Gel filtration and absorption spectroscopic investigations on humic substances from organic fertilizers

Summary Three organic fertilizers: a farmyard manure (FYM), humified poplar barks (PBF) and spruce barks (SBF) were investigated by means of chemical analysis and by the study of humic substances extracted by 0.1M sodium pyrophosphate (pH=10.0). The organic carbon content and the C/N ratio were higher in SBF, probably as a consequence of the short fermentation period (5 months). Yields of organic substances removed by three consecutive extractions with Na₄P₂O₇ solution were in the order: PBF>FYM>SBF. Nominal molecular weight distribution of total extracts was studied using Sephadex G type gels; TRIS buffer (pH=9.0) was the eluant, since the use of water produced complex gel-solute interactions. It was shown that SBF had a higher content of small size particles than the other two products which exhibited quite similar elution curves. Slopes of log A(absorbance)vs log plots and ratio of absorbances at 465 and 665 nm (E₄/E₆) of fractions containing particle of lower size were the steepest and the highest, respectively.     

UV spectroscopy: a tool for monitoring humification and for proposing an index of the maturity of compost

Composting organic matter is an interesting way to valorize waste. Compost is a product obtained after a humification process. The humification of organic matter during composting was studied by the quantification and monitoring of the evolution of humic substances. The final objective was to be able to evaluate the state of humification based on a spectrum of total humic substances using the method of UV spectral deconvolution. This study presented a new index obtained by UV spectroscopy using the deconvolution of an unknown spectrum of compost with 3 reference spectra. This index was compared to the maturity indices usually used, such as total extraction of humic substances (rate of extraction), IP (index of polymerization) or the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio. This new parameter, which was easy and quick to determine, gave precise information about the quality of the compost. It made it possible to disregard the values of aberrant concentrations caused by the classical protocol of extraction. Compared to the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio, the new index obtained by UV spectral deconvolution showed more representative results: the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio for an apparently non-mature compost was abnormally high, suggesting that the compost was mature, whereas the UV index proposed showed that the compost was really young and not yet humified.     

Fertilization of poplar clones in the nursery

Summary Results of experiments with four poplar clones and various chemical fertilizers in a nursery in southern Greece are presented. At the end of the first growth period the heights of the four clones, without fertilizers, decreased in the order of I-214>I-262>cv. campeator > black poplar 1/64 with significant differences only between black poplar 1/64 and the rest of the clones.Of the fertilizer nutrients N, P, K and Mg only N improved heights of all clones significantly and especially of the clone I-214. One hundred and 200 kg of P fertilizer per ha had minimal or negative effect on height increase of all clones.Ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate all at 400 kg N per ha were found equally effective in improving height growth of the clone I-214 but ammonium nitrate is the N fertilizer of choice by its higher N content and relatively lower price.Ammonium nitrate at 200 kg N per ha, in two or three equal dosages, during the first growth period, June–July, gave the maximum height increase for two consecutive years of the clone I-214. Six hundred kgs, of N per ha reduced height increase of the same clone and increased losses of N, as NO₃ ^–, in drainage water.     

Investigations into nitrogen sources and supply in reclaimed colliery spoil

Summary Two trials were established to investigate the supply of nitrogen from ammonium and nitrate fertilizers, slow release nitrogen fertilizers, an organic nitrogen fertilizer and a legume, at two phosphate levels, to eight grass cultivars on colliery spoil. Spoil nitrogen supply and chemical characteristics and herbage dry matter and nitrogen yields were monitored for up to seven years. pH and conductivity fell at both sites. pH trends appeared to be independent of nitrogen treatment. Nitrogen in the ammonium form gave better yields than in the nitrate form when 125 kg N ha^–1 was supplied in a season but there was no difference when 62.5 kg N ha^–1 was applied. Slow release forms of nitrogen gave better yields more evenly distributed over the season than one application of ammonium sulphate per season. Once established white clover (Trifolium repens) plots had a more consistent nitrogen supply, more evenly distributed yield and better quality herbage than nitrogen fertilizer plots.Lolium perenne yielded poorly at low fertility.Festuca rubra andAgrostis castellana, although establishing slowly, yielded well under high and low fertility.     

Alteration of bacterial communities and organic matter in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) supplied with soil and organic fertilizer

The alteration of the organic matter (OM) and the composition of bacterial community in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) supplied with soil (S) and a composted organic fertilizer (A) was examined at the beginning and at the end of 3 weeks of incubation under current-producing as well as no-current-producing conditions. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed a significant alteration of the microbial community structure in MFCs generating electricity as compared with no-current-producing MFCs. The genetic diversity of cultivable bacterial communities was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of 106 bacterial isolates obtained by using both generic and elective media. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes of the more representative RAPD groups indicated that over 50.4% of the isolates from MFCs fed with S were Proteobacteria, 25.1% Firmicutes, and 24.5% Actinobacteria, whereas in MFCs supplied with A 100% of the dominant species belonged to γ-Proteobacteria. The chemical analysis performed by fractioning the OM and using thermal analysis showed that the amount of total organic carbon contained in the soluble phase of the electrochemically active chambers significantly decreased as compared to the no-current-producing systems, whereas the OM of the solid phase became more humified and aromatic along with electricity generation, suggesting a significant stimulation of a humification process of the OM. These findings demonstrated that electroactive bacteria are commonly present in aerobic organic substrates such as soil or a fertilizer and that MFCs could represent a powerful tool for exploring the mineralization and humification processes of the soil OM.     

Influence of soil aggregation on SOC sequestration: A preliminary model of SOC protection by aggregate dynamics

Aggregation dynamics and soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions collected from long-term tillage trials at two sites in Illinois were used to develop a model to simulate the aggregate dynamics and physical protection of SOC. We used two litter pools which are surface litter and root litter and three SOC pools which are directly measurable from the fractionation: loose particulate organic matter (LPOM), aggregate-occluded particulate organic matter (OPOM), and humified fractions (HF). Decay rates of all of five pools were modified by soil temperature and moisture. In the model, the decay rate of LPOM was not influenced by any type of physical protection and the OPOM decay rate was influenced by dry aggregate mean weight diameter (DMWD) size. The effect of DMWD on OPOM decay rate was expressed as logistic equation based on the threshold value beyond which OPOM decay rate was influenced by the reactive mass concept which is that it is primarily outer layer of aggregates that participates in chemical and biological reactions. The decay of HF was influenced by clay contents. The relative aggregate turnover modified the humification coefficients. The faster aggregate turnover speeded the carbon transfer from LPOM to OPOM by providing more chances for organic matter to be incorporated with macroaggregates and retarded carbon transfer from OPOM to HF due to the fact that there is not enough time for organic mater to be associated with microaggregates and clay particles. Simulated results were compared against actual SOC fraction contents obtained from two long-term tillage trials located in Illinois, DeKalb (silty clay loam) and Monmouth (silt loam). Both actual and simulated data showed that after 10 and 17 years of no tillage (NT) practice adoption, OPOM content was increased at the surface in Monmouth and HF content was increased at the surface in DeKalb. Agreement between the output of aggregate dynamics-based model and actual data suggested that DMWD size, relative aggregate turnover, and their interaction with soil moisture and clay contents can be used to predict the inconsistent effects of tillage practices on SOC sequestration.     

Transformation of zinc in soils under submerged condition and its relation with zinc nutrition of rice

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted with two soilsviz., laterite and alluvial to study the transformation of applied Zn in soil fractions under submerged condition in the presence and absence of added organic matter and its relationship with Zn nutrition of rice plants. The results showed that application of organic matter caused a decrease in the concentration of Zn in shoot and root of rice plants and helped in translocating the element from root to shoot. The per cent utilization of applied Zn by plants was also found to increase by the application of organic matter. The transformation of applied Zn in different fractions in soils showed that a major portion (53.6–72.6%) of it found its way to mineral fractions leaving only 1.0–3.3, 6.6–18.9, 11.0–21.6 and 2.3–8.8% of the applied amounts in water soluble plus exchangeable, organic complexed, amorphous sesquioxides and crystalline sesquioxides bound fractions respectively. Application of organic matter favoured such transformation of applied Zn into these fractions except the mineral and crystalline sesquioxides bound ones. Simple correlation and multiple regression analyses between applied Zn in different soil fractions and fertilizer Zn content in plants showed that organic matter application increased the predictability of fertilizer Zn content in plants which has been attributed to the higher per cent recovery of applied Zn in plant available fractions in soils in presence of added organic matter.     

Association of cation and organic anion accumulation with iron chlorosis of Scots pine on prairie soils

Summary Iron chlorosis of 4 year old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in comparison to areas of adjacent healthy growth on calcareous prairie soil, was associated with slight increases in the soluble ion content of the saturation paste extract. Such increases in soluble ions (mainly calcium sulphate) were associated with significant increases in ash, cation (including iron) and organic anion content of the chlorotic needles. Increasing levels of available soil nitrate were also related to increase in organic anions. Nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation was adversely affected under conditions of iron chlorosis. These observations support the theory of induced iron deficiency associated with elevated levels of organic anions or translocated cations and are applicable to plantings of conifers on prairie soils.     

氨基酸微素络合物对水稻的生物效应初探

为了配制氨基酸金属络合肥,使用其主组分进行初步田间对比试验,结果表明：氨基酸微素络合物能明显提高水稻根系活力,缩短从秧田到大田的适应期,促进植株生长,改善库源关系,增加干粒重和谷秆比,从而有效提高产量。以（ＦｅＣｕＺｎ）ＡＡ２增产效果最好,达２１．２９％,蘸根及喷施是有效施用方式。     

肥料类型对盐碱地蒙古黄芪生长与光合特征及药材产量和品质的影响

以一年生蒙古黄芪种苗为材料,在盐碱地探究二年生蒙古黄芪根系产量和药效成分对不同肥料(海藻酸水溶肥、腐殖酸水溶肥、微生物菌剂生物肥、复合肥和有机肥)的响应以及其光合生理机制,为盐碱地蒙古黄芪的推广种植提供参考。结果显示:在盐碱地,微生物菌剂生物肥的施用对蒙古黄芪的抗逆性、光合作用效率、生长特性、根系产量及质量均无显著性影响;复合肥的施用显著促进了蒙古黄芪地上部分的生长,但对根系产量无显著影响,反而显著降低了其抗逆性、光合作用效率和药效成分;海藻酸水溶肥、腐殖酸水溶肥和有机肥的施用均显著提高了蒙古黄芪抗逆性、光合作用效率、地下部分的生长及产量、质量;施用有机肥的蒙古黄芪药材产量最高(7 046.2 kg·hm^-2),并与施用除腐殖酸水溶肥以外的其余处理差异显著,施用腐殖酸水溶肥和有机肥的蒙古黄芪药效成分含量最高并与其余施肥处理差异显著,它们的黄芪甲苷含量均达到0.13%以上,毛蕊异黄酮葡萄糖苷含量均达到0.06%以上。研究表明,在盐碱地蒙古黄芪栽培过程中,施用有机肥在保证蒙古黄芪药效成分较高的同时,还具有最高的药材产量,可认为是最佳肥料。     

Enhancing crop growth, nutrients availability, economics and beneficial rhizosphere microflora through organic and biofertilizers

Field experiment was conducted on fodder maize to explore the potential of integrated use of chemical, organic and biofertilizers for improving maize growth, beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere and the economic returns. The treatments were designed to make comparison of NPK fertilizer with different combinations of half dose of NP with organic and biofertilizers viz. biological potassium fertilizer (BPF), Biopower, effective microorganisms (EM) and green force compost (GFC). Data reflected maximum crop growth in terms of plant height, leaf area and fresh biomass with the treatment of full NPK; and it was followed by BPF+full NP. The highest uptake of NPK nutrients by crop was recorded as: N under half NP+Biopower; P in BPF+full NP; and K from full NPK. The rhizosphere microflora enumeration revealed that Biopower+EM applied along with half dose of GFC soil conditioner (SC) or NP fertilizer gave the highest count of N-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Azoarcus andZoogloea). Regarding the P-solubilizing bacteria,Bacillus was having maximum population with Biopower+BPF+half NP, andPseudomonas under Biopower+EM+half NP treatment. It was concluded that integration of half dose of NP fertilizer with Biopower+BPF / EM can give similar crop yield as with full rate of NP fertilizer; and through reduced use of fertilizers the production cost is minimized and the net return maximized. However, the integration of half dose of NP fertilizer with biofertilizers and compost did not give maize fodder growth and yield comparable to that from full dose of NPK fertilizers.     

Evaluation of “alperujo” composting based on organic matter degradation, humification and compost quality

The main by-product generated by the Spanish olive oil industry, a wet solid lignocellulosic material called "alperujo" (AL), was evaluated as a composting substrate by using different aeration strategies and bulking agents. The experiments showed that composting performance was mainly influenced by the type of bulking agent added, and by the number of mechanical turnings. The bulking agents tested in this study were cotton waste, grape stalk, a fresh cow bedding and olive leaf; the latter showed the worse performance. Forced ventilation alone was revealed to work inadequately in most of the experiments. The composting process involved a substantial degradation of the organic substrate with average losses of 48.4, 28.6, 53.7 and 57.0% for total organic matter, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, respectively. Both organic matter biodegradation and humification were greatly influenced by the lignocellulosic nature of the starting material, which led to low organic matter and nitrogen loss rates and a progressive increase in more humified substances, as revealed by the end-values of the humification indices. The resulting composts were of good quality in terms of nutrient content, stabilised and non-phytotoxic organic matter and low heavy metal content. This demonstrates that composting technology can be used as an alternative treatment method to turn AL into compost that can be used as organic amendments or fertilisers for agricultural systems.     

长期施肥下农田土壤-有机质-微生物的碳氮磷化学计量学特征

探讨外源养分的输入对土壤系统内碳、氮、磷化学计量特征的影响,对于深刻认识农田土壤有机碳(C)和养分循环及其相互作用过程具有重要意义。以26年的农田长期定位施肥试验为平台,分析长期不同施肥条件下土壤、有机态及微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量及其化学计量学特征,并根据内稳性模型y=c x~(1/H)计算其化学计量内稳性指数H。结果表明:与长期撂荒处理(CK_0)相比,种植作物条件下26年化肥配施有机肥处理(MNPK和1.5MNPK)显著降低微生物生物量氮含量,但显著提高了微生物生物量磷的含量。相对于撂荒处理,即使长期配施化肥磷处理(NP、PK、NPK),其土壤有机磷降低显著。对于C∶N比而言,化肥配施有机物料处理(秸秆或有机肥)的土壤C∶N比、有机质C∶N及微生物生物量C∶N比均显著低于化肥处理(N、NP、PK和NPK)。对于C∶P比而言,相对于撂荒处理,26年施用磷肥(化肥磷或有机磷)显著降低了土壤C∶P比和微生物生物量C∶P比,而CK和偏施化肥处理(N、NP和PK)显著降低了土壤有机质C∶P比。对于土壤N∶P比而言,撂荒处理土壤N∶P比显著高于其他处理,而撂荒处理土壤有机质N∶P比显著高于CK和化肥处理,表明不施肥或化肥条件下作物种植加剧了土壤有机质中氮素的消耗。微生物生物量C∶N、C∶P、N∶P比的内稳性指数H分别为0.24、0.75、0.64,不具有内稳性特征。微生物生物量C∶N、C∶P、N∶P比分别与土壤C∶N、C∶P、N∶P比呈显著正相关关系,但与土壤有机质碳氮磷化学计量比之间无显著相关性。表明土壤碳、氮、磷元素的改变会直接导致微生物生物量碳、氮、磷化学计量比的改变,但微生物生物量碳氮磷化学计量比对土壤有机质碳氮磷化学计量比无显著影响,土壤有机质的碳氮磷计量比可能更多是受到作物和施肥等养分管理措施的影响。     

Immobilization,mineralization and the availability of the fertilizer nitrogen during the decomposition of the organic matters applied to the soil

Summary Immobilization and mineralization of the tracer nitrogen (K¹⁵NO₃) applied to the soil together with several organic matters during their decomposition was investigated in incubation experiments.After incubation for three months at 30°C, the decomposition rates of rice straw, hardwood bark, sawdust, softwood bark and peat moss were 41, 15, 7, 5, and 5%, respectively. After incubation for three months at 30°C, 100 and 80% of the fertilizer nitrogen were immobilized in the treatment with 2.0% of rice straw and sawdust carbon, respectively. These resulted in the lowered uptake of the fertilizer nitrogen by plants. In case of peat moss and barks, the amount of fertilizer nitrogen which transformed to the organic nitrogen fractions was quite small and the plant uptake of the nitrogen was hardly affected. Remineralization of the immobilized nitrogen was clearly observed after 2 months' incubation in case where rice straw carbon was added to the extent of 0.5 and 1.0%, but it was not observed in case where other organic matter carbon was added.The data showed that peat moss and barks were highly resistant to the action of microorganisms. As a results the immobilization process of the fertilizer nitrogen incubated with these organic matter was quite slow.     

不同生物有机肥对连作菠萝生长及防控心腐病效果

[背景] 菠萝心腐病是菠萝生产中常见的土传病害。[目的] 促进连作菠萝的高效栽培并提高病害防效。[方法] 采集连作发病菠萝园土壤,利用盆栽实验研究3种载体（椰糠、泥炭土、菜籽饼）和生防菌株（枯草芽孢杆菌HL2、链霉菌株HL3）与商品普通有机肥共同堆制成的生物有机肥对菠萝植株生长及菠萝心腐病防控效果的影响。[结果] 与化肥处理（CK）相比,施用生物有机肥处理能促进菠萝植株的生长,显著增加鲜重（叶、茎、根）、干重（叶、茎、根）和D叶长（菠萝植株叶片束起时最长的叶片长度）;与化肥处理（CK）相比,施用生物有机肥处理均能降低菠萝心腐病发病率;施用商品普通有机肥处理（YJ）防病能力较差,而生物有机肥处理（KC）的防控效果最好,其次为生物有机肥处理（KY、KN、LY）,防控效果均为83.5%。相关分析表明,土壤病原菌（烟草疫霉菌）含量与放线菌、有机质、pH呈极显著负相关关系（p<0.001）,与土壤速效钾含量呈显著正相关关系（p<0.05）,与发病率呈显著正相关关系（p<0.01）。[结论] 施用生物有机肥可促进菠萝植株生长、降低发病率,对菠萝心腐病有较好的防效,可为菠萝产业健康发展提供参考。     

减氮配施不同种类有机肥对玉米物质分配、转运与产量的影响

为倡导减量施用化学氮肥,探索科学施肥模式,以达到绿色、稳产、高产的种植目标,通过田间试验,以空白处理(CK0)、常规施氮(CK1)为对照,设置减氮比例和配施有机肥两因素试验,减氮比例设减氮20%(A1)、减氮40%(A2);配施有机肥设:不配施有机肥(B0)、配施普通有机肥(B1)、配施生物有机肥(B2),研究了减氮配施不同种类有机肥对玉米物质积累分配、转运及产量的影响,为玉米化学氮肥减量增效技术提供科学依据。结果表明:随化学氮肥施用量的减少,玉米干物质积累量及产量降低;配施有机肥显著提高了干物质积累量、籽粒分配比例、吐丝后干物质对籽粒的贡献率和产量;减氮20%配施普通有机肥、生物有机肥处理较不配施有机肥处理,两年干物质积累量平均分别提高了31.38%和46.29%(P<0.05);产量分别提高了19.57%和23.78%,较常规施氮处理产量分别提高了7.15%和10.95%;减氮40%配施普通有机肥、生物有机肥处理较不配施有机肥处理,两年干物质积累量平均分别提高了19.68%和35.13%;产量分别提高了6.33%和7.48%(P<0.05),而产量较常规施氮处理分别降低了10.42%和9.44%(P<0.05);适量减氮并配施有机肥可促进玉米物质积累,改善穗部性状,最终提高产量;本试验条件下,配施1500 kg·hm^-2有机肥可实现化学氮肥减量20%并使玉米增产,且配施生物有机肥增产效果最好。     

江西省茶园土壤肥力特征及其影响因子

为探明江西省典型茶园土壤养分状况和肥力特征,选取江西省21个地区372个典型茶园,分析茶园土壤养分的差异性、空间性、相关性及与地形、土壤类型、海拔和建园时间的关联性。结果表明: 江西省茶园土壤pH、有机质、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、全氮、全磷和全钾分别达到优质高效高产茶园土壤营养指标的53.9%、60.1%、56.1%、22.9%、38.5%、43.7%、11.1%和95.5%,其中速效磷为强变异;有效铜、锌、铁、锰和硼达到土壤微量元素含量分级一级标准的占比分别为76.3%、74.2%、96.8%、73.1%和0.0%。江西茶园土壤养分以赣中地区最高,其次是赣东北和赣西北地区,赣南地区最低。除全钾外,土壤pH与有机质、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、全氮和全磷均呈显著正相关。不同地形土壤养分以平地最高,高山次之,山地和丘陵最低;不同土壤类型土壤养分以水稻土、砂壤和山地黄棕壤较高,其次是黄壤、红黄壤和紫色土,红壤最低;土壤pH、有机质和全钾随海拔上升而递增,而速效磷随海拔上升而递减;土壤有机质、碱解氮、全氮、速效磷和全磷随建园时间的增加而递增,而土壤pH随建园时间的增加而递减。综上,江西省茶园土壤肥力总体水平良好,有机质、全钾、有效铜、锌、铁和锰均较丰富,但土壤偏酸,速效磷和全磷偏低,有效硼严重缺乏。赣中应提高土壤pH和钾肥,赣东北增加钾和氮肥,赣西北增加有机质和磷肥,赣南应增加氮磷钾肥并配施有机肥;高山茶园补充速效磷和钾肥,山地茶园提高氮和磷肥;红黄壤茶园提高土壤pH和全钾,红壤茶园应提高氮磷钾肥并配施有机肥,黄壤和山地黄棕壤茶园需要增施磷肥,紫色土茶园需提高土壤有机质;茶园需要逐年增加白云石粉、生理碱性肥料和有机肥等,防治茶园土壤酸化。     

Olive mill waste composting: A review

Olive mill wastes exacerbate environmental problems in Mediterranean countries. These wastes are highly phytotoxic and contain phenolic compounds, lipids and organic acids. They also contain high percentages of organic matter and a vast range of plant nutrients that could be reused as fertilizers for sustainable agricultural practices. In this paper, recent research on composting wastes of 2-phase and 3-phase olive mills is reviewed, concentrating on factors affecting composting such as bulking agents, aeration strategy, physicochemical characteristics (duration of the thermophilic phase, moisture content, organic matter, volatile solids, total organic carbon, water soluble carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, C/N ratio, phenols and the humification process), and phytotoxicity. The review highlights the effects of composting operational factors (bulking agent, additives, and aeration strategy) on the physicochemical characteristics of the final compost, and the production of a good quality soil amender or fertilizer.     

Effects of Long-Term Fertilization on Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics and Grain Yield in Winter Wheat

Based on a 20-year fertilization experiment with wheat-maize double cropping system, the effects of different long-term fertilization treatments on leaf photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield in different winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were studied in the growing seasons of 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. A total of nine fertilization treatments were implemented, i.e. no fertilizer (CK), N fertilizer (N), N and P fertilizers (NP), N and K fertilizers (NK), N, P, and K fertilizers (NPK), only organic manure (M), organic manure and N fertilizer (MN), organic manure and N and P fertilizers (MNP), and organic manure and N, P, and K fertilizers (MNPK). With the treatments of combined organic manure and inorganic fertilizers (TMI), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), maximal activity of photosystem 2, PS2 (F_v/F_m), and chlorophyll content (SPAD value) of flag leaves and leaf area index (LAI) were much higher at the mid grain filling stage (20 or 23 d post anthesis, DPA), and exhibited slower declines at the late grain filling stage (30 DPA), compared with the treatments of only inorganic fertilizers (TI). The maximal canopy photosynthetic traits expressed as P _N×LAI and SPAD×LAI at the mid grain filling stage were also higher in TMI than those in TI, which resulted in different grain yields in TMI and TI. Among the treatments of TMI or among the treatments of TI, both flag leaf and canopy photosynthetic abilities and yield levels increased with the supplement of inorganic nutrients (N, P, and K fertilizers), except for the treatment of NK. Under NK, soil contents of N and K increased while that of P decreased. Hence the unbalanced nutrients in soil from the improper input of nutrients in NK treatment were probably responsible for the reduced flag leaf and canopy photosynthetic characteristics and LAI, and for the fast declining of flag leaf photosynthetic traits during grain filling, resulting in the reduced yield of NK similar to the level of CK.     

Organic matter components, aggregate stability and biological activity in a horticultural soil fertilized with different rates of two sewage sludges during ten years

The effects of the application as fertilizer during ten years of two sewage sludges (aerobically and anaerobically digested, at rates of 400, 800, and 1200 kg of N/ha yr), on the aggregate stability and contents of related organic matter components, microbial biomass and levels of five enzymatic activities (alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, urease, arylsulphatase and dehydrogenase) were investigated. The application of both sludges at mid and high rates gave rise to significant increases of organic matter, humified substances and humic acids, but no effects on carbohydrates, microbial gums and aggregate stability were observed. As for biological activity in soils, the high variability of data led to a general absence of statistical significance despite the large differences between treatments observed. Significant increases of phosphodiesterase activity were nevertheless produced by the high rate of aerobic sludge and the mid and high rates of the anaerobic sludge.