The usability of digestate in organic farming

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1864-1870 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Clements ◽  
A. M. Salter ◽  
C. J. Banks ◽  
G. M. Poppy
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Plant Available Nitrogen ◽  
Field Plots ◽  
Weed Emergence

As organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic fertilisers, animal slurries and manures must be used. Digestate offers an alternative to these and this study reports on three experiments conducted to determine its usability in terms of: (1) the effect on earthworm populations, (2) its fertilising effects on Italian Ryegrass and wild Creeping Thistle, and (3) the suppression effects digestate has on weed emergence. The results for digestate application to field plots were intermediate between slurry and no treatment for earthworm attraction and wild thistle suppression. In glasshouse trials it led to increased ryegrass growth compared with undigested slurry. Analysis showed that the digestate had improved nitrogen availability, leading to increased plant growth, but a reduced organic matter content compared with the slurry, leading to a positive though less beneficial impact on the earthworms. Digestate therefore provides a suitable fertiliser for organic farming. This suitability could be improved by drying or separation to increase the OM content making its properties closer to those of slurry whilst still retaining the higher content of plant available nitrogen.

An experiment on the effects of straw ploughed in or composted on a three-course rotation of crops

1960 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Npk Fertilizers ◽  
K Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrogen Deficiencies ◽  
Second Year

An experiment on the use of wheat straw (ploughed in or composted at the rate of 53⅓ cwt./acre every second year) and NPK fertilizers in the maintenance of fertility was carried out at Rothamsted between 1933 and 1958. The effects of these treatments on the yields of the crops of the rotation used in the experiment—barley, sugar beet, potatoes—are discussed in the present paper.The treatments appear to have had no effect on crop yields through improvements to the soil caused by better structure or increased organic matter content. All the effects obtained can be attributed to changes in the supplies of available nutrients. The most important of these changes appear to have been: (1) nitrogen deficiencies due to the immobilization of soil nitrogen or nitrogen fertilizer by the straw: there is some evidence that this added to the store of slowly available nitrogen; (2) additions to potassium supplies from potassium in the straw. Factor (1) affected all three crops. Factor (2) affected potatoes, the only crop of the three to give good responses to potassium.It was found that when the straw was ploughed in directly about 0·08 ewt. N fertilizer applied to the crops for each ton of straw was sufficient to overcome losses in yield due to nitrogen deficiencies. The straw improved the yields of potatoes in the first and second years after application. Provided that allowance was made for losses of available nitrogen the yields of potatoes from ploughed-in straw were about the same as the yields obtained by adding K fertilizer to the crop, equal in amount to the potassium in the straw. When part of the fertilizers was ploughed in with the straw instead of being given directly to the crop the yields of potatoes were reduced.Compost made with NT fertilizers and straw and ploughed in with K fertilizer gave much poorer yields than were obtained by ploughing the straw in directly and applying the fertilizers to the crops. Losses of available nitrogen were severe, all the N fertilizer used in making the compost (0·15 cwt. N for each ton of straw) being either lost through drainage or immobilized by the straw. In addition, more than one half of the potassium in the straw was lost in composting.There was no evidence that any of the nitrogen immobilized in the decomposition of the straw became available in the first or second years after application. Residues from repeated applications of straw every second year over 18 years increased the yields of potatoes and sugar beet in the last 6 years of the experiment. The increases may have been due to the release of previously immobilized nitrogen.

scholarly journals Soil Fertility and Leaf Nutrient Status of Mango Orchard Sites

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-163
Author(s):  
Sk Musfiq Us Salehin ◽  
Gazi Md Mohsin ◽  
Tabassum Ferdous ◽  
Jobaed Ragib Zaman ◽  
Md Jashim Uddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Leaf Sample ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Total N ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

Twenty soil and leaf samples from 20 orchards of mango (Mangifera indica L.) were collected from different locations of Rajshahi and Satkhira regions to evaluate soil texture, pH, organic matter, available and total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur of soils and the concentration of N and K in mango leaves. The pH of the soil varied from 6.3 - 7.9 and organic matter content varied from 0.72 - 3.60 per cent. The available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur of the soils ranged from 190 - 510, 39 - 196, 36 - 206 and 25 - 235 mg/kg, respectively. The values of total N, P, K and S were 0.03 - 0.12, 0.022 - 0.210, 0.235 - 0.0.936 and 0.005 - 0.266 per cent, respectively. The dominant soil textural class was silty clay loam. The mean concentration of nitrogen (0.88%) and potassium (0.61%) in the leaf sample was low. The overall fertility status of the soils of Rajshahi and Satkhira regions in relation to mango cultivation is moderate. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(2): 155-163, 2020 (July)

Effect of green manuring on growth, yield, economics of rice production and its influence on soil fertility status of East Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. BORTHAKUR ◽  
A. K PANDEY ◽  
M. K. SINGH ◽  
P. P. TRIPATHI
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Arunachal Pradesh ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Green Manuring ◽  
Net Return

Front Line Demonstrations with introduction of green manuring crop Dhaincha (Sesbaniarostrata) has been conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The soil was slightly acidic in reaction (pH 5.5 to 6.0), sandy loam in texture with rich in organic matter content, medium in phosphorous and potash content. Sesbania were sown@ 45 kg/ha. 8 weeks old green manuring crops were chopped into pieces and incorporated in the soil. With the incorporation of green manure crop, average rice yield was increased 25.5%.The average net return was recorded to be Rs. 29177,against the average net return of farmers' practice of Rs. 20863. The Organic Carbon content (%) and Available Nitrogen content (kg/ha) was increased considerably due to incorporation of green manure in rice field.

A Farmer’s Experience of Conservation Agriculture in the UK

2018 ◽  
pp. 708-724
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
The Uk

Conservation agricultural practices have been widely adopted across the world in the past 30 years. Farmers recognized that their soils had been degraded by deep ploughing and by dependence on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Conservation agriculture, involving the agronomic and technological practices of no-till, cover cropping, and rotation, can be a sustainable alternative to conventional farming both economically and environmentally. While improving soil and crop health, it also has a dramatic and beneficial impact on the soil structure and on organic matter content that in turn can improve drainage and the availability of water. Costs are greatly reduced and crop yields—after an initial decline—return to former levels. Increasing interest and uptake by the global farming community shows that the system can be adapted in a variety of farming situations and significantly aid both the environment and sustainable food production.

scholarly journals Soil properties during transition from conventional to organic farming system in Kavre District, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
Biboss Maharjan ◽  
Anon Chaulagain ◽  
Parikrama Sapkota ◽  
Dhurva P. Gauchan ◽  
Janardan Lamichanne
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Organic Farming System

 The aim of this study was to investigate the response of soil physical and chemical properties during the transition from conventional to organic farming system. Soil samples were collected from five different farms: “Hasera organic farm” under 10 years of organic farming, “Everything organic nursery” under 5 years of organic farming, “Grameen Krishi” under 3 years of transition from conventional to organic, “Gautamshree farm” under 1 years of transition from conventional to organic and “Kuntabeshi farm” under IPM practice as reference. Soil bulk density, moisture content, texture, NPK, CEC and soil organic matter was evaluated in soil samples collected at 0-15 cm. Soil organic matter (5.45%) was highest in Hasera farm, whereas lowest bulk density (1.02gcm-3) was also in Hasera farm. Lowest soil organic matter content was found in Gautamshree farm. Soils of all farms were under loam texture. Soil macronutrients were highest in Grameen Krishi farm. The overall pH value of all soil samples was slightly acidic to acidic.Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyVol. 13, No. 1, 2017, Page: 76-84

scholarly journals Study on Physico-chemical Properties and Fertility Status of Salt Affected Soils of Central Dry Zone of Karnataka, Hiriyur Taluk

2020 ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
Parashuram Chandravamshi ◽  
T. V. Jyothi ◽  
A. H. Kumar Naik ◽  
D. A. Sumana
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Dry Zone ◽  
Salt Affected Soils

Aim: To study the effect of tube well irrigation water on soil physico-chemical properties and available nutrients status of central dry zone of Karnataka, Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district. Place and Duration of Study: Aimangala, Hiriyur, Dharmapura and Javagondanahally hoblis of Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district from January, 2019 to September, 2019. Methodology:  Ninety-six soil samples using GPS from 0 - 22.5 cm depth were collected randomly representing Aimangala, Hiriyur, Dharmapura and Javagondanahally hoblis of Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district. The soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory for various physico-chemical parameters (pH and EC), organic carbon and available major (N, P2O5 and K2O) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) status. Results and Conclusion:  The results revealed that the villages studied in different hoblis were saline to sodic in soil reaction, non-saline to saline, low to high in organic matter content, low to high in available nitrogen, low to high in available phosphorus and low to high in available potassium status and sufficiency in micronutrients viz., Cu, Fe and Mn and deficient in Zn in some of the villages.

Assessment of soil quality under maize-wheat cropping system of Milak block, district Rampur, Uttar Pradesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (01) ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
Ravindra Kumar ◽  
Manoj Singh ◽  
A. K. Mishra ◽  
Reshu Singh ◽  
N. C. Tripathi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Available Nitrogen

Soil is one of the most important vital natural resource, defends the life supporting system of a country and socio-economic development of its people. More than ever before, a renewed attention is being given to soil due to rapid declining land area for agriculture, declining soil fertility and increasing soil degradation, wrong land policies and imbalance use of inputs (Kanwar, 2004). All the above factors call for a paradigm shift in research away from maximum crop production to the sustainability of crop production system without degradation of soil health and environmental quality. Soils differ greatly in their morphological, physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Since these characteristics affect the response of soil to management practices it is necessary to have information about these characteristics of each category of soil. Soil fertility is one of the important factors controlling yields of the crops. Within a soil, nutrient variability exists depending upon the hydrological properties of the soil and cropping system. In the present study 366 soil samples were collected from 21 gram panchayats and were analyzed. The soil samples were collected from rice-wheat cropping sequence. Analysis of soil samples revealed that 82 per cent samples were medium in organic matter content, 100 per cent soil samples were deficient in available nitrogen, while 92 per cent P and 100 per cent K samples were in medium range respectively. Among the micronutrients tested copper and iron were in sufficient range while manganese and zinc were deficient in soil.

CORRELATION BETWEEN BACTERIAL NUMBERS AND ORGANIC MATTER IN A FIELD SOIL

1957 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 711-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. H. Gray ◽  
R. H. Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Field Soil ◽  
Field Plots

The numbers of bacteria, with actinomycetes, were found to be significantly correlated with organic matter in field plots treated annually with straw, and straw with phosphate, followed by the ploughed-in crop of each plot. The treatment with straw significantly increased the numbers of microorganisms as well as the organic matter content in the plots during 3 years.

STUDIES WITH WASTE SULPHITE LIQUOR: I. EFFECTS OF WASTE SULPHITE LIQUOR ON CROP YIELDS AND ON SOIL PROPERTIES

1959 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. MacLean ◽  
J. J. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulphate ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Alluvial Soil ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Exchangeable Hydrogen ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Moisture Equivalent

A greenhouse investigation was conducted to assess the effects of waste sulphite liquor solids (W.S.L.S.) on crop yields and on some chemical and physical properties of an Interval silt loam soil. The response of oats and Italian ryegrass to nitrogen applied as ammonium sulphate served as a standard for evaluating the 3 per cent nitrogen contained in the ammonium-base W.S.L.S.Significant increases in yields of oats and ryegrass resulted from ammonium sulphate-nitrogen at rates of 60 and 120 lb. per acre respectively. W.S.L.S. at 2 tons per acre, supplying 120 lb. per acre of nitrogen, gave increases of a similar magnitude. Higher rates of W.S.L.S. gave additional increases in yields. The nitrogen content of the two crops was increased by applying W.S.L.-nitrogen at 480 lb. per acre. Ammonium-sulphate nitrogen at 60 lb. per acre and W.S.L.-nitrogen at 120 lb. per acre increased the total nitrogen uptake by oats and ryegrass.W.S.L.S. increased the organic matter content, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable hydrogen of this alluvial soil. Ammonium sulphate-nitrogen at 120 lb. per acre and W.S.L.S. at 2 tons per acre or more depressed soil pH.Additions of W.S.L.S. increased the percentage of water stable aggregates but did not affect the moisture equivalent.

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