Effect of Pruning Waste Biochar and Compost and Microbial Inoculation on Phosphorus Availability

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• MirHassan Rasouli-Sadaghiani
• Roghayeh Vahedi
• Mohsen Barin

Urmia University

https://doi.org/10.22067/jsw.v32i4.67298

Abstract

Introduction: Millions of tons of trees pruning waste are produced annually in Iran, which can contribute to supplying soil organic matter. Soils in arid and semi-arid regions, due to lack of sufficient vegetation and the return of low amounts of plant residues to the soil, contain little organic matter. These soils are often calcareous, and as a result, many plants in these soils are faced with nutritional problems, especially phosphorus deficiency. Phosphorus, as an essential element for plant growth, combines with soil components and changes into less soluble and insoluble compounds in calcareous soils with low amounts of organic matter. Organic matter and biological amendments can affect the solubility and mobility of nutrients in the rhizosphere and improve their bioavailability by creating different chemical and biological conditions. The pruning waste of trees can be used to produce biochar and compost and consequently improves soil physical and chemical properties and plays an important role in the dynamics and living of soil microorganisms. Biochar is a carbon-rich solid material produced during pyrolysis which is the thermal degradation of biomass under oxygen limited conditions. It has recently received much attention as a soil amendment which can be used to increase nutrient availability, improve the soil microbial diversity and biological activities such as enzyme activity in rhizosphere and sequester carbon in agricultural soils. In addition, compost is a chemical derived product from organic waste and contains many beneficial elements that are gradually released into soil and available to plants. Another approach to improve the bioavailability and mobility of phosphorus in the rhizosphere is the use of potential of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Limiting the roots to examine the biological and chemical changes and the extent to which these properties have expanded in the rhizosphere are challenges that have been less addressed .Rhizobox is one of the systems used to study rhizosphere changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biochar and compost prepared from pruning waste of apples and grapes trees as well as microbial inoculation on phosphatase activity and phosphorus availability at wheat rhizosphere under rhizobox condition.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement in three replications, under greenhouse condition in rhizobox. The factors were organic matter (pruning waste biochar (PWB), pruning waste compost (PWC) and control (without organic matter)), microbial inoculation (AMF and PGPR) and soil type (rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil). For this purpose, a soil sample with light texture and low available phosphorus content was prepared. PWB used in the experiment was produced from mix pruning waste of apple and grape at the final temperature of approximately 350°C for 3 hours. Moreover, pruning waste compost of apple and grape trees was prepared from Department of Soil Science, Urmia University. The biochar and compost were ground and screened through a 0.5 mm sieve for the greenhouse experiment. The seeds of wheat were planted in 20 × 15 × 20 cm rhizobox (length, width and height). At greenhouse experiment, the biochar and compost were added to the boxes in terms of 1.5% pure organic carbon before planting (each box contained 5.8 kg of soil). In control treatments (without organic matter), sterile soil was used with microbial inoculation. Microbial strains used for inoculation included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida) and mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus fasciculatum). Wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Pishtaz) were grown in rhizobox. At the end of the vegetative growth period, acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes activities were asseyedassayed by spectrophotometry method. Soil available P was extracted with 0.5 M NaHCO3 (Olsen-P) in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils and phosphorus concentrations in the root and shoot were determined by the standard method.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the application of PWC and microbial inoculation significantly increased ACP and ALP enzymes activity and the availability of phosphorus compared to the control. The highest increase in ALP enzyme activity and available phosphorus was observed in PWC treatment inoculated with PGPR. Furthermore, PWC increased the ACP and ALP enzymes activities in the rhizosphere soil by 1.39 and 1.33 times compared to non-rhizosphere soil, respectively. However, phosphorus availability in the non-rhizosphere soil of the PWC treatment was 21.19% higher than that in the rhizosphere soil. The lowest available phosphorus content was observed in rhizosphere soil of AMF treatment. In addition, the highest phosphorus concentrations in plant root and shoot were, respectively, found in the compost and biochar treatments inoculated with AMF. In PWB treatment, the inoculation of AMF increased shoot phosphorus concentration by 1.31 times relative to PGPR inoculation.
Conclusions: In general, applying organic matter and microbial inoculation had a significant positive effect on phosphorus availability and plant growth. Adding organic matter to the soil, such as compost and inoculation with microorganisms particularly PGPR bacteria in the root zone, led to increased soil available phosphorus. The activity of phosphatases in soil was influenced by using organic materials such as compost and microbial inoculation which enhance the bioavailability of inorganic phosphorus. More positive interaction of PWC and PWB with AMF than PGPR in the rhizosphere caused greater increase of phosphorus bioavailability in the root zone and plant phosphorus uptake. In general, according to the results of this study, it seems that the use of organic materials and biological potential of the microorganisms have a significant effect on phosphorus availability and improve plant growth.

Keywords

• Available P
• Microorganisms
• Organic matter
• Rhizosphere

20.1001.1.20084757.1397.32.4.5.5

References

1- ASTM standard. 2009. Standard test method for chemical analysis of wood charcoal. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International: Conshohocken, PA.

2- Atkinson C.J., Fitzgerald J.D.,and Hipps N.A .2010. Potential mechanisms for achieving agricultural benefits from biochar application to temperate soils: A review. Plant and Soil, 337:1–18.

3- Balik J., Pavlikova D., and Vanĕk V. 2007. The influence of long-term sewage sludge application on the activity of phosphatases in the rhizosphere of plants. Plant and Soil Environmental, 53:375–381.

4- Bolan N.1991. A critical review on the role of mycorrhizal fungi in the uptake of phosphorus by plants. Plant and soil, 34:189–207.

5- Bremner J.M., and Mulvaney C.S. 1982. Nitrogen-Total. P. 595-624, In: A.L. Page et. al. (eds). Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. 2nd ed. Agron. Monograph 9.

6- Cakmak O., Oztur L., Karanlik S., Ozkan H., Kaya Z., and Cakmak I. 2001. Tolerance of 65 Durum wheat genotypes to zinc deficiency in calcareous soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 24:1381-1847.

7- Chapman H.D., and Pratt P.F. 1978. Methods of analysis for soils, plants and waters. Division of Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 3043p.

8- Caravaca F., Figueroa D., Alguacil M. M., and Rolan A. 2003. Application of composted urban residue enhanced the performance of afforested shrub species in a degraded semiarid land. Bioresource Technology, 90: 65-70.

9- Chan K.Y., Van Zwieten L., Meszaros I., Downie, A., and Joseph S. 2007. Agronomic values of green waste biochar as a soil amendment. Soil Research, 45:629–634.

10- Chan K.Y., Van Zwieten L., Meszaros I., Downie A., and Joseph S. 2008. Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 46:437.

11- Chen J., Liu X., Zheng J., Zhang B., Lu H., Chi Z., Pan G., Li L., Zheng J., and Zhang X. 2013. Biochar soil amendment increased bacterial but decreased fungal gene abundance with shifts in community structure in a slightly acid rice paddy from Southwest China. Appl. ied Soil Ecology, 71:33–44.

12- Chintala R., Mollinedo J., Schumacher T.E., Malo D.D, and Julson J.L. 2013. Effect of biochars on chemical properties of acidic soil. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 60:393–404.

13- Emami A. 1997. Plant analysis methods (Volume I). Agricultural research, Soil and Water Research Institute. (in Persian)

14- Emmerling C., Embacher A., and Haubold-Rosar Mand Schröder D. 1996. Initiierung und forderung der mikrobiellen Biomasse und mikrobieller Aktivitäten in jungen Kippsubstraten durch organische Reststoffe. VDLUFA-Schriftenr, 44:579–582.

15- Fathi Gerdelidani A., Mirseyed Hosseini H., and Farahbakhsh M. 2016. Effect of spent mushroom compost (SMC) and sugar cane bagasse biochar on availability and fractions of inorganic phosphorus in a calcareous soil. Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 9 (39):127-144. (In Persian)

16- Garg S., and Bahl G.G. 2008. Phosphorus availability to maize as influenced by organic manures and fertilizer phosphorus associated with phosphatase activity in soils. Bioresource Technology, 5773–5777.

17- Gee G.W., and Bauder J.W. 1986. Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Pp: 383-409. In: Clute A (ed). Methods of Soil Analysis, part 1. ASA and SSSA, MedisonMadison Wisconsin.

18- Ginting D., Kessavalou, A., Eghball, B., and Doran, J.W. 2003. Greenhouse gas emissions and soil indicators four years after manure and compost applications. Journal of Environmental Quality, 32: 23–32.

19- Giusquiani P.L., arucchini Arucchini C.M., and Businelli M. 1988. Chemical properties of soils amended with compost of urban waste. Plant and Soil, 109:73-78.

20- Huang P. M. and Violante A. 1986. Influence of organic acids on crystallization and surface properties of precipitation products of aluminum. Pages 159–221 in P. M. Huang and M. Schnitzer, eds. Interactions of soil minerals with natural organics and microbes. SSSA, Madison, WI.

21- Jin Y., Liang X., He M., Liu Y., Tian G., and Shi J. 2016. Manure biochar influence upon soil properties, phosphorus distribution and phosphatase activities: a microcosm incubation study. Chemosphere, 142:128–135.

22- Khalil H.M.A., and Hassan R.M. 2015. International Journal of Plant Research, Raising the Productivity and Fiber Quality of Both White and Colored Cotton Using Eco-Friendly Fertilizers and Rice Straw, International Journal of Plant Research, 5(5):122-135.

23- Koide R.T., and Mosse B. 2004. A history of research on arbuscular mycorrhiza. Mycorrhiza, 14:145–163.

24- Kourtev P.S., Ehrenfeld J.G., and Häggblom M. 2003. Experimental analysis of the effect of exotic and native plant species on the structure and function of soil microbial communities. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 35:895- 905.

25- Lambers H., Raven J.A., Shaver G.R., and Smith S.E. 2008. Plant nutrient acquisition strategies change with soil age. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 23:95–103.

26- Lehmann J. D.a., Silva J.P. J.r., Steiner C., Nehls T., Zech W., and Glaser B. 2003.Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments. Plant and Soil, 249:343–357.

27- Liang Y., Nikolic M., Peng Y., Chen W., and Jiang Y. 2005. Organic manure stimulates biological activity and barley growth in soil subject to secondary salinization. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 37:1185–1195.

28- Liu Y., Yang M., Wu Y., Wang H., Chen Y., and Wu W.2011. Reducing CH4 and CO2 emission from waterlogged paddy soil with biochar. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 11:930–939.

29- Makoi J. H. J. R., Bambara S., and Ndakidemi P.A. 2010. Rhizosphere phosphatase enzyme activities and secondary metabolites in plants as affected by the supply of Rhizobium, lime and molybdenum in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Australian Journal of Crop Science, 4:590-597.

30- Marinari S., Masciandaro G., Ceccanti B., and Grego S. 2000. Influence of organic and mineral fertilisers on soil biological and physical properties. Bioresource Technology, 72:9-17.

31- Marschner H., and Dell B. 1994; Nutrient uptake in mycorrhizal symbiosis, plant and Soil, 159: 89-10.

32- Mengel K., and Kirkby E. 2001. Principles of plant nutrition. 5th Ed., International Potash Institute, Bern, Switzerland.

33- Mkhabela M.S., and Warman P.R. 2005. The influence of municipal solid waste compost on yield, soil phosphorus availability and uptake by two vegetable crops grown in a Pugwash sandy loam soil in Nova Scotia. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 106:57–67.

34- Mishra R.R. 2007. Soil microbiology. Translated by: A. Fallah, H. Besharati, & H. Khosravi, Aeeizh publisher, Pp:179.

35- Murphy J., and Riley J.P. 1962. A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphorous in natural waters. Analytica Chemica Acta, 27:31-36.

36- Nannipieri P., Giagnoni L., Renella G., Puglisi E., Ceccanti B., Masciandaro G., Fornasier F., Moscatelli M.C., and Marinari S.2012. Soil enzymology: classical and molecular approaches. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 48:743–762.

37- Nelson D.W., and Sommers L.E. 1982. Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter, Pp:539–579.

38- Nuruzzaman M., Lambers H., and Bolland M.D.A. 2006. Distribution of carboxylates ad acid phosphatase and depletion of different phosphorus fractions in the rhizosphere of a cereal and three grain legumes. Plant and Soil, 281: 109-120.

39- Olsen S. R., Cole C.V., Watanabe F. S., and Dean L.A. 1954. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extracting with sodium bicarbonate. USDA Cric. 939. U. S. Gov. Print. Office, Washington, DC.

40- Priya k., and Garg V.K. 2004. Diynamics of biological and chemical parameters during vermicomposting of solid textile mill sludge mixed with Cow dung and agricultural vesiduesresidues. Bioresource Technology, Pp:203-209.

41- Quiquampoix H.,and Mousain D. 2005. Enzymatic hydrolysis of organic phosphorus. In: Turner BL, Frossard E, Baldwin DS (eds) Organic phosphorous in the environment. CABI, Wallingford, UK, Pp:89–112.

42- Raiesi T., and Hosseinpur A.R. 2013. The rhizospheric effects of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on phosphorus availability and some biological properties in calcareous soils from Shahrekord plain. Journal of Science and Technology of Greenhouse Culture, 3;4 (4):51-65. (In Persian)

43- Rajkovich S., Enders A., Hanley K., Hyland C., Zimmerman A.R., and Lehmann J. 2011. Corn growth and nitrogen nutrition after additions of biochars with varying properties to a temperate soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 48(3):271-284.

44- Reis V.J., Reis F.B.J., Quesada D.M., de., Oliveira O.C.A., Alves B.J.R., Urquiaga S., and Boddey R.M. 2001. BilogicalBiological nitrogen fixation associated with tropical pasture grasses. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology, 28:837–844.

45- Renella G., Landi L., Ascher M.T., Ceccherini M.T., Pietramellara G., and Nannipieri P. 2006. Phosphomonoesterase production and persistence and composition of bacterial communities during plant material decomposition in soils in soil with different pH values. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 38:795–802.

46- Roberts K.G., Gloy B.A., Joseph S., Scott N.R., and Lehmann J.2010. Life cycle assessment of biochar systems: Estimating the energetic, economic, and climate change potential. Environmental Science and Technology, 44:827-833.

47- Saviozzi A., Levi-Minzi R., Cardelli R., and Riffaldi R. 2001. A comparison of soil quality in adjacent cultivated, forest and native grassland soils. Plant and Soil, 233:251–259.

48- Steiner C., Teixeira W.G., Lehmann J., Nehls T., de Macˆedo J. L. V., Blum W. E. H., and Zech, W. 2007. Long term effects of manure, charcoal, and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered Central Amazonian upland soil. Plant and Soil, 291:275–290.

49- Tabatabai M.A., and Bremner J.M. 1969. Use of p-nitrophenyl phosphate for assay of soil phosphatase activity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 1:301-307.

50- Tabatabai M.A. 1994. Soil enzymes. In: Weaver RW, Angle JS, Bottomley PS (eds) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2 – Microbiological and biochemical properties. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI, US, Pp:775–833.

51- Tarafdar J.C., and Jungk A. 1987. Phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere and its relation to the depletion of soil organic phosphorus. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 3:199-204.

52- Tandon H.L.S. 1998. Methods of Analysis of Soils, Plants, Waters and Fertilizers. Fertilizers Development and Consultancy Organization, New Dehli.

53- Vanek S.J., and Lehmann J. 2014. Phosphorus availability to beans via interactions between mycorrhizas and biochar, Plant and Soil, 395:1–19, 105–123.

54- Whalen J.K., Chi C., and Olsen B.M. 2001. Nitrogen and phosphorous mineralization potentials of soil receiving repeated annul cattle manure applications. Journal of Biology and Fertility of Soils, 34:334-341.

55- Xu G., Sun J., Shao H., and Chang S.X. 2014. Biochar had effects on phosphorus sorption and desorption in three soils with differing acidity. Ecological Engineering, 62:54–60.

56- Yuan L., Fang D.H., Wnag Z.H., Shun H., and Huang J.G. 2000. Bio-mobilization of potassium from clay minerals: I. By ectomycorhizas. Pedosphere, 10:33