggregate stability.     

Mineralization of Nitrogen in Soils Amended with Dairy Manure as Affected by Wetting/Drying Cycles

Abstract

Interest in manure management and its effects on nitrogen (N) mineralization has increased in recent years. The focus of this research was to investigate the N‐mineralization rates of different soil types in Coastal Plain soils and compare them to a soil from Illinois. Soils with and without dairy composted manure addition were subjected to different wetting/drying cycles [constant moisture at 60% water‐filled pore space (WFPS) and cycling moisture from 60 to 30% WFPS] under laboratory conditions at three different temperatures (11°C, 18°C, and 25°C). Samples were collected from three different soil types: Catlin (Mollisols), Bama (Ultisols), and Goldsboro (Utilsols). Soil chemical and physical properties were determined to help assess variations in N-mineralization rates. Addition of composted manure greatly impacted the amount of N mineralized. The amount of manure‐derived organic N mineralized to inorganic forms was mainly attributed to the soil series, with the Catlin (silt loam) producing the most inorganic N followed by the Goldsboro (loam) and then Bama (sandy loam). This was probably due to soil texture and the native climatic conditions of the soil. No significant differences were observed between the constant and cycling moisture regimens, suggesting that the imposed drying cycle may not have been sufficient to desiccate microbial cells and cause a flush in N mineralization upon rewetting. Nitrogen mineralization responded greatly to the influence of temperature, with the greatest N mineralization occurring at 25°C. The information acquired from this study may aid in predicting the impact of manure application to help increase N‐use efficiency when applied under different conditions (e.g., climate season) and soil types.     

Comparisons of Composts with Low or High Nutrient Status for Growth of Plants in Containers

Abstract

Composts may be incorporated into container mixes for several purposes, including to supply nutrients, add organic matter, or suppress plant diseases. The objective of this research was to assess the nutritional benefits of two composts derived in common from composted chicken manure and used in formulation of container media for growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The composts differed in extractable and total plant nutrients so that one of the composts was considered a nutrient‐rich material and the other a nutrient‐poor material. Media were formulated from soil or peat with the composts added in a progressive array of concentrations from a medium with no compost addition to a medium that was all compost. Half of the media were treated with a water‐soluble, complete fertilizer and half were left unfertilized. Optimum growth occurred in media in which compost did not exceed 25% of the volume. The beneficial effects of the composts on plant growth were associated with increased supply of nutrients for the plants. The suppressive effects were attributed to restricted accumulation of nutrients with the nutrient‐poor compost and to excessive potassium supply and accumulation with the nutrient‐rich compost. Fertilization was beneficial in increasing plant growth with the nutrient‐rich compost and was essential for plant growth with the nutrient‐poor compost. The research demonstrated that composts can be used in formulation of media for container growth of plants.     

土壤类过氧化物酶活性对长期施肥的响应

为探究不同施肥处理对土壤类过氧化物酶活性的影响，以灰漠土和红壤长期定位试验站施肥处理土壤为研究对象，借助纳米矿物颗粒的类酶颜色反应原理，研究了不施肥(CK)、施用化肥(NPK)、施用化肥和有机肥(NPKM)和施用有机肥(M)土壤类过氧化物酶活性的变化。结果表明：与天然辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)相似，土壤也具有经典的催化颜色反应，灰漠土和红壤类过氧化物酶活性范围为0.4～1.0 U/kg。长期施肥显著改变了土壤类过氧化物酶活性，其中以M处理土壤类过氧化物酶活性为最高，可达0.7 U/kg，比CK处理增加了70%以上。不同施肥年限下，CK和NPK处理土壤类过氧化物酶活性并无显著差异，而M和NPKM处理土壤类过氧化物酶活性则随施肥时间线性增加(R²=0.71,P<0.01)。高温灭菌处理后，土壤类过氧化物酶活性大多没有改变，表明其活性是土壤本身固有的氧化还原特性；但M处理红壤类过氧化物酶活性比CK和NPK处理红壤稳定性更高。皮尔森相关性分析表明，类过氧化物酶活性可能影响土壤可溶性矿质元素(如硅和镁)水平。因此，施肥措施可以通过改变土壤固有类过氧化物酶活性而影响养分周...