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Soil properties, crop yield and quality with farmyard manure with and without biodynamic preparations and with inorganic fertilizers
Abstract
Review of a long-term trial over >25 years carried out with a 4 field crop rotation
... Composted farmyard manure application is an important tool for maintaining soil fertility in organic agriculture (Mäder et al., 2002;Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006), which is mainly characterized by abandoning easily soluble inorganic fertilizers (Hartmann et al., 2015). Several long-term field experiments have demonstrated positive farmyard manure effects on soil organic C (SOC) and microbial biomass C (MBC) contents (Edmeades, 2003;Ludwig et al., 2007). ...
... Most of these experiments were carried out on silt loams (Hepperly et al., 2006;Jenkinson, 1990;Mäder et al., 2002;Marinari et al., 2006) and some on clay soils (Witter et al., 1993;Elfstrand et al., 2007). Fewer experiments with farmyard manure are available on sandy soils (Christensen, 1996;Ellmer et al., 2000), especially under biodynamic organic management (Heinze et al., 2010;Raupp and Oltmanns 2006). Biodynamic agriculture is the oldest organic farming system, with a history going back more than 90 years, based on the anthroposophical concept of Rudolf Steiner (Koepf et al., 1990, Zaller andKöpke, 2004). ...
... Cattle farmyard manure was composted before application for three months if added to winter rye, or for six months if added to spring wheat and root crops (Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). The composted farmyard manure contained on average 320 mg ash, 354 mg C, 26 mg N, 5.3 mg P, and 45 mg K g À1 dry matter in 2004 and 2005 (Raupp, unpublished results). ...
Cattle farmyard manure application is an important tool for maintaining soil fertility in organic agriculture, especially in biodynamic systems. The first objective was to investigate whether application of biodynamic preparations (CMBD treatment) causes positive effects additional to those of composted cattle farmyard manure fertilization (CM treatment). The second objective was to investigate the response of microbial cell-wall and cell-membrane biomarkers to the CM and CMBD treatments in comparison with inorganic fertilization plus straw return (MIN treatment). The third objective was to re-assess conversion values from the phospho-lipid fatty acid (PLFA) 16:1ω5 to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) biomass as well as those from ergosterol and the PLFA 18:2ω6,9 to saprotrophic fungal biomass. Application of biodynamic preparations did not cause any positive effects additional to those of composted farmyard manure fertilization. In the CM and CMBD treatments, bacterial PLFA content was 33% higher than in the MIN treatment, whereas bacterial muramic acid (MurN) content was 55% higher. The AMF indicator PLFA 16:1ω5 as well as neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA) 16:1ω5 were both increased by roughly 80%, as the NLFA/PLFA ratio of 16:1ω5 varied only in a small range around 3.8. This indicates negligible interference from bacteria, suggesting that PLFA 16:1ω5 is a suitable marker for AMF biomass in soil. The indicators for saprotrophic fungi, the ergosterol content and the contribution of 18:2ω6,9 to total PLFA (mol%) were 40 and 60% higher, respectively, in the CM and CMBD than in the MIN treatments. In contrast, fungal GlcN was not affected by the fertilizer treatments. An increased ergosterol/fungal GlcN ratio indicates a shift in fungal community from AMF towards saprotrophic fungi in arable soils.
... The depth profiles were taken from field A of a long-term field trial of the Institute of Biodynamic Research, Darmstadt, Hessia, Germany (49°50′N, 8°34′E) at 100 m above sea level (Heinze et al., 2010;Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). The long-term experiment was established in 1980 on a Haplic Cambisol (FAO-WRB, 2006) with 86% sand, 9% silt, and 5% clay, which has been developed from alluvial sediments of the river Neckar. ...
... The mean annual temperature is 9.5°C and the mean annual precipitation is 590 mm. The experiment was based on a strip design in split blocks with four replicate plots (5 m × 5 m) of each treatment, with fertilizer type applied at three different rates (Heinze et al., 2010;Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). Composted cattle farmyard manure (CM) without straw return and mineral fertilizer (MIN, i.e. calcium ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium chloride, since 1996 potassium magnesia) with the return of straw, given at the highest rate, were compared for the current study. ...
... The CM treatment received approximately 10% higher mean annual C input rates in comparison with the MIN treatment (Heinze et al., 2010;Heitkamp et al., 2009). The mean annual inputs of SOC, Nt and P were 1300, 121, 28 and 930, 111, 100 kg ha − 1 year − 1 for the CM and the MIN treatment respectively (Heinze et al., 2010;Heitkamp et al., 2009;Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). ...
... Furthermore, the phospholipid fatty acid profile of the microbial community differed. Contrasting results exist on the effect of BD-FYM on soil properties: compared with fertilization with FYM, higher C org contents and enzyme activities but similar microbial biomass contents were observed in a sandy soil fertilized with BD-FYM (Bachinger 1996;Raupp and Oltmanns 2006) at the field experiment of the current study (Darmstadt, Germany). In a loamy Fluvisol, treated for 9 years with FYM and BD-FYM, a faster decomposition and lower metabolic quotient were reported in the BD treatments, but contents of microbial biomass C (C mic ) did not differ (Zaller and Koepke 2004). ...
... Until now, little information has been available on how the rate of BD-FYM application influences partitioning of organic matter into the abovementioned pools. Our objectives are to (1) explain previously reported (Bachinger 1996;Raupp and Oltmanns 2006) differences in the C org content between manure and BD-manure treatments, (2) compare the effects of the application rates of both types of manure on microbial biomass and SOM pools, and (3) relate the storage of SOM in different pools to crop yields in a sandy soil at the long-term experiment site in Darmstadt, Germany. ...
... BD-FYM H farmyard manure application plus biodynamic preparations at high rate, BD-FYM M farmyard manure application plus biodynamic preparations at medium rate, BD-FYM L farmyard manure application plus biodynamic preparations at low rate, FYM H farmyard manure application at high rate, FYM M farmyard manure application at medium rate, FYM L farmyard manure application at low rate without standard errors are available. A detailed description of the field experiment is given by Raupp and Oltmanns (2006). ...
One aim of organic and biodynamic agriculture is to improve soil fertility. Our objectives are to (1) explain previously reported differences in the soil organic matter levels between soils receiving farmyard manure (FYM) with or without biodynamic preparations (BD), (2) quantify the effect of three levels of FYM applications on microbial biomass and soil organic matter (SOM) pools with different stability, and (3) relate SOM pools to crop yields in a long-term experiment on a sandy soil at Darmstadt, Germany. Soils of the BD-FYM treatments had significantly higher Corg contents compared to soils of the FYM treatments. However, soil fractionation indicated that there was a greater storage of Corg in the intermediate and passive pools of the BD-FYM treatments, and the temporal course of Corg contents suggested a slow convergence of Corg stocks between FYM and BD-FYM with time. Thus, the observed differences between BD-FYM and FYM treatments were likely to have existed since the beginning of the experiment. Contents of labile C (70–114 g [kg Corg],−1 turnover time 462 days) and labile N (35–49 g [kg Nt
]−1, turnover time of 153 days) were strongly related to the application rate and also to crop yields. Yield of potatoes, winter rye, and clover significantly increased in proportion to the application rate of FYM, while BD had no effect. Overall, the study showed that increasing rates of FYM increased C and N availability independent of the use of BD. Nevertheless, efficiency of C sequestration in a more stable form (intermediate pool) decreased with increasing rate.
... However, the usefulness of biodynamic preparations, in terms of C and N sequestration in the soil, is still subject to debate (Turinek et al. 2009). In the Darmstadt experiment, higher levels of C org has been reported in treatments receiving biodynamic preparations (Raupp and Oltmanns 2006). ...
... Furthermore, the phospholipid fatty acid profile of the microbial community differed. Variable results exist on the effect of BD-FYM on soil properties: Compared to fertilization with FYM, higher C org contents and enzyme activities but similar microbial biomass contents were observed in a sandy Cambisol fertilized with BD-FYM (Bachinger 1996;Raupp and Oltmanns 2006) at the field experiment of the current study (Darmstadt, Germany). In a loamy Fluvisol, treated for 9 years with FYM and BD-FYM, a faster decomposition and lower metabolic quotient were reported in the BD treatments, but C mic contents did not differ (Zaller and Koepke 2004). ...
... Until now, little information has been available on how the rate of BD-FYM application influences partitioning of organic matter into the above-mentioned pools. Our objectives were to (i) explain previously reported (Bachinger 1996;Raupp and Oltmanns 2006) differences in the C org content between manure and BDmanure treatments and (ii) compare the effects of the application rates of both types of manure on microbial biomass and SOM pools in a sandy Cambisol at the long-term experiment site in Darmstadt, Germany. ...
Type and rate of fertilizers influence the level of soil organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Nt) markedly, but the effect on C and N partitioning into different pools is open to question. The objectives of the present work were to:
(i) quantify the impact of fertilizer type and rate on labile, intermediate and passive C and N pools by using a combination of biological, chemical and mathematical methods;
(ii) explain previously reported differences in the soil organic matter (SOM) levels between soils receiving farmyard manure with or without biodynamic preparations by using Corg time series and information on SOM partitioning; and
(iii) quantify the long-term and short-term dynamics of SOM in density fractions and microbial biomass as affected by fertilizer type and rate and determine the incorporation of crop residues into labile SOM fractions.
Samples were taken from a sandy Cambisol from the long-term fertilization trial in Darmstadt, Germany, founded in 1980. The nine treatments (four field replicates) were: straw incorporation plus application of mineral fertilizer (MSI) and application of rotted farmyard manure with (DYN) or without (FYM) addition of biodynamic preparations, each at high (140 – 150 kg N ha-1 year-1; MSIH, DYNH, FYMH), medium (100 kg N ha-1 year-1; MSIM, DYNM, FYMM) and low (50 – 60 kg N ha-1 year-1; MSIL, DYNL, FYML) rates.
The main findings were:
(i) The stocks of Corg (t ha-1) were affected by fertilizer type and rate and increased in the order MSIL (23.6), MSIM (23.7), MSIH (24.2) < FYML (25.3) < FYMM (28.1), FYMH (28.1). Stocks of Nt were affected in the same way (C/N ratio: 11). Storage of C and N in the modelled labile pools (turnover times: 462 and 153 days for C and N, respectively) were not influenced by the type of fertilizer (FYM and MSI) but depended significantly (p ≤ 0.05) on the application rate and ranged from 1.8 to 3.2 t C ha 1 (7 – 13% of Corg) and from 90 to 140 kg N ha-1 (4-5% of Nt). In the calculated intermediate pool (C/N ratio 7), stocks of C were markedly higher in FYM treatments (15-18 t ha-1) compared to MSI treatments (12-14 t ha-1). This showed that differences in SOM stocks in the sandy Cambisol induced by fertilizer rate may be short-lived in case of changing management, but differences induced by fertilizer type may persist for decades.
(ii) Crop yields, estimated C inputs (1.5 t ha-1 year-1) with crop residue, microbial bio¬mass C (Cmic, 118 – 150 mg kg-1), microbial biomass N (17 – 20 mg kg-1) and labile C and N pools did not differ significantly between FYM and DYN treatments. However, labile C increased linearly with application rate (R2 = 0.53) from 7 to 11% of Corg. This also applied for labile N (3.5 to 4.9% of Nt). The higher contents of Corg in DYN treatments existed since 1982, when the first sampling was conducted for all individual treatments. Contents of Corg between DYN and FYM treatments con-verged slightly since then. Furthermore, at least 30% of the difference in Corg was located in the passive pool where a treatment effect could be excluded. Therefore, the reported differences in Corg contents existed most likely since the beginning of the experiment and, as a single factor of biodynamic agriculture, application of bio-dynamic preparations had no effect on SOM stocks.
(iii) Stocks of SOM, light fraction organic C (LFOC, ρ ≤ 2.0 g cm-3), light fraction organic N and Cmic decreased in the order FYMH > FYML > MSIH, MSIL for all sampling dates in 2008 (March, May, September, December). However, statistical significance of treatment effects differed between the dates, probably due to dif-ferences in the spatial variation throughout the year. The high proportion of LFOC on total Corg stocks (45 – 55%) highlighted the importance of selective preservation of OM as a stabilization mechanism in this sandy Cambisol. The apparent turnover time of LFOC was between 21 and 32 years, which agreed very well with studies with substantially longer vegetation change compared to our study.
Overall, both approaches; (I) the combination of incubation, chemical fractionation and simple modelling and (II) the density fractionation; provided complementary information on the partitioning of SOM into pools of different stability. The density fractionation showed that differences in Corg stocks between FYM and MSI treatments were mainly located in the light fraction, i.e. induced by higher recalcitrance of the organic input in the FYM treatments. Moreover, the use of the combination of biological, chemical and mathematical methods indicated that effects of fertilizer rate on total Corg and Nt stocks may be short-lived, but that the effect of fertilizer type may persist for longer time spans in the sandy Cambisol.
... The DOK trial also found that in terms of biological soil quality (eg: microbial biomass) the differences between the conventional and organic/biodynamic systems were much greater (over 40% higher on organic plots), the effect of pesticides and mineral fertiliser can therefore not be excluded from an assessment of this nature or underestimated in terms of effect in terms of improving soil nutrient availability and crop quality (Mondini et al. 1999). On a similar note it has been suggested that an increased quality of residue in the organic system may stimulate a greater amount of humus formation (Friedel et al. 2000, Raupp andOltmanns, 2006) and that this can help to create more resilient systems, in terms of adapting to the effects of climate change (Niggli et al. 2007) through encouraging better soil structure, water retention and nutrient supply to crops (Azeez, 2009). ...
... crop yields and quality (Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). Moreover, most have been completed outside of the UK and in somewhat specific locations, for example, the Pulleman et al. (2003) study was completed on a single biodynamic farm in Polder region of the Netherlands. ...
... Soil type is haplic cambisol comprising 87% sand, 8% silt and 5% clay in topsoil. For details on soil properties, crop rotation and yield, see Raupp and Oltmanns (2006). ...
... In 2008, a C 4 amaranth crop was cultivated at one block of the experimental site, whereas a C 3 clover crop was maintained on another block. There were no chemical controls for pests or weeds in all treatments, and all plots received droplet irrigation based on the climatic conditions (Raupp and Oltmanns 2006). ...
Compound specific stable isotope analysis (13C/12C ratio of fatty acids) was used to assess the allocation of plant carbon in soil microbiota, and to identify the trophic links to microbial grazers in an arable field with long-term mineral and organic fertilizer amendments. The feeding strategy of two dominant Collembola species, epedaphic Isotoma viridis and euedaphic Willemia anophthalma was determined. The investigation was conducted following a shift to amaranth, a C4 plant, after 27 years of continuous C3 crop rotation. The influence of new C4 plant carbon was observed in microbial phospholipids (PLFAs) with higher δ13C recorded in C4 amaranth than in C3 clover soils. The strongest enrichment occurred in the fungal PLFA 18:2ω6,9c and bacterial PLFA 18:1ω9t with 11.2‰ and 6.6‰, respectively. However, other bacterial PLFAs showed no isotopic change, suggesting that the microbial community simultaneously utilized “new” and “old” plant carbon. The δ13C of Collembola fatty acids displayed species specific lipid pattern, which was affected by crop type, but not fertilizer amendments. Isotopic separation of Collembola lipids from amaranth and clover plots was more distinct in I. viridis than W. anophthalma. With up to 18‰, the enrichment in Collembola lipids was stronger than in microbial PLFAs, pointing to a distinct incorporation of carbon resources originating from the actual plant residues. The δ13C pattern in I. viridis indicated trophic links with bacteria, saprotrophic fungi and plant tissues, while saprotrophic fungi and plant tissues were accountable for the patterns observed in W. anophthalma.
... Apart from fertilization, all management practices were the same. The crop rotation consisted of legumes (mainly red clover or lucerne), spring wheat, root crops (mainly potatoes) and winter rye (Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). Residues of potatoes were incorporated into the soil. ...
... Overall, these data suggest that yields in Darmstadt are limited by N availability. This is in line with Raupp and Oltmanns (2006), who showed by analyzing all years that N availability has a strong effect on yield at this site, especially for potatoes and rye in highyielding years, while the other two crops also depended on water availability. ...
The study of sustainable land use is complex and long-term experiments are required for a better understanding of the processes
of carbon stabilization. Objectives were (i) to describe for four long-term experiments the effects of fertilization and soil
management on crop yields and the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N, and (ii) to discuss the usefulness of
models for a better understanding of the underlying processes. Data of soil organic carbon and total N of four long-term experiments
in Germany and China which studied the effect of fertilization (Bad Lauchstädt, Darmstadt) and tillage (Göttingen, Quzhou)
were evaluated and soil organic carbon fractionation was carried out. The Rothamsted Carbon Model was used for a description
and prediction of soil organic carbon dynamics as affected by fertilization and tillage in Bad Lauchstädt and Quzhou. The
type of fertilizer added at common rates — either mineral N or farmyard manure — affected the crop yields only slightly, with
slightly lower yields after manure application compared with mineral N fertilization. For both fertilization trials, manure
applications at common rates had beneficial effects on soil organic carbon stocks in the labile pool (turnover time estimated
as <10 years) and to a greater extent in the intermediate pool (turnover time estimated to be in the range of 10 to 100 years).
A comparison of the effects of conventional tillage, reduced tillage and no-tillage carried out in Göttingen and Quzhou indicated
only small differences in crop yields. Reduced tillage in Göttingen resulted in an increased C storage in the surface soil
and C was mainly located in the mineral-associated organic matter fraction and in water-stable macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm).
For Quzhou, no-tillage and conventional tillage had similar effects on total C stocks, with a greater spatial variability
in soil organic carbon stocks in the no-tillage plots. Modeling required site-specific calibrations for the stock of inert
organic matter for each of the sites, indicating that not all carbon stabilization processes are included in the model and
that application of a model to a new site may also need site-specific adjustments before it can be used for predictions. After
site-specific calibration, however, model predictions for the remaining treatments were generally accurate for the fertilization
and tillage trials, which emphasizes the importance of temperature, moisture, soil cover and clay content on the decomposition
dynamics of soil organic carbon and the significance of amounts and quality of carbon inputs in the soil for maintaining or
increasing soil organic carbon stocks in arable soils.
Keywordssoil organic matter–C dynamics–Rothamsted carbon model–tillage–fertilization–soil organic carbon (SOC)
... Seaweed extract is rich in cytokinins; thus, it plays an important role in delaying leaf senescence by minimizing the degeneration of chlorophyll, and it can also regulate the relation between the rates of photosynthesis and respiration in plants [67,68]. As SWE contains high amounts of vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, PGRs (cytokinins, IAA, IBA and GA 3 ), macro-nutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca and S), as well as micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Co, Ni and Mo), it is considered a plant growth stimulant and has a notable role in increasing plant cell division [69][70][71][72][73][74]. ...
Although the application of chemical fertilizers to crops promotes plant growth and yield, their continuous use affects soil heath and creates environmental pollution. On the other hand, plant biostimulants improve nutrients absorption, plant growth, yield and produce quality and are environment-friendly. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during 2021-22 to evaluate the effect of some biostimulants on the performance of the apple cv. Anna, planted in a sandy loam soil at Marsa Matruh governorate, Egypt. Ninety trees were randomly selected and sprayed with 4 or 6% moringa leaf extract (MLE), 0.3 or 0.4% seaweed extract (SWE), 1000 or 2000 mg L −1 Fulvic acid (FA), 4% MLE + 0.3% SWE + 1000 mg L −1 FA (combination 1), or 6% MLE + 0.4% SWE + 2000 mg L −1 FA (combination 2) before flowering, during full bloom and one month later and compared with a control (untreated trees). The results demonstrated that spraying MLE, SWE or FA or their combinations positively improved the vegetative growth, fruit set %, fruit yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics as well as leaf nutritional status. The positive effect of MLE, SWE and FA was increased in parallel to an increase in the used concentration of each one of them. The highest increments in the measured parameters were accompanied by the application of combination 2 over the other treatments.
... It is important to take precautions during harvest to make sure that no noxious plants, weeds, or other objects are mixed in with the therapeutic plant ingredients.Thus, to maintain SOP regarding above context for assurance of quality for herbal medicines following question should be answered: [84][85] Good collection practices for medicinal plants This is one of the important process to assure the quality of herbal drugs. The guidelines should be followed ae give as below: [86] Generally environmental disturbances in the case of wildly collected drugs should be avoided.Plant species which are endangered should not be collected.Area of collection should be defined correctly. ...
The process of prescribing a set of standards or inherent characteristics, constant parameters, definitive qualitative and quantitative values that carry an assurance of quality, efficacy, safety, and reproducibility is known as standardization of herbal medicine.Since many factors affect bio efficacy and a consistent therapeutic impact, standardizing medications in Indian medicine is a difficult undertaking. The accurate identification of plants, the season and location of collection, the method of extracting and purifying the herbs, and the rationalization of the combination in the case of polyherbal medications are all important steps in obtaining quality-oriented herbal products. This essay examines the significance and reach of medication standardization in Indian medicine. Herbal remedies are now a common type of treatment. In addition to decoctions, herbal powders, alcoholic drinks, capsules, pills, ointments, and creams, finished herbal products are also offered in other dosage forms even in herbal medicine, where tradition is almost entirely based on remedies containing active principles at very low and ultra-low concentrations, or relying on magical-energetic principles, cultural rootedness long-standing and widespread use in a traditional medical system may indicate safety, but not efficacy of treatments. One of the first organic farming methods has its origins around the turn of the 20th century, and that is biodynamic farming. Despite the criticism, biodynamic farming has developed through time and is now viewed as a chance to address a number of environmental, social, and economic challenges.The purpose of the essay is to present the idea and characteristics of biodynamic farming while looking at various case studies and surveys on how this farming method affects yields, profitability, and sustainability. NeuroQuantology | June 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 6 | Page 9644-9667 | doi: 10.14704/nq.2022.20.6.NQ22944 Bhuwanendra Singh/ Standardization procedure of herbal medicines and biodynamic agriculture www.neuroquantology.com eISSN 1303-5150 9645
... Carbon sequestration (or increasing the amount of carbon stored in vegetation and soil) is a preventative technique for reducing the build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. At the DOK trial and K trial, soil organic carbon was maintained at the same level, with a modest gain in the BD system, whereas soil organic carbon was lost in the organic farming systems (Raupp et al., 2006). Likewise, another group of researchers studied the chemical properties of soil after two crop rotations under control, biodynamic, organic, conventional, and mineral system in New Zealand. ...
Biodynamic farming is an old but new alternative agriculture for sustainable development. However, it is not well understood and practiced. It is similar to organic farming
but incorporates metaphysical ideas in treating soil and crop growth. The objective of
this paper is to review and give brief highlights about the concepts, principles, and
applications of biodynamic farming. To review about biodynamic farming, diferent
literatures, research works, and practical works have been reviewed. Diferent search
engines were used in search of documents using keywords like biodynamic agriculture, organic farming, sustainable development, ecology, soil quality, and health. Biodynamic farming is regarded as “above and beyond organic.” It was the frst systematic
method of organic farming as an alternative to the rise of high-input industrial agriculture. Biodynamic farming is the concern and practice of more than 5500 farmers globally, and the farming method has a very good preference among consumers of organic
product. The number of countries with Demeter-International certifed biodynamic
activity increased from 42 to 55 with Germany having the largest (1552) biodynamic
farms. Some of the principles of biodynamic farming are restoring the soil through the
incorporation of organic matter; treating soil as a living system; creating a system that
brings all factors that maintain life into balance; encouraging the use and signifcance
of green manure, crop rotation, and cover crops; and treating manure and compost in
a biodynamic way. Biodynamic farming is more than just a set of techniques; it is also
a conceptual philosophy that applies to the farm’s general structure. The foundation
of biodynamics is the construction of a farm that functions holistically as an unbroken
organism. Scientifcally proofed, biodynamic farming has its own contribution to agriculture sustainability via efect on soil quality and improvement of quantity and nutritional quality of a produce and pest management. Hence, biodynamics is regarded as a promising road to tomorrow’s integrated and sustainable agriculture.
... The organic fertilizers were composted before application for 3 months if added to winter rye or for 6 months if added to spring wheat and root crops (Raupp and Oltmanns 2006b). The biodynamic compost preparations, 0.5 g of Achillea millefolium, Chamomilla recutita, Taraxacum officinale, Valeriana officinalis, Urtica dioica and the bark of Quercus robur, were separately added at the beginning of composting to 1 t of farmyard manure (Koepf et al. 1990). ...
Long-term application effects of cattle farmyard manure (CM) without and with biodynamic preparations (CMBD) on basal respiration, 0.5 M K2SO4 extractable C and the relationships of microbial biomass C (MBC) estimates by chloroform fumigation extraction (CFE) and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) were evaluated down to 1 m depth. The contents of total N, K2SO4 extractable C and MBC-CFE declined with depth from 0–25 to 90–100 cm by −82, −47 and 86%, respectively. The contents of these three soil properties were always 17% lower in the mineral fertilization (MIN) treatment than in the CM and CMBD treatments. However, these differences were not always significant. The MBC-SIR/CFE ratio varied around 1 and did not show a significant depth gradient, due to the strong layer-to-layer variation within each treatment, although this ratio was generally 25% lower in the subsoil than in the topsoil. The metabolic quotient qCO2, i.e. the ratio of basal respiration to MBC, was positively affected by the MBC-SIR/CFE ratio, soil pH and K2SO4 extractable C and negatively by total N. Long-term application of farmyard manure, especially in the CMBD treatment, resulted in a subsoil microbial community with a more efficient use of SOC and glucose.
... Results showed that the FYM with biodynamic preparations significantly decreased soil microbial basal respiration and metabolic quotient compared to non-prepared FYM. The prepared FYM however did not affect soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity and crop yields [29,45], in a long term field experiment comparing FYM in a crop rotation in two treatments with and without biodynamic preparations and inorganic fertilizer after 18 years found that (i) the organic C content was higher with manure than inorganic fertilization and (ii) the highest content was found in the treatment with biodynamic preparations. Therefore, applying the same quantity of manure, but without the preparations, led to higher decomposition of soil organic matter. ...
... All treatments comprise 6y crop rotation cycles, and the survey period in this study covers the first two complete cycles (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009). The second experiment was the Darmstadt fertilization long-term field experiment that is outlined in Raupp et al. (2006). The experiment was started in 1980 and compares mineral fertilization with composted farmyard manure application and farmyard manure application plus biodynamic preparations in a 4y crop rotation that is constant over all treatments. ...
Humus balance methods (HBM) are applied as tools for decision support and environmental impact assessment in arable farming. For reasons of applicability in practice, several HBM avoid a demand for comprehensive site data and are only sensitive to management. As a consequence, these methods, from a methodological point of view, cannot quantify SOM changes. Still, we show that such HBM can be used to assess the relative impact of different management scenarios at a defined site. To do so, we calculated humus balances for treatments in two long-term field experiments according to the well-recognized VDLUFA (2014) method, and compared the variation of treatments in humus balances to the variation in SOM level changes by applying analysis of correlation. In fact, the variables were positively correlated, even though the absolute deviation between balances and SOM changes was considerable. The application of another HBM that considers management impact on SOM as a site-dependent process (HU-MOD-2) showed that the ability to predict absolute SOM changes actually is dependent on sensitivity to environmental drivers of OM turnover in soils.
Keywords: humus balance, decision support, environmental impact assessment, methodology
... Some authors report an increase of storage life of crops under biodynamic production [29,32] or minor differences in product quality [19,20,32], but results are not consistent. That is why it is still controversial whether biodynamic preparations as such have any effects or benefits [28][29][30][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. ...
The main objective of this study was to determine growth, yield and fruit quality of grapevines under organic and biodynamic management in relation to integrated viticultural practices. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the observed changes in growth, yield and fruit quality were investigated by determining nutrient status, physiological performance of the plants and disease incidence on bunches in three consecutive growing seasons. A field trial (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) was set up at Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany. The integrated treatment was managed according to the code of good practice. Organic and biodynamic plots were managed according to Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 and according to ECOVIN-and Demeter-Standards, respectively. The growth and yield of the grapevines differed strongly among the different management systems, whereas fruit quality was not affected by the management system. The organic and the biodynamic treatments showed significantly lower growth and yield in comparison to the integrated treatment. The physiological performance was significantly lower in the organic and the biodynamic systems, which may account for differences in growth and cluster weight and might therefore induce lower yields of the respective treatments. Soil management and fertilization strategy could be responsible factors for these changes. Yields of the organic and the biodynamic treatments partially decreased due to higher disease incidence of downy mildew. The organic and the biodynamic plant protection strategies that exclude the use of synthetic fungicides are likely to induce higher disease incidence and might partially account for differences in the nutrient status of vines under organic and bio-dynamic management. Use of the biodynamic preparations had little influence on vine growth and yield. Due to the investigation of important parameters that induce changes especially in growth and yield of grapevines under organic and biodynamic management the study can potentially provide guidance for defining more effective farming systems.
... , Dick , 1992 ; Mä der et al . , 2006 ; Raupp and Oltmanns , 2006 ) . In contrast , Hepperly et al . ...
The aim of this study was to determine how the potential to rely on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) for plant
nutrition differs between a conventional and a low-input cropping system in the long term. The roles of
fertilisation rate, composting of recycled plant residues and stage of the rotations in the overall impact of
the cropping systems on soil quality and AM were also identified. The conventional cropping system
with a non-leguminous crop rotation (barley–barley–rye–oat–potato–oat) was fertilised at either full or
half the recommended rate. In the low-input cropping system, one year with barley was replaced by
clover, and oat was cultivated mixed with pea. Straw and clover were returned to the soil either with or
without composting. In the low-input system, biotite and rock phosphate were used to compensate for K
and P in the harvested yield, while animal manure was applied at the start only. After 15 years, crop
growth and nutrition, AMF colonisation and soil quality were assessed in the field, while the AM
contribution to growth and nutrient uptake were determined in a bioassay in a growth chamber. AM
functioning made a higher contribution to soil quality in terms of crop performance and environmental
benefits in the low-input cropping system than at either fertilisation rate in the conventional system.
Halving fertilisation in the conventional system prevented some costs and enhanced some of the benefits
of AM in comparison with full fertilisation. However, only the low-input system with composting
conclusively favoured AM in comparison with the conventional system. It resulted in the highest
percentage colonisation and, in a bioassay with flax and clover, gave a relative average contribution to
growth of 27% and to P uptake of 68% in comparison with 4 and 36%, respectively, for the conventional
cropping system with full fertilisation. Rye yield was in the low-input system without composting
similar to that in the conventional system with full fertilisation, and with composting 87% of the latter
one. Incorporation of clover green manure without composting inhibited AM functioning, leading to a
temporary loss of AM contribution to crop performance. This effect draws attention to the impact of the
form of recycled organic matter on supporting ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling.
... The simultaneous lack of differences in C org and N tot in the present study supports the finding by Kö pke et al. (2006), that positive alterations in soil quality and biological activity are not necessarily related to soil C org and N tot , nor dependent on animal manure applications. Furthermore, this supports the frequent finding that only multi-annual grassland or regular use of animal manure can lead to higher soil C org content than obtained in an arable monoculture or solely with inorganic fertilisers (e.g., Dick, 1992;Mä der et al., 2006;Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). In contrast, Hepperly et al. (2006) found green manure with legume cover crops to be as effective as animal manure. ...
The aim of this study was to determine how the potential to rely on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) for plant nutrition differs between a conventional and a low-input cropping system in the long term. The roles of fertilisation rate, composting of recycled plant residues and stage of the rotations in the overall impact of the cropping systems on soil quality and AM were also identified. The conventional cropping system with a non-leguminous crop rotation (barley–barley–rye–oat–potato–oat) was fertilised at either full or half the recommended rate. In the low-input cropping system, one year with barley was replaced by clover, and oat was cultivated mixed with pea. Straw and clover were returned to the soil either with or without composting. In the low-input system, biotite and rock phosphate were used to compensate for K and P in the harvested yield, while animal manure was applied at the start only. After 15 years, crop growth and nutrition, AMF colonisation and soil quality were assessed in the field, while the AM contribution to growth and nutrient uptake were determined in a bioassay in a growth chamber. AM functioning made a higher contribution to soil quality in terms of crop performance and environmental benefits in the low-input cropping system than at either fertilisation rate in the conventional system. Halving fertilisation in the conventional system prevented some costs and enhanced some of the benefits of AM in comparison with full fertilisation. However, only the low-input system with composting conclusively favoured AM in comparison with the conventional system. It resulted in the highest percentage colonisation and, in a bioassay with flax and clover, gave a relative average contribution to growth of 27% and to P uptake of 68% in comparison with 4 and 36%, respectively, for the conventional cropping system with full fertilisation. Rye yield was in the low-input system without composting similar to that in the conventional system with full fertilisation, and with composting 87% of the latter one. Incorporation of clover green manure without composting inhibited AM functioning, leading to a temporary loss of AM contribution to crop performance. This effect draws attention to the impact of the form of recycled organic matter on supporting ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling.
... The mean annual C-input differed only slightly between the mineral and organic treatments (Table 1) so that both organic treatments showed around 10% (summed up over all fertilizer rates) higher mean annual C input rates in comparison with the MIN treatment where straw was returned to the field. The organic fertilizers were composted before application for three months if added to winter rye, or for six months if added to spring wheat and root crops (Raupp and Oltmanns 2006b). The biodynamic compost preparation, 0.5 g of Achillea millefolium, Chamomilla recutita, Taraxacum officinale, Valeriana officinalis, Urtica dioica and the bark of Quercus robur were added separately to 1 t of composted farmyard manure (Koepf et al. 1990). ...
In the Darmstadt long-term fertilization trial, the application of composted cattle farmyard manure without (CM) and with
(CMBD) biodynamic preparations was compared to mineral fertilization with straw return (MIN). The present study was conducted
to investigate the effects of spatial variability, especially of soil pH in these three treatments, on soil organic matter
and soil microbial biomass (C, N, P, S), activity (basal CO2 production and O2 consumption), and fungal colonization (ergosterol). Soil pH was significantly lower in the MIN treatments than in the organic
fertilizer treatments. In the MIN treatments, the contents of soil organic C and total N were also significantly lower (13%
and 16%, respectively) than those of the organic fertilizer treatments. In addition, the total S content increased significantly
in the order MIN < CM < CMBD. The microbial biomass C content was significantly lower (9%) in the MIN treatments than in the
organic fertilizer treatments. Microbial biomass N and biomass P followed microbial biomass C, with a mean C/N ratio of 7.9
and a mean C/P ratio of 23. Neither the microbial biomass C to soil organic C ratio, the metabolic quotient qCO2, nor the respiratory quotient (mol CO2/mol O2) revealed any clear differences between the MIN and organic fertilizer treatments. The mean microbial biomass S content was
50% and the mean ergosterol content was 40% higher in the MIN treatments compared to the organic fertilizer treatments. The
increased presence of saprotrophic fungi in the MIN treatments was indicated by significantly increased ratios of ergosterol-to-microbial
biomass C and the microbial biomass C/S ratio. Our results showed that complex interactions between the effects of fertilizer
treatments and natural heterogeneity of soil pH existed for the majority of microbial biomass and activity indices.
KeywordsSoil organic matter-Microbial biomass-Ergosterol-Basal respiration-Respiratory quotient-Farmyard manure
... The cattle farmyard manure was composted before application for 3 months if added to winter rye, or for 6 months if added to spring wheat and root crops (Raupp and Oltmanns 2006b). The N content of the high-FYM treatments was adjusted according to Abele (1987) to give a vegetable yield equivalent to 100 kg inorganic N ha −1 . ...
The main objective of the second Darmstadt trial was to investigate the effects of vegetal fertilizers on soil properties
and crop yield in comparison with farmyard manure. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: (i) inorganic fertilizers,
(ii) vegetal organic fertilizers, (iii) vegetal organic fertilizers equivalent to biodynamic preparations, (iv) cattle farmyard
manure, (v) cattle farmyard manure with addition of biodynamic preparations, (vi) high level of cattle farmyard manure, and
(vii) high level of cattle farmyard manure with biodynamic preparations. The soil properties analyzed were pH, soil organic
C, N, P, and S, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, basal respiration and fungal ergosterol. The application of vegetal fertilizers
had slightly negative effects on soil organic C, no effects on crop yield (potato, winter rye) and microbial biomass, but
positive effects on ergosterol in comparison with farmyard manure. The increase in ergosterol was caused by straw return in
the vegetal, but also in the inorganic fertilizer treatments. The biodynamic preparations did not affect the contents of soil
organic C and total N. The low effectiveness of vegetal fertiliser in maintaining soil organic C levels is of particular importance
for organic cropping systems and should be examined further under different site conditions.
KeywordsSoil organic matter–Microbial biomass–Ergosterol–Crop yield–Biodynamic preparations–Farmyard manure
... The differences in N input between the respective MSI and FYM treatments are due to the different fertilization concept between 1980 and 1984. Previ-a FYM H , FYM M , FYM L farmyard manure application at high, medium and low rate, MSI H , MSI M , MSI L straw incorporation plus mineral fertilizer application at high, medium and low rate, different letters indicate significant differences between means of treatments b measured C org or N t stocks from the inventory in autumn 1982, the first date were all treatments were sampled c significant effects at p≤0.05; ns: no significant effects; nd: not determined because of lack of data Table 1 b Amounts are given in dry matter for straw and clover hay, in fresh matter for potatoes and include 14% water content for grain c significant effects at p≤0.05; ns: no significant effects ous results of the field experiment were given by Raupp and Oltmanns (2006). The crop in 2006 was berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and the cover crop in winter was cultivated radish. ...
Type and rate of fertilizers influence the level of soil organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Nt) markedly, but the effect on partitioning of C and N into different pools is open to question. Objectives were to investigate the impact of fertilizer type and rate on labile, intermediate and passive C and N pools in a sandy Cambisol at Darmstadt, Germany, after 27 years of different fertilization treatments. The six treatments were: straw incorporation plus application of mineral fertilizer (MSI) and application of farmyard manure (FYM) each at high (140 – 150 kg N ha-1 year-1), medium (100 kg N ha-1 year-1) and low (50 – 60 kg N ha-1 year-1) rates. Soil microbial biomass C (Cmic) and N (Nmic) and C and net N mineralization (266 days incubation at 10°C and 50% waterfilled pore space) were determined. Soils (0 – 25 cm) of MSI treatments had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower Cmic stocks (308 – 361 kg ha-1) than soils of FYM treatments (404 – 520 kg ha-1). Differences in Nmic stocks were less pronounced. After 266 days, mineralized C (1130 – 1820 kg ha-1) and N (90 – 125 kg ha-1) had significantly increased with fertilizer rate. The application of an exponential two-pool model showed that very labile pools (turnover times: 17 and 9 days for C and N, respectively) were small (1.3 – 1.8% of Corg and 0.5 – 1.0% of Nt) and not influenced by type or rate of fertilizer. Stocks of the modeled labile C and N pools (turnover times: 462 and 153 days for C and N, respectively) were not influenced by the type of fertilizer but depended significantly on the application rate and ranged from 7 to 13% of Corg and from 4 to 5% of Nt. In contrast, the size of the calculated intermediate C pool was greater for the FYM treatments, and depended significantly on the interaction of fertilizer type and rate. The intermediate N pool was unaffected by fertilizer type or rate. Passive C and N pools, as experimentally revealed by oxidation with disodium peroxodisulfate (Na2S2O8), were independent of the treatments. Overall, labile and intermediate pools were affected differently by the fertilizer type and the application rate.
... The long-term mineral and organic fertilization system implemented at the Institute for Biodynamic Research (IBDF) in Darmstadt, Germany does not have these restrictions. This allows for the examination of agricultural management practice in a replicated design with no differences except in fertilization (Bachinger, 1996;Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). Since 27 years, the experimental field is amended either with mineral fertilizer or cattle manure with/without biodynamic preparations. ...
This study investigates an arable field soil with long-term (27 and 28 years) mineral (NPK) and organic (cattle manure, cattle manure with biodynamic preparations) fertilizer amendments at low, medium and high amounts. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi host plant wheat was cultivated in the first vegetation period and non-host amaranth in the second. Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) were used to assess soil microbial biomass and community structure. AM fungi were quantified using the marker fatty acid 16:1ω5, with its occurrence in soil PLFAs representing hyphae and in neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA) spores. Soil microbial biomass was enhanced by the addition of manure and at higher amounts for both fertilizers. AM fungal hyphae and spore biomass responded positively to manure application. The soil microbial community under both crops was dominated by bacteria. The ratio of fungal to bacterial (f/b) PLFAs increased with higher fertilizer amounts but decreased in amaranth plots with the application of manure. Meanwhile the ratio of Gram+/Gram− bacteria indicating environmental conditions (e.g. pH, temperature) was higher in amaranth plots with the addition of manure as compared to wheat plots. Soil PLFA revealed distinct effect of crop type displayed by changes in the occurrence of saturated fatty acids and biomarkers for Gram-negative bacteria and saprotrophic fungi. The latter additionally accounted for the dissimilarity between fertilizer treatments. In sum, the soil PLFA pattern distinctively separated wheat from amaranth plots at 0–5 cm soil depth, indicating a stronger effect of crop rotation and crop identity on soil microorganisms than long-term fertilizer practice.
... Passat) was cultivated. All plots were irrigated twice by droplet irrigation with 11 and 12 mm, six and eleven weeks after sowing, respectively (Raupp and Oltmanns, 2006). Mineral (MIN) plots were fertilized with lime ammonium nitrate (N), super phosphate (P) and potassium magnesia (K) at rates of 60, 50, 75, and 140, 100, 125 of N, P, K (kg ha À1 y À1 ) for low and high rates, respectively. ...
We investigated the Collembola community at an arable field where mineral and organic fertilizers have been applied at low and high rates for 27 years. As food resources for Collembola, the soil microbial community was analyzed using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). A special focus was put on AM fungi, which were estimated by the marker 16:1ω5 in PLFA (viable hyphae) and neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA – storage fat in spores) fractions. Additionally, whole cellular lipids in crop plant tissues and manure were assessed. Greater Collembola species richness occurred in plots where mineral fertilizer was added. In contrast, soil microbial biomass including AM fungal hyphae increased with addition of organic fertilizer, while the amount of AM fungal spores and biomass of saprotrophic fungi were not affected by fertilizer type. The lipid pattern in wheat roots was altered by fertilizer type, application rate and their interaction, indicating different rhizosphere communities. In sum, the availability and composition of food resources for Collembola changed considerably due to farm management practice. The major diet of three dominant Collembola species, Isotoma viridis, Willemia anophthalma and Polyacanthella schäffer was determined by lipid profiling. Multivariate analysis demonstrated species specific lipid patterns, suggesting greater importance of species than management practice on the diet choice. Nevertheless, feeding strategy was affected by fertilizer type and availability of resources, as trophic biomarker fatty acids indicated feeding on wheat roots (and to some extent saprotrophic fungi) with mineral and a shift to soil organic matter (litter, detritus) with organic fertilization. Although AM fungi dominated the soil fungal community, the AMF marker 16:1ω5 was not detected in Collembola lipids, indicating that these were not consumed. The very low amount of saprotrophic fungi in the soil and the fact that Collembola as major fungal grazers did not feed on AM fungi indicates that the fungal energy channel in the investigated arable field is of little importance to the faunal food web.
The augmented anthropogenic activities have markedly contributed to climate change over the last few decades, becoming an alarming concern. In India, 0.62 °C increase in average annual temperature has been observed over the past 100 years. Though the increment in mean annual temperature has been noted slower than the global average (0.80 °C/100 years), the impacts are significantly being felt both directly and indirectly. Soil degradation in India has been noticed as one of the notable detrimental outcome of climate change. It indicates decline in capacity of soil to support and to provide services to the ecosystem while desertification is actually a sub-set of soil degradation that implies abatement in quality and functions of soil, especially in arid climate. A significant area of 96.4 m ha, around 30% of total geographical area of India (328.72 m ha), is currently considered an area with degraded soils. Twenty-six (26) out of 30 states of the country exhibited rise in degraded lands (in 2011–13) as compared to the previous decade (2003–05) representing a total rise of 0.57% (which is 1.87 m ha in area) across the country. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to convey sound understandings of land quality and soil C status of India for better implementation of mitigation strategies to combat the adverse impact of climate change.
The growing demand for wine in Europe has increased the impact of viticulture on the environment. In line with European objectives, more sustainable agronomic practices have spread as an alternative to traditional management. This study aimed to compare, in a vineyard of Pinot blanc and Rhine Riesling in northeast Italy, the integrated agronomic practices (INT) with two types of organic management (ORG1—cattle manure and ORG2—green manure), in terms of production, grape quality, pest susceptibility, and soil nutrient availability. The results, after the fifth, sixth, and seventh year of testing, showed that organic management obtained a yield and vegetative features comparable to INT. Grape quality also did not show considerable overall differences between the theses in the must properties, despite the higher total sugar content and lower yeast available in ORG1. In the three-year period, the management of downy mildew, powdery mildew, and rot, as well as the soil fertilization, with the products available in organic farming proved to be comparable to the INT method. The application of cattle manure contributed by enriching the soil in K and P, while a balanced green manure mix has proven to be the best agronomic practice in terms of the release of mineral N during the phenological stages of greatest need of the vine. Organic management appears as an agronomic strategy able quantitatively and qualitatively support the vineyard system.
Research into biodynamic food and farming has a long history within the biodynamic movement. Whilst the basic aim of this research has always been to provide knowledge for furthering the development of this farming approach, recently interest has increased in sharing research activities and results with the global scientific community. After commencing with an introduction to biodynamic agriculture, this review gives an overview of peer-reviewed publications on issues in biodynamic food and farming that have been published between 2006 and 2017. The time before this period is covered by the reviews of Leiber et al. (2006) and Turinek et al. (2009).
Overall, 86 articles were included into this review. The most recognized topics were soil quality and soil health in biodynamic vs. conventional and organic farming, effects of biodynamic preparations, food quality, and viticulture. The studies provide substantial evidence for positive effects of biodynamic management on agroecosystems and food quality:
1) Biodynamic management creates system effects on soils, where compost application plays a crucial role.
2) Biodynamic preparations create effects on food chemical composition and food quality.
3) Biodynamic production can improve the value of food with regard to nutritive properties, taste and human health and well-being.
4) Biodynamic management improves grape quality and plant traits compared to non-biodynamic management.
Until now, the effects of biodynamic management have usually been studied with classical analytical methods in natural and life sciences through disciplinary and reductionist study designs. An application of study designs or specific methods that are conducive for a more holistic analysis are rarely implemented. Thus, we identify the development of appropriate methods and study designs for a holistic examination as a major challenge of future research in biodynamic food and farming.
The effects of biodynamic preparations were tested in the context of comparisons of conventional, organic, and biodynamic systems and diverse crop rotations in Washington and Wisconsin, USA. Wisconsin research also entailed testing a new nettle-and-manure-based field spray preparation (NCP). Focus was on winter wheat and maize and on soil quality. In Washington, preparations increased root growth of winter wheat, microbial biomass, and soil organic matter. In Wisconsin, applying a combination of preparations that included NCP increased root growth of maize, root health, and particulate organic matter in the soil. Relative to the organic treatments, root dry matter increases associated with the use of preparations varied from 12% to 39% and root length differences varied from 10% to 37% depending on the experiment, crop, year, and preparation application. The biodynamic + NCP treatment also induced substantial, positive yield compensatory effects for maize and wheat under stress condition years. The response slopes were practically identical for wheat and maize, indicating that the effect is of the same magnitude for both crops. Results were higher average grain yields and gross financial returns than for organic grain. The greater root production and root health stimulated by preparations is probably linked to greater vegetative growth, enhanced yield under stress conditions, and increased soil quality and carbon in soils.
LUPG Disclaimer This report was produced by the authors on behalf of the Land Use Policy Group (LUPG). The views expressed within the report are those of the contractors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agencies within LUPG.
A major challenge in sustainable crop management is to ensure adequate P supply for crops, while minimizing losses of P that could negatively impact water quality. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of long-term applications of different levels of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure on (1) the availability of P, (2) the relationship between soil C, N, and P, and (3) the distribution of inorganic and organic P in size fractions obtained by wet sieving. Soil samples were taken from the top 20 cm of a long-term (29 y) fertilization trial on a sandy Cambisol near Darmstadt, SW Germany. Plant-available P, determined with the CAL method, was little affected by fertilization treatment (p < 0.05) and was low to optimal. The concentration of inorganic and organic P extracted with a NaOH-EDTA solution (PNaOH-EDTA) averaged about 350 mg (kg dry soil)–1, with 42% being in the organic form (Po). Manure application tended to increase soil C, N, and Po concentrations by 8%, 9%, and 5.6%, respectively. Across all treatments, the C : N : Po ratio was 100 : 9.5 : 2 and was not significantly affected by the fertilization treatments. Aggregate formation was weak due to the low clay and organic-matter content of the soil, and the fractions > 53 μm consisted predominantly of sand grains. The different fertilization treatments had little effect on the distribution of size fractions and their C, N, and P contents. In the fractions > 53 μm, PNaOH-EDTA ranged between 200 and 300 mg kg–1, while it reached 1260 mg kg–1 in the fraction < 53 μm. Less than one third of PNaOH-EDTA was present as Po in the fractions > 53 μm, while Po accounted for 70% of PNaOH-EDTA in the smallest fraction (< 53 μm). Therefore, 16% and 28% of PNaOH-EDTA and Po, respectively, were associated with the smallest fraction, even though this fraction accounted for < 5% of the soil mass. Therefore, runoff may cause higher P losses than the soil P content suggests in this sandy soil with a weak aggregate formation. Overall, the results indicate that manure and mineral fertilizer had similar effects on soil P fractions.
The ability to maintain crop yield and quality in systems based on nitrogen (N) fixed by legumes rather than from synthetic
N fertilisers is fundamental to the long-term viability of organic farming. This paper reports crop yield and nitrogen uptake
parameters for the first spring oat crop after grass/clover ley in organically managed ley/arable rotations to indicate the
amount of fertility built-up during the ley period. The trial site, at Tulloch in North East Scotland, underwent two complete
cycles of 6-year ley/arable rotations with different lengths of grazed ley (3 or 4years). Trials were sufficiently replicated
so that each course of the rotation was present in every year. The rotation containing 3years of ley was also compared with
a similar rotation at a nearby site (Woodside) with lower rainfall and soil fertility over one and a half rotational cycles.
Grain yields were consistently higher at Tulloch (5.1t ha−1 compared with 4.5t ha−1 at Woodside) and were unaffected by the length of ley. However, grain N percentage was higher following the 4-year ley (1.38%
compared with 1.30% following the 3-year ley). While yields were maintained between the first and second cycles of all the
rotations, grain N percentage declined. Annual grain yields of the organically grown oats at Tulloch were not significantly
different from National List/Recommended List yields in NE Scotland for oats receiving 100kg Nha−1. Results suggest that these particular rotation designs were suitable for maintaining acceptable grain yields under organic
management conditions.
KeywordsLey/arable–Organic farming–Nitrogen–Mixed farming–White clover–Sustainability
About 17% of the total land area in Europe is affected by erosion, and an estimated 45% of European soils have low organic matter content. Because agriculture occupies the largest proportion of land, agricultural management is decisive for soil conservation and soil quality. Here we evaluate, on the basis of published research, whether or not organic farming might be a way to maintain and restore soil quality. Results of field experiments and studies of practical farms show concordantly that soil organic matter typically increases or is conserved better with organic than with conventional farming practices, with differences becoming exceedingly pronounced with time. Soil organic carbon was 6–34% higher under organic than under conventional management, with two studies finding no pronounced differences and two studies with very old organic farms exhibiting 50–70% more soil organic C than their conventional neighbors. This goes along with an increase in soil total nitrogen content of up to 21% (47% on one of the old organic farms), which nevertheless was shown not to lead to increased nitrogen losses to the groundwater due to nitrogen-conserving practices used in organic farming. In the “plant available” soil contents of phosphorus and potassium, there appears to be no general trend under “organic” as compared to conventional management.
The application of density fractionation is an established technique, but studies on short term dynamics of labile soil fractions are scarce. Objectives were (i) to quantify the long-term and short-term dynamics of C and N in light fraction (LFOC, LFON, ρ ≤ 2.0 g cm 3) and soil microbial biomass C (Cmic) in a sandy Cambisol as affected by 28 years of different fertilization and (ii) to determine the incorporation of C4-C into these labile fractions during one growing season of amaranth. The treatments were: straw incorporation plus application of mineral fertilizer (MSI) and application of farmyard manure (FYM) each at high (MSIH, FYMH, 140–150 kg N ha−1 year−1) and low (MSIL, FYML, 50–60 kg N ha−1 year−1) rates at four field replicates. For all three sampling dates in 2008 (March, May and September), stocks of LFOC, LFON and Cmic decreased in the order FYMH > FYML > MSIH, MSIL. However, statistical significance varied markedly among the sampling dates, e.g., with LFOC being significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) in the order given above (sampling date in March), significantly different depending on the fertilizer type (May) or non-significant (September). The high proportion of LFOC on the stocks of soil organic C (45 to 55%) indicated the low capacity of soil organic matter stabilization on mineral surfaces in the sandy Cambisol. The incorporation of C4-C in the LFOC during one growing season of amaranth was small in all four treatments with C4-LFOC ranging from 2.1 to 3.0% of total LFOC in March 2009, and apparent turnover times of C3-derived LFOC ranged from 21 to 32 years for the sandy soils studied. Overall, our study indicates that stocks of LFOC and LFON in a sandy arable soil are temporarily too variable to obtain robust significant treatment effects of fertilizer type and rate at common agricultural practices within a season, despite the use of bulked six individual cores per plot, a common number of field replicates of four and a length of treatments (28 years) in the order of the turnover time (21 - 32 years) of C3-derived LFOC.
The question of whether farmers, and organic farmers in particular, should be rewarded for sequestering C in soils is controversial. A review of the literature on long term experiments comparing organic and conventional systems, demonstrates that soils under organic management tend to have higher soil organic carbon (SOC) contents than conventionally managed soils. But the logistics of designing a system that compensates individual farmers for this ecosystem service are challenging. Agreements would have to be reached on the baseline system used for calculation of relative gains in SOC, values for emissions of other GHGs from soils (e.g. methane and nitrous oxide), the direct and indirect CO2 emissions associated with energy use and crop production inputs in the C sequestering system, and emissions associated with sources of SOC imported onto the farm. Alternatively, the evidence for generally higher SOC under organic management could justify an additional payment, for example under the UK Government’s Organic Entry Level Scheme.
Agricultural production systems have to combine management practices in order to sustain soil quality and also pro®tability. We investigated microbial biomass and size-density fractions of soils from a long-term field trial set up in 1978 at Therwil, Switzerland. It compares the economic and ecological performance of organic and conventional agricultural systems. Main differences of the systems were the amount and form of fertiliser as well as the plant protection strategy, whilst crop rotation and soil tillage were the same. Microbial biomass C and N as well as their ratios to the total and light fraction C and N pools in soils of the organic systems were higher than in conventional systems. This is interpreted as an enhanced decomposition of the easily available light fraction pool of soil organic matter (SOM) with increasing amounts of microbial biomass. The role of microbial biomass as a regulator and light fraction organic matter as an indicator of decomposition is discussed. The presented results indicate that labile pools of SOM are distinctly affected by long-term management practices.
The BLOLOG redox technology based on tetrazolium dye reduction as an indicator of sole-carbon-source utilization was evaluated as a rapid, community-level method to characterize and classify heterotrophic microbial communities. Direct incubation of whole environmental samples (aquatic, soil, and rhizosphere) in BIOLOG plates containing 95 separate carbon sources produced community-dependent patterns of sole-carbon-source utilization. Principal-component analysis of color responses quantified from digitized images of plates revealed distinctive patterns among microbial habitats and spatial gradients within soil and estuarine sites. Correlation of the original carbon source variables to the principal components gives a functional basis to distinctions among communities. Intensive spatial and temporal analysis of microbial communities with this technique can produce ecologically relevant classifications of heterotrophic microbial communities.
Commencing in 1980, a long-term experiment was carried out to compare mineral fertilizers (MIN), composted manure (CM) and composted manure with application of biodynamic preparations (CMBD) at three different fertilizer application rates. With mineral fertilizer, the lowest contents of 0.80% C and 0.069% N, with manure 0.90% C and 0.080% N, and with manure and biodynamic preparations 1.08% C and 0.094%? were achieved in the topsoil. The differences between these treatments were statistically significant. 42.9 to 53.7% of Nt was bound in 18 total hydrolyzable protein amino acids (THAA) including asparagine and glutamine. Amino acid contents in the hydrolyzates of the topsoil were significantly different according to fertilizer type: MIN < CM < CMBD. The higher contents in manure fertilized plots were observed even at the lowest rate of fertilizer application. This indicates that differences between the treatments do not depend only on the amino acid supply from manure, but are also influenced by an altered amino acid metabolism in the soil.
Crop yields of cereals, carrots, beetroots and potatoes from 28 different field plot and pot experiments (on a site near Marburg/Germany) were compared to determine the influence of the biodynamic preparations 500 and 501 on yields. Under generally low yields the preparations tended to increase the yields. When the yields reach a medium level this positive effect was smaller. At higher yield levels preparations tended to lower yields. For the yield effect of the preparations 500 and 501 (= Y) and the yield levels in the untreated control (= X) a significant linear regression could be calculated: Y = 4.497—0.181 X (r = −0.615; α < 0.01%). In another experiment with spring wheat conducted for 9 years in Darmstadt/Germany the application of all eight biodynamic preparations modified yields similarly, but only at a high fertilization level. In this treatment the effects followed a significant linear regression Y = 28.930—0.87 X (r = −0.767; α = 1.59%). Yields in the untreated control varied from 1.6 to 5 t/ha. These effects have previously been discussed as a normalization of yields or as a compensation of a non-optimal nutrient supply. A new model is suggested here based on the regressions of preparation effects and yield levels.
Organic matter (O.M.) was extracted with 0.5 N NaOH under N 2 , from samples of the Bh horizon of a Podzol soil. The NaOH-soluble O.M. from one sample was partitioned into "classical" humic and fulvic acids. The O.M. extracted from other samples was passed over an H-resin and purified fulvic acid" was prepared from the eluate. The O.M. retained on the resin was eluted with base. After hydrolysis a sample of the original soil the NaOH-insoluble residue and the various O.M. preparations were analyzed for amino acids, amino sugars and ammonia.Eighty percent of the amino acids in the original soil were accounted for in the NaOH-insoluble residue plus the purified fulvic acid and the NH 4 OH eluate. Most of the soil amino acids were recovered in the NaOH-insoluble residue plus classical humic plus classical fulvic acid fractions. Qualitatively, the amino acid distribution in all fractions was similar to the distribution or amino acids in an "average" protein. Amounts of amino sugars were small consisting of two-thirds glucosamine and one-third galactosamine. Recoveries of amino sugars were low, possibly due to the effect of alkali.Slightly more than 50% of the soil-N was accounted for as amino acids plus NH 3 plus amino sugars. The behavior of the fraction on the exchange resin suggested that the organic C- organic N-system extracted from the soil was not uniform, and that at least portions of the ammo acids and amino sugars were either adsorbed on or physically mixed with organic matter.
In the USA, the corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation depends on high levels of external inputs. Few research data exist comparing conventional production practices with practices involving reduced external inputs and expanded rotations. Two trials initiated in 1989 near Lamberton, MN, evaluated a 2-yr corn-soybean rotation and a 4-yr corn-soybean-oat (Avena sativa L.)/alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-alfalfa rotation under four management strategies. The four management strategies were zero (ZI), low (LI), high (HI), and organic (OI) inputs. One trial (V1) was on land with a history of no fertilizer and pesticide usage. The other trial (V2) was on land with a history of conventional fertilizer and pesticide usage. From 1993 through 1999, average corn yield in the 2-yr HI strategy was 8.96 Mg ha-1 in V1 and 8.72 Mg ha-1 in V2. Corn yield in the 4-yr HI strategy was 4% less than in the 2-yr HI strategy in V1, whereas in V2, the yields were not different. Soybean yield in the 2-yr HI strategy was 2.90 Mg ha-1 in V1 and 2.74 Mg ha-1 in V2. Soybean yield in the 4-yr compared with the 2-yr HI strategy was 3% greater in V1 and 6% greater in V2. These results suggest soybean was more responsive than corn to the expanded rotation length in the HI strategy. Corn yield in the 4-yr OI strategy compared with the 2-yr HI strategy was 9% less in V1 and 7% less in V2 while soybean yield in the 4-yr OI strategy compared with the 2-yr HI strategy was 19% less in V1 and 16% less in V2. These results suggest that yield of organically produced soybean was reduced to a greater extent than that of organically produced corn relative to conventional production practices. By comparing yields of the 2- and 4-yr rotations for each management strategy, this research documents the beneficial yield effects of the expanded crop rotation, which can be masked by external inputs in the LI and HI treatments.
The soil organic matter (SOM) pool encompasses plant, animal, and microbial residues in all stages of decay and a diversity of heterogeneous organic substances intimately associated with inorganic soil components. The soil microbiota and fine roots may also be considered part of the SOM pool. The turnover of the different SOM components varies continuously due to the complex interaction of biological, chemical, and physical processes in soil. The complexity of SOM and its importance to soil fertility have challenged generations of soil scientists, and numerous studies, of which some date back more than two centuries (see historical review in Kononova, 1961), have covered a vast array of aspects of SOM.
On the basis of investigations with samples from a fertilization trial started in 1980, some parameters of food storage ability are evaluated. Microbial infestation of the product during incubation seems to be the most reliable parameter, but the circumstances of infestation and the optimal test conditions are unknown. There are no reliable correlations among the results of degradation tests, storage tests under optimal conditions, and chemical contents of the product. The concept of product vitality (a product-oriented quality referring to a product full of vigor) is based on results of degradation tests. Ultimately, however, food quality standards are based on human priorities (human-oriented). Therefore, not only product characteristics, but also social, psychological, and environmental criteria should be considered.
This study was conducted to determine whether separation of particulate organic matter (POM) that is biologically labile
from aggregate entrapped material improves the usefulness of POM as an index of soil C and N dynamics. The effects of conventional
(CT) and no-tillage (NT) practices on POM were assessed using soils from three 10-year trials in Illinois. Loose and occluded
POM in the 0–5 cm depth were separated from 1994 samples. Use of NT practices increased C and N contents at 0–5 cm relative
to CT practices and those increases were most apparent in the occluded POM fraction. The correlation between total POM-N and
potentially mineralizable N (PMN) was stronger than that between PMN and either the loose or occluded-POM fractions. In 1995,
both the microbial biomass, estimated as chloroform-labile C (CFEC), and PMN were correlated with POM-C and N, but the relationship
was weak when data (from different tillage and depth combinations) were not treated in aggregate. POM-C and CFEC were most
strongly correlated in surface depths and in CT treatments. In NT 0–5 cm samples, PMN contents were similar (≈27 mg N kg–1 soil) at all sites despite notable differences in POM-N concentrations; PMN was not related to POM-N in CT samples. There
was no consistent relationship between PMN and POM-N contents in 5–30 cm samples. DRFTIR spectra indicated that carbohydrates
were most abundant in POM at 0–5 cm. Relatively low PMN rates and enrichment of polysaccharides in POM in the sicl soil suggest
that physical protection of labile organic substrates was more important at that site than at sites with lighter textured
soils. Improved fractionation and incubation techniques and alleviation of laboratory artifacts will improve our ability to
relate POM quantity, distribution and composition to biologically mediated C and N dynamics occurring in the field.
The effect of solution phosphorus (P) concentration upon growth of pregerminated spores of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungus Gigaspora margarita was examined in vitro. P at 1 mM significantly inhibited branching of the primary germ tube. The number of branches and the total hyphal length
were both significantly inhibited at 10 mM P. In addition, germinated spores exposed to exudates produced by Ri T-DNA-transformed
roots of Daucus carota L. grown in the presence of P showed significantly less hyphal branching than those exposed to exudates produced by P-stressed
roots. These phenomena could contribute to the observed inhibition of mycorrhiza formation by high P.
Studies were conducted to investigate the effects of long-term management practices on level and distribution of soil P and enzyme activities involved in P transformations in soil. Treatments included manure, P, NP, NPK, and NPK plus lime. Cattle manure was applied every 4 years at 269 kg N ha-1 for over a century and chemical fertilizers were applied every year at 67 kg N, 14.6 kg P, and 28 kg K ha-1 for over 69 years. Total soil P increase in soils ranged from 4.5 to 10.3 kg P ha-1 year-1 with the highest increase detected in the P-treated and the lowest in the manure-treated plot. Approximately 77-86% of the applied inorganic fertilizer-P in the past 69-71 years was recovered either in the harvested grain or remained in the top 30 cm of soil, while only 32% of the applied manure-P was recovered. Microbial biomass C and activities of alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, inorganic pyrophosphatase, and dehydrogenase were significantly higher in the soil treated with cattle manure. Acid phosphomonoesterase activity, however, was significantly higher in soils treated with chemical fertilizers. Results from this study suggested that manure-P is relatively more mobile than inorganic fertilizer-P. Long-term application of cattle manure promoted microbiological activities and P cycling, but did not result in P accumulation to levels close to those in inorganic P fertilizer-treated soils.
This paper provides a review of recent developments on assessing the effect of agricultural systems on long-term productivity of soils. Cultivation of soils, besides affecting soil chemistry and structure, reduces biological activity due to the reduction of macroaggregates which provides an important microhabitat for microbial activity. Indirect evidence suggests that soil amendments such as animal and green manures, and plant diversity (crop rotations) may be more important in maintaining soil microbial activity/diversity than conservation tillage in monocultural systems. There is increasing evidence that crop rotation promotes crop productivity by suppressing deleterious microorganisms that flourish under monoculture. Additions of inorganic fertilizers can increase soil biological activity because of an increased plant biomass production which upon incorporation stimulates soil biological activity. Conversely, limited evidence suggests that repeated applications of inorganic fertilizer nutrients can suppress production of certain soil enzymes that are involved in cycling of a given nutrient. The observed transitory decrease in crop productivity during conversion from chemical intensive input to alternative systems (greater reliance on biological resources) may be due to the initial diminished biological potentials of conventionally managed soils to efficiently cycle and mineralize organic nutrient sources. This review reaffirms the continuing need for the maintenance of existing long-term experimental sites and establishment of new studies in major agroecosystems throughout the world.
Changes in the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) status of a savanna Alfisol under continuous cultivation complemented with farmyard manure and inorganic fertilization for 45 years were determined. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of farmyard manure (D), N + P and N + P + K fertilizers and their combinations on soil quality under continuous cultivation. Six field plots from the long-term DNPK experiment at Samaru were sampled for the study: D, N + P, N + P + K, D + N + P, D + N + P + K fertilized plots, a control plot with no fertilization and a native site soil. Continuous cultivation caused significant losses of C, N and P. The N + P or N + P + K fertilization could not mitigate these losses. Losses of N and P were mainly in organic forms. However, combination of farmyard manure with N + P and N + P + K fertilization enabled C, N and P to be maintained equal to, or greater than, the native site soil. It was concluded that farmyard manure applied alone, or in combination with N + P or N + P + K fertilization, was effective in maintaining soil quality under continuous cultivation in the savanna. In contrast, continuous inorganic fertilization was deleterious to soil quality because of depletion of organic matter, the reservoir of plant available N and P in weathered, tropical soils.
Land use in general and particularly agricultural practices can significantly influence soil carbon (C) storage. Changes in topsoil C mass measured in long-term agricultural field trials in Sweden and other Northern European countries were compiled and aggregated into seven treatment classes, including manured, fertilized and straw exported. The impact of crop rotations and management practices on C stocks in the topsoil was analyzed using both a static model and a dynamic soil carbon model (introductory C Balance Model; ICBM). ICBM consists of two state variables and four fluxes (governed by four rate-determining parameters), and one parameter, re, combining most external factors affecting C mineralization (temperature, precipitation, drainage, etc.). Simple `front-end models' were used to estimate values for two of the parameters, i (annual C input) and h (humification coefficient) initially based on incomplete records from the field trials, official agricultural statistics and other literature. The re parameter was then optimized for each class of treatments, using an algorithm for non-linear least squares. Initial soil C mass, present C inputs and abiotic conditions, such as soil temperature and moisture, were the deciding factors in whether C stocks declined or increased. Steady-state values calculated using the static and dynamic model were similar for both models, but differed greatly between treatment classes. For cereal-dominated cropping systems where the straw was removed, manure application increased steady-state values about three times (from 3 to 9 g C m−2), compared with corresponding treatments. Incorporation of straw resulted in intermediate steady-state values (5–6 g C m−2). C mineralization rates were highest in bare fallow treatments. For one class of soils, C retention in the soil was found to increase significantly with increasing clay content. The hypothesis that the climatic gradients in Northern Europe affect decomposition and primary production rates similarly, leading to the same soil C stocks, could not be rejected.
Macroorganic matter of arable soils which had received different inputs of organic residues for 25 y and grassland soils that had been under grass for at least 8 y was fractionated into light, intermediate and heavy fractions using a stable silica suspension as heavy liquid. For all residue treatments, the C-to-N ratios of organic matter decreased in the order light, intermediate, heavy macroorganic matter (fraction > 150 μm) and non-macroorganic matter (fraction < 150 μm). Residue application had a stronger effect on the amount and C-to-N ratio of macroorganic matter fractions than on the amount and C-to-N ratio non-macroorganic matter. Textural effects were apparent with the proportions of soil N in the light and intermediate fractions being higher in coarse-textured grassland soils than in fine-textured grassland soils. C and N mineralization were positively correlated with the amount of C and N in the light fraction and the active microbial biomass. The correlation with mineralization decreased with increasing stability of the organic matter fractions. C and N mineralization per unit of total microbial biomass were lower in fine-textured soils than in coarse-textured soils. This is ascribed to a greater physical protection of the organic matter in fine-textured soils than in coarse-textured soils.
To improve the understanding of nutrient cycling in soil there is a need for development of methods to quantify biologically-meaningful fractions of soil organic matter which turn over in the short or medium-term. Homogeneously 14C-labelled shoots from ryegrass grown at ambient (350 μl l−1) and elevated (700 μl l−1) CO2 concentrations were added to a loamy sand and incubated for up to 200 days. Three size-density methods were tested in order to elucidate the breakdown of the plant material. One approach involved density separation in Ludox TM40 (a colloidal silica suspension) but only included soil materials> 150 μm. The other two approaches in which sodium polytungstate was used as density agent included all solid and soluble soil material. One of these involved a size separation (at 100 μm) prior to density separation, while the other was performed on whole soil. Density fractionation in a centrifuge (10,000 g) without initial size-separation substantially reduced the recovery of freshly-added plant material in the light fraction. We assume that this was partly due to the loss of air entrapped in intact tissue during centrifugation, and partly due to interactions between small heavy particles and the large light plant material. Fractionation by size and density thus seems a more powerful approach for separating soil organic matter fractions than fractionation based on density alone. Separation of finer textured materials (< 100 μm) by density resulted in fractions with similar specific activity, indicating that they did not differ greatly in their turnover rates. The changes with time in the specific activity of the fine fractions indicated that they acted as sinks for microbial products, and only contributed slightly to the mineralization of the freshly-added C. The soluble carbon was consistently the most 14C-enriched fraction and contained a substantial amount of 14C throughout the incubation. The large, light fractions consisted of identifiable plant residues and were enriched in 14C during the 200 day incubation. Subdivision of the large fraction by density resulted in fractions with considerably different initial enrichment, presumably due to greater airfilled porosity in less decomposed or frayed materials. Losses of "native" soil carbon were small, compared with the analytical uncertainties, and thus the identification of active "native" soil fractions was hampered. Differences in the decomposition patterns between ryegrass grown at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations, measured by CO2 respiration after 10 days, were observed with the large (> 150 μm) light Ludox fractions. At the end of the experiment no differences between plant material grown at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations were detected in earlier CO2 evolution or in the different soil organic matter fractions. Mineralization of C from previously leached plant materials was considerably enhanced by exposure to Ludox and retarded by exposure to sodium polytungstate.
Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Bonn, 1987. Includes bibliographical references (p. 118-130).
Although organic fertilisers always contain micronutrients, we have to pay attention to the question of whether continuous fertilisation will lead to lower contents in plants or lower availability in the long run. We investigated topsoil samples from long-term trials with farmyard manure and mineral fertili-sation and with different organic and conventional farming systems. Input of micronutrients via or-ganic fertilisers was obviously more significant in the case of poor sandy soil than in that of loamy soil with high total contents and higher mineralising potential.
Produktqualität und Düngung -mineralisch, organisch, biologisch-dynamisch
- U Abele
Abele, U. (1987) Produktqualität und Düngung -mineralisch, organisch,
biologisch-dynamisch. Angewandte Wissenschaft, Heft 345; Münster-Hiltrup
Der Einfluß unterschiedlicher Düngungsarten (mineralisch, organisch, biologisch-dynamisch) auf die zeitliche Dynamik und die räumliche Verteilung von bodenchemischen und -mikrobiologischen Parametern der C-und N-Dynamik sowie auf das Pflanzen-und Wurzelwachstum von Winterroggen
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Institut für Biologisch-Dynamische Forschung, Darmstadt
Konventioneller und alternativer Landbauvergleichende Untersuchungen über die Qualität der Ernteprodukte. Landwirtschaft -Angewandte Wissenschaft
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Diehl, J.F.; Wedler, A. (1978) Konventioneller und alternativer Landbauvergleichende Untersuchungen über die Qualität der Ernteprodukte.
Landwirtschaft -Angewandte Wissenschaft, Heft 206; Münster-Hiltrup; 150-292
Die Gesundheit von Boden und Pflanze aus der Sicht der Landbauwissenschaften. Alternativen der Landbewirtschaftung? Kolloquim des DAF (Dachverband wiss. Gesellschaften der Agrar-, Forst-, Ernährungs-, Veterinär-und Umweltforschung e
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Diercks, R. (1976) Die Gesundheit von Boden und Pflanze aus der Sicht der
Landbauwissenschaften. Alternativen der Landbewirtschaftung? Kolloquim
des DAF (Dachverband wiss. Gesellschaften der Agrar-, Forst-, Ernährungs-, Veterinär-und Umweltforschung e.V.), München, 19.07.1976; 42-89
The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial 1981 to 2005: Long Term Analysis of Organic and Conventional Maize and Soybean Cropping Systems
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- D Douds
- R Seidel
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- H Meuser
Meuser, H. (1989) Einfluss unterschiedlicher Düngungsformen auf Boden und
Pflanze. Untersuchungen zum Wasser-und Nährstoffhaushalt des Bodens
und zum Pflanzenwachstum. PhD thesis. Schriftenreihe des Fachbereichs
Landschaftsentwicklung der TU Berlin Nr. 67
Die Wirkung von Stallmist und Mineraldüngung auf den Pflanzenertrag und auf die biologische Aktivität des Bodens in einem 31jährigen Dauerversuch in Keszthely. Symposium Dauerfeldversuche und Nährstoffdynamik
- I Neméth
- B Tóth
Neméth, I.; Tóth, B. (1992) Die Wirkung von Stallmist und Mineraldüngung auf
den Pflanzenertrag und auf die biologische Aktivität des Bodens in einem
31jährigen Dauerversuch in Keszthely. Symposium Dauerfeldversuche und
Nährstoffdynamik, Bad Lauchstädt, 9.-12.6.92; 148-153, published by UFZ
Leipzig-Halle
Verkan av växtplats, gödsling och tillväxtreglerande substanser på matpotatisens kvalitetsegenskaper. Nordisk forskningsring Meddelande Nr
- B D Pettersson
Pettersson, B.D. (1970) Verkan av växtplats, gödsling och tillväxtreglerande
substanser på matpotatisens kvalitetsegenskaper. Nordisk forskningsring
Meddelande Nr. 23
Düngung und Bodeneigenschaften. Ergebnisse eines 32jährigen Feldversuches in Järna
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- H J Reents
- E V Wistinghausen
Pettersson, B.D., Reents, H.J. & Wistinghausen, E.v. (1992) Düngung und
Bodeneigenschaften. Ergebnisse eines 32jährigen Feldversuches in Järna,
Schweden. Schriftenreihe Band 2, Institut für biologisch-dynamische Forschung, Darmstadt
The long-term trial in Darmstadt: Mineral fertilizer, composted manure and composted manure plus all biodynamic preparations
- J Raupp
Raupp, J. (1995) The long-term trial in Darmstadt: Mineral fertilizer, composted
manure and composted manure plus all biodynamic preparations. In: Publications of the Institute for Biodynamic Research, vol. 5, Darmstadt; 28-36
Enzymatic browning of potatoes is greatly reduced with organic fertilization compared to mineral fertilization
- J Raupp
Raupp, J. (2002) Enzymatic browning of potatoes is greatly reduced with
organic fertilization compared to mineral fertilization. Proc. 14th IFOAM
Organic World Congress, 21-24 August 2002, Victoria, Canada; p. 67
- J Raupp
- A Niehus
- M Oltmanns
Raupp, J.; Niehus, A.; Oltmanns, M. (2004) Die Diversität der Boden-Mikroflora
ist bei Rottemistdüngung höher als bei Mineraldüngung. Mitt. Ges.
Pflanzenbauwiss. 16, 149-150
Fractions of particulate organic matter in soils depending upon farmyard manure and mineral fertilization
- J Raupp
- M Oltmanns
Raupp, J.; Oltmanns, M. (2002) Fractions of particulate organic matter in soils
depending upon farmyard manure and mineral fertilization. Proc. 14th
IFOAM Organic World Congress, 21-24 August 2002, Victoria, Canada; p.
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Amino acids in soils, humic substances and soil microbial biomass
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- J K Friedel
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soil microbial biomass. Proceedings of the 13 th IFOAM Scientific Conference, Basel; 6-9
Über den Einfluss von Kompost-und NPK-Düngung auf Ertrag, Vitamin-C-und Nitratgehalt von Spinat und Schnittmangold
- P Schudel
- F Augstburger
- R Kläy
- H Vogtmann
Schudel, P.; Augstburger, F.; Kläy, R.; Vogtmann, H. (1979) Über den Einfluss
von Kompost-und NPK-Düngung auf Ertrag, Vitamin-C-und Nitratgehalt
von Spinat und Schnittmangold. Schweiz. landw. Forschung 18, 337-350
Ertrag und Nahrungsqualität pflanzlicher Erzeugnisse unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Problematik "organischer" oder "chemisch-mineralischer
- W Schuphan
Schuphan, W. (1974) Ertrag und Nahrungsqualität pflanzlicher Erzeugnisse
unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Problematik "organischer" oder
"chemisch-mineralischer" Düngung. Ernährungs-Umschau 21, 103-108
Bestimmung von Magnesium
VDLUFA (ed.) (1988) Die chemische Untersuchung von Futtermitteln. Methodenbuch Bd. 3 Kap. 4.11.1., Darmstadt
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Interpreting soil organic matter characteristics in organic farming systems
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- E E Marriott
- Y Wang
Wander, M.M.; Marriott, E.E. and Wang, Y. (2005) Interpreting soil organic
matter characteristics in organic farming systems. ISOFAR: Proc. Conf.
"Researching Sustainable Systems", Adelaide 2005; 235-239
Functional diversity of microbial communities: a quantitative approach
- J C Zak
- M R Willig
- D L Moorhead
- H G Wildmann
Zak, J.C.; Willig, M.R.; Moorhead, D.L.; Wildmann, H.G. (1994) Functional diversity of microbial communities: a quantitative approach. Soil Biol. Biochem. 26, 1101-1108
Density fractions of soil macroorganic matter and microbial biomass as predictors of C and N mineralization
- P Gehlen
- Bodenchemische
- Bodenbiologische Und Bodenphysikalische Untersuchungen Konventionell Und Biologisch Bewirtschafteter Acker
- Gemüse
- Obst-Und Weinbauflächen
Gehlen, P. (1987) Bodenchemische, bodenbiologische und bodenphysikalische Untersuchungen konventionell und biologisch bewirtschafteter Acker-,
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