Soil organic matter evolution after the application of high doses of organic amendments in a Mediterranean calcareous soil

Purpose

We investigate the coevolution of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil properties in a semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystem, as well as the 1-year evolution of the different pools of soil organic and inorganic carbon and their influence on soil respiration after the application of a single high dose of three different organic amendments.

Material and methods

We applied a single high dose (160?Mg?ha^?1 in dry weight (DW)) of three types of organic amendments: aerobically digested sewage sludge (AE), anaerobically digested sewage sludge (AN), and municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), in a calcareous Mediterranean soil. The study area is located in the southeast of Madrid (Spain), characterized by a Mediterranean climate with a marked seasonal and daily contrast. We analyzed different forms of soil organic and inorganic carbon and soil respiration rates. The measurements have been performed quarterly for 1?year.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the coevolution of SOM and soil largely depends on the origin and composition of the organic amendments used. The AN sludge affected the soil chemistry more. The organic matter (OM) provided by AE treatments underwent more intense mineralization processes than AN, with the OM from MSWC being more stable. This behavior could be explained by the different pools of carbon involved in each case. The treatments contributed differently to soil respiration rates following the sequence: AE > AN > MSWC. The application of organic amendments in calcareous Mediterranean soils also modified the inorganic carbon pools.

Conclusions

SOM and soil coevolution after organic amendments application depends on the origin and chemical composition of the inputs. The decision-making process of urban organic waste application with regard to agricultural policy must take into account the different behavior in soil of the different types of amendments.