Effect of Composts Combined with Chemical N Fertilizer on Nitrogen Uptake by Italian Ryegrass and N Transformation in Soil

Abstract

Combining compost with sufficient chemical N fertilizer (CF) in agricultural lands is a popular practice to reduce the amount of inorganic nitrogen and accumulation of non-nutrient constituents in soils. A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effects of 130 mg N of either solids waste compost (Scomp) or biosolids waste compost (Bcomp) complemented with 130 mg (CF, 1N) and 260 mg•N•pot −1 (CF, 2N) as 15 N labeled (NH4)2SO4 (13.172 atom %) on growth and N uptake by Italian ryegrass. A separate soil incubation without plants was set up by only blends of Scomp and CF. The results from pot culture experiment show that total plant biomass and N uptake from Bcomp were significantly higher than Scomp alone. Scomp combined with CF improved yield and N uptake over those of Scomp alone. For Scomp + 1N treatment, plant nitrogen uptake derived from compost and CF accounted for 29% and 56% of added N from Scomp and CF, respectively. The incubation study indicates that 16.08-29.62 mg•N•kg −1 •soil•day −1 from inorganic-N were immobilized into organic pools, while only 0.40-0.66 mg•N•kg −1 •soil•day −1 from organic-N were mineralized to inorganic pools. Because a part of additional N could be tied up in organic form, combining solids compost with chemical N fertilizer therefore need to consider the effective use of compost-N.

Evaluation of Composted Municipal Solid Waste for Agricultural Use in Vietnam

“…Chemical analysis: Total N and C content were determined using a CN-Analyzer. 15N isotope ratios were measured in plants and soil samples (from stable isotope culture containers) using the CN-Analyzer coupled with isotope Quadrupole mass spectrometry [14].…”

“…Despite higher leaching potential, urea-N applied as an additional fertilizer can provide an important role for an effect rate of MSW treatment. Combining the application of organic compost and inorganic fertilizer to crops has been shown to be more effective in increasing the yield than an application of either fertilizer type alone [14]. Further, Han et al [17] showed that a blend of chemical fertilizers and compost could increase the mineralization rate of compost-N.…”

Nitrogen Mineralization in Soil Amended with Compost and Urea as Affected by Plant Residues Supplements with Controlled C/N Ratios

“…Predicting nitrogen (N) mineralization from compost plays an important role from both agricultural and environmental point of view. The available N derived from sewage sludge compost has been found to depend on gross N mineralization and gross N immobilization turnover (MIT) [1]. One of the most common problems associated with utilization of composted sewage sludge in advanced agricultural Manuscript received April 24, 2017; revised October 9, 2017. technologies is the risk of nitrate (NO 3 -N) leaching into the groundwater through application of fast-release Nfertilizers [2], [3].…”