Author
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Martens, Dean |
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Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Soil structure influences plant growth, nutrient release and water dynamics. Experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of plant and bacterial amendments with different biochemical profiles for soil structure improvement. In a two-year field study, applications of animal manures (poultry manure and sewage sludge) were more effective for increasing soil organic C content, but plant residues (barley straw and alfalfa) were more effective for increasing aggregate stability, water infiltration rates and decreasing bulk density. Laboratory studies showed purified bacterial polymers containing carbohydrates, amino, fatty and phenolic acids were more effective for increasing stable soil aggregation and for decreasing bulk density and modulus of rupture than polymers that contained only carbohydrates. Bench top studies also have shown that plant residues with a higher level of phenolic acids increased soil aggregation and decreased mineralization to CO when compared to plant residues with a lower level of phenolic acids. The studies suggest that residues with certain phenolic acids are more effective for improving soil structure and decreasing C loss from soils. |
