Eurasian Journal of Soil Science

Abstract

Soil quality has become an important issue in soil science. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is believed to play an important role in soil processes and in the C, N and P balances, their supplies to plants in all types of soils. It is much more sensitive to soil management than is soil organic matter as a whole, and can be used as a key indicator of soil natural functions. This study aimed to assess the influence of different organic fertilizers on DOC and N, P accumulation. The study was carried out on a moraine loam soil at the Vezaiciai Branch of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2012. Farmyard manure (FYM) (60 t ha -1) and alternative organic fertilizers (wheat straw, rape residues, roots, stubble, perennial grasses) were applied on two soil backgrounds - acid and limed. DOC was analysed using an ion chromatograph SKALAR. Application of organic amendments resulted in a significant increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) content, which demonstrates a positive role of organic fertilizers in SOC conservation. The combination of different organic fertilizers and liming had a significant positive effect on DOC concentration in the soil. The highest DOC content (0.241 g kg-1) was established in the limed soil fertilized with farmyard manure. The most unfavourable status of DOC was determined in the unlimed, unfertilized soil. The limed and FYM-applied soil had the highest nitrogen (1.47 g kg-1) and phosphorus (0.84 g kg-1) content compared to the other treatments. Organic fertilizers gave a significant positive effect on SOC and DOC content increase in the topsoil. This immediate increase is generally attributed to the presence of soluble materials in the amendments. Application of organic fertilizers in acid and limed soil increased the nutrient stocks and ensured soil chemical indicators at the optimal level for plant growth and thus may provide a mechanism as well as prediction opportunities for soil fertility, conservation, sustainability, and protection against degradation.

Keywords

Soil, SOC, DOC, N, P, organic fertilizers, liming

References

<p>Bi, R., Lu, Q., Yuan, T., Zhou, S., Yuan, Y., Cai, Y., 2013. Electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of dissolved organic matter in a forest soil profile. Journal of Environmental Science 25(10): 2093 &ndash; 2101.</p>

<p>Boddy, E., Hill, W.P., Farrar, J., Jones, D.L., 2007. Fast turnover of low molecular weight components of the dissolved organic carbon pool of temperate grass-land field soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 39: 827- 835.</p>

<p>Filep, T., R&eacute;k&aacute;si, M., 2011. Factors controlling dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and DOC/DON ratio in arable soils based on a dataset from Hungary. Geoderma 162: 312 &ndash; 318.</p>

<p>Gong, W., Yan, X., Wang, J., Hu, T., Gong, Y., 2009. Long-term manure and fertilizer effects on soil organic matter fractions and microbes under a wheat&ndash;maize cropping system in northern China. Geoderma 149: 318&ndash;324.</p>

<p>Grandy, A.S., Robertson, G.P., 2006. Aggregation and organic matter protection following tillage of a previously uncultivated soil. Soil Science Society America Journal 70: 1398 &ndash; 1406.</p>

<p>Kaiser, K., 2003. Dissolved organic phosphorus and sulphur as influenced by sorptive interactions with mineral subsoil horizons. European Journal of Soil Science 52: 489&ndash;93.</p>

<p>Kaiser, K., Kalbitz, K., 2012. Cycling downwards &ndash; dissolved organic matter in soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 52: 29 &ndash; 32.</p>

<p>Kemmitt, S.J., Wright D., Goulding, K.W.T., Jones, D.L., 2006. pH regulation of carbon and nitrogen dynamics in two agricultural soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 38: 898&ndash;911.</p>

<p>Kirchmann, H., K&auml;tterer, T., Sch&ouml;n, M., B&ouml;rjesson, G., Hamn&eacute;r, K., 2013. Properties of soils in the Swedish long-term fertility experiments: changes in topsoil and upper subsoil at &Ouml;rja and fors after 50 years of nitrogen fertilisation and manure application. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B -Soil &amp; Plant Science 63: 25&ndash;36.</p>

<p>Liang, Q., Chen, H., Gong, Y., Fan, M., Yang, H., Lal, R., Kuzyakov, Y., 2012. Effects of 15 years of manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil organic carbon fractions in a wheat-maize system in the North China Plain. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 92: 21&ndash;33.</p>

<p>Liaudanskiene, I., Slepetiene, A., Slepetys, J., Stukonis, V., 2013. Evaluation of soil organic carbon stability in grasslands of protected areas and arable lands applying chemo-destructive fractionation. Zemdirbyste 100(4): 339 &ndash; 348.</p>

<p>L&ouml;fgren, S., Zetterberg, T., 2011. Decreased DOC concentrations in soil water in forested areas in southern Sweden during 1987&ndash;2008. Science of The Total Environment 409: 1916&ndash;1926.</p>

<p>Nikitin, B.A., 1999. Methods for soil humus determination. Agrokhimiya 5: 91-93.</p>

<p>Powlson, D.S., Bhogal, A., Chambers, B.J., Coleman, K., Macdonald, A.J., 2012. The potential to increase soil carbon stocks through reduced tillage or organic material additions in England and Wales: A case study. Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp; Environment 146: 23&ndash;33.</p>

<p>Pregitzer, K.S., Burton, A.J., Zak, D.A., Talhelm, A.F., 2008. Simulated chronic nitrogen deposition increases carbon storage in northern temperate forests. Global Change Biology 14: 142&ndash;153.</p>

<p>Purakayastha, T.J., Rudrappa, L., Singh, D., Swarup, A., Bhadraray, S., 2008. Long-term impact of fertilizers on soil organic carbon pools and sequestration rates in maize&ndash;wheat&ndash;cowpea cropping system. Geoderma 144: 370&ndash;378.</p>

<p>Qualls, R.G., Richardson, C.J., 2003. Factors controlling concentration export, and decomposition of dissolved organic nutrients in the Everglades of Florida. Biochemistry US 62(2): 197 &ndash; 229.</p>

<p>Sanderman, J., Baldock, J.A., Amundson, R., 2008. Dissolved organic carbon chemistry and dynamics in contrasting forest and grassland soils. Biogeochemistry &ndash; US. 89:181&ndash;198.</p>

<p>Schl&uuml;ter, S., Weller, U., Vogel, H.J., 2011. Soil structure development including seasonal dynamics in a long-term fertilization experiment. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 174: 395&ndash;403.</p>

<p>Schmidt, M.W.I., Torn, M.S., Abiven, S., Dittmar, T., Guggenberger, G., Janssens, I.A., Kleber, M., K&ouml;gel-Knabner, I., Lehmann, J., Manning, D.A.C., Nannipieri, P., Rasse, D.P., Weiner, S., Trumbore, S.E., 2011. Persistance of soil organic matter as an ecosystem property. Nature 478: 49&ndash;56.</p>

<p>Silveira, M., 2005. Dissolved organic carbon and bioavailability of N and P as indicators of soil quality. Scientia Agricola 62(5): 502 &ndash; 508.</p>

<p>Smemo, K.A., Zak, D.R., Pregitzer, K.S., Burton, A.J., 2007. Characteristics of DOC exported from northern hardwood forests receiving chronic experimental NO3 deposition. Ecosystem 10: 369&ndash;379.</p>

<p>Solinger, S., Kalbitz, K., Matzner, E., 2001. Controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a Central European deciduous forest. Biogeochemistry 55: 327&ndash; 349.</p>

<p>Sowerby, A., Emmett, B.A., Williams, D., Beier, C., Evans, C.D., 2010. The response of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the ecosystem carbon balance to experimental drought in a temperate shrubland. European Journal of Soil Science 61: 697&ndash;709.</p>

<p>Tarakanovas, P., Raudonius, S., 2003. The statistical analysis of agronomic research data using the software programs Anova, Stat, Split-Plot from package Selekcija and Irristat. Akademija, Kėdainių r.</p>

<p>Wen, Y., Li, H., Xiao, J., Wang, C., Shen, Q., Ran, W., He, X., Zhou, Q., Yu, G., 2014. Insights into complexation of dissolved organic matter and Al(III) and nanominerals formation in soils under contrasting fertilizations using two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy and high resolution-transmission electron microscopy techniques, Chemosphere 111: 441 &ndash; 449.</p>

<p>Worrall, F., Burt, T.P., Rowson, J.G., Warburton, J., Adamson, J.K., 2009. The multi-annual carbon budget of a peat-covered catchment. Science of The Total Environment 407: 4084&ndash;4094.</p>

<p>Xi, M., Lu, X.G., Li, Y., Kong, F.L., 2007. Distribution characteristics of dissolved organic carbon in annual wetland soil &ndash; water solutions through soil profiles in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Journal of Environmental Science 19 (9): 1074 &ndash; 1078.</p>

<p>Yu, G.H., Wu, M.J., Wei, G.R., Luo, Y.H., Ran, W., Zhang, J.C., Shen, Q.R., 2012. Binding of organic ligands with Al(III) in dissolved organic matter from soil: implications for soil organic carbon storage. Environmental Science and Technology 46 (11): 6102&ndash;6109.</p>

<p>Zak, D.R., Pregitzer, K.S., Burton, A.J., Edwards, I.P., Kellner, H., 2011. Microbial responses to a changing environment: implications for the future functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Fungal Ecology 4: 386&ndash;395.</p>

<p>Zsolnay, A., 2003. Dissolved organic matter (DOM): artefacts, definitions, and functions. Geoderma 113: 187&ndash;209.</p>

Abstract
Soil quality has become an important issue in soil science. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is believed to play an important role in soil processes and in the C, N and P balances, their supplies to plants in all types of soils. It is much more sensitive to soil management than is soil organic matter as a whole, and can be used as a key indicator of soil natural functions. This study aimed to assess the influence of different organic fertilizers on DOC and N, P accumulation. The study was carried out on a moraine loam soil at the Vezaiciai Branch of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2012. Farmyard manure  (FYM) (60 t ha -1) and alternative organic fertilizers (wheat straw, rape residues, roots, stubble, perennial grasses) were applied on two soil backgrounds - acid and limed. DOC was analysed using an ion chromatograph SKALAR. Application of organic amendments resulted in a significant increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) content, which demonstrates a positive role of organic fertilizers in SOC conservation. The combination of different organic fertilizers and liming had a significant positive effect on DOC concentration in the soil. The highest DOC content (0.241 g kg-1) was established in the limed soil fertilized with farmyard manure. The most unfavourable status of DOC was determined in the unlimed, unfertilized soil. The limed and FYM-applied soil had the highest nitrogen (1.47 g kg-1) and phosphorus (0.84 g kg-1) content compared to the other treatments. Organic fertilizers gave a significant positive effect on SOC and DOC content increase in the topsoil. This immediate increase is generally attributed to the presence of soluble materials in the amendments. Application of organic fertilizers in acid and limed soil increased the nutrient stocks and ensured soil chemical indicators at the optimal level for plant growth and thus may provide a mechanism as well as prediction opportunities for soil fertility, conservation, sustainability, and protection against degradation.

Keywords: Soil, SOC, DOC, N, P, organic fertilizers, liming

References

Bi, R., Lu, Q., Yuan, T., Zhou, S., Yuan, Y., Cai, Y., 2013. Electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of dissolved organic matter in a forest soil profile. Journal of Environmental Science 25(10): 2093 – 2101.

Boddy, E., Hill, W.P., Farrar, J., Jones, D.L., 2007. Fast turnover of low molecular weight components of the dissolved organic carbon pool of temperate grass-land field soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 39: 827- 835.

Filep, T., Rékási, M., 2011. Factors controlling dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and DOC/DON ratio in arable soils based on a dataset from Hungary. Geoderma 162: 312 – 318.

Gong, W., Yan, X., Wang, J., Hu, T., Gong, Y., 2009. Long-term manure and fertilizer effects on soil organic matter fractions and microbes under a wheat–maize cropping system in northern China. Geoderma 149: 318–324.

Grandy, A.S., Robertson, G.P., 2006. Aggregation and organic matter protection following tillage of a previously uncultivated soil. Soil Science Society America Journal 70: 1398 – 1406.

Kaiser, K., 2003. Dissolved organic phosphorus and sulphur as influenced by sorptive interactions with mineral subsoil horizons. European Journal of Soil Science 52: 489–93.

Kaiser, K., Kalbitz, K., 2012. Cycling downwards – dissolved organic matter in soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 52: 29 – 32.

Kemmitt, S.J., Wright D., Goulding, K.W.T., Jones, D.L., 2006. pH regulation of carbon and nitrogen dynamics in two agricultural soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 38: 898–911.

Kirchmann, H., Kätterer, T., Schön, M., Börjesson, G., Hamnér, K., 2013. Properties of soils in the Swedish long-term fertility experiments: changes in topsoil and upper subsoil at Örja and fors after 50 years of nitrogen fertilisation and manure application. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B -Soil & Plant Science 63: 25–36.

Liang, Q., Chen, H., Gong, Y., Fan, M., Yang, H., Lal, R., Kuzyakov, Y., 2012. Effects of 15 years of manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil organic carbon fractions in a wheat-maize system in the North China Plain. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 92: 21–33.

Liaudanskiene, I., Slepetiene, A., Slepetys, J., Stukonis, V., 2013. Evaluation of soil organic carbon stability in grasslands of protected areas and arable lands applying chemo-destructive fractionation. Zemdirbyste 100(4): 339 – 348.

Löfgren, S., Zetterberg, T., 2011. Decreased DOC concentrations in soil water in forested areas in southern Sweden during 1987–2008. Science of The Total Environment 409: 1916–1926.

Nikitin, B.A., 1999. Methods for soil humus determination. Agrokhimiya 5: 91-93.

Powlson, D.S., Bhogal, A., Chambers, B.J., Coleman, K., Macdonald, A.J., 2012. The potential to increase soil carbon stocks through reduced tillage or organic material additions in England and Wales: A case study. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 146: 23–33.

Pregitzer, K.S., Burton, A.J., Zak, D.A., Talhelm, A.F., 2008. Simulated chronic nitrogen deposition increases carbon storage in northern temperate forests. Global Change Biology 14: 142–153.

Purakayastha, T.J., Rudrappa, L., Singh, D., Swarup, A., Bhadraray, S., 2008. Long-term impact of fertilizers on soil organic carbon pools and sequestration rates in maize–wheat–cowpea cropping system. Geoderma 144: 370–378.

Qualls, R.G., Richardson, C.J., 2003. Factors controlling concentration export, and decomposition of dissolved organic nutrients in the Everglades of Florida. Biochemistry US 62(2): 197 – 229.

Sanderman, J., Baldock, J.A., Amundson, R., 2008. Dissolved organic carbon chemistry and dynamics in contrasting forest and grassland soils. Biogeochemistry – US. 89:181–198.

Schlüter, S., Weller, U., Vogel, H.J., 2011. Soil structure development including seasonal dynamics in a long-term fertilization experiment. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 174: 395–403.

Schmidt, M.W.I., Torn, M.S., Abiven, S., Dittmar, T., Guggenberger, G., Janssens, I.A., Kleber, M., Kögel-Knabner, I., Lehmann, J., Manning, D.A.C., Nannipieri, P., Rasse, D.P., Weiner, S., Trumbore, S.E., 2011. Persistance of soil organic matter as an ecosystem property. Nature 478: 49–56.

Silveira, M., 2005. Dissolved organic carbon and bioavailability of N and P as indicators of soil quality. Scientia Agricola 62(5): 502 – 508.

Smemo, K.A., Zak, D.R., Pregitzer, K.S., Burton, A.J., 2007. Characteristics of DOC exported from northern hardwood forests receiving chronic experimental NO3 deposition. Ecosystem 10: 369–379.

Solinger, S., Kalbitz, K., Matzner, E., 2001. Controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a Central European deciduous forest. Biogeochemistry 55: 327– 349.

Sowerby, A., Emmett, B.A., Williams, D., Beier, C., Evans, C.D., 2010. The response of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the ecosystem carbon balance to experimental drought in a temperate shrubland. European Journal of Soil Science 61: 697–709.

Tarakanovas, P., Raudonius, S., 2003. The statistical analysis of agronomic research data using the software programs Anova, Stat, Split-Plot from package Selekcija and Irristat. Akademija, Kėdainių r.

Wen, Y., Li, H., Xiao, J., Wang, C., Shen, Q., Ran, W., He, X., Zhou, Q., Yu, G., 2014. Insights into complexation of dissolved organic matter and Al(III) and nanominerals formation in soils under contrasting fertilizations using two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy and high resolution-transmission electron microscopy techniques, Chemosphere 111: 441 – 449.

Worrall, F., Burt, T.P., Rowson, J.G., Warburton, J., Adamson, J.K., 2009. The multi-annual carbon budget of a peat-covered catchment. Science of The Total Environment 407: 4084–4094.

Xi, M., Lu, X.G., Li, Y., Kong, F.L., 2007. Distribution characteristics of dissolved organic carbon in annual wetland soil – water solutions through soil profiles in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Journal of Environmental Science 19 (9): 1074 – 1078.

Yu, G.H., Wu, M.J., Wei, G.R., Luo, Y.H., Ran, W., Zhang, J.C., Shen, Q.R., 2012. Binding of organic ligands with Al(III) in dissolved organic matter from soil: implications for soil organic carbon storage. Environmental Science and Technology 46 (11): 6102–6109.

Zak, D.R., Pregitzer, K.S., Burton, A.J., Edwards, I.P., Kellner, H., 2011. Microbial responses to a changing environment: implications for the future functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Fungal Ecology 4: 386–395.

Zsolnay, A., 2003. Dissolved organic matter (DOM): artefacts, definitions, and functions. Geoderma 113: 187–209.