Maize yields and carbon pools in response to poultry litter, rock phosphate and P-solubilizing microorganisms

The acid release of phosphates from rock phosphates (RP) and the retention of ammonium by inorganic phosphates have been studied separately in composting; however, there is a gap in the knowledge of combined application of RP with organic residues and microorganisms. The objectives were to evaluate the combined application of fresh poultry litter (PL) with RP and P-solubilizing microorganisms (M) on soil organic matter pools, microbial biomass C (MB-C) and on whole-plant silage maize and grain yields. Two field experiments tested the effects of timing of applications of PL (8 Mg ha–1), RP (4 Mg ha–1) and microorganisms on soil organic matter pools, nutritional aspects and productive components of maize crop whole-plant silage. A second experiment evaluated the effects of RP doses (0, 3, 6 and 9 Mg ha–1) with a fixed dose of PL (8 Mg ha–1) on maize grains. Application of PL+RP decreased soil organic C, while RP alone increased the humin fraction C compared to the control. The MB-C in soil with PL and PL+RP+M increased in comparison to the control and the RP. The application of PL, based on an average of fall and spring, increased leaves + stem dry matter, while in the fall on its own, the highest cob yield was observed in the combination of PL+RP, showing synergistic effects. The best ratio of poultry litter to rock phosphate combination is 2:1 in the anticipated fall application on the maize silage crop or immediate application on the maize grain crops.(AU)

Maize yields and carbon pools in response to poultry litter, rock phosphate and P-solubilizing microorganisms

The acid release of phosphates from rock phosphates (RP) and the retention of ammonium by inorganic phosphates have been studied separately in composting; however, there is a gap in the knowledge of combined application of RP with organic residues and microorganisms. The objectives were to evaluate the combined application of fresh poultry litter (PL) with RP and P-solubilizing microorganisms (M) on soil organic matter pools, microbial biomass C (MB-C) and on whole-plant silage maize and grain yields. Two field experiments tested the effects of timing of applications of PL (8 Mg ha–1), RP (4 Mg ha–1) and microorganisms on soil organic matter pools, nutritional aspects and productive components of maize crop whole-plant silage. A second experiment evaluated the effects of RP doses (0, 3, 6 and 9 Mg ha–1) with a fixed dose of PL (8 Mg ha–1) on maize grains. Application of PL+RP decreased soil organic C, while RP alone increased the humin fraction C compared to the control. The MB-C in soil with PL and PL+RP+M increased in comparison to the control and the RP. The application of PL, based on an average of fall and spring, increased leaves + stem dry matter, while in the fall on its own, the highest cob yield was observed in the combination of PL+RP, showing synergistic effects. The best ratio of poultry litter to rock phosphate combination is 2:1 in the anticipated fall application on the maize silage crop or immediate application on the maize grain crops.

Exploring Biogeochemistry and Microbial Diversity of Extant Microbialites in Mexico and Cuba.

Microbialites are modern analogs of ancient microbial consortia that date as far back as the Archaean Eon. Microbialites have contributed to the geochemical history of our planet through their diverse metabolic capacities that mediate mineral precipitation. These mineral-forming microbial assemblages accumulate major ions, trace elements and biomass from their ambient aquatic environments; their role in the resulting chemical structure of these lithifications needs clarification. We studied the biogeochemistry and microbial structure of microbialites collected from diverse locations in Mexico and in a previously undescribed microbialite in Cuba. We examined their structure, chemistry and mineralogy at different scales using an array of nested methods including 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, elemental analysis, X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Synchrotron Radiation-based Fourier Transformed Infrared (SR-FTIR) spectromicroscopy. The resulting data revealed high biological and chemical diversity among microbialites and specific microbe to chemical correlations. Regardless of the sampling site, Proteobacteria had the most significant correlations with biogeochemical parameters such as organic carbon (Corg), nitrogen and Corg:Ca ratio. Biogeochemically relevant bacterial groups (dominant phototrophs and heterotrophs) showed significant correlations with major ion composition, mineral type and transition element content, such as cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper and nickel. Microbial-chemical relationships were discussed in reference to microbialite formation, microbial metabolic capacities and the role of transition elements as enzyme cofactors. This paper provides an analytical baseline to drive our understanding of the links between microbial diversity with the chemistry of their lithified precipitations.

Reductions of plant cover induced by sheep grazing change the above-belowground partition and chemistry of organic C stocks in arid rangelands of Patagonian Monte, Argentina.

The objective of this study was to estimate the size and chemical quality of the total organic C stock and its partition between above-belowground plant parts and soil at sites with different plant cover induced by sheep grazing in the arid Patagonian Monte. This study was conducted at six representative sites with increasing signs of canopy disturbance attributed to grazing pressure. We used faeces density as a proxy of grazing pressure at each site. We assessed the total plant cover, shrub and perennial grass cover, total standing aboveground biomass (AGB), litter mass and belowground biomass (BGB) at each site. We further estimated the content of organic C, lignin and soluble phenols in plant compartments and the content of organic C, organic C in humic substances (recalcitrant C) and water soluble C (labile C) in soil at each site. Total plant cover was significantly related to grazing pressure. Standing AGB and litter mass decreased with increasing canopy disturbance while BGB did not vary across sites. Total organic C stock and the organic C stock in standing AGB increased with increasing total plant, shrub, and perennial grass cover. The organic C stock in litter mass increased with increasing total plant and shrub cover, while the organic C stock in BGB did not vary across sites. Lignin content in plant compartments increased with increasing total and shrub cover, while soluble phenols content did not change across sites. The organic C stock and the water soluble C content in soil were positively associated with perennial grass cover. Changes in total plant cover induced by grazing pressure negatively affected the size of the total organic C stock, having minor impact on the size of belowground than aboveground components. The reduction of perennial grass cover was reflected in decreasing chemical quality of the organic C stock in soil. Accordingly, plant managerial strategies should not only be focused on the amount of organic C sequestered but also on the chemical quality of organic C stocks since C chemistry could have an important impact on ecosystem functioning.

Growth and reproductive potential of Eisenia foetida (Sav) on various zoo animal dungs after two methods of pre-composting followed by vermicomposting.

Disposal of animal manure without treatment can be harmful to the environment. In this study, samples of four zoo animal dungs and one horse dung were pre-composted in two ways: (a) traditional composting and (b) bokashi pre-composting for 1month, followed by vermicomposting for 3months. The permanence (PEf) and reproductive potential (RP) of Eisenia foetida as well as the quality of vermicompost were evaluated. The PEf values and RP index of E. foetida were higher for samples pre-composted using the traditional composting method (98.7-88% and 31.85-16.27%, respectively) followed by vermicomposting (92.7-72.7% and 22.96-13.51%, respectively), when compared with those for bokashi pre-composted samples followed by vermicomposting, except for the horse dung sample (100% for both the parameters). The values of electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic C, total N, available P, C/N ratio, and pH showed that both treatments achieved the norms of vermicompost (<4mScm-1, 40cmolkg-1, 20-50%, 1-4%, ≤20, 5.5-8.5, respectively). However, the maturity indices of vermicompost, namely, organic matter loss, N loss, and CEC/organic carbon (OC) ratio indicated that bokashi pre-composting followed by vermicomposting produced the highest values (98.7-70.7%, 97.67-96.65%, and 2.7-1.97%, respectively), when compared with the other method adapted in this study. Nevertheless, further studies with plants for plant growth evaluation are needed to assess the benefits and limitations of these two pre-composting methods prior to vermicomposting.

Propriedades químicas de um Argissolo tratado sucessivamente com composto de lixo urbano / Chemical properties of an Ultisol successively treated with municipal waste compost

Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações em algumas propriedades químicas do solo sob adição sucessiva de composto de lixo urbano, conduziu-se um experimento a campo, em um solo Argissolo Vermelho de textura média na Estação Experimental Agronômica da UFRGS. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco doses de composto (0, 20, 40, 80 e 160t ha-1), de um tratamento com adubo mineral e uma testemunha (Calagem e NPK), com aplicações sucessivas por um período de quatro anos. A adição de composto no solo aumentou o pH, CTC, C orgânico, N total, P e Na extraíveis, bem como da relação de adsorção de sódio (RAS), Ca e Mg trocáveis e o teor de K extraível após a terceira aplicação. O Al trocável teve os seus teores diminuídos após aplicações sucessivas de composto. Os resultados permitiram concluir que aplicação de até 80t ha-1 por ano de composto de lixo urbano pode ser considerada como adequada para melhorar e, ou, manter as propriedades químicas do solo.

In order to assess the changes in some chemical properties of soil under the successive addition of urban waste compost, it was conducted a field experiment in an Ultisol soil at Agronomic Experimental Station of UFRGS. The treatments consisted of five successive applications of different doses of municipal solid waste compost (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160t ha-1) for a period of four years and a comparative treatment with mineral fertilizer and a control (without compost and fertilization). The addition of the compost increased soil pH, CEC, organic C, total N, extractable P and Na and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), calcium, and magnesium and extractable K after the third application. The exchangeable Al had their levels reduced by successive applications of compost. The results showed that application of up to 80t ha-1 yr-1 of urban waste compost can be the dose recommended to improve and maintain the chemical properties of soil.

Propriedades químicas de um Argissolo tratado sucessivamente com composto de lixo urbano

In order to assess the changes in some chemical properties of soil under the successive addition of urban waste compost, it was conducted a field experiment in an Ultisol soil at Agronomic Experimental Station of UFRGS. The treatments consisted of five successive applications of different doses of municipal solid waste compost (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160t ha-1) for a period of four years and a comparative treatment with mineral fertilizer and a control (without compost and fertilization). The addition of the compost increased soil pH, CEC, organic C, total N, extractable P and Na and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), calcium, and magnesium and extractable K after the third application. The exchangeable Al had their levels reduced by successive applications of compost. The results showed that application of up to 80t ha-1 yr-1 of urban waste compost can be the dose recommended to improve and maintain the chemical properties of soil.

Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações em algumas propriedades químicas do solo sob adição sucessiva de composto de lixo urbano, conduziu-se um experimento a campo, em um solo Argissolo Vermelho de textura média na Estação Experimental Agronômica da UFRGS. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco doses de composto (0, 20, 40, 80 e 160t ha-1), de um tratamento com adubo mineral e uma testemunha (Calagem e NPK), com aplicações sucessivas por um período de quatro anos. A adição de composto no solo aumentou o pH, CTC, C orgânico, N total, P e Na extraíveis, bem como da relação de adsorção de sódio (RAS), Ca e Mg trocáveis e o teor de K extraível após a terceira aplicação. O Al trocável teve os seus teores diminuídos após aplicações sucessivas de composto. Os resultados permitiram concluir que aplicação de até 80t ha-1 por ano de composto de lixo urbano pode ser considerada como adequada para melhorar e, ou, manter as propriedades químicas do solo.

Propriedades químicas de um Argissolo tratado sucessivamente com composto de lixo urbano

In order to assess the changes in some chemical properties of soil under the successive addition of urban waste compost, it was conducted a field experiment in an Ultisol soil at Agronomic Experimental Station of UFRGS. The treatments consisted of five successive applications of different doses of municipal solid waste compost (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160t ha-1) for a period of four years and a comparative treatment with mineral fertilizer and a control (without compost and fertilization). The addition of the compost increased soil pH, CEC, organic C, total N, extractable P and Na and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), calcium, and magnesium and extractable K after the third application. The exchangeable Al had their levels reduced by successive applications of compost. The results showed that application of up to 80t ha-1 yr-1 of urban waste compost can be the dose recommended to improve and maintain the chemical properties of soil.

Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações em algumas propriedades químicas do solo sob adição sucessiva de composto de lixo urbano, conduziu-se um experimento a campo, em um solo Argissolo Vermelho de textura média na Estação Experimental Agronômica da UFRGS. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco doses de composto (0, 20, 40, 80 e 160t ha-1), de um tratamento com adubo mineral e uma testemunha (Calagem e NPK), com aplicações sucessivas por um período de quatro anos. A adição de composto no solo aumentou o pH, CTC, C orgânico, N total, P e Na extraíveis, bem como da relação de adsorção de sódio (RAS), Ca e Mg trocáveis e o teor de K extraível após a terceira aplicação. O Al trocável teve os seus teores diminuídos após aplicações sucessivas de composto. Os resultados permitiram concluir que aplicação de até 80t ha-1 por ano de composto de lixo urbano pode ser considerada como adequada para melhorar e, ou, manter as propriedades químicas do solo.

Propriedades químicas de um Argissolo tratado sucessivamente com composto de lixo urbano

In order to assess the changes in some chemical properties of soil under the successive addition of urban waste compost, it was conducted a field experiment in an Ultisol soil at Agronomic Experimental Station of UFRGS. The treatments consisted of five successive applications of different doses of municipal solid waste compost (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160t ha-1) for a period of four years and a comparative treatment with mineral fertilizer and a control (without compost and fertilization). The addition of the compost increased soil pH, CEC, organic C, total N, extractable P and Na and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), calcium, and magnesium and extractable K after the third application. The exchangeable Al had their levels reduced by successive applications of compost. The results showed that application of up to 80t ha-1 yr-1 of urban waste compost can be the dose recommended to improve and maintain the chemical properties of soil.

Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações em algumas propriedades químicas do solo sob adição sucessiva de composto de lixo urbano, conduziu-se um experimento a campo, em um solo Argissolo Vermelho de textura média na Estação Experimental Agronômica da UFRGS. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco doses de composto (0, 20, 40, 80 e 160t ha-1), de um tratamento com adubo mineral e uma testemunha (Calagem e NPK), com aplicações sucessivas por um período de quatro anos. A adição de composto no solo aumentou o pH, CTC, C orgânico, N total, P e Na extraíveis, bem como da relação de adsorção de sódio (RAS), Ca e Mg trocáveis e o teor de K extraível após a terceira aplicação. O Al trocável teve os seus teores diminuídos após aplicações sucessivas de composto. Os resultados permitiram concluir que aplicação de até 80t ha-1 por ano de composto de lixo urbano pode ser considerada como adequada para melhorar e, ou, manter as propriedades químicas do solo.

Soil microbial biomass in organic farming system / Biomassa microbiana do solo em sistemas orgânicos

Agricultural production systems have to combine management practices in order to sustain soil's profitability and quality. Organic farming is gaining worldwide acceptance and has been expanding at an annual rate of 20 percent in the last decade, accounting for over 24 million hectares worldwide. Organic practices avoid applications of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, rely on organic inputs and recycling for nutrient supply, and emphasize cropping system design and biological processes for pest management, as defined by organic farming regulation in the world. In comparison with conventional farming, organic farming has potential benefits in improving food quality and safety. Plant production in organic farming mainly depends on nutrient release as a function of mineralization processes in soils. The build-up of a large and active soil microbial biomass is important pool of accessible nutrients, therefore, is an important priority in organic farming. In organic farming, there is positive effect of quantity and quality of inputs of organic residues on soil microbial biomass. In this way, the organic systems are extremely important for the increase of the soil fertility and the maintenance of the environmental sustainability.

A produção agrícola tem de combinar práticas para prover a sustentabilidade do solo. A agricultura orgânica está ganhando aceitação mundial e cresce à taxa anual de 20 por cento na última década, contabilizando mais de 24 milhões de hectares. As práticas orgânicas evitam o uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e pesticidas, enfatiza a aplicação de matéria orgânica, como também a reciclagem de nutrientes e de processos biológicos para manejo de pragas, através das regras dos sistemas orgânicos no mundo. Em comparação com a agricultura convencional, os sistemas orgânicos têm potencial de melhorar a qualidade e a segurança dos alimentos. A produção das plantas no sistema orgânico depende da liberação de nutrientes pelo processo de mineralização microbiana no solo. A construção de uma grande e ativa biomassa microbiana é um importante reservatório de nutrientes disponíveis. Dessa forma, isso é uma prioridade no sistema orgânico. Em sistemas orgânicos, há efeitos positivos da quantidade e da qualidade das fontes de carbono orgânico sobre a biomassa microbiana do solo. Nesse sentido, as práticas do sistema orgânico são extremamente importantes para o aumento da fertilidade do solo e para a manutenção da sustentabilidade ambiental.

Soil microbial biomass in organic farming system

Agricultural production systems have to combine management practices in order to sustain soil's profitability and quality. Organic farming is gaining worldwide acceptance and has been expanding at an annual rate of 20% in the last decade, accounting for over 24 million hectares worldwide. Organic practices avoid applications of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, rely on organic inputs and recycling for nutrient supply, and emphasize cropping system design and biological processes for pest management, as defined by organic farming regulation in the world. In comparison with conventional farming, organic farming has potential benefits in improving food quality and safety. Plant production in organic farming mainly depends on nutrient release as a function of mineralization processes in soils. The build-up of a large and active soil microbial biomass is important pool of accessible nutrients, therefore, is an important priority in organic farming. In organic farming, there is positive effect of quantity and quality of inputs of organic residues on soil microbial biomass. In this way, the organic systems are extremely important for the increase of the soil fertility and the maintenance of the environmental sustainability.

A produção agrícola tem de combinar práticas para prover a sustentabilidade do solo. A agricultura orgânica está ganhando aceitação mundial e cresce à taxa anual de 20% na última década, contabilizando mais de 24 milhões de hectares. As práticas orgânicas evitam o uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e pesticidas, enfatiza a aplicação de matéria orgânica, como também a reciclagem de nutrientes e de processos biológicos para manejo de pragas, através das regras dos sistemas orgânicos no mundo. Em comparação com a agricultura convencional, os sistemas orgânicos têm potencial de melhorar a qualidade e a segurança dos alimentos. A produção das plantas no sistema orgânico depende da liberação de nutrientes pelo processo de mineralização microbiana no solo. A construção de uma grande e ativa biomassa microbiana é um importante reservatório de nutrientes disponíveis. Dessa forma, isso é uma prioridade no sistema orgânico. Em sistemas orgânicos, há efeitos positivos da quantidade e da qualidade das fontes de carbono orgânico sobre a biomassa microbiana do solo. Nesse sentido, as práticas do sistema orgânico são extremamente importantes para o aumento da fertilidade do solo e para a manutenção da sustentabilidade ambiental.

Soil microbial biomass in organic farming system

Agricultural production systems have to combine management practices in order to sustain soil's profitability and quality. Organic farming is gaining worldwide acceptance and has been expanding at an annual rate of 20% in the last decade, accounting for over 24 million hectares worldwide. Organic practices avoid applications of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, rely on organic inputs and recycling for nutrient supply, and emphasize cropping system design and biological processes for pest management, as defined by organic farming regulation in the world. In comparison with conventional farming, organic farming has potential benefits in improving food quality and safety. Plant production in organic farming mainly depends on nutrient release as a function of mineralization processes in soils. The build-up of a large and active soil microbial biomass is important pool of accessible nutrients, therefore, is an important priority in organic farming. In organic farming, there is positive effect of quantity and quality of inputs of organic residues on soil microbial biomass. In this way, the organic systems are extremely important for the increase of the soil fertility and the maintenance of the environmental sustainability.

A produção agrícola tem de combinar práticas para prover a sustentabilidade do solo. A agricultura orgânica está ganhando aceitação mundial e cresce à taxa anual de 20% na última década, contabilizando mais de 24 milhões de hectares. As práticas orgânicas evitam o uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e pesticidas, enfatiza a aplicação de matéria orgânica, como também a reciclagem de nutrientes e de processos biológicos para manejo de pragas, através das regras dos sistemas orgânicos no mundo. Em comparação com a agricultura convencional, os sistemas orgânicos têm potencial de melhorar a qualidade e a segurança dos alimentos. A produção das plantas no sistema orgânico depende da liberação de nutrientes pelo processo de mineralização microbiana no solo. A construção de uma grande e ativa biomassa microbiana é um importante reservatório de nutrientes disponíveis. Dessa forma, isso é uma prioridade no sistema orgânico. Em sistemas orgânicos, há efeitos positivos da quantidade e da qualidade das fontes de carbono orgânico sobre a biomassa microbiana do solo. Nesse sentido, as práticas do sistema orgânico são extremamente importantes para o aumento da fertilidade do solo e para a manutenção da sustentabilidade ambiental.

Soil microbial biomass in organic farming system

Agricultural production systems have to combine management practices in order to sustain soil's profitability and quality. Organic farming is gaining worldwide acceptance and has been expanding at an annual rate of 20% in the last decade, accounting for over 24 million hectares worldwide. Organic practices avoid applications of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, rely on organic inputs and recycling for nutrient supply, and emphasize cropping system design and biological processes for pest management, as defined by organic farming regulation in the world. In comparison with conventional farming, organic farming has potential benefits in improving food quality and safety. Plant production in organic farming mainly depends on nutrient release as a function of mineralization processes in soils. The build-up of a large and active soil microbial biomass is important pool of accessible nutrients, therefore, is an important priority in organic farming. In organic farming, there is positive effect of quantity and quality of inputs of organic residues on soil microbial biomass. In this way, the organic systems are extremely important for the increase of the soil fertility and the maintenance of the environmental sustainability.

A produção agrícola tem de combinar práticas para prover a sustentabilidade do solo. A agricultura orgânica está ganhando aceitação mundial e cresce à taxa anual de 20% na última década, contabilizando mais de 24 milhões de hectares. As práticas orgânicas evitam o uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e pesticidas, enfatiza a aplicação de matéria orgânica, como também a reciclagem de nutrientes e de processos biológicos para manejo de pragas, através das regras dos sistemas orgânicos no mundo. Em comparação com a agricultura convencional, os sistemas orgânicos têm potencial de melhorar a qualidade e a segurança dos alimentos. A produção das plantas no sistema orgânico depende da liberação de nutrientes pelo processo de mineralização microbiana no solo. A construção de uma grande e ativa biomassa microbiana é um importante reservatório de nutrientes disponíveis. Dessa forma, isso é uma prioridade no sistema orgânico. Em sistemas orgânicos, há efeitos positivos da quantidade e da qualidade das fontes de carbono orgânico sobre a biomassa microbiana do solo. Nesse sentido, as práticas do sistema orgânico são extremamente importantes para o aumento da fertilidade do solo e para a manutenção da sustentabilidade ambiental.