Class
Article
College
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Reeve
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
The addition of compost can enhance soil aggregation and phosphorus availability in dryland organic wheat systems where yields are severely constrained. Increase in soil aggregation can reduce nutrient loss and increase crop yield. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of a one-time compost addition on soil aggregation and phosphorus (P) availability across two semi-arid organic wheat systems with varying characteristics. Compost was applied to two semi-arid organic wheat systems at the rates of 0, 25, and 50 Mg ha-1. The first site is known to have high calcium carbonate content and lower annual precipitation (SN), while the second site has a low calcium carbonate content and higher annual precipitation. Bulk soil was separated into four aggregate-size fractions (> 2000 μm large macroaggregates; 2000–250 μm small macroaggregates;< 250 μm microaggregates). Forms of bioavailable P pools were investigated. Compost addition significantly enhanced the soil aggregation at the SN site but not at the BC site. The addition of compost enhanced the formation of macroaggregates at SN. Soil phosphorus availability was significantly enhanced at both sites. However, the impact of compost addition on bioavailable phosphorus forms was higher at SN than at BC. These results provide evidence that the impact of compost on soil characteristics varies across different dryland organic wheat systems.
Location
Room 421
Start Date
4-12-2018 1:30 PM
End Date
4-12-2018 2:45 PM
Soil aggregation and phosphorus availability following a one-time compost addition in semi-arid organic wheat systems
Room 421
The addition of compost can enhance soil aggregation and phosphorus availability in dryland organic wheat systems where yields are severely constrained. Increase in soil aggregation can reduce nutrient loss and increase crop yield. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of a one-time compost addition on soil aggregation and phosphorus (P) availability across two semi-arid organic wheat systems with varying characteristics. Compost was applied to two semi-arid organic wheat systems at the rates of 0, 25, and 50 Mg ha-1. The first site is known to have high calcium carbonate content and lower annual precipitation (SN), while the second site has a low calcium carbonate content and higher annual precipitation. Bulk soil was separated into four aggregate-size fractions (> 2000 μm large macroaggregates; 2000–250 μm small macroaggregates;< 250 μm microaggregates). Forms of bioavailable P pools were investigated. Compost addition significantly enhanced the soil aggregation at the SN site but not at the BC site. The addition of compost enhanced the formation of macroaggregates at SN. Soil phosphorus availability was significantly enhanced at both sites. However, the impact of compost addition on bioavailable phosphorus forms was higher at SN than at BC. These results provide evidence that the impact of compost on soil characteristics varies across different dryland organic wheat systems.