Influence of compost on the physical properties and organic matter fractions of a fine sandy loam throughout the cycle of a potato rotation

Abstract

. 2004. Influence of compost on the physical properties and organic matter fractions of a fine sandy loam throughout the cycle of a potato rotation. Can. J. Soil Sci. 84: 211-218. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) rotations often require organic amendments to maintain or improve soil organic matter levels and soil physical properties. However, beneficial effects of compost can be modified by time of application and rotating tillage depth and intensity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of compost applied once at different phases in a 3-yr potato, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) rotation on a range of soil physical properties and organic matter fractions for a Charlottetown fine sandy loam (Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol) in Prince Edward Island. Soil samples (0-8 cm) were obtained during the second cycle of the rotation (after two compost applications) in the fifth year of the experiment. Soil properties were influenced by compost addition, time of compost addition, and crop phase. Compost-induced benefits in soil physical properties (bulk density, macro-porosity, oxygen diffusion rate, shear vane strength, water-filled pore space) were mainly expressed in the red clover phase of the rotation, where soil density was relatively high compared to the barley and potato phases, due to the absence of tillage. The soil physical parameters, however, were mainly within their established optimum ranges for this soil type. Soil water content at -0.033 MPa was increased by compost in the potato phase, compared to the control. Soil organic matter was influenced by both compost and crop C inputs. Compost increased soil particulate organic matter (POM) in the potato and barley phases. Due to differences in crop residue inputs, compost-related differences in organic matter were minimized in the red clover phase of the rotation. Compost addition increased potato tuber yield above the maximum yield obtained with nitrogen application. This "non-nitrogen" compost yield effect may be related to the slight, but significant, improvement in soil water-holding capacity. Overall, compost application in an intensive 3-yr potato rotation provided benefits for potato productivity and in both soil physical and biological properties. 211-218. Les assolements avec pomme de terre (Solanum tuberosum L.) exigent souvent des amendements organiques pour que le sol garde ou améliore la quantité de matière organique et ses propriétés physiques. Toutefois, le moment de l'application ainsi que la profondeur et l'intensité des labours peuvent modifier les avantages du compost. La présente étude devait préciser les conséquences de l'application de compost à divers moments lors d'un assolement de trois ans incluant la pomme de terre, l'orge (Hordeum vulgare L.) et le trèfle rouge (Trifolium pratense L.) sur diverses propriétés physiques du sol et sur les fractions de la matière organique dans un fin loam sablonneux Charlottetown (podzol orthique humo-ferrique) de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Les auteurs ont prélevé des...

Biowaste usage for soil erosion control and soil physical improvement under potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in Atlantic Canada

“…However, on the basis that soilmoisture status and other soil physical attributes may benefit from cumulative organic amendment (Russell 1973), a measure of the earlier 2-yr segment and of the latter 2-yr segment of the experiment showed striking differences related to soil compaction, showing about a 50% reduction in TO and PR, and potato tuber yield showing a 30% weight increase. The significant increase in crop yield shown in Table 2 with compost has met traditional expectations and conforms to yield increases reported by Carter et al (2004). And, although this study cannot make specific attributions, it identified important relationships based on established, fundamental principles (Mitchell 1970;Russell 1973) that increased crop yield could be enabled by improved soil physical condition Á particularly essential to the below-ground development of any crop whether in the form of roots, tubers or rhizomes.…”

“…Biowaste amendments can be expected to improve the physical condition of degraded soil via the soil organic matter ''pool'' (Ambus and Jensen 1997;Angers and Recous 1997;Beyer et al 1999;Carter et al 2004), and are historically credited with giving yield increases particularly in small-scale farming operations. However, one may question (a) the capacity of these operations to use all of the potentially available biowaste, and (b) the feasibility of ramping-up, to commercial-scale, biowaste usage in this region.…”

Synergisms between Compost and Biochar for Sustainable Soil Amelioration

“…Field capacity and available water holding capacity (AWC, pF 1.8 -4.2) are generally influenced by the particle size, structure and content of OM. Several studies confirm a significant, positive impact of OM amendment to soils on FC (Evanylo et al, 2008;Tejada et al, 2006;Carter et al, 2004). Amongst others, this effect results from the improved formation of secondary pore structures which can be mainly ascribed to root and animal tubes.…”

“…Organic matter applied by compost improves water conductivity of soils (Carter et al, 2004) by providing a food source for soil organisms which contribute to the formation of macro-pores, in turn. Additionally, it has a direct structure-stabilizing effect for soil.…”

The role of composting in recycling manure nutrients

“…Carter et al (2004) found that compost-induced benefits in soil physical properties (bulk density, macro-porosity, oxygen diffusion rate, shear vane strength, water-filled pore space) were mainly expressed in the red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) phase of a 3-yr potato-barley-red clover rotation in Prince Edward Island. Soil water content at -0.033 MPa was increased by compost in the potato phase, compared with the control.…”