Composted biosolids enhance fertility of a sandy loam soil under dairy pasture

Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management

Patra

et al. 2015

a b s t r a c tRecycling of sewage sludge as an organic amendment and source of macro-and micro-nutrient in agricultural fields can be a potential option for proper disposal of organic wastes. A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to examine the short-term effect of municipal sewage sludge application on soil physical, chemical and biological properties of a sandy loam soil (typic haplustept) under cowpea-wheat cropping system. Control and four treatments adopted in this study were, 100%NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), and three sludge applications i.e. equivalent to 5, 10, 15 t ha −1 . The results showed a positive effect of sewage sludge on different parameters. Bulk density was decreased by about 21% in surface layer, increased the mean weight diameter (MWD), porosity, dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass carbon. A higher amount of aggregate associated organic carbon was associated with soil macro-aggregate (>0.25 mm) in comparison to micro-aggregate (<0.25 mm). Sewage sludge at 15 t ha −1 produced most prominent effect in the upper 15 cm soil layer. Considerable improvement in microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase activity and aggregate associated organic matter was observed particularly when higher amount of sludge was applied. Lower quantity of organic waste showed a beneficial trend but in a smaller extent.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Changes in soil quality in response to short-term application of municipal sewage sludge in a typic haplustept under cowpea-wheat cropping system

Mondal

Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management

Patra

et al. 2015

“…In addition, the continuous use of chemical fertilizers is Causing an apparent deficiency in other micronutrients. In recent years, the yields of sugarcane crops have plateaued and factor productivity has declined, with a decrease in soil organic matter status and a deterioration in the physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil considered to be the prime reasons for the declining yield and factor productivity (Garside 1997; Speir et al 2004). In many cases, sugarcane farmers are turning to alternative practices, such as organic farming, eco-farming, natural farming, among others, to make agriculture more sustainable and productive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield and soil nutrient balance of a sugarcane plant–ratoon system with conventional and organic nutrient management in sub-tropical India

Gupta

et al. 2007

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

A 3-year field trial of sugarcane, comprising 11 treatment combinations of different organic manures with and without Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd), NPK and an absolute control, on an inceptisol was conducted to assess the effect of these treatments on sugarcane total and economic yield, the benefit:cost ratio, nutrient balance and soil quality in a sugarcane plant-ratoon system. The highest cane yield (78.6 t ha À1 ) was recorded in the plant crop given vermicompost + Gd, whereas ratoon yields (first and second) were highest (80.8 and 74.9 t/ha À1 , respectively) with sulphitation press mud cake (SPMC) + Gd. In both plant and ratoon crops, a number of different organic manures produced the highest cane yield that was also statistically similar to those obtained with using the recommended NPK levels (76.1, 78.2 and 71.7 t/ha for plant crop and subsequent two ratoons, respectively). The highest benefit:cost (B:C) ratio in the plant and two ratoon crops (1.28, 2.36, 2.03 respectively) were obtained with the addition of SPMC + Gd. The nutrient balance for NPK in the soil was highest in the SPMC + Gd treatment. The highest increase in organic C (94%) and total N (87%), in comparison to the initial level, and soil microbial biomass C (113%) and soil microbial biomass N (229%), in comparison to the control treatment, was recorded with the addition of SPMC + Gd. The maximum decrease in soil bulk density (BD) (12%) with an increase in soil aggregate (17%) and water infiltration rate (35%) was obtained with the addition of SPMC. Overall, the sugarcane crop responded well to different organic manures in a multiple ratooning system with a better economic output and improved soil quality. Strategic planning in terms of an integrated application of these manures with inorganic chemicals will not only sustain our soils but will also be beneficial for our farmers in terms of reducing their dependence and expenditure on chemical fertilizers.

Journal of Environmental Management

“…In U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Region 8, which encompasses Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, North and South Dakota, 85% of biosolids are land applied (US EPA, 2007b). Biosolids or composted biosolids land application appears to offer a solution to the disposal of this resource (Speir et al, 2004) by recycling plant nutrients in an environmentally sound manner. Composting is recognized to sanitize and stabilize biosolids (US EPA, 1995), creating a product that results in the transformation of organic compounds to a higher fraction of humic and fulvic acids which can contribute to reduced metal bioaccessibility (Brown et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infrequent composted biosolids applications affect semi-arid grassland soils and vegetation

Ippolito

Barbarick

Paschke

et al. 2010

a b s t r a c tMonitoring of repeated composted biosolids applications is necessary for improving beneficial reuse program management strategies, because materials will likely be reapplied to the same site at a future point in time. A field trial evaluated a single and a repeated composted biosolids application in terms of long-term (13-14 years) and short-term (2-3 years) effects, respectively, on soil chemistry and plant community in a Colorado semi-arid grassland. Six composted biosolids rates (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, 30 Mg ha À1 ) were surface applied in a split-plot design study with treatment (increasing compost rates) as the main factor and co-application time (1991, or 1991 and 2002) as the split factor applications. Short-and longterm treatment effects were evident in 2004 and 2005 for soil 0-8 cm depth pH, EC, NO 3 -N, NH 4 -N, total N, and AB-DTPA soil Cd, Cu, Mo, Zn, P, and Ba. Soil organic matter increases were still evident 13 and 14 years following composted biosolids application. The repeated composted biosolids application increased soil NO 3 -N and NH 4 -N and decreased AB-DTPA extractable Ba as compared to the single composted biosolids application in 2004; differences between short-and long-term applications were less evident in 2005. Increasing biosolids rates resulted in increased native perennial grass cover in 2005. Plant tissue Cu, Mo, Zn, and P concentrations increased, while Ba content decreased depending on specific plant species and year. Overall, the lack of many significant negative effects suggests that shortor long-term composted biosolids application at the rates studied did not adversely affect this semi-arid grassland ecosystem.Published by Elsevier Ltd.