Short‐ and long‐term effects of a single application of two organic amendments

Abstract

A frequent side-effect of soil treatment with organic amendments is the slow release of harmful metals deriving from the initial matrices, mainly municipal waste and manure from intensive farming. Contamination is amplified by repeated treatments, which is a common practice to maintain soil fertility. The aim of the present research was to compare, in a mesocosm trial, short (one year)- and long-term (ten years) effects of a single application of compost or a mixture of compost and poultry manure to limestone waste. Attention was focused on pH, organic matter content, metal availability, and microbial biomass and activity. Amendment ecotoxicity at ten years after application was also evaluated. A single application reduced the metal availability and metabolic quotient (an index of stress condition). In the long term, an overall improvement of the environmental conditions has been observed, as the microbial biomass increased, respiration decreased (suggesting low energy requirement) and mineralization activity decreased (likely due to high recalcitrance of residual organic matter). In the brief term, poultry manure played a significant role in improving the environmental conditions as it contributed to reduce the metal availability and to enhance the microbial biomass and activity. In the long term, the overall conditions of both the organic amendments appeared favorable for organisms as low ecotoxicity occurred

Compost and Sewage Sludge for the Improvement of Soil Chemical and Biological Quality of Mediterranean Agroecosystems

“…The use of soil organic amendments, such as biowaste compost (BC) or sewage sludge (SS), is a sustainable agricultural practice presenting two advantages: on the one hand, it supplies valuable nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) and organic matter to agricultural soil, and on the other hand, it allows the reutilization of by-products of waste treatment plants. Compost addition is the most employed land management practice for the accumulation of organic carbon in soils [7,8], while providing plants with essential nutrients [9][10][11]. Long-term soil amendments with biowaste compost, alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers (MFs), may represent a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and safe strategy [12,13].…”

Application of Organic Manures and their Influence on Broccoli Growth and Yield Parameters Associated Pneumonia

“…It has been observed that shorter periods of cultivation do not have significant effect on soil quality as reported in the literature (Lazcano et al, 2013). However, over long periods the continuous uses of manures have had a significant effect on soil quality (Memoli et al, 2017). Van-Camp et al, (2004) found that organic amendments influence soil characteristics by the interdependent modification of biological, chemical and physical properties.…”

Effect of Organic Residues on Pesticide Behavior in Soils: A Review of Laboratory Research

“…Organic amendments also influence soil chemical properties in a positive way. Indeed, their favorable effects on soil microbial communities are often linked to changes in soil chemical characteristics [50,51]. Several organic amendments may have a direct effect on soil fertility by providing a wide variety of macro-and micro-nutrients, which support plant and microbial growth [52].…”

“…Some of the potential negative effects analyzed and determined in the literature are the increase in soil electrical conductivity and its salinization, negative impacts on the sensitivity and resilience of soil bacteria communities, and the release of pollutants into the soil and/or waters (nitrate, heavy metals, antibiotics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, PCBs, etc.) [51,[59][60][61][62][63].…”