Effects of compost input and tillage intensity on soil microbial biomass and activity under Mediterranean conditions

Laudicina, Vito Armando; Badalucco, Luigi; Palazzolo, Eristanna

doi:10.1007/s00374-010-0502-8

Cited by 74 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…In Haplic Andosols, this is because oxides diminish the expression of the aggregate hierarchy, as was also suggested by Oades and Waters (1991) Soil structure, measured, as MWD and amount of macroaggregates was highest in the unimproved grasslands Grass 1 and Grass 2 that had never been ploughed, followed by the improved grasslands (Table 3, Figure 2). It is well known that tillage breaks down aggregates and subsequently SOM is mineralized when not physically protected in the aggregates (e.g., Madejón et al 2007;Laudicina et al 2011). Our data may indicate that the application of OM in organic farming practices may have had positive effects on soil structure (Table 3, Figure 2).…”

Section: Biological Soil Propertiescontrasting

confidence: 41%

Aggregation and organic matter in subarctic Andosols under different grassland management

Sandén

Gísladóttir

Lair

et al. 2015

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Sc

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Quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) affect physical, chemical, and biological soil properties, and are pivotal to productive and healthy grasslands. Thus, we analyzed the distribution of soil aggregates and assessed quality, quantity, and distribution of SOM in two unimproved and improved (two organic and two conventional) grasslands in subarctic Iceland, in Haplic and Histic Andosols. We also evaluated principal physicochemical and biological soil properties, which influence soil aggregation and SOM dynamics. Macroaggregates (>250 μm) in topsoils were most prominent in unimproved (62-77%) and organically (58-69%) managed sites, whereas 20-250 μm aggregates were the most prominent in conventionally managed sites (51-53%). Macroaggregate stability in topsoils, measured as mean weight diameter, was approximately twice as high in organically managed (12-20 mm) compared with the conventionally managed (5-8 mm) sites, possibly due to higher organic inputs (e.g., manure, compost, and cattle urine). In unimproved grasslands and one organic site, macroaggregates contributed between 40% and 70% of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen to bulk soil, whereas in high SOM concentration sites free particulate organic matter contributed up to 70% of the SOC and nitrogen to bulk soil. Aggregate hierarchy in Haplic Andosols was confirmed by different stabilizing mechanisms of micro-and macroaggregates, however, somewhat diminished by oxides (pyrophosphate-, oxalate-, and dithionite-extractable Fe, Al, and Mn) acting as binding agents for macroaggregates. In Histic Andosols, no aggregate hierarchy was observed. The higher macroaggregate stability in organic farming practice compared with conventional farming is of interest due to the importance of macroaggregates in protecting SOM and soils from erosion, which is a prerequisite for soil functions in grasslands that are envisaged for food production in the future.

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Section: Biological Soil Propertiescontrasting

confidence: 41%

Aggregation and organic matter in subarctic Andosols under different grassland management

Sandén

Gísladóttir

Lair

et al. 2015

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Sc

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“…The structure of the microbial community in soil, the distribution of microbial biomass and enzyme activity may be affected by several factors, such as farming systems [14], plant species [15], [16], [17], tree species, soil pH [18], soil type [19], tillage and crop rotation [20], [21], [22], [23], [24]. This is why it is also important to take into consideration microbiological indicators when evaluating soil quality [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterial Indicator of Agricultural Management for Soil under No-Till Crop Production

et al. 2012

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The rise in the world demand for food poses a challenge to our ability to sustain soil fertility and sustainability. The increasing use of no-till agriculture, adopted in many areas of the world as an alternative to conventional farming, may contribute to reduce the erosion of soils and the increase in the soil carbon pool. However, the advantages of no-till agriculture are jeopardized when its use is linked to the expansion of crop monoculture. The aim of this study was to survey bacterial communities to find indicators of soil quality related to contrasting agriculture management in soils under no-till farming. Four sites in production agriculture, with different soil properties, situated across a west-east transect in the most productive region in the Argentinean pampas, were taken as the basis for replication. Working definitions of Good no-till Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Poor no-till Agricultural Practices (PAP) were adopted for two distinct scenarios in terms of crop rotation, fertilization, agrochemicals use and pest control. Non-cultivated soils nearby the agricultural sites were taken as additional control treatments. Tag-encoded pyrosequencing was used to deeply sample the 16S rRNA gene from bacteria residing in soils corresponding to the three treatments at the four locations. Although bacterial communities as a whole appeared to be structured chiefly by a marked biogeographic provincialism, the distribution of a few taxa was shaped as well by environmental conditions related to agricultural management practices. A statistically supported approach was used to define candidates for management-indicator organisms, subsequently validated using quantitative PCR. We suggest that the ratio between the normalized abundance of a selected group of bacteria within the GP1 group of the phylum Acidobacteria and the genus Rubellimicrobium of the Alphaproteobacteria may serve as a potential management-indicator to discriminate between sustainable vs. non-sustainable agricultural practices in the Pampa region.

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“…Our results confirms previous studies (Laudicina et al 2011) evidencing that tillage mechanically suppress fungal hyphae inhibing fungal community. Also, differences in qCO2 can depend on the fungal/bacterial biomass ratio with fungi respiring less than bacteria per unit of biomass.…”

Section: Experiments Foursupporting

confidence: 93%

“…However, Luo et al(2010) highlighted that the role of no-tillage management in sequestrating C is greatly regulated by cropping systems. Tillage requires extra soil turn-over, so it can disturb soil structure and deplete soil fertility (Jabran et al 2015) There are many reports on the dynamics of microbial parameters in soils after different rates of tillage intensities (Laudicina et al 2011(Laudicina et al , 2015Novara et al 2014). As a consequence, it is important to empathize on both quantity and timing of tillage management to avoid fertility loss.…”

Section: Synthetic Herbicide: Oxyfluorfen (Oxy)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in Mediterranean crops

Oddo¹

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-Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in mediterranean crops I Abstract: Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in mediterranean cropsThis research approaches the question of weed control sustainability, from the point of view of soil quality maintenance and enhancing.A big choice of practices and products for weed control are available nowadays, but the actual definition of "sustainable practice" not always considers soil fertility. Soil processes timescale is wider than the productive, commercial and legislative ones. Also the definition of survey protocols is a process slower than the evolution of weed control methods.The faster reaction in the soil ecosystem after an external pressure is given by the organisms living in it, and the microbial community is finally the most effective agent in nutrient recycling processes.In this investigation, the same soil analysis protocol was applied on soil samples exposed to different weed management and control methods. Using soil quality indexes and bioindicators, soil properties variations after the different weed control treatments were compared. In particular soil carbon pool and how microbial community recycles was surveyed. A standard protocol to both find variations in long-term soil quality and survey the short-term impact of weed control practices on soil biological processes was defined.Weed management practices can interact with the nutrients recycling processes performed by the microorganisms living in the soil. These processes have a central role in maintaining soil fertility, one of the most important resources for agriculture.Three weed management practices were compared: the use of synthetic (oxyfluorfen) or natural (essential oils and aqueous extracts) herbicides and two mechanical methods (tillage and mulching).Soil fertility was monitored measuring soil physical-chemical values and elaborating soil quality indexes and bioindicators.Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in mediterranean crops II Riassunto: Effetti di diverse tecniche di gestione delle erbe infestanti dei coltivi mediterranei sulla qualità del suolo Questa ricerca si occupa di un ramo della sostenibilità ambientale del controllo delle arvensi infestanti, dal punto di vista del mantenimento e del miglioramento della qualità del suolo. Oggi è disponibile sul mercato una vasta gamma di prodotti e di tecniche, ma la stessa definizione di "pratica sostenibile" non sempre tiene in considerazione la fertilità del suolo.I processi che avvengono nel suolo hanno infatti scale temporali più ampie rispetto a quelli produttivi, commerciali e legislativi. Anche la definizione dei protocolli di indagine è un processo più lento rispetto all'evoluzione commerciale dei metodi di controllo delle infestanti. In seguito ad una pressione esterna, la parte dell'ecosistema suolo che reagisce più velocemente sono gli organismi che in esso vivono, e la comunità microbica è in definitiva l'operatore più efficace nel riciclare i nutrienti del suolo.In...

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Effects of compost input and tillage intensity on soil microbial biomass and activity under Mediterranean conditions

Cited by 74 publications

References 45 publications

Aggregation and organic matter in subarctic Andosols under different grassland management

Aggregation and organic matter in subarctic Andosols under different grassland management

Bacterial Indicator of Agricultural Management for Soil under No-Till Crop Production

Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in Mediterranean crops

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