Influence of mineral and organic fertilizers on soil organic carbon pools

Abstract

The influence of farmyard manure (FYM) and equivalent mineral NPK application on organic matter content, hot water extractable carbon (HWC), microbial biomass C (C_mic), and grain yields in a long-term field experiment was assessed after 40 years in Hungary. The unfertilized plot, FYM fertilized plots and plots fertilized with equivalent NPK fertilizer contained 0.99%, 1.13% and 1.05% total organic carbon (TOC) respectively. Compared to the unfertilized plot, FYM application resulted in 8.2% higher TOC than equivalent NPK fertilization. The highest TOC was only 1.21%, much lower than expected for a soil containing 21.3% of clay. The quantity of HWC varied depending on the type of fertilization: Compared to control, FYM treatments lead to 29% more HWC than mineral fertilization (FYM: 328 mg kg^?1; NPK: 264 mg kg^?1). The impact of FYM and equivalent NPK fertilizer on C_mic was contrary. FYM and NPK resulted in 304 and 423 mg kg^?1 C_mic, respectively. The difference was 119 mg kg^?1; 42% as compared to the unfertilized plot. Despite the higher HWC content, FYM treatments lead to significantly less (35%) grain yields than equivalent NPK doses; C_mic content showed closer correlation to grain yields.     

Einfluß 85jähriger differenzierter organischer und mineralischer Düngung auf Bodeneigenschaften im Statischen Versuch Bad Lauchstädt

Influence from a 85-year differentiated organic manuring and mineral fertilization on soil fertility in the static experiment at Bad Lauchstädt The results of the static experiment started on chernozem from loess at Bad Lauchstädt in 1902 are used to demonstrate the influence of differentiated organic manuring (no manuring, 20 t and 30 t ha^?1 of farmyard manure) and mineral fertilization (NPK, NP, NK, N, PK, no fertilization) on the organic matter and nutrient contents in soil. After 85 years the content of organic C (C) in the topsoil was higher by 0, 5% after organic and mineral fertilization than after mineral fertilization. Exclusive mineral fertilization (NPK) increased the C-contents in soil by 0, 2% than without fertilization. Farmyard manure considerably reduced nutrient deficiency, which is due to plots without mineral fertilization. This holds especially true for potassium and phosphorus deficiencies. With rising pH value the Mn content in the soil diminished.     

Veränderungen physikalischer Bodenmerkmale im „Statischen Düngungsversuch”︁ während einer Vegetationsperiode

Temporal variations of physical soil properties in the “Static Fertilization Experiment” The objective of the present paper was to observe short-term changes in physical soil properties of a differently fertilized loess-Chernozem. Samples were taken weekly from the plots with 17.2 g C_org kg^?1 (unfertilized) and 25.0 g C_org kg^?1 (NPK + farmyard manure) of the “Static Fertilization Experiment”, Bad Lauchstädt, and their moisture contents (θ), bulk densities (?_d) and particle densities (?_s) were determined. The soil moisture contents showed very similar variations in the two treatments. Clear differences between the unfertilized (≈ 16 Vol.-%) and the NPK + farmyard manure treatment (≈ 10 Vol.-%) only occurred during summer (means 25th–29th week). The values for ?_d were lower in the NPK + farmyard manure plot (mean: –0.10 g cm^?3). Similar short-term changes in ?_d were found in both treatments and correlated to both, organic matter contents and composition (C_org, N_t, C/N). These data, however, gave no indication of reasons for the short-term changes in particle densities up to 0.09 g cm^?3.     

Fertilization effects on organic matter of arable soils in diverse environmental conditions of the Czech Republic

Site specific variables and anthropogenic factors influence composition of soil organic matter (SOM). We evaluated quantity and quality of SOM under different fertilization regimes and site conditions. The study combines data based on repeated measurements obtained from six long-term field experiments, which have been established between 1955 and 1983 at ten locations, resulting in thirteen site and experiment combinations. The experimental sites cover a wide spectrum of pedological and climatic conditions of the Czech Republic. Four basic fertilization regimes were selected: unfertilized plots, mineral-only fertilized plots, plots with application of farmyard manure, and both organic and mineral fertilized plots. The study employs compositional data analysis, principal component analysis, and mixed effect linear models for statistical inference. Under combined organic and mineral fertilization, total soil organic C (SOC) increased by 1?3 g kg^?1. Evidence of possible priming effect was obtained for mineral-only fertilization. Local site conditions were the dominant factor shaping SOM properties. The positive relationship between proportion of clay in soil and decomposition index (DI) was confirmed. In the absence of fertilization, DI was eleven times higher in clay-rich than in clay-poor soil. This effect was moderated by fertilization, decreasing to a seven-fold difference under the full fertilization regime.     

Crop sequences and fertilization affect soil vital enzyme activities

This experiment was conducted in split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three crop sequences: (R1): chickpea, sunflower, wheat, and canola; (R2): green manure, chickpea, green manure, wheat, green manure, and canola; (R3): canola, wheat, and canola were used as main plots. Sub plots consisted of six methods of fertilization: (N1): farmyard manure; (N2): compost; (N3): chemical fertilizers; (N4): farmyard manure + compost; (N5): farmyard manure + compost + chemical fertilizers; and (N6): control. Results showed that the enzyme activities were higher in the N4 treatment. The highest amount of acid phosphatase, protease, dehydrogenase activity, and grain yield was observed in R2 sequence. The highest urease activity (58.6 µg g^?1 h^?1) was obtained in R2N4 treatment. In R2N4 treatment using in-farm inputs, a non chemical fertilizer system can be carried out to improve soil biological activity.     

Integrated use of organic and inorganic inputs in wheat-fodder maize cropping sequence to improve crop yields and soil properties

A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two organics, farmyard manure and vermicompost, each at three rates (0, 5, 10 t ha^?1 and 0, 1, 2 t ha^?1, respectively), along with two levels of mineral fertilizer (75% and 100% of recommended dose), on crops yields and soil properties under a wheat–fodder maize cropping sequence. Individual addition of organics at a higher level increased yields of wheat and subsequent maize. Soil microbial biomass carbon was enhanced as both a direct and residual effect with the addition of farmyard manure followed by vermicompost and fertilizer treatments, and also by combined addition of manure with either vermicompost or mineral fertilizer. Farmyard manure increased the availability of soil macro- and micronutrients, whereas vermicompost influenced only the availability of micronutrients at wheat harvest. A residual effect of farmyard manure and mineral fertilizers was found for available N. Meanwhile, the residual status of micronutrients in the soil was either maintained or significantly improved due to organic amendments (Mn and Zn with farmyard manure; Fe and Zn with vermicompost). Interaction of farmyard manure and vermicompost at a higher level benefited the next crop by increasing the yield of fodder maize and improving the availability of P and metals in soil.     

Root Growth and Soil Water Dynamics in Relation to Inorganic and Organic Fertilization in Maize–Wheat

Agricultural productivity is increasingly becoming dependent upon soil fertility, which is generally thought to be supplemented through the application of nutrients mainly through inorganic fertilizers. The present study aims to characterize the soil physical environment in relation to long-term application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers in a maize–wheat cropping system. The treatments in both the maize and wheat systems included a control (without any fertilizer or FYM), FYM (farmyard manure at 20 t ha^?1), N₁₀₀ (nitrogen at 100 kg ha^?1), N₁₀₀P₅₀ (nitrogen and phosphorus at 100 and 50 kg ha^?1), and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash at 100, 50, and 50 kg ha^?1). The treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design in sandy loam soil. The root mass density in surface layers of both the crops was lower in FYM and higher in inorganic fertilizer plots. The root length density was found to be highest in FYM-treated plots and lowest in control plots. The periodic soil matric suction during wheat following maize remained highest in FYM plots followed by that in N₁₀₀ plots in all the layers. The soil water storage of wheat at harvest (rice–wheat) was highest (21.1 cm) in control and lowest (17.8 cm) in FYM-treated plots. The soil water status, root growth, and crop performance improved with balanced fertilization.     

Detectability of degradable organic matter in agricultural soils by thermogravimetry

Sustainable agricultural land use requires an assessment of degradable soil organic matter (SOM) because of its key function for soil fertility and plant nutrition. Such an assessment for practical land use should consider transformation processes of SOM and its sources of different origin. In this study, we combined a 120‐day incubation experiment with thermal decay dynamics of agricultural soils altered by added organic amendments. The aim was to determine the abilities and limits of thermal analysis as a rapid approach revealing differences in the degradability of SOM. The carried out experiments based on two independent sampling sets. The first sample set consisted of soil samples taken from non‐fertilized plots of three German long‐term agricultural field experiments (LTAEs), then artificially mixed with straw, farmyard manure, sheep faeces, and charcoal equal to 60 Mg ha^?1 under laboratory conditions. The second sample set based on soil samples of different treatments (e.g., crop type, fertilization, cultivation) in LTAEs at Bad Lauchstädt and Müncheberg, Germany. Before and after the incubation experiment, thermal mass losses (TML) at selected temperatures were determined by thermogravimetry indicating the degradability of organic amendments mixed in soils. The results confirmed different microbial degradability of organic amendments and SOM under laboratory conditions. Thermal decay dynamics revealed incubation‐induced changes in the artificial soil mixtures primarily at TML around 300°C in the case of applied straw and sheep faeces, whereas farmyard manure showed mainly changes in TML around 450°C. Charcoal did not show significant degradation during incubation, which was confirmed by TML. Detailed analyses of the artificial soil mixtures revealed close correlations between CO₂‐C evolution during incubation and changes in TML at 300°C with R² > 0.96. Results of the soils from LTAEs showed similar incubation‐induced changes in thermal decay dynamics for fresh plant residues and farmyard manure. We conclude that the practical assessment of SOM could be facilitated by thermal decay dynamics if modified sample preparation and evaluation algorithms are used beyond traditional peak analysis.     

Nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen cycling in managed grassland in Southern Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were measured and nitrogen (N) budgets were estimated for 2?years in the fertilizer, manure, control and bare plots established in a reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grassland in Southern Hokkaido, Japan. In the manure plot, beef cattle manure with bark was applied at a rate of 43–44?Mg fresh matter (236–310?kg?N)?ha^?1?year^?1, and a supplement of chemical fertilizer was also added to equalize the application rate of mineral N to that in the fertilizer plots (164–184?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1). Grass was harvested twice per year. The total mineral N supply was estimated as the sum of the N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and gross mineralization of manure (GMm), soil (GMs), and root-litter (GMl). GMm, GMs and GMl were estimated by dividing the carbon dioxide production derived from the decomposition of soil organic matter, root-litter and manure by each C?:?N ratio (11.1 for soil, 15.5 for root-litter and 23.5 for manure). The N uptake in aboveground biomass for each growing season was equivalent to or greater than the external mineral N supply, which is composed of N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and GMm. However, there was a positive correlation between the N uptake in aboveground biomass and the total mineral N supply. It was assumed that 58% of the total mineral N supply was taken up by the grass. The N supply rates from soil and root-litter were estimated to be 331–384?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1 and 94–165?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1, respectively. These results indicated that the GMs and GMl also were significant inputs in the grassland N budget. The cumulative N₂O flux for each season showed a significant positive correlation with mineral N surplus, which was calculated as the difference between the total mineral N supply and N uptake in aboveground biomass. The emission factor of N₂O to mineral N surplus was estimated to be 1.2%. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis suggested that the N₂O emission factor increased with an increase in precipitation. Consequently, soil and root-litter as well as chemical fertilizer and manure were found to be major sources of mineral N supply in the grassland, and an optimum balance between mineral N supply and N uptake is required for reducing N₂O emission.     

Long-term fertilization effects on crop yields,soil fertility and sustainability in the Static Fertilization Experiment Bad Lauchstädt under climatic conditions 2001–2010

The Static Fertilization Experiment Bad Lauchstädt (1902) consists of a crop rotation of sugar beets, spring barley, potatoes and winter wheat. Three farmyard manure (FYM) treatments and six mineral fertilizer treatments are combined orthogonally. Comparing the first and last decades, crop yields nearly doubled. In unfertilized plots, yields and N uptake by crops also increased when comparing first and last decades. On average for the decade 2001–2010, N uptake in unfertilized plots amounted 51.6 kg ha^?1. Although soil organic carbon (SOC) levels for unfertilized plots remain almost unchanged, SOC increases slowly in the most highly fertilized treatment, resulting in a gradual widening of differences in SOC between the most extreme treatments to 0.952%. Climate change and increased harvesting and root residues due to rising yields are suggested as an explanation. Except for the plot with the highest application of mineral and organic fertilizer, in all treatments more N was taken up by crops than was applied by fertilizers. Higher FYM input leads to more unfavourable N balances because N release from FYM cannot be controlled. Considering atmospheric N input, only in the exclusively mineral fertilized treatment is N balanced out. Similar results are found for C balances: the exclusively mineral fertilized treatment shows the most favourable C balance.     

The impact of exogenous organic matter on SOM contents and microbial soil quality

Eight fertilization strategies were compared in a field trial on Alfisol in Belgium (humid temperate climate): cattle slurry (CSL); farmyard manure (FYM); vegetable, fruit and garden waste compost (VFG); high C/N farm compost (FCP1); low C/N farm compost (FCP2); exclusively mineral fertilizer (MIN N); no fertilization (NF+), no fertilization and no crop (NF?). After five growing seasons, VFG resulted in the highest soil organic C (1.46% SOC) and total N contents (0.117%TN). SOC and TN contents of the MIN N plots, on the other hand, remained unchanged and were even similar to those of NF+ plots, despite greater biomass production on the MIN N plots than on the NF+ plots. Application of organic matter mostly increased dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase activity, but only FYM raised the activity of all three enzymes significantly compared to MIN N. Of the five organic amendments tested, only VFG suppressed Rhizoctonia solani (65% suppressiveness). Plots treated with FCP1, on the other hand, were highly conducive to R. solani (28.3% suppressiveness). Suppressiveness against R. solani probably depended on the maturity and cellulose content of the organic amendments. Highest microbial biomass C contents were found in the VFG plots. PLFA 16:1ω5c contents sensitively reacted to the different treatments and were significantly higher in VFG than in MIN N plots (3.84 and 2.20 nmol g^?1 dry soil, respectively). Finally, a soil quality index was developed using stepwise canonical discriminant analysis. β-glucosaminidase and β-glucosidase activity, and TN content were the most important parameters of the index. According to this index, FYM resulted in a significantly higher soil quality than the other treatments. We conclude that farmyard manure seems to be the preferred organic amendment for maintaining soil quality in arable fields under temperate climatic conditions.     

Ertragsentwicklung im Dauerversuch Ewiger Roggenbau Halle nach den 1990 vorgenommenen Umstellungen in der Düngung

Yield development in the long-term experiment Continuous Rye Cropping Halle after the changes in the fertilization in 1990 The long-term experiment Continuous Rye Cropping being established 1878 on a degraded chernozem (from sandy loess) includes among others a treatment with application of mineral N only over 112 years in which during the last decades the grain yields ranged about 30% below that on the plots with farmyard manure (FYM) or complete mineral fertilization (NPK). The considerable depletion of available P and K in the respective soil was practically overcome in 1990 by a single application of 200 kg P ha^?1 and 400 kg K ha^?1 and thereafter the exclusive fertilization with mineral N was substituted by a combined application of NPK and FYM. Already in the first year the previous yield decline in comparison to ‘NPK’ or ‘FYM’ had been overcome completely. An additional yield increase, however, could only be realized under conditions especially favourable for yield production, so in 1993 and 1995.     

Effects of long‐term repeated mineral and organic fertilizer applications on soil nitrogen transformations

Repeated applications of mineral and/or organic fertilizer will probably affect gross nitrogen (N) dynamics in soils in the long term but only a limited number of observations are available. Here we present results of a ¹⁵N tracing study with soil from the various fertilizer treatments of the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain experiment that has been in operation for more than 17 years. Mineral fertilizer in various combinations of N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), organic manure (OM) or a mixture of mineral fertilizer and manure had been repeatedly applied for 17 years. The gross N transformation rates were quantified with a ¹⁵N tracing model, which uses a parameter optimization routine based on Bayesian principles. Mineralization of soil organic matter was at least 2.7 times greater in all fertilizer treatments compared with the untreated control (0.67 µg N g^?1 day^?1). While application of mineral N enhanced mineralization from recalcitrant organic N, the application of organic fertilizers stimulated the mineralization of labile organic N. Gross nitrate (NO₃^?) production solely resulted from ammonium (NH₄⁺) oxidation. Compared with the gross NO₃^? production in the control treatment (2.22 µg N g^?1 day^?1), long‐term N applications stimulated gross nitrification by more than 5.3 times. The largest gaseous N emissions were associated with the organic manure treatments. The ratio of gross NO₃^? production to total mineral N consumption, a ratio proposed previously to determine potential NO₃^? loss, was a good indicator except for the treatment without N application. This ratio increased from 0.8 in the control to 2.7 in the mixture of mineral fertilizer and manure treatment. The largest gaseous N emissions (N₂O + NO) (P < 0.05) were generally found at greater ratios. Results clearly showed that various fertilizers have a differential effect on N dynamics and potential gaseous N losses in the long term.     

Responses of grassland soil nematodes and protozoa to multi-year and single-year applications of dairy manure slurry and fertilizer

In order to improve understanding of how long-term use of manure affects nitrogen cycling processes, the effects of multiple years of manure applications on abundance of protozoa and nematode community structure were assessed. Plots of a grass sward in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia were either left untreated or were treated with dairy manure slurry or fertilizer, each at 50 or 100 kg NH₄-N ha⁻¹, two to four times per year for six consecutive years. Nematode community structure and protozoan abundance were determined at 19 sample dates during the fourth (1997), fifth (1998) and sixth (1999) years of application. Protozoa, bacterivorous nematodes and fungivorous nematodes were consistently more abundant in soil treated with manure at both rates than in fertilized and untreated soil, indicating that microbial turnover and flux of nutrients through the soil food web was enhanced in manured soil relative to fertilized or untreated soil. The Maturity Index (MI) and the MI2-5 were both reduced by fertilization and manure, relative to the control. The MI for the manure treatment was lower than for the fertilizer treatment as a result of greater relative abundance of enrichment opportunist nematodes in manure-treated soil. Accordingly, the MI2-5 did not differ between the manure and fertilizer treatments, suggesting that with the exception of enrichment opportunists fertilizer and manure have similar effects on structural complexity of the soil food web.Populations of micro-fauna were also assessed through 1998 and 1999 in subplots that had been treated with manure or fertilizer for four years and stopped receiving manure or fertilizer in 1998, and in subplots given manure in 1998 that had previously either been fertilized or left untreated. Protozoa and bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes remained more abundant through 1998 and 1999 in previously manure-treated plots than in previously fertilized plots, indicating that the cumulative effects of manure application on enhancement of microbial production can be detected through at least two growing seasons after applications cease. Application of manure for one year to previously non-treated or fertilized soil raised the abundance of protozoa and bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes to levels comparable to continuously manured soil.     

Zusammensetzung und Eigenschaften von Sickerwasser aus Stallmiststapeln

Composition and properties of leachates from farmyard manure heaps Besides some rheological characteristics, the N_total, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^? -N, P, K⁺, dry matter and ash content, as well as chemical oxygen demand and conductivity of farmyard manure leachates were examined. The K⁺ concentration was highest with an average of 5921 mg l^?1, followed by N_total (1139 mg l^?1, 66% of it as NH₄⁺-N and 4% NO₃^?-N) and P (334 mg l^?1). All parameters were highest in leachates of fresh manure and lowest at the end of a 6 months storage period. During the storage, the P concentration in leachates showed a decrease of 67.7%, followed by a decrease in N_t (-57.3%) and K⁺ (-24.0%). In leachates from a manure with an relatively high initial N_t content of 0.51% and a low C:N ratio of 16.8 the N_t concentration was 0.5–1 times higher than that of a manure with 0.44% N_t and a C:N ratio of 19.9. The viscosity and the thixotropy of leachates were both relatively high at the beginning of the manure's storage period, which led to a strongly developed blocking of porous systems. These properties that contribute to explain the high retention rate of nutrients in the top soil layer at manure storage sites, decreased with an increase in storage time.     

Emission rates of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> from soils with different organic matter content from three long-term fertilization experiments—a laboratory study

Increasing organic matter stocks in soils reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), but they may also promote emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) by providing substrates for nitrification and denitrification and by increasing microbial O₂ consumption. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fertilization history, which had resulted in different soil organic matter stocks on (1) the emission rates of N₂O and CO₂ at a constant soil moisture content of 60% water-holding capacity, (2) the short-term fluxes of N₂O and CO₂ following the application of different fertilizers (KNO₃ vs. farmyard manure from cattle) and (3) the response to a simulated heavy rainfall event, which increased soil moisture to field capacity. Soil samples from different treatments of three long-term fertilization experiments in Germany (Methau, Spröda and Bad Lauchstädt) were incubated in a laboratory experiment with continuous determination of N₂O and CO₂ emissions and a monitoring of soil mineral N. The long-term fertilization treatments included application of mineral N (Methau and Spröda), farmyard manure + mineral N (Methau and Spröda), farmyard manure deposition in excess (Bad Lauchstädt) and nil fertilization (Bad Lauchstädt). Long-term addition of farmyard manure increased the soil organic C (SOC) content by 55% at Methau (silt loam), by 17% at Spröda (sandy loam) and by 88% at Bad Lauchstädt (silt loam; extreme treatment which does not represent common agricultural management). Increased soil organic matter stocks induced by long-term application of farmyard manure at Methau and Spröda resulted in slightly increased N₂O emissions at a soil moisture content of 60% water-holding capacity. However, the effect of fertilization history and SOC content on N₂O emissions was small compared to the short-term effects induced by the current fertilizer application. At Bad Lauchstädt, high N₂O emissions from the treatment without fertilization for 25 years indicate the importance of a sustainable soil organic matter management to maintain soil structure and soil aeration. Emissions of N₂O following the application of nitrate and farmyard manure differed because of their specific effects on soil nitrate availability and microbial oxygen consumption. At a soil moisture content of 60% water-holding capacity, fertilizer-induced emissions were higher for farmyard manure than for nitrate. At field capacity, nitrate application induced the highest emissions. Our results indicate that feedback mechanisms of soil C sequestration on N₂O emissions have to be considered when discussing options to increase soil C stocks.     

The fate of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium in long‐term experiments in Skierniewice

On the basis of long‐term fertilization experiments in Skierniewice, being conducted since 1923 at the Experimental Field of Warsaw Agricultural University, the fate (or balance) of nitrogen for a period of 35 years and that of phosphorus and potassium for 20 years, was studied. The balance includes N, P and K rates applied in mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM), uptake of these nutrients by the crop plants and the changes in the content of total N and total P and of slow release K in the soil during that time. The nitrogen balance shows a loss of this nutrient of 11—14 kg N ha^—1 y^—1, which corresponds to 15% of the applied ammonium nitrate on fields without FYM but to 23% on fields with FYM, in spite of crop yields being considerably greater on fields treated with FYM. The phosphorus balance indicated that in the 0—70 cm soil layer less than 4% of P from superphosphate was not found. In the treatment not fertilized with potassium for many years, the plants took up 49 kg K ha^—1 y^—1 from slow release forms because the fraction of available K did not change during that period. When calculating the potassium balance only 1.6% of K from potash salt were not found in plots without FYM but 12.3% of the applied KCl were not recovered in treatments with FYM. The comparison of the P‐ and K‐uptake from organic and mineral fertilizer in the two crop rotations indicates a higher P‐ and K‐efficiency from FYM than from inorganic fertilizer.     

Responses of the bacterial and fungal biomass in a grassland soil to multi-year applications of dairy manure slurry and fertilizer

Plots of a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) sward in the south coastal region of BC, Canada, were treated with dairy manure slurry or fertilizer at 50 or 100 kg NH₄-N ha⁻¹ up to four times per year for six consecutive years; control plots received no manure or fertilizer. The length of fungal hyphae and abundance of bacterial cells were determined by direct counting at 19 sample dates during the fourth (1997), fifth (1998) and sixth (1999) application years. Bacterial abundance was significantly greater in manured soil than in fertilized and untreated soils. In contrast, hyphal length was significantly greater in untreated soil than in manured and fertilized soils. In subplots that ceased to receive manure in 1998, bacterial abundance remained greater through 1998 and 1999 than in previously fertilized plots, indicating that the 4 year cumulative effect of manure was detectable for at least two growing seasons after applications cease. The apparently negative effect of manure and fertilizer on fungal hyphae also appeared to persist through 2 years after applications ceased. Bacterial abundance increased after an initial application of manure for 1 year to previously untreated plots, but not to levels comparable to plots treated with manure continuously from 1994 to 1998.Increases in bacterial abundance, during the one to three week intervals immediately following individual applications of manure, were inconsistent and other factors, such as soil moisture, temperature and perhaps crop phenology appear to have had strong effects on the timing of these microbial responses. Annual means for bacterial abundance and total microbial biomass in the continuous manure treatment were similar for all 3 years. This suggested that the manure-induced increase in microbial biomass probably reached a plateau between one and 3 years after applications commenced. The large bacterial populations along with abundant carbon substrates in manured soil, relative to fertilized soil, were probably capable of immobilizing influxes of mineral N, explaining the observations that less leaching occured from manured than from fertilized soils.     

Effects of Farmyard Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers on Sorghum Growth,Yield, and Nitrogen Use in a Semi-Arid Area of Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the combined use of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of sorghum and on soil chemical properties in a semi-arid area in northeastern Ethiopia. Twelve treatments comprising factorial combinations of four levels of farmyard manure (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha^?1) and three levels of inorganic fertilizers (0%, 50%, and 100% of the recommended rate) were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications over a period of six years. The results revealed significant improvements in the growth and yield of sorghum due to the main and interaction effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer application. The combined application of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers increased post-anthesis dry-matter production by 147%–390% and grain yield by 14%–36%. The main effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers increased stover yield by 8%–21% and 14%–21%, respectively. Farmyard manure application increased total nitrogen (N) uptake by 21%–36%, grain protein yield by 8%–11%, and grain protein concentration by 20%–29%. Application of farmyard manure along with 50% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate resulted in a grain yield equivalent to, or greater than that for 100% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate, thus effecting a 50% savings of inorganic N and phosphorus (P) fertilizer. Application of 5, 10, and 15 t farmyard manure ha^?1along with 100% of the recommended fertilizer rate and 5, 10, and 15 t farmyard manure ha^?1 along with 50% of the recommended fertilizer rate can be recommended for farmers who can and cannot afford to buy inorganic fertilizers, respectively.     

Effect of fertilization on respiration from different sources in a sandy soil of an agricultural long-term experiment

Annual changes in stocks of soil organic carbon may be detected by measurement of heterotrophic respiration, but field studies of heterotrophic respiration in long-term fertilization experiments on sandy soils are scarce. Our objectives were to: (1)investigate the influence of fertilizer type on mineralization of soil organic carbon and crop residue, and (2) show how fertilization treatments affect the annual C balance (net ecosystem carbon balance, NECB; negative values indicate a CO₂-source) in the sandy soil of the Darmstadt experiment. Treatments were long-term mineral fertilization with cereal straw incorporation (MSI) and application of rotted farmyard manure (FYM), both treatments receiving 14 g N m^?2 year^?1. This study used δ¹³C natural abundance after introduction of a C₄ crop to distinguish between different sources of respiration. Mineralization derived from C₃ sources was similar for MSI and FYM treatments (～270 g C m^?2 year^?1). The rate of residue mineralization in MSI treatments was higher, resulting in a mineralization of 49 and 37% of initial residue C in the soil of MSI and FYM treatments, respectively. The NECB (g C m^?2 year^?1) indicated the MSI treatment (approximately ?190) as a stronger source compared with the FYM treatment (～?30).