Organic amendment effects on crop productivity and nutrient uptake on reclaimed natural gas wellsites

Abstract

Restoration of productivity on agricultural soils disturbed by industrial activity is important for agronomic and environmental reasons. Because of the role of organic matter in soil health and quality, organic amendments have been widely used in the reclamation of disturbed soils such as those on abandoned oil and natural gas wellsites. This study examined the effects of one-time applications of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay or beef cattle (Bos taurus) feedlot manure compost on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and nutrient uptake on two abandoned natural gas wellsites that had recently been reclaimed in southern Alberta, Canada. The base amendment rate (1·) [dry wt.] was 5.3 Mg ha -1 for compost and 3.1 Mg ha -1 for alfalfa. The five treatment amendment rates of 0, 1·, 2·, 4·, and 8· were soil-incorporated at the wellsites. Yields and plant nutrient uptake were generally higher at Hussar than at Turin, reflecting the higher inherent fertility of the soil at Hussar. Grain yields were similar for alfalfa and compost amendments, indicating that either amendment can be used depending on availability and/or transportation costs. Our results show that spring wheat yields on these reclaimed soils can be optimized at alfalfa and compost rates of no more than 6 and 10 Mg ha -1 , respectively. Continued monitoring of crop productivity and soil properties may provide insight into the long-term benefits of alfalfa and compost amendments in wellsite reclamation schemes.

The role of organic amendments in soil reclamation: A review

“…Nitrate nitrogen content in the 0 to 60 cm depth was not affected by compost rate (mean 213 kg ha (1 of alfalfa orB20 Mg ha (1 of manure compost during reclamation to improve carbon storage and nutrient cycling, while minimizing potential nutrient loss to water systems. For the same study, Zvomuya et al (2008) showed that spring wheat yields on these reclaimed soils can be optimized at alfalfa and compost rates of no more than 6 and 10 Mg ha…”

Long‐term ecological sites: musings on the future, as seen (dimly) from the past

“…(Or do they perhaps already exist, unrecognized for their ecological value? ). Recovering lands: Wounds from our past activities – mining, exploitive farming, deforestation – have scarred the land throughout the world; long‐term sites would help us see their rates of healing (e.g., Anderson et al ., 2008; Zvomuya et al ., 2008). Developing countries: Ecological pressures now weigh heaviest on developing countries (Bruinsma, 2003; MEA, 2005; Lal, 2007).…”

“…Recovering lands: Wounds from our past activities – mining, exploitive farming, deforestation – have scarred the land throughout the world; long‐term sites would help us see their rates of healing (e.g., Anderson et al ., 2008; Zvomuya et al ., 2008).…”

Survival and colonization of nematodes in a composting process

“…It can provide an important source of nutrients for plants (Cogger ; Zvomuya et al. ), and the stabilized organic matter in compost improves the soil structure (Kuo et al. ; Cogger ).…”

“…Compost application to soil has several benefits. It can provide an important source of nutrients for plants (Cogger 2005;Zvomuya et al 2008), and the stabilized organic matter in compost improves the soil structure (Kuo et al 2004;Cogger 2005). In addition, composts can possess disease-suppressive properties through a combination of physiochemical and biological mechanisms (Akhtar & Malik 2000;Gamliel et al 2000;Reuveni et al 2002;Bailey & Lazarovits 2003;Vallad et al 2003;Kuo et al 2004).…”