Agricultural peatlands conservation: How does the addition of plant biomass and copper affect soil fertility?

Abstract

Subsidence, erosion, and degradation in agricultural peatlands are leading to the disappearance of highly fertile farmland. This study investigated two strategies aimed at extending the lifespan of cultivated peat soils: the application of straw and wood chips to compensate for soil losses and the application of copper (Cu) to slow peat decomposition, based on previous recommendations. Peat soil samples (270 g) were amended with 11 t ha -1 of biomass materials (14.8 g kg -1 ) and 235.6 mg Cu kg -1 and incubated in glass jars at constant temperature and water content. Thirty chemical parameters were then monitored over a 56-d period through repeated soil sampling. Discriminant analysis showed that the addition of biomass had the greatest affect on nitrogen (N) availability, immobilizing 7.8 to 12.1 kg of inorganic N per metric ton of incorporated biomass. Considering that peat soils may require from 4 to 40 t biomass ha -1 yr -1 to reach carbon equilibrium, the tested biomass materials could immobilize from 34 to 500 kg ha -1 of N if confirmed at the field scale. This may help capture excess N but may also limit crop growth. Alternatively, slowing decomposition could reduce both biomass requirements and N immobilization. However, the results show that Cu had little effect on parameters linked to organic matter decomposition. Indeed, dissolved organic carbon was decreased by 11% in Cu-treated soils. A longer-term study should be conducted to confirm these observations at the field scale, thus helping to develop conservation strategies suitable for agricultural production.

Soil C, N and P bioavailability and cycling following amendment with shrub willow chips

“…The immobilization of soil mineral N following incorporation of willow chip corroborates previous findings (Holtz et al 2004;Gebhardt et al 2017;Espinosa et al 2020;Bourdon et al 2021;Dessureault-Rompré et al 2022;Marmier et al 2022). This N immobilization implies that willow chip addition can potentially mitigate nitrate availability for leaching, especially after potato harvest when high residual nitrate coexists with excessive moisture (Homyak et al 2008;Moorman et al 2010;Li et al 2013;Marmier et al 2022).…”

“…The impact of wood chips on soil N immobilization is inconsistent in the literature. Some studies observed N immobilization following wood chip applications (Mackensen et al 2003;Holtz et al 2004;Gebhardt et al 2017;Espinosa et al 2020;Bourdon et al 2021;Dessureault-Rompré et al 2022;Marmier et al 2022). Others found no N immobilization (Burgess et al 2002;Tahboub et al 2007).…”

Vegetable Response to Added Nitrogen and Phosphorus Using Machine Learning Decryption and the N/P Ratio

“…On the other hand, irreversible carbon losses in organic soils have been compensated in part by biomass additions [45][46][47][48] that must also alter the C:N:P stoichiometry in the soil. Soil and fertilizer N and P would thus impact not only the N and P cycles but also trigger soil carbon loss.…”

Pemberian Biochar Arang Kayu dan Tandan Kosong Sawit terhadap Gas N2O pada Tanah Gambut yang Ditumbuhi Kelapa Sawit

“…Tanah gambut terutama yang berada di daerah tropis memiliki sifat fisika, kimia dan biologi tertentu yang mencerminkan ciri khas dari tanah tersebut. Sifat-sifat yang menjadi ciri khas tersebut adalah pH relatif rendah antara 3-5 (Hikmatullah dan Sukarman, 2014), ketersediaan nutrisi terbatas (Bourdon et al, 2021), penurunan permukaan gambut, bahan penyusun yang berasal dari kayu-kayuan, suhu lingkungan berkisar antara 25-32 o C (subsidence) (Ikkala et al, 2021). Selain itu, sifat lain yang juga dimiliki adalah kandungan organik yang tinggi karena dalam pembentukannya terdapat tanaman air dan vegetasi lahan basah yang mati dan melapuk secara bertahap membentuk lapisan dan terperangkap selama beberapa waktu (Falatehan dan Sari, 2020).…”