Effect of Compost Application on Some Properties of a Volcanic Soil from Central South Chile

Abstract

Soil compost application is a common soil management practice used by small farmers of Central-South Chile that produces positive effects on soil properties and also promotes presence and activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This fungi form symbiosis with plant roots improving plant nutrition, as well as producing glomalin, a glycoprotein that has been associated with soil aggregation stability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate, in an Ultisol from Central-South Chile, the effect of different doses of compost on some soil characteristics at the end of the third year of a crop sequence including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and grassland (Lolium multiflorum Lam. associated with Trifolium repens L.). Studied soil characteristics included chemical (pH, available-P, organic C), biological (C and N biomass, AMF spore number, root colonization percentage, mycelium length, and glomalin content), as well as physical parameters (water holding capacity [WHC], and water stable aggregates [WSA]). Results showed that, in general, compost application increased soil pH, mycorrizal roots, mycelium length, glomalin levels, and WSA. Significant relationships were found between C and N biomass, C biomass and WSA, C biomass and glomalin, WSA and WHC, among others. Results suggest that compost application to this type of soil is a feasible option as a fertilizer substitute, and a way to avoid soil erosion by small local farmers involved in organic agriculture.

Effect of Compost Made with Sludge and Organic Residues on Soil and Sugar Beet Crop in Morocco

“…Many other authors reported no effect on pH (Bevacqua and Mellano, 1994;Crecchio et al, 2001;Zebarth et al, 1999). However, there are several studies that revealed either an increase of acidic soil (Hue, 1992;Whalen et al, 2000;Baziramakenga et al, 2001;Butler and Muir, 2006;Valarini et al, 2009) or a decrease (Chang et al, 1991), While increasing pH is clearly valuable in terms of improving microelement availability, lowering pH should be limited to avoid enhancing the solubility of toxic elements. In this study, we did not detect Cd, Ni or Pb and most other heavy metals such as Cr, Zn, Mn, Ba, Sr and Ti were detected at very low concentrations.…”

Quality Enhancement of Humid Tropical Soils after Application of Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) Compost

“…Formation of complex Alhumic substance leads to lower hydrogen production from Al hydrolysis in soil, thereafter increasing soil pH. Previous studies pointed out that application of organic fertilizer raised soil pH Valarini et al 2009). In addition, Udepts had greatest soil pH followed by Andepts and Udults.…”

Compost effects on leaf area index and seed production enhancement in an important arid land leguminous tree Acacia tortilis subsp. Raddiana

“…Although, the added effects of organic fertilizers at the beginning was low but with time it started to improve soil properties. The gradual effects of organic fertilizers reached through improved physical properties and enhancement of microorganism of the soil (Valarini et al, 2009;Ding et al, 2013;Pane et al, 2015). This reflects their importance of use in arid soils which were characterized by poor physical properties and lacking of microorganisms.…”

“…It is also, important for mitigating N 2 O emissions from the soils (Ding et al, 2013), enhances bio-stimulation, which increases soil microorganisms (Valarini et al, 2009) and increases nutrient uptake (Pane et al, 2015). The use of organic fertilizers leads to increased seed yield and seed quality contents in many plants (Jahan et al, 2008;Piraveena and Seran, 2010;Seran and Suthamathy, 2013).…”