生物炭-凹凸棒土复合材料对水稻土锌镉的钝化及土壤养分和酶活性的影响研究

为了比较生物炭、凹凸棒土以及生物炭-凹凸棒土复合材料3种钝化剂对锌镉复合污染水稻土的钝化修复效果,本研究利用傅立叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、X射线衍射(XRD)、比表面积表征(BET)和扫描电镜(SEM)等技术手段对稻壳生物炭和凹凸棒土样品进行表征,并采用土培试验研究稻壳生物炭、凹凸棒土及生物炭-凹凸棒土复合材料对实际重金属锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)污染水稻土钝化效果及理化性质的影响。结果表明,凹凸棒土比稻壳生物炭具有更大的比表面积,且表面更不规则、更粗糙。土培试验表明,3种钝化剂均降低了水稻土中Cd和Zn的生物有效性,并在不同程度上改善了土壤理化性质。单独添加2.0%凹凸棒土和2.0%稻壳生物炭处理,分别使土壤Zn有效态含量降低了86%和51%,Cd有效态含量降低了25%和8%。2.0%生物炭-凹凸棒土复合材料施加后,土壤中Zn和Cd有效态含量分别降低了83%和23%,且土壤pH值提高至5.8,有机碳含量提高了39%。说明稻壳生物炭-凹凸棒土复合材料比单独使用凹凸棒土和生物炭更能有效地固定Cd和Zn,同时能改善复合污染水稻土的理化特性。因此,生物炭-凹凸棒土复合材料具有作为一种新型钝化材料用于土壤修复的潜力,为土壤重金属原位钝化修复提供了一种新思路。     

生物炭和腐植酸类对猪粪堆肥重金属的钝化效果

为深入了解农业固体废弃物资源化、无害化利用的发展前景,探讨不同钝化材料对畜禽粪便堆肥过程中重金属钝化效果的影响规律,该文利用猪粪和秸秆进行高温好氧堆肥,研究生物炭(木屑炭、玉米秸秆炭、花生壳炭)和腐植酸(福建(fujian,FJ)生物腐植酸、嘉博文(jiabowen,JBW)生物腐植酸、草炭)等不同钝化材料对猪粪堆肥发酵效果及重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd形态的影响。试验结果表明:添加花生壳炭、玉米秸秆炭、JBW腐植酸以及木屑炭分别对重金属Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd表现为相对较好的钝化能力。添加花生壳炭(F3)对重金属Cu的钝化效果为65.79%;添加玉米秸秆炭处理(F2)对重金属Pb的钝化效果为57.2%;添加JBW生物腐植酸处理(F5)对重金属Zn的钝化效果为64.94%;添加木屑炭处理(F1)对Cd的钝化效果为94.67%;并且,针对不同重金属的钝化效果,此4个处理均明显高于不添加钝化材料的对照处理(P0.05)。添加花生壳炭虽然对重金属Cu具有较好的钝化效果,但其堆肥物料的最高发酵温度仅为45.14°C、pH值为5.41、电导率为9.48 mS/cm、种子发芽率指数为0.47%,无法达到堆肥无害化标准。基于以上试验结果,综合考虑堆肥发酵效果及重金属钝化效果认为,木屑炭、JBW生物腐植酸是2种较理想的钝化材料,该研究结果为畜禽粪便堆肥过程中重金属钝化技术研发、生物炭和腐植酸改良土壤结构的特性推广及有机肥规模化应用提供参考。     

添加凹凸棒土和钠基蒙脱石对铜锌镉污染红壤的改良效应研究

通过温室盆栽试验.开展了凹凸棒土和钠基蒙脱石处理对铜锌镉污染红壤的改良效应研究.结果表明:添加凹凸棒土和钠基蒙脱石处理能显著增加黑麦草(Lolium multiflorum Lam)两茬的地上部生物量(鲜重).未施入改良剂时,两茬黑麦草地上部的生物量分别为是7.60 g/盆和5.67 g/盆,添加80 g/kg 凹凸棒土处理的两茬地上部生物量分别增加了184%和15%添加80 g/kg钠基蒙脱石处理的两茬地上部生物量分别增加了113%和99.3%.黏土矿物的加入使土壤的pH提高了0.26～1.02个单位.从而降低了植株对Cu、Zn、Cd的生物有效性.随着添加量从20 g/kg增加到80 g/kg,黑麦草地上部Cu、Zn、Cd的含量降低,钠基蒙脱石钝化Cu、Cd的效果好于凹凸棒土,但两者钝化Zn的效果没有显著差异性.添加40 g/kg和80 g/kg的凹凸棒土或钠基蒙脱石处理都显著降低了污染上壤TCLP提取液中Cu、Zn的浓度,对于TCLP提取液中Cd浓度的显著降低只有添加80 g/kg的凹凸棒上这一种处理达到.     

水分及干燥过程对土壤重金属有效性的影响

土壤水分变化可显著改变土壤性质进而影响土壤重金属有效性。本试验通过测定土壤溶液和采用薄层凝胶梯度法(DGT)表征的Zn、Cd、Cu、Ni浓度,研究土壤含水量变化对重金属有效性的影响。结果表明,不同水分处理显著影响土壤溶液中可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量和土壤中重金属的有效性;随土壤水分降低DGT表征的Zn、Cd、Cu和Ni浓度和土壤溶液中Cu和Ni浓度呈下降趋势,且随干湿交替次数增加而降低;与长期风干土壤相比,经干湿交替后风干土壤重金属有效性降低或显著降低;与土壤溶液法相比,DGT法能反映水分变化对土壤固相金属缓冲补给能力的影响,能更好地表征土壤金属有效性的变化。在农业生产中可通过适当水分管理措施降低重金属的有效性,从而缓解重金属的毒害作用。     

3种改良剂对油菜生物量及其吸收重金属的影响

通过连续三季盆栽试验研究粉煤灰、膨润土、腐殖酸提高油菜生物量,降低油菜Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn浓度的效果。结果表明,膨润土、腐殖酸、粉煤灰的施入提高油菜生物量的效果第二季好于第一、三季。仅考虑对生物量的影响,改良剂效果为膨润土>腐殖酸>粉煤灰。第二季膨润土降低油菜Cd浓度效果较好;第二季粉煤灰、第二季膨润土及第二、三季腐殖酸降低油菜Pb浓度效果较好,3种改良剂均有降低油菜中Pb浓度的效果;3种改良剂均未显著影响油菜中Cu浓度;第二季膨润土降低油菜Zn浓度效果较好。3种改良剂抑制土壤重金属进入油菜的效果不同,应用时可根据改良剂特点适时施入土壤,充分发挥改良剂吸附、固定重金属的作用。     

改良剂与油菜对土壤重金属有效态的影响

通过连续三季盆栽试验,研究利用粉煤灰、膨润土、腐殖酸3种改良剂特性及油菜的富集作用强化修复效果,阐明改良剂与油菜对土壤重金属有效态的影响。油菜收获后测定土壤重金属有效态浓度。结果表明,粉煤灰浓度为12,18g/kg时,可明显降低第1季土壤Cd有效态浓度,但对土壤有效态Cu、Zn浓度未产生明显影响,第2季浓度为6g/kg及第3季各处理可明显降低Pb有效态浓度。粉煤灰降低Cd有效态第1季效果较好,降低Pb有效态浓度第3季效果较好。只有当膨润土浓度为18g/kg时可明显降低第1季土壤Cd有效态浓度,第2季浓度为18g/kg和第2,3季浓度为6g/kg时,可降低土壤Cu有效态浓度,第2季浓度为12,18g/kg及第3季所有处理均可有效抑制Pb的活性,对Zn活性未表现出明显的抑制作用。膨润土降低土壤Cd有效态浓度的第1季效果较好,降低Cu、Pb有效态浓度第2,3季效果较好。腐殖酸浓度为2,3g/kg时可降低第2季有效态Cd浓度,第2季浓度为3g/kg及第3季浓度为2,3g/kg时土壤Cu有效态浓度明显降低,第2季浓度为3g/kg及第3季所有处理可降低Pb有效态浓度,而腐殖酸对Zn活性未起到明显的抑制作用。腐殖酸降低土壤Cd有效态浓度第2季效果较好,降低Cu、Pb有效态浓度效果第3季效果较好。3种改良剂对吸附、固定Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn的作用程度不同,粉煤灰降低土壤Cu有效态浓度、3种改良剂降低土壤Zn有效态浓度的效果不理想。因此,在生产实践中,根据实际情况适时、适量施入改良剂,可降低重金属对生产、环境带来的危害。     

不同钝化剂对Cu、Cr和Ni复合污染土壤的修复研究

利用盆栽试验研究了不同钝化剂(沸石、牡蛎壳、鸡蛋壳、硅藻土和聚丙烯酰胺(PAM))对生长在重金属污染土壤上的青菜(Brassica chinensis L.)生物量、重金属吸收以及超氧化物歧化酶的活性(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响,同时,通过对土壤p H和土壤重金属提取态的分析,探讨了钝化剂影响青菜生物量和重金属吸收的可能原因。结果表明:钝化剂加入可显著降低青菜地上部分Cu、Zn、Ni和Cd的含量及其氧化性损伤和脂膜损伤(SOD和MDA指标显著降低)。施入钝化剂后,土壤p H显著提高,重金属提取态Cu、Zn、Pb、Ni和Cd普遍降低(硅藻土处理除外)。相关性分析表明,土壤p H与提取态重金属Pb、Zn、Ni和Cd呈显著的负相关,而青菜中的重金属Zn、Ni和Cd的含量与土壤提取态含量呈显著正相关。综合考虑,单一钝化剂牡蛎壳和沸石+牡蛎壳+鸡蛋壳(FMJ)组合对降低青菜重金属吸收的效果尤为显著,可推荐作为重金属复合污染土壤的改良剂。本研究为重金属中轻度污染菜地的土壤修复提供了一种新方法。     

重金属的土水分配行为研究——根际土壤溶液采样器的应用

采用根际土壤溶液采样器(Rhizon-SMS)原位采集河南平原耕地土壤溶液.用土壤溶液中重金属浓度对数作为因变量、土壤溶液理化性质作为自变量,进行多元线性逐步回归,结果表明:只有有机碳进入Cu的相关方程,pH进入Cd的相关方程.土壤溶液pH和土壤中的Zn都作为自变量进入Zn的相关方程.土壤溶液中的Cu与pH没有线性关系,而Cd和Zn与土壤溶液pH有显著的线性关系(p＜0.01).计算了土壤中Cu、Cd、Zn在土壤与土壤溶液中的分配系数Kd.本研究中,3种重金属的Kd大小顺序为:Cu＞Zn＞Cd.根据Freeze 和Cherry模型,联合log(Kd-Cd)、log(Kd-Zn)与pH的线性关系,估计了Cd和Zn在土壤中的迁移速度.     

铅镉高污染土壤的钝化材料筛选及其修复效果初探

本研究以重金属高污染农田土壤(全Pb含量为1 277 mg/kg,全Cd含量为39.0 mg/kg)为研究对象,通过土培试验和玉米苗期盆栽试验,探讨海泡石、石灰、腐植酸、钙镁磷肥、磷矿粉、生物质炭等常用稳定材料不同剂量及复配组合对高污染土壤重金属的钝化修复效应。土培试验结果表明,石灰对Pb和Cd钝化效果最好,其次是海泡石,但两者表现为较高添加量处理间没有显著差异;而低剂量生物质炭和腐植酸显著增加土壤有效态Pb和Cd含量,高剂量生物质炭具有较好的钝化效果。盆栽试验表明,海泡石与石灰配施钝化效果较好,与对照相比,土壤氯化钙提取态Pb、Cd含量分别降低了97.5%、81.4%;玉米根和地上部Cd含量分别降低48.5%、34.0%,Pb含量分别降低35.6%、29.6%;但海泡石与磷材料配施显著增加玉米根Pb含量,对玉米Cd吸收没有显著影响。以上结果表明,重金属高污染农田土壤添加合适的改良剂,可较大幅度降低土壤重金属有效性和植物重金属吸收性。     

风沙土改良剂对白菜生理特性和生长状况的影响

通过盆栽试验,选用泥炭和风化煤作为风沙土改良剂,分析其在不同土壤水分条件下对土壤的改良效果以及对白菜生理特性和生长状况的影响。结果表明,施入8%泥炭明显有利于改良风沙土理化性质,表现为土壤容重、总孔隙度、pH值、全N、碱解N、速效P、速效K明显改善;促进了白菜的生长,表现为白菜的蒸腾速率、水分利用效率、高生长和生物量明显优于对照。尽管施入8%风化煤对风沙土的大部分理化性质得到了明显改善,但白菜的生理和生长指标与对照差异不显著。在8%泥炭处理中,土壤水分充足的条件下同微干旱相比,表现为有利于白菜生理和生长的改善和提高,但8%风化煤处理却表现为土壤微干旱优于水分充足。因此,认为泥炭是风沙土的优良改良剂,施用泥炭有利于提高作物的产量,维持较高的土地生产力。     

四种改良剂对铜和镉复合污染土壤的田间原位修复研究

研究了石灰、磷灰石、蒙脱石和凹凸棒石对冶炼厂周边Cu、Cd污染土壤的原位修复效果。以黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.)作为田间修复植物,采用植物重金属吸收性、土壤重金属化学提取性及土壤溶液重金属浓度变化等作指标来评价修复效果,并研究了黑麦草对Cu、Cd的吸收与土壤、土壤溶液中Cu、Cd含量的相关性。结果表明,石灰高添加剂量(石灰占污染土壤耕作层质量的0.4%)处理黑麦草对重金属的富集效果最好,显著降低了重金属毒性,促进了黑麦草的生长及其对重金属的富集;石灰和磷灰石各添加剂量均显著降低了污染土壤交换态Cu含量;石灰、磷灰石和蒙脱石各添加剂量均显著提高了土壤溶液pH并显著降低了其Cu、Cd浓度。黑麦草地上部、根中Cu浓度与土壤交换态Cu及土壤溶液Cu浓度呈显著或极显著正相关关系。     

四种土壤调理剂对镉、铅的吸附效果研究

采用等温吸附试验研究了主要原料为麦饭石(M)、蒙脱石(T)、牡蛎壳(O)和硅钙矿(S)4种土壤调理剂对溶液中镉和铅的吸附效果。结果表明,4种土壤调理剂对镉和铅的吸附均可用Langmuir方程进行描述;相比而言,4种土壤调理剂对镉吸附量的大小顺序为O调理剂>S调理剂>M调理剂>T调理剂,对铅吸附量的大小顺序为M调理剂>S调理剂>O调理剂>T调理剂;随溶液pH值的增大各调理剂的吸附量逐渐减小,尤其当Cd溶液pH值>8,Pb溶液pH值>6,各调理剂的吸附量迅速降低。     

生物质改良剂对川西北地区高寒草地沙化土壤有机碳特征的影响

川西北高寒草原特殊的地理环境、气候条件以及过度人为放牧导致草地沙化问题突出。为了探讨不同生物质改良剂对高寒草地沙化土壤有机碳特征的影响,采用随机区组试验设计方法,设置3种生物质改良剂[秸秆类(JG)、菌渣类(JZ)、生物炭类(SWT)], 2个施用水平(6 t·hm?2和18 t·hm?2),以空白处理(CK)为对照,研究高寒草地沙化土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳和呼吸特征的变化。结果表明:1)施用生物质改良剂显著提高了土壤有机碳(TOC)、微生物量碳(MBC)和易氧化有机碳(EOC)含量,且提高效果随改良剂施用量的增加而增强。与CK相比,JG、JZ、SWT处理0～10 cm TOC含量分别平均提高60.66%、39.22%、34.99%,且JG处理显著高于JZ和SWT处理; MBC含量在0～10 cm则表现为JZJGSWTCK,且处理间差异达显著水平; EOC含量表现为JG处理最高,在0～10 cm、10～20 cm土层处分别比对照提高108.82%、79.26%。2)不同生物质改良剂处理中, EOC/TOC表现为JGJZSWTCK,MBC/TOC表现为JZJGSWTCK,且不同处理间差异显著。3)施用不同改良剂均显著提高了土壤呼吸速率,且随改良剂施用量的增加,土壤呼吸速率显著增加。与CK相比,施用6 t·hm?2的JG、JZ、SWT的土壤呼吸速率平均提高103.42%、86.31%、18.83%, JZ和JG处理的土壤呼吸速率显著高于SWT和CK处理。相关性分析表明,土壤水分与土壤呼吸速率呈显著正相关关系, TOC、MBC以及EOC与土壤呼吸速率呈极显著正相关关系。4)施入不同改良剂均显著提高了土壤呼吸总量、土壤微生物呼吸总量和净生态系统生产力(NEP值),均表现出较强的碳汇潜力, JG处理的NEP值较JZ和SWT处理分别显著提高56.45%和122.12%,且各处理间差异显著,说明秸秆改良剂具有较高的碳汇强度。该研究可为川西北藏区补充完善高寒草地沙化土壤制定科学有效的土壤碳调控管理措施提供依据。     

磷灰石等改良剂对重金属铜镉污染土壤的田间修复研究

通过田间小区试验,研究了磷灰石、石灰、木炭、猪粪、铁粉5种改良剂对Cu、Cd复合污染土壤的改良效果。结果表明,石灰、磷灰石、木炭、猪粪降低了土壤溶液中重金属Cu、Cd的含量,提高了土壤溶液的pH,但改良效果随着时间的推移不断降低。磷灰石、石灰、木炭的加入显著降低了有效态Cu含量,但对有效态Cd含量影响较小。与猪粪相比,磷灰石、石灰、木炭显著增加了黑麦草生物量,提高了对重金属Cu、Cd的吸收能力,对该污染土壤的修复具有实践应用价值。     

Effects of fresh and aged copper contaminations on soil microorganisms

The aim of the investigation was to compare effects of fresh and aged amendments of copper (Cu) on the active, aerobic, heterotrophic microbial biomass by respiration and potential‐nitrification measurements and on microbial‐community structure by means of phospholipid‐fatty‐acid (PLFA) analyses. An A_p horizon (10–20 cm) of a Luvisol was used for the experiments. Fresh copper amendments were carried out by spraying a CuCl₂ solution on the soil. Aged heavy‐metal amendments were achieved by mixing the control soil with monocontaminated soil derived from an abandoned site in Denmark which has been used as a wood‐preservation plant. As expected, fresh contaminations were more effective to reduce potential nitrification and respiration than aged contaminations if the total Cu concentration (Cu_t) in soils is considered. There were no differences between aged and fresh contaminations if their effects were referred to NH₄Cl‐extractable concentrations (Cu_AN). The lowest concentration reducing cumulative substrate‐induced respiration (C_R) amounted to 0.33 mg Cu_AN (kg dm)^–1. PLFA analyses revealed Cu contaminations to decrease mainly aerobic bacteria. Effects were more pronounced using the contaminated soil as an inoculum. Apparently the duration of contamination is more important to the change of microbial‐community structure than the actual availability of the contaminant.     

Soil amendments and seed priming influence nutrients uptake,soil properties,yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in alkali soils

The effects of soil amendments [i.e., control, gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), and gypsum?+?FYM] and seed priming (i.e., unprimed, seed soaked in water for 10?hr prior to sowing, and seed soaked in 0.4% gypsum solution for 10?hr prior to sowing) were assessed on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in alkali soil in northwestern Pakistan. A split plot design was used, keeping priming methods in main plots and soil amendments in sub-plots. The results showed that the effects of soil amendments and seed priming on grain yield, straw yield, harvest index and number of spikes were significant but their interactive effect was non-significant. The highest crop yields and yield index were obtained with gypsum?+?FYM amendments, and seed priming with gypsum solution. The effect on seed emergence, plant height and number of grains per spike was, however, not significant. Grain yield increased by 104% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment over control and by 16.8% with seed primed in water, followed by 8.5% with priming in gypsum solution, as compared to non-priming. The weight of 1000 grains was significantly increased by 35% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment and by 15.8% in gypsum priming. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content increased with soil amendments. Soil pH and gypsum requirement reduced significantly with soil amendments. The blend of gypsum and FYM has improved the properties of salt-affected soil and enhanced fertility for optimum production of wheat in addition to the beneficial effect of seed priming in gypsum solution on crop yield. Using these amendments could be ameliorative in removing the adverse effect of the salt-affected soils, rendering the soil a good medium for plant growth.     

土壤结构改良剂对土壤水动力学参数的影响

该文研究土壤结构改良剂对土壤水分动力学参数的影响。通过对试验数据进行初步分析后得出：加入土壤结构改良剂后，土壤饱和导水率有所提高；各处理的非饱和扩散率与对照相比，施加土壤结构改良剂的处理，在水平土柱试验中，远水端同一距离处土壤含水率要低于对照处理的含水率；土壤结构改良剂具有良好的吸水和保水性能，使得土壤的持水能力增强。在水势相同的情况下，与对照相比，施加土壤结构改良剂的土壤可保持更多的水分，并增加土壤中有效水含量。施加部位不同，土壤结构改良剂对土壤所持水分的含量也有较大差别，说明在实际应用中土壤结构改良剂的施用方法和施用深度也是影响土壤水分状况的一个较为重要的因素。     

Long-term effects of organic and synthetic soil fertility amendments on soil microbial communities and the development of southern blight

The effects of tillage and soil fertility amendments on the relationship between the suppressiveness of soils to southern blight and soil physical, chemical and biological factors were examined in experimental station plots in North Carolina. Main plots were either tilled frequently or surface-mulched after one initial tillage. Organic soil amendments including composted cotton gin trash, composted poultry manure, an incorporated rye-vetch green manure, or synthetic fertilizer were applied to subplots in a split-plot design experiment. Incidence of southern blight was lower in surfaced-mulched than tilled soils. Incidence of southern blight was also lower in soils amended with cotton gin trash than those amended with poultry manure, rye-vetch green manure or synthetic fertilizer. Soil water content was negatively correlated with the incidence of disease in both years. Disease incidence was negatively correlated with the level of potassium, calcium, cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation (BS) and humic matter in 2002, and net mineralizable nitrogen in 2001. Although, populations of thermophilic organisms were significantly higher in soils amended with cotton gin trash than the other three fertility amendments in each year, there was no significant correlation between the populations of thermophiles and incidence of the disease. Bacterial community diversity indices based on community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) were significantly higher in soils amended with cotton gin trash than those amended with poultry manure, green manure or synthetic fertilizer. There was a significant negative correlation between the incidence of southern blight, and CLPP and DGGE diversity indices. Greater differences in the richness of bacterial functional groups than genotypes were observed. These results demonstrate that organic soil fertility amendments and cotton gin trash in particular, reduced the development of the disease and affected soil physical, chemical and biological parameters.     

Remediation of saline-sodic soil using organic and inorganic amendments: physical,chemical, and enzyme activity properties

Purpose

Crops grow poorly in saline-sodic soils, and the productivity of these soils can be dramatically improved with proper amendments. Current research mainly focuses on either organic or inorganic soil amendments, whereas few studies address options of combining organic and inorganic amendments. The objective of this study was to develop new organic and inorganic soil amendments which can lower the soil pH, replace sodium, and improve soil structure.

Materials and methods

Polyhalite (PL), microporous potassium-silicon-calcium mineral fertilizer (MF), furfural residue (FR), and fulvic acid (FA) were mixed with four different ratios to produce organic and inorganic soil amendments: PLFR, PLFA, MFFR, and MFFA. And their optimum mixing ratios were determined by comparing the potassium, calcium concentrations, and pH of filtrate after dissolution. Then, a leaching experiment was conducted by packing mixtures (mass ratio of soil to amendment = 219:1, equivalent to 13 t/hm²) of the saline-sodic soil with each one of these amendments plus two contrasts, gypsum (GP), and no amendment (CK). And the remediation effect was compared by pH, EC, ESP, texture, organic recombination degree of clay, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water-stable aggregates fraction, and enzyme (urease, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase) activities of soil.

Results and discussion

After four times leaching experiment, soil treated with PLFR had lower pH and 25.86% lower exchangeable sodium than untreated soils. The water-stable small macroaggregate fractions and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the MFFR-treated soils were significantly increased by 133% and 31%, respectively. Also, the total soil and heavy fraction organic carbons of the soils treated with MFFR in addition to its alkaline phosphatase activity were all significantly higher than the other treatments.

Conclusions

The results revealed that MFFR has more potential as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and quality and thus help in the development and use of saline-sodic lands for agriculture.

     

Organic and synthetic fertility amendments influence soil microbial,physical and chemical properties on organic and conventional farms

Field experiments were conducted to examine the effects of organic and synthetic soil fertility amendments on soil microbial communities and soil physical and chemical properties at three organic and three conventional vegetable farms in Virginia and Maryland in 1996 and 1997. Two treatments, including either an alternative organic soil amendment (composted cotton-gin trash, composted yard waste, or cattle manure) or synthetic soil amendment (fertilizer) were applied to three replicated plots at each grower field location. Production history and time affected propagule densities of Trichoderma species which remained higher in soils from organic farms. Propagule densities of Trichoderma species, thermophilic microorganisms, and enteric bacteria were also detected in greater numbers in soils amended with alternative than synthetic amendments, whereas propagule densities of Phytophthora and Pythium species were lower in soils amended with alternative than synthetic fertility amendments. Concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, and Mn were higher in soils amended with alternative than synthetic fertility amendments. Canonical correlations and principle component analyses indicated significant correlation between these soil chemical factors and the biological communities. First-order canonical correlations were more negative in fields with a conventional history, and use of synthetic fertilizers, whereas canonical correlations were more positive in fields with a history of organic production and alternative soil amendments. In the first year, yields of corn or melon were not different in soil amended with either synthetic or organic amendments at four of six farms. In the second year, when all growers planted tomatoes, yields were higher on farms with a history of organic production, regardless of soil amendment type. Alternative fertility amendments, enhanced beneficial soil microorganisms reduced pathogen populations, increased soil organic matter, total carbon, and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and lowered bulk density thus improving soil quality.