Influência da adubação orgânica na qualidade da água destinada à irrigação de hortaliças

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Resíduos agroindustriais para enriquecimento de fertilizantes orgânicos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efecto de la fertilización orgánica y mineral en las propiedades del suelo, la emisión de los principales gases de efecto invernadero y en las diferentes fases fenológicas del cultivo de café (Coffea arabica L.)

El cultivo de café es de gran importancia a nivel mundial (ICO, 2011), y en el Ecuador ha sido uno de los cultivos más importantes en la generación de divisas (COFENAC, 2011). Sin embargo en los sistemas productivos de este país se puede apreciar el uso inapropiado de fertilizantes, lo que conlleva a una pérdida de nutrientes, por lo que es importante estudiar las dosis adecuadas para la fertilización tanto mineral como orgánica. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la fertilización mineral y orgánica en diferentes dosis en un monocultivo de café en la provincia de Loja, sobre las propiedades del suelo, la emisión de los principales gases que provocan el efecto invernadero y la fenología y productividad del cultivo. En la provincia de Loja (Ecuador) se seleccionó un área de 2.520 m2 en la que se establecieron 21 parcelas de café arábigo (Coffea arabica L.) var. caturra y se aplicó tres tratamientos con tres repeticiones de fertilización mineral y tres orgánicos con dosis: bajas minerales (MIN 1= 157 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 para el primer año y 425 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 para el segundo año), medias minerales (MIN 2= 325 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 para el primer año y 650 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 en el segundo año) y altas minerales (MIN 3= 487 y 875 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 para el primer y segundo año respectivamente), bajas orgánicas (ORG 1= 147 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 en el primer año y 388 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 en el año dos), medias orgánicas (ORG 2= 265 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 para el primer año y 541 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 en el segundo año), altas orgánicas (ORG 3= 368 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 para el primer año y 727 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 en el segundo año) y fertilización cero (TES = sin fertilización). Se usó urea, roca fosfórica y muriato de potasio en la fertilización mineral y humus (Bioabor) en la orgánica, más un tratamiento testigo, cada tratamiento tuvo tres repeticiones. El tiempo de evaluación de los fertilizantes aplicados fue de dos años consecutivos, la fertilización se la realizó dos veces por año y en base a análisis del suelo y demandas nutricionales del cultivo. para determinar las características del suelo se realizó muestreos de suelos en cada parcela a una profundidad de 20 cm de estas muestras los parámetro iniciales determinados fueron: color (Munsell), textura (método del hidrómetro), pH (relación 1:2,5 suelo-agua), Materia orgánica (Walkey y Black), Nitrógeno (Micro Kjendahl), Fósforo (Bray y Kurtz), Potasio (Olsen), estos procesos se repitieron cada seis meses para poder evaluar los cambios de que se producen debido a la fertilización mineral y orgánica en el cultivo. Las emisiones de gases efecto invernadero desde el suelo al ambiente se determinaron por el método de cámara cerrada (Rondón, 2000) y la concentración por cromatografía de gases. Las mediciones fisiológicas (altura de planta, ancho de copa, grosor de tallo y producción) se las evaluó cada dos meses, a excepción de la producción que fue anual al término de cada cosecha. Además se realizó el análisis económico de la productividad del cultivo. El análisis estadístico de datos se lo realizó con el programa SPSS v. 17.0. Las medias fueron comprobadas mediante ANOVAS de un factor con test de Tukey (P < 0,05). El beneficio económico se estimó en términos de ingresos y gastos totales que se presentaron en el ensayo. Los resultados obtenidos al término del ensayo indican que los tratamientos MIN 2 y MIN 3 produjeron cambios más significativos en comparación con los otros tratamientos establecidos en la mejora de fertilidad del suelo, el pH ha sido menos afectado en la acidificación en comparación con los tratamientos orgánicos que se han acidificado mayormente; la materia orgánica (MO) tuvo incrementos considerablemente bueno en estos dos tratamientos, sin embargo fueron superados por los tratamientos de fertilización orgánica; el nitrógeno total (Nt )y el potasio (K) también presentaron mejores valores al termino del ensayo y el fósforo (P) mostro incrementos buenos aunque un poco menores que los de los tratamientos ORG 2 y ORG 3. En lo que respecta a las emisiones de gases efecto invernadero, los flujos acumulados de óxido nitroso (N2O) en los dos años han aumentado en todos los tratamientos en comparación con el tratamiento Testigo, pero de manera considerable y con mayores flujos en el tratamiento MIN 3 y MIN 2 que se podrían considerarse los de mayor contaminación por N2O al ambiente lo que se le atribuye a las dosis de fertilización mineral aplicadas en el periodo de investigación, los tratamiento MIN 1 y todos los tratamientos orgánicos muestran menores emisiones al ambiente. Las emisiones de metano (CH4) no muestran mayores diferencias de emisiones entre tratamientos, siendo los mayores emisores los tratamientos ORG 3 y ORG 2 posiblemente debido al abono orgánico y añadido al suelo; para las emisiones de dióxido de carbono (CO2) de manera similar al CH4 el tratamiento ORG 3 fue el que presento mayores emisiones, los flujos de CO2 al ambiente de los otros tratamientos fueron menores y no presentaron diferencias significativas entre ellos. La variables fisiológicas en todos los casos apoyaron al desarrollo de las plantas de café, esto al ser comparadas con el tratamiento Testigo, sin embargo las que alcanzaron las mayores altitudes, anchos de copas y diámetro de tallo fueron las plantas del tratamiento MIN 3, seguido del MIN 3, no mostrando significancia entre ellos, y para los tratamientos orgánicos el que presento muy buenos resultados en estas variables ha sido el ORG 3, el cual no presento diferencias significativas con el MIN 2, lo cual comprueba que la fertilización mineral es más efectiva en este caso frente a la orgánica. Para el primer año de producción el tratamiento mineral con fertilización MIN 3 es el que obtuvo mayor producción no presentando diferencia estadística con el tratamiento con el MIN 2, no obstante fueron significativamente mayores que los otros tratamientos. Vale indicar que también el tratamiento MIN 1 y el tratamiento ORG 3 han presentado una producción considerable de café no mostrando diferencias estadísticas entre ellos. Para el segundo año la producción el cultivo mostró mayores rendimientos que el primer año de evaluación en todos los tratamientos, esto debido a la fisiología propia del cultivo y por otra parte se atribuye a la adición de fertilizantes que se ha realizado durante todo el ensayo; de manera similar al anterior los tratamientos MIN 3 y MIN 2 obtuvieron mejores rendimientos, no enseñando diferencias estadísticas significativas entre ellos, no obstante el tratamiento mineral dosis MEDIA no presentó significancia estadística con el ORG 3. El benéfico económico ha resultado mayor en el tratamiento MIN 3 y MIN 2, aunque el tratamiento MIN 2, es el que obtiene la mejor relación costo-beneficio; los tratamientos ORG 2 y ORG 3 y Testigo has producido beneficios negativos para el productor. En cuanto a la parte ambiental se considera que los mejores tratamientos en cuanto ha cuidado ambiental serían los tratamientos MIN 1 y ORG 1, sin embargo a nivel de producción y rentabilidad para el productor baja. ABSTRACT Coffee growing has great importance worldwide (ICO, 2011), and in Ecuador, it has been one of the most important crops to generate income (COFENAC, 2011). However, in the productive systems of this country, the inappropriate use of fertilizers has been observed which produces loss of nutrients, thus it is important to study suitable doses for mineral and organic fertilizing. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of mineral and organic fertilizing at different doses in a coffee monoculture in the province of Loja on soil characteristics, emission of the main gasses that produce the greenhouse effect and the phenology and productivity of crops. In the province of Loja (Ecuador) an area of 2.520 m2 was chosen, where 21 plots of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.), the caturra variety were cultivated and three treatments with three repetitions each one for mineral and organic fertilization were used with doses that ranged from: mineral low (MIN 1= 157 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 for the first year y 425 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 for the second year), mineral medium (MIN 2= 325 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 for the first year y 650 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 I the second year) y mineral high (MIN 3= 487 y 875 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 for the first and second year respectively), organic low (ORG 1= 147 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 in the first year y 388 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 in the second year), organics medium (ORG 2= 265 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 for the first year y 541 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 in the second year), organics high (ORG 3= 368 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 for the first year and 727 Kg NPK ha-1 año-1 in the second year) y fertilization zero (TES = no fertilization).; urea, phosphoric rock and muriate of potash were used in the mineral fertilization and humus (Bioabor) in the organic, plus a blank treatment. Time to evaluate the applied fertilizers was for two consecutive years, fertilization was done twice per year based on soil analysis and nutritional requirements of the crops. In order to determine the characteristics of the soil, samples of soil in each plot with a depth of 20 cm were done; from these samples, the determined initial parameters were: color (Munsell), texture (hydrometer method), pH (soil-water 1:2,5 relation), organic matter (Walkey y Black), nitrogen (Micro Kjendahl), phosphorus (Bray y Kurtz), potassium (Olsen); these processes were repeated each six months in order to evaluate the changes that are produced due to mineral and organic fertilization in the crops. The emissions of greenhouse gasses from the soil to the atmosphere were determined by using enclosure method (Rondón, 2000) and the concentration, by using gas chromatography during the whole testing. The physiological measures (plant height, width of the top of the tree, thickness of the stem and production) were evaluated each two months, except for production which was annual at the end of each harvest. Moreover, the economic analysis of the productivity of the crops was done. The statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS v. 17.0. The means were proved by ANOVAS with a factor of a Tukey test (P < 0,05). The economic benefit was estimated in terms of incomes and total expenses which were presented in the essay. The results obtained at the end of the essay show that the MIN 2 and MIN 3 treatments produced more meaningful changes in comparison with the other treatments used to improve soil fertility; pH was less affected in the acidification compared with the organic treatments which were greatly acidified; organic matter (MO) had increased considerably in these two treatments; however, they were surpassed by the organic treatments of fertilization; total nitrogen (Nt) and potassium (K) also presented better results at the end of the essay and phosphorus (P) showed good increasing figures although a little lower compared with ORG 2 and ORG 3 treatments. Regarding the emission of the greenhouse gasses, the fluxes accumulated from nitrous oxide (N2O) in two years increased in all the treatments in comparison with the blank treatment, but in a greater form and with higher fluxes in the MIN 3 and MIN 2 treatments which can be considered as the ones with greater contamination of N2O in the atmosphere, this can be due to the applied mineral doses to fertilize during the process; MIN 1 treatments and all the organic ones showed lower emission to the atmosphere. Methane emissions (CH4) did not show major differences in emissions in the treatments, being the greater emissions the ORG 3 and ORG 2 treatments; this is possibly due to the organic compost added to the soil; regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in a similar way to CH4, the ORG 3 treatment was the one that presented greater emissions, the CO2 emissions to the atmosphere in the other treatments were lower and did not present meaningful differences among them. The physiological variables in all the cases helped coffee crops grow, this was observed when compared with the blank treatment; however, plants that reached the greatest height, width of top and diameter of stem were the plants of the MIN 3 treatment, followed by MIN 3, which did not show much significance among them, and for the organic treatments, the one that presented great results in these variables was ORG 3, which did not show meaningful differences compared with MIN 2, which proves that mineral fertilization is more effective in this case compared with the organic. In the first year of production, the mineral treatment with MIN 3 fertilization obtained greater production and thus did not show statistical difference with MIN 2 treatment, although the other treatments were greater. It is worth mentioning that MIN 1 treatment and ORG 3 treatment presented a meaningful production of coffee, not showing statistical differences among them. For the second year, the production of the crops showed greater profits than in the first year of evaluation in all the treatments, this was due to the physiological properties of the crops and on the other hand, it might be due to the addition of fertilizers during the whole essay; in a similar way, MIN 3 and MIN 2 performed better, not showing greater statistical differences among them, although the mineral treatment MEDIUM doses did not show statistical difference compared with ORG 3. The economic benefit was greater in the MIN 3 and MIN 2 treatments, although MIN 2 treatment is the one that shows the best cost-benefit ratios; ORG 2 and ORG 3 treatments and the blank produced negative benefits for the producer. Regarding the environment, the best treatments to care for the atmosphere are considered to be MIN 1 and ORG 1 treatments; however, regarding production volume and profitability they were low for the producer.

Efeito da aplicação de composto orgânico sobre a qualidade do solo cultivado com cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.)

A dinâmica ambiental possui capacidade limitada de reciclagem e a crescente utilização resíduos agroindustriais, especialmente na agricultura, pode levar a situações de poluição do solo e demais componentes ambientais. A manutenção da produtividade de ecossistemas agrícolas e naturais depende do processo de transformação da matéria orgânica e, por conseguinte, da biomassa microbiana do solo, e que é responsável pela decomposição e mineralização de resíduos no mesmo. A dinâmica natural dos microrganismos do solo, em constante mudança e adaptação, os torna um indicador sensível às mudanças resultantes de diferentes práticas de manejo agrícola. Sendo assim, conhecer essas alterações e suas interferências é fundamental para identificar estratégias adequadas de manejo, apontando técnicas de utilização adequadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade de um solo agrícola, cultivado com três variedades de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.), comparando a utilização de adubação mineral frente à utilização de fertilizante orgânico composto no período final de formação dos perfilhos (120 dias após o plantio). Foi implantado, em condições de campo, o cultivo de cana-de-açúcar (cana planta), utilizando as variedades RB 867515, RB 962869 e RB 855453, onde cada variedade foi cultivada de três formas distintas, sendo elas: plantio controle (CT) sem aplicação de insumos para adubação; plantio orgânico (OG) com aplicação de fertilizante orgânico; e plantio convencional (CV) com aplicação de adubação mineral, seguindo recomendações de adubação após análise química inicial do solo local. Cada parcela possuía 37 m2, com 5 sulcos de 5,0 m de comprimento e espaçamento de 1,5 m entrelinhas, sendo os três sulcos centrais formando a área útil. De acordo com a variedade e o tipo de adubação, foram formados nove tratamentos: T1 86CT, T2 96CT, T3 85CT, T4 6OG, T5 96OG, T6 85OG, T7 86CV, T8 96CV e T9 85CV, com delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso e quatro repetições. Os parâmetros químicos do solo analisados foram macronutrientes e micronutrientes; os parâmetros microbiológicos foram carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal do solo (RBS), quociente metabólico (qCO2), número mais provável de fungos e bactérias do solo (NMP); e, por fim, a produtividade agrícola (t/ha). Os resultados foram submetidos a análise de variância (ANOVA) e à comparação das médias através do teste de Tukey (10%). Também foi realizada a análise de variância dos dados e correlação cofenética de Pearson para formação de dendogramas. Com base no período estudado, considerado como fase crítica da formação do canavial, concluiu-se que os parâmetros químicos que evidenciaram alterações no solo foram pH e os macronutrientes Mg, Al e SB, sendo os tratamentos orgânicos equivalentes e/ou melhores que os tratamentos convencionais. Para os parâmetros microbiológicos, o NMP de fungos apresentou os maiores valores nos tratamentos convencionais e controle. A produtividade agrícola não foi influenciada pelos diferentes tratamentos e insumos utilizados, independente da variedade de cana-de-açúcar utilizada. Por fim, foram observadas correlações positivas entre as variáveis CTC e quociente metabólico (qCO2) apontando potencial melhoria da qualidade do solo, com o emprego de insumos orgânicos

CRESCIMENTO INICIAL DE ACÁCIA-NEGRA COM VERMICOMPOSTOS DE DIFERENTES RESÍDUOS AGROINDUSTRIAIS

A utilização de vermicompostos de diferentes resíduos agroindustriais na produção de mudas de acácianegra pode ser uma alternativa de reutilização de resíduos e aumentar a produção de mudas. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o crescimento e a concentração de nutrientes em mudas de acácianegra, cultivadas em substratos com diferentes vermicompostos de resíduos orgânicos agroindustriais. Instalou-se em casa de vegetação 11 diferentes tratamentos: T1) vermicomposto de esterco bovino (EB); T2) vermicomposto de esterco ovino (EO); T3) vermicomposto de lodo de parbolização de arroz (LP); T4) tratamento controle (sem adubação); T5) tratamento controle com adução mineral (NPK); T6) mistura de EB e LP; T7) mistura de EO e LP; T8) mistura de EB e vermicomposto de resíduos de alimentos (RA); T9) mistura de EO e RA; T10) mistura de EB e vermicomposto de resíduos de frutas (RF); T11) mistura de EO e RF. Após 180 dias de cultivo em recipiente com capacidade de cinco litros, foram analisadas a massa seca e a concentração de nutrientes na parte aérea da acácia-negra, e a concentração de nutrientes no solo, após o cultivo. A adição do esterco bovino, bem como a mistura de esterco bovino e resíduos alimentícios favoreceram o incremento de matéria seca das plantas de acácia-negra. Os resultados mostraram que as concentrações de nutrientes nas plantas, com exceção de Fe e Mn, variaram com adição de vermicompostos no solo. Os tratamentos T3 e T6 elevaram as concentrações em P, N, Zn de Cu nas folhas de acácia-negra. Além disso, a adição dos vermicompostos ao solo aumentou a disponibilidade de nutrientes para as plantas, mesmo após o cultivo, especialmente com relação ao fósforo, potássio e magnésio, sendo uma alternativa viável e eficaz na produção de mudas, podendo substituir a utilização de adubação mineral.

Adubação de capim-elefante com composto orgânico produzido com resíduos animais.

Resumo: A utilização do composto orgânico proveniente de resíduos da criação e abate de pequenos ruminantes pode elevar a produção de matéria seca do capim-elefante, tendo em vista o teor de nutrientes contidos nesse fertilizante orgânico, diminuindo os impactos da produção animal sobre o ambiente e reduzindo os custos de produção na área de capineira de capim-elefante. Dada à escassez de informações na literatura e a importância do manejo adequado da adubação orgânica na agropecuária, objetivou-se avaliar os atributos químicos e físicos do solo, o estado nutricional e a produção do capim-elefante submetido à aplicação de doses do composto orgânico proveniente de resíduos da produção e abate de pequenos ruminantes. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em parcelas subdivididas, com medidas repetidas no tempo, sendo as parcelas as doses (0; 13,3; 26,6; 39,9; 52,3; 79,8 t ha-1 ) de composto orgânico e um tratamento adicional com adubos minerais e as subparcelas os ciclos (1, 2, 3 e 4) com 4 blocos, totalizando 28 parcelas. As variáveis mensuradas foram atributos físicos e químicos do solo, a diagnose foliar e a produtividade de capim-elefante. Para o fator ciclo, a adubação orgânica incrementou a umidade gravimétrica e umidade volumétrica e ainda houve diminuição da densidade de partículas em função dos ciclos. Com as doses do fertilizante orgânico houve aumento nas concentrações da matéria orgânica, amônio, nitrato, amônio + nitrato, fósforo e saturação por base; houve redução do valor da acidez potencial, além da elevação dos teores de nitrogênio e fósforo nas plantas. As doses de composto orgânico aumentaram a biomassa de forragem total de capim elefante. A adubação mineral proporcionou maior incremento da produção do capim em relação à adubação orgânica no decorrer dos ciclos. Abstract: The use of organic compost from residues of production and slaughter of small ruminants can increase dry matter production of elephant grass, in due function of quantity nutrients in this compost, thus reducing the animal production impacts in the environment and production costs in elephant grass fields. Due to the Lack of information in literature and the importance regarding organic fertilization in agriculture, the aim of this work was evaluate chemical and physical soil attributes, nutritional status in plants and production of elephant grass in function of doses of organic compound of residues of production and slaughter of small ruminants. The experimental design was in split-plot, with the main treatment the doses (0; 13,3; 26,6; 39,9; 52,3; 79,8 t ha-1 ) of organic compost and one additional treatment with mineral fertilization and secondary treatments was the cycles (1, 2, 3 and 4) with 4 blocks, and 28 plots. The measured variables were physical and chemical attributes in the soil, nutritional diagnosis in plants and production of elephant grass. For cycle factor the organic fertilization increased gravimetric and volumetric humidity, yet, occurred decrease of density in function of cycles. With the doses of organic compost increased organic matter, ammonium, nitrate, ammonium + nitrate, phosphor and base saturation; and decreased the value of potential acidity; and increased content of N and P in plants. The doses of organic compost increased the elephant grass production. The mineral fertilization increased the elephant grass production in relation of organic fertilization over the cycles.

Adubação de capim-elefante com composto orgânico produzido com resíduos animais.

A utilização do composto orgânico proveniente de resíduos da criação e abate de pequenos ruminantes pode elevar a produção de matéria seca do capim-elefante, tendo em vista o teor de nutrientes contidos nesse fertilizante orgânico, diminuindo os impactos da produção animal sobre o ambiente e reduzindo os custos de produção na área de capineira de capim-elefante. Dada à escassez de informações na literatura e a importância do manejo adequado da adubação orgânica na agropecuária, objetivou-se avaliar os atributos químicos e físicos do solo, o estado nutricional e a produção do capim-elefante submetido à aplicação de doses do composto orgânico proveniente de resíduos da produção e abate de pequenos ruminantes. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em parcelas subdivididas, com medidas repetidas no tempo, sendo as parcelas as doses (0; 13,3; 26,6; 39,9; 52,3; 79,8 t ha-1) de composto orgânico e um tratamento adicional com adubos minerais e as subparcelas os ciclos (1, 2, 3 e 4) com 4 blocos, totalizando 28 parcelas. As variáveis mensuradas foram atributos físicos e químicos do solo, a diagnose foliar e a produtividade de capim-elefante. Para o fator ciclo, a adubação orgânica incrementou a umidade gravimétrica e umidade volumétrica e ainda houve diminuição da densidade de partículas em função dos ciclos. Com as doses do fertilizante orgânico houve aumento nas concentrações da matéria orgânica, amônio, nitrato, amônio + nitrato, fósforo e saturação por base; houve redução do valor da acidez potencial, além da elevação dos teores de nitrogênio e fósforo nas plantas. As doses de composto orgânico aumentaram a biomassa de forragem total de capimelefante. A adubação mineral proporcionou maior incremento da produção do capim em relação à adubação orgânica no decorrer dos ciclos. Abstract: The use of organic compost from residues of production and slaughter of small ruminants can increase dry matter production of elephant grass, in due function of quantity nutrients in this compost, thus reducing the animal production impacts in the environment and production costs in elephant grass fields. Due to the Lack of information in literature and the importance regarding organic fertilization in agriculture, the aim of this work was evaluate chemical and physical soil attributes, nutritional status in plants and production of elephant grass in function of doses of organic compound of residues of production and slaughter of small ruminants. The experimental design was in split-plot, with the main treatment the doses (0; 13,3; 26,6; 39,9; 52,3; 79,8 t ha-1 ) of organic compost and one additional treatment with mineral fertilization and secondary treatments was the cycles (1, 2, 3 and 4) with 4 blocks, and 28 plots. The measured variables were physical and chemical attributes in the soil, nutritional diagnosis in plants and production of elephant grass. For cycle factor the organic fertilization increased gravimetric and volumetric humidity, yet, occurred decrease of density in function of cycles. With the doses of organic compost increased organic matter, ammonium, nitrate, ammonium + nitrate, phosphor and base saturation; and decreased the value of potential acidity; and increased content of N and P in plants. The doses of organic compost increased the elephant grass production. The mineral fertilization increased the elephant grass production in relation of organic fertilization over the cycles.

Analytical method development for the uptake study of different organic pollutants by crops cultivated in compost-amended soils

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Effects of early compost application on no-till organic soybean

Weed control has always been an important issue in agriculture. With the advent of no-till systems, soil erosion was reduced but herbicide use was increased. Organic no-till systems try to adjust reduced erosion to the no use of herbicides. Nevertheless, this adjustment is limited by the cost of mechanical weed control. This cost may be reduced by improved cultural weed control with cover crops mulches. In this paper we report a study on the application of compost manure on an oats winter cover crop, preceding soybean, instead of on the soybean summer crop. Treatments comprised a control without compost manure, and compost manure doses of 4 and 8 Mg ha-1 applied either on oats in winter or soybean in summer, organized in a randomized block design, with five replications. In summer, plots were split into weed-controlled or not controlled subplots. The timing of application and the manure doses did not affect the oats biomass or the soybean performance. However, in summer, without water stress, the application of manure at 8 Mg ha-1 directly on soybean has reduced weed biomass in this crop.

Greenhouse gas emissions from sub-tropical agricultural soils after addition of organic by-products

As the cost of mineral fertilisers increases globally, organic soil amendments (OAs) from agricultural sources are increasingly being used as substitutes for nitrogen. However, the impact of OAs on the production of greenhouse gases (CO2 and N2O) is not well understood. A 60-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of applying OAs (equivalent to 296 kg N ha−1 on average) on N2O and CO2 emissions and soil properties of clay and sandy loam soils from sugar cane production. The experiment included 6 treatments, one being an un-amended (UN) control with addition of five OAs being raw mill mud (MM), composted mill mud (CM), high N compost (HC), rice husk biochar (RB), and raw mill mud plus rice husk biochar (MB). These OAs were incubated at 60, 75 and 90% water-filled pore space (WFPS) at 25°C with urea (equivalent to 200 kg N ha−1) added to the soils thirty days after the incubation commenced. Results showed WFPS did not influence CO2 emissions over the 60 days but the magnitude of emissions as a proportion of C applied was RB < CM < MB < HC

Micro-scale anaerobic digestion of point source components of organic fraction of municipal solid waste

The fermentation characteristics of six specific types of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) were examined, with an emphasis on properties that are needed when designing plug-flow type anaerobic bioreactors. More specifically, the decomposition patterns of a vegetable (cabbage), fruits (banana and citrus peels), fresh leaf litter of bamboo and teak leaves, and paper (newsprint) waste streams as feedstocks were studied. Individual OFMSW components were placed into nylon mesh bags and subjected to various fermentation periods (solids retention time, SRT) within the inlet of a functioning plug-flow biogas fermentor. These were removed at periodic intervals, and their composition was analyzed to monitor decomposition rates and changes in chemical composition. Components like cabbage waste, banana peels, and orange peels fermented rapidly both in a plug-flow biogas reactor (PFBR) as well as under a biological methane potential (BMP) assay, while other OFMSW components (leaf litter from bamboo and teak leaves and newsprint) fermented slowly with poor process stability and moderate biodegradation. For fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW), a rapid and efficient removal of pectins is the main cause of rapid disintegration of these feedstocks, which left behind very little compost forming residues (2–5%). Teak and bamboo leaves and newsprint decomposed only to 25–50% in 30 d. These results confirm the potential for volatile fatty acids accumulation in a PFBR’s inlet and suggest a modification of the inlet zone or operation of a PFBR with the above feedstocks.

Influence of soil organic amendments on suppression of the burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, on the growth of bananas.

Radopholus similis is a major constraint to banana production in Australia and growers have relied on nematicides to manage production losses. The use of organic amendments is one method that may reduce the need for nematicides, but there is limited knowledge of the influence of organic amendments on endo-migratory nematodes, such as R. similis. Nine different amendments, namely, mill mud, mill ash, biosolids, municipal waste compost, banana residue, grass hay, legume hay, molasses and calcium silicate were applied to the three major soil types of the wet tropics region used for banana production. The nutrient content of the amendments was also determined. Banana plants were inoculated with R. similis and grown in the soil-amendment mix for 12-weeks in a glasshouse experiment. Assessments of plant growth, plant-parasitic nematodes and soil nematode community characteristics were made at the termination of the experiment. Significant suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes occurred in soils amended with legume hay, grass hay, banana residue and mill mud relative to untreated soil. These amendments were found to have the highest N and C content. The application of banana residue and mill mud significantly increased shoot dry weight at the termination of the experiment relative to untreated soil. Furthermore, the applications of banana residue, grass hay, mill mud and municipal waste compost increased the potential for suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes through antagonistic activity. The application of amendments that are high in C and N appeared to be able to induce suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes in bananas, by developing a more favourable environment for antagonistic organisms.

Micro-treatment options for components of organic fraction of MSW in residential areas

There is a growing interest in management of MSW through micro-treatment of organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW) in many cities of India. The OFMSW fraction is high (> 80%) in many pockets within South Indian cities like Bangalore, Chikkamagalur, etc. and is largely represented by vegetable, fruit, packing and garden wastes. Among these, the last three have shown problems for easy decomposition. Fruit wastes are characterized by a large pectin supported fraction that decomposes quickly to organic acids (becomes pulpy) that eventually slow down anaerobic and aerobic decomposition processes. Paper fraction (newsprint and photocopying paper) as well as paddy straw (packing), bagasse (from cane juice stalls) and tree leaf litter (typical garden waste and street sweepings) are found in reasonably large proportions in MSW. These decompose slowly due to poor nutrients or physical state. We have examined the suitability of these substrates for micro-composting in plastic bins by tracking decomposition pattern and physical changes. It was found that fruit wastes decompose rapidly to produce organic acids and large leachate fraction such that it may need to be mixed with leachate absorbing materials (dry wastes) for good composting. Leaf litter, paddy straw and bagasse decompose to the tune of 90, 68 and 60% VS and are suitable for composting micro-treatment. Paper fractions even when augmented with 10% leaf compost failed to show appreciable decomposition in 50 days. All these feedstocks were found to have good biological methane potential (BMP) and showed promise for conversion to biogas under a mixed feed operation. Suitability of this approach was verified by operating a plug-flow type anaerobic digester where only leaf litter gathered nearby (as street sweepings) was used as feedstock. Here only a third of the BMP was realized at this scale (0.18 m(3) biogas/kg VS 0.55 m(3)/kg in BMP). We conclude that anaerobic digestion in plug-flow like digesters appear a more suitable micro-treatment option (2-10 kg VS/day) because in addition to compost it also produces biogas for domestic use nearby.

Vermicompost reduces the invasiveness of the earthworm species Dichogaster bolaui compared to the use of compost in a degraded tropical soil in Northern Vietnam

In Northern Vietnam, organic fertilization programmes are being tested to restore soil fertility and reduce soil erosion. However, the amendment of organic matter in soil is also associated with the development of the invasive earthworm species Dichogaster bolaui. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of organic matter amendment quality (compost vs. vermicompost) on D. bolaui. Our study confirmed D. bolaui development in organic patches in the field. However, we also observed that the flat-backed millipede Asiomorpha coarctata proliferated in these organic patches. Native to Asia, this millipede species is also considered as invasive in America. Both D. bolaui and A. coarctata more rapidly colonized compost than vermicompost patches. A laboratory experiment confirmed this trend and showed the limited development of D. bolaui in vermicompost. This is probably because of the decreased palatability of this substrate to soil fauna. In conclusion, any restoration practice that aims to increase the organic stocks in soils degraded by erosion should consider the quality of the organic amendment. In Northern Vietnam, vermicompost may be the preferred substrate for restoring soils while limiting the spread of D. bolaui. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Off-site impacts of agricultural composting: role of terrestrially derived organic matter in structuring aquatic microbial communities and their metabolic potential

While considered as sustainable and low-cost agricultural amendments, the impacts of organic fertilizers on downstream aquatic microbial communities remain poorly documented. We investigated the quantity and quality of the dissolved organic matter leaching from agricultural soil amended with compost, vermicompost or biochar and assessed their effects on lake microbial communities, in terms of viral and bacterial abundances, community structure and metabolic potential. The addition of compost and vermicompost significantly increased the amount of dissolved organic carbon in the leachate compared with soil alone. Leachates from these additions, either with or without biochar, were highly bioavailable to aquatic microbial communities, although reducing the metabolic potential of the community and harbouring more specific communities. Although not affecting bacterial richness or taxonomic distributions, the specific addition of biochar affected the original lake bacterial communities, resulting in a strongly different community. This could be partly explained by viral burst and converging bacterial abundances throughout the samples. These results underline the necessity to include off-site impacts of agricultural amendments when considering their cascading effect on downstream aquatic ecosystems.