Effect of shade and level of fertilizer application on nutrient uptake and dry matter partitioning in cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.)

The effect of shade and fertilizer application on nutrient uptake and dry matter (DM) partitioning in cocoyam was evaluated by growing the plant under different levels of shade and fertilizer application at Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Kade, within a period of 9 months. The shade levels used were 80%, 70%, and 50% shade, and full sunlight exposure. The fertilizer rates used were 112 kg/ha nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) (15-15-15 120 kg/ha NPK (15-15-15) in a form) of mineral fertilizer, 112 kg/ha NPK organic fertilizer and no fertilizer (control). The split-plot design was used with shade levels as the main plot factor and fertilizer levels as the sub plot factor. The interaction effect of shade and fertilizer had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on DM of cocoyam leaves, petioles, corm, and cormels as well as nutrient accumulation in plant parts. Cocoyam leaves of plants grown under 50–70% shade stored significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) quantities of nutrients (1.51 ppm of N, 6.61 ppm of P, and 53.10 ppm of K) and accumulated more DM (71.30 g) than leaves of plants grown under full sunlight exposure which accumulated 1.37 ppm of N, 4.31 ppm of P, 26.06 ppm of K, and 30.7 g DM, at the two rates of the chemical fertilizer application. Under full sunlight exposure, significantly higher amounts of DM were accumulated in the corms and cormels at mineral fertilizer level of 112 kg/ha. At mineral fertilizer rate of 120 kg/ha, nutrient accumulation was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the corm and cormels (1.72 ppm of N and 7.72 ppm of P) of plants grown under full sunlight exposure than those grown under 70% shade level (0.6 ppm of N and 2.94 ppm of P). Nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation was significant in the petioles of plants grown under the 70% shade level at fertilizer rate of 120 kg/ha. It is recommended that cocoyam be grown under 50–70% shade at a fertilizer rate of 112–120 kg/ha for leaf production and under full sunlight exposure at 112 kg/ha (NPK) for cormel production.     

集约水稻系统下施肥对土壤有机氮形态及供氮的影响

Changes of soil organic nitrogen forms and soil nitrogen supply under continuous rice cropping system were investigated in a long-term fertilization experiment in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China. The fertilizer treatments included combination of P-K, N-K, N-P, and N-P-K as well as the control. After six years of continuous double-rice cropping, total soil N and hydrolysable N contents remained stable in plots with N treatments, while the hydrolysable N contents were substantially reduced in those plots without N application. Compared to the unbalanced fertilization treatments, P and K increased the percentage of hydrolysable ammonium N in the total soil N with the balanced application of N, and also maintained higher rice grain yields and nitrogen uptake. Grain yield was positively correlated with total N uptake （r = 0.875^＊＊）, hydrolysable N （r = 0.608^＊＊）, hydrolysable ammonium N （r = 0.560^＊＊） and the hydrolysable unknown N （r = 0.417^＊＊）. Total N uptake was positively correlated with hydrolysable N （r = 0.608^＊＊）, hydrolysable ammonium N （r = 0.440^＊＊） and hydro, lysable unknown N （r = 0.431^＊＊）. Soil nutrient depletion and/or unbalanced fertilization to rice crop reduced N content in soil microbial biomass, and therefore increased C/N ratio, suggesting a negative effect on the total microbial biomass in the soil.     

稻壳基生物炭对生菜Cd吸收及土壤养分的影响

探讨稻壳基生物炭对Cd污染土壤上叶菜吸收Cd和土壤Cd形态的影响作用,明确稻壳基生物炭对土壤Cd污染的调控效应,可为合理利用稻壳基生物炭降低叶菜Cd含量提供参考。采用盆栽试验,研究了稻壳基生物炭在不同用量水平下对2茬生菜地上部Cd含量、土壤养分含量及Cd赋存形态的影响。结果表明,在5~25 g-kg-1用量范围内,稻壳基生物炭显著降低了2茬生菜地上部和根系Cd含量,且在最大用量25 g-kg-1时效果最好,地上部Cd含量分别比未施稻壳基生物炭的对照处理降低了19.6%和45.8%,根系Cd含量分别降低了36.8%和28.0%。在25 g-kg-1用量水平下,稻壳基生物炭对土壤p H、有效磷、速效钾及有机质含量提升效果明显,但显著降低了土壤碱解氮含量。施加稻壳基生物炭对土壤有效态Cd含量及Cd化学形态也有不同影响。随着稻壳基生物炭用量的增加,土壤NH4OAc提取态Cd含量和弱酸提取态Cd含量显著降低,在用量为25 g-kg-1时,分别比对照降低17.9%和10.4%,可还原态Cd含量无显著变化,可氧化态Cd含量呈减低趋势,残渣态Cd含量增加17.6%。因此推测,提升土壤p H、降低土壤有效态Cd含量、增加残渣态Cd含量可能是稻壳基生物炭降低生菜体内Cd含量的主要原因。稻壳基生物炭可以作为土壤改良剂,抑制Cd污染土壤上叶菜对Cd的吸收,改善土壤养分状况。     

3种固沙材料与风沙土复配后土壤改良效应及其质量评价

揭示风沙土复配其他固沙材料后的土壤质量变化及改良效应对研发防沙固沙新材料具有重要的指导意义。以乌兰布和沙漠风沙土为对照(CK),采用粉煤灰、脱硫石膏、牛粪3种固沙材料按干质量比15%,25%与风沙土进行复配,研究了不同材料与配比复配土壤对机械组成、养分含量、金属含量的改良效应,运用最小数据集构建、隶属度计算与土壤质量指数计算等方法评价了复配土壤质量。结果表明:(1)不同复配土壤的机械组成均发生了改变,粉粒、粗砂等难蚀、较难蚀颗粒体积分数增加,易蚀的细砂体积分数降低。(2)除石膏复配土壤各养分指标与CK相近外,其余复配土壤有机碳含量较对照提高1.2～10.4倍,牛粪复配土壤在提高养分含量方面显著高于其他材料; 以牛粪和石膏为材料的复配土则分别增加或降低了沙土中的金属含量,而粉煤灰复配土的Cr,As较CK下降。(3)不同复配土对土壤理化性质作用影响各异,粉煤灰在粒径改良方面较优,牛粪在养分提升方面效果显著,石膏在重金属含量降低方面作用明显,粉煤灰石膏混合复配则综合了二者的优势。(4)3种固沙材料均在不同程度上提高了复配土壤的质量,但复配土壤质量仍处于较低水平。综上,不同复配比例组合中,15%粉煤灰复配土壤质量得分指数最高为0.545,对风沙土的改良效果最好,其次为15%脱硫石膏(0.537),15%牛粪(0.506)和25%粉煤灰与脱硫石膏(0.484)复配组合。     

多种有机物料混施对苹果幼苗生长、氮素利用及土壤特性的影响

以"M9T337"苹果幼苗为试材,利用~(15)N同位素示踪技术,研究了等氮量投入下,不同有机物料单施及混施对苹果幼苗生长、~(15)N吸收利用及土壤特性的影响。试验设置CK(只施用化学肥料,不施有机物料)、S(秸秆)、B(生物炭)、F(牛粪)、SB(1/2秸秆+1/2生物炭)、SF(1/2秸秆+1/2牛粪)、FB(1/2牛粪+1/2生物炭)、SFB(1/3秸秆+1/3牛粪+1/3生物炭)8个处理。结果表明:施用有机物料可以促进苹果幼苗的生长,其中SFB处理植株鲜重、株高、茎粗、叶面积、根系活力达到最优,显著高于CK和单施有机物料的处理。添加有机物料能降低土壤容重、增加孔隙度、提高土壤含水量,其中施用生物炭的处理土壤容重降幅较大、孔隙度较高。处理期间,有机物料混合施用的处理土壤矿化氮含量、土壤酶活性及微生物数量均优于有机物料单独施用的处理。与CK和单施有机物料的处理相比,有机物料混合施用显著提高了苹果幼苗~(15)N利用率和土壤~(15)N残留率,降低了~(15)N损失率,其中3种有机物料混施效果最好。综合分析可知,有机物料能促进苹果幼苗生长,改良土壤性质,促进植株对~(15)N的吸收利用,其中牛粪、秸秆和生物炭混合施用的处理(SFB处理)效果最佳。研究结果以期为有机物料在苹果园土壤质量提升和化肥减施增效中的应用提供依据。     

Zinc priming promotes seed germination and seedling vigor of rice

The present study evaluated effects of seed zinc (Zn) priming at concentrations from 0 to 25 mM ZnSO₄ on seedling vigor and viability in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Zinc priming substantially increased Zn concentration in the husk, but not in brown rice. The movement of primed Zn from the husk into the inner layers of rice seed during germination was suggested by Zn concentration declining in the husk coinciding with the increase in brown rice over time (r = –0.62; p < 1%), which did not happen in unprimed seed. Zinc priming significantly enhanced seedling growth and development up to 5 mM. Germination rate, root number, and dry weight were much higher than in unprimed seed, but higher Zn concentrations (10 and 25 mM) depressed seedling vigor. Priming rice seed with 2.5 mM Zn also improved the germination rate of rice in a Zn‐deficient soil, with or without soil Zn application. The results confirm that priming rice seed with Zn can improve germination and seedling vigor and for the first time show how Zn requirement of germinating rice seed and seedlings can be met by the prime Zn accumulated in the husk.     

Influence of the addition of organic residues on carbohydrate content and structural stability of some highland soils in Ethiopia

Abstract. When over exploited and coupled with climatic conditions, tropical soils are subject to increased erosion and a loss of soil organic matter. Countermeasures include the incorporation of organic materials such as crop and animal residues. We studied the effect of adding crop residues and manure to soil, at five sites in Ethiopia, on carbohydrate properties, aggregate stability and the C and N distribution within water-stable aggregates. The effects of organic amendments varied between sites. The largest content of carbohydrates was obtained in the control treatment at Holeta, Ginchi (90 kg ha^–1 mustard meal), Jimma (5 t ha^–1 cow dung + 9 t ha^–1 coffee husk), Awassa (forested soil), and Sirinka (soil alley-cropped with Leuceanae ). The aggregate stability of these soils was highly correlated with the OM content but not with carbohydrates. The smaller aggregates (<1.00 mm) accumulated more carbohydrates than the larger (>1.00 mm), thereby suggesting a protecting effect within the finer soil fractions. A protecting role played by humified OM components was also indicated by the C and N distribution as well as the C:N ratios which showed preferential accumulation in small rather than in large aggregates. The isotopic ¹³C-OC values of carbohydrate extracts were generally low, suggesting that OM was from plants with C3 photosynthetic pathways. Soil treatments with maize alone or combined with coffee husks at Jimma decreased the δ¹³C‰ values slightly, revealing that maize contributed a share of the labile OM. Despite the improvement in the soil OM content, neither the carbohydrate content nor the aggregate stability were increased to the level of the forested sites, suggesting that the additions of crop residues and manure were not alone sufficient to restore the soil physical quality.     

土壤改良剂对鄱阳湖区潜育性稻田的改良作用研究

潜育化水稻土存在渍、冷、烂、闭(气)、毒及缺素等障碍因素,土壤改良剂是其改良的有效办法之一。本文研究了有机与无机材料相结合对鄱阳湖区潜育化稻田的改良效果,旨在为湖区此类土壤改良提供技术参考。田间定位试验设有机、无机改良剂10个互作处理,分别为(1)对照,T1;(2)牛粪+粉煤灰,T2;(3)牛粪+石灰,T3;(4)枯饼+粉煤灰,T4;(5)枯饼+石灰,T5;(6)牛粪+粉煤灰+石灰,T6;(7)枯饼+粉煤灰+石灰,T7;(8)牛粪+枯饼+粉煤灰,T8;(9)牛粪+枯饼+石灰,T9;(10)牛粪+枯饼+粉煤灰+石灰,T10,研究了土壤改良剂对土壤氧化还原电位、还原物质总量及土壤肥力的影响,并结合水稻产量分析了有机无机改良剂相结合的改良作用。结果表明:在提高土壤氧化还原电位方面,T5处理最明显,在抽穗期比T1显著提升了69.2%(P0.05)。在消减土壤还原性物质方面,各施用改良剂处理均能显著降低土壤还原性物质,其中T5、T8、T10三个施用石灰的处理效果最为显著,比T1分别降低了84.5%、79.3%和72.2%(P0.05)。施用土壤改良剂对土壤有机质、碱解氮、水溶性碳无显著影响,但对土壤速效磷、速效钾、pH值、电导率和水溶性氮有显著的提升作用。在提高水稻SPAD值方面,所有施枯饼的处理T4、T5,T7~T10均能显著提高水稻SPAD值,在抽穗期比T1提高了13.5~28.6%(P0.05)。3年平均产量表明,T10能显著提高潜育性稻田产量,比T1显著提高10.3%(P0.05)。因此,枯饼与石灰配合是降低鄱阳湖区潜育化稻田土壤还原性物质、提升氧化还原电位、电导率的最有效措施;牛粪、枯饼、粉煤灰、石灰相配合则是综合提升水稻产量的最有效措施。     

Long‐Term Integrated Nutrient Management for Rice‐Based Cropping Pattern: Effect on Growth,Yield, Nutrient Uptake,Nutrient Balance Sheet,and Soil Fertility

Abstract

A 7‐year‐long field trial was conducted on integrated nutrient management for a dry season rice (Boro)–green manure (GM)–wet season rice (T. Aman) cropping system at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Farm, Gazipur during 1993–1999. Five packages of inorganic fertilizers, cow dung (CD), and GM dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) were evaluated for immediate and residual effect on crop productivity, nutrient uptake, soil‐nutrient balance sheet, and soil‐fertility status. Plant height, active tiller production, and grain and straw yields were significantly increased as a result of the application of inorganic fertilizer and organic manure. Usually, the soil‐test‐based (STB) fertilizer doses for a high‐yield goal produced the highest grain yield of 6.39 t ha^?1 (average of 7 years) in Boro rice. Application of CD at the rate of 5 t ha^?1 (oven‐dry basis) once a year at the time of Boro transplanting supplemented 50% of the fertilizer nutrients other than nitrogen (N) in the subsequent crop of the cropping pattern. A positive effect of GM on the yield of T. Aman rice was observed. Following GM, the application of reduced doses of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) to the second crop (T. Aman) did not reduce yield, indicating the beneficial residual effect of fertilizer applied to the first crop (Boro rice) of the cropping pattern. The comparable yield of T. Aman was also observed with reduced fertilizer dose in CD‐treated plots. The total P, K, and S uptake (kg/ha/yr) in the unfertilized plot under an irrigated rice system gradually decreased over the years. The partial nutrient balance in the unfertilized plot (T₁) was negative for all the nutrients. In the fertilized plots, there was an apparent positive balance of P, S, and Zn but a negative balance of N and K. This study showed that the addition of organic manure (CD, dhaincha) gave more positive balances. In the T_4c treatment at 0–15 cm, the application of chemical fertilizers along with the organic manures increased soil organic carbon by (C) 0.71%. The highest concentration of total N was observed with T_4c followed by T_4d and T_4b, where CD was applied in Boro season and dhaincha GM was incorporated in T. Aman season. The sixfold increase in soil‐available P in T_4b‐, T_4c‐, T_4a‐treated plots was due to the addition of CD. Dhaincha GM with the combination of chemical fertilizer helps to mobilize soil‐available P by 3 to 6 ppm. The highest amount of soil‐available S was found in T_4c‐ and T_4a‐treated plots. It was 2.5 times higher than that of the initial soil. The application of CD and dhaincha GM along with chemical fertilizers not only increased organic C, total N, available P, and available S but also increased exchangeable K, available Zn, available iron (Fe), and available manganese (Mn) in soil.     

Effect of salinity and silicon on root characteristics,growth, water status,proline content and ion accumulation of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

Abstract

A significant part of potentially mineralizable organic nitrogen (N) in soil comprises microbial cells (Bonde et al. 1988). Since the major part of organic N in cow dung also consists of microbial biomass N (Marsh and Campling 1970), it may be worth comparing the origin and the successive processes of N mineralisation in cow dung with those in soil. We studied the effect of the dung beetle, Onthophagus lenzii H., on the decomposition of cow dung and found that the dung beetle played a significant role in this process (Yokoyama et al. 1990). We employed, here, the acid hydrolysis method to analyze the effect of the dung beetle on N transformation in dung balls and residual cow dung.     

苏南典型区农田土壤硒-镉拮抗作用研究

以苏南典型区2027套稻米-土壤样品的Se、Cd含量及其相关的元素地球化学调查数据为基础,通过元素相关性统计分析及生物富集系数(BCF)等分布特征研究,本文探讨了农田土壤中Se与Cd的拮抗作用及其控制因素。结果表明：1)土壤中Se和Cd分布共消长特征明显,两者之间具有显著正相关性、相关系数R最高可达0.87；2)有关岩石、陶瓷原料、河泥等均可成为农田富集Se、Cd的物质来源,且多为富Cd强于富Se,只有源于富硒岩石的富硒土壤可排除Cd污染干扰、其开发利用价值最高；3)稻米Se与Cd的生物富集系数多介于0.1～0.8之间,土壤偏碱性有利于稻籽吸收Se、偏酸性则有助于稻籽吸收Cd,受土壤Se、Cd同富集之影响,富硒米与镉超标大米可能同时出现；4)土壤富Se抑制稻米Cd吸收是有条件的,当土壤Se大于0.4mg/kg、总有机碳大于1.5%时,稻米Cd与土壤Se、Cd生物富集系数与土壤Se之间均存在显著负相关性,相关系数R分别为-0.74、-0.56；5)pH与Cd生物富集系数、TOC与Se生物富集系数之间也有显著负相关性,其相关系数R分别为-0.79、-0.65。     

Soil nutrient status and yield of rice as affected by long-term integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers

Nutrient balance is the key component to increase crop yields. Excess and imbalanced use of nutrients has caused nutrient mining from the soil and deteriorated crop productivity and ultimately soil health. Replenishment of these nutrients has a direct impact on soil health and crop productivity. Based on this fact, the present research was conducted to determine the effects of long-term integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil nutrient status and yield (grain and straw) in rice. Different combinations of inorganic nitrogen (N) and organic sources (sewage sludge and compost) were applied to the soil. Data revealed that application of mineral NPK in combination with 50% N through compost significantly increased the organic matter content (0.36%), available phosphorus (16.50 kg/ha) and available potassium content (239.80 kg/ha) in soil. The maximum available N (225.12 kg/ha) was found by the substitution of 50% N through sewage sludge. This improvement in soil nutrient status through combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers produced significant increase in grain and straw yield as compared to inorganic fertilizers alone. Maximum grain (6.96 t/ha) and straw (8.56 t/ha) yields were found in treatment having substitution of 50% N (recommended) through compost @10t/ha. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between soil nutrients and straw and grain yield in rice. Thus the study demonstrated that substitution of 50% inorganic N through compost will be a good alternative for improving soil fertility.     

Effects of biochar and poultry manure on soil properties,growth, yield and quality of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott) grown in sandy soil

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons, to evaluate the effects of biochar (B) and poultry manure (PM) on soil physical and chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentrations, growth, mineral composition and corm and cormel yield of cocoyam. The experiment each year consisted of 4 × 2 factorial combinations of B (0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha^?1) and PM (0 and 7.5 t ha^?1). Results of the study indicated that in both years, the application of B and PM alone, and in combination, improved soil physical and chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentrations, growth, mineral composition and corm and cormel yield of cocoyam. There was a significant interaction effect of B and PM (B x PM) which was adduced to the ability of the B to increase PM-use efficiency and promote better use of the nutrients in the PM. It was found that combination of 30 t ha^?1 B and 7.5 t ha^?1 PM (B₃₀+ PM_7.5) gave the highest corm and cormel yield of cocoyam compared with other treatments. The combination of 30 t ha^?1 B and 7.5 t ha^?1 PM (B₃₀+ PM_7.5) exhibited the highest impact and is therefore recommended for soil sustainability and cocoyam productivity on sandy soil.     

Study of the Productive Behavior of Var-21 Soya (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) under the Application of Organic Fertilizers

The use of organic fertilizers to improve the agronomic parameters of soy (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) has been considered a key production practice. During the period from December 2015 to May 2016, the productive behavior of Var-21 soya under the application of two organic biofertilizers was assessed in southern Haiti. Four random repetitions were carried out with biofertilizer A (cow dung + leguminous waste + ash + rice chaff) and biofertilizer B (cow dung + molasses + quick lime). The variables analyzed were days to flowering, plant height, number of beans per pod, weight of 1,000 beans, and yield per hectare, with statistical evaluation by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. The best yield was obtained with biofertilizer A in treatment T2 (150 L/ha) (4,129.99 kg/ha). This study enabled us to identify the most efficient foliar fertilizer to improve the production parameters of Var-21 soya. The information obtained will serve as a basis for future research, especially into the effectiveness of organic fertilizers on other crop species, and under other agro-environmental conditions.     

甘蔗酒精废液对土壤理化性状及氧化还原酶的影响

在蔗地上设计不施肥(CK1)、施化肥(CK2)和4个直接喷施甘蔗酒精废液处理,研究不同用量废液施用对土壤理化性状及两种氧化还原酶活性的影响.结果表明:蔗地施用废液提高了土壤全氮、Cl-、有机质、腐殖质含量,使甘蔗苗期土壤过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性异常升高,随后迅速下降,成熟期下降到接近或小于CK2的土壤酶活性水平.甘蔗苗期土壤过氧化氢酶活性与全氮、有机质、腐殖质呈极显著正相关,与富里酸、胡敏酸、Cl-呈显著正相关(r0.05=0.811,r0.01=0.917,n=6);土壤多酚氧化酶活性与有机质、腐殖质、Cl-呈显著正相关.与不种植甘蔗的75 tCK废液处理相比,种植甘蔗的75 t废液处理甘蔗生长后期土壤全氮、有机质、Cl-含量和多酚氧化酶活性较低.说明与施用化肥或不施肥处理相比,蔗地施用废液有提高土壤肥力和有机质、腐殖质含量的作用,但也使施用初期过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性异常升高,施废液的土壤种植甘蔗对废液养分吸收和环境净化有一定作用.     

Labile organic matter fractions as early‐season nitrogen supply indicators in manure‐amended soils

Soil test indicators are needed to predict the contribution of soil organic N to crop N requirements. Labile organic matter (OM) fractions containing C and N are readily metabolized by soil microorganisms, which leads to N mineralization and contributes to the soil N supply to crops. The objective of this study was to identify labile OM fractions that could be indicators of the soil N supply by evaluating the relationship between the soil N supply, the C and N concentrations, and C/N ratios of water extractable OM, hot‐water extractable OM, particulate OM, microbial biomass, and salt extractable OM. Labile OM fractions were measured before planting spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in fertilized soils and the soil N supply was determined from the wheat N uptake and soil mineral N concentration after 6 weeks. Prior to the study, fertilized sandy loam and silty clay soils received three annual applications of 90 kg available N (ha · y)^?1 from mineral fertilizer, liquid dairy cattle manure, liquid swine manure or solid poultry litter, and there was a zero‐N control. Water extractable organic N was the only labile OM fraction to be affected by fertilization in both soil types (P < 0.01). Across both test soils, the soil N supply was significantly correlated with the particulate OM N (r = 0.87, P < 0.001), the particulate OM C (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), and hot‐water extractable organic N (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). We conclude that pre‐planting concentrations of particulate OM and hot‐water extractable organic N could be early season indicators of the soil N supply in fertilized soils of the Saint Lawrence River Lowlands in Quebec, Canada. The suitability of these pre‐planting indicators to predict the soil N supply under field conditions and in fertilized soils from other regions remains to be determined.     

Responses of Saline Soil Properties and Cotton Growth to Different Organic Amendments

Application of organic waste to saline alkaline soils is considered to be a good practice for soil remediation. The effects of applying different organic amendments (e.g., cattle dung, vermicompost, biofertilizer) and earthworm inoculations (Eisenia fetida) on saline soils and cotton growth were investigated during 1 year of cotton cultivation. Compared to the control (applied with inorganic NPK fertilizer), applying organic amendments improved soil physicochemical properties. Biofertilizer application improved available nutrient content, reduced short-term soil electrical conductivity, and produced the highest cotton yield, whereas cattle dung and vermicompost applications resulted in higher soil organic matter content. Application of organic amendments significantly increased soil microbial biomass carbon during the flowering period, which sharply declined at harvest. This was especially true for the biofertilizer treatment, which also exhibited lower nematode abundance compared with the other organic materials. Earthworm inoculation following cattle dung application failed to significantly change soil physicochemical properties when compared to the treatments without earthworm inoculation. Results suggest that biofertilizer application to saline soil would improve soil nutrient status in the short-term, whereas cattle dung application would improve soil organic matter content and increase soil organism abundance to a greater extent. However, different strategies might be required for long-term saline soil remediation.     

Comparison of paddy soil fertility under conventional rice straw application versus cow dung compost application in mixed crop–livestock systems in a cold temperate region of Japan

ABSTRACT

After the rice harvest in Japan, rice straw (RS) is usually cut by combine harvester and incorporated into the soil to improve its fertility. In mixed crop–livestock systems, however, RS is collected and used as livestock feed, and cow dung compost (CDC) is then applied to the soil. This system utilizes the residual organic matter from both rice production and livestock husbandry to make each product. CDC application is also considered to improve the fertility of paddy soil. However, the nutrient input from CDC and the effect of CDC application on soil fertility vary among regions and/or soil types. We compared soil fertility between RS application (RS treatment, avg. 32 years) and RS removal plus CDC application (CDC treatment, avg. 21 years) in 79 paddy fields in Mamurogawa town, Yamagata Prefecture, a cold temperate region of Japan, and measured the nutrient contents in the applied RS and CDC. The total C content of RS was significantly higher than that of CDC, whereas the N, P, K, and Si contents of CDC were significantly higher than those of RS. However, there was no significant difference in paddy soil fertility – as measured by soil organic C, total N, CEC, available N, P, and Si, exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, base saturation percentage, pH, and bulk density – between the treatments. The soil fertility of most fields was adequate by RS or CDC treatment. Thus, leaving RS in paddy fields or removing it and then adding CDC to the paddy fields has a similar effect in maintaining adequate soil fertility for single rice production or rice–livestock production systems.     

Impact of Animal Manure on Soil Chemistry,Mineral Nutrients,Yield, and Fruit Quality in ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple

ABSTRACT

Incorporating deep litter cow and deep litter poultry manures with the top 30-cm soil improved orchard soil chemistry, including nutrient availability, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and biological activity in a ‘Golden Delicious’ apple (Malus domestica Bork) orchard in Zanjan, Iran. Application of deep litter cow manure at 30 t ha^?1 or deep litter poultry manure at 10 t ha^?1 resulted in a higher rate of nitrogen (N) release, and thus increased yield and fruit size, but decreased fruit color. The least leaf minerals were found in the untreated control trees. The control trees showed minor symptoms of N, iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies during the following season. Positive correlation existed between the rate of manure applied and the content of soil organic matter (OM). The deep litter poultry manure at 10 t ha^?1 increased the soil K, Mg, calcium (Ca), ammonium-N, and EC levels.     

Increase in soil carbon sequestration using rice husk charcoal without stimulating CH4 and N2O emissions in an Andosol paddy field in Japan

Abstract

Biochar application has been recognized as an effective option for promoting carbon (C) sequestration, but it may also affect the production and consumption of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in soil. A 1-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of rice husk charcoal application on rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity and the balance of greenhouse gas exchanges in an Andosol paddy field. The experiment compared the treatments of rice husk charcoal applied at 10, 20 and 40 Mg ha^?1 (RC10, RC20 and RC40, respectively), rice husk applied at 20 Mg ha^?1 (RH20), and the control (CONT). Rice straw and grain yields did not significantly differ among the treatments. The seasonal cumulative CH₄ emissions were 38–47% higher from RC10, RC20 and RC40 than from the CONT. However, the increases were not in proportion to the application rates of rice husk charcoal, and their values did not significantly differ from the CONT. On the contrary, the RH20 treatment significantly increased the cumulative CH₄ emission by 227% compared to the CONT. The N₂O emissions during the measurement were not affected by the treatments. As a result, the combined global warming potential (GWP) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions was significantly higher in RH20 than in the other treatments. There was a positive linear correlation between C storage in the top 10 cm of soil and the application rate of rice husk charcoal. The increases in soil C contents compared to the CONT corresponded to 98–149% of the C amounts added as rice husk charcoal and 41% of the C added as rice husk. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes in the off season were not significantly different among RC10, RC20, RC40 and CONT, indicating that C added as rice husk charcoal remained in the soil during the fallow period. The CO₂ equivalent balance between soil C sequestration and the combined GWP indicates that the rice husk charcoal treatments stored more C in soil than the CONT, whereas the RH20 emitted more C than the CONT. These results suggest that rice husk charcoal application will contribute to mitigating global warming without sacrificing rice yields.