Maintenance of Soil Homeostasis under Exposure to Cadmium

This study makes a pioneering attempt to analyze the neutralizing effects of algae extracts and basalt flour on cadmium-contaminated soil with the aim of restoring a healthy soil balance. Their effectiveness was compared with that of straw and compost. The following soil parameters were evaluated to monitor changes in the cadmium-contaminated environment: dehydrogenases and catalase activity and population size of microorganisms. The influence of cadmium on the resistance of spring barley crops was evaluated. Cadmium was applied at doses of 0, 4, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 mg Cd²⁺ kg^?1 DM soil. The results of the experiment indicate that algae extract was a less effective soil amendment, whereas basalt flour failed to improve the soil profile. Straw and compost significantly stimulated soil enzymatic activity. An improvement in soil fertility was reported in treatments sown with spring barley, but a significant decrease in crop resistance to contamination was noted.     

Effect of peat moss‐shrimp wastes compost on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on a loamy sand soil

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of peat moss‐shrimp wastes compost on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on a limed loamy sand soil. A control, four rates of compost applied alone and in combination with three rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) chemical fertilizer were evaluated. Applications of compost to limed soil substantially enhanced the growth of barley over the control. When considering all treatments, the main effect of compost rates on straw yield, numbers of tillers, plant height, and number of ears was more important than that of fertilizer. A significant interaction on barley growth parameter values was obtained with compost and fertilizer rates. A combination of moderate application of compost and fertilizer gave in some instances, more yield than compost or fertilizer applied alone. Nutrient content of barley increased with rate of compost applied to soil over the control. A significant relationship was found between soil organic carbon (C) and straw yield, number of tillers, plant height and number of ears whereas grain yield was correlated with soil total N. Results from this study indicate that peat moss‐shrimp wastes compost could represent a potential means of renovating low fertility sand soils.     

Relationship between spring barley productivity and growing management in Lithuania’s lowland

Purpose: The current study was aimed to analyse the occurrence of water and nitrogen stress in spring barley and estimate their effects on the crop performance under low-input and conventional management.

Materials and methods: Field experiments were conducted during 2007–2009 at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry on a sandy-loam soil. The management systems were: (a) conventional, with the application of fertilizers and pesticides adjusted to target 5 t ha^?1 grain yield; and (b) low-input, without fertilizers and pesticides. Biomass and nitrogen concentration, leaf area index, soil moisture, drainage water runoff and ground water table were measured periodically during the growing season.

Results: In all three experimental years, the annual precipitation was close or above the climate normal, but a large part of the rainfall (up to 310 mm) was lost through drainage contributing to the occurrence of temporary moisture deficit in late spring or summer. Water stress resulted in a lower spring barley biomass accumulation rate and lower biomass yield in the years characterized by sub-optimal rainfall distribution. Direct measurements of water retention in the soil and DSSAT model simulations gave relatively good indication of water stress occurrence. Under the low-input management, nitrogen nutrition level was a major constraint for spring barley biomass and grain yield formation.

Conclusions: Under Central Lithuania’s conditions, spring barley frequently experiences temporary water stress, because a relatively high proportion of annual precipitation is lost during the non-growing period. This crop can benefit from anticipated increased precipitation and carbon dioxide levels if adequately provided with nitrogen.     

Application of High Copper and Zinc Compost and Its Effects on Soil Properties and Growth of Barley

Abstract

A compost of high copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) content was added to soil, and the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was evaluated. Four treatments were established, based on the addition of increasing quantities of compost (0, 2, 5, and 10% w/w). Germination, plant growth, biomass production, and element [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), Cu, manganese (Mn), and Zn] contents of soil and barley were determined following a 16‐week growing period. Following harvesting of the barley, analysis of the different mixtures of soil and compost was performed. Micronutrient contents in soils as affected by compost additions were determined with diethylene–triamine–pentaacetic acid (DTPA) (Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn) or ammonium acetate [Ca, Na, Mg, K, cation exchange capacity (CEC)] extractions, and soils levels were compared to plant uptake where appropriate. Increasing rates of compost had no affect on Ca, Mg, or K concentration in barley. Levels of Cu, Zn, Mn, and Na, however, increased with compost application. High correlations were found for DTPA‐extractable Cu and Zn with barley head and shoot content and for Mn‐DTPA and shoot Mn content. Ammonium acetate–extractable Na was highly correlated with Na content in the shoot. High levels of electrical conductivity (EC), Cu, Zn, and Na may limit utilization of the compost.     

Sorption-desorption behaviors of heavy metals by biochar-compost amendment with different ratios in contaminated wetland soil

Purpose

Heavy metal pollution in soils has become a global environmental concern. The combination of biochar and compost has already been proved to be an attractive method in contaminated soil. The objective was to study the sorption-desorption characteristics of Cd, Cu, and Zn onto soil amended with combined biochar-compost.

Materials and methods

In this study, the soil was amended with combinations of biochar and compost with different ratios at 10% (w/w). To determine the sorption-desorption behaviors of heavy metals by biochar-compost amendment with different ratios, we determine the effects of different ratios on soil properties and use batch experiments to investigate sorption-desorption behaviors of Cd, Cu, and Zn.

Results and discussion

The results show that the Langmuir and Freundlich model can well describe the adsorption isotherm of Cd, Cu, and Zn in the soils with or without biochar-compost combinations. The incorporation of amendment combinations into soil significantly promotes the sorption affinity of soil on metals. The sorption capacity of Cd and Zn was improved as the compost percentage rose in biochar-compost more likely due to the increase of organic matter and available phosphorus, while that of Cu was stronger with 10 and 20% biochar addition in biochar-compost combinations likely as the result of the formation of new specific adsorption sites and the mobile Cu adsorption in compost after adding a certain amount of biochar in amendment mixtures. Additionally, a certain proportion of biochar applied into amendment mixtures could suppress desorption of Cd and Cu by pH change, and the Zn desorption rate gradually decreased as the compost ratio increased in amendment mixtures.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the various ratios between biochar and compost have a significant effect on sorption-desorption of metals in soil, which helps us consider the effective combination of biochar and compost in soil.

     

Use of phosphorus vectors to monitor changes in soil phosphorus

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the use of P vectors to predict the amount of P required on a yearly basis to maintain a constant solution‐solid phase P relationship in an irrigated calcareous and a dryland acid soil. Irrigated potato‐spring barley and dryland spring pea spring‐barley crop rotations established at the two locations. Mono‐calcium phosphate (0–45–0) was applied annually at five levels, ranging from 0–4 times estimated crop removal. Phosphorus vectors were determined on soil samples by equilibration with standard P solutions. Yields tended to increase with added P on the calcareous soil; however, significant responses were not recorded at either location. Consequently, critical P vectors were not established. A constant solution‐solid phase P relationship was maintained by addition of P equal to that removed by the crop on the calcareous soil. A constant solution‐solid phase P relationship was not maintained on the acid soil.     

Biological Quality of Potting Media Based on MSW Composts: A Comparative Study

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost from aerobic or anaerobic bioprocesses was evaluated as components of substrates for potted plant production. Experiments were conducted with potted media consisting of MSW compost mixed with other conventional substrates (peat or composted pine bark). Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and cress (Lepidium sativum L.) were used to evaluate the biological quality of composts. Higher germination rates of spring barley were obtained when MSW compost from aerobic treatment was employed as compared with MSW compost from the anaerobic bioprocess. Improved biological indices were observed when MSW composts were mixed with composted pine bark rather than with peat. Mixtures of 75% aerobic MSW compost and 25% composted pine bark were more favorable for cress growth than peat as sole substrate.     

Changes in organic matter and enzymatic activity of an agricultural soil amended with metal‐contaminated sewage sludge compost

Abstract

The effect of organic amendment with sewage sludge composts of varying heavy metal content on the organic matter content and enzymatic activity of an agricultural soil supporting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) or lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) crops was studied. The organic amendments did not improved lettuce growth, the contaminated composts having a negative effect on yield. However, all organic amendments improved barley straw yields although they did not affect grain yields. The addition of the organic materials increased the total carbohydrate content of the soil although this content decreased with cultivation. There was a clearly observed effect of crop type and the degree of heavy metal contamination of the amendment on the most labile carbon (C) fractions (water‐soluble C, carbohydrates, and polyphenolics). In general, soil enzymatic activities were stimulated by addition of sewage sludge compost with low heavy metal content. The compost containing high level of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) inhibited protease‐BAA activity with respect to the other composts. After cultivation, urease activity increased in soil amended with the high dose of composts, regardless their degree of metallic contamination. Both crop type and metallic contamination contained in the organic materials added influenced phosphatase and ß‐glucosidase activity.     

Crop stand density enhances competitive ability of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

The aim of the research was to establish weediness, competitive ability and productivity of the crop. The experimental object was agrophytocenoses of spring barley – Hordeum vulgare L. – crop of spring barley ‘Aura’ and unsown soil, and weeds growing in them. The crop was formed sowing 0, 120, 200 and 280 kg ha^?1 (0, 2.7, 4.5 and 6.2 million seeds per ha^?1 respectively) seeds of spring barley ‘Aura’. Spring barley crop was not harrowed and herbicides were not applied. In the field experiment estimates were made of changes of weeds and spring barley inter- and within- species competition optimizing crop density. During three years of field experiment in the crop of spring barley annual weeds prevailed at 88–99%, such as Chenopodium album, Stellaria media, Erysimum cheiranthoides. Perennial weeds formed 1–12% of the crop weeds, such as Sonchus arvensis, Cirsium arvense, Equisetum arvense. General number of weed species in spring barley crops varied from 13 to 21. Weed abundance proportionally declined in the crops of higher density, hence, higher seed rate should be recommended for organic agriculture where weeds are controlled in non-chemical ways. Consistently increasing barley stand density, the competition between species (spring barley with weeds) gradually turned into competition within species (between barley plants) when a higher number of weaker and non-productive stems started forming. Spring barley yield did not significantly depend on the stand density. Increasing stand density enhanced cultivated crop yield to a certain level (200 kg ha^?1), since an increase in spring barley plant number resulted in the reduction in weight per plant and 1000 grain weight, which was compensated by an increase in the number of spring barley plants. Different spring barley density had an essential influence on the chemical composition of weeds which was similar to that of spring barley. Weeds accumulated the greatest amount of crude proteins, crude fat and crude fibre growing without spring barley.     

Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Blueberry and Their Impact on Soil Properties in Response to Plant Biostimulants

ABSTRACT

Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae) is a highly valued fruit crop and the most common type of blueberry grown in Chile. Plant growth and yield crop production are affected by agricultural practices and different soil parameters including chemical and biological properties. We performed a field assay to assess the effect of the inoculation with a mixture of 10 microorganisms and the addition of humic substances on the growth of blueberry, quality of fruit and soil chemical and biological properties. Two years after planting, the microbial consortium was more effective than the addition of humic substances recording a 35% increase in shoot dry weight, 70% increase in root dry weight and 104% on total fruits yield compared to the control plants. Total polyphenols and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in fruit were increased on humic substance treatment. The combination of both factors increased by 18% organic matter and 60% cation exchange capacity. Soil respiration, microbial biomass C and enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, phosphatase, β-glucosidase, urease, and protease) to a greater extent than individual application. The combined treatment, involving microbial inoculant and humic substances, had an additive effect on improving the biochemical and microbiological quality of the soil.     

有机无机改良剂对滨海盐渍化土壤酶活性和土壤微生物量的影响

[目的]为解决滨海地区土壤盐分高和生态环境恶劣的问题,研究发酵园林废弃物与膨润土不同比例配合施用对滨海盐渍土的改良效果。[方法]通过滨海地区田间试验,采用单独施用68 kg/m~3发酵园林废弃物(T_1)、单独施用15 kg/m~3膨润土(T_2)和二者混合施用(T_3)的方法,分析不同处理组土壤酶活性、微生物量碳、氮的变化及其与土壤理化性质的相关关系。[结果]有机无机改良剂混施(T_3)在提高土壤酶活性和微生物量碳、氮方面具有更显著的效果。脲酶、蔗糖酶和脱氢酶分别为对照的10.1,9.0和4.5倍;土壤微生物量碳、氮分别比对照提高了24.8%和78.1%。此外,混施也可以显著改善土壤理化性质,使土壤盐分降低了62.7%,养分各项指标增幅为57.2%～101.4%。同有机改良剂处理相比,无机改良剂对土壤酶活和土壤微生物量的影响较小。速效钾与速效氮是影响土壤酶活性与微生物量的主要因子,而含盐量、容重则与土壤酶和微生物量呈负相关,具有抑制作用。[结论]发酵园林废弃物的加入对土壤酶活性和微生物量的增加起到了决定性的作用。最佳施用处理组为原土混合掺拌68 kg/m~3发酵园林废弃物和15 kg/m~3膨润土。     

Cumulative effects of sludge compost on crop yields and soil properties

Abstract

Onion (Allium cepa cv. Spanish Sweet Utah), lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Black Seeded Simpson), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus cv. Sonnet Yellow), and turfgrass (Festuca arundinacea cv. Marathon) were grown twice annually (spring and fall) on a San Emigdio sandy loam (coarse‐loamy, mixed calcareous thermic, Typic Xerorthents) soil for two years that was treated with a cumulative total of 0, 37, and 74 MT/ha of sewage sludge compost from San Diego. The soil received two compost treatments each year and crops were planted within a week of compost incorporation. Crop growth was monitored and the results of the fourth or final planting are described here. Seedlings of onion, snapdragon and lettuce transplanted to compost treated plots displayed more vigorous establishment than those in the control plots. Compost treatments produced higher yields of onion, turf and lettuce. Snapdragon yield was not affected by compost treatment. Soil analysis of compost treated plots revealed lowered pH and increased levels of organic matter, primary nutrients, soluble salts and heavy metals. A concurrent greenhouse study demonstrated that the presence of chipped Eucalyptus tree trimmings (60% by volume) in the sewage sludge compost did not inhibit the growth of the test crops.     

Compost Amendments Decrease Verticillium dahliae Infection on Potato

Indigenous soil microorganisms contribute to disease suppression in cropping systems by reducing and competing with pathogen populations, thereby limiting disease severity. Various communities of indigenous microorganisms in any particular soil have adapted to the specific environmental conditions. If the soil around the plant roots could be altered to favor the indigenous soil microorganisms relative to the plant pathogen, the survival and proliferation of indigenous soil microorganisms, and thus effectiveness of biological control, may be increased. Wood chippolyacrylamide (PAM) cores were used to alter the soil environment in a greenhouse study to favor indigenous soil microorganisms in vegetable and manure compost to reduce Verticillium dahliae infection of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants. Potato plants growing in soils amended with vegetable compost-wood chip-PAM cores had significantly lower visible (V_vis) and isolation (V_iso) V. dahliae infection rates than control soils and soils with dairy or vegetable compost alone. Soils amended with wood chip-PAM-dairy compost cores had significantly lower V_vis and isolation V_iso than control soils and soils with dairy compost. Soils with wood chip-PAM cores and soils with wood chip-PAM-vegetable compost had greater microbial biomass/Verticillium dahliae biomass (MB/VB) ratios in soil than control soils or in soils amended with compost alone. MB/VB ratios in wood chip-PAM cores and wood chip- PAM-vegetable compost were greater than in wood chip-PAM-dairy compost cores. V_vis correlated in a quadratic relationship with the MB/VB ratio (r²=0.76). As MB/VB ratio increased V_vis decreased. Although field studies with several crops and economic evaluations are necessary, this greenhouse study provides evidence that a wood chip-PAM or wood chip- PAM-vegetable compost soil amendment may be a viable method to control some soil diseases in high value crops.     

The role of cytokinins,ethephon, and chlorocholine chloride in the native proteolytic activity of forest soils

Purpose

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) synthesizes and exports phytohormones which are called plant growth regulators (PGRs). These PGRs may play a regulatory role in plant growth and development. PGRs are organic substances that influence physiological processes of plants at extremely low concentrations. The objective of this study was to find out whether three PGRs, cytokinins, ethephon, and chlorocholine, have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the activity of native proteases in soil.

Materials and methods

A revised methodology was used to determine soil protease activity, where TRIS-HCl buffer was replaced with demineralized water. This is described as native protease activity as its activity is not affected by chemicals. The aim was to approximate the protease response to cytokinins in the native soil environment. The native soil proteolytic activity was determined spectrophotometrically.

Results and discussion

The present paper shows that cytokinin, ethephon, and chlorocholine chloride negatively affect the native proteolytic activity of forest soils with the exceptions of the organic and organomineral horizons of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) on a rendzic Leptosol. In addition, 6-benzylaminopurine stimulates the native proteolytic activity of the organic horizon of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). A negative effect of cytokinins on the soil proteolytic activity can decrease the rate of organic matter decomposition. The results provide soil biochemists with an insight into the roles of rhizospheric substances on soil microbial activity.

Conclusions

This work has shown that cytokinins and PGRs inhibit the activity of native soil proteases in most of the studied forest sites. Results describe the effect of rhizospheric compounds on the activity of soil microorganisms, with potentially significant implications for the nitrogen cycle in forest soils.

     

Effect of Catch Cropping on Phosphorus Bioavailability in Comparison to Organic and Inorganic Fertilization

ABSTRACT

Phosphorus (P) is a limited resource and its efficient use is a main task in sustainable agriculture. In a 3-year field experiment the effects of catch cropping [oil radish (Raphanus sativus), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), serradella (Ornithopus sativus), ryegrass (Lolium westerwoldicum), and phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)] of organic fertilization (cattle manure and biowaste compost) and of inorganic fertilization (Triple-Superphosphate) on plant and soil parameters were investigated on a P-poor loamy sand in Northeast Germany. The catch crops were sown in September and remained on the plots until next spring. Then the main crops oilseed rape (Brassica napus), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare), or spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) were cultivated. The yield and P uptake of the main crops were determined. Furthermore, in the soil the organic matter content, pH, phosphorus (P) in soil solution (Psol), double-lactate and oxalate P content, P sorption capacity, and degree of P saturation were measured. All applied forms of fertilizer affected the P contents in soil and the yields and P uptakes of main crops. For green fertilization especially phacelia was found to contribute to the P supply of the main crops, since it increased the P uptake as well as the P contents in soil significantly. The cultivation of ryegrass led to a reduction of the P availability in soil. For example, in average of the three years the Psol content was 0.35 mg L^{? 1}when phacelia was cultivated and 0.22 mg L^{? 1} when ryegrass was cultivated. The cultivation of phacelia had a comparable effect on soil and plant parameters as the organic and mineral fertilization. An improved P availability and P utilization by catch cropping can reduce the need for external P input which may help to save the limited P resources worldwide.     

Influences of Seedbed Bottom Properties on Seed Germination and Water Relations

Placement of seeds on a firm, moist seedbed bottom has proved important for crop establishment in spring in Sweden. However, most modern seed drills can place the seed at the desired depth independent of a firm seedbed bottom. This was not the case with older equipment. In this work, the importance of a firm seedbed bottom was evaluated, where germination of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under dry weather conditions was studied on a clay, a silty clay loam and a sandy loam with or without a firm seedbed bottom. The experiments were carried out in lysimeters protected from precipitation. Time-domain reflectometry was used for soil water content measurements, and thermocouples to monitor soil temperature. A firm seedbed bottom greatly improved seed germination on the clay soil with a small content of plant available water, but not on the other soils. On all soils, a loose seedbed bottom increased maximum surface soil temperature.     

Effects of compost, coal ash, and straw amendments on restoring the quality of eroded Palouse soil

Ridgetops in the dryland farming region of eastern Washington suffer from low productivity and poor soil quality from years of erosion. Two studies investigated the effectiveness of soil amendments in restoring soil quality. Study 1 treatments were two rates of compost and a control. Study 2 treatments were compost, coal ash, wheat straw, three rates of inorganic N, and a control. A wide array of soil biological, chemical and physical parameters were measured from 1995 to 1997 and yield of spring barley, spring pea, and winter wheat were measured in different years from 1995 though 1998. In study 1, compost plus N increased barley yield and soil pH. Compost without N in study 2 increased total soil C and continued to immobilize soil N 2 years after incorporation because of the high C:N ratio of the compost. Total soil N, available P and K, some micronutrients, and cation exchange capacity were increased by the compost. Compost reduced soil bulk density and soil impedance, while increasing water-stable aggregates and improving infiltration. Coal ash slightly suppressed phosphatase activity, while tending to increase pH and soil B, and improving infiltration. Straw decreased soil bulk density and microbial activity in 1996 only. Barley grain trace element uptake, barley yield, and pea yield were uninfluenced by amendments. In 1998, 3 years after application of the amendments, winter wheat yield was significantly higher from the compost application than from any other treatments. Compost had the greatest benefit to improving soil quality and crop yield.     

The effects of pure and undersowing green manures on yields of succeeding spring cereals

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 2004–2006 to investigate the effect of green manure treatments on the yield of oats and spring barley. In the experiment, different green manure crops with undersowing and pure sowing were compared for amounts of N, C, and organic matter driven into soil and their effect on cereal yield. The spring barley field had a total of 41.7–62.4 kg N ha^?1 and 1.75–2.81 Mg C ha^?1 added to the soil with straw, weed, and roots, depending on the level of fertilisation; with red clover, and both common and hybrid lucerne undersowing, with barley straw and roots, the values were 3.45–3.96 Mg C ha^?1 and 139.9–184.9 kg N ha^?1. Pure sowings of these three leguminous green manure crops had total applications of 3.37–4.14 Mg C ha^?1 and 219.7–236.8 kg N ha^?1. The mixed and pure sowing of bird's-foot trefoil provided considerably less nitrogen and carbon to the soil with the biomass than with the other leguminous crops. Application of biomass with a high C/N ratio reduced the yield of the succeeding spring cereals. Of the green manures, the most effective were red clover and both common and hybrid lucerne, either as undersowing or as pure sowing. Undersowings with barley significantly increased the N supply for the succeeding crop without yield loss of the main crop compared with the unfertilised variant. Compared with ploughing-in of green manure in autumn, spring ploughing gave a 0.2–0.57 Mg ha^?1 larger grain yield.     

Long-term amendment of four different compost types on a loamy silt Cambisol: impact on soil organic matter,nutrients and yields

This study investigated the long-term effects of different composts (urban organic waste compost (OWC), green waste compost (GWC), cattle manure compost (MC) and sewage sludge compost (SSC)) compared to mineral fertilisation on a loamy silt Cambisol, after a 7-year start-up period. The compost application rate was 175 kg N ha^?1, with 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 and without. Soil characteristics (soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and soil pH), nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)) and crop yields were investigated between 1998 and 2012. SOC concentrations were increased by compost applications, being highest in the SSC treatments, as for soil pH. N contents were significantly higher with compost amendments compared to mineral fertilisation. The highest calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL)-extractable P concentrations were measured in the SSC treatments, and the highest CAL-extractable K concentrations in the MC treatments. Yields after compost amendment for winter barley and spring wheat were similar to 40 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone, whereas maize had comparable yields to 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone. We conclude that compost amendment improves soil quality, but that the overall carbon (C) and N cycling merits more detailed investigation.     

Compost application increases the soil temperature on bare Andosol in a cool climate region

Abstract

Soil temperature is an important factor influencing crop growth. Within limits, a higher soil temperature will promote crop growth, particularly in cool climates. The application of compost increases the soil temperature, probably by drying the soil surface, but the relationship between soil temperature and soil water remains unclear. We conducted pot and field experiments on a bare Andosol in a cool climate region. The pot experiment examined the effects of compost application on soil temperature and evaporation, and the field experiment examined the effects of the properties and amount of compost on soil temperature. Pots with compost had a higher soil temperature and less evaporation than pots without compost. The decrease in evaporation and the increase in soil temperature by compost application were significantly correlated. The field experiment included 15 treatments: 12 compost treatments (four types of compost?×?three levels) and three chemical fertilizer treatments (one type of fertilizer?×?three levels). There was a significant correlation between soil temperature and the dry weight of the applied compost. We conclude that compost application increases soil temperature by decreasing evaporation from the soil surface. In addition, soil temperature increases with increasing dry weight of the compost applied, regardless of the chemical properties.