scholarly journals Compared impact of compost and digestate on priming effect and hydrophobicity of soils depending on textural composition

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrei Voelkner ◽  
Charlotte Diercks ◽  
Rainer Horn
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Water Repellency ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Anaerobically fermented digestates as well as aerobically composted organic substances (OS) are used as valuable organic fertilizers in agriculture. Besides their benefits for plant nutrition and carbon sequestration potential, these amendments are also suspected to interfere negatively with the soil matrix. To compare the relevance of digestates and compost for priming effects and water repellency of soils, a moderate (40 m3 ha−1) and a threefold (120 m3 ha−1) amount of digestate derived from mechanically pre-treated silage from 80 % maize and 20 % sugar beet or 10 t and 30 t of compost, respectively, was mixed with homogenized samples of a loamy Cambic Luvisol (Ut3) and a sandy Podzol (Ss) in a laboratory experiment. The basal respiration rate (BAS) and the repellency index (RI) of moist (pre-dried to −60 hPa) soil-digestate-mixtures (SDM) or soil-compost-mixtures (SCM) were analyzed to determine the effect of digestate and compost on microbial activity and hydrophobicity of soils. Additionally, the content of organic carbon (Corg) was investigated using air-dried and finely milled mixtures. The Ss showed quantitative reduction of Corg in the SDM and SCM and an increased BAS, which could be explained by a beginning priming effect through microbial stimulation. As a result of enhanced OS protection in the Ut3, constant amounts of Corg and a subsequent declined BAS could be detected. The wettability was reduced in both soils; directly in the Ut3 by the supply of amphiphilic components and indirectly in the Ss by increased incorporation of microbial exsudates and mucilages. The supply of higher contents of available organic compounds with digestate and higher amounts of hydrophobic humic acids applied with the compost could be assumed to be the controlling factors decisive for the impact of this amendment on soil wettability. But also the inherent textural composition of the soil controlled the microbial activity and subsequent decomposition and release processes at high degree, since the Ut3 exhibited higher incorporation of OS in finer pores and contributed to the protection against microbial decay.

scholarly journals Compared impact of compost and digestate on priming effect and hydrophobicity of soils depending on textural composition

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrei Voelkner ◽  
Charlotte Diercks ◽  
Rainer Horn
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Organic Substance ◽  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Microbial Decomposition ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Sequestration Potential

Summary Digestates and compost are used as valuable fertilizers in agriculture because of their benefits for plant nutrition and carbon sequestration potential. These amendments are also suspected to interfere negatively with the soil. To compare their relevance for priming effect and hydrophobicity of soils, two amounts of digestate or compost, respectively, were mixed with a homogenized cambic Luvisol and a Podzol. The basal respiration rate (BAS), the repellency index (RI) and organic carbon content (Corg) of pre-dried mixtures were investigated. The podsolic mixture showed quantitative reduction of Corg and increased BAS (this effect was not statistically significant) due to priming effect through microbial stimulation. As a result of enhanced organic substance (OS) protection in the cambic Luvisol mixture, constant amounts of Corg and declined BAS could be detected. The wettability was reduced in both soils: either directly by the supply of amphiphilic components or indirectly by increased incorporation of microbial exudates. This reduction was not statistically significant. Higher contents of available organic compounds in digestates and higher amounts of hydrophobic humic acids in the compost could be assumed to be decisive for generation of hydrophobicity. Also the soil texture controlled the microbial decomposition by higher incorporation of OS in finer pores and contributed to the protection against microbial decay.

Testing the impact of community composition on the productivity of a cool temperate eucalypt forest: the Australian Forest Evenness Experiment (AFEX)

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Gerwin ◽  
Rose Brinkhoff ◽  
Travis Britton ◽  
Meagan Porter ◽  
Ruth K. Mallett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Plant Community Composition ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Acacia Dealbata ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
The Impact

Understanding the factors controlling productivity is crucial for modelling current and predicting future forest growth and carbon sequestration potential. Although abiotic conditions exert a strong influence on productivity, it is becoming increasingly evident that plant community composition can dramatically influence ecosystem processes. However, much of our understanding of these processes in forests comes from correlative studies or field experiments in short-statured, short-lived vegetation. Here, we present the background, design and implementation success of the Australian Forest Evenness Experiment (AFEX), which was designed to investigate the influence of community composition on the processes that contribute to forest productivity. Eighty 25 × 25-m plots, covering 5 ha in a logged, burnt forest coupe in south-eastern Tasmania were sown with four tree species, namely Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T.Baker, E. regnans F.Muell., Acacia dealbata Link and Pomaderris apetala Labill., in varying combinations to provide a range of evenness levels with each of the four species as target dominant. Despite some differences between sown composition and realised composition 1year after sowing, a substantial range of community evenness and local neighbourhood densities and compositions existed in the experiment. Thus, this site provides a unique opportunity to determine the influence of local neighbourhood composition on a range of ecological processes.

scholarly journals The role of two different training systems in affecting carbon sequestration capability in hazelnut orchards

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirko U. Granata ◽  
Rosangela Catoni ◽  
Francesco Bracco
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Training Systems ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
The Impact

Abstract As a part of a larger study concerning the carbon sequestration capability by hazelnut orchards in Italy, we analyzed the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) removed over the year from the atmosphere through the net assimilation rates in two hazelnut orchards in Piedmont (i.e., the second region in Italy for surface and production). In particular, considering the key role played by the structural traits in affecting carbon sequestration potential, we assessed the impact of two different training systems widely diffused in the region: single trunk in orchardA and bush-like in orchardB. The results showed that plants in orchardA and orchardB sequestered 10.6 ± 1.8 and 25.7 ± 4.2 kg (CO2) plant−1 month−1, respectively. Higher CO2 sequestration in the plants in orchardB was due to their higher leaf area index relative to plants in orchardA. The mean CO2 sequestration from orchardA and orchardB per area was 4.25 ± 1.72 and 8.57 ± 3.41 Mg (CO2) ha−1 month−1, respectively. We also estimated the total amount of CO2 emission by the management over the entire production season in 157.335 kg CO2eq ha−1 by summing the contribution of diesel fuel, machinery and fertilization practices and considering that the total amount of CO2 sequestered by the two hazelnut orchards over the entire study period was estimated in 26 Mg (CO2) ha−1 in orchardA, and in 51 Mg (CO2) ha−1 in orchardB, they had an effective positive role as carbon sink at this local level.

scholarly journals Indicators for the physical chemical and biological filtering capacity of pesticides in pasture and orchard soils

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 333-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M?ller ◽  
M. Deurer ◽  
T. Aslam ◽  
F. Rempt ◽  
G. Northcott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Water Repellency ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Water Sorptivity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Orchard Soils

Recently the loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) has been reported for some pastoral NZ soils The impact of decreased SOC on soil filtering capacity for pesticides was investigated using 24D The hypothesis was that in aggregated soils the filtering capacity for organic compounds depends on physical chemical and biological properties at the aggregate scale impacting water sorptivity pesticide sorption and pesticide degradation respectively and that these are related to the SOC content Indicators for these properties were identified namely the water repellency SOC content and microbial biomass and basal respiration rates Two pairs of sites with the same soil type texture landuse and climatic conditions but with significantly different SOC content within each of the pairs were selected For hydrophobic soils a SOC loss tended to have a negative impact on chemical and biological properties but a positive impact on the physical filtering capacity of aggregates for 24D

scholarly journals Application of Degradable Carbon and Nitrogen Moderates Carbon Sequestration Potential of Biochar in Arable Soils

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Vladimír Šimanský ◽  
Ján Horák ◽  
Martin Lukáč
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Arable Soils ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Total Potential ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Combat Climate Change

Abstract Biochar can affect CO2 emission and C sequestration from soils, but little is known about the effects of its re-application and interaction with easily accessible substrates. Since most agricultural soils are continuously reworked, understanding the mechanics of CO2 evolution as affected by soil amendments and their combinations may have important lessons for the global effort to combat climate change. In this study carried out in a controlled environment, we tested the short-term effects of biochar, and its re-application at different rates, on the production of CO2 emission and C accumulation in samples of arable soils. We used a loamy Haplic Luvisol as the substrate and added varying amounts of biochar and sources of easily accessible N and C. We observed CO2 evolution for 20 days at optimal temperature and moisture conditions. We found that in the control treatment with no biochar, the total potential respiration after the addition of (NH4)2SO4 (N) and glucose (G) was increased compared to basal respiration. The addition of biochar reduced CO2 emission in the control, N- and G-stimulated treatments by 12–22, 13‒24 and 2‒21%, respectively. Conversely, the application of biochar increased CO2 emission in the combined NG treatment. Application of biochar at a higher rate, as well as its re-application, increased soil organic carbon content and reduced emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Higher carbon sequestration potential and stability for deep soil compared to surface soil regardless of nitrogen addition in a subtropical forest

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9128
Author(s):  
Chang Liao ◽  
Dong Li ◽  
Lin Huang ◽  
Pengyun Yue ◽  
Feng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Sequestration Potential

Background Labile carbon input could stimulate soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization through priming effect, resulting in soil carbon (C) loss. Meanwhile, labile C could also be transformed by microorganisms in soil as the processes of new C sequestration and stabilization. Previous studies showed the magnitude of priming effect could be affected by soil depth and nitrogen (N). However, it remains unknown how the soil depth and N availability affect the amount and stability of the new sequestrated C, which complicates the prediction of C dynamics. Methods A 20-day incubation experiment was conducted by adding 13C labeled glucose and NH4NO3 to study the effects of soil depth and nitrogen addition on the net C sequestration. SOC was fractioned into seven fractions and grouped into three functional C pools to assess the stabilization of the new sequestrated C. Results Our results showed that glucose addition caused positive priming in both soil depths, and N addition significantly reduced the priming effect. After 20 days of incubation, deep soil had a higher C sequestration potential (48% glucose-C) than surface soil (43% glucose-C). The C sequestration potential was not affected by N addition in both soil depths. Positive net C sequestration was observed with higher amount of retained glucose-C than that of stimulated mineralized SOC for both soil depths. The distribution of new sequestrated C in the seven fractions was significantly affected by soil depth, but not N addition. Compared to deep soil, the new C in surface soil was more distributed in the non-protected C pool (including water extracted organic C, light fraction and sand fraction) and less distributed in the clay fraction. These results suggested that the new C in deep soil was more stable than that in surface soil. Compared to the native SOC for both soil depths, the new sequestrated C was more distributed in non-protected C pool and less distributed in biochemically protected C pool (non-hydrolyzable silt and clay fractions). The higher carbon sequestration potential and stability in deep soil suggested that deep soil has a greater role on C sequestration in forest ecosystems.

scholarly journals Impact of cropping systems on soil properties, nutrient availability and their carbon sequestration potential in Shiwalik hills of Himachal Pradesh

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1479-1484
Author(s):  
Nancy Loria ◽  
S. K. Bhardwaj ◽  
Charles K. Ndungu
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Himachal Pradesh ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
The Impact

The impact of cropping systems on soil properties, nutrient availability and their carbon sequestration potential was studied during the years 2014 and 2015 in Shiwalik hills of Himachal Pradesh. The four commonly occurring cropping systems namely vegetable, fruit, cereal crop and agroforestry were selected. Uncultivated land in the region was considered as control. In total, there were five treatments which were replicated six times under randomized block design. The study indicated that the cropping systems in the Shiwalik hills varied significantly (P=0.05) with respect to their impact on soil properties, nutrient availability and carbon sequestration potential. The pH and EC was in the range of 6.04 to 6.90 and 0.094 to 0.138 dSm-1, respectively and were normal in range. Organic carbon and bulk density in surface soils ranged from 8.06 to 9.70 g kg-1 and 1.19 to 1.34 Mg m-3, respectively. The available NPK was highest (267.21, 19.99, 172.42 kg ha-1) under vegetable based cropping system as compared to other systems. Carbon density in surface soil ranged from 11.33 to 15.39 Mg C ha-1 and total carbon sequestered upto 30cm soil depth ranged from 601.96 to 12646.29 Gg. The study indicated that in Shiwalik hills of Himachal Pradesh, the commonly occurring cropping systems did not influence the soil properties and nutrient availability adversely. Agroforestry based cropping system is having highest potential of sequestering soil carbon in Shiwalik hills. Therefore to adapt to changing climatic situation and to mitigate its effect in the region, agroforestry based cropping system need to be encouraged.

Characterization of the residue (endocarp) of Acrocomia aculeate and its biochars as potential peat substitute in tomato cultivation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina León Ovelar ◽  
M. Elena Fernández-Boy ◽  
Heike Knicker
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽  
Sequestration Potential

<p>The South-American palm Acrocomia aculeata has great potential as a sustainable source for vegetable oils, but its industrialization implies the production of huge amounts of organic waste. Currently, this material and in particular the endocarp is mostly used for energy generation, but this traditional method is very inefficient because a considerable part of the energy is lost.  An environmentally more sustainable use may be its conversion into biochar, via pyrolysis. This material has recently gained considerable interest as a strategy to recycle agro-industrial waste by its conversion into a soil amendment with a high carbon sequestration potential. In addition, biochars derived from woody feedstocks show  high porosity and low biochemical degradability which may turn them into suitable alternative to peat as planting substrate in horticulture. Although the woody nature of the shells (endocarp) of Acrocomia represent a promising candidate for such porous biochars, this alternative has been widely neglected up to now. Therefore, in a first attempt a physical and chemical characterization of these residues and their biochars was performed and its suitability as growing substrate for tomato cultivation was evaluated. By analyzing biochars derived from feedstock with different particle size, we tested if aside from the pyrolysis conditions and the nature of the feedstock, the size of the latter may affect the nature of the pyrolyzed product.</p><p>Our results confirmed the increase of aromaticity with increasing pyrolysis temperature which has already been described for other organic feedstocks. The heat increase the pH only moderately (pH= 8.4 at 450°C). NMR spectroscopic analysis confirmed that this was caused mainly by the the selective enrichment of cations rather than by the loss of acid C groups. However, tomato plants prefer a soil pH around 6 to 6.8 which turns the biochar produced a 325°C with a pH = 7.2 into a more suitable growing substrate. Statistical analysis did not reveal a significant impact of particle size of the feedstock on chemical composition or pH of the resulting biochar. Comparably,  greater feedstock particle size did not affect the specific surface area of the biochars but considerably decreased the water holding capapcity. </p><p>The Olsen-P increased from 39 mg kg<sup>-1 </sup>for the natural sample to 81 mg P kg<sup>-1 </sup>for the biochar produced at 450°C. K and Mg concentration were 2.6 g kg<sup>-1</sup> and 279 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> for the biochar yielded at 450°C.  For tomato plant cultivation, Sainju et al., (2003) recommended for P, K and Mg, 60 to 70 mg  kg<sup>-1</sup>, 0.6 -0.7 g kg<sup>-1</sup>. 0.4-0.7 g kg<sup>-1</sup>.  Thus, with respect to those nutrients, the obtained biochar can provide sufficient macronutrients if used as a growing substrate for tomatos. However, due to the low N contents of the biochars, sufficient N fertilization – either by addition of mineral or organic fertilizers - is still required if such materials are intended to be used as growing substrate in tomato cultivation.</p><p><strong>Acknowledgement</strong>: Financial support was provided by MINECO/FEDER (CGL2015-64811-P)</p><p>Sainju, U.M., Dris, R., Singh, B., 2003. Mineral nutrition of tomato. Food, Agric. Environ. 1, 176–184.</p>

Impact of land-use on soil structure and soil ecological properties in a long-term field experiment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Schlüter ◽  
Tim Roussety ◽  
Lena Rohe ◽  
Vusal Guliyev ◽  
Evgenia Blagodatskaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Structural Properties ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Substrate Induced Respiration ◽  
The Impact

<p>Land use is known to exert a dominant impact on a range of essential soil functions like water retention, carbon sequestration, matter cycling and plant growth. In addition, land use management is known to have a strong influence on soil structure, e.g. through tillage and compaction. While the difference in topsoil structure between grassland and agricultural soil is huge, differences among different farming or grassland management practices can be more subtle. At the same time, soil structure is known to be a suitable indicator for many soil functions. That is, differences in carbon content or plant-available field capacity between different land uses can often be explained by different structural properties.</p><p>This impact of land use on the relationship between soil structure and biological indicators for soil processes was explored in the Global Change Exploratory Facility, a well-established (>5 years) field experiment in Bad Lauchstädt, Germany, comprising five land use types (conventional farming, organic farming, intensive meadow, extensive meadow, extensive pasture). 15 intact topsoil cores were sampled from each land use type in spring 2020 and soil structure and microbial activity were measured using X-ray CT and respirometry, respectively. Microbial activity was estimated by basal respiration at field moisture and by substrate-induced respiration with glucose solution under wet conditions. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the impact of land use on these structural and biological soil properties and (2) to assess in how far microbial activity can be predicted by the structural properties.</p><p>Surprisingly, image-derived macroporosity did not differ between farming and grassland plots mainly due to the huge variability among compacted and non-compacted samples in the farming plots. Other pore metrics like pore distance and pore connectivity followed the same trend, whereas mean pore size was larger in the grassland plots due to more large biopores. Basal respiration increased in the order farming < meadow < pasture, whereas the order was reversed for substrate-induced respiration. The predictability of basal respiration (R<sup>2</sup>=0.29) and substrate-induced respiration (R<sup>2</sup>=0.5) with explanatory variables based on pore metrics and bulk soil properties was rather low, with root mass and bulk density being the best predictors.</p>

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