The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture

311 Pages·1986·6.82 MB·English

by  Y. Avnimelech (auth.)

THE ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN MODERN AGRICULTURE
Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences
1. J. Monteith and C. Webb, eds.,
Soil Water and Nitrogen in Mediterranean-type Environments. 1981. ISBN 90-247-2406-6
2. J.C. Brogan, ed.,
Nitrogen Losses and Surface Run-off from Landspreading of Manures. 1981. ISBN 90-247-2471-6
3. J.D. Bewley, ed.,
Nitrogen and Carbon Metabolism. 1981. ISBN 90-247-2472-4
4. R. Brouwer, I. Ga!parikova, J. Kolek and B:C. Loughman, eds.,
Structure and Function of Plant Roots. 1981. ISBN 90-247-2510-0
5. Y.R. Dommergues and H.G. Diem, eds.,
Microbiology of Tropical Soils and Plant Productivity. 1982. ISBN 90-247-2624-7
6. G.P. Robertson, R. Herrera and T. Rosswall, eds.,
Nitrogen Cycling in Ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean. 1982. ISBN 90-247-2719-7
7. D. Atkinson et aI., eds.,
Tree Root Systems and their Mycorrhizas. 1983. ISBN 90-247-2821-5
8. M.R. Sarie and B.C. Loughman, eds.,
Genetic Aspects of Plant Nutrition. 1983. ISBN 90-247-2822-3
9. J.R. Freney and J.R. Simpson, eds.,
Gaseous Loss of Nitrogen from Plant-Soil Systems. 1983. ISBN 90-247-2820-7
10. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Efficient Use of Fertilizers in Agriculture. 1983. ISBN 90-247-2866-5
11. J. Tinsley and J.F. Darbyshire, eds.,
Biological Processes and Soil Fertility. 1984. ISBN 90-247-2902-5
12. A.D.L. Akkermans, D. Baker, K. Huss-Danell and J.D. Tjepkema, eds.,
Frankia Symbioses. 1984. ISBN 9O-247-2967-X
13. W.S. Silver and E.C. Schroder, eds.,
Practical Application of Azalla for Rice Production. 1984. ISBN 90-247-3068-6
14. P.G.L. Vlek, ed.,
Micronutrients in Tropical Food Crop Production. 1985. ISBN 90-247-3085-6
15. T.P. Hignett, ed.,
Fertilizer Manual. 1985. ISBN 90-247-3122-4
16. D. Vaughan and R.E. Malcolm, eds.,
Soil Organic Matter and Biological Activity. 1985. ISBN 90-247-3154-2
17. D. Pasternak and A. San Pietro, eds.,
Biosalinity in Action: Bioproduction with Saline Water. 1985. ISBN 90-247-3159-3.
18. M. Lalonde, C. Camire and J.O. Dawson, eds.,
Frankia and Actinorhizal Plants. 1985. ISBN 9O-247-3214-X
19. H. Lambers, J.J. Neeteson and I. Stulen, eds.,
Fundamental, Ecological and Agricultural Aspects of Nitrogen Metabolism in Higher Plants. 1986.
ISBN 90-247-3258-1
20. M.B. Jackson, ed.
New Root Formation in Plants and Cuttings. 1986. ISBN 90-247-3260-3
21. F.A. Skinner and P. Uomala, eds.,
Nitrogen Fixation with Non-Legumes. 1986. ISBN 90-247-3283-2
22. A. Alexander, ed.
Foliar Fertilization. 1986. ISBN 90-247-3288-3.
23. H.G. v.d. Meer, J.C. Ryden and G.C. Ennik, eds.,
Nitrogen Fluxes in Intensive Grassland Systems. 1986. ISBN 90-247-3309-x.
24. A.U. Mokwunye and P.L.G. Vlek, eds.,
Management of Nitrogen and Phosporus Fertilizers in Sub-Saharan Africa. 1986.
ISBN 9O-247-3312-x
25. Y. Chen and Y. Avnimelech, eds.,
The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture. 1986. ISBN 9O-247-336O-x
26. S.K. De Datta and W.H. Patrick Jr., eds.,
Nitrogen Economy of Flooded Rice Soils. 1986. ISBN 90-247-3361-8
The Role of Organic Matter I• n
Modern Agriculture
Edited by
Y.CHEN
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Rehovot, Israel
and
Y. AVNIMELECH
The Technion
Haifa, Israel
1986 MARTIN US NIJHOFF PUBLISHERS
a member of the KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS GROUP
DORDRECHT / BOSTON / LANCASTER
Distributors
for the United States and Canada: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 190 Old Derby
Street, Hingham, MA 02043, USA
for the UK and Ireland: Kluwer Academic Publishers, MTP Press Limited,
Falcon House, Queen Square, Lancaster LA1 1RN, UK
for a/l other countries: Kluwer Academic Publishers Group, Distribution Center,
P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
The Role of organic I!l&tter in modern agriculture.
(Developments in plant and soil sciences ; v.
Includes bibliographies.
1. Organic wastes as fertilizer. 2. Crops and
soils. 3. Humus. 4. Soil microbiology. 5. Plant
growing media. I. Chen, Y. II. Avnimelech, Y.
III. Series.
s654.R65 1986 631.8'6 86-9754
ISBN-13:978-94-010-8470-3
ISBN-13:978-94-010-8470-3 e-ISBN-13: 978-94-009-4426-8
DOl: 10.1007/978-94-009-4426-8
Copyright
© 1986 by Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht.
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t edition 1986
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
the publishers,
Martin-us Nijhoff Publishers, P.O. Box 163, 3300 AD Dordrecht,
The Netherlands.
v
Preface
The use of organic residues as a means of maintaining and increasing soil fertility
is of long-standing. This tradition has been somewhat neglected since the introduc
tion of mineral fertilizers at low cost. More and more farmers and scientists are
now showing renewed interest in the proper and effective use of org~tnic residues,
composts and other recycled organic additives. The role and function of organic
amendments in modern agricultural systems have become topics of major interest
in the scientific and agricultural communities. Research work on residue disposal
has provided new concepts on the interaction between organic components and
soils as well as new handling technologies (e.g. pelletizing of organic residues). The
trend to conserve energy has led scientists to study the minimal tillage system, to
find ways of replacing conventional inorganic fertilizers with natural organic prod
ucts or microbial preparations, and to develop new composting methods. The
drive to achieve higher yields in commercial greenhouse farming has led to a
search for optimum substrates as growth media and for improved management
techniques. This has led to the introduction of organic substitutes for peat, nota
bly those originating from agricultural wastes.
Another important aspect is the current interest in organic farming, where use
of synthetic chemicals is avoided or prohibited. An increasing percentage of the
population in highly developed countries is willing to pay premium prices for food
produced on soils where inorganic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals have
not been used.
These considerations led us to the conclusion that this book is timely, and that
it fills a void on a subject that lacks integrated scientific information. The volume
has been designed to serve as a reference text on select topics from the broad field
of soil organic matter. Undoubtedly, there are relevant subjects that are not ade
quately covered. Notwithstanding, we feel that the book will be of great interest
to crop and soil scientists, to the general agronomists, and to environmentalists
throughout the world.
Following a brief introduction (Chapter I), the subject matter is conveniently
divided into five sections. The first section (Chapters 2,3, and 4) covers nitrogen
and phosphorus-supply to plants as influenced by soil organic matter and biologi
cal transformations. The second section (Chapters 5 and 6) deals primarily with
VI
the effects of soil organic matter and redox potentials on micronutrient transport
and availability to plants. Chapters 7 and 8 comprise the third section and focus
on interactions between microorganisms and soil organic matter, with emphasis on
soil fertility. Biofertilizers and biocontrol agents are also thoroughly discussed.
The fourth section (Chapters 9 and 10) deals with the effects of soil organic mat
ter and applied sewage sludge on soil structure and fertility, with emphasis on the
effects of digested sewage sludge on chemical and biological soil properties. The
fifth and last section (Chapters II and 12) consists of two comprehensive reviews
on the use of peat and compost as container substrates in horticulture, including
discussions on the suppression of soil-borne pathogens by composts and on vari
ous agricultural wastes that have been recently used as peat substitutes in contain
er growth media.
Appreciation and gratitude is expressed to all chapter contributers who have
made the publication of this book possible.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1985 Y. CHEN
and
The Technion, Haifa, 1985 Y. AVNIMELECH
VII
Contributors
Avnimelech, Y., Department of Soils and Fertilizers, Faculty of Agricultural En
gineering, The Technion, Haifa, Israel.
Broadbent, F.E., Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of Cal
California, Davis, California, USA.
Chen, Y., Department of Soil and Water Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jeru
salem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Clay, D.E., Soil and Water Management Research Unit, University of Minnesota,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
Clapp, C.E., Soil and Water Management Research Unit, University of Minnesota,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
Feijtel, T.C., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA.
Hadar, Y., Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Hebrew Univer
sity of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Hayes, M.H.B., Department of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbastan,
Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Henis, Y., Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Hebrew Univer
sity of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Hoitink, H.AJ., Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio State University, Ohio
Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Wooster, Ohio 44691 , USA.
Inbar, Y., Department of Soil and Water Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jeru
salem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Kuter, G.A., Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio State University, Ohio Agricul
tural Research and Development Centre, Wooster, Ohio 44691, USA.
Larson, W.E., Soil and Water Management Research Unit, University of Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
Olson, S.R., USDA-ARS, Agronomy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins,
Colorado, USA.
Patrick Jr, W.H., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA.
Raviv, M., Mewe-Yaar Experimental Station, ARO, Doar Haifa, Israel.
Reddy, K.R., Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida,
Sanford, FloIida 32771, USA.
Stark, S.A., Soil and Water Management Research Unit, University of Minnesota,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
VIII
Stevenson, FJ., Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
61801, USA.
Terry, R.E., Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Brigham Young Univer
sity, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
IX
Contents
v
Preface
List of contributors VII
Introduction
1. Y. Avnimelech, Organic residues in modern agriculture
l.1 Introduction
1.2 Supply of nutrients by organic additives 2
1.3 Effects of organic additives on the physical properties of the
- soil 4
1.4 Effects of organic amendments on yield 5
1.5 Conclusions 8
1.6 References 9
Section 1: Nitrogen and phosphorus supply to plants by organic matter and
their transformations 11
2. F.E. Broadbent, Effects of organic matter on nitrogen and phosphorus
supply to plants 13
2.1 Introduction 13
2 .2 Nitrogen 13
2.2.1 Forms of organic N in soil 13
2.2.2 N mineralization 14
2.2.2.1 Organic soils 14
2.2.2.2 Mineral soils 15
2.2.3 Available nitrogen 15
2.2.3.1 Chemical extractants 15
2.2.3.2 Incubation procedures 16
2.2.3.3 Field estimates of N availability 17
2.2.3.4 Crop uptake of soil N 18
2.2.4 Environmental influences 18
2.2.5 Forest soils 18
2.3 Phosphorus 19
2.3.1 Nature of soil organicP 19
x
Contents
2.3.2 P mineralization 19
2.3.2.1 Phosphatases 20
2.3.2.2 Effect of liming 20
2.3.3 Soil organisms in relation to P availability 20
2.4 Organic amendments 21
2.4.1 Animal manures 21
2.4.2 Other organic amendments 22
2.5 Conclusions 23
2.6 References 23
3. S.R. Olsen, The role of organic matter and ammonium in producing
high com yields 29
3.1 Introduction 29
3.2 Review of literature 31
3.2.1 Beneficial effect on yields of organic manures 31
3.2.2 Ammonium and nitrate as a nitrogen source 32
3.2.3 Energy requirements for NH: -grown and NO] -grown 35
- plants and for the combined sources
3.3 Results 40
3.4 Discussion 49
3.5 References 51
4. R.E. Terry, Nitrogen transformations in Histosols 55
4.1 Introduction 55
4.2 Histosol subsidence 55
4.3 Nitrogen mineralization 56
4.4 Nitrification 60
4.5 Nitrogen in drainage water of organic soils 61
4.6 Denitrification 64
4.7 Conclusions 68
4.8 References 69
Section II: Effects of soil organic matter and redox on micronutrients
availability to plants 71
s.
Y. Chen and F.J. Stevenson, Soil organic matter interactions with
trace elements 73
5.1 Introduction 73
5.2 Importance of complexes of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu with humic
- substances to agriculture 73
5.2.1 Physiological and biochemical functions 73
5.2.2 Transport of micronutrients to plant roots 76
5.2.3 Supply of micronutrients to higher plants 79
5.3 Nature of organic complexing agents in soil 81
5.3.1 Defined biochemical compounds 81