Co-application of sugarcane bagasse biochar,farmyard manure and mineral nitrogen improved growth indices of corn grown in alkaline calcareous soil

Abstract

Soil quality and crop productivity can be improved by the combined soil application of organic amendments and synthetic fertilizers. We evaluated the sole and combined effects of sugarcane-bagasse biochar (SBB), farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on soil properties and corn yield traits. Three N fertilizer rates (0, 50 and 100% of recommended) were used with or without the organic amendments. We observed significant increases in soil nitrate-N (at vegetative and reproductive phases), ammonical-N and microbial-biomass-N contents in responses to a co-application of 0.5% SBB, 0.5% FYM and 100% N fertilizer (p?≤?0.05). While the same co-application also resulted in the most significant soil organic carbon value, the maximum soil microbial biomass carbon was observed when 0.5% SBB and 0.5% FYM combination was applied along with 50% N fertilizer (p?≤?0.05). Plant growth indices—shoot length and, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root were also recorded to be the highest where the same organic amendments were applied in addition to a 50% or 100% mineral N fertilizer (p?≤?0.05). Combined application of the organic amendments effectively improved soil CEC compared to those in responses to individual applications of SBB and FYM (p?≤?0.05). Conclusively, for increasing the corn yield and improving the soil quality, the co-application of 0.5% SBB and 0.5% FYM was more effective than any of the individual 1% applications; Additions of 50% and 100% mineral N to the organic combination were equally useful for increasing the grain yield.     

Effect of PGPR,Phosphate sources and vermicompost on growth and nutrients uptake by lettuce in a calcareous soil

In order to study the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), vermicompost and phosphate sources on the growth and nutrients uptake by lettuce, a greenhouse experiments was conducted. Treatments consisted of PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens) (with and without inoculation), vermicompost (0 and 1% w/w) and phosphate sources (control, rock phosphate (RP), tricalcium phosphate and triple super phosphate (TSP) at 25 mg P kg^?1 level). Biological fertilizers, RP and TSP significantly increased shoot dry matter (SDM) and some measured nutrients uptake. Co-application of PGPR and RP, in non-vermicompost treatments significantly increased SDM, shoot nitrogen, phosphorus (P), potassium, zinc and manganese uptake rates. Shoot P uptake had no significant difference between TSP and RP treatments. Co-application of PGPR, vermicompost and TSP significantly decreased SDM, which may be due to the P toxic levels in the plant aerial parts and/or the inhibition of the bacterial activities in the rhizosphere soil.     

Oxygen and redox potential gradients in the rhizosphere of alfalfa grown on a loamy soil

Oxygen (O₂) supply and the related redox potential (E_H) are important parameters for interactions between roots and microorganisms in the rhizosphere. Rhizosphere extension in terms of the spatial distribution of O₂ concentration and E_H is poorly documented under aerobic soil conditions. We investigated how far O₂ consumption of roots and microorganisms in the rhizosphere is replenished by O₂ diffusion as a function of water/air‐filled porosity. Oxygen concentration and E_H in the rhizosphere were monitored at a mm‐scale by means of electroreductive Clark‐type sensors and miniaturized E_H electrodes under various matric potential ranges. Respiratory activity of roots and microorganisms was calculated from O₂ profiles and diffusion coefficients. pH profiles were determined in thin soil layers sliced near the root surface. Gradients of O₂ concentration and the extent of anoxic zones depended on the respiratory activity near the root surface. Matric potential, reflecting air‐filled porosity, was found to be the most important factor affecting O₂ transport in the rhizosphere. Under water‐saturated conditions and near field capacity up to –200 hPa, O₂ transport was limited, causing a decline in oxygen partial pressures (pO₂) to values between 0 and 3 kPa at the root surface. Aerobic respiration increased by a factor of 100 when comparing the saturated with the driest status. At an air‐filled porosity of 9% to 12%, diffusion of O₂ increased considerably. This was confirmed by E_H around 300 mV under aerated conditions, while E_H decreased to 100 mV on the root surface under near water‐saturated conditions. Gradients of pO₂ and pH from the root surface indicated an extent of the rhizosphere effect of 10–20 mm. In contrast, E_H gradients were observed from 0 to 2 mm from the root surface. We conclude that the rhizosphere extent differs for various parameters (pH, Eh, pO₂) and is strongly dependent on soil moisture.     

Improvement in nitrogen availability, nitrogen uptake and growth of aerobic rice following soil acidification

A yield decline and increase in soil pH under continuous cropping of aerobic rice have been reported in previous studies. However, the underlying mechanisms governing the poor growth and low yield of aerobic rice following an increase in soil pH are unknown. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of soil acidification on the soil nutrient availability, plant nutrition and growth of aerobic rice grown in continuously cropped aerobic soil. Two pot experiments were conducted using soil from a field where aerobic rice had been grown for 13 consecutive seasons. Soil was acidified by adding 50–300 mL of 0.05 mol L^–1 sulfuric acid to 3.0 kg of air-dried soil to achieve a range of soil pH levels. Rice was grown aerobically with N rates of 0–1.2 g per pot using urea or ammonium sulfate. Soil chemical properties were measured as were leaf nutrient concentrations, plant growth parameters, and the above-ground N uptake. A 5.5-fold and 1.5-fold increase in soil ammonium and nitrate were observed, respectively, after adding sulfuric acid. Plant growth and N uptake improved significantly with soil acidification, regardless of N rates or N sources, and were associated with an improvement in plant N nutrition. The application of N had greater positive effects on plant growth and N uptake than soil acidification. The growth response to soil acidification reduced as the rate of N application increased. These results suggest that the yield decline of continuous aerobic rice is probably associated with a reduction in soil N availability and plant N uptake as a result of a gradual increase in soil pH.     

Coarse soil can enhance the availability of nutrients from fine soil

A recent trial found that the presence of coarse soil in fine soil increased nutrient uptake by two plant species (Smaill et al., 2014 ). To determine if the additional nutrient uptake was derived directly from the coarse soil, the changes in coarse soil nutrient stocks were assessed. In most cases nutrient stocks increased, despite being associated with greater plant nutrient uptake. This suggests coarse soil can promote nutrient release from fine soil through some currently unknown mechanism.     

Effect of soil heating on the dynamics of soil available nutrients in the rhizosphere

The effect of soil heating on the dynamics of soil available nutrients in the rhizosphere was evaluated. A pot experiment was carried out by using a rhizobox; a pot which enables to sample soils and soil solutions not only temporally with plant growth but also spatially depending on the distance from the root-accumulating compartment. The experiment consisted of 4 treatments; soils with or without heating treatment (150°C, 3 h), each of which was either planted with maize (Zea mays L.) or not. During the 17-d experiment, soil solutions at 0–2 mm from the root-accumulating compartment were collected 5 times. Soils depending on the distance from the root-accumulating compartment and plants were also collected after the experiment. The ionic concentrations of the soil solutions and soil water extracts, and the nutrient contents of plants were analyzed. Immediately after soil heating, the concentrations of cations, SO₄ ^2-, CI^-, water-soluble P, and water-soluble organic carbon increased significantly. With plant growth, the total ionic concentration in the rhizosphere soil solution increased for heated soil, whereas it decreased for unheated soil. The increase of the concentrations of cations and SO₄ ^2- in the rhizosphere of heated soil was appreciable, suggesting that the movement of cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ by mass flow was regulated by that of SO₄ ^2-. Moreover soil heating inhibited nitrification, resulting in the supply of N mainly in the form of NH₄ ⁺ within 10 mm from the root-accumulating compartment. As a result, the soil pH decreased in the rhizosphere of heated soil. The amount of nutrients absorbed by plants, on the other hand, did not change significantly by soil heating except for an increase of P uptake. The increase of P uptake could be explained not only by the immediate increase of the water-soluble P concentration but also by the dissolution of Ca-bound P and the hydrolysis of water-soluble organic P in the rhizosphere.     

Effects of mineral and biofertilizers on barley growth on compacted soil

Abstract

Biofertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilizers for increasing soil productivity and plant growth in sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible effects of three mineral fertilizers and four plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains as biofertilizer on soil properties and seedling growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare) at three different soil bulk densities, and in three harvest periods. The application treatments included the control (without bacteria inoculation and mineral fertilizers), mineral fertilizers (N, NP and P) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria species (Bacillus licheniformis RC04, Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05, Pseudomonas putida RC06, and Bacillus OSU-142) in sterilized soil. The PGPR, fungi, seedling growth, soil pH, organic matter content, available P and mineral nitrogen were determined in soil compacted artificially to three bulk density levels (1.1, 1.25 and 1.40 Mg m^?3) at 15, 30, and 45 days of plant harvest. The results showed that all the inoculated bacteria contributed to the amount of mineral nitrogen. Seed inoculation significantly increased the count of bacteria and fungi. Data suggest that seed inoculation of barley with PGPR strains tested increased root weight by 9–12.2%, and shoot weight by 29.7–43.3% compared with control. The N, NP and P application, however, increased root weight up to 18.2, 25.0 and 7.4% and shoot weight by 31.6, 43.4 and 26.4%, respectively. Our data show that PGPR stimulate barley growth and could be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizer. Soil compaction hampers the beneficial plant growth promoting properties of PGPR and should be avoided.     

Effect of different amounts of acid application in fertigation on calcareous soil pH

This study was carried out during 3 different periods and in 24 various greenhouses. Average pH values of the irrigation water (7.61, 7.55, 7.29) and average soil pH values before fertigation (7.61, 7.57, 7.55) were measured. Average fertigation pH values were measured to be 6.80, 6.61 and 6.44. Depending on fertigation pH values, average soil pH values decreased at the rate of 0.52, 0.65 and 0.60 compared to those before fertigation. Although average soil pH decreased depending on acid doses used by growers in the greenhouse, this decrease was not sufficient. In conclusion, if growers fertilize with lower fertigation pH doses, availability of plant nutrients can be increased. Additionally, this may lead to less fertilizer use by increasing availability of fertilizers used in fertigation in soils that have calcareous and high pH values. It is clear that further studies should be done with this approach.     

不同磷肥对石灰性土壤磷效率小麦基因型生长发育的影响

田间试验和测试结果表明 ,磷酸二铵、普钙和沉淀磷肥分别比对照增产 2 1 .8%、1 7.9%和 1 1 .3 %.对枸溶性磷肥 ,磷高效基因型冀 87-4 61 7小麦比对照增产 1 3 .9%,而磷低效基因型的秦麦 1号仅增产 2 .9%.对各种磷肥的利用率亦以冀 87-4 61 7最高 ,秦麦 1号最低     

Compositional nutrient diagnosis and main nutrient interactions in yellow pepper grown on desert calcareous soils

Mineral‐nutrient stress is one of the main factors limiting crop production, especially in arid lands. The mineral requirement of a crop is difficult to determine, and the interpretation of foliar chemistry composition is not easy. This study was conducted to compute the minimum yield target for fresh fruit of yellow pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and the corresponding Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) as well as to identify significant nutrient interactions of this crop in desert calcareous soils. Preliminary CND norms were developed using a cumulative variance‐ratio function and the chi‐square distribution function. From a small database, we computed means and standard deviations of row‐centered log ratios, V_X, of five nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and a filling value, R, which comprises all nutrients not chemically analyzed and quantified them in 54 foliar samples of the popular yellow pepper cv. ‘Santa Fé’. This cultivar is widely grown in northwest Mexico under arid conditions. These norms are associated to fresh fruit yields higher than 15.04 t ha^–1. Principal‐component analyses, performed using estimated CND nutrient indexes, allowed us to identify four interactions: negative P‐Ca, P‐Mg, and N‐K, and positive Ca‐Mg. Pepper plants growing on calcareous soils tend to take up more Ca and Mg than considered as optimum in other soil conditions.     

The electro-ultrafiltration method for controlling the effect of Bacillus cereus on phosphorus mobilization in a calcareous soil

Summary The effects of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on the phosphorus mobilization and P utake by Lolium multiflorum from a calcareous soil were investigated using a greenhouse pot experiment. The soil was inoculated with Bacillus cereus and the pots were either planted with Lolium multiflorum or left fallow. Treatments were designed to study the effect of inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on phosphorus dynamics throughout the experiment. The dynamics were studied by the electro-ultrafiltration method, the results of which were used to interpret phosphorus mobilization in the soil. Phosphate uptake by L. multiflorum from the inoculated soil showed a 40% increase over the control soil, and an increase in total dry matter of 50%.     

典型潮土剖面主要性质和微量金属垂直分布特征

对不同利用方式下石灰性潮土剖面主要性质和微量金属元素含量垂直分异规律进行了初步研究。结果表明,长期耕种的菜地和旱地0～15cm表层土壤有机碳含量高于其他土层,pH和CaCO3含量低于下层土壤;表层土壤Cd已明显积累;但Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn含量均未超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准。几种微量金属全量在菜地和旱地表层土壤之间没有显著差异,但菜地表层土壤DTPA可提取态Cd含量显著高于旱地。从微量金属的剖面分布看,石灰性潮土全量Cd和DTPA可提取态Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn均有明显的表聚现象,这种分布与土壤有机碳含量、pH和CaCO3含量显著相关。聚类分析表明,该区域耕作土壤环境分析样品的采集以表层土壤0～15cm多点混合样品为宜。     

Cu-tolerant Sinorhizobium meliloti strain is beneficial for growth,Cu accumulation,and mineral uptake of alfalfa plants grown in Cu excess

In this work, we have compared the physiological responses of alfalfa plants inoculated with either Sinorhizobium meliloti strain S412 (Cu-tolerant) or S112 (Cu-sensitive) in the presence or absence of 0.5 mM of CuSO₄. The addition of copper (Cu) introduced a decrease of nodule number and their dry weight (DW) in both symbioses. The interaction established with the Cu-sensitive strain is more affected by Cu than that with the tolerant one. In fact, plants inoculated with the sensitive strain revealed a decrease of shoot and root DW, larger than that found in plants inoculated with the tolerant strain. However, under copper supply, Medicago sativa with the Cu-tolerant strain did not show any significant changes in both shoot and root biomass production. Under Cu excess, high levels of Cu were detected in different parts of the plant in the two symbioses and a high translocation of Cu to aerial parts was shown with the strain S412. Plants with S412 were able to accumulate large quantities of calcium (Ca) in their roots and nodules. While Ca content decreased drastically in shoot at 0.5 mM of Cu treatment. Moreover, nodulation with S412 allowed plants to maintain high levels of magnesium (Mg) in all tissues and high iron (Fe) levels in nodules. Results suggest that this symbiotic pair could be used in phytostabilization of Cu-contaminated soils.     

Influence of PGPR-enriched liquid organic fertilizers on the growth and nutrients uptake of maize under drought condition in calcareous soil

In order to study the effect of water deficit stress (WDS), plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)-enriched and non-enriched vermicompost tea(VT) and vermiwash(V) on the growth and nutrients uptakes of maize, a greenhouse experiment was conducted. The two-factor experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors included: 1) liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) with five levels (control, VT, V, vermicompost tea enriched with bacterium (VTB) and vermiwash enriched with bacterium (VB)) and 2) WDS with three levels (Field Capacity (FC), 80% FC and 60% FC(. At each irrigation interval, the volume of the used LOFs was equivalent to 60% of the volume of water required for 60% FC. At 60% FC, shoot dry matter (SDW), shoot N, P, Zn, Cu, and Fe uptake significantly decreased compared with those of FC and 80% FC, whereas shoot K uptake significantly increased. At all WDS levels, application of LOFs led to increase in SDW and shoot nutrients uptake. The highest amount of studied traits was obtained in VTB and VT treatments. Generally, VT treatments were more effective than V. Furthermore, PGPR-enriched LOFs were more effective than non-enriched ones. Application of LOFs may be considered as a practical approach for amplifying drought tolerance and reducing the risk of water scarcity in maize cultivation.     

Rhizosphere effects on soil bacterial abundance and diversity in the Yellow River Deltaic ecosystem as influenced by petroleum contamination and soil salinization

In this study, we compared the differences of bacterial abundance and diversity between rhizosphere and surrounding bulk soils under soil salinization and petroleum contamination in the Yellow River Delta on a 110-km-distance scale. In comparison with bulk soils, rhizosphere soils were mainly characterized by lower salinity and higher water content in saline soils. For bacterial abundance, the numbers of total bacteria and hydrocarbon degraders were significantly higher in rhizosphere soils than those in bulk soils. Although there was no significant difference in total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration between the two types of soils, TPH had distinctly different effects on bacterial abundance in rhizosphere and bulk soils. TPH concentration was the major determinant of total bacterial abundance and had positive effects on abundances of hydrocarbon degraders. However, the abundances of total bacteria and hydrocarbon degraders in bulk soils were primarily determined by soil salinity and water content. Great abundance of rhizosphere bacteria suggested that plant roots could alleviate the stresses from soil salinization and provide more favorable microhabitats for bacterial growth. TPH had positive effects on bacterial diversity of both rhizosphere and bulk soils. Our results support the view that petroleum in the environments functions as both toxic chemicals and carbon sources to soil bacteria. Great abundance and diversity of total bacteria in plant rhizospheres would potentially improve the roles of bacteria in maintaining ecosystem functioning in the degraded ecosystems. Our results would improve our understanding of the relationships between rhizosphere effects and multiple environmental stresses that control the development of bacterial community in fragile anthropologically-affected ecosystems.     

磷酸对石灰性土壤pH及微量元素有效性的影响

通过室内培养试验 ,以硫酸为对照研究了磷酸对石灰性土壤的酸化效果及微量元素有效性的影响。培养 1周结果表明 ,随酸浓度增加 ,土壤 pH降低 ,低浓度时磷酸对石灰性土壤的酸化效果强于对照硫酸 ,高浓度时硫酸酸化效果强于磷酸 ,有效Fe、Mn的含量随着酸浓度的增加先增加后降低 ,有效Zn的含量随着酸浓度的增加而增加 ,有效Cu的含量随着磷酸浓度的增加而增加 ,但随着对照硫酸浓度的增加有效Cu含量先增加后降低     

生物有机肥用量对地黄生长和土壤养分的影响

针对黄河地区地黄品种退化、产量下降、功效降低的问题,从改善地黄产地土壤入手,以怀地黄为试材,研究生物有机肥用量对地黄生长、养分含量以及土壤根际与非根际土养分变化的影响.结果表明,与常规施肥相比,施用生物有机肥处理显著增加地黄的块根数和根粗,提高地黄产量和品质.随着生物有机肥用量的增加,地黄块根中大量元素积累量在增加,尤...     

褐煤基改良剂对石灰性土壤复合体铅赋存形态的影响

为了解褐煤基材料对土壤复合体铅形态的影响和污染退化修复机制,将褐煤以及褐煤基改性材料,混入铅污染的土壤中培养4个月,提取其中的土壤复合体,测定各组复合体中的各形态铅.结果表明:施用褐煤基有机材料后,水稳性复合体增加.1)6种铅化学形态在各复合体中分布状况不同.各改良剂处理的离子交换态、铁锰氧化物结合态和碳酸盐结合态铅在复合体中分布的大小顺序均为:G0＞G1＞G2,各处理从G0到G1,交换态铅质量分数下降了8.74％ ～ 32.22％,从G1到G2各处理下降了2.73％ ～ 26.74％;弱有机态和强有机态、残渣态铅分布顺序为:G0＜G1、G2.2)施用有机材料均引起了3组复合体中交换态铅质量分数的下降,各处理交换态铅质量分数平均下降了2.73％ ～32.22％;普遍提高了弱有机态和强有机态铅质量分数,弱有机态铅最高提高51.23％,强有机态铅最高提高67.65％,对残渣态铅没有显著影响.3)所有改性材料改性后均提高了G2组中的交换态铅,普遍降低强有机态铅质量分数,碳酸盐态铅质量分数未有显著变化.因此,施用褐煤基有机改良剂,促进了水稳性复合体的形成,降低了复合体中交换态铅质量分数,对土壤铅起到了钝化作用.褐煤有机材料对交换态和有机态铅影响较大,对铁锰氧化物态、碳酸盐态和残渣态影响较小.     

生物有机肥料对连作马铃薯根际营养及生长发育的影响

为了确定生物有机肥料GSJ-1对连作马铃薯土壤养分、生长发育及病情指数的影响,本研究对连作马铃薯的根际和非根际土壤主要化学指标、马铃薯生长发育指标、块茎产量进行了测定,并且对收获连作马铃薯薯块疮痂病、黑痣病的病情进行了调查统计和分析。结果表明:相对于不施生物有机肥料的处理,生物有机肥料GSJ-1能显著改善土壤肥力状况,提高马铃薯生理指标和产量,并有利于减轻马铃薯土传病害(疮痂病、黑痣病)的发生。