Effect of continuous compost application on humus composition and nitrogen fertility of soils in a field subjected to double cropping

• Published in: Biology and fertility of soils Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 437 - 442
• Main Authors: Shindo, H, Hirahara, O, Yoshida, M, Yamamoto, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.06.2006; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: adsorption; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; application rate; barley; Biological and medical sciences; Cereal crops; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; composting; Composts; Decomposing organic matter; Double cropping; Fertilizers; Fulvic acids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Humic acids; Humification; Humus; Metals; nitrogen; nitrogen fertilizers; Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizations; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; nutrient availability; Organic matter; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; phosphorus fertilizers; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; potassium fertilizers; rice; Soil fertility; soil nutrients; soil organic matter; Soil properties; Soil science; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; Japan; Non metal; Compost; Nitrogen fertilization; SOIL BIOLOGY; Humus composition; Continuous; Soil fertility; Property of soil; Carbon Isotopes; Soil quality; Nitrogen; Double cropping; Group VA element; Soils; Composting; Continuous compost application; N fertility; Humus; 13C-NMR; Soil science; Nuclear magnetic resonance
• ISSN: 0178-2762; 1432-0789
• DOI: 10.1007/s00374-006-0088-3

We investigated the effect of continuous compost application on humus composition and N fertility of soils in a field subjected to double cropping (paddy rice and barley) for 25 years. Soil samples were collected from three different plots: (a) No-NF, fertilizer containing P and K but no N; (b) F, fertilizer containing N, P, and K; and (c) F+C, fertilizer plus compost. The amounts of total humus, extracted humus, and humic and fulvic acids increased in the order No-NF<F<<F+C. The amounts of humic and fulvic acids were 2.7 and 1.7 times larger in the F+C plot than in the F plot, respectively. The degree of humification of the humic acids decreased in the order No-NF<F<F+C. The absorption curves and 13C-NMR spectra (TOSS method) of the humic acids indicated the presence of lignin-like structure, and its degree was the strongest in the F+C plot. The 13C-NMR spectra showed distinct differences in the distribution of carbon species between humic and fulvic acids. In humic acids, the content of aromatic-C, ranging from 37 to 44%, was the highest among carbon species. In fulvic acids, the content of O-alkyl-C, ranging from 45 to 51%, was the highest. The amounts of phosphate buffer-extractable N (PEON) and total N (TN) increased in the order No-NF<F<F+C. The amounts of PEON and TN were 1.2 and 1.7 times larger in the F+C plot than in the F plot, respectively. Present and previous findings indicated that continuous compost application could improve various properties of soils in a field subjected to long-term double cropping.