Effect of Combined Application of Manure and Chemical Fertilizer on the Dynamic Changes of Purple Soil Nutrient and Soil Enzyme Activities

[Objective] The aim was to study the effects of combined of manure and fertilizer on the content of nutrients in purplish soil as well as release dynamics of enzyme activities.[Method] The effects of manure and fertilizer application on the content of AOM,NH＋4-N and NO-3-N in soil as well as release dynamics of enzyme activities were studied by means of simulation culturing.[Result] In the treatments of combined application of simulation culture experiment,the content of active organic matters,NH＋4-N,NO-3-N and soil enzyme activities changed dynamically,which showed a shape of inverted ＂S＂ with two or more peaks.Compared with the treatment of fertilization,their peaks were relatively flat and occurred relatively late,while the treatment of fertilization had only one but the highest peak.The content of active organic matter came to top around 10 d in the order of cow5fertilizer5pig5fertilizer5cow manurepig manurefertilizer Ⅰfertilizer Ⅱ;the activity of urease came to top around 10 d in all treatments and in the order of pig manurecow5fertilizer5cow manurefertilizer Ⅰfertilizer Ⅱpig5fertilizer5.The activity of saccharase was in the order of pig5fertilizer5pig manurecow5fertilizer5cow manureCKfertilizer Ⅱfertilizer Ⅰ.[Conclusion] The study could provide the theoretical basis for reasonable application of manure and fertilizer.

Effects of Dairy Cattle Manure and Chemical Fertilizers on Fertility of Soils Grown with Cichorium intybus

[Objective] The aim was to explore recycling utilization of manure of dairy cattle through returning of manures into fields. [Method] Effects of dairy cattle ma- nure and chemical fertilizer on fertility of soils grown with Cichorium intybus were in- vestigated through a pot experiment. [Result] After manure of dairy cattle was ap- plied, it can be concluded that organic matter, total N, total P, alkali-hydrolyzable ni- trogen, available P, activities of urease and invertase in soils increased by 0.14-1.28 times, 43.8%-79.7%, 17.4%-30.8%, 147%-188%, 7 times, 17.2%-38.5%, and 1.36%- 3.34%, respectively. Furthermore, organic matter, total N. urease and invertase activi- ties in group of M7F3 increased most; total P and available P achieved the best in group of M3F7. These indicated that the applied manures of dairy cattle would maintain and improve soil fertility, providing better soils for Cichorium intybus. [Conclusion] The research provides reference for recycling of cattle manures and construction of ecological cyclical pattern of ＂grass planting-cattle breeding-methane fermentation-returning of manures into fields＂.

Experimental study on pore water pressure dissipation of mucky soil

Pore water pressure has an important influence on mechanical properties of soil.The authors studied the characteristics of pore water pressure dissipating of mucky soil under consolidated-drained condition by using refitted triaxial instrument and analyzed the variation of pore pressure coefficient with consolidation pressure.The results show that the dissipating of pore water pressure behaves in different ways depends on different styles of loading.What is more,the pore water pressure coefficient of mucky soil is less than 1.As the compactness of soil increases and moisture content reduces,the value of B reduces.There is a staggered dissipating in the process of consolidation,in which it is a mutate point when U/P is 80%.It is helpful to establish the pore water pressure model and study the strength-deformation of soil in process of consolidation.

Poultry Manure Compost Alleviates the Phytotoxicity of Soil Cadmium: Influence on Growth of Pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.)

The growth performance of pakchoi （Brassica chinensis L.） in relation to soil cadmium （Cd） fractionations was investigated to evaluate the remediating effect of poultry manure compost on Cd-contaminated soil. A yellow-brown soil （Alfisol） treated with various levels of Cd （0 50 mg Cd kg^-1 soil） was amended with increasing amounts of compost from 0 to 120 g kg^-1. Compost application transformed 47.8%-69.8% of soluble/exchangeable Cd to the organic-bound fraction, and consequently decreased Cd uptake of pakchoi by 56.2%-62.5% as compared with unamended soil. Alleviation of Cd bioavailability by compost was attributed primarily to the increase of soil pH and complexation of Cd by organic matter including dissolved organic matter. In general, the improvement of pakchoi performance was more pronounced in higher Cd-contaminated soil. Addition of large amount of compost also favored the anti-oxidative capability of pakchoi against Cd toxicity. This low cost remediation method seems to be very effective in the restoration of Cd-eontaminated soils.

Topsoil as Affected by Dung Deposition Under Resting Places of Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

The short-term influence of dung deposition and the further redistribution of dung by dung beetles were studied under a resting place of the red howler monkey （Alouatta seniculus） living in tropical ralnforests of South America. Monkey dung was experimentally clumped on the field in a place used by troops of howler monkeys for resting in the Nouragues Reserve Station, French Guiana. Dung-treated plots were sampled serially over three weeks and compared with controls located in their immediate vicinity. The composition of the soil matrix （top 10 cm） was studied in successive microlayers using an optical method. Under the influence of dung beetle activity, the topsoil became more homogeneous by losing its litter, its content in earthworm faeces increased in the course of time, and surface mineral deposits were penetrated by roots. The results were interpreted in the light of present knowledge on the effects of soil animal activity on plant growth and survival of seedlings.

Pig Manure Systems in Germany and China and the Impact on Nutrient Flow

Germany and China use different stable systems for fattening pigs. Widespread systems in Germany are closed stables with slatted or partly slatted floor, which produce liquid manure （a mixture of urine, faeces, and cleaning water） whereas in China open stables with closed concrete floors are used with separate collection of faeces and urine. Based on data from literature and own analyses nutrient flows of both systems are calculated. The Chinese manure system or mechanized belt or V-shaped pit floor systems with faeces/urine separation are more effective to separate solids, nutrients, carbon, and heavy metal than mechanical separation from liquid manure. The separation rates can be up to 88% for the solids, 67% for nitrogen, 93% for phosphorus, 60% for potassium, 94% for magnesium, 97% for cupper, and 98% for zinc. The faeces can be used for composting to produce a market product.

Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Levels of Knowledge in Soil Fertility Management in the Central Highlands of Kenya

This study aimed to first assess knowledge levels of the farmers in the use of manure, fertilizer and combinations of manure and fertilizer and secondly to identify the socioeconomic factors influencing the levels of knowledge in the use of animal manure, inorganic fertilizers and combination of animal manure and inorganic fertilizers in Meru South, Maara and Mbeere South districts of the central highlands of Kenya. Data were collected from a random sample of 300 households through face to face interviews using an interview schedule. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results showed that 75% and 73% of the respondents had high levels of knowledge in use of manure and fertilizers, respectively, while 43% of the respondents had moderate levels of knowledge in the use of manure ＋ fertilizers. Age of the household head （HHH） training in the use of animal manure and group membership significantly influenced household levels of knowledge in use of animal manure. In regard to levels of knowledge on fertilizer use, group membership, age of the HHH and total farm size were important explanatory variables while gender of the HHH, household size, training on manure ＋ fertilizers, group membership and total farm size were important in influencing the levels of knowledge in use of manure ＋ fertilizers. The implication of these results is that training and belonging to a group enhances level of knowledge on soil fertility management and development, so workers should focus on these two aspects.

Phosphomonoesterase Activities,Kinetics and Thermodynamics in a Paddy Soil After Receiving Swine Manure for Six Years

Soil phosphomonoesterase plays a critical role in controlling phosphorus(P) cycling for crop nutrition,especially in P-deficient soils.A 6-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate soil phosphomonoesterase activities,kinetics and thermodynamics during rice growth stages after consistent swine manure application,to understand the impacts of swine manure amendment rates on soil chemical and enzymatic properties,and to investigate the correlations between soil enzymatic and chemical variables.The experiment was set out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and five treatments including three swine manure rates(26,39,and 52 kg P ha^(-1),representing low,middle,and high application rates,respectively) and two controls(no-fertilizer and superphosphate at 26 kg P ha^(-1)).The results indicated that the grain yield and soil chemical properties were significantly improved with the application of P-based swine manure from 0 to 39 kg P ha^(-1);however,the differences between the 39(M_(39)) and 52 kg P ha^(-1) treatments(M_(52)) were not significant.The enzymatic property analysis indicated that acid phosphomonoesterase was the predominant phosphomonoesterase in the tested soil.The M_(39) and M_(52) treatments had relatively high initial velocity(V_0),maximal velocity(V_(max)),and activation grade(lgN_a) but low Michaelis constant(K_m),temperature coefficient(Q_(10)),activation energy(E_a),and activation enthalpy(ΔH),implying that the M_(39) and M_(52) treatments could stimulate the enzyme-catalyzed reactions more easily than all other treatments.The correlation analysis showed that the distribution of soil phosphomonoesterase activities mainly followed the distributions of total C and total N.Based on these results,39 kg P ha^(-1) could be recommended as the most appropriate rate of swine manure amendment.

Impact of Intensive Greenhouse Production System on Soil Quality

Composite top- and subsoil samples were collected from the greenhouses in the Al-Balawneh area,Jordan,where intensive greenhouse production system(IGPS) has been practiced since 1998,to study the impact of IGPS on soil quality as measured by the chemical and biological properties to develop a sustainable production system.The study showed that IGPS led to higher electrical conductivity in top- and subsoils compared to an uncultivated soil(control).Quality and amount of irrigation water,lack of efficient drainage,and quantity and types of applied fertilizers were major factors resulting in salt buildup.IGPS resulted in lower total N(TN) and NO_3-N in the soil compared to the control.The lower TN was due to crop uptake,microbial immobilization,volatilization,and irregular application of composted animal manure or poultry manure.In contrast,higher residual Olsen-P content was detected in both soil layers of greenhouses than in the control.Residual P was classified as very high in the topsoil layers and sufficient to high in the subsoil layers.Residual available K in the soils of greenhouses was relatively lower than that in the control and it was,however,classified as high to very high.A large increase of Cl and a considerable decrease in the bacterial count were observed in both soil layers of IGPS compared to the control treatment.Economically sustainable soil management practices need to be adopted by farmers to achieve a sustainable and profitable production.This can be accomplished through education,targeted towards the farming community in the central Jordan Valley.

Fertigation with Wastewater and Vermicompost: Soil Biochemical and Agronomic Implications

To study how wastewater(WW) and different organic sources(humic substances or vermicompost) affected soil chemical and biochemical fertility and agronomic productivity in field-grown melon, an experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted with the following treatments: three different mixtures of irrigation water(100% WW, 50% WW with 50% groundwater, and 100% groundwater) and, for each WW treatment, four different organic fertilization treatments of control without organic matter application(CK), vermicompost used as surface mulch(SM), vermicompost incorporated into the soil(VC),and humic substances extracted by vermicompost(HS). Chemical and biochemical results indicated an improvement in soil fertility,suggested by the increase in soil organic carbon and nutrient(nitrate and macro- and microelements) contents and in soil microbial activities(hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes), in particular in the VC treatments. In addition, even soil potential metabolism was stimulated by WW combined with organic treatments, as highlighted by the increase in the metabolic(dehydrogenase activity/watersoluble carbon) and nitrification indices(NO-3and NH+4). Melon productivity confirmed these results, with the highest yield and melon quality in the VC treatments irrigated with 100% WW. In conclusion, the combined use of WW and organic amendment,recovering both mineral and organic nutrients from these kinds of recycled materials, was effective in the improvement of soil quality and crop productivity.

Feeding Biochar to Cows:An Innovative Solution for Improving Soil Fertility and Farm Productivity

Addition of biochar produced through thermal decomposition of biomass has been seen as a strategy to improve soils and to sequester carbon （C）, but wide scale implementation of the technology requires to devise innovative profitable solutions. To develop biochar utilisation with an integrated system approach, an innovative program was implemented in 2012 on a 53-ha farm in Western Australia to determine the costs and benefits of integrating biochar with animal husbandry and improvement of pastures. Biochar was mixed with molasses and fed directly to cows. The dung-biochar mixture was incorporated into the soft profile by dung beetles. We studied the changes in soil properties over 3 years. Biochar extracted from fresh dung and from the soil to a depth of 40 cm was characterised. A preliminary financial analysis of the costs and benefits of this integrated approach was also undertaken. The preliminary investigation results suggested that this strategy was effective in improving soil properties and increasing returns to the farmer. It was also concluded that the biochar adsorbed nutrients from the cow＇s gut and from the dung. Dung beetles could transport this nutrient-rich biochar into the soil profile. There was little evidence that the recalcitrant component of the biochar was reduced through reactions inside the gut or on/in the soil. Further research is required to quantify the long-term impact of integrating biochar and dung beetles into the rearing of cows.