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C Garcia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Application of two beet vinasse forms in Soil Restoration: Effects on Soil properties in an arid environment in southern Spain
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2020Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, Jose L Moreno, C GarciaAbstract:10 pages, 5 tables.Organic Soil amendments are being increasingly examined for their potential in Soil Restoration. Two beet vinasse forms (fresh, BV, and composted with a crushed cotton gin compost, CV) were applied annually for a period of four years to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) in order to evaluate the efficiency of these organic amendments in Soil Restoration. The effects of these amendments on plant cover, Soil's physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) were determined. Organic wastes were applied at 5, 7.5, and 10 t organic matter ha−1 rates, respectively. After 4 years of successive Soil amendment, the percentage of plant cover decreased 58.3% in BV-amended Soils whereas increased 86% in CV-amended Soils with respect to the unamended Soil. The application of fresh beet vinasse had a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical (structural stability decreased 25.2% and bulk density increased 22.9% with respect to the control Soil), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage increased 86.9%), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities decreased by 44.9%, 26.2%, 17.6%, 14.8%, 11.1%, 5%, 63% and 59.6%, respectively, probably because high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, and fulvic acids were introduced into the Soil by the vinasse, thus destabilizing its structure. However, when beet vinasse was co-composted with a cotton gin crushed compost, the resulting compost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical (structural stability increased 26.5% and bulk density decreased 26.3% with respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 57.1%, 76.4%, 98.4%, 98.2%, 99.8%, 99.4%, 89.8% and 92.3%, respectively, with respect to the control Soil). While the application of CV protect the Soil and will contribute to its Restoration, the application of BV deteriorates the Soil and therefore does not contribute to its Restoration.Peer reviewe
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Soil Restoration with organic amendments linking cellular functionality and ecosystem processes
Scientific Reports, 2015Co-Authors: Felipe Bastida, I.f. Torres, Nathalie Selevsek, T Hernandez, C GarciaAbstract:A hot topic in recent decades, the application of organic amendments to arid-degraded Soils has been shown to benefit microbially-mediated processes. However, despite the importance of Soils for global sustainability, a gap has not been addressed yet in Soil science: is there any connection between ecosystem-community processes, cellular functionality, and microbial lifestyles (i.e. oligotrophy-copiotrophy) in restored Soils? Together with classical ecosystem indicators (fatty-acids, extracellular-enzyme activities, basal respiration), state-of-the-art metaproteomics was applied to fill this gap in a model-Restoration experiment initiated 10-years ago by the addition of sewage-sludge and compost. Organic amendment strongly impacted ecosystem processes. Furthermore, the type of material used induced differences in the cellular functionalities through variations in the percentages of proteins involved in translation, transcription, energy production and C-fixation. We conclude that the long-term impact of organic Restoration goes beyond ecosystem processes and affects cellular functionalities and phyla-lifestyles coupled with differences in microbial-community structures.
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Soil Restoration using composted plant residues effects on Soil properties
Soil & Tillage Research, 2009Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, C GarciaAbstract:Abstract Organic Soil amendments are increasingly being examined for their potential for Soil Restoration. In this paper, different composted plant residues consisting of leguminous (red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) (TP) and non-leguminous (rapeseed, Brassica napus L.) (BN) plants and the combination of both plant residues (red clover + rapeseed, Trifolium pratense L. + Brassica napus L. at a ratio 1:1) (TP + BN) were applied during a period of 4 years for restoring a Xelloric Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). The effect of the organic Soil amendments on plant cover, Soil physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (C/N ratio), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities)) were determined. Organic amendments were applied at rate of 7.2 and 14.4 t organic matter ha −1 . All composted plant residues had a positive effect on Soil physical properties. At the end of the experimental period and at the high rate, Soil structural stability was highest in the BN (28.3%) treatment, followed by the TP + BN (22.4%) and the TP (14.5%) treatments and then the control. Soil bulk density was higher in the BN (30.9%), followed by TP + BN (26.2%) and TP (16.1%) treatments with respect to the control. However, Soil biological properties (biomass C and the enzymatic activities) were particularly improved by the TP + BN treatment, followed by TP, BN and the control. After 4 years, the percentage of plant cover increased 87.2% in the TP + BN amended Soil with respect to the control, followed by TP (84.1%) and BN (83.8%). These differences were attributed to the different chemical composition of the composts applied to the Soils and their mineralization, controlled by the Soil C/N ratio. The application of TP + BN compost with a C/N ratio of 18, resulted a more favourable Soil biological properties and plant cover than the application of TP (C/N ratio = 8.8) and BN (C/N ratio = 47.7) composts.
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application of two beet vinasse forms in Soil Restoration effects on Soil properties in an arid environment in southern spain
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2007Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, Jose L Moreno, C GarciaAbstract:Abstract Organic Soil amendments are being increasingly examined for their potential in Soil Restoration. Two beet vinasse forms (fresh, BV, and composted with a crushed cotton gin compost, CV) were applied annually for a period of four years to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) in order to evaluate the efficiency of these organic amendments in Soil Restoration. The effects of these amendments on plant cover, Soil's physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) were determined. Organic wastes were applied at 5, 7.5, and 10 t organic matter ha−1 rates, respectively. After 4 years of successive Soil amendment, the percentage of plant cover decreased 58.3% in BV-amended Soils whereas increased 86% in CV-amended Soils with respect to the unamended Soil. The application of fresh beet vinasse had a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical (structural stability decreased 25.2% and bulk density increased 22.9% with respect to the control Soil), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage increased 86.9%), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities decreased by 44.9%, 26.2%, 17.6%, 14.8%, 11.1%, 5%, 63% and 59.6%, respectively, probably because high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, and fulvic acids were introduced into the Soil by the vinasse, thus destabilizing its structure. However, when beet vinasse was co-composted with a cotton gin crushed compost, the resulting compost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical (structural stability increased 26.5% and bulk density decreased 26.3% with respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 57.1%, 76.4%, 98.4%, 98.2%, 99.8%, 99.4%, 89.8% and 92.3%, respectively, with respect to the control Soil). While the application of CV protect the Soil and will contribute to its Restoration, the application of BV deteriorates the Soil and therefore does not contribute to its Restoration.
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application of two organic amendments on Soil Restoration effects on the Soil biological properties
Journal of Environmental Quality, 2006Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, C GarciaAbstract:One method for recovering degraded Soils in semiarid regions is to add organic matter to improve Soil characteristics, thereby enhancing biogeochemical nutrient cycling. In this paper, we studied the changes in Soil biological properties as a result of adding a crushed cotton gin compost (CCGC) and a poultry manure (PM) for 4 yr to restore a Xerollic Calciorthid located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). Organic wastes were applied at rates of 5, 7.5, and 10 Mg organic matter ha -1 . One year after the assay began, spontaneous vegetation had appeared in the treated plots, particularly in that receiving a high PM and CCGC dose. After 4 yr, the plant cover in these treated plots was around 88 and 79%, respectively, compared with 5% for the control. The effects on Soil microbial biomass and six Soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, b-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities) were ascertained. Both added organic wastes had a positive effect on the biological properties of the Soil, although at the end of the experimental period and at high dosage, Soil microbial biomass and Soil enzyme activities were generally higher in the PM-amended Soils compared to the CCGC-amended Soils. Enzyme activity from the PM-amended Soil was 5,15,13,19, 22, 30, and 6% greater than CCGC-amended Soil for Soil microbial biomass, urease, BBA-protease, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and dehydrogenase activities, respectively. After 4 yr, the percentage of plant cover was >48% in all treated plots and 5% in the control.
Manuel Tejada - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Application of two beet vinasse forms in Soil Restoration: Effects on Soil properties in an arid environment in southern Spain
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2020Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, Jose L Moreno, C GarciaAbstract:10 pages, 5 tables.Organic Soil amendments are being increasingly examined for their potential in Soil Restoration. Two beet vinasse forms (fresh, BV, and composted with a crushed cotton gin compost, CV) were applied annually for a period of four years to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) in order to evaluate the efficiency of these organic amendments in Soil Restoration. The effects of these amendments on plant cover, Soil's physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) were determined. Organic wastes were applied at 5, 7.5, and 10 t organic matter ha−1 rates, respectively. After 4 years of successive Soil amendment, the percentage of plant cover decreased 58.3% in BV-amended Soils whereas increased 86% in CV-amended Soils with respect to the unamended Soil. The application of fresh beet vinasse had a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical (structural stability decreased 25.2% and bulk density increased 22.9% with respect to the control Soil), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage increased 86.9%), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities decreased by 44.9%, 26.2%, 17.6%, 14.8%, 11.1%, 5%, 63% and 59.6%, respectively, probably because high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, and fulvic acids were introduced into the Soil by the vinasse, thus destabilizing its structure. However, when beet vinasse was co-composted with a cotton gin crushed compost, the resulting compost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical (structural stability increased 26.5% and bulk density decreased 26.3% with respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 57.1%, 76.4%, 98.4%, 98.2%, 99.8%, 99.4%, 89.8% and 92.3%, respectively, with respect to the control Soil). While the application of CV protect the Soil and will contribute to its Restoration, the application of BV deteriorates the Soil and therefore does not contribute to its Restoration.Peer reviewe
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EFFECTS OF CRUSHED MAIZE STRAW RESIDUES ON Soil BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND Soil Restoration
Land Degradation & Development, 2014Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, C. BenítezAbstract:Agriculture Soils in the Mediterranean need Restoration and rehabilitation after 10 millenia of use and abuse. Maize straw residues crushed at three sizes [ 10 cm (C3)] at 5 Mg ha−1 y−1 and with and without urea (150 kg N ha−1) were applied during a period of 3 years for the purpose of Restoration of a Typic Xerofluvent located near Cordoba (Spain). The effect on the vegetal cover and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities) were determined. The size of the crushed maize residues (particle size
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Use of biostimulants on Soil Restoration: Effects on Soil biochemical properties and microbial community
Applied Soil Ecology, 2011Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, Isidoro Gómez, C. Benítez, Juan ParradoAbstract:Abstract Four biostimulants (BS): WCDSs, wheat condensed distiller solubles; PA-HE, hydrolyzed poultry feathers; CGHE, carob germ enzymatic extract; and RB, rice bran extract were applied annually at 4.7 t organic matter (OM) ha−1 for a 3-year period to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil to evaluate their efficiency in Soil Restoration. Their effects on the plant cover, Soil enzymatic activities and the structure of the Soil microbial community by analysing phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were determined. Application of BS that contain higher amounts of protein and higher percentage of peptides under 3 kDa had a greater effect on the Soil biological properties, possibly due to the low molecular weight protein content can be easily assimilated by Soil microorganisms. Following 3 years of successive Soil amendment, the dehydrogenase activity was 4.6, 9.6, and 17.6% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. The urease activity was 5.3, 14.5, and 28.8% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. The phosphatase activity was 8, 15.3, and 20.2% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. The arylsulfatase activity was 16, 21.1, and 27.2% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. Total Soil phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentration was significantly (p 50%) and a higher percentage of peptides under 0.3 kDa (>60%) notably increased the Soil enzymatic activities, induced changes in microbial community because the protein with lower molecular weight can be more easily absorbed by Soil microorganisms, and also favoured the establishment of vegetation, which will protect the Soil against erosion and will contribute to its Restoration.
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Utilization of Vermicomposts in Soil Restoration: Effects on Soil Biological Properties
Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2010Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, Isidoro Gómez, Teresa Hernández, Carlos GarcíaAbstract:Increasingly, organic Soil amendments are being examined for their potential use in Soil Restoration and for preventing Soil erosion. Two vermicomposts, differing in their chemical nature (obtained from cow dung, CD, and green forage, GF), were applied annually for a period of 3 yr to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) to evaluate the efficiency of these organic amendments in Soil Restoration. Their effects on the plant cover and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase) of the Soil were determined. The organic wastes were applied at 3 and 6 Mg C ha -1 , respectively. After 3 yr of successive Soil amendment, the application of CD vermicompost to the Soil had a greater effect on the Soil biological properties than GF vermicompost. The final Soil microbial biomass C, dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase values were 28.3, 25.9, 12.6, 26, 12, and 14.2% higher in CD-amended Soils than in the GF-amended Soils. This may have been due to a greater labile fraction of organic matter in the CD than the GF vermicompost; however, the results obtained for the enzymatic activities stabilized in humic matrix mitigated that the highest values occurred in the Soils amended with GF vermicompost with respect to those amended with CD vermicompost. This increased formation of enzymes immobilized in Soils humic matrix may prolong any increase in Soil enzymatic activities and plant cover produced by the amendment.
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effects of a vermicompost composted with beet vinasse on Soil properties Soil losses and Soil Restoration
Catena, 2009Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, A M Garciamartinez, Juan ParradoAbstract:Abstract The use of organic rich wastes instead or as a complement of mineral fertilizers is considered a good environmental practice, provided that the organic wastes are not severely polluted (e.g. occurrence of heavy metals, organic pollutants and/or pathogens). However, the effect of a particular organic waste on Soil properties, Soil loss and Soil Restoration depends on its chemical composition. In particular, the application of fresh beet vinasse showed a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical, chemical and biological properties, increasing Soil loss and decreasing plant cover, probably because it contains high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, which destabilize the Soil structure. The main objective of this work was to study the effect of beet vinasse co-composted with a vermicompost (constituted by green forages) at rates of 5 and 10 t kg organic matter ha− 1, on physical (structural stability and bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage) and biological (Soil microbial biomass-C, Soil respiration and Soil enzymatic activities) properties of Soils and, consequently, how its application may contribute to Soil loss and Soil Restoration. The experiment was carried out for three years on a Xerollic Calciorthid located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). The co-composting of beet vinasse and green waste vermicompost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical, chemical and biological properties, leading to a decrease in Soil loss (31.2% compared with unamended Soil) and an increase in plant cover (68.7% compared with unamended Soil). These results suggest that the co-composting of beet vinasse with vermicomposts protects the Soil and contributes to its Restoration, thus representing a good strategy for recovering semiarid areas.
Juan Parrado - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Use of biostimulants on Soil Restoration: Effects on Soil biochemical properties and microbial community
Applied Soil Ecology, 2011Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, Isidoro Gómez, C. Benítez, Juan ParradoAbstract:Abstract Four biostimulants (BS): WCDSs, wheat condensed distiller solubles; PA-HE, hydrolyzed poultry feathers; CGHE, carob germ enzymatic extract; and RB, rice bran extract were applied annually at 4.7 t organic matter (OM) ha−1 for a 3-year period to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil to evaluate their efficiency in Soil Restoration. Their effects on the plant cover, Soil enzymatic activities and the structure of the Soil microbial community by analysing phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were determined. Application of BS that contain higher amounts of protein and higher percentage of peptides under 3 kDa had a greater effect on the Soil biological properties, possibly due to the low molecular weight protein content can be easily assimilated by Soil microorganisms. Following 3 years of successive Soil amendment, the dehydrogenase activity was 4.6, 9.6, and 17.6% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. The urease activity was 5.3, 14.5, and 28.8% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. The phosphatase activity was 8, 15.3, and 20.2% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. The arylsulfatase activity was 16, 21.1, and 27.2% higher in PA-HE-amended Soils than in the RB, CGHE and WCDS-amended Soils, respectively. Total Soil phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentration was significantly (p 50%) and a higher percentage of peptides under 0.3 kDa (>60%) notably increased the Soil enzymatic activities, induced changes in microbial community because the protein with lower molecular weight can be more easily absorbed by Soil microorganisms, and also favoured the establishment of vegetation, which will protect the Soil against erosion and will contribute to its Restoration.
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effects of a vermicompost composted with beet vinasse on Soil properties Soil losses and Soil Restoration
Catena, 2009Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, A M Garciamartinez, Juan ParradoAbstract:Abstract The use of organic rich wastes instead or as a complement of mineral fertilizers is considered a good environmental practice, provided that the organic wastes are not severely polluted (e.g. occurrence of heavy metals, organic pollutants and/or pathogens). However, the effect of a particular organic waste on Soil properties, Soil loss and Soil Restoration depends on its chemical composition. In particular, the application of fresh beet vinasse showed a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical, chemical and biological properties, increasing Soil loss and decreasing plant cover, probably because it contains high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, which destabilize the Soil structure. The main objective of this work was to study the effect of beet vinasse co-composted with a vermicompost (constituted by green forages) at rates of 5 and 10 t kg organic matter ha− 1, on physical (structural stability and bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage) and biological (Soil microbial biomass-C, Soil respiration and Soil enzymatic activities) properties of Soils and, consequently, how its application may contribute to Soil loss and Soil Restoration. The experiment was carried out for three years on a Xerollic Calciorthid located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). The co-composting of beet vinasse and green waste vermicompost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical, chemical and biological properties, leading to a decrease in Soil loss (31.2% compared with unamended Soil) and an increase in plant cover (68.7% compared with unamended Soil). These results suggest that the co-composting of beet vinasse with vermicomposts protects the Soil and contributes to its Restoration, thus representing a good strategy for recovering semiarid areas.
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application of a green manure and green manure composted with beet vinasse on Soil Restoration effects on Soil properties
Bioresource Technology, 2008Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, A M Garciamartinez, J L Gonzalez, Juan ParradoAbstract:Abstract Beet vinasse (BV), a green manure constituted by Trifolium pratense L. uncomposted (TP) and composted with beet vinasse (at 1:1 rate, (TP + BV)1, and 2:1 rate, (TP + BV)2) at 10 t organic matter ha −1 rate were applied during a period of four years for purpose of Restoration of a Xelloric Calciorthid located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). The effect on the plant cover, Soil physical (structural stability and bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) were determined. The application of BV had a detrimental impact on Soil physical (structural stability decreased 16.5% and bulk density increased 18.7% respect to the control Soil), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage increased 87.3% respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities decreased by 53.5%, 24.5%, 27.8%, 15%, 39.7%, 42.7%, and 65.6%, respectively with respect to the control Soil), probably because high quantities of monovalent cations (Na principally) were introduced into the Soil by the vinasse, thus destabilizing its structure. The application of TP had a positive impact on Soil physical (structural stability increased 5.9% and bulk density decreased 6.1% respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 66.3%, 45.6%, 97.7%, 98.9%, 97.7%, 87.2%, and 89.4%, respectively with respect to the control Soil). However, when BV was co-composted with a green manure, principally at a 2:1 rate, the resulting compost had a positive effect on Soil physical (structural stability increased 10.5% and bulk density decreased 13.5% respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 68.9%, 46.2%, 97.5%, 98.4%, 99.1%, 90.5% and 91.6%, respectively with respect to the control Soil). After four years, the percentage of plant cover decreased 64.3% in the BV-amended plots respect to the control Soil, whereas increased 82.8%, 81.6% and 81% in the (TP + BV)2, (TP + BV)1 and TP treatments, respectively. While the application of BV deteriorates the Soil and therefore does not contribute to its Restoration, the application of TP, and BV composted with TP protects the Soil and will contribute to its Restoration.
Pablo Tittonell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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tailoring conservation agriculture technologies to west africa semi arid zones building on traditional local practices for Soil Restoration
Field Crops Research, 2012Co-Authors: Rabah Lahmar, Babou Andre Bationo, Nomaou Dan Lamso, Yadji Guero, Pablo TittonellAbstract:Low inherent fertility of tropical Soils and degradation, nutrient deficiency and water stress are the key factors that hamper rainfed agriculture in semi-arid West Africa. Conservation Agriculture (CA) is currently promoted in the region as a technology to reduce Soil degradation, mitigate the effect of droughts and increase crop productivity while reducing production costs. CA relies on the simultaneous use of three practices: (1) minimum or zero-tillage; (2) maintenance of a permanent Soil cover and; (3) diversified profitable crop rotation. The most prominent aspect of CA for degraded lands in the semi-arid tropics would be the organic Soil cover that impacts on the Soil water balance, biological activity, Soil organic matter build-up and fertility replenishment. Yet, the organic resources are the most limiting factor in Sahelian agroecosystems due to low biomass productivity and the multiple uses of crop residues, chiefly to feed the livestock. Hence, CA as such may hardly succeed in the current Sahelian context unless alternative sources of biomass are identified. Alternatively, we propose: (1) to gradually rehabilitate the biomass production function of the Soil through increased nutrient input and traditional water harvesting measures that have been promoted as “Soil and water conservation” technologies in the Sahel, e.g. zai, in order to restore Soil hydrological properties as prerequisite to boosting biomass production; (2) to encourage during this restorative phase the regeneration of native evergreen multipurpose woody shrubs (NEWS) traditionally and deliberately associated to crops and managed the year around and; (3) to shift to classical, less labour intensive CA practices once appropriate levels of Soil fertility and water capture are enough to allow increased agroecosystem primary productivity (i.e., an active ‘aggradation’ phase followed by one of conservation). The CA systems we propose for the Sahelian context are based on intercropping cereal crops and NEWS building on traditional technologies practiced by local farmers. Traditionally, NEWS are allowed to grow in croplands during the dry season; they reduce wind erosion, trap organic residues and capture the Harmattan dust, influence the Soil hydraulics and favour Soil biological activity under their canopies. They are coppiced at the end of the dry season, leaves and twigs remain as mulch while branches are collected for domestic fuel and other uses. Shoots re-sprouting during the rainy season are suppressed as weeds. Such CA systems have limited competition with livestock due to the poor palatability of the shrub green biomass, which may increase their acceptance by smallholders. Such aggradation–conservation strategy is not free of challenges, as it may imply initial Soil disturbance that entail important labour investments, substantially change the structure and management of the cropping system (annual crop-perennial plant), and lead to emerging tradeoffs in the use of resources at different scales. This paper offers a state of the art around NEWS and their integration in relay intercropping CA systems, discusses the above mentioned challenges and the main research needs to address them
M T Hernandez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Application of two beet vinasse forms in Soil Restoration: Effects on Soil properties in an arid environment in southern Spain
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2020Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, Jose L Moreno, C GarciaAbstract:10 pages, 5 tables.Organic Soil amendments are being increasingly examined for their potential in Soil Restoration. Two beet vinasse forms (fresh, BV, and composted with a crushed cotton gin compost, CV) were applied annually for a period of four years to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) in order to evaluate the efficiency of these organic amendments in Soil Restoration. The effects of these amendments on plant cover, Soil's physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) were determined. Organic wastes were applied at 5, 7.5, and 10 t organic matter ha−1 rates, respectively. After 4 years of successive Soil amendment, the percentage of plant cover decreased 58.3% in BV-amended Soils whereas increased 86% in CV-amended Soils with respect to the unamended Soil. The application of fresh beet vinasse had a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical (structural stability decreased 25.2% and bulk density increased 22.9% with respect to the control Soil), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage increased 86.9%), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities decreased by 44.9%, 26.2%, 17.6%, 14.8%, 11.1%, 5%, 63% and 59.6%, respectively, probably because high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, and fulvic acids were introduced into the Soil by the vinasse, thus destabilizing its structure. However, when beet vinasse was co-composted with a cotton gin crushed compost, the resulting compost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical (structural stability increased 26.5% and bulk density decreased 26.3% with respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 57.1%, 76.4%, 98.4%, 98.2%, 99.8%, 99.4%, 89.8% and 92.3%, respectively, with respect to the control Soil). While the application of CV protect the Soil and will contribute to its Restoration, the application of BV deteriorates the Soil and therefore does not contribute to its Restoration.Peer reviewe
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Soil Restoration using composted plant residues effects on Soil properties
Soil & Tillage Research, 2009Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, C GarciaAbstract:Abstract Organic Soil amendments are increasingly being examined for their potential for Soil Restoration. In this paper, different composted plant residues consisting of leguminous (red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) (TP) and non-leguminous (rapeseed, Brassica napus L.) (BN) plants and the combination of both plant residues (red clover + rapeseed, Trifolium pratense L. + Brassica napus L. at a ratio 1:1) (TP + BN) were applied during a period of 4 years for restoring a Xelloric Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). The effect of the organic Soil amendments on plant cover, Soil physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (C/N ratio), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities)) were determined. Organic amendments were applied at rate of 7.2 and 14.4 t organic matter ha −1 . All composted plant residues had a positive effect on Soil physical properties. At the end of the experimental period and at the high rate, Soil structural stability was highest in the BN (28.3%) treatment, followed by the TP + BN (22.4%) and the TP (14.5%) treatments and then the control. Soil bulk density was higher in the BN (30.9%), followed by TP + BN (26.2%) and TP (16.1%) treatments with respect to the control. However, Soil biological properties (biomass C and the enzymatic activities) were particularly improved by the TP + BN treatment, followed by TP, BN and the control. After 4 years, the percentage of plant cover increased 87.2% in the TP + BN amended Soil with respect to the control, followed by TP (84.1%) and BN (83.8%). These differences were attributed to the different chemical composition of the composts applied to the Soils and their mineralization, controlled by the Soil C/N ratio. The application of TP + BN compost with a C/N ratio of 18, resulted a more favourable Soil biological properties and plant cover than the application of TP (C/N ratio = 8.8) and BN (C/N ratio = 47.7) composts.
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application of two beet vinasse forms in Soil Restoration effects on Soil properties in an arid environment in southern spain
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2007Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, Jose L Moreno, C GarciaAbstract:Abstract Organic Soil amendments are being increasingly examined for their potential in Soil Restoration. Two beet vinasse forms (fresh, BV, and composted with a crushed cotton gin compost, CV) were applied annually for a period of four years to a Xerollic Calciorthid Soil located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) in order to evaluate the efficiency of these organic amendments in Soil Restoration. The effects of these amendments on plant cover, Soil's physical (structural stability, bulk density), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase) were determined. Organic wastes were applied at 5, 7.5, and 10 t organic matter ha−1 rates, respectively. After 4 years of successive Soil amendment, the percentage of plant cover decreased 58.3% in BV-amended Soils whereas increased 86% in CV-amended Soils with respect to the unamended Soil. The application of fresh beet vinasse had a detrimental impact on the Soil's physical (structural stability decreased 25.2% and bulk density increased 22.9% with respect to the control Soil), chemical (exchangeable sodium percentage increased 86.9%), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities decreased by 44.9%, 26.2%, 17.6%, 14.8%, 11.1%, 5%, 63% and 59.6%, respectively, probably because high quantities of monovalent cations, such as Na+, and fulvic acids were introduced into the Soil by the vinasse, thus destabilizing its structure. However, when beet vinasse was co-composted with a cotton gin crushed compost, the resulting compost had a positive effect on the Soil's physical (structural stability increased 26.5% and bulk density decreased 26.3% with respect to the control Soil), and biological properties (microbial biomass, Soil respiration, and dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, â-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased by 57.1%, 76.4%, 98.4%, 98.2%, 99.8%, 99.4%, 89.8% and 92.3%, respectively, with respect to the control Soil). While the application of CV protect the Soil and will contribute to its Restoration, the application of BV deteriorates the Soil and therefore does not contribute to its Restoration.
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application of two organic amendments on Soil Restoration effects on the Soil biological properties
Journal of Environmental Quality, 2006Co-Authors: Manuel Tejada, M T Hernandez, C GarciaAbstract:One method for recovering degraded Soils in semiarid regions is to add organic matter to improve Soil characteristics, thereby enhancing biogeochemical nutrient cycling. In this paper, we studied the changes in Soil biological properties as a result of adding a crushed cotton gin compost (CCGC) and a poultry manure (PM) for 4 yr to restore a Xerollic Calciorthid located near Seville (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain). Organic wastes were applied at rates of 5, 7.5, and 10 Mg organic matter ha -1 . One year after the assay began, spontaneous vegetation had appeared in the treated plots, particularly in that receiving a high PM and CCGC dose. After 4 yr, the plant cover in these treated plots was around 88 and 79%, respectively, compared with 5% for the control. The effects on Soil microbial biomass and six Soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, BBA-protease, b-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities) were ascertained. Both added organic wastes had a positive effect on the biological properties of the Soil, although at the end of the experimental period and at high dosage, Soil microbial biomass and Soil enzyme activities were generally higher in the PM-amended Soils compared to the CCGC-amended Soils. Enzyme activity from the PM-amended Soil was 5,15,13,19, 22, 30, and 6% greater than CCGC-amended Soil for Soil microbial biomass, urease, BBA-protease, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and dehydrogenase activities, respectively. After 4 yr, the percentage of plant cover was >48% in all treated plots and 5% in the control.
