Efficient Utilization of Organic Wastes Effluent for Nitrogen Mineralization and Plant Growth Promotion in Mono-Cropping Soil of China

Abstract

Mono-cropping agricultural activities and overuses of chemical-based fertilizers result in the deterioration of soil health and considerable economic loss. However, previous studies suggested that organic fertilizers can sustain soil health through improved soil microbial activities. Nevertheless, the effect of poultry compost and poultry fresh manure on P (Phosphatase) and C (β-glycosidase) related enzymes activities, nitrogen mineralization, and fungal biomass in the mono-cropping soil are poorly understood. Though, the efforts were made to reveal how changes in the soil nitrogen mineralization, enzyme activities and fungal biomass influence plant growth. An incubation and pot experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of organic wastes [Poultry compost (PC), Poultry fresh manure (PFM), Chemical fertilizer (CF), and only soil (S)] was used at the quantity of 200 mg N kg -1 . We observed that soil amended with PC have produced more phosphatase and β-glycosidase enzyme activities and nitrogen mineralization (36.96 mg kg -1 ), indicating that it could be contributing to plant growth promotion. The fungal biomass increased after applying poultry compost, it also might be contributing to plant growth promotion. Therefore, poultry compost was a more suitable waste for mono-cropping soil systems than poultry fresh manure in soil enzyme activities, nitrogen mineralization, and fungal biomass. In conclusion, functional organic waste as an additive to conventional fertilization could save chemical fertilizer's contribution and minimize soil deterioration by overuse of chemical fertilizers.

Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to combined application of organic compost along with plant growth promoting Aspergillus fungi

“…Therefore, alternative options are being considered to replace the inorganic fertilizers, aiming to improve agricultural production, reduce environmental problems, and maintain soil health. By using organic wastes and their byproducts to maintain soil health and boost agricultural productivity on a sustainable basis (Asghar, Mahmood, et al, 2022). For sustainable agricultural production, applying organic wastes and their by-products can meet the nutritional demand of crops and sustain the soil biodiversity (S. Ahmed, Matiullah, Taqi, Ahmad, & Iqbal, 2022;Asghar & Kataoka, 2021).…”