Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil
The recycling of key nutrients and bioenergy from waste materials is a goal of sustainable agriculture. The co-application of biochar and a vermicompost solution (vermiwash) could enhance the positive effects of both materials on soil biomass and biological activities. Tomato plants were grown in so...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/2/178 |
| _version_ | 1797483863389241344 |
|---|---|
| author | Michelangelo Becagli Iduna Arduini Roberto Cardelli |
| author_facet | Michelangelo Becagli Iduna Arduini Roberto Cardelli |
| author_sort | Michelangelo Becagli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The recycling of key nutrients and bioenergy from waste materials is a goal of sustainable agriculture. The co-application of biochar and a vermicompost solution (vermiwash) could enhance the positive effects of both materials on soil biomass and biological activities. Tomato plants were grown in soil amended with biochar, mixed at a rate of 2% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>, and vermiwash, applied through fertigation at a rate of 25 mg per plant, alone (B and V) and in combination (BV). Organic C, dissolved organic C (DOC), soil biomass C, and some enzymatic activities were determined at the start (T0) and the end (T100) of the cultivation period in bulk soil and rhizosphere soil. B and V significantly increased the organic C and soil biomass contents. In addition, B retained the DOC species derived from the soil and, in the BV treatment, also the humic substance of the vermiwash. Generally, all the parameters achieved higher values in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil. The altered soil index three (AI3) of enzyme activities suggests that applying V and B is helpful for the soil microorganisms. Synergisms between B and V were low in the bulk soil and clearly evident in the rhizosphere. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:53:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b9189d4407a48b89afa58c56a5e228a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:53:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b9189d4407a48b89afa58c56a5e228a2023-11-23T18:15:54ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722022-01-0112217810.3390/agriculture12020178Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of SoilMichelangelo Becagli0Iduna Arduini1Roberto Cardelli2Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyThe recycling of key nutrients and bioenergy from waste materials is a goal of sustainable agriculture. The co-application of biochar and a vermicompost solution (vermiwash) could enhance the positive effects of both materials on soil biomass and biological activities. Tomato plants were grown in soil amended with biochar, mixed at a rate of 2% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>, and vermiwash, applied through fertigation at a rate of 25 mg per plant, alone (B and V) and in combination (BV). Organic C, dissolved organic C (DOC), soil biomass C, and some enzymatic activities were determined at the start (T0) and the end (T100) of the cultivation period in bulk soil and rhizosphere soil. B and V significantly increased the organic C and soil biomass contents. In addition, B retained the DOC species derived from the soil and, in the BV treatment, also the humic substance of the vermiwash. Generally, all the parameters achieved higher values in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil. The altered soil index three (AI3) of enzyme activities suggests that applying V and B is helpful for the soil microorganisms. Synergisms between B and V were low in the bulk soil and clearly evident in the rhizosphere.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/2/178biocharβ-glucosidaseorganic fertilisersphosphatasesoil enzyme activitysoil microbiome |
| spellingShingle | Michelangelo Becagli Iduna Arduini Roberto Cardelli Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil Agriculture biochar β-glucosidase organic fertilisers phosphatase soil enzyme activity soil microbiome |
| title | Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil |
| title_full | Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil |
| title_fullStr | Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil |
| title_short | Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil |
| title_sort | using biochar and vermiwash to improve biological activities of soil |
| topic | biochar β-glucosidase organic fertilisers phosphatase soil enzyme activity soil microbiome |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/2/178 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michelangelobecagli usingbiocharandvermiwashtoimprovebiologicalactivitiesofsoil AT idunaarduini usingbiocharandvermiwashtoimprovebiologicalactivitiesofsoil AT robertocardelli usingbiocharandvermiwashtoimprovebiologicalactivitiesofsoil |