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Agronomy
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Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production
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Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 43277

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Elena Baldi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DiSTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum, University di Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: soil organic matter; root morphology and physiology; fruit tree mineral and organic nutrition; fruit quality; soil sickness
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil is an essential resource for plant growth and yield. It undergoes a rapid degradation process in intensive agricultural areas, but it has extremely slow formation and regeneration mechanisms. As a consequence, soils of agroecosystems are severely depleted of organic matter and macro-/micronutrient pools. In addition, the production of urban and industrial organic wastes is increasing worldwide, and environmentally friendly strategies for their disposal, e.g., compost production, have been developed. Furthermore, the application of organic fertilizers could help to mitigate the negative effect of the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since they can sequester C into the soil. The necessity to bring together economic and ecological issues has led to an increase in the use of organic fertilizers worldwide since, in addition to their positive effects on soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, they also improve plant performance.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight the effect of different organic amendments on plant performance, soil quality, and the environment. Manuscripts dealing with the effect of organic amendment supply on plant performances, soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, and carbon sequestration will be considered.

Dr. Elena Baldi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soil organic matter
  • carbon sequestration
  • plant performances
  • soil fertility
  • nutrient availability

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Published Papers (22 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1898 KiB  
Article
Better Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Improved Mchare Banana Productivity and Profitability in Northern Highlands, Tanzania
by Akida I. Meya, Rony Swennen, Patrick A. Ndakidemi, Kelvin M. Mtei and Roel Merckx
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1418; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13051418 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1337
Abstract
Declining land productivity is a major problem constraining banana (Musa spp.) production in Tanzania. Banana fruit yield consequently reaches only 15% of the potential, primarily due to inadequate soil nutrient replenishment. Improving farmers’ soil nutrient replenishment strategy in banana home gardens, which [...] Read more.
Declining land productivity is a major problem constraining banana (Musa spp.) production in Tanzania. Banana fruit yield consequently reaches only 15% of the potential, primarily due to inadequate soil nutrient replenishment. Improving farmers’ soil nutrient replenishment strategy in banana home gardens, which relies on applications of cattle manure only, by mixing with inorganic fertilizer resources can increase land productivity and can improve the overall profitability of banana production in the country. Experiments were conducted at Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru to determine the effects of organic fertilizer resources (animal manure and crop residue) and their combination with inorganic fertilizer resources on the productivity and profitability of Mchare banana production. Banana fruit yield differed significantly among the experimental sites, with drier areas of Tengeru recording, on average, 19.6 t ha−1 year−1, while the more humid areas of Lyamungo recorded, on average, 39.3 ha−1 year−1. Mchare banana plants grown under sole inorganic fertilizer produced significantly low yields (33.0 t ha−1 year−1) compared with those fertilized with cattle manure only, which lifted the yields to 38.8 t ha−1 year−1, but the latter required more labor input. Soil nitrogen (N) fertilization via cattle manure + mineral fertilizer gave the highest average banana fruit yield (43.0 t ha−1 year−1) across the sites, and reduced fertilization costs by 32%. Subsequently, this integrated fertilization technique generated the highest average net benefits in all sites and both cropping cycles. Thus, the findings of this study form a basis to improve land productivity and profitability in banana-based home gardens in the study area by directing more labor input to good soil N management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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12 pages, 1108 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Organic Carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) Yield and Quality Using Fish Emulsions, Cyanobacterial Fertilizer, and Seaweed Extracts
by Allison Wickham and Jessica G. Davis
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1329; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13051329 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1951
Abstract
Liquid fertilizers are often used in the middle of the growing season in an attempt to enhance organic carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) yield and quality, although their effect on plant performance is unproven. The impact of liquid organic fertilizers and foliar [...] Read more.
Liquid fertilizers are often used in the middle of the growing season in an attempt to enhance organic carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) yield and quality, although their effect on plant performance is unproven. The impact of liquid organic fertilizers and foliar seaweed applications on carrot yield and quality characteristics were evaluated on certified organic land at the Colorado State University Horticulture Field Research Center in Fort Collins, CO, USA, in 2014 and 2015. Hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer and cyanobacterial fertilizer (cyano-fertilizer) treatments were applied through a drip irrigation system at prescribed N rates about every 10 days throughout the growing season. Each treatment, including the unfertilized control, was repeated with the addition of concentrated organic seaweed extract, containing phytohormones, applied foliarly at the manufacturer’s recommended rates. The cyano-fertilizer treatment resulted in longer carrots in 2014 and the highest carrot yield in both years, with it consistently yielding equal to or greater than either hydrolyzed or non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer. The foliar seaweed applications had no effect on carrot yield in either year. The cyano-fertilizer performed comparably to the other fertilizers, suggesting that cyano-fertilizer could be a viable alternative to organic liquid fish fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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12 pages, 440 KiB  
Article
Effect of Mineral or OFMSW Digestate Fertilization on Ryegrass and Nitrogen Leaching
by Gabriella Rossi, Claudio Beni, Anna Benedetti, Barbara Felici and Ulderico Neri
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1316; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13051316 - 08 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1193
Abstract
The current guidelines of waste management are aimed at the recovery and recycling of biowaste while respecting the protection of human health and the environment. The recent European legislation on fertilizers provides for the use of digestates derived from the organic fraction of [...] Read more.
The current guidelines of waste management are aimed at the recovery and recycling of biowaste while respecting the protection of human health and the environment. The recent European legislation on fertilizers provides for the use of digestates derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). The objectives of this study were to verify the fertilizing effect of three types of OFMSW digestates on the ryegrass culture comparing mineral fertilization and to evaluate the nitrogen lost to leaching in soil diversely fertilized following simulated rainfall. The ryegrass was grown in pots. The soil was fertilized with mineral fertilizer or OFMSW digestates. For each treatment, five mowing procedures were performed on the crop, and the ryegrass biomass production and nitrogen concentration were determined from the ryegrass samples. During the experiment, six rains were simulated, and the leached nitrogen was analyzed. The results showed that: (i) the fertilizing effect of OFMSW digestates on nitrogen nutrition of ryegrass was similar to ammonium sulphate fertilization, confirming the agronomic validity of these by-products to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers; (ii) soil fertilization with OFMSW digestates had a positive effect limiting nitrogen loss due to leaching compared to mineral fertilization, highlighting the soil-improving properties of these by-products, in particular of the composted digestate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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19 pages, 2190 KiB  
Article
Effects of Marine Residue-Derived Fertilizers on Strawberry Growth, Nutrient Content, Fruit Yield and Quality
by Ailin Moloșag, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Adrian Constantin Asănică, Raluca Soane, Andrei Moț, Aurora Dobrin, Mihai Frîncu, Anne-Kristin Løes, Joshua Cabell, Athanasios Salifoglou, Marios Maroulis, Sevasti Matsia, Oana Crina Bujor, Diana Egri, Tănase Dobre, Liliana Aurelia Bădulescu and Viorica Lagunosvchi-Luchian
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1221; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13051221 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2104
Abstract
An outdoor experiment was performed for six months to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers obtained from marine residual materials on strawberry plants. Three types of organic fertilizers were used, i.e., cod (Gadus morhua) bone powder, common ling (Molva molva [...] Read more.
An outdoor experiment was performed for six months to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers obtained from marine residual materials on strawberry plants. Three types of organic fertilizers were used, i.e., cod (Gadus morhua) bone powder, common ling (Molva molva) bone powder, and pellets obtained by mixing small cod bone powder and rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) residues. A tabletop system for strawberry cultivation was designed, in which two bare-root strawberry plants of cultivar ‘Albion’ were planted in a peat substrate in each pot. Five treatments were applied, i.e., cod bone powder (F1), common ling bone powder (F2), small cod bone powder and rockweed residue pellets (FA), chemical fertilizer (E), and a control (C). The number of leaves and their nutrient content, fruit yield and quality characteristics of the strawberries grown using the organic fertilizers were similar or better than those corresponding to treatments E and C. Organic fertilizers derived from the residues of fish and macroalgae could be a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers in strawberry production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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12 pages, 2345 KiB  
Article
Ameliorating Effects of Biochar, Sheep Manure and Chicken Manure on Acidified Purple Soil
by Jingjing Chen, Junfeng Yu, Zhongyi Li, Jia Zhou and Linqing Zhan
Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1142; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13041142 - 17 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1171
Abstract
The proportion of acidic purple soils has increased. Consequently, an effective method for amelioration of acidic purple soils is urgently needed. A 40 day incubation experiment using apple tree biochar, fermented sheep manure and chicken manure was conducted to assess the effects of [...] Read more.
The proportion of acidic purple soils has increased. Consequently, an effective method for amelioration of acidic purple soils is urgently needed. A 40 day incubation experiment using apple tree biochar, fermented sheep manure and chicken manure was conducted to assess the effects of organic materials on the acidity and fertility of acidic purple soil. The results showed that application of organic materials increased soil pH and decreased soil-exchangeable acidity. All of the treatments increased soil-exchangeable and water-soluble base cations after incubation. Specifically, biochar increased soil pH and reduced exchangeable acidity more than the other two fermented manures, because biochar was rich in carbonates and other alkaline substances. The concentration of soil available K was significantly higher under biochar than manure addition, while the opposite was true for soil available P and N, with a higher increase in soil available P in the manure treatments. By evaluating the soil fertility using a fuzzy comprehensive method, it was found that the fermented livestock manure enhanced soil fertility more strongly than biochar. Considering the effectiveness of soil amendments and production cost, applying a large amount of fermented organic fertilizer is an effective approach to the amelioration of acidified purple soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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25 pages, 5156 KiB  
Article
Specific and Intraspecific P Efficiency of Small-Grain Legumes as Affected by Long-Term P Management
by Yue Hu, Klaus J. Dehmer, Evelin Willner and Bettina Eichler-Löbermann
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 900; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13030900 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1471
Abstract
Legumes have a high demand for phosphorus (P) but also have effective physiological and morphological strategies of P mobilisation. In order to evaluate the inter- and intraspecific P efficiency of small-grain legumes under contrasting long-term P management, eight accessions each of alfalfa ( [...] Read more.
Legumes have a high demand for phosphorus (P) but also have effective physiological and morphological strategies of P mobilisation. In order to evaluate the inter- and intraspecific P efficiency of small-grain legumes under contrasting long-term P management, eight accessions each of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were cultivated in two consecutive growing periods from 2020 to 2021 in a field trial established in 1998. Six treatments (no P, triple-superphosphate (TSP), biomass ash, cattle manure, biowaste compost, and biowaste compost + TSP) were considered as P sources. While the yield clearly varied between both growing seasons, the differences between alfalfa and red clover were relatively small (4.7 vs. 4.9 Mg ha−1 in 2020 and 12.0 vs. 10.5 Mg ha−1 in 2021, p < 0.05). Even after more than 20 years of P management, crop yields were hardly affected by mineral P sources (TSP and biomass ash) while organic fertilisers increased the yields and nutrient uptake of plants and also raised soil P pools and the activities of soil enzymes in comparison to the control. A relevant crop effect was only found for the nitrogen (N) leaching with higher mineral N contents in 60 to 90 cm soil depth measured for red clover compared to alfalfa (11.8 vs. 4.8 kg ha−1, p < 0.05). Our results emphasise the high P efficiency of small-grain legumes without pronounced inter- or intraspecific differences. The yield-enhancing effect of organic amendments was related to higher soil fertility rather than to P supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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13 pages, 1349 KiB  
Article
Reducing the Adverse Effects of Salt Stress by Utilizing Compost Tea and Effective Microorganisms to Enhance the Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plants
by Mohssen Elbagory
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 823; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13030823 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2145
Abstract
One of the worst environmental conditions limiting crop plant productivity is salinity. As a result, ecologically friendly methods are urgently needed to boost the development and yield of wheat growing on saltine soils. Two-year field studies to examine the effects of applying compost [...] Read more.
One of the worst environmental conditions limiting crop plant productivity is salinity. As a result, ecologically friendly methods are urgently needed to boost the development and yield of wheat growing on saltine soils. Two-year field studies to examine the effects of applying compost tea (CT) and effective microorganisms (EMs; Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas koreensis, and Bacillus circulans) on the growth and yield of two wheat cultivars, namely Sids 12 as a salinity susceptible cultivar and Misr 1 as a salinity resistant cultivar, under salt-affected soils. The findings corroborated our hypothesis that, in comparison to the control and the individual applications of EM or CT, the combined application (EM + CT) significantly improved growth, yield, uptake of nutrients, and photosynthetic characteristics. Furthermore, the combined application markedly (p ≤ 0.05) boosted the antioxidant enzymes. Our research showed that the combination treatment could increase soil microbial activity and activate critical soil enzymes, primarily dehydrogenase and urease. In general, the combination treatment has demonstrated a good effect in terms of stimulating plant development and raising element concentrations in wheat under salt stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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20 pages, 558 KiB  
Article
Effects of Liquid Manure Application Techniques on Ammonia Emission and Winter Wheat Yield
by Martin ten Huf, Thorsten Reinsch, Mareike Zutz, Christoph Essich, Reiner Ruser, Caroline Buchen-Tschiskale, Heinz Flessa and Hans-Werner Olfs
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 472; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13020472 - 05 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1847
Abstract
Ammonia emissions following liquid manure application impair human health and threaten natural ecosystems. In growing arable crops, where immediate soil incorporation of the applied liquid manure is not possible, best-available application techniques are required in order to decrease ammonia losses. We determined ammonia [...] Read more.
Ammonia emissions following liquid manure application impair human health and threaten natural ecosystems. In growing arable crops, where immediate soil incorporation of the applied liquid manure is not possible, best-available application techniques are required in order to decrease ammonia losses. We determined ammonia emission, crop yield and nitrogen uptake of winter wheat in eight experimental sites across Germany. Each individual experiment consisted of an unfertilized control (N0), broadcast calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) application as well as four different techniques to apply cattle slurry (CS) and biogas digestate (BD). Fertilizer was applied to growing winter wheat at a total rate of 170 kg N ha−1 split into two equal dressings. The following application techniques were tested for both liquid manure types: (i) trailing hose (TH) application using untreated and (ii) acidified (~pH 6) liquid manure (+A), as well as (iii) a combination of open slot injection (SI) for the first dressing and trailing shoe (TS) application for the second dressing without and (iv) with the addition of a nitrification inhibitor (NI) for the first dressing. The highest ammonia emissions (on average 30 kg N ha−1) occurred following TH application of BD. TH application of CS led to significantly lower emissions (on average 19 kg N ha−1). Overall, acidification reduced ammonia emissions by 64% compared to TH application without acidification for both types of liquid manures. On average, the combination of SI and TS application resulted in 23% lower NH3 emissions in comparison to TH application (25% for the first application by SI and 20% for the second application by TS). Supplementing an NI did not affect ammonia emissions. However, decreasing ammonia emissions by acidification or SI did not increase winter wheat yield and nitrogen uptake. All organically fertilized treatments led to similar crop yield (approx. 7 t ha−1 grain dry matter yield) and above-ground biomass nitrogen uptake (approx. 150 kg ha−1). Yield (8 t ha−1) and nitrogen uptake (approx. 190 kg ha−1) were significantly higher for the CAN treatment; while for the control, yield (approx. 4.5 t ha−1) and above-ground biomass nitrogen uptake (approx. 90 kg ha−1) were significantly lower. Overall, our results show that reducing NH3 emissions following liquid manure application to growing crops is possible by using different mitigation techniques. For our field trial series, acidification was the technique with the greatest NH3 mitigation potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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28 pages, 4218 KiB  
Article
Biochar-Based Phosphate Fertilizers: Synthesis, Properties, Kinetics of P Release and Recommendation for Crops Grown in Oxisols
by Everton Geraldo de Morais, Keiji Jindo and Carlos Alberto Silva
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 326; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13020326 - 21 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1979
Abstract
The agronomic efficiency of biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs) relies on the synthesis routes, properties, and interaction with the soil–plant system. In our study, BBFs were produced from coffee husk, low-grade acidulated phosphate rock with and without the addition of magnesium (Mg). BBFs were characterized [...] Read more.
The agronomic efficiency of biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs) relies on the synthesis routes, properties, and interaction with the soil–plant system. In our study, BBFs were produced from coffee husk, low-grade acidulated phosphate rock with and without the addition of magnesium (Mg). BBFs were characterized for infrared analysis and the kinetics of phosphorus (P) release in water or citric acid (CA). The agronomic performance of BBFs was tested by growing maize and, in sequence, brachiaria grass in pots filled with two Oxisols with contrasting soil organic matter (SOM) content. Using the same chemical stoichiometric ratio, nitric acid was more effective than hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, creating BBFs with enhanced agronomic performance. The use of Mg in the BBFs synthesis reduced the P released in water. Phosphorus released in CA leachates positively correlated with the P in the shoot of both plants. BBFs produced using nitric acid had higher residual effect on brachiaria grass grown in the Oxisol with the highest SOM. Our outcomes show that the P rate for maize and brachiaria grass should be considered based on P soluble in neutral ammonium citrate plus water in BBFs. BBFs is an alternative to improve the use efficiency of P in Oxisols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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13 pages, 2264 KiB  
Article
Effects of Returning Different Organic Materials in Combination with Inorganic Fertilizers on the Diversity of Eukaryotic Microorganisms in Semi-Arid Northern China
by Zhiping Liu, Huaiping Zhou, Wenyan Xie, Zhenxing Yang and Pengfei Zhang
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12123116 - 08 Dec 2022
Viewed by 947
Abstract
Soil eukaryotic microorganisms are important to biodiversity, and returning different kinds of organic materials to the field could improve the biodiversity of soil eukaryotic microorganisms. However, no detailed research has been conducted in the northern China semi-arid area in returning the different organic [...] Read more.
Soil eukaryotic microorganisms are important to biodiversity, and returning different kinds of organic materials to the field could improve the biodiversity of soil eukaryotic microorganisms. However, no detailed research has been conducted in the northern China semi-arid area in returning the different organic materials to the field and determining the status of eukaryotic microorganisms. Therefore, we explored the effects of various organic materials returning to the soil in combination with inorganic fertilizer on the diversity and community structure of eukaryotic microorganisms in Shanxi province, China. Soil samples were collected from five different fertilization treatments: chemical fertilizer (F), chemical fertilizer + cattle manure (FM), chemical fertilizer + straw (FS), chemical fertilizer + pig manure (FC) and control without fertilizers (CK). High-throughput sequencing was applied to analyze the eukaryotic diversity and community structure. Results showed that the dominant eukaryotic microorganisms among soil samples were Fungi, Viridiplantae, Metazoa and Protist. Although α-diversity was not significantly different among the five treatments, principal coordinate analysis and permutational multivariate analysis of variance illustrated significant differences (p < 0.001) in β-diversity of eukaryotic microorganism under treatments with different organic materials. Redundancy analysis showed that the soil properties, including total potassium, available nitrogen, available potassium and organic matter were the main factors attributed to eukaryotic microorganisms’ community structure in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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15 pages, 630 KiB  
Article
Impact of Press Mud and Animal Manure in Comparison with NPK on the Growth and Yield of Triticale (Triticosecale wittmack) Genotypes Cultivated under Various Irrigation Regimes
by Ahmad Sher, Muhammad Nawaz, Zuhair Hasnain, Kashf Mehmood, Muhammad Bilal Chattha, Muhammad Ijaz, Abdul Sattar, Danish Ibrar, Saqib Bashir, Muhammad Musawir Khan, Safia Gul, Sohail Irshad, Shah Fahad, Niaz Ahmed, Habibullah, Afroz Rais and Shahbaz Khan
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 2944; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12122944 - 24 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2187
Abstract
It is needful to have alternative nutritious cereal crops to feed the ever increasing population and meet food security in the long run. Triticale (Triticosecale wittmack) is used for both livestock feed and human consumption as it contains higher protein and [...] Read more.
It is needful to have alternative nutritious cereal crops to feed the ever increasing population and meet food security in the long run. Triticale (Triticosecale wittmack) is used for both livestock feed and human consumption as it contains higher protein and lysine contents than other cereals. Synthetic fertilizers applied in combination with organic amendments can play a pivotal role in increasing crop yields. Field experiments were designed to explore the impact of chemical fertilizers (NPK), press mud and animal manure on growth and yield of triticale genotypes cultivated under different irrigation regimes. Experiments were laid out by using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-split plot arrangements having three replicates and comprised of different treatments such as chemical fertilizers (T1 = control, T2 = NPK, T3 = press mud and T4 = animal manure), genotypes (G1 and G2), and irrigation regimes (I1 = full irrigation, I2 = irrigation was skipped at heading stage, and I3 = irrigation was skipped at heading and grain filling stages). Statistical analyses of collected data depicted the significant effect of chemical fertilizers, organic amendments, genotypes and irrigation regimes on various yield and yield related attributes of triticale. The highest increment in various observed attributes like plant height, leaves per plant, spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, leaf area, 1000-grain weight, biological yield and grain yield was recorded in I1, followed by I2 and I3; in case of varieties, G1 performed better than G2 while T3 had maximum values in the aforementioned parameters as compared to other treatments. The application of NPK in combination with press mud and animal manure improved the growth and yield of triticale genotypes cultivated under different irrigation regimes. Thus, NPK along with organic amendments and irrigation practices can successfully be used to improve the growth and yield of triticale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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18 pages, 3667 KiB  
Article
Assessing Processing Waste from the Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) Fishery as an Organic Fertilizer
by Paolo Campus, Nigel D. Swarts, Craig Mundy, John P. Keane and Caleb Gardner
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 2919; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12122919 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3663
Abstract
The longspined sea urchin, Centrostephanus rodgersii, is a climate-driven pest species in south-eastern Australia. The harvest of this species is highly encouraged and in Tasmania, the existing fishery is expanding resulting in a large amount of waste that needs disposal. Research into [...] Read more.
The longspined sea urchin, Centrostephanus rodgersii, is a climate-driven pest species in south-eastern Australia. The harvest of this species is highly encouraged and in Tasmania, the existing fishery is expanding resulting in a large amount of waste that needs disposal. Research into use of waste products as inputs for organic or biodynamic farming systems can help reduce costs of disposal and keep the industry profitable; by sustaining or incrementing sea urchin harvest the industry can assist in their control. In the current study, urchin waste was dried and finely ground to a powder and applied to tomato plants in a greenhouse to examine the effect on growth and productivity. Urchin waste powder (UWP) had a mineral composition of Ca (40 g 100 g−1), Mg (1.7 g 100 g−1), P (0.03 g 100 g−1), Fe (19.34 mg kg−1) and B (38 mg kg−1), a pH 8.06 in water and an Electrical Conductivity (EC) value of 7.64 dSm−1. Seven different treatment rates of UWP (0.3%; 0.5%; 0.8%; 1%; 2%; 3%; 5%), were added to 10 replicate pots containing 4 kg nutrient-poor potting mix planted with tomato (Variety K1) seedlings. Plant growth, yield, quality attributes and mineral content of tomato were measured under UWP treatments with comparison against a Hoagland solution control. UWP influenced tomato growth and productivity proportional to the quantity applied, however, the Hoagland solution control had a significantly greater yield. Potting mix pH increased from 6.8 to 7 and higher available P was detected in potting mix receiving higher rates of UWP. No phytotoxic effects were detected. The highest UWP treatment matched the Hoagland control in fruit quality and nutritional composition. Processing waste from the sea urchin fishery has potential as organic fertiliser or amendment providing plant-available Ca and some microelements such as Boron. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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20 pages, 405 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Vermicompost and Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) Application on Phytomass and Macroelement Concentration and Tetanic Ratio in Carrot
by Peter Kováčik, Vladimír Šimanský, Sylwester Smoleń, Jakub Neupauer and Katarína Olšovská
Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2770; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12112770 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2149
Abstract
This experiment evaluated the effects of various vermicompost amounts (0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, and 50%) of the total weight of the mixture of soil and vermicompost) and red worms (0, 10, and 20 individuals/pot) on carrot phytomass and macroelements concentration when applied to [...] Read more.
This experiment evaluated the effects of various vermicompost amounts (0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, and 50%) of the total weight of the mixture of soil and vermicompost) and red worms (0, 10, and 20 individuals/pot) on carrot phytomass and macroelements concentration when applied to soil. Increasing the quantity of vermicompost (Vc) raised the weight of carrot roots and leaves. When we increased the dose of Vc, differences in phytomass growth were diminished gradually. Fifty percent of Vc in the soil did not have a negative impact on the formation of carrot roots and leaves. Vc increased the water content in roots and decreased it in leaves. Earthworms (EWs) in soil increased the weight of both carrot roots and leaves. The positive impact of EW on roots and leaves was higher when the vermicompost content in the soil was lower. EWs showed positive effects on the potassium concentration in whole carrot phytomass. Both EWs and Vc increased the value of the tetanic ratio in the carrot roots, which lowers their quality. EWs showed positive effects on the potassium concentration in whole carrot phytomass. Relationships found between K × Ca and Mg × S were antagonistic. Positive dependencies were detected between the carrot root yield and N, P, K concentration in both leaves and roots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
15 pages, 1735 KiB  
Article
Vine Pruning-Derived Biochar for Agronomic Benefits
by Diana Egri, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Cristian Eugen Răducanu, Suzana Ioana Calcan, Liliana Bădulescu, Roxana Madjar, Cristina Orbeci, Tănase Dobre, Andrei Moț, Lavinia Mihaela Iliescu and Mihaela Emanuela Crăciun
Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2730; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12112730 - 03 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1469
Abstract
The agronomic benefits of biochar (BC) prepared by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residues, which are produced in large quantities in Romania, were evaluated. Three soil types, i.e., slightly alkaline fluvisol (S1), slightly acidic chernozem (S2), and strongly acidic luvisol (S3), with mean [...] Read more.
The agronomic benefits of biochar (BC) prepared by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residues, which are produced in large quantities in Romania, were evaluated. Three soil types, i.e., slightly alkaline fluvisol (S1), slightly acidic chernozem (S2), and strongly acidic luvisol (S3), with mean values of pH of 7.99, 6.26, and 5.40, were amended with BC at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80. A greenhouse experiment was performed for 109 days to assess the effects of BC amendment on bell pepper growth. The following treatments were applied: foliar fertilizer, BC, BC + foliar fertilizer (using two concentrations of foliar fertilizer solution), and a control. Strongly alkaline BC (pH of 9.89 ± 0.01) had a significant positive effect on the growth performance of bell pepper plants sown in the strongly acidic soil S3. The mean values of height, collar diameter, number of leaves, and root volume of plants grown in BC-amended soil S3 without foliar treatment were significantly higher (13–72% and 14–33%, respectively) than those of plants grown in non-amended soil S3 without and with foliar treatment. This beneficial effect of BC on bell pepper plant growth was due to the changes in the soil properties. BC significantly increased (up to eight times) electrical conductivity, pH, soluble phosphorus, potassium, and ammonium nitrogen concentrations of soil S3, and decreased its bulk density by 51%, resulting in improved water/nutrient uptake and plant growth performance. BC had no favourable effect on the growth parameters of bell pepper plants sown in slightly alkaline soil S1, and slightly acidic soil S2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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15 pages, 2076 KiB  
Article
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Replacement Value of Three Representative Livestock Manures Applied to Summer Maize in the North China Plain
by Jiukai Xu, Liang Yuan, Yanchen Wen, Shuiqin Zhang, Yanting Li, Guohua Mi and Bingqiang Zhao
Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2716; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12112716 - 02 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1324
Abstract
Land application of livestock manure may reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and alleviate the environmental degradation associated with mineral fertilizers application. However, how to optimize utilization of livestock manure value is not well understood and documentation regarding the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus [...] Read more.
Land application of livestock manure may reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and alleviate the environmental degradation associated with mineral fertilizers application. However, how to optimize utilization of livestock manure value is not well understood and documentation regarding the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer replacement values (NFRV and PFRV, respectively) needs further scrutiny. Therefore, three representative livestock manures, i.e., pig, chicken, and cattle manure, were applied at different usages to assess their N and P availability in comparison to reference mineral fertilizers over summer maize growing seasons. The results show that the average NFRVs of pig, chicken, and cattle manures were 41.7–58.4%, 27.5–44.4%, and −3.6–36.1%, respectively, when based on different references (grain yield, total dry matter yield, grain N uptake, total N uptake), at different N application levels. The NFRV increased with the elevated N application rate for cattle manure treatment. In the P trials, livestock manure had a higher PFRV at a low P application level, and the average PFRVs of pig, chicken, and cattle manures were 80.3–164.8%, 77.9–143.7%, and 94.1–168.0%, respectively, at different P application levels. We conclude that livestock manure produced the lowest NFRV and highest PFRV at a low fertilizer application rate; pig manure had the highest N availability; and cattle manure had the highest P availability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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21 pages, 1966 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Phosphogypsum and Turkey Litter Application on the Properties of Eroded Agrochernozem in the South Ural Region (Russia)
by Mikhail Komissarov, Ilyusya Gabbasova, Timur Garipov, Ruslan Suleymanov and Ludmila Sidorova
Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2594; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12112594 - 22 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1566
Abstract
The possibility of using industrial and poultry wastes as an ameliorant/fertilizer for erosion-prone soils was investigated. We studied the impact of phosphogypsum (PG) and turkey litter (TL) application on the physicochemical properties of weakly eroded agrochernozem in conditions of a 5-year field experiment [...] Read more.
The possibility of using industrial and poultry wastes as an ameliorant/fertilizer for erosion-prone soils was investigated. We studied the impact of phosphogypsum (PG) and turkey litter (TL) application on the physicochemical properties of weakly eroded agrochernozem in conditions of a 5-year field experiment in the South Ural region, Russia. In particular, we examined the effect of treatments on the soil moisture reserves, soil structure, microaggregate composition and particle size distribution, aggregate stability (water resistance), organic carbon content (Corg), ammonium, nitrate and alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus (Pav), exchange potassium (Kex), and potato productivity/ecological quality. Treatments included the application of the PG at 5, 10, and 20 t ha–1, the TL at 40 and 60 t ha–1; and in mixes of PG and TL at ratios of 1:10, 1:5, and 1:2. The obtained results indicated that the introduction of PG and TL increased (compared to control) the moisture reserves (by 10–17%), resistance of soil aggregates to water (8–15%), the content of Corg (6–10%), available nitrogen (two orders of magnitude), Pav (3–6 times) and Kex (2–3 times), and improved, as well, soil structure. In general, years factor had a significant effect on soil water-physical properties; its influence was 44–67%, while the effect of treatments was 21–30%. The agrochemical properties (Corg and Pav) were dependent on treatments factor (77 and 95%, respectively), while the content of all forms of nitrogen depended on the year factor (34–57%). The obtained results suggest the application of PG and TL to improve agrochernozem fertility status and minimize its erodibility without soil and plant contamination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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12 pages, 714 KiB  
Article
The Interactive Impact of Straw Mulch and Biochar Application Positively Enhanced the Growth Indexes of Maize (Zea mays L.) Crop
by Ismail Khan, Babar Iqbal, Asif Ali Khan, Inamullah, Abdul Rehman, Amna Fayyaz, Awais Shakoor, Taimoor Hassan Farooq and Li-xue Wang
Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2584; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12102584 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1906
Abstract
A two-year experiment was carried out at Shenyang Agricultural University’s research field area in China to evaluate the impact of the combined application of straw mulch (0 and 8 t ha−1) and biochar (0, 4, 12, and 36 t ha−1 [...] Read more.
A two-year experiment was carried out at Shenyang Agricultural University’s research field area in China to evaluate the impact of the combined application of straw mulch (0 and 8 t ha−1) and biochar (0, 4, 12, and 36 t ha−1) on the morphological traits and grain development of rainfed maize during 2018 and 2019. The results showed that straw mulch and different biochar application rates significantly impacted the maize growth index. Compared to non-biochar-treated soils, the introduction of straw mulch improved plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index (LAI), leaves, stem, root, and crop growth rate (CGR), and dry weight of rainfed maize crop. The highest plant height, stem diameter, LAI, leaves, stem, root growth rate, CGR, and dry weight of rainfed maize crop were reported when soil was treated with a higher rate of biochar (36 t ha−1). Biochar increased grain filling rate while decreasing grain filling duration in rainfed maize crops. Our results indicate that straw mulch and biochar-based soil management strategies can improve the rainfed maize growth with the environmental benefits of global warming mitigation. However, due to the wide range of biochar properties, the interactions between straw mulch and biochar should be given special consideration in the maize cropping system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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19 pages, 2334 KiB  
Article
Increasing the Environmental Sustainability of Greenhouse Vegetable Production by Combining Biochar Application and Drip Fertigation—Effects on Soil N2O Emissions and Carbon Sequestrations
by Yiming Zhao, Shan Lin, Haofeng Lv, Yafang Wang, Jing Hu, Guoyuan Li and Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1661; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12071661 - 12 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1741
Abstract
Drip fertigation with reduced fertilizer and water inputs has been widely used in greenhouse vegetable production in China. However, farmers usually do not apply additional organic material with a high carbon content, although soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations are mostly below the optimum [...] Read more.
Drip fertigation with reduced fertilizer and water inputs has been widely used in greenhouse vegetable production in China. However, farmers usually do not apply additional organic material with a high carbon content, although soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations are mostly below the optimum level for vegetable production. Returning straw or biochar to fields is an effective strategy for sustainability and environmental friendliness. We tested whether drip fertigation, (DIF) combined with maize straw (DIF+S) or biochar (DIF+BC), is a suitable option to improve SOC sequestration over eight growing seasons, and how these options affect soil N2O emissions and yields or partial factor productivity of applied N (PFPN) of crops over three growing seasons. During the winter–spring growing season, DIF+BC significantly reduced soil N2O emission by 61.2% and yield-scaled N2O emission by 62.4%, while increasing the tomato yield and PFPN compared with DIF. Straw incorporation had similar trends but without significant effects. Conversely, straw and biochar incorporation increased N2O emission during the autumn–winter season. The structural equation model indicated N2O emission was dominantly driven by soil NH4+-N concentration, temperature and moisture. The N2O emission factor decreased significantly with increased PFPN. Moreover, the contribution of biochar to the increased SOC was approximately 78%, which was four times higher than that of straw incorporation. Overall, the results highlighted the potential of drip fertigation with biochar incorporation to mitigate N2O emissions, improve PFPN and significantly increase SOC storage, which could all contribute to maintaining environmental sustainability and soil quality of greenhouse vegetable production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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15 pages, 2361 KiB  
Article
Fertilizer Potential of Organic-Based Soil Amendments on cv. Sangiovese (V. vinifera L.) Vines: Preliminary Results
by Elena Baldi, Greta Polidori, Margherita Germani, Greta Nicla Larocca, Martina Mazzon, Gianluca Allegro, Chiara Pastore, Maurizio Quartieri, Claudio Marzadori, Ilaria Filippetti, Claudio Ciavatta and Moreno Toselli
Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1604; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12071604 - 02 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1817
Abstract
The intensification of highly specialized viticulture has led to a dramatic decrease of soil fertility that can be restored by increasing soil organic matter using organic fertilizers. The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of different organic amendments on [...] Read more.
The intensification of highly specialized viticulture has led to a dramatic decrease of soil fertility that can be restored by increasing soil organic matter using organic fertilizers. The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of different organic amendments on vine vegetative growth and nutritional status, soil N availability and microbial biomass, as well as on yield and grape quality. The experiment was carried out in 2020 and 2021, on cv. Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.) vines grafted on 110 Richter (V. berlandieri × V. rupestris) planted in February 2019. Plants were fertilized yearly in spring with (1) mineral fertilization (MIN), (2) municipal organic waste compost (MOW), and (3) sewage sludge compost (SS). The application of SS increased nitrate availability in both years, while the supply of organic matter (no matter the source) enhanced soil microbial biomass content. Plant nutritional status was in the optimal range for all treatments, with an increase of N in SS and K in MOW. Fruit yield in 2020 was not influenced by treatments, while in 2021 it was enhanced by MIN and MOW, which also induced a higher berry quality. Plant vegetative growth was stimulated by the application of SS. In conclusion, from these preliminary results we observed a higher N availability as a consequence of SS supply that resulted in a higher plant biomass, but reduced yield and berry quality, supporting the theory that for vineyards, N should be carefully managed to reach an equilibrium between vegetative and reproductive activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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14 pages, 3635 KiB  
Article
Nitrogen Critical Level in Leaves in ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Pinot Noir’ Grapevines to Adequate Yield and Quality Must
by Adriele Tassinari, Lincon Oliveira Stefanello, Rai Augusto Schwalbert, Beatriz Baticini Vitto, Matheus Severo de Souza Kulmann, João Pedro Jung Santos, Wagner Squizani Arruda, Raissa Schwalbert, Tadeu Luis Tiecher, Carlos Alberto Ceretta, Lessandro De Conti, Rafael Lizandro Schumacher and Gustavo Brunetto
Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1132; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12051132 - 07 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2344
Abstract
The nitrogen (N) critical level in leaves and maximum technical efficiency (MTE) doses contribute to the grape yield, must quality, and fertilizers rationalization. This study aimed to define sufficient ranges and critical levels in leaves and maximum technical efficiency doses to obtain high [...] Read more.
The nitrogen (N) critical level in leaves and maximum technical efficiency (MTE) doses contribute to the grape yield, must quality, and fertilizers rationalization. This study aimed to define sufficient ranges and critical levels in leaves and maximum technical efficiency doses to obtain high yields and quality must in grapevines grown in sandy soil in a subtropical climate. ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Pinot Noir’ grapevines were subjected to the annual application of 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg N ha−1 in a vineyard. The nitrogen concentration in leaves at flowering and veraison, grape yield and grape must chemical parameters (total soluble solids—TSS, total titratable acidity—TTA and total anthocyanins—TA) were evaluated. The N critical level in leaves at flowering was different between grapevines cultivars, but this was not observed in leaves at veraison. It was possible to estimate MTE for ‘Chardonnay’ grapevines, in the evaluated growing seasons. In the range of higher probability of the N critical level in leaves, the TSS and TTA variables showed opposite responses, for both cultivars. This study proposes different N critical levels for red and white grapevines, in a subtropical climate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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17 pages, 1351 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Responses of Soil Organic Carbon Pool and Crop Performance to Different Fertilizer Applications
by Young-Nam Kim, Young-Sang Cho, Ji-Hyun Lee, Han-Ryul Seo, Bo-Hyun Kim, Dan-Bi Lee, Yong Bok Lee and Kye-Hoon Kim
Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1106; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12051106 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2367
Abstract
Some intensive farmers tend to expect short-term beneficial effects by applying soil amendments, but inconsistent fertilization practices are often conducted, causing economic losses and environmental problems. This study aimed at investigating the short-term application effects of different soil amendments on soil organic carbon [...] Read more.
Some intensive farmers tend to expect short-term beneficial effects by applying soil amendments, but inconsistent fertilization practices are often conducted, causing economic losses and environmental problems. This study aimed at investigating the short-term application effects of different soil amendments on soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, biogeochemical properties, and crop performance for finding the best land management approach using one-year field trial growing Chinese cabbages. This filed experiment was conducted in 2020 and included eight fertilizer treatments: control (w/o fertilizers), chemical fertilizer (CF), manure compost (MC), double MC amount (2MC), CF + MC, CF + rice husk (RH), MC + RH, and CF + MC + RH. As a result, the concentrations of recalcitrant to labile C forms, including Loss-On-Ignition C (LOIC), Walkley-Black C, permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), and microbial biomass C, were the highest in a mixture of MC and RH and 2MC. Additionally, the treatment with the largest difference from the control in key soil parameters was 2MC: bulk density (10%), total N (30%), available P (186%), and CO2 (433%) and N2O (825%) emissions, followed by MC + RH. Moreover, more than 20% higher fresh weight (FW) of cabbage was found in 2MC and MC + RH than in the control. Therefore, these two organic amendments appeared to benefit SOC storage and overall soil biogeochemical processes, contributing to higher biomass crop production. Moreover, LOIC significantly correlated to bulk density, available P and K, and FW, while POXC significantly correlated to N concentration in plants, indicating the short-term fertilization effects on the status of SOC fractions and the qualities of soil and plant by applying soil amendments. Overall, our findings suggest that applying MC + RH would be an alternative to replace the conventional farming practices for promoting soil quality and crop performance, but further studies to sustain the application effects of this amendment should be monitored for longer durations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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18 pages, 1113 KiB  
Article
Digestate and Manure Use in Kohlrabi Production: Impact on Plant-Available Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Soil, Yield, and Mineral Composition
by Dragan Kovačević, Maja Manojlović, Ranko Čabilovski, Zoran S. Ilić, Klara Petković, Mirna Štrbac and Mirjana Vijuk
Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 871; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12040871 - 01 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2411
Abstract
Digestate is a residue of the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste for biogas extraction, but it can be reused as a source of nutrients. To examine the effect of digestate in kohlrabi production, field experiments were conducted during three seasons in two calendar [...] Read more.
Digestate is a residue of the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste for biogas extraction, but it can be reused as a source of nutrients. To examine the effect of digestate in kohlrabi production, field experiments were conducted during three seasons in two calendar years. The fertilization treatments included the application of solid digestate (two rates—DS1 and DS2), liquid digestate (two rates—DL1 and DL2), solid manure (two rates—MS1 and MS2), and mineral fertilizer (NPK) and were compared with a plot without fertilization (Ø). The results showed a significant increase in the yield with the use of solid and liquid digestate, as well as with NPK, in all growing seasons, while the microelement contents (Zn, Mn, and Cu) in the leaves were at optimum level. The applied treatments did not increase the plant-available nutrients (AL-P2O5, AL-K2O, Fe, Cu, and Zn) in the soil (except Mn). The application of DL2, MS1, and MS2 led to a higher Pb content in kohlrabi stems compared to the control, but the Pb content remained below the maximum permitted limit. Our research showed that digestate can be used as a valuable source of nutrients for kohlrabi production, with a low risk of soil and plant contamination by heavy metals. However, the control of soil, digestates, and manure quality is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production)
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