Unamended Plots Research Articles

Short-term nematode population dynamics as influenced by the quality of exogenous organic matter

AbstractThe food specificity of nematodes, their high number of species and high abundance in every habitat where decomposition takes place, indicate that the structure of the nematode assemblage has a high information content. Since nematodes respond quickly to changes in soil management and since the nematode fauna can be efficiently analysed, the structure of the nematode assemblage offers an interesting instrument to assess changes in soil conditions. We studied the effect of five organic amendments on the short-term nematode population dynamics and compared them to minerally fertilised and unfertilised plots. The experiment was started in 2005, and samples were taken in spring and autumn 2006 and spring 2007. In spring 2006, no clear differences among treatments in the diversity of free-living nematodes were observed, probably since the organic amendments were applied only twice, of which the last application was carried out 7 months before the sampling. At the second and third sampling, the enrichment index in the organically amended plots was higher than in the unamended plots, owing to the organic matter application. However, in plots amended with farmyard manure and cattle slurry the number of bacterivores increased significantly, while in the compost plots the fungivorous nematodes tended to be higher. This resulted in a low channel index for the manure and slurry plots, indicating a predominant bacterial decomposition pathway, and a higher channel index in the compost plots, suggesting a greater proportion of fungal decomposition. These assumptions on the decomposition of the applied organic matter were strongly supported by the composition of the soil microbial community, determined through PLFA analysis: in the compost plots the bacteria to fungi ratio was lower than in the manure and slurry plots. At all sampling occasions there was a remarkably lower abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes in plots amended with slurry and manure, indicating a negative impact of both amendments on plant-parasitic nematodes. We can conclude from this study that the fertiliser regimes affected the nematode assemblage, but that more samplings in the future are certainly necessary to assess adequately the impact of the different organic amendments.

Long-term Additions of Organic Amendments in a Loire Valley Vineyard. I. Effects on Properties of a Calcareous Sandy Soil

A long-term experiment (28 years) was conducted to study the effects of various organic amendments on physical, chemical, and biological properties of a sandy vineyard soil. Annual applications of either crushed pruned vine-wood (2 t/ha fresh wt), cattle manure (10 and 20 t/ha fresh wt), or spent mushroom compost (8 and 16 t/ha fresh wt) were compared to an unamended treatment. In plots unamended for 28 years, total organic C (TOC) showed a slow and limited decrease (19%). For the highest rates of exogenous organic amendments, the increase in TOC reached a saturation value after 20 years and carbon (C) sequestered after 28 years reached 30 Mg/ha. Final predicted TOC obtained by simulation with the AMG model was lower than measured TOC for all treatments. Soil microbial biomass C was very low in unamended plots 24 years after the beginning of the experiment. Fair (and comparable) levels of microbial biomass were observed for moderate amounts (2 t/ ha/yr) of crushed pruned vine-wood and for single rates of cattle manure and spent mushroom compost, while these levels were high for double doses of organic amendments. As a consequence of TOC increase in topsoil, soil water-holding capacity was improved and bulk density was reduced. Soil P and K concentrations were also increased by exogenous organic amendments. For high rates of organic inputs, mineralized N largely exceeded the vine requirements, with an important risk of N leaching. Preservation or improvement of soil organic matter content and soil properties is possible without harmful side effects through the use of an organic material low in nutrients such as crushed pruned vine-wood.

Heavy metal mobility in runoff water and absorption by eggplant fruits from sludge treated soil

Sewage sludge addition to agricultural lands requires judicious management to avoid environmental risks arising from heavy metal and nitrate contamination of surface water and accumulation in edible plants. A field study was conducted on a silty-loam soil of 10% slope at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots of 22 × 3.7 m each were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge and yard waste compost mix (SS-YW) at 15 t acre−1, six plots were mixed with sewage sludge (SS) at 15 t acre−1, and six unamended plots that never received sludge were used for comparison purposes. Plots were planted with eggplant, Solanum melongena L. as the test plant. The objectives of this investigation were to: 1) assess the effect of soil amendments on the transport of NO3, NH4, and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mo) into surface water; 2) investigate the effect of soil amendments on heavy metal bioavailability in eggplant fruits at harvest; and 3) assess chemical and physical properties of soil following addition of soil amendments and their impact on the yield and quality of eggplant fruit. SS-YW treatments reduced runoff water by 63% while plots incorporated with sewage sludge alone reduced runoff water by 37% compared to control treatment. The SS-YW treatments transported more mineral nitrogen (NO3-N and NH4-N) in runoff water than SS treatments. Total marketable yield (lbs acre−1) and number of eggplant fruits were greatest in SS-YW treatments. This response may be due to improved soil porosity, water, and nutrient retention of the soil amended with SS-YW mixture. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil amended with sludge were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits. Chromium, Ni, Zn, and Cu were taken up by eggplant fruits but their concentrations were below the Codex Commission allowable levels.

Assessing organic potato cropping systems at the end of the first cycle of four-year rotations using principal component analysis

A single or a few variables may not be sufficient to evaluate management practice effects in a complicated cropping system, so six plant and 13 soil variables were integrated using principal component analysis (PCA) to examine nine 4-yr organic potato rotations. The rotations were combinations of three forage levels (0, 1, and 2 yr of forages) with three soil amendments (monogastric compost, ruminant compost, and alfalfa meal). Quantities of amendments were estimated by soil test recommendations and amendment nutrient availabilities. In the 4th potato year, one half of each original plot was not amended ("the 4th year unamended plots"), while the other half received soil amendments ("4th year amended plots"). The first three principal components explained 67 and 63% of the overall variation for the 4th-yr amended and unamended plots, respectively. PCA ordination plots indicated that, overall, the type of soil amendments had larger effects on soil and plant variables, but forage frequencies were influential for the amendments showing weaker effects. PCA loading plots indicated that plant nutrient uptake and potato total tuber weight would be the best single variables for characterizing the current cropping systems. Plant variables, except for potato petiole nitrate, were closely displayed, but they were not strongly correlated with soil variables, which may reflect the high background fertility of this site. Applications of soil amendments in the 4th yr affected the relationships among variables, most notably the strength of relationships between soil pH and soil N variables. The results suggest that PCA provides an effective way to compare complex cropping systems, especially in situations with high site heterogeneity. Key words: Principal component analysis, soil amendment, livestock system, forage, potato, organic crop rotation

Influence of vermicompost on soil chemical and physical properties in tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) field

-1 ) were incorporated into the top 15 cm of soil. The soil sampling and measurements carried out 3 months after the application of vermicompost in soil and the soil samples were collected from depth of 15 cm. � The results showed that addition of vermicompost at rate of 15 t ha -1 significantly (P < 0.05) increased� contents of soil total organic carbon, total N, P, K, Ca, Zn and Mn substantially compared with control plots. The soils treated with vermicompost had significantly more EC in comparison to unamended plots. The addition of vermicompost in soil resulted in decrease of soil pH. The physical properties such as bulk density and total porosity in soil amended with vermicompost were improved. The results of this experiment revealed that addition of vermicompost had significant (P < 0.05) positive effects on the soil chemical, physical properties.

The quality of exogenous organic matter: short‐term effects on soil physical properties and soil organic matter fractions

AbstractWe examined the short‐term effect of five organic amendments and compared them to plots fertilized with inorganic fertilizer and unfertilized plots on aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity, and on the OC and ON distribution in physically separated SOM fractions. After less than 1 year, the addition of organic amendments significantly increased (P &lt; 0.01) the aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity. The stability index ranged between 0.97 and 1.76 and the hydraulic conductivity between 1.23 and 2.80 × 10−3 m/s for the plots receiving organic amendments, compared with 0.34–0.43, and 0.42–0.64 × 10−3 m/s, respectively, for the unamended plots. There were significant differences between the organic amendments (P &lt; 0.01), although these results were not unequivocal for both soil physical parameters. The total OC and ON content were significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) by only two applications of organic fertilizers: between 1.10 and 1.51% OC for the amended plots versus 0.98–1.08% for the unamended and between 0.092 and 0.131% ON versus 0.092–0.098% respectively. The amount of OC and ON in the free particulate organic matter fraction was also significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05), but there were no significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in the OC and ON content in the POM occluded in micro‐aggregates and in the silt + clay‐sized organic matter fraction. The results showed that even in less than 1 year pronounced effects on soil physical properties and on the distribution of OC and ON in the SOM fractions occurred.

Evaluation of press mud cake as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus for rice–wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Press mud cake (PMC) is an important organic source available for land application in India. Adequate information regarding availability of nitrogen and phosphorous contained in PMC to rice–wheat (RW) cropping system is lacking. In field experiments conducted for 4 years to study the effect of PMC application to rice as N and P source in RW system, application of 60 kg N ha−1 along with PMC (5 t ha−1) produced grain yield of rice similar to that obtained with the 120 kg N ha−1 in unamended plots. In the following wheat, the residual effects of PMC applied to preceding rice were equal to 40 kg N and 13 kg P ha−1. Immobilization of soil and fertilizer N immediately after the application of PMC was observed in laboratory incubation. The net amount of N mineralized from the PMC ranged from 16% at 30 days to 43% at 60 days after incubation. Available P content in the soil amended with PMC increased by about 60% over the unamended control within 10 days of its application. The P balance for the no-PMC treatment receiving recommended dose of 26 kg P ha−1 year−1 was −13.5 kg P ha−1 year−1. The P balance was positive (+42.3 to 53.5 kg P ha−1 year−1) when PMC was applied to rice. Application of PMC increased total N, organic carbon, and available P contents in the soil.

Influence of Long‐Term Sodic‐Water Irrigation, Gypsum, and Organic Amendments on Soil Properties and Nitrogen Mineralization Kinetics under Rice–Wheat System

Influence of long‐term sodic‐water (SW) irrigation with or without gypsum and organic amendments [green manure (GM), farmyard manure (FYM), and rice straw (RS)] on soil properties and nitrogen (N) mineralization kinetics was studied after 12 years of rice–wheat cropping in a sandy loam soil in northwest India. Long‐term SW irrigation increased soil pH, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and decreased organic carbon (OC) and total N content. On the other hand, application of gypsum and organic amendments resulted in significant improvement in all these soil properties. Mineralization of soil N ranged from 54 to 111 mg N kg−1 soil in different treatments. Irrigation with SW depressed N mineralization. In SW‐irrigated plots, two flushes of N mineralization were observed; the first during 0 to 7 d and the second after 28 d. Amending SW irrigated plots with GM and FYM enhanced mineralization of soil N. Gypsum application along with SW irrigation reduced cumulative N mineralization at 56 days in RS‐amended plots but increased it under GM‐treated, FYM‐treated, or unamended plots. Nitrogen mineralization potential (No) ranged from 62 to 543 mg N kg−1 soil. In the first‐order zero‐order model (FOZO), the easily decomposable fraction ranged from 5.4 to 42 mg N kg−1 soil. Compared to the first‐order single compartment model, the FOZO model could better explain the variations in N mineralization in different treatments. Variations in No were influenced more by changes in pH, SAR, and ESP induced by long‐term SW irrigations and amendments rather than by soil OC.

Long-term Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Amendment on Microbial Abundance and Humus-associated Enzyme Activities Under Semiarid Conditions

Microbial ecology is the key to understanding the function of soil biota for organic matter cycling after a single amendment of organic waste in semiarid soils. Therefore, in this paper, the long-term effect (17 years) of adding different doses of a solid municipal waste to an arid soil on humus-enzyme complexes, a very stable and long-lasting fraction of soil enzymes, as well as on microbial and plant abundance, was studied. Humic substances were extracted by 0.1 M pH 7 sodium pyrophosphate from soil samples collected in experimental plots amended with different doses of a solid municipal waste (0, 65, 130, 195, and 260 t/ha) 17 years before. The activity of different hydrolases related with the C (beta-glucosidase), N (urease), and P (alkaline phosphatase) cycles and with the formation of humic substances (o-diphenol oxidase) were determined in this extract. The density and diversity of plant cover in the plots, as well as the fungal and bacterial biomass (by analyzing phopholipid fatty acids) were also determined. In general, the amended plots showed greater humic substance-related enzymatic activity than the unamended plots. This activity increased with the dose but only up to a certain level, above which it leveled off or even diminished. Plant diversity and cover density followed the same trend. Fungal and bacterial biomass also benefited in a dose-dependent manner. Different signature molecules representing gram+ and gram- bacteria, and those corresponding to monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids showed a similar behavior. The results demonstrate that organic amendment had a noticeable long-term effect on the vegetal development, humic substances-related enzyme activity and on the development of bacteria and fungi in semiarid conditions.

Accumulation of heavy metals in plants and potential phytoremediation of lead by potato, Solanum tuberosum L.

The use of sewage sludge as a source of nutrients in crop production is increasing in the United States and worldwide. A field study was conducted on a 10% slope at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots of 22 × 3.7 m each were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge, six plots were mixed with yard waste compost, and six unamended plots were used for comparison purposes. During a subsequent 3-year study, plots were planted with potato (year 1), pepper (year 2), and broccoli (year 3). The objectives of this investigation were to: (i) characterize chemical properties of soil-incorporated sewage sludge and yard waste compost; (ii) determine the concentration of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mo) in sewage sludge and yard waste compost used for land farming; and (iii) monitor heavy metal concentrations in edible portions of plants at harvest. Concentrations of heavy metals in sewage sludge were below the U.S. EPA limits. Analysis of potato tubers, peppers, and broccoli grown in sludge-amended soil showed that Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were not significantly different from control plants. Concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Mo were significantly greater in tubers and peppers grown in sludge compared to their respective controls. Zn and Mo in broccoli heads were higher than their control plants. The ability of potato to accumulate lead needs additional investigation to optimize the phytoremediation of this pollutant element.

Vegetable Crop Yield and Quality following Differential Soil Management (Compost Versus No Compost Application) in Transitional- and Certified-organic Systems in Ohio

Successful organic farming requires synchronizing soil-based processes affecting nutrient supply with crop demand, variable among and within crops. We report here on two studies conducted in transitional- (TO) and certified-organic (CO) systems containing subplots that, annually, were either amended with compost or not amended prior to vegetable crop planting. Dairy-manure compost was added at rates providing the portion of a crop's anticipated nitrogen requirement not provided by a leguminous rotation crop and/or carryover from previous compost application. In the TO study, potato (2003), squash (2004), green bean (2005), and tomato (2006) were planted in main-season plots in open fields and high tunnels, and beet, lettuce, radish, spinach, and swiss chard were planted in high tunnels in early spring and late fall. Long-term CO open-field plots (±compost) were planted to multiple varieties of lettuce, potato, popcorn, and processing tomato in 2004–2006. Drip irrigation was used in all TO plots and CO lettuce and processing tomato plots. Treatment effects on crop physical and biochemical variables, some related to buyer perceptions of crop quality, were emphasized in each study. Yield in TO, compost-amended plots exceeded yield in unamended plots by 1.3 to 4 times, with the greatest increases observed in high-tunnel-grown mesclun lettuce and the smallest response observed in potato. Similar results were found in CO plots, although compost effects differed by crop and variety. The data suggest that: 1) compost application and the use of specific varieties are needed to maximize yield in organic vegetable systems in temperate zones, regardless of age; and 2) production phase management may influence buyer-oriented aspects of crop quality.

How important is N 2O production in removing atmospherically deposited nitrogen from UK moorland catchments?

Nitrate (NO 3 −) leaching due to anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is an environmental problem in many parts of the UK uplands, associated with surface water acidification and affecting lake nutrient balances. It is often assumed that gaseous return of deposited N to the atmosphere as N 2O through denitrification may provide an important sink for N. This assumption was tested for four moorland catchments (Allt a’Mharcaidh in the Cairngorms, Afon Gwy in mid-Wales, Scoat Tarn in the English Lake District and River Etherow in the southern Pennines), covering gradients of atmospheric N deposition and surface water NO 3 − leaching, through a combination of field and laboratory experiments. Field measurements of N 2O fluxes from static chambers with and without additions of NH 4NO 3 solution were carried out every 4 weeks over 1 yr. Wetted soil cores from the same field plots were used in experimental laboratory incubations at 5 and 15 °C with and without additions of NH 4NO 3 solution, followed by measurement of N 2O fluxes. Field measurements showed that significant N 2O fluxes occurred in only a very small number of plots with most showing zero values for much of the year. The maximum fluxes were 0.24 kg-N/ha/yr from unamended plots at the River Etherow and 0.49 kg-N/ha/yr from plots with NH 4NO 3 additions at the Allt a’Mharcaidh. Laboratory incubation experiments demonstrated that large N 2O fluxes could be induced by warming and NH 4NO 3 additions, with the top 5 cm of soil cores responsible for the largest fluxes, reaching 11.8 kg-N/ha/yr from a podsol at Scoat Tarn. Acetylene block experiments showed that while N 2 was not likely to be a significant denitrification product in these soils, reduced N 2O fluxes indicated that nitrification was an important source of N 2O in many cases. A simple model of denitrification suggesting that 10–80% of net N inputs may be denitrified from non-agricultural soils was found to greatly over-estimate fluxes in the UK uplands. The proportion of deposition denitrified was found to be much closer to the IPCC suggested value of 1% with an upper limit of 10%. Interception of N deposition by vegetation may greatly reduce the net supply of N from this source, while soil acidification or other factors limiting carbon supply to soil microbes may prevent large denitrification fluxes even where NO 3 − supply is not limiting.

Soil bacterial functional diversity as influenced by organic amendment application

The aim of the present work was to assess the response of microbial functional diversity to organic soil amendment and the relationship between the microbial functional diversity and soil carbon availability. Household solid waste compost, horse and rabbit manure and chicken manure were applied at two doses. The same undisturbed soil type (Vertic Argiudoll) was used as reference. Soil suspensions were applied to Biolog EcoPlate™ and average color development (AWCD), richness ( R) and Shannon–Weaver index ( H) were calculated. The amendment incorporation resulted in significant increases ( p < 0.05) in AWCD, R and H compared to the unamended plots. The regression functions showed linear relationships when R and H were related to soil organic carbon ( R 2 = 0.77 and 0.72, respectively). Principal component analysis allowed the differentiation of treatments from the control and the undisturbed sites. The Biolog EcoPlate assay was sensitive to changes in the short term due to management practices.

Use of Flyash and Biogas Slurry for Improving Wheat Yield and Physical Properties of Soil

This study explores the potential use of by-products of energy production, i.e., (i) flyash from coal-powered electricity generation and (ii) biogas slurry from agricultural waste treatment, as nutrient sources in agriculture. These residues are available in large amounts and their disposal is a major concern for the environment. As both residues contain considerable amounts of plant nutrients, their use as soil amendment may offer a promising win-win opportunity to improve crop production and, at the same time, preventing adverse environmental impacts of waste disposal. Effect of flyash and biogas slurry on soil physical properties and growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) was studied in a field experiment. Leaf area index, root length density and grain yield of wheat were higher in plots amended with flyash or biogas slurry compared to unamended plots. Both types of amendments reduced bulk density, and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity and moisture retention capacity of soil. The study showed that flyash and biogas slurry should be used as soil amendments for obtaining short-term and long-term benefits in terms of production increments and soil amelioration.

Nitrogen Uptake in a Range of Alternative Orchard Floor Management Systems

The percentage of N from fertilizer removed from the field by fruit trees is low. Overapplication of N in orchards has been a common practice and is a concern due to environmental and tree growth problems caused by excess N. Orchard floor management practices (OFMP) can improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil and may alter the soil biological community. Biological activity can affect mineralization rate and thus nutrient availability. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of alternative OFMP on fertilizer N uptake. Research plots were located in Corvallis, Ore. (COR) (7-year-old `Fuji'), and Hood River, Ore. (HR) (3-year-old `Red Delicious'). Treatments were begun in 2001 in a split-plot completely randomized design with three replications. Main plot treatments were herbicide or cultivation. Subplot treatments were no amendment, bark mulch, compost, and barley/vetch mown and blown into the tree row. Depleted NH3SO4 was applied to single-tree replicates at budbreak. Trees were destructively harvested at harvest of 2003. At HR, the percentage of N derived from fertilizer (NDFF) was significantly lower in the whole tree, leaves, new wood, old wood, spurs, and roots of trees from compost than from unamended plots (P &lt; 0.05). At COR, the NDFF in the leaves, fruit, new wood, spurs and roots was significantly lower in trees from compost plots than unamended plots (P &lt; 0.05). The NDFF also tended to be lower in trees from bark mulch-treated plots than control plots, although differences were not always significant. Vetch/barley amendment resulted in NDFF similar to no amendment. There were no significant differences between the total N of trees from unamended and compost plots. Trees from compost-treated plots appear to be acquiring N from sources other than fertilizer.

Identification of nutrients limiting cassava yield maintenance on a sedimentary soil in southern Benin, West Africa

Market opportunities will drive intensification of cassava production and fertilizer will play a role in this. A trial was initiated on 15 farmers ’ fields (replications) in one village territory in Benin on a relatively fertile sedimentary soil site to identify nutrients limiting cassava yield using nutrient omission plots over three cropping years. There was no response to fertilizer in the first year when fresh root yields in the unamended control averaged 19.1 t ha−1. In the second year, the control yield was 16 t ha−1 and there were significant reductions from withholding P (3.5 t ha−1) and K (2 t ha−1) from a complete fertilizer regime. Nutrient balance after 1 and 2 years (cumulative) showed substantial P and K deficits in unamended plots. In the third year, the control yield was 12.9 t ha−1 and effects of withholding K (5.3 t ha−1), P (5.0 t ha−1) and N (3.0 t ha−1) were statistically significant. Soil K was a significant source of variation in yield in the third year. In the third year of annual nutrient additions soil P and K in the top 0.3 m were increased by 37 and 40%, respectively. Based on the cumulative nutrient balance calculation, the annual application needed to compensate nutrient depletion was 13 kg N, 10 kg P, and 60 kg K ha−1. Partial budget analysis based on these amounts of fertilizer suggested that investment was clearly justified in the third year of continuous cropping at current low cassava prices.

Alternative Orchard Floor Management Practices for Improving Soil Quality and Optimizing Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency

Information about the use of alternative management practices (AOFMP) in perennial systems to manage soil biota and influence the uptake of nutrients is limited. The objectives of this study are to evaluate AOFMP on soil quality, focussing on soil biology, and on nitrogen uptake efficiency. Research plots are located in Lewis-Brown Farm (LB), Corvallis, OR (`Fuji' apple trees) and Mid-Columbia Ag. Research &amp; Extension Cent. (HR), Hood River, OR (`Red Delicious' apple trees). Main plot treatments were weed control methods: herbicide or cultivation. Sub plot treatments were soil amendments: no amendment, bark mulch (BM), compost, and green vetch/barley mulch (VB). A split-plot completely randomized design with 3 replications was used. Depleted NH3 SO4 was applied to single-tree replicates at bud break in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Compost amended plots contained more fungivorous nematodes than other treatments, although this difference was not significant at LB. At both sites there was a significant interaction between main and sub plot treatments in the number of bacterivores. At LB, the interaction between main and sub plot treatments affected the number of enrichment opportunists and the F-ratio was affected by amendment. At HR, the structural index was also affected by amendment. Compost resulted in the most diverse populations. Soil respiration rates in compost and BM plots were consistently higher than in unamended and VB treated plots. Soil P, pH, and organic matter content were increased by compost amendment and bulk density was decreased. At HR mid-season leaves, fruit, and first year growth from compost treated plots contained the least nitrogen derived from fertilizer, followed by bark mulch. The highest nitrogen derived from fertilizer was in unamended plots.

Short-term soil respiration and nitrogen immobilization response to nitrogen applications in control and nitrogen-enriched temperate forests

Forest stands at the Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA, receiving experimentally elevated N inputs have shown greatly increased N leaching loss yet still retain over 70% of the added N in soils, presumably in organic form. Whether microbial or abiotic mechanisms are responsible for the high N retention is not well understood. We monitored soil respiration and extractable NH 4-N and NO 3-N following monthly applications of NH 4NO 3 to a hardwood forest and a pine plantation during the fifth year of chronic fertilizer applications (15 g N as NH 4NO 3 m −2 per year). We hypothesized that individual N applications would increase short-term soil respiration (within 1 month) in previously unamended and N-limited soil, but that little or no increase would occur following N applications to chronically N-amended soils, assumed to be carbon-limited to some degree after 5 years of N additions. Short-term soil respiration did not increase after N additions in either the chronically amended or previously untreated soils except for one instance in the latter. However, extractable N levels in both previously unamended plots returned to pre-application levels within 2 weeks of the N addition. This rapid disappearance of the applied N suggests microbial immobilization, but in all but one instance there was no accompanying CO 2 efflux increase indicating increased microbial biomass growth. A model of N immobilization through microbial biomass production, driven by the observed apparent net N immobilization, predicted soil CO 2 efflux 4–17 times greater than measured rates. Microbial biomass production does not appear to be the mechanism by which the fertilizer N immobilization occurred, according to our assumptions about microbial C:N ratios and carbon use efficiency. Hardwood stand average soil respiration rates over the study period were significantly higher in the previously unamended plot than in the control, and the control and chronically N-treated plot respiration rates were similar. Soil respiration rates for all pine stand treatments were similar. These results are insufficient to support our hypotheses concerning carbon versus nitrogen limitation in these soils. Our results, along with evidence from other studies, suggest that abiotic mechanisms play a role in the high retention of long-term N additions in these soils.

PREP-PAC: a nutrient replenishment product designed for smallholders in western Kenya

Continuous cropping in the absence of external nutrient inputs to soils has led to the expression of poorly productive patches in farmers’ fields of western Kenya. Farmers attempting to correct these conditions are often confused by the spatial and symptomatic irregularity of affected plants and, until recently, no soil management product was commercially available that is specifically formulated to restore soil fertility to these patches. PREP-PAC consists of 2.0 kg of Minjingu rock phosphate (RP), 200 g of urea, seeds of various symbiotic nitrogen-fixing food legumes, rhizobial inoculant, gum arabic seed adhesive, lime for seed pelleting, and instructions for the use of these materials. It is intended for addition to 25 m 2 and produced at a cost of $ 0.56 per unit. The general principle is to apply slowly available RP sufficient for several cropping seasons with readily available nitrogenous fertilizer and to intercrop farmer’s maize ( Zea mays) with a legume that provides residual fixed-nitrogen and organic inputs to the soil. This approach was tested in on-farm experiments conducted in collaboration with several grassroots rural development organizations. An experiment examined interactions between PREP-PAC components in a maize–soybean ( Glycine max) intercrop in nutrient-depleted soils with sandy and clayey surface horizons. The treatments included ±RP, ±urea, and ±inoculants arranged as a 2 3 factorial with four replicates at each location. Total value of the intercrops ranged between $ 0.83 in the unamended plots and $ 2.44 in plots treated with PREP-PAC. Significant positive effects were observed with the addition of RP ( P<0.001), urea ( P=0.04), and inoculant ( P=0.01) and in interactions between RP and urea ( P=0.02) or inoculant ( P=0.07). The return ratio to PREP-PAC investment was 2.6 in the sandy soil and 3.7 in the clay. PREP-PACs were tested on-farm in 52 symptomatic patches containing maize–bean intercrops with and without an improved variety of climbing Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Flora. Unamended patches ( 25 m 2=0.0025 ha) produced 1.6 kg maize and 0.08 kg bean. With addition of PREP-PAC containing Flora, yields increased to 4.1 kg maize and 1.1 kg bean ( P<0.001 for both crops). Improvement in bean yield during the first cropping season nearly offset PREP-PAC’s investment costs. PREP-PAC is a strategic approach because all of its ingredients, except for urea, originate from East Africa, and are relatively inexpensive; the product is intended for distribution through existing retail and development networks.

Establishment of Chamaecyparis thyoides on an Extremely Low‐Nutrient Sandy Site on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, U.S.A.

Abstract Sustained‐release fertilizer and two kinds of mulch treatments were tested to determine their effects on survival and growth of planted Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar) on a sandy extremely nutrient‐deficient site. Height, basal trunk diameter, dry weight, and concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were measured for each treatment. After two growing seasons, survival was very high in untreated controls (mean, 86%) and was not significantly increased by any treatment (significance was assessed at p = 0.05 throughout this work). Stem height and cross‐sectional area doubled in unamended plots during the course of the study. Fresh mulch alone caused no additional increase in growth, compared with unamended plots. Decomposed mulch caused a slight but significant increase. Sustained‐release fertilizer caused significant increases in height (threefold) and dry weight (approximately sixfold). Combined treatment with fertilizer and mulch gave significantly greater growth responses than did other treatments, increasing heights 4‐ to 5‐fold, trunk cross‐sectional areas 4‐fold, and dry weights 11‐ to 21‐fold over no‐treatment controls. Tissue concentrations of N and P correlated with growth trends, with combinations of mulch and timed‐release fertilizer providing the highest values. Though statistically different, the two mulch treatments were similar in their effects on tissue nutrient concentrations. When combined with fertilizer, undecomposed mulch stimulated increases in height and dry weight significantly more than did decomposed mulch. Thus, establishment of C. thyoides on low‐nutrient sandy soils is improved by combined soil amendment with sustained‐release nutrients and organic mulch.