Effect of solid waste compost on microbiological and physical properties of a burnt forest soil in field experiments

 The restoration of soil microbial activities is a basic step in the reclamation of burnt soils. For this reason, the ability of municipal solid waste compost to accelerate the re-establishment of bacterial and fungal populations, as well as to re-establish physical properties in a burnt soil, was evaluated in a field experiment. Four treatments were performed by adding different doses of compost (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 kg compost m^–2 soil) to a burnt Calcic Rodoxeralf soil, and the changes in microbial populations, salt content, aggregate stability and bulk density were evaluated for 1 year. Initially, the addition of compost had a negative effect on soil microbial populations, but 3 months after compost addition, the number of viable fungal propagules increased in all the amended soils. This positive effect lasted until the end of the experiment. From 30 days onwards, all the amended soils showed a greater total number of bacterial cell forming units than the unamended burnt soil. Organic amendment increased the percentage of 2- to 4-mm aggregates, although the effect on the stability of the 0.2- to 2-mm aggregates and on bulk density was less noticeable. Received: 24 November 1999     

Short-term compost effect on macroaggregation in a sandy soil under low rainfall in the valley of Mexico

Several studies have shown the importance of organic material in the formation and stability of soil aggregates. The organic matter of soil (SOM) is affected among other factors by the application of farmyard waste and compost, as well as tillage and crop rotation. This paper examines the aggregation and stability of a sandy soil (Haplic Fluvisol) in the valley of Mexico when treated with either 40 Mg ha⁻¹ of compost or urea (80 kg ha⁻¹ of N) and sown to amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) under dryland conditions. The application of compost resulted in a significantly larger proportion of aggregates in the fractions >1 mm (1.0–2.0, 2.0–2.3, 2.3–4.7 mm) than in the smaller fraction (<1 mm). However the stability of the macroaggregates >1 mm in the compost treatment was not higher than in contrasting treatments which did not include organic matter. Compost, which was applied under drought conditions, did not increase the aggregate stability of the soil probably because of the restricted transformation of the compost and microorganism activity.     

Amending a loamy sand with three compost types: impact on soil quality

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the long‐term addition of three compost types (vegetable, fruit and yard waste compost – VFYW, garden waste compost – GW and spent mushroom compost – SM) on the physical properties of a sandy soil and to quantify any such effects using indicators of soil physical quality. Soil samples were taken from a field with annual compost applications of 30 m³/ha for 10 yr and various physico‐chemical analyses were undertaken. Results show a significant increase in soil organic carbon (21%) with the VFYW and GW compost types. With SM, soil organic carbon increased by 16%. Increased soil macroporosity and water content at saturation with a corresponding decrease in bulk density were observed for all compost types. However, quantification of these improvements using existing soil physical quality indicators such as the ‘S‐index’, soil air capacity and matrix porosity gave mixed results showing that these indices perform poorly when applied to sandy soils. It is concluded that the long‐term application of compost does not significantly improve the physical properties of sandy soils, but the absence of adverse effects suggests that these soils are a viable disposal option for these composts, but new indices of quality are needed for the proper characterization of sandy soils.     

Nomographic estimation and evaluation of soil erodibility under simulated and natural rainfall conditions

To evaluate soil erodibility under different land uses and to study the applicability of nomograph for estimation of soil erodibility a field experiment was conducted under both natural and simulated rainfall conditions under four land uses viz. barren, cultivated, grassland, and forest in the sub‐mountainous tract of Punjab (India). Measured soil erodibility (K) values varied from 0·33 to 0·67 under natural rainfall conditions and from 0·23 to 0·40 under simulated rainfall conditions. Among different land uses, measured K was in the order of barren > cultivated > grassland > forest soils. The values of the K estimated by nomograph were very low as compared to the observed values. The trends were also in contrast to these observed values of K under simulated and natural rainfall conditions. To modify nomograph equation, different ranges of aggregate sizes were correlated with soil loss. It was observed that water stable aggregates (WSA) <2 mm size had a significant correlation with soil loss under both natural (r = 0·88) and simulated (r = 0·76) rainfall conditions. So the nomograph equation was modified to include the M parameter based on WSA <2 mm size. The value of K estimated from the modified nomograph had a significant correlation with measured values of K under both the natural and simulated rainfall conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

模拟降雨条件下作物植株对降雨再分配过程的影响

为系统测定玉米（Zea mays L.）、大豆（Glycine max）、谷子（Setaria italica）和冬小麦（Triticum aestivum Linn.）不同生长阶段的穿透雨、茎秆流和冠层截留,研究采用室内模拟降雨法测定了不同降雨强度、不同叶面积指数作物冠下穿透雨和茎秆流,采用喷雾法测定了作物不同生长阶段的冠层截留。对其进行了量化分析,并探讨了3者与作物叶面积指数和降雨强度的关系。结果表明：在40和80 mm/h降雨强度下降雨30 min,玉米、大豆、谷子和冬小麦冠下穿透雨率分别平均为65.15%、85.52%、80.05%和72.18%;在40和80 mm/h降雨强度下降雨10～20 min,4种茎秆流率分别平均为34.59%、13.58%、19.42%和26.34%;在0.3 mm/min喷雾强度下,作物冠层截留量相对较小,冠层截留率分别为0.26%、0.90%、0.53%和1.48%。随作物生长,穿透雨量逐渐降低,茎秆流量和冠层截留量逐渐增加。降雨强度与穿透雨量和茎秆流量呈正相关关系,但是2者占总降雨量的比例与降雨强度关系不显著（p＞0.05）。随着作物生长,穿透雨冠下空间分布由均匀逐渐趋向于不均匀,具有趋于向行中汇集的趋势。该研究揭示了黄土高原地区主要作物对降雨的再分配作用特征,可为农田水分有效利用和坡耕地土壤侵蚀防治提供理论依据。     

Factors affecting runoff and erosion under simulated rainfall in Mediterranean vineyards

Data on surface runoff and soil loss on gentle slopes with vineyards are analysed. Using a rainfall simulator, 22 rainstorms with varied intensities from 30 to 117.5 mm h⁻¹ and return periods from 2 to 127 years were reproduced. The experimental plots were installed on vineyards planted in straight rows and oriented with the slope direction having a mean gradient of 3.8°. The texture of soils was loamy, with a very heterogeneous surface gravel cover. Values of measured surface runoff varied from 7.2 mm h⁻¹ for low rainfall intensities (30 mm h⁻¹) and short return periods (2 years) to 41.9 mm h⁻¹ with simulation experiments of higher rainfall intensity (104 mm h⁻¹) and long return periods (68 years). Runoff increased linearly with rainfall intensity resulting in soil losses that also increased with rainfall intensity (18.2 g m⁻² h⁻¹ with storms of 30 mm h⁻¹, and 93.2 g m⁻² h⁻¹ with storms of 104 mm h⁻¹); however, r² explains only 36% of the variance. It was necessary to add other factors to improve the coefficient of determination (0.74; p = 0.001) and the predictive function of the equation. These variables were rainfall intensity, kinetic energy of the storm, runoff, soil resistance to drop detachment, surface gravel cover, and gradient. The equation obtained was validated with the USLE-M. In comparison with similar experiments in other regions, the results obtained for soil loss were very moderate, especially those caused by rainstorms of intermediate and low intensity.     

降雨-径流条件下土壤溶质迁移过程模拟

通过雨滴的打击加速土壤表面溶质迁移至地表径流过程。通过设计3种水文条件即控制排水状态（-5 cm）、土壤水分饱和状态和土壤渗流状态（5 cm）,采用人工模拟3种降雨强度（30、60和90 mm/h）,及同时外加模拟相对于降雨量的0、2、4和10倍径流量,研究土壤溶质迁移到地表径流过程中扩散过程的规律。试验结果表明降雨强度、或地表径流总量、或地表水位线的增加,均加速土壤溶质的扩散过程。渗流作用下,对流-扩散作用存在着一种交互作用,能加速分子扩散过程。土壤溶质迁移过程同降雨强度、地表径流量和地下水位高低有着重要关系。     

绿化植物废弃物堆肥对城市绿地土壤的改良效果

针对城市中普遍存在的绿地土壤退化和有机废弃物处理处置难的现状,选择典型城市土壤进行绿化植物废弃物堆肥不同用量的绿地现场土壤改良实验.结果表明:绿化植物废弃物堆肥能提高土壤持水能力;降低土壤的酸碱度;增加土壤有机质、总N、总P、有效P、生物量C、N和微生物总量;堆肥对土壤全K的含量总体影响不大,但速效K的含量却成倍增加;说明绿化植物废弃物能改善土壤理化性质,提高土壤肥力,且随着堆肥用量的增加,对土壤的改良作用也越显著;鉴于绿化植物废弃物高C/N,其用量宜控制在13240 kg/hm~2以内.绿化植物废弃物堆肥就地利用即能改良城市退化土壤,又减少城市废弃物量,有利于提高城市生态环境质量.     

冻融条件下土壤可蚀性对坡面氮磷流失的影响

冻融作用与水力侵蚀的复合作用更容易使土壤发生侵蚀,进而加剧土壤养分的流失,为了揭示冻融作用下土壤可蚀性对坡面养分流失的影响,该文采用室内模拟降雨试验,研究了不同土壤含水率(SWC)下坡面的降雨产流产沙及养分流失特征,并分析了土壤可蚀性对坡面全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)流失的影响。结果表明:产流率与产沙率之间呈现正线性相关关系,相关方程斜率的绝对值可作为土壤可蚀性指标。径流中氮磷的流失主要受径流率控制,受土壤可蚀性影响较小(P0.05);而土壤可蚀性显著影响着泥沙中氮磷和总的氮磷流失(P0.01)。土壤可蚀性对黄土坡面氮素流失的影响与冻融作用有关,而土壤可蚀性对坡面磷素流失的影响与冻融作用无关,磷素的流失随着土壤可蚀性增加而增加。因此,在黄土地区,应当采取一系列的生态建设措施来控制水土流失,降低土壤可蚀性,从而减少坡面养分的流失。该研究结果为冻融条件下黄土坡面水-土和氮磷等养分流失机制提供了有效指导。     

Effects of bentonite on water infiltration in a loamy sand soil

Water loss as deep percolation is considerable in furrow irrigation in light soils due to the high infiltration rate. Application of soil conditioners such as bentonite reduces the infiltration rate and improves irrigation application efficiency (E_a) in these soils. The effects of bentonite application rates (BAR) of 0, 2, 4 and 6 g L^?1 on infiltration of a loamy sand soil were determined in a soil column in the laboratory. The exponent of the Kostiakov infiltration equation was not influenced by BAR. Maximum reduction in infiltration equation coefficient and final infiltration rate (i _f) occurred with 2 g bentonite L^?1 and this reduction was lower on increasing BAR from 2 to 4 and 4 to 6 g L^?1 compared with control. The effect of 2 g L^?1 BAR on infiltration and its effect on the design of furrow irrigation in a field with a loamy sand soil indicated that in the first irrigation after field ploughing and seed planting, longer furrow length, lower deep percolation and higher E_a are obtained.     

人工模拟降雨条件下花岗岩红壤坡面侵蚀过程与特征分析简

通过室内人工模拟降雨试验,研究降雨强度、坡度及地表覆盖3因素对花岗岩红壤坡面侵蚀过程的影响.结果表明：1）起始产流时间随降雨强度和坡度的增加而有所提前,而地表覆盖能延缓起始产流时间;2）在不同降雨强度和坡度条件下,径流率从产流初期开始都快速增加,7 ～ 10 min后达到稳定,且随着降雨强度和坡度增加,径流率也显著增加;3）随着降雨强度的增大,产沙率明显增大,且降雨强度越大,坡度对产沙率的影响越明显;4）降雨强度和径流总量、产沙总量之间相关性极显著,其相关系数分别为0.892和0.799;5）地表覆盖具有良好的减沙作用,其减沙效益超过90％.     

室内模拟降雨条件下土壤水分入渗及再分布试验

降雨入渗对城市绿化、防洪排涝、农业生产等方面有着重要的意义。采用室内模拟降雨,使用时域反射仪采集相关数据,从土壤含水率变化特征和湿润锋运移特点等方面,研究了在垂向一维条件下不同雨强降雨对水分入渗的影响,探讨在降雨条件下土壤水分的再分布情况,从而确定试验所用砂壤土保水性最优土层范围。结果表明：降雨结束后,土壤水分的再分布主要受土水势控制,随着时间的延长,蒸发作用逐渐占据主导地位;试验所用砂壤土的最佳保水性土层深度为20～35 cm,可为植物的选栽提供参考。     

Effects of seedbed structure and water content at sowing on the development of soil surface crusting under rainfall

This study was carried out to observe the dynamics of crust formation on the soil surface under field conditions and analyse the effects of seedbed structure and water content on soil surface crusting. Seedbed sensitivity to crusting was also estimated in the laboratory by stability tests on aggregates. We observed 57 plots during the sowings of spring and autumn crops in fields in Northern France (Estrees-Mons, 50°N latitude, 3°E longitude). The soil is an Orthic Luvisol according to the FAO classification (0.17–0.25 g g⁻¹ clay and 0.02 g g⁻¹ organic matter on average). Visual assessments in situ were performed and photographs taken of crust stages on delimited areas, each 5 mm of cumulated rainfall since sowing. In 2004–2005, the seedbeds were characterised by their distribution of aggregate sizes and tests of aggregate stabilities of surface samples kept with their water content at sowing. A penetrometer was used to measure crust resistance and estimate its thickness. These data were analysed to detect the cumulative rainfall values needed for the initiation and development of the successive stages of crusts. A fully developed structural crust (stage F1) required 13, 22, 27 mm cumulated rainfall respectively for seedbeds with proportions of clods over 2 cm ranging from 0 to 0.15 (fine seedbed), 0.15 to 0.30 (medium seedbed), >0.30 g g⁻¹ (coarse seedbed). Aggregate stability measured on samples kept at sowing water content was low for soil with low water content (<0.17 g g⁻¹) but increased sharply for water contents over 0.17 g g⁻¹. Stage F1 was reached more rapidly (only 11 mm versus 19 mm cumulated rainfall) only for fine seedbeds with less than 0.15 g g⁻¹ of clods over 2 cm and with a low water content at sowing, The stage of 50% of soil surface covered with sedimentary crusts was reached for 85 mm for fine seedbed versus 120 mm for medium seedbed. The mean penetrometer resistance of dry crusts was 0.55 ± 0.43 MPa for stage F1 and 3.54 ± 0.83 MPa for a sedimentary stage; mean penetrometer resistance increased continuously with cumulated rainfall and was much lower for wet crusts. These quantitative data gathered under field conditions constitute the first step towards the prediction of soil surface crusting. The cumulative rainfalls were used in order to estimate the risk of occurrence of structural and sedimentary crusts forming during crop emergence with several types of seedbeds.     

Distribution of nutrient elements within water-stable aggregates of two tropical agro-ecological soils under different land uses

This study evaluated carbon and nutrient distributions within water-stable aggregates (WSA) of soils of two contrasting ecosystems under different land uses. Surface soil samples were collected from uncultivated and cultivated land in rainforest and savannah agro-ecological areas and separated by wet-sieving technique into 4.76–2.0, 2.0–1.0, 1.0–0.50, 0.50–0.25 and <0.25 mm aggregate fractions. The results show that irrespective of the agro-ecological area, cultivation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the macroaggregate fractions (>0.25 mm) to smaller diameters. Distribution of organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N) and available phosphorus (P) within the WSA showed preferential enrichment of these elements in the large macroaggregate fraction (4.76–2.0 mm) for the uncultivated soils and microaggregate fraction (<0.25 mm) for the cultivated soils. The overall pattern indicates higher accumulation of C, N and P in the WSA of the uncultivated soils over the cultivated soils. Average distribution of total exchangeable bases (TEB), i.e., sum of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺, within WSA of the uncultivated soils of the rainforest region were 7.35 and 7.39 cmol/kg for 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm fractions, respectively. The distributions of TEB for cultivated soils of the rainforest region were 2.76 cmol/kg (4.76–2.0 mm fraction) and 7.73 cmol/kg for <0.25 mm fraction. This showed that cultivation significantly (p < 0.05) led to 62% reduction in these nutrients in the 4.76–2.0 mm fraction and 5% increase in concentrations of these cations in <0.25 mm fraction. For savannah soils, distributions of TEB were 7.44 and 6.77 cmol/kg for 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm fractions, respectively, in uncultivated sites, whereas TEB were 2.19 cmol/kg (4.76–2.0 mm) and 6.35 cmol/kg (<0.25 mm) for cultivated savannah. This indicated that cultivation significantly (p < 0.05) led to 71% and 6% reductions in Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations within the 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm aggregate fractions, respectively. However, there were 18% and 50% increase in these elements in the 2.0–1.0 and 1.0–0.50 mm fractions of the cultivated soils of the savannah region, respectively. The general trend showed that in uncultivated soils, the 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm fractions were preferentially enriched with Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na ⁺; whereas, cultivation led to redistribution of these elements into the smaller aggregates. Since smaller aggregates are preferentially removed by erosion, this study underscores the need for sustainable soil management practices that would minimize nutrient loss when forest or fallow lands are converted to cropland.     

Determination of biological stability in compost: A comparison of methodologies

Biological [dynamic respiration index (DRI); chemical humification indexes: humification index (HI), degree of humification (DH) and humification rate (HR); and thermoanalytical (thermostability index, R₁ and a labile fraction)] indexes were used to assess compost stability of 15 end products. By use of these three techniques independent assessment of compost stability was made possible. Evidence of unstable materials was found where labile, easily biodegradable, and non-humified organic fractions were present. The DRI was used as a reference index for biological stability, and no significant correlation was observed between DRI and the humification indices (HI, DH, HR) and the thermogravimetry index (R₁). On the other hand, significant correlation was observed for DRI vs. non-humified carbon (NHC), which was determined using the chemical method and the labile fraction determined by thermogravimetry, as well as for NHC vs. “labile fraction”. These fractions represent labile, easily biodegradable, and non-humified organic matter. Significant correlations were also observed between the three above mentioned measurements and TEC, suggesting that this fraction is mainly formed of the easily degradable organic fraction. These results suggest that the integrated use of biological, chemical, and thermoanalytical methods could represent a useful tool in differentiating stabilized composts from non-stabilized ones, and it could provide more reliable information for both managerial and sanitary health aspects involved in good agricultural practice.     

The influence of compost and zeolite co‐addition on the nutrients status and plant growth in intensively cultivated Mediterranean soils

The main objective of the study was to test the benefits of compost and zeolite co‐addition on the fertility of organic‐rich Mediterranean soils. Previous pot study in greenhouse found that zeolites mixed with compost significantly improved potassium availability as well as exchangeable potassium capacity in the soils. To further test this finding, a field experiment was conducted using potato – Solanum tuberosum L., desiree cultivar in peat soils of the Hula Valley, Israel. Adhering to the protocol of the greenhouse experiments, the treatments included 5% compost addition with no zeolites, 2% zeolite addition without compost, co‐addition of 5% compost mixed with 2% zeolites and control. We found that compost addition increased significantly the potatoes yield and the number of large tubers; however, the zeolite addition had no impact on yield. Co‐addition of compost and zeolites did not improve total crop yield or number of large tubers compared with compost addition only. The results are consistent with nutrients availability (N, P, K) across the treatments. In a commercialized field using the experiment conditions, the 2% zeolite addition would amount to 18 ton of zeolites per hectare. Hence, we conclude that soil amendment with the tested zeolite might be beneficial to improve soil retention for cationic nutrients (e.g. K⁺) under high leaching systems such as plant culture in pots, but in the field with high loads of compost, its effect is minor.     

Effects of 'Agri-SC' soil conditioner on the erodibility of loamy sand soils in East Shropshire, UK: preliminary results

Abstract. The effect of Agri-SC' soil conditioner on the erodibility of loamy sand soils has been investigated at the Hilton experimental site, Shropshire, since March 1988. Factors measured have included runoff and erosion, soil structure, crust strength, splash susceptibility, aggregate stability, soil micromorphological properties, response to compaction and penetrometer resistance.
Treatment decreased runoff and erosion rates, bulk density, splash erosion, crust strength and penetrometer resistance, and increased pore space and aggregate stability. The effects on crust strength, aggregate stability and bulk density were statistically significant. The results suggest that applications of 'Agri-SC' could have beneficial effects for soil conservation.     

Relationship of percolation stability of soil aggregates to land use, selected properties, structural indices and simulated rainfall erosion

Simple tests of structural stability are needed for evaluating the ease with which soils slake and erode when in contact with water. In a laboratory study, we related the percolation stability (PS) of 22 Nigerian soils to land use, soil properties, structural stability indices and simulated rainfall erosion. All measurements were carried out with the 1–2 mm diameter air-dry aggregates. Land use influenced PS more than the type of soil. Forest soils, bush fallows, mulched, minimally tilled plots and pasture lands had rapid PS (>250 ml/10 min) values, whereas mulched conventionally tilled plots, bare fallows and continuously cultivated plots from where residues were removed by burning had relatively slow to moderate PS values (34–241 ml/10 min). The single most important soil property that correlated positively with PS is organic matter (OM) (r = 0.55^*) followed by total Fe + Al (r = 0.52^*). The significant inverse relationship (r = −0.49^*) between log (PS) and log (pH/OM) indicates a decrease in PS of these acidic, low-OM soils with increasing pH levels. The percent water-stable aggregate (WSA) >0.20 mm diameter, aggregated clay index (AC) and clay dispersion ratio (CDR) correlated weakly with PS. Conversely, the sealing index (SI) (i.e. the ratio of saturated hydraulic conductivity of an uncrusted to that of a crusted soil) had a strong, inverse relationship with PS (r = −0.97^***). These relationships indicate that PS measures the slakability (and not dispersibility) of soils. The relationship between PS and erosion (E) was an exponential decay form, E = 102 e^−0.0043PS (r² = 0.98) and showed that high interrill erosion rates would be expected on soils with PS < 250 ml/10 min. The PS which is simple to measure, is, therefore, a good indicator of structural stability for assessing the potential of these soils to erode.     

施用秸秆堆腐肥对黑土农田养分及玉米产量的影响研究

试验研究表明应用秸秆腐解剂可快速堆腐秸秆 ,黑土农田施用充分腐熟的秸秆肥配施NPK化肥 ,耕层土壤平均年提高有机质 0 .4g/kg ,全N 0 .18g/kg ,速效氮 9.93mg/kg ,速效磷 1.8mg/kg ,速效钾 4mg/kg ,土壤容重年降低0 .0 2g/cm3 ,玉米增产 15 .7%。     

Comparison of a gas detection tubes test with the traditional alkaline trap method to evaluate compost stability

Compost stability is an important parameter of compost quality. Among tests proposed to evaluate compost stability, microbial respiration is one of the better accepted tests. Variations in rates of CO₂ evolution during composting were studied in two pilot pruning waste piles using a windrow composting system. To measure the CO₂ production rate, two methods were compared: the alkaline trap test and gas detection tubes. Both respiration tests indicated increasing compost stability with processing time, but CO₂ evolution rates from the alkaline trap method were higher than values from the gas detection tube method. A first-order kinetic equation was used to describe CO₂ evolution over time. A linear relationship (r=0.81, p<0.01) was found between the two methods. Although both methods could distinguish unstable compost from stable compost, CO₂ detection tubes were easier to use and gave results in a shorter period of time.