Development of some groups of microorganisms in liquid cattle manure and farmyard manure during their fermentation.

The development of meso- and thermophilic microorganisms proceeded more strongly in the examined farmyard manure than in the liquid cattle manure. The most vigorous proliferation of mesophilic bacteria and fungi was found in both dungs during the first weeks of fermentation. Relatively greater numbers of mesophilic actinomycetes were noticed in the later experimental period. Compared to mesophilic microoganisms, thermophilic ones were less numerous and quantitatively changeable in the tested dungs. In contrast to the farmyard manure, in the liqued dung thermophilic actinomycetes did not occur at all. After 3 monts of the experiment the Coliform titre decreased to 101 in the liquid manure, but to 104 in the farmyard manure.     

Changes in microbial biomass indices after 10 years of farmyard manure and vegetal fertilizer application to a sandy soil under organic management

The main objective of the second Darmstadt trial was to investigate the effects of vegetal fertilizers on soil properties and crop yield in comparison with farmyard manure. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: (i) inorganic fertilizers, (ii) vegetal organic fertilizers, (iii) vegetal organic fertilizers equivalent to biodynamic preparations, (iv) cattle farmyard manure, (v) cattle farmyard manure with addition of biodynamic preparations, (vi) high level of cattle farmyard manure, and (vii) high level of cattle farmyard manure with biodynamic preparations. The soil properties analyzed were pH, soil organic C, N, P, and S, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, basal respiration and fungal ergosterol. The application of vegetal fertilizers had slightly negative effects on soil organic C, no effects on crop yield (potato, winter rye) and microbial biomass, but positive effects on ergosterol in comparison with farmyard manure. The increase in ergosterol was caused by straw return in the vegetal, but also in the inorganic fertilizer treatments. The biodynamic preparations did not affect the contents of soil organic C and total N. The low effectiveness of vegetal fertiliser in maintaining soil organic C levels is of particular importance for organic cropping systems and should be examined further under different site conditions.     

Fungal populations in the rhizosphere of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary A comparison of fungal populations in the rhizospheres of eight varieties of peanut grown in a red lateritic soil amended with farmyard manure was made by the dilution-plate technique. There was a marked increase in fungi in the rhizospheres of TMV 2, TMV 4, Pollachi Red and EC 1698, the increase was smaller in Spanish Improved and RS 1 while very little rhizosphere effect was shown by TMV 3 and Pondicherry 8. Age of the plant had a significant influence on numbers of fungi in the rhizosphere. High R/S ratios were obtained when the plants were 30 days old, at which time attained maximum vegetative growth and started to flower. The ratios gradually decreased after that age until the plants were three months old when there was again a small increase. This later rise in fungal populations is interpreted to be due to an increase in microbial activity around dead or senescent roots. No correlation could be established between numbers of root nodules produced by a variety and its rhizosphere effect. Preferential stimulation of certain fungi in the rhizosphere of some of the varieties was noticed.     

Occurrence and colonization of nematophagous fungi in different substrates,agricultural soils and root galls

Seventeen species of nematophagous fungi were recorded, three species were endoparasitic and fourteen species were predacious fungi. Among the predacious fungi Arthrobotrys oligospora, Dactylaria brochopaga and Monacrosporium eudermatum were very frequent, whereas others were recorded at lower frequency. Twelve species of nematophagous fungi from compost as well as cow dung manure, 15 species from leaf litter and only eight species from agricultural soils were recorded. In general, substrate colonization by nematophagous fungi was higher in leaf litter, compost and cow dung manure. The agricultural soil amended with FYM (farm yard manure) recorded nine species of nematophagous fungi while unamended soil recorded only seven species. Thirteen species of nematophagous fungi were recorded from soils under banyan tree. Of all these fungi unidentified net-forming fungus, M. eudermatum, A. cladodes, D. brochopaga, S. hadra, A. oligospora and A. dactyloides had higher percentage of soil colonization. In soil collected under pipal tree only eight species were recorded, of which A. oligospora, A. cladode and an unidentified fungus were more predominant as their percentage colonized in soil samples was higher. Few studies have examined root galls as a substratum for colonization of nematophagous fungi. Of all the root gall samples, okra root galls recorded maximum colonization by predacious fungi. Maximum percentage of root gall colonization was recorded for M. eudermatum followed by A. oligospora and M. ellipsosporum. M. eudermatum was also most predominant colonizer of balsam, brinjal and rice root galls.     

E-, L- and A-values for estimation of plant-available soil phosphorus

Summary E-, L-values growing mungbean and A-values growing maize, mungbean, urdbean and cowpea were assessed in P and farmyard manure enriched soil of permanent manurial trial at Pantnagar, Nainital of India. E- and L-values were found to increase in farmyard manure and P enriched soil while L-values remained constant at different dates of harvesting. A-values varied with fertility status of soil and the kip of crop.Maize gave higher A-values than pulses. In all crops, higher A-values were found with enrichment of farmyard manure and phosphorus. E-, L- and A-values gave significant correlations with yield and P uptake in pot experiments. E-, L- and A-values were good in assessing the availability of soil phosphorus. However, E-value is a rapid technique as it measured in laboratory without involvement of plant.A part of Ph.D. Dissertation (Agronomy) of N. Venkat Reddy.     

Soil pollution through industrial effluent and its management

During the survey of sewer water/industrial effluent composition, we identified a site at Sonepat that had turned barren due to excessive irrigation with cycle industry effluent. To study the ameliorative effect of farmyard manure, the bulk surface soil sample was brought from the site. Soil was amended with five levels of farmyard manure (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% on a soil weight basis), and carrot, fenugreek, spinach, and wheat crops were grown as test crops in a screen house. The deleterious effect of excessive heavy metals, particularly Ni, on the yield of all the crops was reduced with the application of 2% farmyard manure. The Ni content was highest in carrot, followed by spinach, fenugreek, and wheat. With the application of 2% farmyard manure, Ni content was reduced from 434 to 267 mg/kg in carrot, 167 to 100 mg/kg in fenugreek, 300 to 166 mg/kg in spinach, and 65 to 42 mg/kg in wheat grain.     

Control of Root-Knot Nematodes on Tomato by the Endoparasitic Fungus Meria coniospora

The endoparasitic nematophagous fungus Meria coniospora reduced root-knot nematode galling on tomatoes in greenhouse pot trials. The fungus was introduced to pots by addition of conidia at several inoculum levels directly to the soil or addition of nematodes infected with M. coniospora to the soil; both methods reduced root galling by root-knot nematodes. These studies represent a part of a recently initiated effort to evaluate the potential of endoparasitic nematophagous fungi for biocontrol of nematodes.     

Community analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria in the maize mycorrhizosphere in a long-term fertilization trial

In this study, we investigated the impact of organic and mineral fertilizers on the community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and bacteria in the mycorrhizosphere of maize in a field experiment established in 1956, in south-east Sweden. Roots and root-associated soil aggregates were sampled four times during the growing season in 2005, in control plots and in plots amended with calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, green manure, farmyard manure or sewage sludge. Fungi in roots were identified by cloning and sequencing, and bacteria in soil aggregates were analysed by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism, cloning and sequencing. The community composition of AM fungi and bacteria was significantly influenced by the different fertilizers. Changes in microbial community composition were mainly correlated with changes in pH induced by the fertilization regime. However, other factors, including phosphate and soil carbon content, also contributed significantly to these changes. Changes in bacterial community composition and a reduction in bacterial taxon richness throughout the growing season were also manifest. The results of this study highlight the importance and significant effects of the long-term application of different fertilizers on edaphic factors and specific groups of fungi and bacteria playing a key role in arable soils.     

Four endoparasitic nematode destroying fungi isolated from Sand Ridge State Forest soil

A survey to determine the endoparasitic nematode destroying fungi located within Sand Ridge State Forest of Illinois was conducted from 1 January to 3 April 1973. A total of seven nematode destroying fungal species were isolated from the collected soil samples. Harposporium helicoides, H. crassum, H. lilliputanum are endoparasitic nematophagous fungi that have been isolated previously from the forest soil. Acrostalagmus gonoides, A. obovatus, Cephalosporium balanoides, and Monacrosporium cionopagum are nematophagous fungal species that had not been isolated previously from Illinois soil. Soil pH's and soil nutrient levels were not important in the isolation frequency of the collected endoparasitic nematode destroying fungi.     

Endoparasitic nematode-trapping fungi of Mason State Forest

An initial survey involving the endoparasitic namatode-trapping fungi of Mason State Forest in Illinois was conducted from 15 May to 26 July 1971. Three endoparasitic forms were isolated from the soil samples collected; one non-endoparasitic form was also isolated. Soil pH's and soil nutrient levels were determined for the investigation period.     

A negative influence of manure on calcareous soils

Summary On a soil rich in CaCO₃ in a semiaride climate in Algeria a hard soil layer, impermeable for plant roots, was formed in a depth of 20–40 cm after farmyard manure application and irrigation. To find the reason soil samples of this field were taken and leaching experiments were carried out in the laboratory, with the result that much more Caions and HCO₃-ions were leached out of the soils with farmyard manure application than from the soils without manure. Probably the high amount of CO₂, being liberated by the organic matter, and the irrigation water dissolved the CaCO₃ in the soil, and the formed Ca- and HCO₃-ions followed the movement of water in the soil. Where the Ca(HCO₃)₂ reached soil layers with a less amount of CO₂, CaCO₃ precipitated and formed the hard soil layer. In order to avoid the formation of such calcareous crusts on irrigated, limy soils in a dry climate it is recommended to fertilize rather often small quantities instead of rarely big quantities of farmyard manure.     

长期施肥对农田黑土r-K策略菌群的影响

直接参与土壤养分代谢周转过程的土壤微生物群落是土壤肥力质量的重要衡量指标。本文研究了长期施肥对农田黑土细菌和真菌r-K策略菌群(生态生理功能)的影响。结果表明:施肥处理菌群生长的均匀度和丰富度有所降低,细菌和真菌生态生理指数(EP)降低幅度分别为0.019～0.106和0.023～0.185。各处理K策略菌数量均大于相应的r策略菌。施肥能增加土壤r策略细菌数量,但不利于r策略真菌生长。与CK相比,r-K策略细菌和K策略真菌数量在单施中量有机肥处理中增幅最大;有机肥与化肥配施处理r-K策略细菌和K策略真菌数量高于单施同种化肥处理。在K策略菌占优势下,施用化肥有利于r策略菌比率提高,而有机肥与化肥配施倾向于使K策略菌比率增加。相关性分析表明,K策略菌群与土壤N素呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),可能是影响土壤N素循环的关键菌群。     

The effect of addition of different amounts and types of organic materials on soil physical properties and yield of wheat

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influences of 0, 5, 10, 15 Mg ha^–1 of wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw, composted sugarcane bagasse residue and farmyard manure on soil physical properties and yield of winter wheat. The experimental design was a split plot with four replicates. The considered physical properties, 1 year after organic matter addition, included aggregate stability, infiltration rate, water retention curve and dry bulk density. Wheat yield and chemical characteristics of wheat grains were measured. Application of organic materials significantly increased wheat yield and increased aggregate stability, infiltration rate, water retained at less than –100 kPa, and decreased soil bulk density. The effectiveness of different organic materials, farmyard manure, composted bagasse and wheat straw, on improving the soil physical properties was similar. Wheat grain and stubble yield progressively increased as the rate of the organic materials increased. The effectiveness of composted bagasse, farmyard manure and wheat straw on improving wheat grain yield was 22, 14 and 3%, and wheat stubble yield was 26, 17 and 4% over the control.     

Bacterial community diversity assessment in municipal solid waste compost amended soil using DGGE and ARISA fingerprinting methods

Bacterial community structure and diversity of Tunisian agricultural soil treated with different amounts of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and other fertilizers were studied using DGGE and ARISA fingerprinting methods. Sequence analysis of dominant DGGE bands revealed the presence of three major clusters, Cytophaga/Flexibacter/Bacteroides (CFB) group, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria group. Using ARISA profiles, dominant populations were assigned to low and high GC Gram positive bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Spirochetes and Cytophagales. The two methods revealed the absence of significant bacterial community shifts related to the different MSWC applications. Moreover, indigenous bacterial population of the used loam-clayey soil was observed to limit proliferation and survival of Proteobacteria, initially dominant in MSWC and farmyard manure. Effectiveness of the two methods for soil bacterial community studying was shown. While DGGE was more accurate for bacterial identification, ARISA was more practical for handling and rapid estimation of dominant bacteria.     

Effects of long-term fertilization on AM fungal community structure and Glomalin-related soil protein in the Loess Plateau of China

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are crucial for ecosystem functioning, and thus have potential use for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we investigated the impact of organic and mineral fertilizers on the AMF community composition and content of Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) in a field experimental station which was established in 1979, in the Loess Plateau of China. Roots and soils were sampled three times during the growing period of winter wheat in 2008. The treatments including: N (inorganic N), NP (inorganic N and P), SNP (straw, inorganic N and P), M (farmyard manure), MNP (farmyard manure, inorganic N and P), and CK (no fertilization). AMF communities of root and soil samples were analyzed using PCR-DGGE, cloning and sequencing techniques; and GRSP content was determined by Bradford assay. Our results indicated that spore density, GRSP, and AMF community varied significantly in soils of long-term fertilization plots at three different wheat growing stages. The effects of wheat growing period on AMF community in roots were much more evident than fertilization regimes. However, the diversity of AMF was low in our study field. Up to five AMF phylotypes appeared in each sample, with the overwhelming dominance of a Glomus-like phylotype affiliated to G. mosseae. GRSP content was correlated positively with organic carbon, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, soil pH, and spore densities, but correlated negatively with soil C/N (P?<?0.05). The results of our study highlight that the richness of AMF in Loess Plateau agricultural region is low, and long-term fertilization, especially amendments with manure and straw, has beneficial effects on accumulation of soil organic carbon, spore density, GRSP content, and AMF diversity. Host phenology, edaphic factors (influenced by long-term fertilization), and habitats interacted to affect the AMF community and agoecosystem functioning. Additionally, soil moisture and pH make a greater contribution than other determined soil parameters to the AMF community dynamics in such a special semi-arid agroecosystem where crops rely greatly on rainfall.     

Bio-active composts from rice straw enriched with rock phosphate and their effect on the phosphorous nutrition and microbial community in rhizosphere of cowpea

Composts were produced from rice straw enriched with rock phosphate and inoculated with Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride and/or farmyard manure (FYM). The resulting composts were evaluated as organic phosphate fertilizers for cowpea plants in pot experiments. The results showed that the maximum amount of soluble phosphorous (1000 ppm) was produced in composts inoculated with A. niger+T. viride with or without FYM. Any of the produced composts was much better than superphosphate fertilizer in providing the growing cowpea plants with phosphorous. Fertilization of the cowpea plants with the compost inoculated with FYM+A. niger+T. viride resulted in maximum amount of phosphorous uptake (295 ppm). The highest phosphate dissolving fungi numbers in rhizosphere soils of cowpea plants were obtained after fertilization with composts which received A. niger and T. viride treatments, while the highest phosphate dissolving bacterial numbers were found after fertilization with composts which received FYM treatments.     

长期施肥黄绵土有效磷含量演变及其与磷素平衡和作物产量的关系

土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)含量的变化过程及其与土壤磷素平衡和作物产量的关系是科学推荐施磷的基础.本文通过设置于黄土高原黄绵土区持续34年(1981—2015)的长期定位试验,研究了长期不同施肥处理对作物磷素携出量、土壤磷素平衡、土壤Olsen-P含量的影响及其演变过程,同时对土壤Olsen-P含量与磷素平衡和作物籽粒产量的相关关系进行了分析.试验采用裂区设计,主处理为施用有机肥(M)和不施用有机肥,副处理为不施化肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、氮磷肥配合施用(NP)和氮磷钾肥配合施用(NPK).结果表明: 不同施肥处理和作物类型对磷素携出量和磷素平衡都有显著影响.CK、N、NP、NPK、M、MN、MNP 和MNPK处理小麦的磷素携出量多年平均值为8.63、10.64、16.22、16.21、16.25、17.83、20.39、20.27 kg·hm^-2,而油菜为4.40、8.38、15.08、15.71、10.52、11.23、17.96、17.66 kg·hm^-2,小麦的携出量略高于油菜.土壤磷素盈亏量与磷素投入量呈显著正相关,土壤磷素盈余为零,种植小麦的最小土壤磷素投入量为10.47 kg·hm^-2,而油菜为6.97 kg·hm^-2.土壤磷素盈亏量显著影响土壤有效磷的变化过程.长期不施磷的CK和N处理,土壤有效磷含量随试验年限延长而逐渐降低,年均分别降低0.16和0.15 mg·kg^-1,而NP、NPK、M、MN、MNP和MNPK处理土壤有效磷含量随试验年限的延续而逐渐增加,年均增幅在0.02～0.33 mg·kg^-1.土壤磷素累积盈亏量与土壤有效磷含量间存在显著的正相关关系,不施用有机肥和施有机肥处理可分别用线性模型y=0.012x+9.33和y=0.009x+11.72显著拟合.不施有机肥处理小麦籽粒产量与土壤有效磷含量呈显著正相关,而施有机肥处理两者间的相关性不明显,两者的小麦籽粒产量和土壤有效磷含量可以用线性分段模型拟合.小麦土壤有效磷农学阈值为14.99 kg·hm^-2,油菜籽粒产量虽随土壤速效磷含量增加呈增加的趋势,但相关性不显著,表明在黄土高原黄绵土区,当土壤有效磷含量高于14.99 mg·kg^-1时,种植小麦应减少磷肥施用量或不施磷肥.     

陕西省有机肥料施用状况分析评价

根据陕西省土壤肥料工作站14年农户肥料施用调查结果,对陕西有机肥施用的历史和现状进行了剖析,有机肥在农田总养分(N+P2O5+K2O)投入中的比重逐年减少,2000年只占46．9％。比1986年下降了近23个百分点,在农田钾素主要依靠有机肥供应的情况下,有机肥投入的减少造成土壤基础肥力逐年下降,有些地区出现钾素营养不足现象,在投肥总量上尽管粮食作物依然为主体,但单位面积投肥量果树、蔬菜则高于粮食作物,特别是从20世纪90年代中期开始一些地区在苹果上的投肥量明显增加,占投肥总量的50％左右。此外,分析了有机肥投入减少的原因,并提出商品有机肥将是今后提高有机肥投入的有效途径。     

Trapping, parasitism, and poisoning of nematodes by fungi

Naturally occurring toxins and nematode-destroying fungi are the two major factors controlling soil nematode populations. Nematode-destroying fungi fall into two groups - hyphal forms, producing traps which capture nematodes, and endoparasitic forms, both common in natural soils. Nematode-destroying fungi have been used in attempts to control levels of pathogenic nematodes in agricultural soils with limited success.     

Nematophagous fungi: Endoparasites ofRhabditis terricola

Three techniques were compared for the recovery of endoparasitic nematophagous fungi from soil. The Baermann funnel technique (32 species) was superior to differential centrifugation (19 species) or soil sprinkling (21 species) in terms of number of species found. The main advantage of the Baermann funnel was in the recovery of lower fungi, especially those with flagellate states. In all, 40 species of endoparasites (70% of the known flora) were recorded. Thirty-two of those were found capable of attacking the soil nematodeRhabditis terricola Dujardin.