Application of two organic amendments on soil restoration: effects on the soil biological properties.

One method for recovering degraded soils in semiarid regions is to add organic matter to improve soil characteristics, thereby enhancing biogeochemical nutrient cycling. In this paper, we studied the changes in soil biological properties as a result of adding a crushed cotton gin compost (CCGC) and a poultry manure (PM) for 4 yr to restore a Xerollic Calciorthid located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). Organic wastes were applied at rates of 5, 7.5, and 10 Mg organic matter ha(-1). One year after the assay began, spontaneous vegetation had appeared in the treated plots, particularly in that receiving a high PM and CCGC dose. After 4 yr, the plant cover in these treated plots was around 88 and 79%, respectively, compared with 5% for the control. The effects on soil microbial biomass and six soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, beta-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities) were ascertained. Both added organic wastes had a positive effect on the biological properties of the soil, although at the end of the experimental period and at high dosage, soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities were generally higher in the PM-amended soils compared to the CCGC-amended soils. Enzyme activity from the PM-amended soil was 5, 15, 13, 19, 22, 30, and 6% greater than CCGC-amended soil for soil microbial biomass, urease, BBA-protease, beta-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and dehydrogenase activities, respectively. After 4 yr, the percentage of plant cover was > 48% in all treated plots and 5% in the control.

[1]  G. Hofman,et al.  Influence of soil compaction on carbon and nitrogen mineralization of soil organic matter and crop residues , 2000, Biology and Fertility of Soils.

[2]  T. Hernández,et al.  Changes in Microbial Activity after Abandonment of Cultivation in a Semiarid Mediterranean Environment , 1997 .

[3]  K. Hayano,et al.  Origin and properties of β-glucosidase activity of tomato-field soil , 1985 .

[4]  P. Brookes,et al.  AN EXTRACTION METHOD FOR MEASURING SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS C , 1987 .

[5]  T. Hernández,et al.  Biochemical Parameters in Soils Regenerated By the Addition of Organic Wastes , 1994 .

[6]  M. Tejada,et al.  Effects of Application of a By-Product of the Two-Step Olive Oil Mill Process on Maize Yield , 2004 .

[7]  E. Kandeler,et al.  Short-term assay of soil urease activity using colorimetric determination of ammonium , 1988, Biology and Fertility of Soils.

[8]  G. Masciandaro,et al.  Biotests as markers of soil utilization and fertility , 1993 .

[9]  M. Tejada,et al.  Effects of foliar application of a byproduct of the two-step olive oil mill process on rice yield , 2004 .

[10]  T. Hernández,et al.  Enzymatic activities in an arid soil amended with urban organic wastes: Laboratory experiment , 1998 .

[11]  R. Dick,et al.  Field management effects on soil enzyme activities , 1999 .

[12]  J. M. Bremner,et al.  Arylsulfatase Activity of Soils1 , 1970 .

[13]  H. Pathak,et al.  Ameliorative influence of organic matter on biological activity of salt‐affected soils , 1996 .

[14]  J. R. Sims,et al.  SIMPLIFIED COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER , 1971 .

[15]  S. A. Visser,et al.  Physiological action of humic substances on microbial cells , 1985 .

[16]  S. Goyal,et al.  Microbial biomass turnover and enzyme activities following the application of farmyard manure to field soils with and without previous long-term applications , 2004, Biology and Fertility of Soils.

[17]  J. M. Bremner,et al.  A rapid and precise method for routine determination of organic carbon in soil , 1988 .

[18]  G. Masciandaro,et al.  Anaerobic digestion of straw and piggery wastewaters: II. Optimization of the process. , 1994 .

[19]  P. Howard,et al.  The estimation of dehydrogenase activity in soil , 1977 .

[20]  G. Masciandaro,et al.  Humic substances to reduce salt effect on plant germination and growth , 2002 .

[21]  M. Tejada,et al.  Effects of the application of a compost originating from crushed cotton gin residues on wheat yield under dryland conditions , 2003 .

[22]  Wei Chen,et al.  Organic manure stimulates biological activity and barley growth in soil subject to secondary salinization , 2005 .

[23]  B. Cook,et al.  Dissolved organic carbon in old field soils : total amounts as a measure of available resources for soil mineralization , 1992 .

[24]  Trevors Jt.  Electron transport system activity in soil, sediment, and pure cultures. , 1984 .

[25]  T. Hernández,et al.  Effects of a cadmium-contaminated sewage sludge compost on dynamics of organic matter and microbial activity in an arid soil , 1999, Biology and Fertility of Soils.

[26]  J. M. Bremner,et al.  Use of p-nitrophenyl phosphate for assay of soil phosphatase activity , 1969 .

[27]  P. Nannipieri,et al.  Extraction of phosphatase, urease, proteases, organic carbon, and nitrogen from soil. , 1980 .

[28]  G. Masciandaro,et al.  Assessing soil quality in different agro-ecosystems through biochemical and chemico-structural properties of humic substances , 1999 .

[29]  M. Tejada,et al.  Crushed cotton gin compost effects on soil biological properties, nutrient leaching losses, and maize yield , 2006 .

[30]  C. García,et al.  Soil microbial activity after restoration of a semiarid soil by organic amendments , 2003 .

[31]  S. Recous,et al.  Decomposition in the field of residues of oilseed rape grown at two levels of nitrogen fertilisation. Effects on the dynamics of soil mineral nitrogen between successive crops , 2000, Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems.

[32]  F. J. Stevenson.  HUmus Chemistry Genesis, Composition, Reactions , 1982 .

[33]  A. Barzegar,et al.  The effect of addition of different amounts and types of organic materials on soil physical properties and yield of wheat , 2002, Plant and Soil.

[34]  T. W. Speir,et al.  A comparison of sulphatase, urease and protease activities in planted and in fallow soils , 1980 .

[35]  H. Cook,et al.  Enzyme activity and C and N pools in soil following application of mulches , 2004 .