酒糟生物炭与化肥配施对土壤理化特性及作物产量的影响

【目的】以酿酒废弃物(酒糟)为原料热解制备可燃气体和生物炭,研究生物炭对土壤及作物产量的影响,为酒糟的无害化处理与资源化利用,以及合理施用生物炭提供理论依据。【方法】利用电子显微镜观察比较400°C、480°C和600°C裂解得到的生物炭表面结构,分析其理化性质。在四川泸州设置油菜–高粱轮作田间试验,研究不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(CF)和化肥与生物炭配施(CF+BC)处理的作物产量和土壤理化性质及生物学性状。【结果】在480°C热裂解条件下,酒糟生物炭的表面孔隙结构最佳,pH 10.1,阳离子交换较大(33.41cmol/kg),保蓄了较多的碳、氮、磷、钾,理化性质最优。在CF+BC处理中,田间土壤碳含量增加,土壤微生物生物量碳氮提高,蔗糖酶和磷酸酶活性及有效氮、磷、钾含量显著高于或相似于CF,说明部分生物炭能被微生物利用,促进其生长繁殖,增强土壤酶活,提高土壤养分的生物有效性。与单施化肥相比,化肥配施生物炭使油菜和高粱产量分别增加9.3%和9.5%,油菜磷和钾的经济效率分别提高15.1%和30.7%。【结论】采用480℃低温热裂解制备的酒糟生物炭理化性质优良,与化肥配施有利于提高油菜...     

苏打盐碱水灌溉的土壤添加石膏肥和有机肥后水溶性碳和微生物碳研究

Microbial biomass carbon (MBC), a small fraction of soil organic matter, has a rapid turnover rate and is a reservoir of labile nutrients. The water-extractable carbon pools provide a fairly good estimate of labile C present in soil and can be easily quantified. Changes in soil MBC and water-extractable organic carbon pools were studied in a 14-year long-term experiment in plots of rice-wheat rotation irrigated with canal water (CW), sodic water (SW, 10-12.5 mmol c L-1 residual sodium carbonate), and SW amended with gypsum with or without application of organic amendments including farmyard manure (FYM), green manure (GM), and wheat straw (WS). Irrigation with SW increased soil exchangeable sodium percentage by more than 13 times compared to irrigation with CW. Sodic water irrigation significantly decreased hot water-extractable organic carbon (HWOC) from 330 to 286 mg kg-1 soil and cold water-extractable organic carbon (CWOC) from 53 to 22 mg kg-1 soil in the top 0-7.5 cm soil layer. In the lower soil layer (7.5-15 cm), reduction in HWOC was not significant. Application of gypsum alone resulted in a decrease in HWOC in the SW plots, whereas an increase was recorded in the SW plots with application of both gypsum and organic amendments in both the soil layers. Nevertheless, application of gypsum and organic amendments increased the mean CWOC as compared with application of gypsum alone. CWOC was significantly correlated with MBC but did not truly reflect the changes in MBC in the treatments with gypsum and organic amendments applied. For the treatments without organic amendments, HWOC was negatively correlated with MBC (r = 0.57*) in the 0-7.5 cm soil layer, whereas for the treatments with organic amendments, both were positively correlated. Irrigation with SW significantly reduced the rice yield by 3 t ha-1 and the yield of rice and wheat by 5 t ha-1 as compared to irrigation with canal water. Application of amendments significantly increased rice and wheat yields. Both the rice yield and the yield of rice and wheat were significantly correlated with MBC (r = 0.49**-0.56**, n = 60). HWOC did not exhibit any relation with the crop yields under the treatments without organic amendments; however, CWOC showed a positive but weak correlation with the crop yields. Therefore, we found that under sodic water irrigation, HWOC or CWOC in the soils was not related to MBC.     

Post‐fallow tillage and crop effects on soil enzymes and other indicators

Soil changes induced by crop rotations and soil management need to be quantified to clarify their impact on yield and soil quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous oat (Avena sativa L.) and a lupin (Lupinus albus L.)‐oat rotation with and without tillage on soil enzymes, crop biomass and other soil properties In year 1, oat and lupin were grown in undisturbed plots or in plots subjected to disc tillage. Crop residues were incorporated before oat was sown in year 2 in the disc‐tilled plots or remained on the soil surface of untilled plots. Soil samples were collected regularly and analysed for pH, organic C, Kjeldahl‐N, mineral N, extractable P, and the enzyme activities of β‐glucosidase, cellulases, acid phosphatase, proteases, urease, and culturable bacteria and fungi. The main crop and tillage effects on soil parameters were: β‐glucosidase activity was greater after lupin than after oat, and the opposite was true for the number of culturable fungi. Organic carbon, phosphatase, cellulase and protease were greater in tilled soil than in the absence of tillage. Associations between variables that were stable over the 2 yr were those for mineral N and urease activity, cellulase activity and pH, and that of phosphatase activity and organic C. Our results contrast with most of the previous information on the effect of tillage on soil enzymes, where the activities were reported to be unchanged or decreased following tillage. This difference may be related to the small organic C content of the soil and to the fact that it was under fallow prior to the start of the experiment. In consequence, incorporation of residues would provide new sources of labile organic C for soil microbes, and result in increased enzymatic activity. The results obtained suggest that in coarse‐textured soils poor in organic matter, tillage with residue conservation after a period of fallow rapidly improves several soil characteristics and should be carried out even if it were to be followed by a no‐till system in the following years. This should be taken into consideration by land managers and technical advisers.     

有机物料输入稻田提高土壤微生物碳氮及可溶性有机碳氮

土壤微生物量碳、氮和可溶性有机碳、氮是土壤碳、氮库中最活跃的组分,是反应土壤被干扰程度的重要灵敏性指标,通过设置相同有机碳施用量下不同有机物料处理的田间试验,研究了有机物料添加下土壤微生物量碳（soil microbial biomass carbon,MBC）、氮（soil microbial biomass nitrogen,MBN）和可溶性有机碳（dissolved organic carbon,DOC）、氮（dissolved organic nitrogen,DON）的变化特征及相互关系。结果表明化肥和生物碳、玉米秸秆、鲜牛粪或松针配施下土壤微生物量碳、氮和可溶性有机碳、氮显著大于不施肥处理（no fertilization,CK）和单施化肥处理,分别比不施肥处理和单施化肥平均高23.52%和12.66%（MBC）、42.68%和24.02%（MBN）、14.70%和9.99%（DOC）、22.32%和21.79%（DON）。化肥和有机物料配施处理中,化肥+鲜牛粪处理的微生物量碳、氮和可溶性有机碳、氮最高,比CK高26.20%（MBC）、49.54%（MBN）、19.29%（DOC）和32.81%（DON）,其次是化肥+生物碳或化肥+玉米秸秆处理,而化肥+松针处理最低。土壤可溶性有机碳质量分数（308.87 mg/kg）小于微生物量碳（474.71 mg/kg）,而可溶性有机氮质量分数（53.07 mg/kg）要大于微生物量氮（34.79 mg/kg）。与不施肥处理相比,化肥和有机物料配施显著降低MBC/MBN和DOC/DON,降低率分别为24.57%和7.71%。MBC和DOC、MBN和DON随着土壤有机碳（soil organic carbon,SOC）、全氮（total nitrogen,TN）的增加呈显著线性增加。MBC、MBN、DOC、DON、DOC+MBC和DON+MBN之间呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）。从相关程度看,DOC+MBC和DON+MBN较MBC、DOC、MBN、DON更能反映土壤中活性有机碳和氮库的变化,成为评价土壤肥力及质量的更有效指标。结果可为提高洱海流域农田土壤肥力,增强土壤固氮效果,减少土壤中氮素流失,保护洱海水质安全提供科学依据。     

Soil microbiological properties and its stratification ratios for soil quality assessment under different cover crop management systems in a semiarid vineyard

In vineyards in Spain, tillage and semiarid Mediterranean climatic conditions accelerate organic matter loss from the soil. Cover crops are a conservation management practice that can provoke changes in soil quality which requires evaluation. Stratification ratios of soil properties such as soil organic C and labile C fractions have been proposed for the assessment of soil quality under different soil management systems. Our objective was to study the effect of different cover crop management on various soil parameters and their stratification ratios. We evaluated three different soil managements in a Typic Haploxerept from NE Spain: conventional tillage (CT); 5‐y continuous cover crop of resident vegetation (RV); and 4‐y continuous cover crop of Festuca longifolia Thuill., followed by 1‐y Bromus catharticus L. after resowing (BV). We monitored soil organic C, particulate organic C, water soluble C, potentially mineralizable N, microbial biomass C, β‐glucosidase and urease enzymatic activities, and water stable aggregates at 0–2.5, 2.5–5, 5–15, 15–25, and 25–45 cm soil depths. We calculated soil depth stratification ratios of those soil properties. Resident cover crop increased microbiological properties, labile C fractions, and aggregation with respect to conventional tillage at 0–2.5 and 2.5–5 cm soil depths. However, for Bromus cover crop the same soil properties were lower than for the resident cover crop at 0–2.5 cm depth. Stratification ratios of β‐glucosidase and urease enzymatic activities, and particulate organic C showed a higher sensitivity than other soil properties; therefore, they would be the best indicators for soil quality assessment in semiarid Mediterranean vineyards.     

Increased phosphorus availability to corn resulting from the simultaneous applications of phosphate rock, calcareous rock, and biochar to an acid sandy soil

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the main constraints on crop production in Arenosols (acid sandy soil). The high cost of P fertilizers may represent an insurmountable obstacle in many poor countries, leaving the exploitation of their own calcareous and phosphate rocks as the only low-cost and long-term alternative. Biochar is suggested to have positive effects on soil properties; however, there is no published research on the synergistic effects of biochar and rocky materials in modifying soil properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical and biochemical responses of an acid Arenosol treated with phosphate rock (PR), calcareous rock (CR), and biochar (BC), and the implications for corn yield. A soil from Marracuene District, Mozambique was used, where corn was grown for 90 d with the soil treated with:no addition (control), water-soluble zinc phosphite fertilizer (WSP), PR, WSP+CR, WSP+BC, WSP+CR+BC, PR+BC, and PR+CR+BC. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis of babycorn peels for 4 h at 450℃ and applied at 11 g kg^-1. The soil pH_H2O increased from about 4.54 in the control to 7.38 in the PR+CR+BC treatment. Easily oxidizable organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and available P were higher in the treatments containing BC than in the control. The treatments containing CR and/or BC led to the highest activities of alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, and α-glucosidase, which increased P availability and gave the greatest biomass and yields. We suggest that biochar provides additional soluble P and supplies adsorption sites for phosphate, preventing its evolution to unavailable forms. Thus, PR applied together with BC contributed to an 840% yield increase compared to the control. The treatments containing WSP and BC facilitated phosphite oxidation to phosphate and increased crop yield.     

Effect of 46 years' application of fertilizers,FYM and lime on physical,chemical and biological properties of soil under maize–wheat system in an acid Alfisol of northwest Himalayas

Imbalanced fertilizer use with intensive cropping has threatened the sustainability of agroecosystems, especially on acid soils. An understanding of the long-term effects of fertilizers and amendments on soil health is essential for sustaining high crop yields. The effects of application of fertilizers, and amendments for 46 years on soil properties and maize yield in an acid Alfisol were investigated in this study. Ten fertilizer treatments comprising different amounts of NPK fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM) and lime, and one control, were replicated three times in a randomized block design. At 0–15 cm soil depth, bulk density was least (1.20 t/m³), porosity (49.8%) and water holding capacity (61.7%) were greatest in 100% NPK + FYM, corresponding to the largest organic carbon content (13.93 g/kg). Microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase activity in 100% NPK + FYM were 42% and 13.7% greater than 100% NPK, respectively. Available nutrients were significantly more with 100% NPK + FYM and 100% NPK + lime than control and other fertilizer treatments. At 15–30 cm depth, the effect of various treatments was comparable to the surface layer. Grain yield declined by 55% and 53% in 100% NPK(-S) and 100% NP, respectively, compared with 100% NPK, whereas 100% N as urea alone eventually led to crop failure. Soil porosity recorded the greatest positive correlation (r = .933**), whereas bulk density recorded a negative significant correlation (r = −.942**) with grain yield. The results suggest that integrated use of FYM/lime with chemical fertilizers is a sustainable practice in terms of crop yield and soil health, whereas continuous application of urea alone is detrimental to the soil health.     

不同养分和水分模式对水稻土化学和微生物学质量参数的影响

A field experiment was conducted from 1999 to 2002 to compare and evaluate the effects of nutrient and water regimes on paddy soil quality by investigating soil chemical and microbiological parameters. Four nutrient regimes, a control, chemical fertilizers only (CF), chemical fertilizers with swine manure (SM), and chemical fertilizers with wheat straw (WS), and two soil moisture regimes, continuous waterlogging (CWL) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD), were investigated. With SM and WS total organic carbon and total nitrogen in the paddy soil were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those with CF. A similar effect for organic amendments was observed in the soil light fraction organic C (LFOC), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and water-soluble organic C (WSOC). CWL, in particular when swine manure was incorporated into the paddy soil, markedly decreased soil redox potential (Eh) and increased total active reducing substances (ARS). Meanwhile, as compared to CF, SM and WS significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and mineralizable carbon, with differences in AWD being higher than CWL. In addition, SM and WS treatments significantly (P < 0.05) improved rice above-ground biomass and grain yield, with AWD being greater than CWL. Thus, for ecologically sustainable agricultural management of paddy soils, long-term waterlogging should be avoided when organic manure was incorporated into paddy soil.     

不同原料堆制的有机无机复混肥对辣椒产量和土壤生物性状的影响

通过田间试验,研究了施用以菜粕堆肥、猪粪堆肥和中药渣堆肥制成的3种有机无机复混肥对辣椒产量、土壤矿质态氮和土壤微生物量碳、氮以及微生物多样性的影响。结果表明:1）各施肥处理辣椒果实产量为2451.1～3301.5kg/hm2,均显著高于对照（CK,1700.8 kg/hm2）;3种原料堆制的有机无机复混肥的辣椒果实产量为2851.3～3301.5kg/hm2,显著高于单施化肥CF,增产率为16.3%～34.7%。2）与CF和CK处理比较,3种原料堆制的有机无机复混肥处理明显提高了土壤矿质态氮含量,改善了土壤供氮能力,增加了土壤微生物量C、N含量。3）对各处理土壤DNA条带采用邻接法分析(Eighbor Joining)表明,5个处理土壤样品共分为3大族群,CF与CK为一种族群,菜粕堆制的有机无机复混肥（RCC）为另一种族群,猪粪堆制的（PMC）和中药渣堆制的有机无机复混肥（CMC）又属另一种族群。说明施入外源有机物质(菜粕、猪粪与中药渣)可能改变土壤的细菌群落结构,而施入化肥对土壤的细菌群落结构影响较小。     

Carbon Budget and Aggregate Stability of Paddy Soil under Continuous Organic Amendment

ABSTRACT

Damage to soil structures and depletions of soil carbon under paddy cultivation are concerns for the sustenance of food security in Bangladesh. Long-term organic amendment in paddy field plays an important role in improving soil properties and crop productivity, but no such study has yet been conducted under rice-fallow-rice. A field experiment was carried out with or without the addition of cow dung (CD) and poultry manure (PM) as integrated plant nutrient systems (IPNS) to evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC) budget, net ecosystem carbon stock, and aggregate stability. The experiment was established in 2009 and continued until 2016 under the rice-fallow-rice system. Soil bulk density reduced from 1.39 to 1.37 g cm^?3 and soil aggregate size increased from 6.78 to 7.05 mm with organic amendments. Both carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents increased with the addition of CD and PM, which varied with aggregate size. The highest C (1.6–2.15%) and N (0.11–0.24%) contents were observed in 0.30 mm aggregate than other fractions. Soil organic C contents showed polynomial relationships with aggregate size and organic amendment. The SOC sequestration ranged from 94 to 168 kg ha^?1 depending on organic materials used. The C balances were negative for control (?99 to ?201 kg ha^?1) and chemical fertilizers alone (?58 to ?91 kg ha^?1). In comparison to control treatment, grain yield of rice increased significantly with the addition of organic substances. Balanced application of CD and PM with IPNS-based inorganic fertilizers was the best management option for yield and sustainable soil health.     

Nitrogen Management for Sustainable Soil Organic Carbon Increase in Inceptisols Under Wheat Cultivation

Application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers to increase crop yield is a worldwide practice, which also has a positive influence on the soil organic carbon (SOC) increase. This study was carried out to investigate the dynamics of SOC and its fractions under different levels of N fertilization in wheat grown inceptisols of Northeast India over a period of 2 years. For the purpose of this study, fertilizer treatments with five N levels (40, 60, 72, 80, and 100 kg N ha^?1) were applied in randomized block design. Increased SOC particulate organic carbon (POC), humic acid carbon, and fulvic acid carbon were recorded under application of higher N. Stability of SOC as indicated by E4/E6 ratio and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was higher on application of 72 kg N ha^?1. Among the SOC fractions, POC and MBC respond rapidly to different N fertilization rates. Available N and phosphatase activity increased while pH and urease activity (UA) decreased as a function of applied N fertilizer levels. Nitrogen fertilization increased wheat yield and biomass with insignificant differences among 100, 80, and 72 kg N ha^?1. Thus, under the present experimental conditions, application of 72 kg N ha^?1 can sustain SOC and soil health without compromising wheat yield in the inceptisols of Northeast India.     

有机培肥对连作花生土壤肥力及活性有机碳库的影响

  目的  针对花生连作及化肥滥用导致土壤肥力下降、土壤碳库失衡等问题,开展有机培肥改善连作花生田土壤质量研究。  方法  实验选取连作5年的花生田建立四个完全随机区组,设置蚯蚓粪配施化肥（VM）、“NMM”菌肥配施化肥（BF）、单施化肥（CF）和无施入对照（CK）四个处理,在花生结荚期取样并比较土壤综合肥力指数、土壤活性有机碳含量及有效率、土壤碳库管理指数的变化。  结果  与CK和CF相比,有机培肥显著提高了土壤综合肥力指数、土壤有机碳及易氧化有机碳、微生物生物量碳、可矿化有机碳含量和碳库管理指数（P < 0.05）,其中VM处理效果最佳;有机培肥土壤微生物生物量碳、可矿化有机碳和可溶性有机碳有效率较CK和CF显著降低。冗余分析和相关性分析表明有机培肥与土壤总有机碳及各活性有机碳含量显著正相关,与除了易氧化有机碳有效率以外的其他土壤活性有机碳有效率呈负相关;碳库管理指数与易氧化有机碳、微生物量碳、可溶性有机碳、可矿化有机碳显著（P < 0.05）或极显著（P < 0.01）正相关。  结论  合理有机培肥能够提高土壤活性有机碳含量,同时有助于土壤非活性有机碳的积累。有机培肥对提高连作花生田土壤综合肥力和土壤碳库储量、缓解连作障碍有显著作用。     

Effect of conjoint use of bio-organics and chemical fertilizers on yield,soil properties under French bean–cauliflower-based cropping system

This study investigates the effect of conjoint use of bio-organics (biofertilizers + crop residues + FYM) and chemical fertilizers on yield, physical–chemical and microbial properties of soil in a ‘French bean–cauliflower’-based cropping system of mid hills of the north-western Himalayan Region (NWHR) of India. Conjoint bio-organics at varied levels of NPK chemical fertilizers increased yield of ‘cauliflower’ over corresponding single application. Incorporation of crop residues with 75% of the recommended NPK application resulted in the highest yield (19 t ha^?1). Conjoint use of bio-organics produced a yield (15.65 t ha^?1), which was statistically on a par with 75% of the recommended NPK application alone. This indicated a saving of 75% NPK chemical fertilizers. In the case of ‘French bean’, the effect was non-significant. The results also showed significant higher soil available N (351.3 kg ha^?1) under 75% NPK + biofertilizers, whereas the highest soil available K (268.3 kg ha^?1) was recorded under 75% NPK + crop residues. Lowest bulk density (1.03 Mg m^?3), highest water holding capacity (36.5%), soil organic matter (10.6 g kg^?1), bacterial (4.13 × 10⁷ cfu g^?1) and fungal (6.3 × 10⁷ cfu g^?1) counts were recorded under sole application of bio-organics. According to our study, we concluded that the combination of NPK fertilizers and bio-organics increased yield except French bean, soil available N, K and saved chemical fertilizers under ‘French bean–cauliflower’-based cropping system.     

好氧发酵猪粪部分替代化肥提高夏玉米氮素利用率和土壤肥力

  【目的】  化肥及畜禽粪便的不合理施用不仅影响作物增产,还严重威胁土壤健康和环境安全。探究不同发酵方式猪粪有机肥及有机肥替代化肥的比例对夏玉米氮素吸收及土壤碳、氮含量的影响,为规模化养猪场粪便快速处理,及制定其与化肥的适宜配比提供理论依据。  【方法】  以‘先玉335’为供试材料,在中国农业大学丰宁动物试验基地进行田间试验。设置5个处理:不施肥 (CK),100%化肥氮 (CF),100%自然堆肥猪粪氮 (PM),100%好氧发酵猪粪氮 (PC),50%好氧发酵猪粪氮 + 50%化肥氮 (FM)。分析猪粪不同发酵方式及有机氮替代比例对夏玉米氮素吸收及土壤碳氮的影响。  【结果】  在等氮条件下,与CF处理相比,FM处理产量、穗粒数、千粒重均以FM处理最高,其中FM处理显著增产13.2%,PC、PM处理与CF处理差异均不显著。FM处理玉米氮素积累量最高,两年平均为304.6 kg/hm2,较CF处理氮素累积量显著提高15.5%;PC、PM处理与CF处理氮素积累量差异不显著。与CF 处理相比,FM处理的氮素当季回收率、氮素农学利用率和偏生产力两年平均分别显著提高85.9%、59.5%和13.2% (P < 0.05),PC、PM处理与CF 处理之间无显著差异。在玉米拔节期和抽穗期,FM处理0—40 cm土壤无机氮含量均最高,与 CF 无显著差异;在成熟期,FM处理土壤无机氮含量较CF处理显著增加41.8%,而PC和PM处理与CF处理无显著差异。此外,施用有机肥可不同程度地增加土壤有机碳和全氮含量,与CF处理相比,PC和FM处理使有机碳含量分别显著提高13.3%和9.8%;FM处理土壤全氮含量显著提高33.4%。  【结论】  在等氮条件下与单施化肥相比,50%好氧发酵猪粪氮 + 50%化肥氮配施不仅显著提高了夏玉米产量和氮素累积吸收量,还提升了土壤全氮和有机碳含量以及0—40 cm土层土壤无机氮含量。单独施用自然堆肥、好氧发酵猪粪及化肥在产量和氮素积累方面没有显著差异,但可增加土壤全氮和有机碳含量,有利于土壤培肥,而施用好氧发酵猪粪的效果又优于施用自然堆肥。     

Effects of combined application of vermicompost and mineral fertilizer on the growth of Allium cepa L. and soil fertility

The promotion of organic farming involves curtailing extensive use of mineral fertilizers. The present study was aimed to compare the effects of vermicompost (10 Mg ha^–1), commercial mineral fertilizer (NPK—100:80:80), and their combination on (1) the growth of a major cash crop “onion” (Allium cepa L.) and (2) the changes that may have occurred in the amended soil. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications during the crop‐growing season of 2008/09. Results showed significantly higher plant growth in the combined/mix treatment of vermicompost and NPK, as measured by the vegetative growth of bulbs, number and length of tillers per bulb, and fresh weight of bulbs and by the biochemical characteristics of the onion tillers/leaves (total chlorophyll, caretenoids, protein, and total sugar contents). Comparison of the mixed treatment as compared to the control showed increases in bulb size (54%), total number of bulbs per bed (52%), and fresh weight of all bulbs (198%). The chemical properties and enzyme activity of the amended soil also improved significantly in the combined treatment as compared to the application of vermicompost or the mineral fertilizer alone. Total organic C, microbial biomass C, and sulfate content were significantly higher in the mix treatment, with increases of 60%, 127%, and 126%, respectively, as compared to those of the chemical‐fertilizer‐alone treatment. Similarly, β‐glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, and dehydrogenase were significantly higher by 145%, 91%, 71%, respectively, in the mix treatment as compared to those of fertilizer‐alone application. This study indicates that application of a combination of mineral fertilizer and vermicompost in the field can positively influence the biological properties and fertility of soils, and support better plant growth, when compared to the application of mineral fertilizer or vermicompost alone. The study suggests that this combined application can reduce the quantity and cost of mineral‐fertilizers application for bulbous‐crop cultivation by 50%, while also sustaining soil biological activity of tropical and subtropical soils.     

Effect of Sewage Sludge and Rice Straw Compost on Yield,Micronutrient Availability and Soil Quality under Rice–Wheat System

ABSTRACT

There is a need to improve the way in which crop residues and industrial organic wastes are managed and also to study their potential use in agriculture for improving soil fertility and biological activity. This study evaluated the effects of integrated use of organic (sewage sludge (SS) and rice straw compost (RSC)) and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield, soil enzymes activity, macro- and micro-nutrients availability under rice–wheat cropping system after three consecutive years of cropping in a subtropical semi-arid area. Different combinations of inorganic nitrogen and two doses of organic sources (SS and RSC) were applied to the soil. The results revealed that substitution with 50% N through RSC significantly increased the yield and biochemical properties as compared to inorganic fertilizers (NPK) alone. Micronutrients availability was found increased in treatment having substitution of 50% N through SS @10 t ha^?1. All the enzymatic activities viz. dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), phosphatase, phytase, and urease) were found to be maximum by substitution of 50% N through RSC. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between soil enzymes (dehydrogenase and FDA) and organic carbon as well as crop yield. Thus, the study demonstrated that substitution of 50% inorganic nitrogen through organic sources will be a better alternative for improving soil quality and productivity.     

Glycosidases in soils as affected by cropping systems

Glycosidases are a group of soil enzymes that play a major role in degradation of carbohydrates. This study was conducted to assess the impact of crop rotation and N fertilization on the activities of α‐ and β‐glucosidases and α‐ and β‐galactosidases in plots of two long‐term field experiments at the Clarion‐Webster Research Center (CWRC) and Northeast Research Center (NERC) in Iowa. Surface‐soil (0–15 cm) samples were taken in 1996 and 1997 in corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), oats (Avena sativa L.), or meadow (alfalfa) (Medicago sativa L.) plots that received 0 or 180 kg N ha^–1, applied as urea before corn, and an annual application of 20 kg P ha^–1 and 56 kg K ha^–1. Activities of the four glycosidases were significantly affected by crop rotations in both years at the two sites but not by nitrogen application. In general, higher activities were observed in plots under meadow or oat and the lowest in continuous corn (CWRC) and soybean (NERC). Four‐year rotation showed the highest activity, followed by 2‐year rotation and monocropping systems. Linear‐regression analyses indicated that, in general, the activities of the glycosidases were significantly correlated with microbial‐biomass C (r > 0.302, p ≤ 0.05) and microbial‐biomass N (r > 0.321, p ≤ 0.05), organic‐C (r > 0.332, p ≤ 0.05) and organic‐N (r > 0.399, p ≤ 0.01) contents of the soils. Results of this work suggest that multicropping stimulated the activities of the glycosidases. The specific activities of the glycosidases in soils of the two sites studied, expressed as g p‐nitrophenol released per kg of organic C, differed among the four enzymes. The lowest values were obtained for β‐galactosidase and α‐glucosidase, followed by α‐galactosidase and β‐glucosidase.     

INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR CABBAGE-BRINJAL-RED AMARANTH CROPPING PATTERN IN HOMESTEAD AREA

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic manure and chemical fertilizers on soil properties and vegetable crops in the cabbage-brinjal-red amaranth cropping pattern at the homestead in a Grey Terrace Soil (Aric Albaquept) of Bangladesh. There were eight treatments: poultry manure (PM) at 5 t ha^?1, cowdung (CD) at 10 t ha^?1, household waste (HW) at 10 t ha^?1, PM at 2.5 t ha^?1 + chemical fertilizers (CF), CD at 5 t ha^?1 + CF, HW at 5 t ha^?1 + CF, CF, and Control. The lone CF treatment indicates 100% chemical fertilizers and any manure + CF indicates supplementary or reduced rate of fertilizers. The PM at 2.5 t ha^?1 + CF treatment performed the best yield for cabbage and brinjal, and HW at 5 t ha^?1 + CF yielded the highest for red amaranth. The highest uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur was also found in the treatment that produced the highest yield. Bulk density, organic carbon, and nutrient availability in soil as determined after two-crop cycles were improved due to the applications of manure.     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a phosphorus-deficient soil amended with organic residues and fertilizers in western Kenya

The contribution of organic resources to the restoration of soil fertility in smallholder farming systems in East Africa is being tested as an alternative to costly fertilizers. Organic inputs are expected to have advantages over fertilizers by affecting many biochemical properties controlling nutrient cycling. Our study examined changes in soil C and N, C and N mineralization, microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), and particulate organic matter (POM) in a P-limiting soil in western Kenya after applications of organic residues and fertilizers to overcome P limitation to crops. Leaf biomass from six different tree (shrub) species was incorporated into the soil at 5 Mg ha^–1 for five consecutive maize growing seasons, over 2.5 years. Triple superphosphate was applied separately at 0, 10, 25, 50, and 150 kg P ha^–1 in combination with 120 kg N ha^–1 as urea. Soil inorganic N, soil organic C, mineralizable N, and total C in all POM fractions and total N in the 53- to 250-m POM fraction increased following addition of all organic residues compared to the control. Whether there was an advantage of organic residue incorporation over inorganic fertilizer use depended on the soil parameter studied, the organic residue and the rate of fertilization. Most differences were found in N mineralization where 14.4–21.6 mg N kg^–1 was mineralized in fertilizer treatments compared to 25.2–30.5 mg N kg^–1 in organic residue treatments. C and N mineralization and the 53- to 250-m POM fractions were the most sensitive parameters, correlating with most of the studied parameters. Organic residues can contribute to improved soil nutrient cycling while the magnitude of their contribution depends on the biochemical properties of the residues.     

Assessing Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies in Winter Wheat and Cotton Crops in Northern Greece

The management of fertilizer application is crucial for agricultural production and environmental safety.The objective of this study was to assess the effciency of different fertilization strategies,applying fertilizers with and without nitrification inhibitors(NIs) in split application,in Greece.The assessment criteria used were based on crop yield,soil nitrogen(N)concentrations and economic effciency.For this purpose two crops(winter wheat and cotton)were seffected in order to explore the optimum fertilization strategy for each crop.Three treatments combining fertilizers with NIs were tested compared with conventional fertilization(CF).Slight differences in the quantity and the combination of fertilizers with NIs applied resulted in variable effects on crop yield,soil N and economic return.Split N application of 102 kg ha^-1,with half of the total amount applied at seeding,resulted in higher grain yield of winter wheat,lower NO₃^--N in soil and higher economic return.This result reveals the importance of N application at seeding in wheat crop.Fertilization strategy with 109.5 kg N ha^-1 and split P application resulted in higher cotton yield and higher economic profit.Split P application seemed to increase yield,even though it is not a common practise in the area.