Farmyard Manure Treatments Research Articles

Dynamics of iron under long-term application of chemical fertilizers and amendments on maize-wheat cropping sequence

ABSTRACTIron (Fe) is one of the essential micronutrient plays a crucial role in redox systems in cells and in various enzyme. The Fe-deficient plants have lower redox reaction and enzymatic activity. Intensive chemical fertilizer resulted in depletions of micronutrients especially Fe from the soil. To understand the dynamics of Fe under long-term fertilizer experiment the present study was initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of College of Agriculture CSK HPKV, Palampur in randomized block design with eleven treatments replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental area was silty loam, acidic in reaction and taxonomically classified as “Typic Hapludalfs.” Surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soil samples collected after the harvest of maize (Kharif, 2008). The continuous use of chemical fertilizers and amendments for the last 36 years in maize-wheat system in an acid Alfisol brought out marked depletion in the pools of Fe as compared to buffer plots. All the pools of Fe were noticeably higher in farmyard manure (FYM) amended plots compared to zero-fertilized plots. Although, residual fraction was found to be the most dominant fraction but organically bound and exchangeable forms were found to play major role in the nutrient supply and crop productivity and nutrients’ uptake. Highest productivity of maize (2008) and wheat (2008–2009) was recorded under 100% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) + FYM treatment. FYM and lime treatments resulted in significantly higher uptake of all the nutrients by both the crops compared to other treatments. Organically bound fraction was found to have highest significant and positive correlation with yield and nutrient uptake of maize and wheat crops. Further, regression analysis studies too revealed that organic form was the most important pool contributing towards the variation in the above parameters. While, exchangeable and organically bound forms contributed significantly towards diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Fe.

Fractions of Manganese in Soil under Long-Term Experiment and Their Contribution to Manganese Availability and Uptake by Maize-Wheat Cropping Sequence

ABSTRACTManganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient needed for plant growth and development, but it can be toxic to plants in excess amounts. Long-term fertilizer experiment and intensive cropping alter the soil properties and also affect its plant-available Mn contents. To understand the dynamics of Mn under long-term fertilizer experiment the present study was initiated during 1972 at the experimental farm of College of Agriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur (32° 6′ N latitude and 76° 3′ E longitude) in a randomized block design with 11 treatments replicated three times with a maize-wheat cropping sequence. The soils of the experimental area in the beginning of the experiment were acidic in reaction and taxonomically classified as Typic Hapludalfs. Surface (0.0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soil samples taken after the harvest of maize (kharif, 2008) were analyzed for pools of Mn and chemical indices of soil quality using standard analytical methods. Besides, the pools of Mn were also determined in the composite soil samples drawn from adjacent fallow plots. Results showed that all the pools of Mn were noticeably greater in farmyard manure (FYM)–amended plots compared to zero-fertilized plots. Although the residual fraction was found to be the most dominant fraction, organically bound and exchangeable forms were found to play major roles in the nutrient supply, crop productivity, and nutrient uptake. The greatest productivity of maize (2008) and wheat (2008–09) was recorded under the 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) + FYM treatment. FYM and lime treatments resulted in significantly greater uptake of all the nutrients by both the crops compared to other treatments. The organically bound fraction was found to have the greatest significant and positive correlation with yield and nutrient uptake of maize and wheat crops. Further regression analysis studies revealed that the organic form was the most important pool contributing towards the variation in the parameters. Exchangeable and organically bound forms contributed significantly towards diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Mn.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Farming on Nutrients and Fatty Acid Composition of Soybean, Wheat and Chickpea

A field experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2011–13 to evaluate the effect of application of farm yard manure (FYM), recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) and their combination on the nutritional quality of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Total soluble protein in soybean and wheat grains was higher on combined application of FYM+RDF, whereas high total soluble proteins was observed in chickpea grown with FYM alone. Maximum free amino acid content in soybean, wheat and chickpea was observed in treatment with FYM alone. Higher linoleic and linolenic acids were observed in combined treatments of RDF+FYM in soybean and chickpea seeds, and highest oleic acid was observed in treatment with integrated nutrient management (INM). Significant increase in tryptophan was observed in soybean in combined treatment of FYM+RDF, whereas significantly higher methionine was observed in chickpea seeds in FYM treatment. High total soluble sugars was observed in chickpea grown with FYM @10 tonnes ha−1, whereas higher total sugars and sucrose was observed in soybean grown with FYM @ 5 tonnes ha−1+ 50%RDF.

不同施肥制度对石灰性紫色水稻土中氨氧化古菌群落结构的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 不同施肥制度对石灰性紫色水稻土中氨氧化古菌群落结构的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201504140752 作者: 作者单位: 四川农业大学资源学院微生物系,四川农业大学资源学院微生物系,四川农业大学资源学院微生物系,四川省农业科学院土壤肥料研究所,四川农业大学资源学院微生物系,四川农业大学资源学院微生物系 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（41201256）；四川省自然科学基金项目（SC200902158）；四川农业大学“双支计划”项目（01470702） Impact of different long-term fertilization systems on ammonia oxidation Archaea community structures in Calcareous Purple Paddy soil Author: Affiliation: Department of Microbiology,College of Resource,Sichuan Agricultural University,Department of Microbiology,College of Resource,Sichuan Agricultural University,Department of Microbiology,College of Resource,Sichuan Agricultural University,Soil and Fertilizer Institute,Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Department of Microbiology,College of Resource,Sichuan Agricultural University,Department of Microbiology,College of Resource,Sichuan Agricultural University Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:研究不同施肥制度对水稻土氨氧化古菌（AOA）群落结构和垂直分布特征的影响，可以深入认识不同施肥制度下的石灰性紫色水稻土氮素循环特征及微生物驱动机制，为该地区科学施肥、培肥地力提供理论依据。利用化学分析和变性梯度凝胶电泳（DGGE）对不同施肥制度下石灰性紫色水稻土理化性质和AOA群落结构进行了分析。结果显示：相对于无肥处理，施肥会降低石灰性紫色水稻土pH和硝氮含量，而增加土壤有机质、全氮和氨氮含量。伴随土壤深度增加，土壤pH增加，全氮和硝氮含量降低，氨氮含量变化趋势不明显。不同施肥制度在不同土壤深度对石灰性紫色水稻土AOA群落结构产生不同的胁迫效应，不同施肥制度下的AOA群落结构在0-20 cm处差异不明显；土壤深度增加，不同施肥制度下的AOA群落结构表现出明显差异，CK和N肥处理下的AOA群落结构较简单。AOA群落结构多样性指数和丰富度随土壤深度增加而减小。石灰性紫色水稻土AOA与来自不同土壤和水体环境的AOA具有明显相似性。冗余梯度分析（RDA）显示pH（P=0.012）是造成石灰性紫色水稻土AOA群落结构差异的主要原因。研究揭示石灰性紫色水稻土中的AOA群落结构受施肥制度明显影响并表现出明显的垂直分布特征。 Abstract:Increasing evidence revealed that ammonia oxidation Archaea (AOA) belonging to Thaumarchaeota could control nitrification in various agricultural ecosystems. Studying the impact of different long-term fertilization systems on the shift of the AOA community structure and vertical distribution would contribute to understanding the soil nutrient biogeochemical cycles and microbial drive mechanisms. In the present study, an "N, P, K long-term fertilization field experiment (1982-2014)" was established in a Calcareous Purple Paddy soil in Suining City, Sichuan Province of the PR China. Eight treatments including three chemical fertilizer (CF) treatments (N, NP, and NPK), three CF plus farmyard manure (M) treatments (NM, NPM, and NPKM), M only, and no fertilizer (CK) as control were used. Soil samples amended with different long-term fertilization systems at four different depths (0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-90 cm) were collected; the soil physico-chemical parameters and the shift of the AOA community structure and vertical distribution were analyzed by chemical analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The results showed that compared to the no fertilizer treatment (CK), soil pH decreased under the CF treatments, and showed little variation under CFM treatments. The pH values in the 0-20 cm soil depth were lower than those in other soil depths. The combined use of farmyard manure and chemical fertilizer could also improve the soil total nitrogen concentration. The total nitrogen content in 0-20 cm soil depth was also higher than that of other depths. Fertilizer increased the soil ammonia content in the 0-20 cm soil depth, and in this soil depth, the CK treatment had the lowest ammonia concentration. Furthermore, soil ammonia concentrations under the four CFM fertilizer treatments (e.g. M, NM, NPM, and NPKM) were similar. Additionally, chemical fertilizer plus farmyard manure decreased the soil nitrate concentration, and the nitrate concentration in the 0-20 cm soil depth was higher than that of other depths. Based on the DGGE analysis, different fertilization systems affected the AOA community structure in different soil depths differently. The AOA community structure in the 0-20 cm depth with different fertilizer amendments showed minor variation. With increasing soil depth, the AOA community structure with different fertilization systems varied significantly. The AOA community structure in the CK and N fertilized soil were much simpler than those under CF and CFM fertilizer treatments. However, the AOA community structure showed significant vertical variation, both the richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the 0-20 cm soil depth were the highest, while those in the 60-90 cm soil depth were the lowest. According to the sequence and phylogeny analysis, AOA in Calcareous Purple Paddy soil were all affiliated to Thaumarchaeota, and they were highly similar to the AOA in different soil and water environments. According to the redundancy gradient analysis (RDA), four soil physico-chemical parameters such as pH, total nitrogen, ammonia, and nitrate concentration showed 11.3, 2.8, 1.8, and 1% contributions to the AOA community structure, respectively. Soil pH (P=0.012) was the critical factor to shape the AOA community structure in Calcareous Purple Paddy soil. The study revealed that AOA in the Calcareous Purple Paddy soil responded to the fertilization systems variously, and showed an obvious vertical distribution. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Adsorption-Desorption of Zinc as Influenced by Fly Ash in Inceptisols of Assam

This study investigates the influence of fly ash (FA) application on zinc adsorption-desorption in recommended chemical fertilizer (RDF) and farmyard manure (FYM) treatments of acidic Inceptisols of Assam. Zinc adsorption was better explained by Freundlich over the Langmuir adsorption equation. Adsorption was greatest in the treatment receiving FA only at 15 t ha−1 and least in the treatment receiving RDF 50 percent + FYM 5 t ha−1 + FA 5 t ha−1. The zinc distribution coefficient of treatment FA 15 t ha−1 was 40 to 31 times greater than treatments containing FA + RDF + FYM. The zinc supply parameter increased when FA was applied with RDF and FYM, and zinc desorption followed the order of exctractants CaCl2 > MgCl2 > DTPA > HCl. They desorbed more Zn from soils with low “b” and vice versa. Results confirm that fly ash integrated with RDF + FYM can effectively be used to maintain substantial concentrations of Zn in soil.

Application of Different Reclamation Methods on Salt Affected Soils for Crop Production

Effects of salic conditions on soil properties under a given land use type and the methods for reclamation has not received the desired research attention in Nigeria. Understanding of how soil properties and crop yield respond to the influence of salic conditions is needed for employment of location-specific management strategies for the economic agricultural production. This study was conducted on salt affected soils during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 crop years to investigate the soil physico-chemical properties and their effects on two maize cultivar growth and yield. Three approaches were employed to reclaim the salt affected soils in order to increase their efficiency and reduce the time of reclamation. Soils were sampled at two depth intervals: surface (0-15 cm depth) and subsurface (15-30 cm) for physical and chemical analysis. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were arranged in RCBD and replicated thrice. The treatment applications were 100% gypsum (CaS04) Gypsum requirement (GR); 25 Mg ha -1 gypsum + farm yard manure (FYM) and chiseling. Leaching with irrigation water was done over a period of 2-4 hours per week. During the two cropping seasons, rice and millet crops were grown. Original Research Article Ezeaku et al.; AJEA, 9(2): 1-11, 2015; Article no.AJEA.17187 2 Data collected were analysed statistically following ANOVA technique and treatment differences were evaluated using LSD test. Pre-cultivation soil analysis revealed a mean soil bulk density value of 2.37 g cm -3 and a value of 17.46 for total porosity. Soil pH showed alkalinity (>pH 7.5) with high values of exchangeable bases and base saturation. Post-cultivation results show that highest yields of rice and millet were obtained from application of 100% gypsum. Yields obtained from gypsum + FYM treatments were, however, statistically similar. Yields from control treatment were consistently low. First millet post-harvest (2011/2012 crop year) soil test showed a reduction in electrical conductivity (ECe) value in all treatment plots except in control. The values of soil pH and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) reduced after second millet harvest in 2012/2013 cropping season. The study found that soil chemical properties in control treatment did not improve, while combined use of gypsum + FYM + Chiseling appeared most effective in improving the soil conditions for land use sustainability.

Effect of manure on organic carbon content and fractal dimensions of aggregates

Effects of farmyard manure treatments on some soil structural parameters such as, aggregate stability (AS), geometric mean weight (GMWD) and mean weight (MWD) diameters, fragmentation (D) and mass (D m ) fractal dimensions, bulk density (BD) and organic C (OC) contents of aggregates were determined in a clay soil. Application of 67 Mg ha -1 farmyard manure to Vertic Haplustoll soil decreased AS 12.14% compared with the control. Manure treatment increased the proportion of microaggregates in the fractions 1.00 mm in size. While OC contents of aggregates increased between 22.8% and 123.4%, BD values decreased between 0.8% and 16.6% with the manure treatment. Fragmentation (D) and mass (D m ) fractal dimensions were increased with decreasing numbers of macroaggregates of the clay soil. GMWD (1.16 mm) and MWD (1.86 mm) obtained in the manure treatment were lower than that in the control treatment (1.20 mm and 1.95 mm, respectively). Although OC content of the aggregates increased with the manure treatment, the number of macroaggregates of clay soil decreased with decreasing AS..

Carbon Pools and Associated Soil Enzymatic Activities as Influenced by Long-term Application of Fertilizers and Manure in Lowland Rice Soil

The effect of long-term (21 years) fertilizer application on soil carbon pools, its functional groups in humic acids and associated soil enzymatic activities was investigated in tropical flooded rice. The five treatments were non-fertilized control, nitrogen (N) (90 kg ha−1), farmyard manure (FYM) (10 t ha−1), NPK (90: 45: 45 kg ha−1:: N: P2O5: K2O) and FYM+NPK. On average, the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content was significantly higher in FYM+NPK treatment as compared to control (by 30%), 100% N, 100% NPK + FYM treatments. The enzyme activities, viz. dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase were found significantly higher under FYM + NPK treated plots compared with control by 107, 170, 133 and 190 per cent, respectively. The characteristic humic acid spectra revealed that FYM and NPK treated plot contains aromatic functional C groups, which have the potential to sequester C in the long run. Therefore, the combined application of FYM + NPK is a viable option for managing soil fertility as well as sustaining rice yield (4.1–5.7 t ha−1) in tropical flooded soils. The study is novel in the sense it describes soil carbon pools including labile active and passive pools in relation to soil functional microbial diversity under lowland flooded rice.

Revegetation of abandoned sulphur Flotation Waste in Keçiborlu, Isparta/Turkey: heavy metals concentrations of growing media and Agropyron elongatum grass.

The main objectives of the study are to evaluate the effectiveness of using amendment materials (calcareous soil and farmyard manure) and to grow Agropyron elongatum (tall wheat grass) for the revegetation of sulphur flotation waste in tailing ponds. Calcareous soil (CS) at 10, 20, 30, 40% and farmyard manure (FYM) at 4, 8% were applied to the flotation waste (FW). pH, electrical conductivity (EC), DTPA-extractable Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pd, Cd, Co concentrations of growing media, also, total Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pd, Cd, Co concentrations of plants were analysed together with the dry weight yield of the plant which were determined at end of the experiment. The results have shown that pH, shoot Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb concentrations increased by CS-alone but this increment tended to decrease by FYM. The EC, DTPA-extractable Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co and shoot Fe, Ni, Cr, Co concentrations were decreased by CS-alone, but this decline tended to increase by FYM. There was no change in DTPA-extractable Pb and Cd concentrations between CS and CS with FYM. The dry weight of the plant shoots increased CS with FYM more than CS-alone. The plant grew well and had high cover in CS with FYM treatments compared to CS-alone. However this work indicates that A. elongatum can be used to revegetate sulphur flotation waste, further studies with different plant species are needed in order to obtain better plant cover in revegetation efforts.

Influence of Selected Ecological Farming Practices on Soil Moisture Retention and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and Cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) in Semi-Arid Yatta Sub-County, Kenya

In this study, the influence of ecological farming practices on soil moisture and yield of cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) was investigated. The study was conducted in semi-arid Katangi and Ikombe divisions of Yatta sub-county between October 2010 and August 2012. A randomised complete block design with a split plot arrangement was used. Main plots were three cropping systems: (i) Intercropping; (Dolichos [Lablab purpureus]/Cassava, Dolichos/Sorghum, Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]/Sorghum, Pigeon pea/Cassava); (ii) Rotation; Dolichos-Cassava, Dolichos-Sorghum, Pigeon pea-Cassava, Pigeon pea-Sorghum and (iii) Monocrop (pure cassava and sorghum). Split plots were organic inputs; farm yard manure (FYM), compost and absolute control. Sorghum/pigeon pea intercrop+FYM treatment had high moisture levels during short rain season (SRS) of 2010 at Katangi (5.21%), SRS of 2011 at Ikombe (5.19%) and long rain season (LRS) of 2011 at both sites (5.83%, 12.30%). Grain yields were highest under sorghum/dolichos intercrop+ FYM during LRS of 2011 at Katangi (1.36 t ha-1) and Ikombe (1.48 t ha-1), and SRS of 2010 at Katangi (1.39 t ha-1) only. Cassava/dolichos intercrop recorded high soil moisture levels in both sites under sorghum/dolichos intercrop during SRS of 2010 (6.48%, 8.35%), LRS of 2011 (7.63%, 8.77%) and LRS of 2012 (6.41%, 3.65%) for Katangi and Ikombe, respectively. Tuber yields were higher under cassava/pigeon intercrop in Katangi (18.63 t ha-1) and Ikombe (28.73 t ha-1) during SRS of 2010 and LRS of 2011, and SRS of 2011 and LRS of 2012 at Katangi (20.86 t ha-1). Intercropping sorghum with dolichos and cassava with pigeon pea + FYM would be a viable strategy to boost crop yields in smallholder farming systems of Yatta sub-county.

Combined Use of Green Manure and Farmyard Manure Allows Better Nutrition of Organic Lettuce

Organic crop production has become a major business due to rising consumer demand, price premiums and increasing market opportunities. A field experiment was conducted to compare organic and conventional production systems by evaluating growth, yield and mineral content of lettuce leaves. Six organic productions systems, green manure (GM), farmyard manure (FYM), commercial organic fertilizer (COF) and their combinations were compared with conventional production system (CPS). A non-fertilized control treatment was also included. Plant growth and yield were found higher in the organic production system compare to conventional production system. The lowest plant growth and yield were obtained in the control treatment. Values of vitamin C content of lettuce grown in the organic production systems were higher than those of the conventional production system. The highest lettuce yield (71.8 and 76.5 t ha -1 ) was obtained with GM + FYM treatment. The results indicated that combined use of green manure and farmyard manure can be successfully used in organic lettuce production.

Mulch type and application of manure and composts in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production: impact on soil fertility and yield

The objective of this research was to quantify the effect of the application of organic fertilizers: farmyard manure, vermicompost, spent mushroom compost, under two different ground cover management systems (black polyethylene and wheat straw mulch) on soil nutrient levels and strawberry yield during a two-year production cycle. The application of organic fertilizers, in the amounts equivalent to 170 kg ha -1 N, had the greatest impact on the concentration of available phosphorus, which was significantly higher on fertilized plots than on the control even two years after the application. The plots fertilized with farmyard manure and mushroom compost had higher concentrations of available potassium than the control, while the application of vermicompost did not affect the concentration of available potassium in the soil. The application of composts did not affect the concentration of available microelements in the soil, while the concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu in the year of the organic fertilizers application were significantly higher on farmyard manure fertilized plots than on the control. The application of all three organic fertilizers had a significant effect on the mineral N concentration in the soil only in the year of the application and the following spring. However, the plots covered with polyethylene mulch had a higher mineral N concentration than the control at all sampling times. The concentration of available microelements was significantly higher in soil covered with black polyethylene mulch than in soil covered with straw mulch. Preplant application of organic fertilizers led to increase of yield, ranging from 14.3% in vermicompost treatmet to 17.3% in the farmyard manure treatment in relation to the control, only in the 1 st fruiting year. However, the application of polyethylene mulch facilitated a higher strawberry yield than straw mulch in both fruiting years.

Participation of Women in Sugarcane Farming System-A Case Study of Bijnor District (Western Uttar Pradesh)

Sugarcane is an annual crop engaging around 50 million farmers of which approximately half are women. Even though, women form the backbone of sugarcane cultivation, they still tend to exist as “the hidden farmers” with almost negligible access on land, resources, technologies, financial services, markets and even education. Despite their exclusive inputs in sugarcane farming operations like farmyard manure application, sett planting and treatments, hand weeding and detrashing, sugarcane bundling, disposal of trash and plant protection measures, the output of the land controlled by women is drastically lesser than the male counterparts. Against this backdrop the present paper is an attempt to examine the role of women in sugarcane farming in terms of their participation level, their decision making pattern in various activities, time utilization pattern, drudgeries involved and thereby implications. Hence, this study was conducted in Nehtaur Block of Bijnor District of Western Uttar Pradesh. Six villages from Nehtaur Block were selected for the purpose of the study. From these villages, 120 women who were engaged in sugarcane farming selected randomly and each was interviewed personally for the collection of data.

Impact of bio-inoculants on seed germination and plant growth of guava (Psidium guajava)

An experiment was conducted to study the impact of bio-inoculants on seed germination and plant growth of guava at CCSHAU Regional Research Station, Bawal, during the period 2007 to 2008. The bio-inoculants tested were Azotobacter chroococcum, phosphate solubulising bacteria (PSB), plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR) and mycorrhiza. Their impact on seed germination, plant height and other plant growth parameters was studied in presence of farmyard manure (FYM) as well as vermicompost. During the 2007 period, maximum percent seed germination (34.2) was observed in the treatment having FYM + PGPR or FYM + A. chroococcum at 40 days (DAS); followed by PGPR (29.2) and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) (25.8) treatments. While during the 2008 period, highest seed germination (51.1%) was observed in the treatment having FYM + PGPR or FYM + A. chroococcum at 40 DAS; followed by the treatments having FYM + PGPR + PSB + A. chroococcum or vermicompost + PSB + A. chroococcum (48.9%). Number of leaves per plant observed at 150 DAS were maximum in the treatment having FYM + VAM (18.8). Plant height at 150 DAS was maximum in FYM treatment having all the three bio-inoculants (31.5 cm). However, these values were quite comparable to each other in FYM as well as in vermicompost filled plastic bags. Key words: Bio-inoculants, seed germination, guava (Psidium guajava), phosphate solubulising bacteria (PSB), plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR), vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM), Azotobacter chroococcum.

Ecologically sustainable fertility management for the maintenance of species‐rich hay meadows: a 12‐year fertilizer and lime experiment

Summary Increased use of artificial fertilizers has caused widespread loss of species‐rich grasslands throughout Britain and mainland Europe. Species‐rich meadows are traditionally managed by hay cutting, use of farmyard manure (FYM) and occasional liming, but sustainable fertility management to maintain their botanical diversity is ill defined. This study measured vegetation responses to fertilizers and lime applied over 12 years to species‐rich upland and lowland mesotrophic hay meadows in the UK. Treatments consisted of three rates of FYM applied annually or triennially, inorganic fertilizers giving equivalent amounts of N, P and K to two of the annual and two of the triennial FYM treatments, and lime applied either alone or with annual or triennial FYM. Farmyard manure at 24 tonnes ha−1 year−1 reduced total species richness and the richness of positive indicator species at both meadows and increased aggregate cover of negative indicator species. Lower rates of FYM application were also detrimental at the lowland meadow, but not at the upland one. Inorganic fertilizers were no more damaging to plant species richness than equivalent FYM treatments. At the upland meadow, vegetation quality was maintained by continuing past FYM inputs (12 t ha−1 year−1), but improved at lower rates. At the lowland meadow, which has no recent history of fertilizer use, rates equivalent to only ≤4 tonnes FYM ha−1 year−1 were sustainable. Evidence was slight of vegetation adapting to increased inputs at either meadow. Between‐meadow differences in vulnerability to treatments apparently reflected differences in site‐specific factors, particularly past management, rather than differences in plant community type. Synthesis and applications. Relatively modest fertility inputs can reduce the ecological value of meadows with no recent history of such inputs, whereas moderate inputs of fertilizer and lime will be ecologically sustainable in meadows adapted to a long history of application. Decisions on sustainable levels of fertilizer use to maintain or enhance botanical diversity of grassland should be based on knowledge of soil physical and chemical status and past fertility management. Inorganic fertilizers are no more damaging than farmyard manure when applied at equivalent amounts of N, P and K.

Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the system of rice intensification (SRI) under a rain-fed lowland rice ecosystem in Cambodia

The present field study investigated the effects of the system of rice intensification (SRI) on greenhouse gas emissions and rice yield, in the first field trial of its kind in Cambodia. The study was a 2 × 4 factorial design, including SRI and conventional management practices (CMP) with the following treatments: control, composted farmyard manure (FYM), mineral fertiliser (MF) and FYM + MF. The results indicated large seasonal variations of CH4 patterns during the growing season with a peak emission of about 1,300 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 under both production systems 2 weeks after rice transplanting. There was large temporal variability of CH4 fluxes from morning to midday. Emission of N2O was below the detection limit in both systems. Under each production system, the highest seasonal emission of CH4 was under the FYM + MF treatment, namely 282 kg ha−1 under CMP and 213 kg ha−1 under SRI. Total CH4 emission under SRI practices was reduced by 22 % in the FYM treatment, 17 % in the MF treatment and 24 % in the FYM + MF treatment compared to CMP. There was no effect of water management on CH4 emission in the non-fertilized treatment. Grain yields were not significantly affected by the production system. Thus the yield-scaled global warming potential (GWP) was lower under SRI than CMP, namely 21 % in FYM and FYM + MF treatments, and 8 % in MF treatment. The application of mineral fertilisers moderately increased CH4 emission but significantly increased rice yields, resulting in a significantly lower yield-scaled-GWP compared to farmyard manure.

Soil organic matter in water-stable aggregates under different soil management practices in a productive vineyard

In a productive vineyard, the influence of different soil management practices on carbon sequestration and its dynamic in water-stable aggregates of Rendzin Leptosol was studied. In 2006, an experiment of different management practices in a productive vineyard was established in the locality of Nitra-Dražovce, in the Nitra winegrowing area of Slovakia. The following treatments were established: (1) control (grass without fertilization); (2) T (tillage); (3) T + FM (tillage + farmyard manure); (4) G + NPK3 (grass + NPK 120–55–195 kg ha−1); and (5) G + NPK1 (grass + NPK 80–35–135 kg ha−1). The results showed that the lowest soil organic matter content (9.70 g kg−1) in water-stable microaggregates was determined in G + NPK3, as well as in T. However, the highest soil organic matter content in the highest size fractions of water-stable macroaggregates (>5 mm) was observed in T + FM (19.7 g kg−1). The highest value for carbon sequestration capacity in water-stable microaggregates was observed in the ploughed farmyard manure treatment. However, the control treatment showed the highest values for carbon sequestration capacity in water-stable macroaggregates, including agronomically favourable size fractions (0.5–3 mm). In all soil management practices under a productive vineyard the most intensive changes in the soil organic matter content were observed in the highest size fractions (>3 mm) of water-stable macroaggregates.

Impact of mineral and organic fertilization on yield, C content in the soil, as well as on C, N and energy balances in a long-term field experiment

Data from a 49-year-long organic–mineral fertilization field experiment with a potato–maize–maize–wheat–wheat crop rotation were used to analyse the impact of different fertilizer variations on yield ability, soil organic carbon content (SOC), N and C balances, as well as on some characteristic energy balance parameters. Among the treatments, the fertilization variant with 87 kg ha−1 year−1 N proved to be economically optimal (94% of the maximum). Approximately 40 years after initiation of the experiment, supposed steady-state SOC content has been reached, with a value of 0.81% in the upper soil layer of the unfertilized control plot. Farmyard manure (FYM) treatments resulted in 10% higher SOC content compared with equivalent NPK fertilizer doses. The best C balances were obtained with exclusive mineral fertilization variants (−3.8 and −3.7 t ha−1 year−1, respectively). N uptake in the unfertilized control plot suggested an airborne N input of 48 kg ha−1 year−1. The optimum fertilizer variant (70 t ha−1 FYM-equivalent NPK) proved favourable with a view to energy. The energy gain by exclusive FYM treatments was lower than with sole NPK fertilization. Best energy intensity values were obtained with lower mineral fertilization and FYM variants. The order of energy conversion according to the different crops was maize, wheat and potato.

Influence of different long-term mineral–organic fertilization on yield, nutrient balance and soil C and N contents of a sandy loess (Haplic Phaeozem) in middle Germany

In a long-term field trial (Halle, Germany, founded in 1949 by K. Schmalfuß, soil type Haplic Phaeozem), the effects of different mineral and organic fertilization on dry matter yields, soil C and N contents and N balances were investigated. Over a period of 60 years, yields increased on average in all cultivated crops (winter and spring cereals, potatoes, sugar beets, silage maize), even without any fertilization. Nitrogen deficiency in unfertilized and PK treatments caused strong decreases in yield (up to 48%) in comparison with the N2PK standard treatment. The effect of omitting K or P supply was smaller (up to 18% and 7% yield reduction, respectively). The highest yields were obtained with high mineral N + PK application and (except winter wheat) with farmyard manure in combination with mineral fertilization. The N balances were negative in all treatments. However, if N immission from the air (40 kg ha−1 a−1) was included in the calculation, N balances were negative only in low N treatments. The soil C and N contents increased up to 1975. A considerable decrease has been seen since about 1985. The highest soil C and N contents were observed in the farmyard manure treatments. In addition to fertilization effects, this development of soil properties reflects changes in environmental pollution, climatic changes, as well as shifts in cultivation methods like tillage depths, over recent decades.

Wirkung einer langjährig differenzierten mineralisch-organischen Düngung auf Ertrag, Humusgehalt, N-Bilanz und Nährstoffgehalte des Bodens

Since 1966, the effects of increasing mineral N fertilization in combination with different organic fertilizers (without, farmyard manure, straw) were examined at two sites in Saxonia (Methau: loam, Spröda: loamy sand) in two-factorial static experiments with regard to yield, humus content, N-balance, Nmin content and DL-soluble contents of phosphor and potassium. During the period 1966–2010, rising N application caused a significant yield increase. Farmyard manure treatments always showed the highest yields. Particularly, the yields of potatoes and sugar beets were considerably increased by applying manure, while this had substantially smaller effects on winter wheat and summer barley. The humus contents decreased clearly on both sites. They were almost halved with omitted organic fertilization. With manure supply, the starting contents could not be kept upright, but they were, in relation to omitted organic fertilization, on a clearly higher level. The effect on humus content, resulting from the straw fertilization, was comparatively weak. Under these experimental conditions, high yields with slightly negative to slightly positive N-balance results, were realised. Before winter, the Nmin content increased with rising N supply and showed a significant dependence to the N-balances. In case of manure fertilization, they always were on a higher level. The long-term differentiated fertilization strongly affected the DL-soluble contents of phosphor and potassium of the soil.