Abstract
The garlic stalk is a byproduct of garlic production and normally abandoned or burned, both of which cause environmental pollution. It is therefore appropriate to determine the conditions of efficient decomposition, and equally appropriate to determine the impact of this decomposition on soil properties. In this study, the soil properties, enzyme activities and nutrient dynamics associated with the decomposition of garlic stalk at different temperatures, concentrations and durations were investigated. Stalk decomposition significantly increased the values of soil pH and electrical conductivity. In addition, total nitrogen and organic carbon concentration were significantly increased by decomposing stalks at 40°C, with a 5∶100 ratio and for 10 or 60 days. The highest activities of sucrase, urease and alkaline phosphatase in soil were detected when stalk decomposition was performed at the lowest temperature (10°C), highest concentration (5∶100), and shortest duration (10 or 20 days). The evidence presented here suggests that garlic stalk decomposition improves the quality of soil by altering the value of soil pH and electrical conductivity and by changing nutrient dynamics and soil enzyme activity, compared to the soil decomposition without garlic stalks.
Highlights
The three primary functions of most ecosystems are the production, accumulation, and decomposition of organic matter [1]
Significantly lower soil pH values were associated with 10 days of garlic stalk decomposition (Fig 1A)
The highest soil electrical conductivity (EC) value was associated with garlic stalk decomposition lasting 10 days, and the lowest value was associated with garlic stalk decomposition lasting 60 days
Summary
The three primary functions of most ecosystems are the production, accumulation, and decomposition of organic matter [1]. The nutrient cycle has an important role to play in the maintenance and organization of ecosystems; it includes both inputs and outputs [1]. Decomposition and nutrient cycling have been found to affect soil functions [3,4]. Increased environmental awareness and the resultant need for efficient agricultural practices have made the use of crop residues increasingly attractive. Because the management of crop residues is a vital component of sustainable agricultural systems, it has attracted much interest in recent years as a method for increasing soil organic matter and the nutrient supply capacity of the soil and of reducing the damage caused by the burning of residue [7]
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