Soil micromorphological and physical properties after application of composts with polyethylene and biocomponent-derived polymers added during composting

Abstract

Composts are considered to be one of the best soil amendments. However, the effects of composts with added polymeric materials on soil physical, hydraulic, and micromorphological properties have not been widely discussed. Changes in soil physical properties influence the numerous services that soils provide. We studied the impacts of composts with the addition of three different polymers (F1–F3) produced from polyethylene and thermoplastic corn starch on the physical, hydraulic, and micromorphological properties of two soils, a Cambic Phaeozem and a Luvic Phaeozem. Applying composts with polymers had limited or no significant effect on soil bulk density and porosity, but increased the field water capacity by 18%–82% and 3%–6% and the plant-available water content by 15%–23% and 4%–17% for the Cambic Phaeozem and Luvic Phaeozem, respectively. The application of composts with polymers had a greater effect on the Cambic Phaeozem than on the Luvic Phaeozem. It was suggested that the use of modified composts led to changes in soil physical properties and micromorphological features and this effect was dependent on the compost application rate. Composts made with the addition of composite synthetic and natural material-derived polymers during composting were found to be a composite mixture that can be successfully used in agriculture.