Role Of Soil Amendments Research Articles

The role of soil amendments in limiting the leaching of agrochemicals: Laboratory assessment for copper sulphate and dicamba

Agriculture is among the major contributors to soil and groundwater pollution, primarily through the widespread leaching of pesticides and fertilizers from crops, as well as accidental releases from point sources. Therefore, alongside restrictions on the use of highly soluble agrochemicals and enhanced application guidelines, there is a significant demand for low-impact and cost-effective solutions aimed at reducing the mobility of agrochemicals in the soils. This study evaluates the potential of soil amendments—commonly used to enhance soil structural properties, water holding capacity, and fertility—to also absorb highly soluble pesticides, thereby controlling their leaching into the subsoil. Specifically, zeolite, biochar, and milled corncob were examined in laboratory tests under static (batch tests) and dynamic (column leaching tests) conditions to assess their effectiveness in adsorbing two widely used pesticides, copper sulphate and dicamba. Batch adsorption tests were performed using the amendments as pure materials and in mixtures with sand at various application rates (1–20% by weight). The highest affinity to copper sulphate was recorded for biochar, while dicamba exhibited a higher affinity to corncob, thanks to its higher content of organic carbon. Column leaching tests, performed at an amendment application rate of 5%, confirmed the different affinity observed in batch tests among pesticides and amended soil. Less than 2% of copper sulphate leached out from biochar- and zeolite-sand columns, while a recovery of 10% and 56% was observed for the corncob-sand mixture and for pure sand, respectively. Dicamba leaching from biochar- and corncob-sand columns was halved compared to pure sand. In conclusion, the tested soil amendments resulted highly effective in reducing pesticide leaching, opening the way for their possible applications in agriculture to reduce or prevent both diffuse and punctual contamination.

Combating Drought Stress Anomalies in Grain Quality of Phaseolus vulgaris: Role of Soil Amendments

ABSTRACT Phaseolus vulgaris is one of the most widely consumed legumes across the globe. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates, fiber, bioactive compounds, and mineral contents. Occurrences of drought under changing climate have posed a challenge to the quality and quantity of the crop yield. Our study, taking Phaseolus vulgaris as a test legume, reports that as a soil amendment, biochar and farmyard manure mitigated drought-induced damage in the plant. The experiment was set up in a greenhouse with 1 m2 blocks together arranged in factorial randomized block design. Water withdrawal was done for 15 days in either vegetative or reproductive stage of the crop to simulate drought conditions. Biochar or Farmyard manure was applied at the rate of 10t ha−1 as soil amendment and each treatment was replicated thrice. Higher photosynthesis (up to 23% and 16%, respectively), leaf protein (41% and 30%, respectively), grain protein (4% and 19%, correspondingly), and in-vitro protein digestibility (60% and 254%, respectively) were noted under application of both the amendments. Grain quality in terms of protein content, in-vitro protein digestibility, and protein fractions of Phaseolus vulgaris was improved under drought due to the addition of biochar and farmyard manure. However, the application of those amendments at the rate of 10t ha−1, especially farmyard manure, had a negative impact on the antinutritional factor (phytic acid) and mineral bioavailability. Between the two amendments studied, farmyard manure proved to be more efficient in promoting the overall grain quality of P. vulgaris, but its inimical effects must be concorded.

Recent Advances in Phytoremediation of Hazardous Substances using Plants: A Tool for Soil Reclamation and Sustainability

Phytoremediation techniques have emerged as a promising approach for soil reclamation and remediation of contaminated sites. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the different phytoremediation techniques used for soil reclamation and their effectiveness in removing contaminants from soil. The aim is to evaluate the current state of knowledge and to highlight potential avenues for future research in this field. The review begins with a discussion of the principles underlying phytoremediation, emphasizing the ability of plants to accumulate, tolerate, and detoxify contaminants through various mechanisms such as phytoaccumulation, rhizo-degradation, and rhizo-filtration. Different plant species and their suitability for phytoremediation are reviewed, considering factors such as metal tolerance, biomass production, and pollutant uptake efficiency. In addition, the role of soil amendments and their impact on improving phytoremediation efficiency is critically evaluated. Commonly used amendments, including chelating agents, organic matter, and pH adjusters, are reviewed with emphasis on their ability to increase metal bioavailability and plant uptake. The review also addresses challenges associated with phytoremediation, such as plant growth limitations, long-term sustainability, and potential risks associated with the release of pollutants into the atmosphere during biomass disposal. Strategies to mitigate these challenges, including plant breeding and genetic engineering, are discussed.

Trade-off between soil carbon emission and sequestration for winter wheat under reduced irrigation: The role of soil amendments

Underground water source in North China Plain (NCP) is limited and extensively explored for wheat irrigation, which has caused high carbon emission. Reduced irrigation strategies and soil amendments have been advocated for sustainable agricultural production. However, the interactive effects of irrigation schedule and soil amendment on direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and carbon footprint (CF) have rarely been systematically quantified. A two-year field study was conducted in wheat season under three irrigation schedules (W0: pre-sowing irrigation only, W1: pre-sowing + jointing irrigation, and W2: pre-sowing + jointing + anthesis irrigation) and three fertilization types (Fc: chemical fertilizer only, Fm: chemical fertilizer + manure, and Fb: chemical fertilizer + biochar). In the Fc treatments, direct emissions from soil N2O and CH4 significantly decreased from W2 or W1 to W0, but SOC also decreased from W2 to W1 or W0. Net GHG emissions (GHGnet) was 14.6% higher in W1 +Fc but 6.0% lower in W0 +Fc compared with W2 +Fc because of the difference in electricity use for irrigation. Notably, the CF in W1 +Fc and W0 +Fc was 40.9% and 63.8% higher than in W2 +Fc mainly due to yield loss. Compared with Fc, direct emissions averaged 63.1% higher under Fm coupled with increased soil nitrate content, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN). The SOC significantly decreased from W0, W1 to W2 under Fm. Under the identical irrigation level, SOC stocks were 40.0% and 53.9% higher in Fm than in Fc under W1 and W0, while no significant difference under W2. Relative to Fc treatments, under Fm, CF was 28.5% lower in W0 but 6.2% and 45.7% higher in W1 and W2. Compared with Fc, direct emissions averaged 7.7% lower under Fb due to smaller MBN and higher soil porosity under Fb. The CF was lower in Fb than in Fc resulting from SOC increase. Thus, manure and biochar amendment could decrease CF following reduced irrigation, although manure application increased the risk of C loss.

Preliminary assessment of arbuscular mycorhizal inoculation in teak and napier grass agroforestry practice treated with soil amendments

Soil amendments are known to improve soil structure, increase moisture content, improve fertility and facilitate soil microbial functions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of gypsum on colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizas in teak plantations planted as fences for napier grass. Teak seedlings were planted in October 2019 and divided into 4 blocks, A, B, C and D comprising 32 seedlings. Plots of A and C were treated with treatments of 3 kg of gypsum and 3 kg of compost (1:1), whereas B and D were control plots. NPK fertilizer was applied at every seedling at the rate of 0.05 kg for all blocks. Seedling heights and mean basal diameter (mm) were assessed at 9 months after planting. Soil samples for microbial study were taken before and after planting at 30 cm depth and screened for mycorrhizal spores and roots at the end of the experiment. Increased values for seedling heights and mean basal diameter (20-35%) were recorded for treatments B and C. Results pointed out that the amount of spore percentages were somewhat reduced in C and D and a slight increase was seen in treatments A and B. Root inoculation percentages in A and C were somewhat higher (1- 6%) as compared to B and D (0.5%). Early findings point out that application of gypsum and composts were not detrimental to the microbial population of arbuscular mycorrhiza as these treatments showed higher presence of hyphae and vesicles in fine roots and did not hamper physical growth. The role of soil amendments needs to be further investigated in terms of enhancing soil microbial population.

The Role of Soil Amendments on Population Dynamics of Insect Pests, Growth Parameters and Yield of Eggplant, Solanum melongena (L.) Moench

Loss of soil fertility as a result of continuous cropping on the same piece of land has necessitated the need to improve soil fertility for better crop yields. Inorganic and organic fertilizers have been used to improve soil fertility, however, excessive use of soil amendments improve vegetative growth of plants thereby attracting large numbers of insect pests. Cow dung and poultry droppings were used as soil amendments in a field experiment using eggplant Solanum melongena. The effects of these organic manures were compared with inorganic fertilizer (NPK) and a control where there was no application of soil amendment in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Parameters studied were pests’ and their numbers, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, stem girth and yield. The major insect pests identified on the plant were Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii, Leucinodes orbonalis and Eublemma olivacea. Bemisia tabaci and Aphis gossypii scores were significantly larger on cow dung and poultry manure plots. Leucinodes orbonalis and Eublemma olivacea numbers were not significantly different on the treated and control plots. Mean plant height, number of leaves and yield differed significantly among the soil amended plots. Even though soil amendments improve the nutrient content of the soil and the yield of crops it could lead to increase in pests numbers and damage caused to plants.

Role of Soil Amendments, Plant Growth Regulators and Amino Acids in Improvement Salt Affected Soils Properties and Wheat Productivity

Role of Soil Amendments, Plant Growth Regulators and Amino Acids in Improvement Salt Affected Soils Properties and Wheat Productivity

Role of Soil Amendments in Improving Groundnut Productivity of Acid Lateritic Soils*

Role of Soil Amendments in Improving Groundnut Productivity of Acid Lateritic Soils*

Role of Soil Amendments in Improving Groundnut Productivity of Acid Lateritic Soils

Role of Soil Amendments in Improving Groundnut Productivity of Acid Lateritic Soils