Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the members of the Soil Fertility and Conservation Division, Yamaguchi Prefecture Experimental Station, Yamaguchi, Japan for supplying soil samples. We also thank Dr. S. Hiradate, Department of Biological Safety Science, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences (NIAES), for his technical assistance.
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Shindo, H., Hirahara, O., Yoshida, M. et al. Effect of continuous compost application on humus composition and nitrogen fertility of soils in a field subjected to double cropping. Biol Fertil Soils 42, 437–442 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0088-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0088-3