Biocarvão e composto de cama de aviário: Impacto na fertilidade do solo e produção do milho AG1051

The dynamics of the organic residues added to the soil are closely related to its mineralization rate. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the organic carbon mineralization in soil samples incubated with different doses of biochar and organic compost from poultry litter. Carbon mineralization was evaluated experimentally by measuring the C-CO2 liberated by incubating 200 g of soil mixed with different doses 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha-1 of both biochar and organic compost for 61 days. The soil microbial activity, and consequently the carbon mineralization, increased with the application of doses of biochar and organic compost from the poultry litter. The highest C-CO2 mineralization was observed in the treatments that received organic compost. The carbon mineralization process followed chemical kinetics with two simultaneous reactions. The greatest amount of released and accumulated C-CO2 was observed in the soil incubated with 15 and 20 t ha-1 of organic compost from the poultry litter. The doses of biochar did not influence the content of mineralized carbon; this behavior was not verified with the use of this compost, whose highest content corresponded to 85.69 mg kg-1, applying 20 t ha-1.

Acidic soils are susceptible to nutrient insufficiencies and imbalances. Combined application of biochar and other organic amendments is a renowned strategy for ameliorating acid soils and enhancing soil fertility. The incubation experiment investigated the effect of biochar and poultry litter on chemical properties and nutrients availability of acidic soil. 400 g of soil was thoroughly mixed with the following treatments: corn straw biochar at the rate equivalent to 15 t/ha (B15), 30 t/ha (B30), poultry litter at the rate equivalent to 10 t/ha (PL), poultry litter plus biochar at 15 t/ha (PL+ B15), poultry litter plus biochar at 30 t/ha (PL + B30) with the control (CK) to represent, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6, respectively. These were incubated in a climate box at 25°C and 80% field capacity for 90 days. Soils were sampled destructively at 30, 60, and 90 days for analysis. Results showed that combined application of biochar and poultry litter increased concentrations of % total organic carbon (% TOC), % organic matter (% OM), electrical conductivity (EC), % total nitrogen (% TN), Phosphorus (P), reduced Iron (Fe) concentrations, and carbon to nitrogen (C: N) ratio. Poultry litter enhanced exchangeable acidity, pH, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), and exchangeable cations except for Potassium (K), biochar alone reduced zinc (Zn) concentration. In conclusion, the combined application of poultry litter and biochar could effectively ameliorate acidic soil, enhance soil fertility, and maintain good soil health.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the absorption of micronutrients and heavy metals by sorghum plants fertilized with organic composts from broiler litter. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions, and a completely random design, in a factorial arrangement (2x2x3)+, with three replications, totaling 39 plots was used. The treatments consisted of two doses of limestone (2,5 and 5,0 t ha-), two doses of organic composts (broiler litter of pine sawdust, rice hull and peanut hull) and the recommended mineral fertilization as control. The results allowed the following conclusions: the organic compost of the broiler litter of peanut hull increased the absorption of the micronutrients by plants, followed by composts of broiler litter of rice hull and pine sawdust, respectively, in comparison with mineral fertilization, due to differences in chemical composition of the composts; although the root had extracted heavy metals, visual symptoms of toxicity were not noticed. Additional keywords: Sorghum bicolor; organic compost; composting; broiler litter.

A B S T R A C T Five organic soil amendments were evaluated for their nematicide effect on root-knot Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead, 1968, on potted Vitis vinifera L. var. Chardonnay plants. The amendments included two immature composts: Compost A made with tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) residues, broiler litter and grape pomace; Compost B made with tea residues, rachis and grape pomace; and separately dried tea residues, grape pomace and broiler litter. These amendments were either incorporated or applied as cover to the substrate in 5 L pots at the beginning of spring. A chemical treatment with the nematicide fenamiphos and a control with substrate only were added for comparisons. The assay was composed of 11 treatments with six replicates, with a grape plant as experimental unit. Seven months later, the assessment of the treatments was carried out based on number of second stage juvenile, nodules, eggs per root gram and reproductive index. Fresh aerial and root plant weight were also measured. The chemical treatment presented the lowest final population of M. ethiopica. When evaluating the nematicide action of the organic amendments, compost A soil-incorporated and both grape pomace and solid dry tea residue as covers obtained low reproductive indexes, similar to the chemical treatment and control (P ≤ 0.05). No differences in aerial fresh weight were determined. However, the chemical treatment showed the smallest root mass as compared to compost B and solid dry tea residues, both as cover.

Crop yield, plant nutrient uptake and soil physicochemical properties under organic soil amendments and nitrogen fertilization on Nitisols

Improving the physical quality of coarse-textured soils by organic amendments requires choosing the amendment and the dose. The effects of different doses of compost, vermicompost, and biochar on soil bulk density (BD) and water retention parameters (macroporosity, PMAC; aeration capacity, AC; plant available water capacity, PAWC; relative field capacity, RFC) were tested for two sandy-loam soils. Without any treatment, these soils had too high BD and AC values and too low PMAC, PAWC, and RFC values. No amendment satisfactorily improved the PMAC. Only the biochar yielded statistically significant relationships between the BD, AC, PAWC, and RFC, and the amendment rate, ar. With this amendment, aeration and water storage improved because soil water content at field capacity increased with an ar more than those at saturation and the permanent wilting point. A dose of biochar (50 t/ha in a 5-cm-thick layer) made the soil physical quality good with reference to all considered parameters was identified. A single application of a rather high amount of biochar can be expected to improve the physical quality of coarse-textured soils for a long time. The general validity of the optimal ranges of values for the considered parameters and the time dependence of amendment effects in the field require further check.

The contamination of agricultural soils with cadmium (Cd) is one of the serious worldwide concerns for food security. Biochar and organic manures have been known for enhancing plant growth and minimizing toxic trace element stress in plants. However, less is known about the effect of different organic amendments on Cd and uptake of essential nutrients by wheat. Thus, the effects of rice straw biochar (RSB), maize stalk biochar (MSB), farmyard manure (FYM), and pressmud (PRM) at a rate of 1% w/w were tested for Cd immobilization in soil and mineral nutrient availability to wheat crop grown in Cd-spiked soil (6.0mg kg1 ). The amendments were added in Cd-spiked soil before 12 days of seed sowing and wheat plants were harvested after maturity (115 days after sowing). The findings revealed that the use of amendments improved the number of grains per spike, straw and grain yield of wheat relative to control treatment. The treatments minimized the Cd and enhanced the contents of zinc (Zn), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the leaves and grain of the wheat plants. Cadmium concentrations decreased by 35, 38, 68, and 63% in wheat grain, and grain yield increased by 19, 31, 68, and 58% with the application of FYM, PRM, MSB, and RSB, respectively. Overall, the application of MSB was more efficient in decreasing Cd concentrations in leaf and grains of wheat as compared to other conventional organic amendments.

Summary. The activity of soil-incorporated residues of 9 commercial Brassica cultivars and the weed B. tournefortii, and of 5 organic mulches against Tylenchulus semipenetrans was evaluated in laboratory experiments. Residues of all Brassica spp. reduced soil populations of T. semipenetrans. Humus rape had the highest activity (81% reduction in numbers of second-stage female larvae at 40 g/kg of soil) in an experiment comparing the effectiveness of fresh residues of greenhouse-grown plants, but Rangi, Arran and Hobson rapes and Simax hybrid were also effective at 80 g/kg. Tylenchulus semipenetrans was undetectable in soil amended with freeze-dried residues of Indian mustard meal at rates of 10 g/kg of soil or higher. Residues of B. tournefortii plants grown artificially with fertilisers were more effective against T. semipenetrans than those of naturally grown weeds. Leaf residues of B. tournefortii weed plants were more effective than either whole shoots or roots. Of 5 organic mulches tested, only chicken litter reduced the T. semipenetrans population when incorporated into soil. Soil amendment with shoots or roots of B. tournefortii weeds, or with low rates of Indian mustard residues, increased the T. semipenetrans population, suggesting that incorporation of poor stands or ineffective Brassica green manure crops could increase the risk from T. semipenetrans to citrus replants. Soil amendment with B. tournefortii weed residues, low rates of Indian mustard residues or with 3 of the mulches (organic compost, composted green waste or chicken litter) reduced the ratio of males (adults and larvae) to female larvae. Organic matter is postulated to have a significant influence on sex differentiation of T. semipenetrans.

Low agricultural output and a decline in plant-available nutrient content in soil pose significant challenges to developing countries. To test the hypothesis that poultry litter and its biochar improve soil quality, nutrient status, and plant growth, a greenhouse pot experiment with sandy-loam soil was conducted. Selected application rates of poultry litter (0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 g/kg) and its biochar pyrolyzed at 350 °C and 600 °C were used. With the addition of organic amendments, Jatropha plant height, leaf number, and stem diameter improved significantly, as did soil fertility indicators (pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, and plant-available nutrients). When compared to the control, increased application rates ranging from 60 g/kg to 120 g/kg significantly improved soil properties and plant growth. PL (Poultry litter)- and BC350 (Biochar produced at 350 °C)-treated soil outperformed other organic amendments in terms of soil quality, nutrient status, and plant growth. Soil pH, CEC, and OM were found to be positively correlated with available plant nutrients, with PL-treated soils having higher levels of plant available nutrients. Because the properties of the feedstocks complement each other, combined organic amendments improved studied parameters, particularly PLBC600 (Poultry litter mixed with biochar produced at 600 °C) compared to BC600 (Biochar produced at 600 °C). Increased application rates of pure and combined feedstock effectively increased soil fertility and Jatropha growth; however, lower temperature biochar is recommended for use as a soil organic amendment.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of surface soil removal and organic amendment on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) during Kharif 2018 in the experimental field of Soil and Water Conservation department, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus. A split plot with three replications was designed. Surface soil removal of 0, 5 and 10 cm designated as D0, D1 and D2 were carried out, respectively. The addition of different organic amendments was adopted viz., O0- control, O1- vermicompost @ 3 tonnes ha-1, O2- poultry litter @ 3 tonnes ha-1 and O3- pig manure @ 3 tonnes ha-1. Seed yield was found to be significantly higher under D0 (0.414 t ha-1) whereas, D2 recorded the lowest yield (0.380t ha-1). Application of poultry manure as amendment gave significantly high seed yield (0.431 t ha-1) and lowest yield was reported in O0 (0.356 t ha-1). The interaction between surface soil removal and organic amendment showed the highest yield with D0O2 (0.44 t ha-1) and lowest with D2O0 (0.34 t ha-1). Hence, application of organic amendments in areas where surface soil removal was done helped to improve the growth and yield of sesame.

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of biochar produced from the pyrolysis of poultry litter feedstock in some of the physical properties of a Yellow Red Argisol eutrophic typical (Ultisol), located in the municipality Lagoa Seca, State of Paraiba, Brazil, that is, granulometric analysis, bulk density, porosity and available water capacity. Six doses of biochar (0; 10; 15; 20; 25 and 30 ton ha-1) were incubated into an Ultisol samples during 60 days. All assays were carried out in duplicate. After the incubation period, the soil samples were analyzed in relation to physical properties. The results of this study confirmed that the biochar prepared from the poultry litter improved these properties, that is, modified the granulometric analysis, led to a decrease in bulk density, an increase in total pore volume as well as an increase in water content mainly in matric potential 0.5065 MPa. The biochar dose, 30 ton ha-1 was better in soil density and porosity; in the water retention the best biochar dose was 15 ton ha-1; however, as the biochar effects on the physical properties were very small, it suggests to investigate larger amounts of this material in the application of the soils. Key words: Poultry litter, soil amendment, soil physical, porosity, bulk density.

Many studies have explored the effects of various biochar types and their combinations with inorganic fertilizers, but few have focused on identifying the most effective organic amendments when used with biochar in sandy loam soil. This study aims to determine the impact of different biochar doses combined with organic amendments on plant growth and yield (Vicia faba) in sandy loam soil. Biochar doses of 15, 20, and 25 t/ha were applied in combination with organic amendments such as farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), Ghanajeevamruth (GA), and their various combinations. The effectiveness of these treatments was compared to the use of biochar alone. Results indicated that the combination of biochar and organic amendments significantly increased average pod number (by 36.19% to 88.63%) and pod weight (by 24.11% to 83.18%) compared to biochar alone. Higher biochar doses consistently resulted in increased pH levels in the soil, regardless of the organic amendment used. Additionally, biochar combined with organic amendments led to higher nutrient levels, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, compared to biochar alone. The study concluded that biochar, particularly in combination with Ghanajeevamruth, had superior effects on plant growth and yield. The choice of amendment and biochar dose significantly influenced soil pH, nutrient availability, bulk density, and water holding capacity. These findings confirm the potential of combining biochar with organic amendments to enhance soil fertility and agricultural productivity, offering valuable strategies for sustainable nutrient management in sandy loam soils.

Certain organic soil amendments have been found to ameliorate metal toxicity to plants. A study was undertaken to determine the effects of organic amendments on cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) distribution among soil fractions. Two soils (fine‐textured and coarse‐textured) were amended with five organic waste materials or commercial humic acid (HA) with and without 5 mg Cd kg‐1 or 300 mg Pb kg‐1, incubated, and fractionated using a sequential extraction technique. The added Cd and Pb were found mainly in the organic matter (OM) fraction, although significant amounts were in the exchangeable (EXC) fraction for the sandy Norfolk soil. Spent mushroom compost (SMC) and HA lowered Cd in the EXC fraction for both soils and raised Cd in the OM fraction for the sandy Norfolk soil. The SMC and HA lowered Pb in the EXC and OM fractions and raised Pb in the manganese oxide (MnO), amorphous Fe oxide (AFeO) and the crystalline Fe oxide (CFeO) fractions. Poultry‐litter amendment caused higher Cd and Pb in the EXC fraction for the sandy soil. It was concluded from these studies that certain organic amendments like the SMC will lower Cd and Pb availability by redistribution the metals from the EXC and/or the OM fraction to less available fractions. Other amendments have little affect on Cd and Pb distribution, or for sandy soils, poultry litter can cause higher Cd and Pb in the more available fraction presumably due to the formation of soluble organic complexes.

this research aimed to evaluate the residual effect of doses of organic compost on the radish production, as well as its effect on soil chemical properties. experiments were conducted in two areas (“low” and “high” soil fertility). prior to this, these areas were first used to evaluate the influence of organic compost doses on endive production. after harvesting endive, radish seeds were sown into the same plots used for endive to evaluate the residual effect. the six treatments consisted of organic compost doses (0, 35, 70, 105, 140 and 175 t ha-1), evaluated in a complete block experimental design, with four replications. vegetative characteristics of radish plants (shoot, root and total fresh and dry matter weight, plant height and root diameter) and soil characteristics (macronutrient content, ph, h+al, organic matter, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity and base saturation) in two dates (11 days after the endive transplant and at the end of the radish cycle) were evaluated. no significant difference was observed for all doses of organic compost in the “low” soil fertility area, obtaining only non-commercial roots (average fresh weight of 5.01 g per root). in the “high” soil fertility area, the higher the organic compost doses, the higher the values of most vegetatitve characteristics of radish plants and the chemical properties of the soil in both dates. for root fresh weight, the values ranged from 4.63 to 9.15 g in the control without organic compost and in the highest dose, respectively. in “high” soil fertility area, only k content in soil has not remained high for all organic compost doses, and the values ranged from 2.8 and 4.5 mmolc dm-3, in control without organic compost and in the highest dose, respectively. the residual effect of organic compost was confirmed by the increasing on the radish production in initial “high”soil fertility area.

The use of manure-based organic soil amendments is common in countries with food animal production. A two-season field study was carried out in central Chile to evaluate the effect of different poultry litter (PL) and pig compost (PC) rates (7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 Mg ha−1for each amendment) combined with different nitrogen (N) rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha−1) on dry matter (DM), grain production, and macronutrient concentration in corn (Zea mays L.) produced during the 2008–2009 (PL) and 2009–2010 (PC) seasons. The soil was clay loam. Organic amendments were applied before sowing, whereas inorganic N (urea) was applied at the 6-leaf stage (V6). When PL was combined with N, DM production ranged between 21.44 and 31.01 Mg ha−1 and grain yield was between 12.76 and 17.86 Mg ha−1. When PC was combined with N, DM production values were between 21.07 and 26.18 Mg ha−1 and grain yield was between 14.01 and 17.14 Mg ha−1. Results indicate that applying a combination of PL and N improved DM production, but applying a combination of PC and N did not affect this parameter. Grain production was only affected by increasing N rates. Applying both PL and N improved plant macronutrient concentration, while only applying PC increased N concentration. These results could be considered as the best recommended practices for using PL and PC.