Crop growth effects of processed raw materials applied as fertilisers or growth stimulators – a summary of partial EU project results

In an EU CRAFT project (COOP-CT-2004-508458) running from March 2004 to March 2006, an international consortium of producers of environmen-tally benign crop inputs (BFPs: Biological Food for Plants), RTD performers and end users, evaluated the production and use of BFPs manufactured from differ-ent raw materials: bovine hides, trees, and herba-ceous species. At the manufacturing level, production methods and procedures were reviewed to establish possible relationships between processing steps and end-product quality. At the field level, the BFP prod-ucts were applied as solid pellets or liquids, as fertil-isers or sprays, respectively, on organically grown potatoes and tomatoes and conventionally grown watermelon, cauliflower, strawberries, black currant, raspberries and apples. Evaluations were made of yield, plant health, quality aspects, and environmental effects of the products. In this paper, some Polish crop growth results are presented. In most of the experiments the solid BFP fertilisers did not give positive growth effects additional to those obtained with conventional fertilisers, probably because of the very high fertility levels of the soils used. One of the liquid BFP products applied as a spray performed very well in most experiments. It is concluded that espe-cially liquid BFPs can have very promising effects on crop performance and as such they merit much more scientific attention than what is evident to date

The impact of woody biochar on microbial processes in conventionally and organically managed arable soils

Although environmental impacts of biochar are well characterized, impacts on soil quality, nutrient availability and crop productivity, still remain a challenge due to the diverse response of different soil types to different types of biochar, namely those obtained at low temperature. The impact of an alkaline woody biochar (two doses 5% and 10%) obtained at 280°C, on soil enzyme activity, soil microbial respiration rate, mineral nitrogen (N) availability and ammonia volatilization was studied in one conventionally and one organically managed soils, with and without the addition of urea or composted farmyard manure. Biochar additions had different effects on soil enzyme activity in both soils, suggesting lower decomposing microbial activity processes promoted by biochar. Both soils showed a similar decreasing trend regarding soil respiration rates for all treatments, and significant relationships were observed between the treatments with different rates of applied biochar, but not constant for the entire incubation period. Urea application increased soil mineral N concentrations, especially nitrate concentrations when biochar was applied as well. Biochar decreased ammonia volatilization from conventionally managed soil fertilized with urea, but did not have a significant effect when compost was added to the organically managed soil. Biochar altered microbial behavior in soil, and was affected by previous soil management. So, the impact of biochar produced at low temperatures on soil biological processes is similar to those obtained at high temperature, thus proving that there is no need to increase the energy expenditure to produce biochar, to obtain a good product

Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the roots of two grapevine cultivars in response to bioproducts

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different bioproducts on the occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the roots of ‘Solaris’ and ‘Regent’ grapevine cultivars. The following bioproducts were used, alone or with mineral fertilization (NPK): Ausma, Bioilsa, manure and BF Ekomix. The highest mycorrhizal frequency was recorded in the roots of ‘Solaris’ after applying the bioproduct Ausma. For the ‘Regent’ cultivar, the highest mycorrhizal frequency was found in the plants treated with Ausma, BF Ekomix and manure. Colonization of grapevine roots by AM fungi was limited bymineral fertilization. After the combined use of bioproducts and mineral fertilizers, there was observed a tendency for minimized negative effect of mineral fertilization on the formation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Biochars in soils : towards the required level of scientific understanding

Key priorities in biochar research for future guidance of sustainable policy development have been identified by expert assessment within the COST Action TD1107. The current level of scientific understanding (LOSU) regarding the consequences of biochar application to soil were explored. Five broad thematic areas of biochar research were addressed: soil biodiversity and ecotoxicology, soil organic matter and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil physical properties, nutrient cycles and crop production, and soil remediation. The highest future research priorities regarding biochar's effects in soils were: functional redundancy within soil microbial communities, bioavailability of biochar's contaminants to soil biota, soil organic matter stability, GHG emissions, soil formation, soil hydrology, nutrient cycling due to microbial priming as well as altered rhizosphere ecology, and soil pH buffering capacity. Methodological and other constraints to achieve the required LOSU are discussed and options for efficient progress of biochar research and sustainable application to soil are presented.Peer reviewe

Biodiversity Of Weed Communities In Organic And Conventional Orchards

The aim of the study was to analyze the occurrence of segetal and ruderal weeds in young apple and cherry organic orchards, where weeds under tree canopies were controlled mechanically with a rototiller, and in conventional orchards, where post-emergence herbicides were used. The research material consisted of phytosociological relevés recorded according to the Braun-Blanquet method, in three organic and three conventional orchards, situated near Skierniewice (central Poland), in 2010-2013. On the basis of the collected source material, species composition for the synanthropic flora, as well as phytosociological stability, the cover factor, and weed infestation rate for the analysed species were determined. The total number of the recorded weeds and the average number of weed species in a single relevé were for each of the three organic orchards greater than for the conventional orchards. The organic orchard situated in the same location as the conventional orchard was characterized by a greater biodiversity of flora. Systematic shallow cultivation of the soil, without herbicide treatments, resulted in the proliferation of perennial weeds

Influence of biological products on the growth and development of large-fruited cranberry under greenhouse conditions

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of various biological fertilizers on the growth and development of plants of the large-fruited cranberry and the degree of mycorrhizal association in their roots under controlled conditions. Plants of the ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Stevens’ and ‘Ben Lear’ cranberry cultivars were planted in rhizoboxes filled with soils collected from the areas of Krojczyn and Motoga. The following experimental treatments with fertilizers were applied: control plants, plants fertilized with NPK, a bacterial-mycorrhizal consortium, Vinassa, lignite + Vinassa, Florovit Natura and the fertilizer Crop-UP. The study has shown that there was a tendency to stimulate the vegetative growth and development of cranberry plants through the use of bio-fertilizers and beneficial fungi obtained from the rhizosphere of these plants. There was a tendency for the fresh and dry weight of cranberry shoots to increase, especially in ‘Ben Lear’, under the influence of the bio-fertilizer Florovit Natura when compared with the control plants fertilized with NPK. Compared with the NPK control, all of the bio-fertilizers significantly increased mycorrhizal frequency in the roots of the tested plants of the large-fruited cranberry, with the exception of Crop-UP and lignite compost used in conjunction with Vinassa in ‘Stevens’. No statistically significant differences were obtained for plant size and root colonisation by ericoid fungi in the plants grown in the soil from the areas of Motoga and Krojczyn

Changes in the Mineral Content of Soil following the Application of Different Organic Matter Sources

A study conducted over three consecutive years examined the effects of using biochar, organic fertilizer and microorganisms on soil pH and the concentrations of macro and microelements in the soil. A tendency to increase soil pH was seen where biochar was used. The highest concentration of phosphorus was found in the soil after the application of organic fertilizer with the addition of microorganisms. The most potassium was found in the soil treated with biochar together with organic fertilizer, while the most magnesium was in the soil fertilized with organic fertilizer alone and organic fertilizer together with microorganisms. All the fertilization combinations resulted in an increase in boron and copper levels in the soil. The accumulation of iron in the soil was promoted by organic fertilization alone and organic fertilization together with microorganisms. The highest amount of manganese in the soil was found after fertilization with biochar together with organic fertilizer. In the combination where organic fertilizer was applied, the soil contained the most sodium, while the highest zinc content was found in the soil fertilized with biochar and organic fertilizer. The greatest increase in the carbon content in the soil occurred after the use of biochar together with microorganisms and biochar with organic fertilizer. The same treatments also resulted in the highest amount of organic matter. The study shows that the use of biochar, organic fertilization and the combined use of biochar and organic fertilization improved the quality of the soil

Biochar-Rhizosphere Interactions – a Review

Biochar is a solid material of biological origin obtained from biomass carbonization, designed as a mean to reduce greenhouse gases emis­sion and carbon sequestration in soils for a long time. Biochar has a wide spectrum of practical utilization and is applied as a promising soil improver or fertilizer in agriculture, or as a medium for soil or water remediation. Preparations of biochar increase plant growth and yielding when applied into soil and also improve plant growth conditions, mainly bio, physical and chemical properties of soil. Its physical and chemical properties have an influence on bacteria, fungi and invertebrates, both in field and laboratory conditions. Such effects on rhizosphere organisms are positive or negative depending on biochar raw material origin, charring conditions, frequency of applications, applications method and doses, but long term effects are generally positive and are associated mainly with increased soil biota activity. However, a risk assessment of biochar applications is necessary to protect food production and the soil environment. This should be accomplished by biochar production and characterization, land use implementation, economic analysis, including life cycle assessment, and environmental impact assessment

The Response of Weeds and Apple Trees to Beneficial Soil Microorganisms and Mineral Fertilizers Applied in Orchards

The effect of beneficial soil fungi, bacteria and mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the level and species composition of weed infestation, uptake of macronutrients by weeds and the nutritional status of ‘Sampion’ apple trees with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) was assessed in three-year studies. In the field experiment, the effect of thirteen treatments was investigated, where fungal or bacterial inocula and mineral fertilizers at a standard dose and a dose reduced by 40% were applied individually or together. The fungal inoculum contained two species: Aspergillus niger and Purpureocillium lilacinum. The bacterial consortium consisted of three Bacillus strains: Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Paenibacillus polymyxa. The weight of weeds and the uptake of macronutrients by weeds in the apple orchard increased significantly more after the application of mineral fertilization than after the application of beneficial organisms. The increased uptake of macronutrients by weeds did not significantly change the mineral nutritional status of apple trees expressed as the content of N, P, K Mg and Ca in apple leaves. After the use of NPK mineral fertilization, also with the addition of beneficial organisms, the uptake of N by both weeds and apple trees increased. P and K were more efficiently absorbed by weeds and they achieved greater benefits from fertilization with these two macroelements than trees