City refuse compost as a phosphorus source to overcome the P-fixation capacity of sesquioxide-rich soils

In sesquioxide-rich soils of tropical and subtropical areas and volcanic-ash soils with high levels of active Al(Fe), large amounts of phosphate fertilizers are needed to overcome their high P-fixation capacity (quenching strategy). A greenhouse pot experiment has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of city refuse compost (CRC) as a P-source for these variable-charge soils, compared to inorganic P. Mature CRC and K₂HPO₄ were applied at rates equivalent to 125, 250, 375, 500 and 625 kg P ha^–1 to a ferrallitic soils from Tenerife Island (Andeptic Paleudult) with a high content in active Al+Fe (4.82%) and a high P-fixation capacity (87%). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown in pots and plants were harvested at regular intervals after seedling emergence. CRC increases plant P concentration and soil labile-P proportional to the applied rate. The best results were obtained from a compost application of 30 t ha^–1 equivalent-rate, after a residence time of at least three months. An important residual effect in the supply capacity of P in relation to the phosphate fertilizer was also observed. The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) in comparison to K₂HPO₄ was 66% after 6 months, considering P uptake + soil labile-P. The soil P-fixation capacity was significantly reduced from a compost application of 40 t ha^–1 equivalent-rate. Competition in adsorption between organic ligands and phosphate, in combination with net mineralization of organic P in compost, might account for the high RAE value obtained. The main conclusion is that the city refuse compost could be a suitable P-amendment for resquioxic soils due to its high RAE, and the residual effect on P-supply. ei]H. Lambers     

Trace metal bioavailability in municipal solid waste and sewage sludge composts

A sequential extraction procedure was employed to determine the soil fractions, and assess plant availability of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a Glynwood silt loam amended with five rates (0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 metric tons/ha) of composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) or composted sewage sludge (CSS) cropped to oats (Avena sativa). The application of the composts tended to shift the solid phase forms of the metals away from those extractable with HNO₃ to those extractable with NaOH and EDTA. The more labile fractions (KNO₃ and H₂O extracts) of the metals typically decreased with application of CMSW and CSS. Crop dry matter increased at the 30 and 60 MT/ha CMSW rates by 142 and 152%, respectively, after which yields declined to below control values. Yields at all rates of CSS declined. The CMSW and CSS had an insignificant effect on concentrations of Cr and Pb in oat tissue, but tissue levels of Cu, Ni and Zn increased with increased rate of compost application.     

The effects of domestic compost upon the germination and emergence of barley and six arable weeds

In a bioassay, leachate from composted household waste was found to decrease both cress germination and the germination of barley and six arable weeds, especially in the light. The effect of compost depth upon the emergence of these species was examined in a glasshouse experiment. Compost had no significant effect on barley emergence. However, weed emergence, particularly of those with small seeds, was reduced greatly by the physical effect of compost and, to a lesser extent, by its chemical effect. The emergence of the large-seeded species was relatively unaffected by increasing depths of compost, whereas that of the smaller-seeded weeds steadily decreased, being almost completely prevented by a 3 cm layer. The use of compost to control arable weeds in the field is discussed.     

Chemical control of vine weevil larvae on container-grown hardy ornamental nursery stock 1986–1989

In a search for alternatives to the former standard aldrin compost incorporation treatment for control of vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) larvae on container-grown hardy ornamental nursery stock, a series of 87 tests of insecticides were done at four experimental centres of the ADAS (Leeds, Reading, Wolverhampton and Wye) from 1986 to 1989. Insecticidally-treated plants and untreated controls were artificially infested with vine weevil eggs at varying intervals before and after treatment, and the survival of the pest was assessed. Aldrin treatment gave consistent and excellent preventive control of vine weevil larvae for over 2 years. Of the candidate materials tested, a slow-release granular formulation of chlorpyrifos incorporated into compost at a dose rate of 100 g a.i. m^-3 of compost gave good control for up to 34 wk after treatment (the longest period evaluated) and a micro-encapsulated slow release formulation of fonofos incorporated at a dose rate of 43.3 g a.i. m^-3 usually gave good control for up to two years (the longest period evaluated). Surface applications of these two organophosphates or of carbofuran granules, though sometimes effective, were unreliable as either preventive or remedial treatments even for short term control.     

Utilisation of Ulva rigida biomass in the Venice Lagoon (Italy): biotransformation in compost

In the Venice Lagoon (Italy), about 10⁶ t (wet weight) of Ulva rigida biomass are produced annually as one of the major results of eutrophication. Harvests have been initiated to reduce negative impacts of this biomass, however, due to the high costs of such effort, only 40 000 t yr^-1 are currently being collected. At the moment, biotransformation into compost seems to be the only feasible technology for utilising large quantities of Ulva biomass. We describe and discuss here a successful composting strategy together with the chemico-physical and microbiological characteristics of the resultant composts. Our composting experiments were conducted at a scale of 20 t. The composting technology utilises large proportions (70–90%) of Ulva biomass and results in a valuable, high-quality end product (compost and compost-based products). This process and the resulting products represents a relatively simple way of utilising the Ulva biomass produced annually in the Venice Lagoon.     

微生物菌剂对草坪植物高羊茅生长与土壤酶活性的影响

从生活垃圾堆肥中分离出放线菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和苏云金芽孢杆菌,通过形态学和染色鉴定,分别以微生物单菌剂施入到草坪土壤基质中,研究了几种微生物菌剂对高羊茅生长与土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:3种微生物菌剂处理可以显著提高高羊茅株高、生物量和叶绿素含量(P0.01或P0.05),促进了高羊茅的生长。同时,施加不同的微生物菌剂对于土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、过氧化氢酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性均有显著的增强作用,其中放线菌处理土壤脲酶和多酚氧化酶分别是对照的8.38倍和20.6倍。因此,从堆肥中得到的3种微生物菌剂均可有效提高土壤酶活性,改善植物根际微生态环境,提高了土壤肥力和养分的利用率,促进了草坪植物生长,改善草坪质量。该研究可为微生物菌剂在草坪建植体系中的应用提供依据。     

Variations of soil structure and microbial population in a compost amended soil

Changes in soil structure and in microbial population were recorded in a long term field experiment over the growing season of maize (June–November). Determinations were made on samples from plots which had received, for two years, the following treatments: mineral fertilizers, farmyard manure and three rates of compost. Seasonal variations were observed for the stability of soil aggregates, total porosity, pore size distribution, mycorrhizal infection and aerobic cellulolytic microorganisms. The stability of the soil aggregates changed in a similar way to that found for both mycorrhizal infection and the number of aerobic cellulolytic microorganisms. Physical characteristics were not affected in any instance by the organic dressings and microbiological populations were generally influenced only by the higher doses of compost.