Estimating mineralisation of organic nitrogen from biosolids and other organic wastes applied to soils in subtropical Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guixin Pu ◽  
Mike Bell ◽  
Glenn Barry ◽  
Peter Want
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Biosolids Application

One major benefit of land application of biosolids is to supply nitrogen (N) for agricultural crops, and understanding mineralisation processes is the key for better N-management strategies. Field studies were conducted to investigate the process of mineralisation of three biosolids products (aerobic, anaerobic, and thermally dried biosolids) incorporated into four different soils at rates of 7–90 wet t/ha in subtropical Queensland. Two of these studies also examined mineralisation rates of commonly used organic amendments (composts, manures, and sugarcane mill muds). Organic N in all biosolids products mineralised very rapidly under ambient conditions in subtropical Queensland, with rates much faster than from other common amendments. Biosolids mineralisation rates ranged from 30 to 80% of applied N during periods ranging from 3.5 to 18 months after biosolids application; these rates were much higher than those suggested in the biosolids land application guidelines established by the NSW EPA (15% for anaerobic and 25% for aerobic biosolids). There was no consistently significant difference in mineralisation rate between aerobic and anaerobic biosolids in our studies. When applied at similar rates of N addition, other organic amendments supplied much less N to the soil mineral N and plant N pools during the crop season. A significant proportion of the applied biosolids total N (up to 60%) was unaccounted for at the end of the observation period. High rates of N addition in calculated Nitrogen Limited Biosolids Application Rates (850–1250 kg N/ha) resulted in excessive accumulation of mineral N in the soil profile, which increases the environmental risks due to leaching, runoff, or gaseous N losses. Moreover, the rapid mineralisation of the biosolids organic N in these subtropical environments suggests that biosolids should be applied at lower rates than in temperate areas, and that care must be taken with the timing to maximise plant uptake and minimise possible leaching, runoff, or denitrification losses of mineralised N.

Erratum to: Estimating mineralisation of organic nitrogen from biosolids and other organic wastes applied to soils in subtropical Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guixin Pu ◽  
Mike Bell ◽  
Glenn Barry ◽  
Peter Want
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Biosolids Application

One major benefit of land application of biosolids is to supply nitrogen (N) for agricultural crops, and understanding mineralisation processes is the key for better N-management strategies. Field studies were conducted to investigate the process of mineralisation of three biosolids products (aerobic, anaerobic, and thermally dried biosolids) incorporated into four different soils at rates of 7?90 wet t/ha in subtropical Queensland. Two of these studies also examined mineralisation rates of commonly used organic amendments (composts, manures, and sugarcane mill muds). Organic N in all biosolids products mineralised very rapidly under ambient conditions in subtropical Queensland, with rates much faster than from other common amendments. Biosolids mineralisation rates ranged from 30 to 80% of applied N during periods ranging from 3.5 to 18 months after biosolids application; these rates were much higher than those suggested in the biosolids land application guidelines established by the NSW EPA (15% for anaerobic and 25% for aerobic biosolids). There was no consistently significant difference in mineralisation rate between aerobic and anaerobic biosolids in our studies. When applied at similar rates of N addition, other organic amendments supplied much less N to the soil mineral N and plant N pools during the crop season. A significant proportion of the applied biosolids total N (up to 60%) was unaccounted for at the end of the observation period. High rates of N addition in calculated Nitrogen Limited Biosolids Application Rates (850?1250 kg N/ha) resulted in excessive accumulation of mineral N in the soil profile, which increases the environmental risks due to leaching, runoff, or gaseous N losses. Moreover, the rapid mineralisation of the biosolids organic N in these subtropical environments suggests that biosolids should be applied at lower rates than in temperate areas, and that care must be taken with the timing to maximise plant uptake and minimise possible leaching, runoff, or denitrification losses of mineralised N.

Fate of applied biosolids nitrogen in a cut and remove forage system on an alluvial clay loam soil

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guixin Pu ◽  
Mike Bell ◽  
Glenn Barry ◽  
Peter Want
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Clay Loam Soil ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Biosolids Application ◽  
Alluvial Clay

The fate of nitrogen (N) applied in biosolids was investigated in a forage production system on an alluvial clay loam soil in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Biosolids were applied in October 2002 at rates of 6, 12, 36, and 54 dry t/ha for aerobically digested biosolids (AE) and 8, 16, 48, and 72 dry t/ha for anaerobically digested biosolids (AN). Rates were based on multiples of the Nitrogen Limited Biosolids Application rate (0.5, 1, 3, and 4.5NLBAR) for each type of biosolid. The experiment included an unfertilised control and a fertilised control that received multiple applications of synthetic fertiliser. Forage sorghum was planted 1 week after biosolids application and harvested 4 times between December 2002 and May 2003. Dry matter production was significantly greater from the biosolids-treated plots (21–27 t/ha) than from the unfertilised (16 t/ha) and fertilised (18 t/ha) controls. The harvested plant material removed an extra 148–488 kg N from the biosolids-treated plots. Partial N budgets were calculated for the 1NLBAR and 4.5NLBAR treatments for each biosolids type at the end of the crop season. Crop removal only accounted for 25–33% of the applied N in the 1NLBAR treatments and as low as 8–15% with 4.5NLBAR. Residual biosolids N was predominantly in the form of organic N (38–51% of applied biosolids N), although there was also a significant proportion (10–23%) as NO3-N, predominantly in the top 0.90 m of the soil profile. From 12 to 29% of applied N was unaccounted for, and presumed to be lost as gaseous nitrogen and/or ammonia, as a consequence of volatilisation or denitrification, respectively. In-season mineralisation of organic N in biosolids was 43–59% of the applied organic N, which was much greater than the 15% (AN)–25% (AE) expected, based on current NLBAR calculation methods. Excessive biosolids application produced little additional biomass but led to high soil mineral N concentrations that were vulnerable to multiple loss pathways. Queensland Guidelines need to account for higher rates of mineralisation and losses via denitrification and volatilisation and should therefore encourage lower application rates to achieve optimal plant growth and minimise the potential for detrimental impacts on the environment.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Cycling in a Norway Spruce Plantation in Denmark — A SOILN Model Application Including Organic N Uptake

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 394-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Beier ◽  
Henrik Eckersten ◽  
Per Gundersen
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Control Plot ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Control Data ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
C And N

A dynamic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) circulation model, SOILN, was applied and tested on 7�years of control data and 3 years of manipulation data from an experiment involving monthly N addition in a Norway spruce (Picea abies, L. Karst) forest in Denmark. The model includes two pathways for N uptake: (1) as mineral N after mineralisation of organic N, or (2) directly from soil organic matter as amino acids proposed to mimic N uptake by mycorrhiza. The model was parameterised and applied to the data from the control plot both with and without the organic N uptake included. After calibration, the model�s performance was tested against data from the N-addition experiment by comparing model output with measurements. The model reproduced well the overall trends in C and N pools and the N concentrations in soil solutions in the top soil layers whereas discrepancies in soil-solution concentrations in the deeper soil layers are seen. In the control data, the needle-N concentration was well reproduced except for small underestimations in some years because of drought effects not included in the model. In the N-addition experiment, SOILN reproduces the observed changes; in particular, the changes in needle-N concentrations and the overall distribution within the ecosystem of the extra added 3.5 g N m�2 year�1 parallel the observations. When organic N uptake is included, the simulations indicate that in the control plot receiving c. 1.9 g N m�2 year�1, the organic N uptake in average supplies 35% of the total plant N uptake. By addition of an extra 35 kg N ha�1 year�1, the organic N uptake is reduced to 16% of the total N uptake. Generally, inclusion of the pathway for organic N uptake improves model performance compared with observations for both C and N. This is because mineral N uptake alone implies a larger mineralisation rate, leading to bigger concentrations of N in the soil and soil water, bigger N losses, and net loss of c. 100 kg C ha�1 year�1, thereby causing depletion of the organic soil layer.

scholarly journals Effects of two wood-based biochars on the fate of added fertilizer nitrogen—a 15N tracing study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subin Kalu ◽  
Gboyega Nathaniel Oyekoya ◽  
Per Ambus ◽  
Priit Tammeorg ◽  
Asko Simojoki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Uptake ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Application Rates

AbstractA 15N tracing pot experiment was conducted using two types of wood-based biochars: a regular biochar and a Kon-Tiki-produced nutrient-enriched biochar, at two application rates (1% and 5% (w/w)), in addition to a fertilizer only and a control treatment. Ryegrass was sown in pots, all of which except controls received 15N-labelled fertilizer as either 15NH4NO3 or NH415NO3. We quantified the effect of biochar application on soil N2O emissions, as well as the fate of fertilizer-derived ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) in terms of their leaching from the soil, uptake into plant biomass, and recovery in the soil. We found that application of biochars reduced soil mineral N leaching and N2O emissions. Similarly, the higher biochar application rate of 5% significantly increased aboveground ryegrass biomass yield. However, no differences in N2O emissions and ryegrass biomass yields were observed between regular and nutrient-enriched biochar treatments, although mineral N leaching tended to be lower in the nutrient-enriched biochar treatment than in the regular biochar treatment. The 15N analysis revealed that biochar application increased the plant uptake of added nitrate, but reduced the plant uptake of added ammonium compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Thus, the uptake of total N derived from added NH4NO3 fertilizer was not affected by the biochar addition, and cannot explain the increase in plant biomass in biochar treatments. Instead, the increased plant biomass at the higher biochar application rate was attributed to the enhanced uptake of N derived from soil. This suggests that the interactions between biochar and native soil organic N may be important determinants of the availability of soil N to plant growth.

scholarly journals Makro- és mikroelem-tartalom összehasonlítása almaültetvények talajában

2005 ◽  
Vol 54 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 389-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Péter Tamás Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Humus Content ◽  
Active Agent ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Organic Manure ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Total N ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Organic Orchards

In a three-year study carried out at the Debrecen-Pallagi nursery of the University of Debrecen, the nutrient contents, humus content and pH of the soil were determined in integrated and organic apple orchards established on brown forest soil with thin interstratified layers of colloid and sesquioxide accumulation. The organic orchard was only given organic manure (50 t/ha) in spring 2000 and 2002, while the integrated orchard was treated with 250 kg/ha complex NPK fertilizer (16.5-16.5-16.5) every year between 1997 and 2003 after the leaves had fallen. An additional 50 kg/ha N active agent as NH 4 NO 3 was applied every year, while 4 t/ha lime fertilizer (carbonation mud) was provided in autumn 2002 and 25 t/ha organic manure in November 2003. In 2004 no fertilizer was given to either orchard. The available forms of N (NO 3- , NH 4+ , organic N and total N) and P (ortho-, organic and total-PO 43- ) were determined after extraction with 0.01 M CaCl 2 , while the Ca, Mg and microelement (Mn, Cu, Zn) content of the soil was extracted with NH 4 -acetate +EDTA (Lakanen-Erviö extractant). Potassium was measured in both extractants. The results showed that the inorganic, organic and total soluble nitrogen in the soil were significantly higher (P = 0.05) in the integrated orchard than in the organic one. It was found that the quantity and ratio of the organic N fraction was comparable with that of the inorganic N forms. The ortho- phosphate and total P fractions were significantly higher (P = 0.05) in the integrated apple orchard than in the organic orchard, while there was no significant difference in the organic P quantity. The potassium data showed that both the integrated and organic orchards contained a satisfactory amount of adsorbed K in spite of the poor colloid content and high soil acidity. The Ca, Mg, Co and Zn contents of the integrated soils were significantly higher (P = 0.05) than in the organic orchard. For Mn, however, no substantial difference was found between the integrated and organic orchards. With the exception of Mn, the nutrient concentrations reflected the differences in the nutrient management of the integrated and organic apple orchards.

The influence of the soil matrix on nitrogen mineralisation and nitrification. I. Spatial variation and a hierarchy of soil properties

Soil Research ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. T. Strong ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
K. R. Helyar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Small Field ◽  
N Mineralisation ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Variables

Natural heterogeneity of soil properties was used to explore their influence on nitrogen (N) mineralisation and nitrification in undisturbed small soil volumes (soil cells; c. 1 · 7 cm3 ) sampled from a small field plot (2 m by 3 m). Soil cells (840) were randomly ascribed to 1 of 6 treatments in which soils were retained continuously moist (M10 and M30 treatments) and amended with organic N from clover (Cl10 and Cl30 treatments), dried and rewetted (DW10), or treated with urea (Ur10) (subscripts indicate soil incubation at matric potential - 10 or - 30 kPa). After 20 days of incubation at 24C, each soil cell was analysed for NO-3 -N, NH + 4 -N, pH, bulk density (BD), volumetric water content (θv), water content at - 490 kPa (θv490), and pH buffer capacity (pHBC). On 25 soil cells from each treatment, % clay, % silt, % sand, total N (% N), organic carbon (% C), and 7 cations and anions were also determined. Net N mineralisation and net nitrification occurred in all treatments, and the total mineral N at the end of the incubation was 497, 81, 73, 31, 27, and 31 µg N/g in the Ur10 Cl10, Cl30, M10, M30, and DW10 treatments, respectively. Net N mineralisation in the M30 treatment was 84% of that in the M10 treatment, and net N mineralisation in the Cl30 treatment was 86% of that in the Cl10 treatment. Fluctuations in soil pH varied markedly between treatments and over time, and it was apparent that alkaline processes were occurring in all soil cells. The heterogeneity between soil samples was substantial for all of the soil variables. Soil variables were classified in a hierarchy from the least to the most fundamental based on their stability through time. This ranking provides a conceptual tool for understanding interrelationships between soil properties and for interpreting results of regression analyses. The sampling approach adopted in this study was designed to harness the natural heterogeneity of soil properties in the small field site while keeping other properties and environmental factors, that usually vary over larger distances, constant. Both the extent of heterogeneity of soil properties and the nature of their correlations with NO-3 -N suggested that this technique would be useful in the exploration of how soil properties influence N mineralisation and nitrification.

A model for the simulation of the fate of nitrogen in farm wastes on land application

1980 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. S. Bhat ◽  
T. H. Flowers ◽  
J. R. O'Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
Fate Of Nitrogen ◽  
Simple Mass ◽  
Dead Plant

SummaryA model for predicting the various transformations undergone in the soil by nitrogen applied in farm wastes, in response to variations in soil and climatic factors, is presented. The soil is divided into layers and a simple mass balance model is used to describe the movement and redistribution of water within the soil profile, as a function of rainfall, evapotranspiration and soil moisture characteristics.Ammonification of native and applied organic N is assumed to follow first-order reaction kinetics and nitrification and denitrification are treated as zero-order reactions. The rates or rate constants for all three reactions were related separately to soil temperature, moisture content and pH.Uptake of nitrogen by a grass crop, dry-matter production, removal of dry matter and N through harvests, addition to soil of C and N through dead plant material and stubble and the consequent immobilization of mineral N are allowed for. Some of the predictions of the model are compared with the results of a lysimeter experiment.

scholarly journals Long-Term Biosolids Applications to Overgrazed Rangelands Improve Soil Health

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1339
Author(s):  
Cassidy M. Buchanan ◽  
James A. Ippolito
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Health Indices ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Biosolids Application

Overgrazed rangelands can lead to soil degradation, yet long-term land application of organic amendments (i.e., biosolids) may play a pivotal role in improving degraded rangelands in terms of soil health. However, the long-term effects on soil health properties in response to single or repeated, low to excessive biosolids applications, on semi-arid, overgrazed grasslands have not been quantified. Using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), soil physical, biological, chemical, nutrient, and overall soil health indices between biosolids applications (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, or 30 Mg ha−1) and application time (single: 1991, repeated: 2002) were determined. Results showed no significant changes in soil physical and nutrient health indices. However, the chemical soil health index was greater when biosolids were applied at rates <30 Mg ha−1 and within the single compared to repeated applications. The biological soil health index was positively affected by increasing biosolids application rates, was overall greater in the repeated as compared to the single application, and was maximized at 30 Mg ha−1. The overall soil health index was maximized at rates <30 Mg ha−1. When all indices were combined, and considering past plant community findings at this site, overall soil health appeared optimized at a biosolids application rate of ~10 Mg ha−1. The use of soil health tools can help determine a targeted organic amendment application rate to overgrazed rangelands so the material provides maximum benefits to soils, plants, animals, and the environment.

scholarly journals Use of Digestate as Organic Amendment and Source of Nitrogen to Vegetable Crops

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Carmo Horta ◽  
João Paulo Carneiro
Keyword(s):  
Organic Amendment ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Ni Addition ◽  
Stable Organic Matter

Anaerobic digestion is a valuable process to use livestock effluents to produce green energy and a by-product called digestate with fertilising value. This work aimed at evaluating the fertilising value of the solid fraction (SF) of a digestate as an organic amendment and as a source of nitrogen to crops replacing mineral N. A field experiment was done with two consecutive vegetable crops. The treatments were: a control without fertilisation; Ni85 mineral fertilisation with 85 kg ha−1 of mineral N; fertiliser with digestate at an increasing nitrogen application rate (kg N ha−1): DG-N85 DG-N170, DG-N170+85, DG-N170+170; fertilisation with digestate together with Ni: DG-N85+Ni60, DG-N170+Ni60, DG-N170+Ni25. The results showed a soil organic amendment effect of the SF with a beneficial effect on SOM, soil pH and exchangeable bases. The SF was able to replace part of the mineral N fertilisation. The low mineralisation of the stable organic matter together with some immobilisation of mineral N from SF caused low N availability. The fertilisation planning should consider the SF ratio between the organic N (NO) and total N (TKN). Low NO:TKN ratios (≈0.65) needed lower Ni addition to maintaining the biomass production similar to the mineral fertilisation.

An assessment of the guidelines in Victoria, Australia, for land application of biosolids based on plant-available nitrogen

Soil Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Al-Dhumri ◽  
Firew H. Beshah ◽  
Nichola A. Porter ◽  
Barry Meehan ◽  
Roger Wrigley
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Total N ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Plant Available Nitrogen

In the application of biosolids to land for agricultural purposes, the supply of plant-available nitrogen (PAN) should match the crop requirements. This ensures that the crop yield is maximised while minimising the environmental risk from over-application. In Victoria, the amount to be applied is usually calculated according to the State EPA guidelines using the nitrogen limited biosolids application rates (NLBAR). These guidelines specify the mineralisation rates to be used in the NLBAR calculation for different types of biosolids. However, these rates have not been validated for Victorian soils and agricultural production systems. To test the veracity of these rates, this study quantified the amount of PAN for two different biosolids (anaerobically digested biosolids, ANDB; and aerobically digested biosolids, ADB) added to two types of soils, a sandy loam at Lara and a clay loam at the Melton Recycled Water Plant, Surbiton Park, Melton. The PAN was calculated by determining the N fertiliser equivalence of the biosolids. To achieve this, two field calibration plots were prepared, one for the biosolids and one for urea as the N fertiliser. Biosolids were applied based on total N at six rates (0, 68, 136, 204, 340 and 510 kg N ha–1); urea was applied at six rates (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 280 kg N ha–1). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was planted 1 day after the application of biosolids and harvested after 120 days. The calculated amount of mineralisable organic N in ANDB was estimated to be 41% and 39% when applied to the clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively; for ADB, it was 12% and 9%, respectively. These values indicate that the organic N mineralisation rates provided in the EPA Victoria guidelines (15% for ANDB and 25% for ADB) might not always be applicable. Also of note is that the values obtained for the each of the biosolids appear to be independent of the soil type.

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