Evaluation of different pig slurry composts as fertilizer of horticultural crops: Effects on selected chemical and microbial properties

Abstract

AbstractThe excessive use of mineral fertilizers affects soil quality, gives rise to environmental problems and consumes energy. In contrast, organic amendment may improve soil quality at the same time as providing nutrients to plant. The aim of the work was to study the effects on crop yield and soil microbial activity of the successive addition of mineral fertilizers and fresh pig slurry before each successive crop compared with one sole application of different pig slurry composts (solid fraction of a pig slurry (CSFPS) and fresh pig slurry plus wood shavings (1:1 v/v; CPS+WS) before planting the first crop. Compost-treated soils exhibited higher organic carbon content than inorganically fertilized soils, throughout the experimental period. However, N content in the former soils was lower than in the latter after the second crop. Nevertheless, yields obtained with repeated additions of fresh pig slurry or with a sole application of pig slurry composts were similar to those obtained with repeated mineral fertilization. After the horticultural crops, organically treated soils generally showed higher values of both microbial biomass and metabolic microbial activity (measured as basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity) than the soil receiving mineral fertilization. Subsequently, the organically amended soils showed higher protease, phosphatase and β-glucosidase activities than the inorganically fertilized soil and similar levels of urease activity. From this study it can be concluded that both fresh and composted pig slurry can be used as an alternative for mineral fertilizer in growing horticultural crops and maintaining soil quality.