Application Of Organic Compost Research Articles

Chemical soil and leaf properties in yellow passion fruit cultivation with organic fertilization

The yellow passion fruit presents a high nutritional demand, and successive cultivations in the same area lead the soil to nutritional exhaustion, creating the need for restitution through fertilizers. In the context of organic managements, alternatives must be sought, which, besides improving soil fertility, can increase the contents of soil organic matter. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of organic basal fertilization in passion fruit cultivation on the chemical properties of the soil and nutrient contents of the plant. Two experiments were performed in two rural properties, with soils presenting sandy-loam and clay-loam texture. The experimental design was in randomized blocks (RBD), with 5 treatments and 4 blocks. The treatments consisted of the application of organic compost in different planting hole diameters: 0.4 m; 0.8 m; 1.2 m; 1.6 m, and 2.0 m, and their respective volumes of organic compost: 0.0007 m³; 0.03 m³; 0.06 m³, 0.10 m³; 0.16 m³. The chemical characteristics of the soil and the foliar content of nutrients were evaluated. Soil texture interferes with the effects of organic fertilization. Regardless of the texture, fertilization increases the contents of organic matter and P in the soil. The successive organic cultivation in a sandy-loam soil increases the content of P and provides higher foliar contents of N, P, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Na.

Soil chemical attributes in coffee growing with different agronomic techniques

The objective was to evaluate the effects on soil chemical attributes in a coffee growing area, according to different agronomic techniques used and their associations. The experiment was conducted in the field, in an experimental area at the Department of Agriculture - DAG, in Lavras - MG, from January 2016 to October 2018. Coffee was planted in January 2016, with Mundo Novo IAC 379-19 coffee seedlings, with a spacing of 3.6 m between rows and 0.75 m between plants in the planting row. The factors under study were arranged in a 3x2x5 factorial scheme, making a total of 30 treatments. In the plots, three soil managements were randomized (soil cover with polyethylene film, soil cover with brachiaria grass and conventional management of spontaneous vegetation). In the subplots, two types of fertilizers used in the fertilization of coffee trees were tested (conventional and increased-efficiency fertilizer). In the sub-subplots, four soil conditioners were tested (coffee husk, phosphogypsum, water retention polymer, organic compost), and the control without conditioner. Aimed to evaluate soil chemical attributes in coffee growing with different agronomic techniques through the evaluation of: soil pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), aluminum saturation (m) and base saturation (V%), by soil analysis carried out in October 2018 and leaf analysis in December 2018. It is noteworthy that the chemical attributes of the leaf were used only for principal component analysis through multivariate analysis. The use of fertilization (with conventional fertilizers or those with increased efficiency), combined with the application of organic compost or coffee husk, provide increased soil pH, as well as the use of ecological management of brachiaria grass. The use of organic compost as a soil conditioner increases phosphorus availability in the soil. Coffee husk, as a soil conditioner, is an efficient potassium source for the coffee crop. The use of organic compost and phosphogypsum increases the calcium and magnesium contents in the soil. The use of organic compost and coffee husk was efficient in increasing the base saturation (V%) grown with coffee. The use of organic compost, coffee husk and phosphogypsum reduced aluminum saturation in the soil. Treatments associated with the use of organic compost improve calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels, increase pH and base saturation, besides decreasing aluminum saturation. Key words: Coffea arabica; soil managements; fertilizers; soil conditioners.

Spatiotemporal differences in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities in soil and roots in response to long-term organic compost inputs in an intensive agricultural cropping system on the North China Plain

Fertilizer management is important for minimizing nutrient losses from intensive agroecosystems. An increasing amount of organic fertilizer has been applied to overcome the problems associated with mineral fertilizers. Thus, an understanding of the diversity and community structure changes in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in response to long-term organic fertilizer management can be potentially significant in the development of nutrient management strategies. Here, a study was conducted to investigate the vertical distribution of AMF in a calcareous field and the temporal structure of AMF in maize roots with different levels of continuous fertilization over a 13-year period. T-RFLP and clone library construction were used to investigate AMF community in this study. Canonical correspondence analysis was performed to determine the significance of environmental variable that may affect the AMF community composition. Our results showed that the Shannon-Weiner and evenness indexes of soil AMF community decreased, while AMF richness was not significantly affected. Organic compost application reduced root colonization, while the negative influence of conventional inorganic fertilization was minor. The effect was significant at 13 leaf collar stage of maize. Crop phenology especially growth stages might override fertilizer supply in determining the community composition of active root inhabiting AM fungi. Significant differences in the community structure of soil AMF were observed between control and organic compost treatments in surface soil, and the community shift was primarily attributable to soil organic matter and nutrient contents (total nitrogen and carbon, Olsen-P, and exchangeable K). Vertical distribution of AMF was significantly related to soil electrical conductivity and pH values. Our results indicated that AMF community assemblage was complex and dependent on fertilization-mediated changes in soil properties, soil depth, and crop phenology. The modification of AMF communities by fertilization may have great impact on soil health and ecosystem services in intensive agroecosystems.

The Influence of Organic Manure and Biochar on Cashew Seedling Performance, Soil Properties and Status

A nursery experiment was conducted at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria to evaluate the impact of manure on cashew seedlings. Treatments consisted of biochar, compost, combination of biochar + compost and a control. Treatments were applied at rate of 0 g (control), 5 g compost, 5 g biochar and 2.5 g each of biochar and compost combination into 5 kg soil in pots, laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The experiment was monitored for four months in the greenhouse. Data were collected on number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, soil nutrient composition and nutrient uptake, all analyzed using analysis of variance. The treated soils were also assayed on Potato Dextrose Agar for associated mycoflora. The study showed that the soil PH, N, P, K, Ca and Mg were equally enhanced significantly relative to the control, while Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Beauverie, Penicillium, Lasiodiplodia and Rhizopus cultured treated soils shows that Trichoderma harzianum and Beauverie bassiana were significantly higher in combination of biochar and compost treated soil and posed that their bio-control potential is coupled with soil fertility enhancement characteristics. The results also indicate that stem girth and number of leaves were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different with respect to applied treatment at the first month after treatments application. The leaf area was not enhances with the application of biochar. Combination of biochar + compost significantly enhanced number of leaves and stem girth at the 4th and 12th weeks after planting. Similarly leaf K and P uptake were significantly (<0.05) increased by the application of organic compost and biochar irrespective of whether combined or not compared to the control seedlings. The effect of biochar and compost on cashew leaf Ca and Mg uptake were not significantly different from the control but had a higher value relative to the control. It could therefore be recommended that addition of compost and biochar for sustainable production of cashew seedlings in the nursery be embraced by prospective cashew farmers and seedlings distribution in Nigeria.

Produtividade de uvas e composição do mosto de videiras ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ fertilizadas com composto orgânico e ureia

Urea and organic compost are applied as a nitrogen (N) source in vineyards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield, total N content in the leaves and the must composition in grapevines with the application of organic compost and urea. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevines, in the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 crop seasons were subjected to the application of 40 kg N ha-1 in the form of organic compost and urea; but there were also unfertilized grapevines. In both crop seasons, leaves were collected at the stages of full flowering and at the change in color of the berries, and the total N content were analyzed; grape yield was evaluated and enological attributes were determined in the must. The application of organic compost and urea did not affect the N content in the leaf nor the grape yield in the second crop season evaluated. However, in the first crop season, grape yield was greater in the grapevines with application of organic compost to the soil. The addition of N sources did not affect the total nutrient content in the must but, in the second crop season, the grape must from the grapevines with the addition of organic compost had a lower soluble solids concentration and a higher total acidity value, as well as tartaric and malic acid values.

Mulch Based No‐Tillage and Compost Effects on Nitrogen Fertility in Organic Melon

Core Ideas No‐till roller crimper was confirmed to be a suitable technology for weed management. Melon yield and quality declined under no‐till roller crimped barley. Compost application and agro‐ecological service crop cultivation showed high potential carbon sink effect. Cropping systems and varieties should be adapted to no‐till roller crimper. Agro‐ecological service crop management and compost should be combined to fit the specific local conditions. Soil fertility management in organic farming systems relies on agro‐ecological service crops (ASCs, i.e break crops, living mulch) and organic compost application. This study was conducted to determine the effect of tillage, ASC termination, and compost rates on yield and soil N fertility in organic vegetable production in Central Italy. In a long‐term organic field, in a strip plot design, barley was cultivated before melon. Two termination strategies of barley (green manure–GM, flattening by the use of a roller crimper–RC) were compared with a control without barley (FA). Three compost application rates (0, 15, and 30 Mg ha−1) were studied. While the compost rates did not show any difference among compared production parameters, the combined tillage–ASC termination strategy significantly increased melon yield in the GM compared with RC treatments, probably due to the lower soil temperature under the thick barley mulch. Soil mineral N (SMN) during the melon cycle was not a limiting factor for plant growth. Mean SMN values ranged from 22 for the 2012 RC and 36 mg kg−1 for the 2012 FA. High C and N inputs in barley treatments and high compost rates indicated an N surplus, which, in the medium–long term, could represent an N storage for subsequent crops in the rotation and potentially determine C sequestration. The results demonstrated that, to assure adequate yield, the ASC mulch based no‐tillage approach should follow the redesign of the whole cropping system, taking into account the entire suite of techniques of crop management.

Soil carbon stocks cultivated with coffee in the brazilian savana: Effect of cultivation time and use of organic compost

&lt;p&gt;Land-use change (LUC) is one of the main responsible for the loss of soil organic matter (SOM) in the form of CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; to atmosphere. The aims of the present study were i) evaluate soil C stocks due to coffee cultivation time after LUC and ii) evaluate the use of the organic compost from the by-product of bean processing as a source of SOM. The study was performed in dystrophic red latosol in the municipality of Patrocínio, MG, Brazil. Two evaluations were performed; i) three coffee (&lt;em&gt;Coffea arabica &lt;/em&gt;L. var. Icatú Vermelho) growing areas with different implantation times (8, 15 and 37 years) in relation to Cerrado &lt;em&gt; stricto sensu &lt;em&gt; (reference); and ii) area cultivated with coffee (&lt;em&gt; C. arabica &lt;/em&gt; var. Bourbon Vermelho) that received organic compost for four years. Soil was sampled in layers 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm. In the first study, the C stock (0-20 cm) was higher under native vegetation (67 Mg C ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) in relation to the coffee growing (63 Mg C ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;), however, did not differ significantly and showed subtle loss rates of 0.12; 0.06 and 0.02 Mg C ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; year&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for 8, 15 and 37 years, respectively. In the second study, the organic compost applied to the soil increased the C stock (0-20 cm) to 4.6 Mg C ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; and showed an accumulation rate of 1.15 Mg C ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; year&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;. Thus, it is concluded that C stocks is reduced in the soil due to LUC, however, the application of organic compost increased the supply of organic material, favoring the maintenance and even increasing the stock in the soil.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Estimation of soil carbon sequestration and profit analysis on mitigation of CO2-eq. emission in cropland cooperated with compost and biochar

Only a few have evaluated the mitigation of greenhouse emissions and profit analysis along with soil carbon sequestration for corn cultivation. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the carbon sequestration and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions as well as their profit analysis with different composts mixed with biochar during corn cultivation. This experimental data provided the second year of corn cultivation. The soil type used was clay loam. The application amounts of synthetic fertilizer and biochar were 220–30–155 kg ha−1 (N–P–K) as the recommended amount after soil analysis and 2600 kg ha−1 based on 1.3% of soil bulk density. For the biannual experimental results, it appeared that carbon sequestration in cow manure cooperated with biochar was highest at 2.3 tons ha−1 and recovered from 67.3 to 78.5% with biochar application. Furthermore, mitigation of CO2-eq. emission as greenhouse gases was estimated to be at 7.3–8.4 MT ha−1, and its profit was evaluated from $7.2 to 8.4 as lowest, from $57.2 to 66.6 as medium and from $139.7 to 162.7 as highest per hectare regardless of organic compost types used. For agricultural practice in Korea, it is evaluated that the market price of CO2 in corn field cooperated with 2600 kg ha−1 of biochar application ranged from $57.2 to 162.7 per hectare in Korean Climate Exchange. For corn biomass, the treatment with biochar application did not significantly decrease compared with the only organic compost application. Based on these experimental results, it might be applied for carbon trading with clean development mechanism for agricultural practices.

Fertilizers, hybrids, and the sustainable intensification of maize systems in the rainfed mid-hills of Nepal

Abstract In the rainfed mid-hill region of Nepal, most fields receive 2–3 t ha−1 of organic compost application every year. Despite efficient recovery and use of organics in the mixed crop-animal systems that predominant in the mid-hills, depleted soil fertility is widely understood to be a significant constraint to crop productivity, with most farmers achieving maize grain yields below 2 t ha−1. Increased use of fertilizer may arrest and even reverse long-term soil quality degradation, but few farmers in the mid-hills use them at present and existing recommendations are insufficiently responsive to site, varietal, and management factors that influence the productivity and profitability of increased fertilizer use. Moreover, policy makers and development practitioners often hold the perception that returns to fertilizer use in the mid-hills are too low to merit investment. In this study, on-farm experiments were conducted at 16 sites in the Palpa district, Nepal to assess the responsiveness of a maize hybrid (DKC 9081) and an ‘improved’ open-pollinated maize variety (‘OPV’, Manakamana-3) to four nitrogen (N) rates, i.e., 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha−1, with each N rate response evaluated at 30:30 and 60:60 kg ha−1 rates of phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K2O), respectively. With sound agronomy and high rates of fertilizer (180:60:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha−1), grain yields observed in the field experiments exceeded 8 t ha−1 with hybrids and 6 t ha−1 with OPV. Yield levels were lower for OPV than hybrid at every level of applied N, but both genotypes responded linearly to N with partial factor productivity for N (PFPN) ranging from 14 to 19 for OPV versus 26–30 for hybrid, with improved N efficiencies obtained when P and K rates were significantly higher. Averaged across phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels, a $ 1 incremental investment in fertilizer increased the gross margin (GM) by $ 1.70 ha−1 in OPV and by $ 1.83 ha−1 in the hybrid. For the full response of N, requires higher rate of P2O5:K2O and vice-versa and full response to P2O5:K2O does not occur if N is absent. These results suggest that, i) degraded soils in the mid-hills of Nepal respond favorably to macronutrient fertilizers – even at high rates, ii) balanced fertilization is necessary to optimize returns on investments in N but must be weighed against additional costs, iii) OPVs benefit from investments in fertilizer, albeit at a PFPN that is 36–47% lower than for hybrids, and, consequently iv) hybrids are an effective mechanism for achieving a higher return on fertilizer investments, even when modest rates are applied. To extend these findings across years and sites in the mid-hills, crop growth simulations using the CERES-maize model (DSSAT) were conducted for 11 districts with historical weather and representative soils data. Average simulated (hybrid) maize yields with high fertilizer rate (180:60:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha−1) ranged from 3.9 t ha−1 to 7.5 t ha−1 across districts, indicating a high disparity in attainable yield potential. By using these values to estimate district-specific attainable yield targets, recommended N fertilizer rates vary between 65 and 208 kg N ha−1, highlighting the importance of developing domain-specific recommendations. Simulations also suggest the potential utility of using weather forecasts in tandem with site and planting date information to adjust fertilizer recommendations on a seasonal basis.

Concentration of Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in soil, sugarcane leaf and juice: residual effect of sewage sludge and organic compost application.

Many researchers have evaluated the effects of successive applications of sewage sludge (SS) on soil plant-systems, but most have not taken into account the residual effect of organic matter remaining from prior applications. Furthermore, few studies have been carried out to compare the effects of the agricultural use of SS and sewage sludge compost (SSC). Therefore, we evaluated the residual effect of SS and SSC on the heavy metal concentrations in soil and in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) leaves and juice. The field experiment was established after the second harvesting of unburned sugarcane, when the organic materials were applied. The SS and SSC rates were (tha(-1), dry base): 0, 12.5, 25, and 50; and 0, 21, 42, and 84, respectively. All element concentrations in the soil were below the standards established by São Paulo State environmental legislation. SS promoted small increases in Zn concentrations in soil and Cu concentrations in leaves. However, all heavy metals concentrations in the leaves were lower than the limits established for toxic elements and were in accordance with the limits established for micronutrients. There were reductions in the concentrations of Ni and Cu in soil and the concentration of Pb in juice, with increasing rates of SSC. The heavy metal concentrations were very low in the juice. Under humid tropical conditions and with short-term use, SS and SSC containing low heavy metal concentrations did not have negative effects on plants and soil.

&lt;b&gt;Nutritional status, yield and composition of peach fruit subjected to the application of organic compost

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional state, yield and composition of peaches on peach trees subjected to the application of organic compost to the soil. This experiment was conducted during the 2008 and 2009 cropping season in an orchard containing Chimarrita cultivars grafted onto Capdeboscq rootstocks and Haplumbrept soils in the municipality of Farroupilha (Rio Grande do Sul State), Brazil. The treatments included 0, 9, 18, 36, 72 and 144 liters of organic compost per plant-1 year-1. The total nutrient contents in the leaves, yield components, yields per plant and hectare and compositions of the fruits were evaluated in 2008 and 2009 soon after harvest and after 30 days of storage. The application of organic compost to the soil increased the yield components and the yields per plant and hectare in the two treatments with the highest compost additions, which indicated that the addition of 72 L of compost per plant-1 is ideal economically. The organic compost had little effect on the composition of the peach fruit after harvest and after 30 days of storage.

Carbon in Humic Fractions of Organic Matter in Soil Treated with Organic Composts under Mango Cultivation

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a key role in maintaining the productivity of tropical soils, providing energy and substrate for the biological activity and modifying the physical and chemical characteristics that ensure the maintenance of soil quality and the sustainability of ecosystems. This study assessed the medium-term effect (six years) of the application of five organic composts, produced by combining different agro-industrial residues, on accumulation and chemical characteristics of soil organic matter. Treatments were applied in a long-term experiment of organic management of mango (OMM) initiated in 2005 with a randomized block design with four replications. Two external areas, one with conventional mango cultivation (CMM) and the other a fragment of regenerating Caatinga vegetation (RCF), were used as reference areas. Soil samples were collected in the three management systems from the 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m layers, and the total organic carbon content and chemical fractions of organic matter were evaluated by determining the C contents of humin and humic and fulvic acids. Organic compost application significantly increased the contents of total C and C in humic substances in the experimental plots, mainly in the surface layer. However, compost 3 (50 % coconut bagasse, 40 % goat manure, 10 % castor bean residues) significantly increased the level of the non-humic fraction, probably due to the higher contents of recalcitrant material in the initial composition. The highest increases from application of the composts were in the humin, followed by the fulvic fraction. Compost application increased the proportion of higher molecular weight components, indicating higher stability of the organic matter.

Determination of selected parabens, benzophenones, triclosan and triclocarban in agricultural soils after and before treatment with compost from sewage sludge: A lixiviation study

An accurate and sensitive method for the determination of selected EDCs in soil and compost from wastewater treatment plants is developed and validated. Five parabens, six benzophenone-UV filters and the antibacterials triclosan and triclocarban were selected as target analytes. The parameters for ultrasound-assisted extraction were thoroughly optimized. After extraction, the analytes were detected and quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Ethylparaben (ring–13C6 labelled) and deuterated benzophenone (BP-d10) were used as internal standards. The method was validated using matrix–matched calibration and recovery assays with spiked samples. The limits of detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.40ngg−1 and the limits of quantification from 0.1 to 1.0ngg−1, while precision in terms of relative standard deviation was between 9% and 21%. Recovery rates ranged from 83% to 107%. The validated method was applied for the study of the behavior of the selected compounds in agricultural soils treated and un-treated with compost from WWTP. A lixiviation study was developed in both agricultural soil and treated soil and first order kinetic models of their disappearance at different depths are proposed. The application of organic composts in the soil leads to an increase of the disappearance rate of the studied compounds. The lixiviation study also shows the risk of pollution of groundwater aquifers after disposal or waste of these EDCs in agricultural soils is not high.

Responses of microbial activity, abundance, and community in wheat soil after three years of heavy fertilization with manure-based compost and inorganic nitrogen

A three-year field experiment in a winter wheat–rice cropping system was performed to compare the influence on soil microbial parameters including microbial activity, abundance and community by heavy application of manure-based compost (CP) and inorganic nitrogen (CF, inorganic nitrogen applied as urea). The same amount of total nitrogen that was calculated from the local farming habits was applied in each season for the two treatments. Samples were analyzed after the third season of wheat harvested. In contrast to the untreated control (CK), CP and CF treatments both significantly increased the soil nutrient content (p<0.05) with converse results obtained for improvements in soil water-holding capacity and acidification. Heavy application of organic compost markedly increased the soil microbial activity and gene copies of bacteria, archaea, and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). However, pyrosequencing results demonstrated that heavy application of inorganic nitrogen had no influence on soil bacterial diversity. Diversity was significantly decreased by organic compost. Changes occurred in the bacterial community composition in compost treated soils, and most abundant taxa correlated with the moisture content, pH, organic C, total N, available P, and available P. The findings of this study indicated that compost application was not always beneficial to soil quality, and might decrease soil diversity. Therefore, studies to maintain the relationship between compost application rate and microbial diversity should be further conducted to protect soil ecosystems against disturbances

Perdas de nitrogênio do solo e resposta do pessegueiro à adição de composto orgânico

A aplicação de composto orgânico no solo pode incrementar a produção de pêssego, porém parte do N pode ser perdido por lixiviação e volatilização. O trabalho objetivou avaliar o estado nutricional das plantas, a produção de pêssego, a lixiviação de formas de N no solo e a volatilização de N-NH3 em um pomar de pessegueiro com a adição de composto orgânico produzido a partir de resíduos de agroindústrias de suco, resíduos de abatedouro de aves e serragem. O pomar foi implantado em 2009 e, em julho de 2010, 2011 e 2012, foram aplicados 0, 3, 6, 12 e 24L de composto por m2 e avaliaram-se os teores totais de nutrientes nas folhas e a produção. Em 2012, usando lisímetros instalados a 20 e a 40cm de profundidade, avaliaram-se as formas de N lixiviadas na solução percolada nos tratamentos 0 e 24L de composto. Usando câmeras coletoras, foi avaliada a volatilização de N-NH3 em todos os tratamentos até 478h depois da deposição do composto no solo. A aplicação de composto na superfície do solo incrementou o teor de K e N nas folhas completas, aumentando a produção de frutos. A aplicação de composto no florescimento aumentou a concentração de nitrato na solução do solo, somente na profundidade de 20cm. A emissão de amônia aumentou com o incremento da dose de composto aplicado, especialmente e nos períodos de maior temperatura

Application of nitrogen sources on grapevines and effect on yield and must composition

This study was carried out to evaluate the yield, total N content in leaves and must composition of grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon variety subjected to the application of urea and organic compost. Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines in Rosário do Sul, RS, Brazil, in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were subjected to annual application of 40 kg N ha-1 in the form of organic compost and urea, and compared to unfertilized grapevines. In the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 crop seasons, leaves were collected for analysis of total N content. At maturation of the grapes, the yield and quality attributes of the must were evaluated. The application of N sources, especially organic compost, increased the N content in the whole leaf at full flowering. Application of organic compost and urea has little effect on grape yield and does not affect the total nutrient content in the must, nor the enological attributes.

APLIKASI KOMPOS ORGANIK LIMBAH JAMUR DENGAN PENAMBAHAN EM4 UNTUK PERTUMBUHAN TANAMAN TOMAT (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The amount of non-organic fertilizer use that decreases the soil quality and the lack of utilization of organic compost by the community especially the compost of mushroom waste. The purpose of this research is to know how to apply organic compost of mushroom waste with the addition of EM4 for the growth of tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Implementation of research in March 2013. Type of this research is experimental research and object in this research is tomato plant growth. The research approach used is quantitative approach. Data collection techniques with observation and documentation. This study used a Single Completely Randomized Design (RAL) consisting of three treatments: K0: uncomposted soil; K1: soil added organic compost of mushroom waste with EM4; K2: the soil added organic compost of mushroom waste with tofu pulp. Each was repeated five times, then analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) used F test at 5% significance level and continued with real difference test (BNT 5%). The result of the research in general is seen good application by organic compost of mushroom waste on tomato plant growth seen from parameter of plant height F count (39.242)> F table (3,081), number of leaf F count (11.643)> F table (3.081), width leaf F count (10.943)> F table (3.081), wet weight F count (13,043)> F table (3.081) and dry weight F arithmetic (11.863)> F table (3.081). Seen from the above data can be concluded that the application of organic compost of mushroom waste with the addition of EM4 this role for the growth of tomato plants.

Efeito do composto orgânico e compactação do solo no milho e nutrientes do solo

Quando bem aproveitados, os resíduos orgânicos conduzem a grandes benefícios disponibilizando matéria orgânica e nutriente ao solo. Neste contexto, objetivou-se, no presente estudo, verificar o efeito da aplicação de doses de composto orgânico em dois solos submetidos a diferentes compactações na biomassa seca do milho. Para isto se aplicaram, em 54 vasos, três doses de composto orgânico nas quantidades 0 (testemunha), 40 e 80 g dm-3, em um Argissolo Vermelho Escuro e em um outro Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, coletados no horizonte Ap, no perfil de 0 a 0,20 m, conduzidos em três diferentes densidades (1,3; 1,5 e 1,7 kg dm-3) e três repetições. A cultura utilizada no experimento foi o milho (Zea mays), cultivar Itapuã 700. As variáveis avaliadas foram biomassa seca da parte aérea do milho (MS) e os teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e carbono orgânico total (COT) do solo. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a aplicação do composto orgânico causou efeito significativo sobre os teores dos macronutrientes disponíveis e COT e a compactação do solo pouco afetou as variáveis estudadas.

SOIL BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF WHEAT-MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM IN LONG-TERM FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS

SUMMARYTwo long-term field experiments, each consisting of three treatments (organic compost treatment, chemical fertilizer treatment and an untreated control) were established in 1993 and 1997, respectively. Soil samples were collected from each plot in June 2004 and 2005 after crop harvest and were used to determine soil physical-chemical properties, biological and biochemical activity, and the nematode community. Soil physicochemical parameters, microbial biomass, biological activities and nematode communities were significantly influenced by long-term application of organic compost. In general, soil total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline-hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium, microbial biomass, basal respiration, urease activities, total number of nematodes and bacterial-feeding nematodes were significantly higher in the compost plots than in the chemical fertilizer and control plots at two experimental sites and two sampling dates. Soil bulk density and pH values were significantly lower in the compost plots. We conclude that soil physical-chemical properties, size and activity of soil microbial biomass, metabolic quotient (qCO2), urease activity, total number of nematodes and bacteria-feeding nematodes could be used as indicators of soil quality.

Organic and inorganic fertilization effects on DTPA-extractable Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn, and their concentration in the edible portion of crops

SUMMARYThe application of organic composts to soil may affect the availability of micronutrients and their concentration in plants. The present field research study compared soil micronutrient extractability after 5 years of organic fertilization v. conventional inorganic fertilization. Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were extracted from soil using diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and the data obtained were compared with the concentration of these micronutrients in the edible portion of the crop. The study was carried out on a loam soil classified as a Xerofluvent. The soil was fertilized with composted plant residues or with conventional inorganic fertilizer and all treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. In all cases a crop rotational system was applied. The use of organic fertilization resulted in a higher extractability for all the elements studied; however, the micronutrient content in the edible part of the crops was variable depending on the plant species and element. Crop yields depended on the type of crop rather than the type of soil fertilization. The present study showed that the use of plant compost and the elimination of synthetic fertilizers result in an increase of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn extractability compared to soil treated with inorganic fertilization, which should provide long-term fertility benefits.