Reclamation of a limestone quarry: effect of poultry manure and humic acid on the soil improvement

Abstract

Limestone processing produces dust covering the soil around the quarry site and may affect soil fertility. Post-mining activities in a forest area are mandatory to restore biodiversity, such as tree species of non-wood products. This study aimed to determine the impact of limestone dust on soil and measure the effectiveness of soil treatment for revegetation. This study employed a randomized block design with three soil groups, i.e. uncovered with limestone dust, covered with 2.5 cm limestone dust, and covered with 5 cm limestone dust. Each group had five replications and was treated with poultry manure (0 kg m<sup>-2</sup>, 5 kg m<sup>-2</sup>, 10 kg m<sup>-2</sup>, and 15 kg m<sup>-2</sup>) and 2 L of 1% (v/v) humic acid. The amendment of manure and humic acid increased the soil organic C, total N, C/N ratio, and exchangeable K but increased the soil available P content. The soil respiration and total bacteria increased along with the thinning of the limestone dust. Overall, the treatments significantly affected pH, C/N ratio, exchangeable K, and electrical conductivity. At the same time, the group significantly affected organic C, total N, C/N ratio, exchangeable K, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, bulk density, total bacteria, and clay. Based on land suitability assessment guidelines, the soil required nutrient improvement and pH reduction to grow proper non-wood products tree species.

Effectiveness of Rehabilitation of Former Limestone Quarry Land: A Case of Ecologi-cal Market in Gari Village, Gunung Kidul Regency

“…Research conducted by Nurtyahani et al (2020) identified soil microorganisms to indicate soil quality, as the presence of microorganisms can serve as a medium for increasing nutrients. Another effort is a study by Yunanto et al (2022) aiming to influence the chemical properties of soil in former limestone mining areas by adding organic fertilizers from animal manure and poultry. Stephan et al (Stephan & Hubbart, 2022) showed that abandoned limestone mining land after one year, which lacks soil nutrients dominated by gravel content exceeding 60%, requires 70 years to restore plant succession in the mining area.…”

Changes in soil profile organic carbon and hydro‐physical properties as impacted by long‐term manure and inorganic fertilizer rates under a corn–soybean rotation system

“…This can be due to the increased organic carbon content in the manure. Yunanto et al (2022) reported that manure can increase the C/N ratio, which can be beneficial for soil fertility. Therefore, the composition of manure plays an important role in the amount of C and N fractions in the soil.…”

The effect of organic fertilizer and mount Merapi volcanic ash to land rehabilitation

“…Manure from chicken manure is possible on the slopes of Mount Merapi because of its abundant availability. The method of giving chicken manure is one of the efforts that can improve and change the physical condition of the soil as a place to grow plants (Hilwa et al, 2020;Yunanto et al, 2022). Chicken manure fertilization is thought to boost production by enhancing the soil's physical, chemical, and biological qualities.…”