Identification of Phytotoxic Levels of Copper and Nickel in Commercial Organic Soil Amendments Recycled from Poultry Farms and Municipal Wastes

Interactive Effects of Organic Fertilizers and Drought Stress on Growth and Nutrient Content of Brassica juncea at Vegetative Stage

“…The analyses were performed under the instrumental variables of 1.2 kW radio frequency power, 12 L min −1 plasma gas flow rate, 1.0 L min −1 auxiliary gas flow rate, 1.0 L min −1 sample uptake rate, 0.7 L min −1 nebulizer gas flow rate, and 5 s read time. Emission lines that displayed low interference, high analytical signal, and background ratios were chosen for each element with Ca at 315.887, Cu at 324.754, Fe at 238.204, Mg at 285.213, K at 766.491, Mn at 257.610, Na at 589.592, P at 214.914, and Zn at 213.857 nm with a modification of Kebrom [30]. The correlation coefficient for the calibration curves was >0.9990, with a readback error of <0.5%.…”

“…For example, application of chitosan (a biodegradable polymer) stimulated plant growth and improved availability and uptake of water and essential nutrients [28]. Others have also claimed that application of organic fertilizers to meet a specific nutrient demand of crops may concomitantly boost the level of other plant nutrients [29,30]. While effects of fertilizer type and drought on crop growth and yield have been studied separately [5,31], little is known about the combined effect of these stressors on growth plasticity of B. juncea and nutrient dynamics across time within the vegetative stage.…”

Patterns of Nutrient Dynamics within and below the Rootzone of Collard Greens Grown under Different Organic Amendment Types and Rates

“…Organic agriculture supports environmental stewardship. Commercial-scale recycling of agricultural and municipal wastes into organic soil amendments facilitates safe disposal of waste, improves soil health, and reduces environmental degradation [26]. Tanha [27] conducted a field experiment to examine the changes in pedostructure-based soil characterization under different soil management methods involving three organic treatments (chicken, dairy manure, and Milorganite) applied at three different rates and found that the dairy manure had improved soil aggregate structure better than chicken manure and Milorganite.…”

“…Particularly, nickel in chicken manure and Milorganite aqueous extracts was 28-fold and 21-fold, respectively, higher than previously reported toxic levels to wheat seedlings. Kebrom et al [26] identified phytotoxic levels of copper and nickel in commercial organic soil amendments recycled from poultry farms and municipal wastes and found that commercial chicken manure and Milorganite (recycled from municipal waste) were more phytotoxic than poultry manure. Application of exogenous N fertilizers (poultry or chicken manure and/or biosolids such as Milorganite) provides agronomic benefits but carries environmental liabilities [30].…”