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11 pages, 1587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accelerated Dissipation of Two Herbicides after Repeated Application in Field Experiments with Organically-Amended Soil

by María José Carpio, Jesús M. Marín-Benito, María J. Sánchez-Martín and M. Sonia Rodríguez-Cruz

Agronomy 2021, 11(6), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061125 - 31 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2798

Abstract

Organic wastes applied as composted amendments may improve the quality of degraded soils and modify the fate of pesticides. This work has set out to study the dissipation kinetics of the herbicides chlorotoluron and flufenacet during their second-year application in field experimental plots [...] Read more.

Organic wastes applied as composted amendments may improve the quality of degraded soils and modify the fate of pesticides. This work has set out to study the dissipation kinetics of the herbicides chlorotoluron and flufenacet during their second-year application in field experimental plots with a sandy-loam agricultural soil without amendment (S) and amended with spent mushroom substrate (S + SMS) or green compost (S + GC). The SMS and GC were applied to the soil during the previous winter’s wheat crop campaign (1 year before the second herbicide application) at rates of 140 and 85 t ha⁻¹ (dry weight basis), respectively. The experiment involved randomized complete blocks with plots of 81 m², including three replicates per soil treatment. Surface soils were sampled after herbicide application for 225 days, and herbicide residues in the soil samples were determined by HPLC-MS. The dissipation curves of both herbicides for the three soil treatments were better fitted to the first order multi-compartment (FOMC) kinetic model. The dissipation rates of the most hydrophobic herbicide, flufenacet, were slower than those for chlorotoluron in both unamended and amended soils. The half-life (DT₅₀) values ranged between 20.7 to 41.1 days for chlorotoluron, and 42.9 to 75.6 days for flufenacet, and they followed the order S > S + SMS > S + GC. The DT₅₀ values of chlorotoluron were close for S + SMS and S + GC, and the DT₅₀ of flufenacet for S was similar to that for S + SMS. These DT₅₀ values decreased up to four times with respect to those calculated after the first application indicating an accelerated dissipation of the herbicides after the second application especially in amended soil in comparison with unamended soil. The persistence of chlorotoluron and flufenacet in an agricultural soil was modified by the effect of the organic amendments, weather conditions, and possibly the repeated application of the compounds under real field conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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11 pages, 963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Enzymatic Activities and Microbial Community Structure in Soils Polluted with Tetracycline Antibiotics

by Vanesa Santás-Miguel, Montserrat Díaz-Raviña, Angela Martín, Elena García-Campos, Ana Barreiro, Avelino Núñez-Delgado, Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez, Manuel Arias-Estévez and David Fernández-Calviño

Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050906 - 5 May 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3732

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was performed to examine the medium-term influence of three tetracycline antibiotics (chlortetracycline, CTC; tetracycline, TC and oxytetracycline, OTC) at different concentrations in four agricultural soils with similar pH and different soil organic content. After a 42-days incubation period, three different [...] Read more.

A laboratory experiment was performed to examine the medium-term influence of three tetracycline antibiotics (chlortetracycline, CTC; tetracycline, TC and oxytetracycline, OTC) at different concentrations in four agricultural soils with similar pH and different soil organic content. After a 42-days incubation period, three different soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, urease, and phosphomonoesterase) were estimated, as well as the phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). A residual effect was observed on all microbial parameters measured in the four soils affecting to the soil enzymes activity and soil microbial communities structure (PLFA pattern). A different microbial sensitivity to antibiotics was detected depending on both, soil type and the microbial property considered. Specifically, in general, no antibiotic effect or even a slight positive effect was observed for phosphomonoesterase and β-glucosidase enzyme activities, respectively, while a negative effect was detected for urease activity values, particularly at higher doses of the antibiotics in a soil with a low organic matter content. The principal component analysis performed with the PLFAs data obtained for all soil samples showed different microbial communities depending mainly on soil type, followed by the antibiotic added to the soil (CTC, TC or OTC) and, in a lesser extent, by its concentration. In general, the PLFA patterns showed similar microbial communities structure due to OTC and TC addition in comparison to the microbial communities structure of soil treated with CTC. These results could be environmentally relevant, especially as regards potential effects of antibiotics on the soil microbiome and hence on health risk assessment of these antibiotics in soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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12 pages, 1706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Presence of Five Rare Earth Elements in Vineyard Soils on Different Lithologies: Campo de Calatrava, Spain

by Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta, Sandra Bravo, Caridad Pérez-de-los-Reyes, José Angel Amorós, Jesús García-Pradas, Mónica Sánchez-Ormeño and Francisco Jesús García-Navarro

Agronomy 2021, 11(3), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030458 - 1 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2716

Abstract

The aim of the work described here was to understand the pedogeochemical signature of five rare earth elements (REEs; Ce, Nd, La, Y, and Sc) in vineyard soils in Campo de Calatrava (a unique territory with calcareous, volcanic and metamorphic rocks). The mean [...] Read more.

The aim of the work described here was to understand the pedogeochemical signature of five rare earth elements (REEs; Ce, Nd, La, Y, and Sc) in vineyard soils in Campo de Calatrava (a unique territory with calcareous, volcanic and metamorphic rocks). The mean contents in surface horizons of Ce, Nd, La, Y, and Sc were 65.7, 32.0, 35.5, 18.8, and 13.9 mg·kg^–1, respectively. In subsurface horizons the contents were Ce 62.8, Nd 31.1, La 35.7, Y 17.9, and Sc 14.4 mg·kg^–1. The results show that mean contents of REEs in the area under investigation are in the order Ce > Nd > La > Y > Sc. Ce has a very high range, with a value close to 150 mg·kg^–1. On the other hand, concentrations of Ce, Nd, Y, and Sc are higher in soils on volcanic material than in soils on nonvolcanic material, while only La values are lower in soils on volcanic rocks. The distributional maps of REEs in surface and subsurface horizons suggest that parent material and pedogenesis such as argillization and calcium carbonate accumulation are more important factors than the use of REE-based fertilizers, except in certain exceptional cases (consistent with a possible specific human impact after continuous fertilization). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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15 pages, 977 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Tracking Changes on Soil Structure and Organic Carbon Sequestration after 30 Years of Different Tillage and Management Practices

by Ramón Bienes, Maria Jose Marques, Blanca Sastre, Andrés García-Díaz, Iris Esparza, Omar Antón, Luis Navarrete, José L. Hernánz, Víctor Sánchez-Girón, María J. Sánchez del Arco and Remedios Alarcón

Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020291 - 5 Feb 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4400

Abstract

Long-term field trials are essential for monitoring the effects of sustainable land management strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change. The influence of more than thirty years of different management is analyzed on extensive crops under three tillage systems, conventional tillage (CT), [...] Read more.

Long-term field trials are essential for monitoring the effects of sustainable land management strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change. The influence of more than thirty years of different management is analyzed on extensive crops under three tillage systems, conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT), and with two crop rotations, monoculture winter-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wheat-vetch (Triticum aestivum L.-Vicia sativa L.), widely present in the center of Spain. The soil under NT experienced the largest change in organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, macroaggregate stability, and bulk density. In the MT and NT treatments, SOC content was still increasing after 32 years, being 26.5 and 32.2 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively, compared to 20.8 Mg ha⁻¹ in CT. The SOC stratification (ratio of SOC at the topsoil/SOC at the layer underneath), an indicator of soil conservation, increased with decreasing tillage intensity (2.32, 1.36, and 1.01 for NT, MT, and CT respectively). Tillage intensity affected the majority of soil parameters, except the water stable aggregates, infiltration, and porosity. The NT treatment increased available water, but only in monocropping. More water was retained at the permanent wilting point in NT treatments, which can be a disadvantage in dry periods of these edaphoclimatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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13 pages, 870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Isotope Measurements to Determine the Turnover of Soil Organic Matter Fractions in a Temperate Forest Soil

by Dóra Zacháry, Tibor Filep, Gergely Jakab, Mihály Molnár, Titanilla Kertész, Csilla Király, István Hegyi, Lilla Gáspár and Zoltán Szalai

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1944; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121944 - 10 Dec 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4490

Abstract

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a combination of materials having different origin and with different stabilization and decomposition processes. To determine the different SOM pools and their turnover rates, a silt loam-textured Luvisol from West Hungary was taken from the 0–20 cm soil [...] Read more.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a combination of materials having different origin and with different stabilization and decomposition processes. To determine the different SOM pools and their turnover rates, a silt loam-textured Luvisol from West Hungary was taken from the 0–20 cm soil depth and incubated for 163 days. Maize residues were added to the soil in order to obtain natural ¹³C enrichment. Four different SOM fractions—particulate organic matter (POM), sand and stable aggregate (S + A), silt- plus clay-sized (s + c) and chemically resistant soil organic carbon (rSOC) fractions—were separated and analyzed using FT-IR, δ¹³C, and ¹⁴C measurements. The mean residence time (MRT) of the new C and the proportion of maize-derived C in the fractions were calculated. The POM fraction was found to be the most labile C pool, as shown by the easily decomposable chemical structures (e.g., aliphatic, O-alkyl, and polysaccharides), the highest proportion (11.7 ± 2.5%) of maize-derived C, and an MRT of 3.6 years. The results revealed that the most stable fraction was the rSOC fraction which had the smallest proportion of maize-derived C (0.18 ± 2.5%) and the highest MRT (250 years), while it was the only fraction with a negative value of Δ¹⁴C (−75.0 ± 2.4‰). Overall, the study confirmed the hypothesis that the SOM associated with finer-sized soil particles decomposes the least, highlighting the significance of the fractionation process for more accurate determination of the decomposition processes of SOM pools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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15 pages, 2358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Effect of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Muell. Arg.) Leaf Chemical Composition on Some Soil Properties of Differently Aged Rubber Tree Plantations

by Porntip Puttaso, Weravart Namanusart, Kanjana Thumanu, Bhanudacha Kamolmanit, Alain Brauman and Phrueksa Lawongsa

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1871; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121871 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5373

Abstract

Leaf litter plays a major role in carbon and nutrient cycling, as well as in fueling food webs. The chemical composition of a leaf may directly and indirectly influence decomposition rates by influencing rates of biological reactions and by influencing the accumulation of [...] Read more.

Leaf litter plays a major role in carbon and nutrient cycling, as well as in fueling food webs. The chemical composition of a leaf may directly and indirectly influence decomposition rates by influencing rates of biological reactions and by influencing the accumulation of soil organic carbon content, respectively. This study aimed to assess the impact of the chemical composition of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Muell. Arg.) leaves on various soil properties of different ages of rubber (4–5, 11–12, and 22–23 year-old). Synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (Sr-FTIR) was utilized for analyzing the chemical composition of plant leaves. The Sr-FTIR bands illustrated that the epidermis of rubber leaves from 4–5-year-old trees was found to contain a high quantity of polysaccharides while mesophyll from 22–23-year-old trees had a large number of polysaccharides. The change in soil properties in the older rubber plantation could be attributed to its chemical composition. The change in soil properties across all tree ages, i.e., increased litter and organic carbon content, was a relatively strong driver of soil biota evolution. The aliphatic of C-H in the leaves showed high correlation with soil organic carbon (SOC) and permanganate-oxidizable C (POXC) from 22–23 year-old trees. This study shows the differences in the organic chemical composition of leaves that are consequential to soil organic carbon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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18 pages, 2882 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Irrigation on Biological Properties of Sweet Pepper Rhizosphere in Organic Field Cultivation

by Agnieszka Jamiołkowska, Barbara Skwaryło-Bednarz, Elżbieta Patkowska, Halina Buczkowska, Anna Gałązka, Jarosław Grządziel and Marek Kopacki

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111693 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3615

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of mycorrhizal fungi (MF) and irrigation on biological properties of sweet pepper rhizosphere in organic field cultivation. For this purpose, MF were applied to plants in the form of commercial mycorrhizal inoculum ( [...] Read more.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of mycorrhizal fungi (MF) and irrigation on biological properties of sweet pepper rhizosphere in organic field cultivation. For this purpose, MF were applied to plants in the form of commercial mycorrhizal inoculum (Rhizophagus aggregatus, R. intraradices, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Endogone mosseae, Funneliformis caledonium, and Gigaspora margarita) and irrigation according to the combinations: mycorrhized plants (PM), mycorrhized and irrigated plants (PMI), and irrigated plants (PI). Plants without MF and irrigation served as the absolute control (P). The study used classic and molecular techniques, assessing catalase activity, biodiversity of soil microorganisms (soil DNA analysis), and the Community-Level Physiological Profiles (CLPP) analysis using Biolog EcoPlates. The highest catalase activity was recorded in the control and mycorrhized soil sample. The highest total number of bacteria was noted in the rhizosphere of control plants (P) and irrigated plants, while the lowest number in the rhizosphere of mycorrhized and irrigated plants. Plant irrigation contributed to the increase in the total number of fungi in the rhizosphere. The rhizospheric soil of PM and PMI were characterized by the highest utilization of amines, amides, and amino acids, whereas the lowest level of utilization was detected in the P and PI rhizospheres. The highest biodiversity and metabolic activity were observed in the rhizospheres from the PMI and PM samples, whereas lower catabolic activity were recorded in the P and PI rhizospheres. The mycorrhization of crops improved the biological properties of the rhizosphere, especially under conditions of drought stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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16 pages, 3497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coupling of Biochar with Nitrogen Supplements Improve Soil Fertility, Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency and Rapeseed Growth

by Zaid Khan, Kangkang Zhang, Mohammad Nauman Khan, Shah Fahad, Zhenghua Xu and Liyong Hu

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1661; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111661 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3054

Abstract

Compensating nitrogen input and increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) are necessary for sustainable crop production. Research studies on the co-application of biochar and nitrogen to promote rapeseed growth, soil fertility, and improve nutrient utilization efficiency are found to be limited. This study aims [...] Read more.

Compensating nitrogen input and increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) are necessary for sustainable crop production. Research studies on the co-application of biochar and nitrogen to promote rapeseed growth, soil fertility, and improve nutrient utilization efficiency are found to be limited. This study aims to examine the integral effects of biochar and nitrogen over soil fertility, rapeseed growth and nitrogen utilization efficiency. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to assess various morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of rapeseed and soil chemical properties under the application of four nitrogen levels (0, 75, 225, and 450 kg ha⁻¹ equivalent to 0, 133, 400 and 800 mg nitrogen pot⁻¹) and four biochar levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 MT ha⁻¹ equivalent to 0, 10, 20 and 30 g biochar pot⁻¹ soil by weight basis). The results of this study showed that the integral application of biochar at 30 g pot⁻¹ and nitrogen at 800 mg pot⁻¹ at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and 60 days after sowing (DAS) compensated the amount of nitrogen and increased soil organic carbon (SOC 69%), total nitrogen accumulation (TNA) (93% and 62%), leaf biomass (60% and 33%), stem biomass (20% and 22%) and photosynthesis (20% and 17%) at 45 DAS and 60 DAS, respectively as compared to a single application of nitrogen. However, under the conditions of no nitrogen or 75 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen application, the application of biochar to promote the growth of rapeseed plants is limited due to the less nitrogen supply. In contrast, the application of nitrogen at 800 mg pot⁻¹ and biochar at 10 or 20 g pot⁻¹ showed that the growth of early seedlings was adversely affected due to high nitrogen concentration in soil. The findings of the present study imply that within the appropriate nitrogen application range, the interaction of biochar and nitrogen might have an economical approach towards better utilization of nitrogen and sustainable crop production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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16 pages, 1138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating the Impact of Long-Term Fertilization on Basic Soil Productivity in a Rainfed Winter Wheat System

by Ting Wang, Ningping Ding, Lili Li, Xiaodong Lyu, Qiang Chai and Xuecheng Dou

Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101544 - 11 Oct 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2586

Abstract

Basic soil productivity (BSP) is the ability of a soil, in its normal environment to support plant growth. However, the assessment of BSP remains controversial. The aim of this study is to quantify and analyze the trends of BSP in winter wheat seasons [...] Read more.

Basic soil productivity (BSP) is the ability of a soil, in its normal environment to support plant growth. However, the assessment of BSP remains controversial. The aim of this study is to quantify and analyze the trends of BSP in winter wheat seasons using the decision support system for agrotechnologie transfer (DSSAT) model under a long-term fertilization experiment in the dark loessal soil region of the Loess Plateau of China. In addition, we evaluated the contribution percentage of BSP to yield and its influencing factors. A long-term fertilization experiment with a winter wheat/spring maize rotation was established in 1979 in a field of the Gaoping Agronomy Farm, Pingliang, Gansu, China, including six treatments: (1) no fertilizer as a control (CK), (2) chemical nitrogen fertilizer input annually (N), (3) chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer input annually (NP), (4) straw return and chemical nitrogen fertilizer input annually plus phosphorus fertilizer added every second year (SNP), (5) manure input annually (M), and (6) M plus N and P fertilizers added annually (MNP). The application of the DSSAT-CERES-Wheat model showed a satisfactory performance with good Wilmott d-index (0.78~0.95) and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) (7.03%~18.72%) values for the tested genetic parameters of winter wheat. After the 26-years experiment, the yield by BSP of winter wheat under the M and MNP treatment significantly increased, at the rate of 2.7% and 3.82% a year, respectively, whereas that of CK and N treatments significantly decreased, at the rate of 0.23% and 3.03%. Moreover, the average contribution percentage of BSP to yield was 47.0%, 39.4%, 56.3%, 50.0%, and 61.9% in N, NP, SNP, M, and MNP treatments, respectively. In addition, soil organic carbon contents were the main controls of BSP under the different fertilization conditions in the dark loessial soil area. As a result, the combined application of organic fertilizer or straw and chemical fertilizer can be an effective form of fertilization management to greatly enrich basic soil productivity, continually promote the contribution percentage of BSP, and ultimately increase crop yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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10 pages, 2116 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Fertilization Management under WSPI on Soil Nitrogen Distribution and Nitrogen Absorption in Apple Orchard in Loess Plateau

by Qiyun Cheng, Juanjuan Ma, Rong Ren, Lijian Zheng, Xianghong Guo and Xihuan Sun

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091386 - 14 Sep 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2365

Abstract

Water storage pit irrigation (WSPI) has been proven effective in improving the water use efficiency of fruit trees in Loess Plateau, but so far there are still no matching efficient fertilization management methods. A two-year experiment was conducted to explore the management strategy [...] Read more.

Water storage pit irrigation (WSPI) has been proven effective in improving the water use efficiency of fruit trees in Loess Plateau, but so far there are still no matching efficient fertilization management methods. A two-year experiment was conducted to explore the management strategy of fertilization under the consideration of apple production and environmental sustainability. N isotope tracer technique was used to study the distribution of labelled nitrogen in soil, leaf, root and fruit. Moreover, the yield in different fertilizer managements were observed to evaluate the apple production. The results showed that increasing the amount of fertilizer could increase the accumulation of fertilizer nitrogen in soil, but also increased the risk of nitrogen leaching. Under the same amount of fertilizer, split fertilization can effectively increase of fertilizer nitrogen in soil by a mean of 4.7 times. Further, N300 application with split fertilization effectively increased apple yield. The yield of N300II treatment was higher than other treatment by maximum 68.5%. In addition, the root system mainly absorbed the fertilizer nitrogen applied in the current year, and the fruit mainly absorbed the fertilizer nitrogen applied in the previous year, but there was no significant difference in the leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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17 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polymer-Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN Coated Diammonium Phosphate Enhanced Microbial Survival, Phosphorous Use Efficiency, and Production of Wheat

by Muhammad Zahir Aziz, Muhammad Yaseen, Muhammad Naveed, Xiukang Wang, Kaniz Fatima, Qudsia Saeed and Adnan Mustafa

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1344; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091344 - 7 Sep 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3679

Abstract

Low bioavailability of phosphorus (P) in alkaline/calcareous soils leads to low yields due to its precipitation/fixation with calcium (Ca). An effective method to enhance phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and its availability to plants is the application of alginate bioaugmented coated di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). [...] Read more.

Low bioavailability of phosphorus (P) in alkaline/calcareous soils leads to low yields due to its precipitation/fixation with calcium (Ca). An effective method to enhance phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and its availability to plants is the application of alginate bioaugmented coated di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). In this study, the pre-isolated P solubilizing Paraburkholderia phytofirmans (PsJN) coated with different concentrations of polymer (alginate) on DAP with and without carbon source was tested in incubation, pot, and field experiments to investigate microbial survival, Olsen P release, and its availability to plants. Results indicated that the maximum recovery of PsJN loaded on alginate at 30 days incubation with and without carbon source was 199 × 10¹⁰ and 82 × 10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹ respectively. Application of alginate bioaugmented DAP released 962 mg kg⁻¹ Olsen P after 60 days of incubation compared to 280 and 370 mg kg⁻¹ Olsen P released by uncoated and simple alginate coated DAP, respectively. Results from pot trial revealed that application of 100% alginate bioaugmented DAP increased 26% plant height, 31% photosynthetic rate, 55% grain yield, and 6 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ root bacterial population, compared to uncoated DAP. Field trial results indicated that 22% grain yield, 14% straw yield, and 44% agronomy P efficiency were increased by applying 100% alginate bioaugmented DAP compared to uncoated DAP. This new approach resulted in controlled release of P from coated DAP that not only reduced phosphorus fixation but also enhanced the bioavailability of P to plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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17 pages, 2675 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Efficiency of Nitrogen Fertilization of Winter Wheat Depending on Sulfur Fertilization

by Monika Tabak, Andrzej Lepiarczyk, Barbara Filipek-Mazur and Aneta Lisowska

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091304 - 2 Sep 2020

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 5602

Abstract

Optimization of fertilization enables to obtain a yield of high quality and quantity, brings economic profits, and reduces environmental threats. The aim of the three-year field experiment was to determine the efficiency of fertilization with a new fertilizer available on the Polish market [...] Read more.

Optimization of fertilization enables to obtain a yield of high quality and quantity, brings economic profits, and reduces environmental threats. The aim of the three-year field experiment was to determine the efficiency of fertilization with a new fertilizer available on the Polish market and containing nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) in proportions designed for cereals cultivation (30% N and 6% S as ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate). Other treatments included no fertilization; fertilization with ammonium nitrate (34% N); fertilization with standard nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer with N supplementation with ammonium nitrate. Nitrogen doses were 150, 200, and 250 kg N ha⁻¹. Sulfur was applied in doses of 30, 40, and 50 kg S ha⁻¹. A beneficial effect of using fertilizer containing N and S in proportions designed for cereals cultivation was observed. The highest mean optimal nitrogen dose and maximum winter wheat yield were recorded for the new fertilizer (217 kg N ha⁻¹ and 8251 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). Sulfur supplementation with the new fertilizer significantly increased apparent nitrogen recovery (mean values 48.9%, 44.6%, and 40.6% for doses 150, 200, and 250 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively), agronomic efficiency (11.1 and 8.6 kg kg⁻¹ N for doses 200 and 250 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively), and physiological efficiency (24.7 kg kg⁻¹ N for dose 200 kg N ha⁻¹). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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11 pages, 1213 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Community Tolerance to Tetracycline Antibiotics in Cu Polluted Soils

by Vanesa Santás-Miguel, Manuel Arias-Estévez, Montserrat Díaz-Raviña, María José Fernández-Sanjurjo, Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez, Avelino Núñez-Delgado and David Fernández-Calviño

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091220 - 19 Aug 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3039

Abstract

The increase of bacterial community tolerance to Cu, and of cotolerance to the antibiotics tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC), was studied in three soils spiked with six different Cu concentrations (resulting in 0, 125, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg kg [...] Read more.

The increase of bacterial community tolerance to Cu, and of cotolerance to the antibiotics tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC), was studied in three soils spiked with six different Cu concentrations (resulting in 0, 125, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ into soils) in a laboratory experiment, after 42 days of incubation. The results show significant increases of bacterial community tolerance to the metal when soil Cu concentrations were between 125 and 500 mg kg⁻¹. Moreover, Cu soil pollution also caused cotolerance to the three antibiotics studied but for higher Cu concentrations (1000 mg kg⁻¹). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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19 pages, 2623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Nitrogen Fertilization Impacts on Soil Bacteria, Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Wheat in Semiarid Loess Plateau, China

by Aixia Xu, Lingling Li, Jeffrey A. Coulter, Junhong Xie, Subramaniam Gopalakrishnan, Renzhi Zhang, Zhuzhu Luo, Liqun Cai, Chang Liu, Linlin Wang and Shahbaz Khan

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081175 - 11 Aug 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4162

Abstract

Soil bacteria are key components of the soil microbial community contributing to soil health. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is an important factor that affects soil microbial community and cereal production. This study aims to explore the impact of long-term N fertilization on soil bacterial [...] Read more.

Soil bacteria are key components of the soil microbial community contributing to soil health. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is an important factor that affects soil microbial community and cereal production. This study aims to explore the impact of long-term N fertilization on soil bacterial diversity, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and the grain yield of wheat in the semiarid region of Loess Plateau, China. The field experiment was conducted from 2003 to 2018 including five N treatments: 0 (N0), 52.5 (N52.5), 105 (N105), 157.5 (N157.5), and 210 (N210) kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. The soil pH was decreased by the N fertilization, while the soil ammonium, nitrate, and available phosphorus were increased. The N uptake and grain yield of wheat were significantly increased with N and the highest NUE (28%) and grain yield (44% higher than control) were observed at 105 kg N ha⁻¹, but no significant increase in yield was observed by further increasing N rate. The bacterial diversity was significantly increased at N105. Soil bacteria community was strongly related to soil chemical properties and ammonium content was the most important contributor. The dominant soil bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae, Verrucomicrobia, and Planctomycetes. The higher grain yield of wheat was related to the higher class Gammaproteobacteria and Sphingobacteriia abundance, and lower class Acidobacteria and Chloroflexia abundance. In summary, 105 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ was the optimum rate of N for diversified soil bacterial community and wheat yield for sustainable wheat production in semiarid Loess Plateau of China, whose higher N use efficiency was attributed to the higher phyla Verrucomicrobia and Planctomycetes, and lower Proteobacteria abundance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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16 pages, 1974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Microbial Community Changes in a Field Treatment with Chlorotoluron, Flufenacet and Diflufenican and Two Organic Amendments

by María José Carpio, Carlos García-Delgado, Jesús María Marín-Benito, María Jesús Sánchez-Martín and María Sonia Rodríguez-Cruz

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081166 - 8 Aug 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3862

Abstract

The soil microbial activity, biomass and structure were evaluated in an unamended (S) and organically amended soil treated with two commercial formulations of the herbicides chlorotoluron (Erturon^®) and flufenacet plus diflufenican (Herold^®) under field conditions. Soils were amended with [...] Read more.

The soil microbial activity, biomass and structure were evaluated in an unamended (S) and organically amended soil treated with two commercial formulations of the herbicides chlorotoluron (Erturon^®) and flufenacet plus diflufenican (Herold^®) under field conditions. Soils were amended with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) or green compost (GC). Soil microbial dehydrogenase activity (DHA), biomass and structure determined by the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles were recorded at 0, 45, 145, 229 and 339 days after herbicide treatment. The soil DHA values steadily decreased over time in the unamended soil treated with the herbicides, while microbial activity was constant in the amended soils. The amended soils recorded higher values of concentrations of PLFAs. Total soil microbial biomass decreased over time regardless of the organic amendment or the herbicide. Herbicide application sharply decreased the microbial population, with a significant modification of the microbial structure in the unamended soil. In contrast, no significant differences in microbial biomass and structure were detected in S + SMS and S + GC, untreated or treated with herbicides. The application of SMS and GC led to a significant shift in the soil microbial community regardless of the herbicides. The use of SMS and GC as organic amendments had a certain buffer effect on soil DHA and microbial biomass and structure after herbicide application due to the higher adsorption capacity of herbicides by the amended soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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10 pages, 530 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Wheat Cover Crop and Split Nitrogen Application on Corn Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

by Oladapo Adeyemi, Reza Keshavarz-Afshar, Emad Jahanzad, Martin Leonardo Battaglia, Yuan Luo and Amir Sadeghpour

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081081 - 27 Jul 2020

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 5443

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) grain is a major commodity crop in Illinois and its production largely relies on timely application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Currently, growers in Illinois and other neighboring states in the U.S. Midwest use the maximum return to N [...] Read more.

Corn (Zea mays L.) grain is a major commodity crop in Illinois and its production largely relies on timely application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Currently, growers in Illinois and other neighboring states in the U.S. Midwest use the maximum return to N (MRTN) decision support system to predict corn N requirements. However, the current tool does not factor in implications of integrating cover crops into the rotation, which has recently gained attention among growers due to several ecosystem services associated with cover cropping. A two-year field trail was conducted at the Agronomy Research Center in Carbondale, IL in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate whether split N application affects nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of corn with and without a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop. A randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements and four replicates was used. Main plots were cover crop treatments (no cover crop (control) compared to a wheat cover crop) and subplots were N timing applications to the corn: (1) 168 kg N ha⁻¹ at planting; (2) 56 kg N ha⁻¹ at planting + 112 kg N ha⁻¹ at sidedress; (3) 112 kg N ha⁻¹ at planting + 56 kg N ha⁻¹ at sidedress; and (4) 168 kg N ha⁻¹ at sidedress along with a zero-N control as check plot. Corn yield was higher in 2018 than 2019 reflecting more timely precipitation in that year. In 2018, grain yield declined by 12.6% following the wheat cover crop compared to no cover crop control, indicating a yield penalty when corn was preceded with a wheat cover crop. In 2018, a year with timely and sufficient rainfall, there were no yield differences among N treatments and N balances were near zero. In 2019, delaying the N application improved NUE and corn grain yield due to excessive rainfall early in the season reflecting on N losses which was confirmed by lower N balances in sidedressed treatments. Overall, our findings suggest including N credit for cereals in MRTN prediction model could help with improved N management in the Midwestern United States. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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14 pages, 844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Oxytetracycline and Chlortetracycline on Bacterial Community Growth in Agricultural Soils

by Vanesa Santás-Miguel, Manuel Arias-Estévez, Montserrat Díaz-Raviña, María José Fernández-Sanjurjo, Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez, Avelino Núñez-Delgado and David Fernández-Calviño

Agronomy 2020, 10(7), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10071011 - 14 Jul 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3816

Abstract

Toxicity on soil bacterial community growth caused by the antibiotics oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) was studied in 22 agricultural soils after 1, 8 and 42 incubation days. The leucine incorporation method was used with this aim, estimating the concentration of each antibiotic [...] Read more.

Toxicity on soil bacterial community growth caused by the antibiotics oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) was studied in 22 agricultural soils after 1, 8 and 42 incubation days. The leucine incorporation method was used with this aim, estimating the concentration of each antibiotic which caused an inhibition of 50% in bacterial community growth (log IC₅₀). For OTC, the mean log IC₅₀ was 2.70, 2.81, 2.84 for each of the three incubation times, while the values were 2.05, 2.22 and 2.47 for CTC, meaning that the magnitude of OTC toxicity was similar over time, whereas it decreased significantly for CTC with incubation time. In addition, results showed that the toxicity on bacterial community growth due to CTC is significantly higher than when due to OTC. Moreover, the toxicity on bacterial community growth due to both antibiotics is dependent on soil properties. Specifically, an increase in soil pH and silt content resulted in higher toxicity of both antibiotics, while increases in total organic carbon and clay contents caused decreases in OTC and CTC toxicities. The results also show that OTC toxicity can be well predicted by means of specific equations, using the values of pH measured in KCl and those of effective cation exchange capacity as input variables. CTC toxicity may be predicted (but with low precision) using pH measured in KCl and total organic carbon. These equations may help to predict the negative effects caused by OTC and CTC on soil bacteria using easily measurable soil parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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13 pages, 2021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Tillage, Straw-Returning and Mineral Fertilization on the Stability and Associated Organic Content of Soil Aggregates in the North China Plain

by Huayan Zhang, Ling’an Niu, Kelin Hu, Jinmin Hao, Fan Li, Zhuanqin Gao and Xiang Wang

Agronomy 2020, 10(7), 951; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10070951 - 2 Jul 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3457

Abstract

Agricultural management, such as tillage and straw-returning, affect soil fertility and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. With the increasing food demand and challenges imposed by climate change, these effects on soil fertility need to be closely monitored, so that short-term agricultural intensification should not [...] Read more.

Agricultural management, such as tillage and straw-returning, affect soil fertility and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. With the increasing food demand and challenges imposed by climate change, these effects on soil fertility need to be closely monitored, so that short-term agricultural intensification should not threaten the long-term productivity of the land. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine the long-term effects of different management practices on soil aggregate stability and associated organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) over a 33-year period in the croplands of the North China Plain. Bulk soils from the surface and subsurface layers were fractionated using the wet sieving approach. The results showed that the silt + clay (SC) fractions (<0.053 mm) were predominant, accounting for 32–56% of the mass at the 0–20 cm depth, and accounting for 41–55% of the mass at the 20–40 cm depth. Additionally, long-term (33 years) no-tillage management and straw-returning at different application rates increased the mass of large soil macroaggregates (LMA), the LMA- and macroaggregate-associated OC content, but decreased the SC-associated OC content. Mineral N and P fertilizers had a minor effect on the stabilization of soil aggregates. The treatment with straw significantly increased the mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GWD), compared with the treatment without straw. Our results indicate that carefully regulated management practices would enhance soil aggregate stability, associated OC and N content in the intensive agroecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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Graphical abstract

10 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Nitrification Inhibitor, Nitrapyrin, Reduces Potential Nitrate Leaching through Soil Columns Treated with Animal Slurries and Anaerobic Digestate

by Caterina Giacometti, Martina Mazzon, Luciano Cavani, Claudio Ciavatta and Claudio Marzadori

Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060865 - 18 Jun 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2678

Abstract

A leaching experiment was designed to study the effects of a commercial nitrification inhibitor containing nitrapyrin on nitrification, microbial nitrogen (N) immobilization, and nitrate leaching. Soil columns were treated with 100 mg N kg⁻¹ from pig slurry, cattle slurry, and anaerobic digestate [...] Read more.

A leaching experiment was designed to study the effects of a commercial nitrification inhibitor containing nitrapyrin on nitrification, microbial nitrogen (N) immobilization, and nitrate leaching. Soil columns were treated with 100 mg N kg⁻¹ from pig slurry, cattle slurry, and anaerobic digestate in a mixture with or without the nitrification inhibitor. Destructive sampling was carried out after 0, 7, and 28 days of incubation in the dark at 18 °C. At each sampling date, artificial rain (200 mm of 0.01 M calcium chloride over 4 h) was added to the soil columns. The leachate was collected, and the soil was removed from the columns and sectioned into 5 cm segments. Results indicated that after 28 days of incubation, nitrapyrin enhanced ammoniacal N accumulation in the top layers of the soil columns and reduced the nitrate concentration in the leachates with pig slurry and anaerobic digestate. Furthermore, in the soil columns treated with anaerobic digestate, nitrapyrin promoted microbial N immobilization. These findings suggest that the use of nitrapyrin in a mixture with animal slurry and anaerobic digestate has the potential to reduce nitrate leaching and increase N retention in the topsoil, affording both environmental and economic advantages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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19 pages, 2053 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Nutrients Effects on the Performance of Durum Wheat Inoculated with Entomopathogenic Fungi

by Adrián González-Guzmán, Daniel Sacristán, Antonio Rafael Sánchez-Rodríguez, Vidal Barrón, José Torrent and María Carmen del Campillo

Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040589 - 20 Apr 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3503

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi (EFs) are widely used as biological control agents. However, some strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum can also promote plant growth and increase nutrient uptake. We examined the effects of soil properties on the performance of Triticum durum inoculated by [...] Read more.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EFs) are widely used as biological control agents. However, some strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum can also promote plant growth and increase nutrient uptake. We examined the effects of soil properties on the performance of Triticum durum inoculated by seed dressing with these EFs and grown on 12 agricultural soils. The plants were supplied with all nutrients except P and Zn (essential for yield and the grain quality of wheat). Fungal inoculation increased the grain yield and harvest index significantly with B. bassiana (17% and 14%, respectively) but not with M. brunneum (6% and 6%, respectively). The increase in grain yield was positively and moderately correlated with the soil available phosphorus (P_Olsen) in plants inoculated with B. bassiana and with the soil content in poorly crystalline Fe oxides with M. brunneum. In addition, the increase in aerial dry matter resulting from inoculation with B. bassiana was negatively correlated with soil available Zn. Furthermore, the observed increase in grain yields due to fungal inoculation resulted in P and Zn grain dilution (grain nutrient concentrations decrease). Inoculation with B. bassiana increased grain Zn uptake and the proportion of Zn in grain relative to that in aerial dry matter. Success in the mutualistic relationship between EF and wheat plants depends on the fungal strain and soil properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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Review

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25 pages, 1131 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Agronomic Efficiency of Animal-Derived Organic Fertilizers and Their Effects on Biology and Fertility of Soil: A Review

by Shantanu Bhunia, Ankita Bhowmik, Rambilash Mallick and Joydeep Mukherjee

Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050823 - 22 Apr 2021

Cited by 80 | Viewed by 16318

Abstract

Healthy soils are essential for progressive agronomic activities. Organic fertilization positively affects agro-ecosystems by stimulating plant growth, enhancing crop productivity and fruit quality and improving soil fertility. Soil health and food security are the key elements of Organic Agriculture 3.0. Landfilling and/or open-dumping [...] Read more.

Healthy soils are essential for progressive agronomic activities. Organic fertilization positively affects agro-ecosystems by stimulating plant growth, enhancing crop productivity and fruit quality and improving soil fertility. Soil health and food security are the key elements of Organic Agriculture 3.0. Landfilling and/or open-dumping of animal wastes produced from slaughtering cause environmental pollution by releasing toxic substances, leachate and greenhouse gases. Direct application of animal carcasses to agricultural fields can adversely affect soil microbiota. Effective waste management technologies such as thermal drying, composting, vermicomposting and anaerobic digestion transform animal wastes, making them suitable for soil application by supplying soil high in organic carbon and total nitrogen. Recent agronomic practices applied recycled animal wastes as organic fertilizer in crop production. However, plants may not survive at a high fertilization rate due to the presence of labile carbon fraction in animal wastes. Therefore, dose calculation and determination of fertilizer application frequency are crucial for agronomists. Long-term animal waste-derived organic supplementation promotes copiotrophic microbial abundance due to enhanced substrate affinity, provides micronutrients to soils and protects crops from soil-borne pathogens owing to formation of plant-beneficial microbial consortia. Animal waste-derived organically fertilized soils possess higher urease and acid phosphatase activities. Furthermore, waste to fertilizer conversion is a low-energy requiring process that promotes circular bio-economy. Thus, considering the promotion of soil fertility, microbial abundance, disease protection and economic considerations application of animal-waste-derived organic fertilizer should be the mainstay for sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Healthy in Agro-ecosystems)

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