城郊结合区蔬菜种植地土壤性质特征

Human activity and urbanization result in urban-rural environmental gradients.Undersanding effect of the gradients on soil properties is necessary for management of the soils around urban areas.In this study,soil quality of some vegetable fields was characterized along an urban-rural gradient in shaoxing County,Zhejiang Province.Fifteen soilphysical and chemical properties were evaluated by using principal component analysis.Results showed that there was a great variation in the soil quality along the gradient.From rural to urban zones,soil organic matter,water-stable aggregates,cation exchangeable capacity(CEC),total N and P,and available K increased,whereas soil pH value decreased.In addition,Pb,Cu,Ni,Co,Zn and Cr in the soils tended to be accumulated toward the urban zone.Sequential chemical extraction showed that mobility of all the heavy metals in the soils tended toincrease from the rural to the urban zones.The variation of soil properties accounted for by the first principal component was significantly explained bythe difference in application rates of municipal wastes.     

水稻根际和周围土壤中微生物功能基因丰度与碳、氮状况及其通量之间的关系

Rapid nitrogen（N） transformations and losses occur in the rice rhizosphere through root uptake and microbial activities. However,the relationships between rice roots and rhizosphere microbes for N utilization are still unclear. We analyzed different N forms（NH＋4,NO-3, and dissolved organic N）, microbial biomass N and C, dissolved organic C, CH4 and N2O emissions, and abundance of microbial functional genes in both rhizosphere and bulk soils after 37-d rice growth in a greenhouse pot experiment. Results showed that the dissolved organic C was significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the non-rhizosphere bulk soil, but microbial biomass C showed no significant difference. The concentrations of NH＋4, dissolved organic N, and microbial biomass N in the rhizosphere soil were significantly lower than those of the bulk soil, whereas NO-3in the rhizosphere soil was comparable to that in the bulk soil. The CH4 and N2O fluxes from the rhizosphere soil were much higher than those from the bulk soil. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the abundance of seven selected genes, bacterial and archaeal 16 S rRNA genes, amoA genes of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, nosZ gene, mcrA gene, and pmoA gene, was lower in the rhizosphere soil than in the bulk soil, which is contrary to the results of previous studies. The lower concentration of N in the rhizosphere soil indicated that the competition for N in the rhizosphere soil was very strong, thus having a negative effect on the numbers of microbes. We concluded that when N was limiting, the growth of rhizosphere microorganisms depended on their competitive abilities with rice roots for N.     

Behaviour of Potassium and Trace Elements in Rhizosphere of Flue-Cured Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum L.)

The study on the behaviour of potassium,phosphate and trace elements,Fe,Mn,Cu and Zn,in the rhizosphere of different varieties of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)with high and low potassium application rate with rhizobag technique showed that soil available K,soil available P,and slow available K was in depletion status,whereas DTPA extractable Fe,Mn,Zn and Cu accumulated obviously in rhizosphere.The depletion and accumulation rates of mineral nutrients differed in degree with K application rate,soil type,and tobacco variety.The content of available K in both rhizosphere and bulk soil and K concentration in tobacco leaf increased significantly,and the available P in rhizosphere dropped with more K application.The DTPA-Fe content of red soil much lower in pH was higher than that of calcareous soil in bulk soil.But the DTPA-Fe content of calcareous soil was much higher than that of red soil in rhizosphere,which was considered perhaps to be mainly related to releasing of Fe phytosiderophore.Nitrate coule increase depletion of a vailable K in rhizosphere and also soil pH in comparision with ammonium.     

Application of Ground Phosphate Rock to Dimmish the Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Soil Properties

The effects of simulated acid rain retained in soil on the properties of acid soil and its diminishing by application of ground phosphate rock were investigated by using the sorption method.Results show as follows:(1)For yellow brown soil,the effect of simulated acid rain on the properties of soil with a pH value of 5.9 was relatively small,except a great quantity of acid rain deposited on it.(2) for red soil,the effect of simulated acid rain on the properties of soil was significant.With the increase of the amount of acid deposition,the pH value of soil was declined,but the contents of exchangeable H^ ,Al^3 and Mn^2 and the amount of SO4^1- retention were increased.(3) Many properties of acid soils could be improved by applying ground phosphate rock.For example,pH value of soils and the amounts of available P and exchangeable Ca^2 and Mg^2 were increased,and the amounts of exchangeable H^ and Al^3 and SO4^2- retained was reduced.The application of ground posphate rock could effctively diminish the pollution of acid rain to soil.     

堆肥缓解土壤镉的植物毒性: 对白菜生长的影响

The growth performance of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) in relation to soil cadmium (Cd) fractionations was investigated to evaluate the remediating effect of poultry manure compost on Cd-contaminated soil. A yellow-brown soil (Alfisol) treated with various levels of Cd (0–50 mg Cd kg-1 soil) was amended with increasing amounts of compost from 0 to 120 g kg-1 . Compost application transformed 47.8%–69.8% of soluble/exchangeable Cd to the organic-bound fraction, and consequently decreased Cd uptake of pakchoi by 56.2%–62.5% as compared with unamended soil. Alleviation of Cd bioavailability by compost was attributed primarily to the increase of soil pH and complexation of Cd by organic matter including dissolved organic matter. In general, the improvement of pakchoi performance was more pronounced in higher Cd-contaminated soil. Addition of large amount of compost also favored the anti-oxidative capability of pakchoi against Cd toxicity. This low cost remediation method seems to be very effective in the restoration of Cd-contaminated soils.     

Chemiqal Behavior of Cadmium in Wheat Rhizosphere

The present study deals with some chemical behavior,including Cd extractability,species transformation and adsorption-desorption characteristics,of Cd in the rhizosphere(R) of wheat seedlings grown on both yellow-brown earth(YBE) and red earth (RE).Results indicated an increase of pH about 0.5 unit in the R of the yellow-brown earth and a decrease about 0.4 unit in the R of red earth in comparison with their respective bulk soils(NR).More Cd adsorbed and less Cd desorbed,and hence less Cd extracted in the R of YBE than those in the NR were found.The opposite cases were got for the R of RE.Fractionation experiment showed that in the R of YBE,more Cd was bound to Mn oxides and organic matter,less Cd was in exchangeable form,and little Cd was bound to amorphous and crystal iron oxides.However,little difference of the Cd species between the R and NR of RE was found. Regression analysis indicated that pH was one of the dominant factors affecting the chemical behavior of Cd in rhizosphere.     

不同Zn浓度对黑麦草根分泌物、根际Zn形态及植物Zn蓄集的影响

A glasshouse experiment was conducted using a root-bag technique to study the root exudates, rhizosphere Zn fractions, and Zn concentrations and accumulations of two ryegrass cultivars (Lolium perenne L. cvs. Airs and Tede) at different soil Zn levels (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mmol kg-1 soil). Results indicated that plant growth of the two cultivars was not adversely affected at soil Zn level≤8 mmol kg-1. Plants accumulated more Zn as soil Zn levels increased, and Zn concentrations of shoots were about 540 /μg g-1 in Aris and 583.9μg g-1 in Tede in response to 16 mmol Zn kg-1 soil. Zn ratios of shoots to roots across the soil Zn levels were higher in Tede than in Airs, corresponding with higher rhizosphere available Zn fractions (exchangeable, bound to manganese oxides, and bound to organic matter) in Airs than in Tede. Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids (oxalic, tartaric, malic, and succinic acids) and amino acids (proline, threonine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, etc.) were detected in root exudates, and the concentrations of LMW organic acids and amino acids increased with addition of 4 mmol Zn kg-1 soil compared with zero Zn addition. Higher rhizosphere concentrations of oxalic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, leucine, and proline in Tede than in Airs likely resulted in increased Zn uptake from the soil by Tede than by Airs. The results suggested that genotypic differences in Zn accumulations were mainly because of different root exudates and rhizosphere Zn fractions.     

在温室和室外管理措施下有机和矿物肥料对土壤物理性质的长期效应研究

To evaluate the use of organic amendments as an alternative to conventional fertilization,a 10-year experiment on a loam soil was conducted under a crop rotation system in both greenhouse and outdoor plots applied with chemical fertilizers (NPK) and vegetal compost (organic fertilizer) in the Guadalquivir River Valley,Spain.The effect of these two different fertilization regimes on the soil physical properties was evaluated.Soil organic carbon (OC),soil bulk density (BD),soil water retention (WR),available water content (AWC),aggregate stability (AS),and soil physical quality (Dexter’s index,S) were determined.The use of organic fertilizer increased OC and resulted in a significant increase in AS and a decrease in BD compared to the mineral fertilizer application in both greenhouse and outdoor plots.The outdoor plots showed the lowest BD values whereas the greenhouse plots showed the highest AS values.In the last years of the 10-year experiment the S parameter was significantly higher in organic fertilizer plots,especially for greenhouse plots.At the end of the study period,there were no significant differences in WR at field capacity (FC) between treatments in both systems;the AWC was also similar in the greenhouse plots but higher in the mineral outdoor plots.In mineral fertilizer treatments,a small improvement in the physical properties was also observed due to the utilization of less aggressive tillage compared with the previous intensive cropping system.Physical soil properties were correlated with soil OC.The sustainable management techniques such as the use of organic amendments and low or no tillage improved soil physical properties,despite the differences in management that logically significantly affected the results.     

有机物料对淹水土壤中施入的镉形态的影响

The effect of three organic materials(rice straw,Chinese milk vetch and pig manure)on the fractionation of cadmium added into two soils(a red soil and a fluvo-aquic soil) was studied using submerged incubation experiment.The organic materials increased soil soild organic carbon(SOC),pH value,the concentration of active Si in all the treatments and active Fe and Mn in some treatments.Accumulated SOC caused directly the increase of Cd bound to solid organic matter and consequently the decrease of exchangeable Cd.Higher active Si and pH,as well as lower Eh,were also responsible for the reduction of exchangeable Cd.Cd bound to mn oxide was positively correlated with pH values and rose significantly after one-month incubation,but decreased after three-month incubation.Cd bound to amporphous Fe oxide increased with the incubation time,but was not affected significantly by adding organic materials.     

氮及相关的酶活性对小麦根际施肥的反应

In the present experiment,wheat seedlings(Trticucum aestivum L.)were grown on a purple soil with various fertilizer treatments in order to investigate the responses of nitrogen and related enzyme activities in the rhizosphere,The results revealed the increments of both organic matter and total N in the soil with the proximity to the growing roots,especially in treatment of supplying pig manure in combination with chemical fertilizer,suggesting that they could ome from root and microorganism exudation which could be intensified by inorganic-organic fertiliztion,being of benefit to improving the physical and bilogical envi-ronment in the rhizosphere of wheat.Much more inorganic N was observed in the fertilized soils surrounding wheat roots than in the CK treatment ,indicating ,the improvement of crop N supply in the rhizosphere of wheat by fertilization. The activities of invertase,urease and protease in the root zone were greatly enhanced as compared to those in the other parts of soil except that the urease activities were similar in the rhizospher and nonrhi-zosphere of the CK and pig manure treatments,indicating that invertase and protese could be produced by growing roots and rhizosphere microorganisms,in contrast to urease which could be stimulated by urea,Also,significant increment of chemical fertilizer combined with pig manure,suggested that fertilization not only accelerated the renewal of organic matter bu also enhanced bioavailability of organic N in that soil zone .This could be the reason why the total amount of inorganic N available for plants was increased more obviously in the rhizosphere of wheat of the fertilizaton treatments than in taht of the CK treatment.     

Effect of different types of organic fertilizers on the chemical properties and enzymatic activities of an Oxisol under intensive cultivation of vegetables for 4 years

The effects of different types of organic fertilizers on the chemical and enzymatic properties of an Oxisol were studied after being fertilized for four consecutive years (26 crops) in a greenhouse under intensive cultivation of vegetables. Seven treatments, consisting of five types of organic fertilizer treatments, one "sequential application" (SA) treatment, and a chemical fertilizer treated plot were compared. The organic fertilizers used were dairy cattle dung compost (DCDC), hog dung compost (HDC), chicken dung compost (CDC), pea residue compost (PRC) and soybean meal (SBM). After 4 years of cultivation, the soils were analyzed for their chemical properties and enzymatic activities. The microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), basal respiration and nitrification rate were also measured. The results showed that the SBM significantly lowered the soil pH, and that the HDC and DCDC raised the soil pH. The SBM and CDC resulted in the lowest soil electrical conductivity. The SBM had no significant effect on soil organic C and total N contents when compared with the CF plot. However, the DCDC resulted in the highest contents of soil organic C and total N. The organic fertilizers applied did not significantly affect the soil available copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and nickel. The effects of the different organic fertilizers on soil enzymatic activities depended on the types of organic fertilizers applied. The SBM and CDC often resulted in a lower microbial C (or N) and respiration rate, while in contrast DCDC and PRC resulted in high measurements. Most of the measured soil enzymatic activities in the SBM treatment, except for acid phosphatase, were the lowest. Differing contents of different heavy metals in the organic fertilizers resulted in different Mehlich III extractable heavy metal contents in the soils. From the point of view of the soil chemical and enzymatic properties, SBM is not an appropriate organic fertilizer for continuous application to an Oxisol.     

Olive Husk Compost Improves the Quality of Intensively Cultivated Agricultural Soils

Organic amendments improve the quality of degraded cultivated agricultural soils. In this work, we examined the impact of an olive husk compost (OHC) on quality‐related physical, chemical and biochemical properties of intensively managed greenhouse soil. To this end, a completely randomized block experiment involving a single factor and two treatments (viz., annual application of OHC at 30 Mg ha⁻¹ or no application) with three replications was used for 5 years. The effect of the compost was studied at two soil depths (0–10 and 10–25 cm) and two positions relative to crop rows (viz., on rows and between rows). Application of OHC increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, which is consistent with the low degradation rate of the compost in soil and confirms its usefulness as a source of organic C for soil. Increased SOM content resulted in decreased bulk density, and also in increased porosity and available water in the soil. The amendment was also an effective source of nutrients, particularly N, P, K and Ca, the last of which contributed to decrease exchangeable Na levels in the soil surface layer. The compost increased the activity of all enzymes studied except urease. This result can be ascribed to increased microbial activity, the presence of enzymes in the compost and their stabilization by organic matter and clay in the soil. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase were the individual enzyme activities in the soil, which were correlated with the largest number of soil properties favourably affected by OHC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

氮锌配施对冬小麦根土界面锌有效性及形态分级的影响

【目的】 氮能够促进冬小麦根系对锌的吸收及在籽粒中的积累。研究氮锌配施对冬小麦根土界面锌有效性及形态分级的影响,有助于探究氮锌配施促进冬小麦吸收锌的可能机制,为合理施用氮肥来提高冬小麦籽粒锌含量提供一定的理论依据。 【方法】 以冬小麦为试材进行了根箱培养试验。分别设置三个氮水平 (0、0.2和0.4 g/kg) 和两个锌水平 (0和10 mg/kg),分析了冬小麦地上部锌含量、根际土和非根际土有效锌含量、pH以及六种锌形态含量。 【结果】 氮锌配施 (N_0.2Zn₁₀和N_0.4Zn₁₀) 处理显著提高了冬小麦地上部干物质重和锌含量。在不施锌 (Zn₀) 条件下,N_0.4处理显著提高根际土壤的有效锌含量;在Zn₁₀条件下,N_0.4和N_0.2处理均显著降低根际土有效锌含量,却提高了非根际土有效锌含量。无论施锌与否,N_0.4和N_0.2处理均显著降低根际土壤的pH,但对非根际土壤的pH影响不大。在Zn₀条件下,N_0.4和N_0.2处理显著降低了根际土壤交换态锌、碳酸盐结合态锌及非根际土氧化物结合态锌含量,提高了非根际土交换态锌、根际与非根际土壤残渣态锌含量。在Zn₁₀条件下,N_0.4和N_0.2处理显著提高了根际和非根际土交换态锌、非根际土松结有机态和紧结有机态锌及根际土残渣态锌含量,降低了根际土松结有机态、碳酸盐结合态锌及根际与非根际土壤残渣态锌含量。 【结论】 氮锌配施提高冬小麦锌含量,促进冬小麦锌的吸收,可能是由于氮锌配施与冬小麦根系共同作用降低了根际土壤pH,促进土壤中锌从松结有机态和碳酸盐结合态向交换态转化,从而提高了土壤锌的有效性。      

The Effects of Short-Term Compost Application On Soil Chemical Properties and on Nutritional Status of Maize Plant

Compost may improve the soil quality and contribute to C sequestration. The short-term effects of compost application on soil properties of soil cropped with maize are reported here. Soil plots to which mature compost was added (at 50 Mg ha^?1 and 85 Mg ha^?1) were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), nutrients, heavy metals and other soil properties. In addition, maize plants were weighed at the end of the trial and analyzed for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and heavy metals. The results demonstrate that soil amended with compost has an increased TOC content. The increase was proportional to the amount of compost used. At the highest dose used, compost also increased soil N and P content and the pH. Moreover, after compost application, the total heavy metal contents in soils did not increase. There was no difference between the maize yield from compost treated plots and the control plots. However, maize grains were found to be C, N and P enriched due to the increased nutrient status of the amended soil. In conclusion, the addition of mature compost improves soil properties by increasing the soil TOC content and this depends on the characteristics and the amount of compost used.     

Nitrogen and/or phosphorus fertilization effects on organic carbon and mineral contents in the rhizosphere of field grown sorghum

The effects of nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) fertilizers on the nutritional status in the rhizosphere were studied by monitoring throughout the growth period the concentrations of organic carbon (C), inorganic N, NaHCO₃ extractable P, exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) down in an Alfisol field, and of all these elements except for extractable P, and exchangeable Ca in a Vertisol field in semi-arid tropical India. These concentrations were compared between the rhizosphere soil and bulk soil of sorghum grown in both fields.

Organic C content of the rhizosphere soil increased with plant age and was significantly higher than that in the bulk soil throughout the growth of sorghum, but it was not affected by the rates of N or P fertilizer. Inorganic N concentration in the rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than that in the bulk soil until maturity in sorghum. The content of available P in the rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than in the bulk soil after the middle of the growth stage. Its average concentration in the rhizosphere soil across growth stages was significantly higher than in the bulk soil, which contradicts the observation in many reports that there is a depletion of P in the rhizosphere soil. The concentration of three exchangeable cations, K, Ca, and Mg, showed different patterns in the rhizosphere and the bulk soils. The concentration of K was almost constantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the bulk soil, Ca concentration was not different between the two soils, and Mg concentration was significantly higher in the bulk soil than in the rhizosphere soil. The reasons for these discrepancies cannot be explained at present. The concentrations of these cations were not affected by the rate of N or P fertilizer except for Mg at a later growth stage. The differences between rhizosphere and bulk soils in Alfisol were similar to those in Yertisol with respect to the concentration of organic C, inorganic N, and exchangeable K and Mg.     

Effects of Different Organic Materials on Crop Production under a Rice–Corn Cropping Sequence

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important index of soil quality because of its relationship with crop yield. The application of organic matter to soil is a significant method for increasing SOM. Different organic materials have varying effects in increasing SOM. This study investigates the effects of combining different sources of organic matter (i.e., compost, leguminous green manure, and peat) with a chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the growth and N accumulation in corn and rice plants. This study examines seven treatments, including a no-fertilization check and a conventional chemical fertilizer treatment. Shoots of corn and rice were sampled at the tasseling (panicle initiation for rice) and maturity stages. The biomass yield was measured and the total N was analyzed. At the maturity stage, the soil samples were collected to determine the chemical properties. The results showed that a small percentage of the N in the compost and peat, after their application, was available to the crop during the growth season; the production of biomass and N absorption among rice and corn plants was minimal compared to that treated with chemical N fertilizer. The application of compost and peat resulted in SOM accumulation, particularly with peat. However, the application of compost combined with chemical fertilizer not only produced sufficient nutrients for crop growth but also resulted in an accumulation of SOM, which is vital for enhancing the soil quality. Most of the N in green manure (GM) was mineralized shortly after application, causing excessive growth of rice and corn plants during the early stage, but reducing their reproductive growth and grain yield.     

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.     

Composted biosolids enhance fertility of a sandy loam soil under dairy pasture

Field and pot trials were established to assess potential benefits and adverse effects of amending a sandy loam soil, under grazed ryegrass-clover pasture, with compost manufactured from wastewater biosolids, wood waste and green waste. Compost was applied to the field trial site annually for 4 years and the pot trials used soil from the field trial site each year after compost application. The pot trials demonstrated that yield of silver beet (Beta vulgaris L.) increased with increasing compost application rate and that plant metal uptake was (except for Zn) unrelated or inversely related to soil metal concentrations. In samples from the field trial, soil total C, N, P and Olsen P increased markedly with increasing compost application rate. Cation exchange capacity, exchangeable cations and total-extractable and EDTA-extractable metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were also elevated, total Cu to the limit allowable in biosolids-amended soil. Soil basal respiration, microbial biomass C and anaerobically mineralisable N were significantly increased in the amended plots. Anaerobically mineralisable N was highly correlated with respiration (r =0.98, n =24) and only weakly related to microbial biomass C, probably indicating that a high proportion of the N mineralised was from the compost organic matter. Sulphatase and phosphatase activities increased, but not significantly, and there were no measurable effects on rhizobial numbers or on sensitive microbial biosensors (Rhizotox C and lux-marked Escherichia coli). Biosolids compost application enhanced soil fertility, productivity and microbial biomass and activity, with no apparent adverse effects attributable to heavy metals.     

Effects of compost, coal ash, and straw amendments on restoring the quality of eroded Palouse soil

Ridgetops in the dryland farming region of eastern Washington suffer from low productivity and poor soil quality from years of erosion. Two studies investigated the effectiveness of soil amendments in restoring soil quality. Study 1 treatments were two rates of compost and a control. Study 2 treatments were compost, coal ash, wheat straw, three rates of inorganic N, and a control. A wide array of soil biological, chemical and physical parameters were measured from 1995 to 1997 and yield of spring barley, spring pea, and winter wheat were measured in different years from 1995 though 1998. In study 1, compost plus N increased barley yield and soil pH. Compost without N in study 2 increased total soil C and continued to immobilize soil N 2 years after incorporation because of the high C:N ratio of the compost. Total soil N, available P and K, some micronutrients, and cation exchange capacity were increased by the compost. Compost reduced soil bulk density and soil impedance, while increasing water-stable aggregates and improving infiltration. Coal ash slightly suppressed phosphatase activity, while tending to increase pH and soil B, and improving infiltration. Straw decreased soil bulk density and microbial activity in 1996 only. Barley grain trace element uptake, barley yield, and pea yield were uninfluenced by amendments. In 1998, 3 years after application of the amendments, winter wheat yield was significantly higher from the compost application than from any other treatments. Compost had the greatest benefit to improving soil quality and crop yield.     

Effects of long-term treatments of different organic fertilizers complemented with chemical N fertilizer on the chemical and biological properties of soils

Continuous cultivation has been known to decrease soil organic matter content. Application of organic matter to cultivated soil is an important practice from the point of view of maintaining an adequate amount of soil organic matter. Soil organic matter content significantly affects soil microbial activity, which is an important index of soil quality. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to examine the long-term effects of different kinds of organic matter in combination with inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on chemical and biological properties of soils. There were seven treatments, namely (1) CK (without fertilization), (2) Chem-N (applying chemical N fertilizer only), (3) Comp (applying compost with the same rate of N as the Chem-N treatment), (4) Comp + l/3 N (applying compost complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment), (5) Comp + 2/3 N (applying compost complemented with 66% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment), (6) GM + 1/3 N (applying green manure complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment) and (7) Peat + 1/3 N (applying peat complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment). After continuous treatment for 12 years and with cultivation of 24 crops on the same area, soils were sampled for analyses of chemical and biological properties, enzymatic activities and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles. The results showed that compared with CK and Chem-N treatments, applications of compost and peat increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content and altered microbial activities and microbial community structure. However, application of green manure for 12 years had no effect on SOC content. Both microbial activities and PLFA profiles were clearly dependent on the characteristics of the applied organic amendments. In summary, a peat application led to the highest increase in SOC content compared to compost and green manure; however, compost-treated soil had a higher microbial population and higher microbial and enzyme activities, while the effects of both green manure and chemical N fertilizer on soil properties were similar.