Journal article
Long‐Term Crop and Soil Response to Biosolids Applications in Dryland Wheat
Journal of environmental quality, Vol.42(6), pp.1872-1880
11/2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/114547
PMID: 25602427
Abstract
Biosolids have the potential to improve degraded soils in grain–fallow rotations. Our objectives were to determine if repeated biosolids applications in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fallow could supply adequate but not excessive N for grain production and increase soil C without creating a high risk of P loss. A replicated on‐farm experiment was established in 1994 in central Washington, comparing anaerobically digested biosolids with anhydrous NH3 and a zero‐N control. Biosolids were applied at 5, 7, and 9 Mg ha−1 every fourth year through 2010 and incorporated 10 cm deep, while anhydrous NH3 plots received 56 kg ha−1 N every second year. Grain yield and protein were determined. Soil chemical, biological, and bulk density analyses were made in 2012. Medium and high biosolids rates significantly increased grain yield (3.63 vs. 3.13 Mg ha−1) and protein (103 vs. 85 g kg−1) compared with anhydrous NH3 averaged across all crops. The medium biosolids rate had significantly lower bulk density (1.05 vs. 1.22 g kg−1) and greater total C (0–10‐cm depth) (16.9 vs. 9.4 g kg−1), mineralizable N (156 vs. 52 mg kg−1), and extractable P (114 vs. 16 mg kg−1) than anhydrous NH3. The P index site vulnerability increased from low for anhydrous NH3 to medium for the biosolids treatments. Soil NO3–N was nearly always <10 mg N kg−1 soil (0–30‐cm depth). Medium and high biosolids rates significantly increased bacteria/fungi ratios, Gram‐negative bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria markers compared with anhydrous NH3. Biosolids can be an agronomically and environmentally sound management practice in wheat–fallow systems.
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Details
- Title
- Long‐Term Crop and Soil Response to Biosolids Applications in Dryland Wheat
- Creators
- Craig G Cogger - Washington State UnivAndy I Bary - Washington State UnivAnn C Kennedy - Washington State UnivAnn‐Marie Fortuna - North Dakota State Univ
- Publication Details
- Journal of environmental quality, Vol.42(6), pp.1872-1880
- Academic Unit
- UNKNOWN
- Publisher
- The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- Agricultural Research Center Washington State Univ. (0711; 0722) Northwest Biosolids Management Association King County Dep. of Natural Resources
- Identifiers
- 99900547986801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article