Application of high density organic material in soils provides a potential measure for organic byproducts recycling and soil fertility elevating
high density organic matter, granular wheat straw, hardness, germination rate, decomposition
Environmental Science and Engineering > 6. Sustainable Utilization of Land Resources
Abstract Accepted
Ting FAN / Northwest A&F University
Yulin ZHANG / Northwest A&F University
Xudong Wang / Northwest A&F University
Yonghua ZHAO / Chang’an University；Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation
Andong SHI / Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Xia ZHANG / Northwest A&F University
Most of the arid and semi-arid areas in China is characterized in low temperature and insufficient soil moisture, resulting in a low decomposition rate of crop straw. Consequently, crop straw is not returned to the field after harvest, because the crop residue in topsoil blocks the tilling and sowing machine, and sometimes prevents the seeds from germination. Thus, an innovative method of returning straws in the soil is needed to solve the above problems. In this study, high density organic matter (HDOM) was made of wheat straw (HDOM-W) by granulator, with addition of 10% biochar (HDOM-WB) and 10% elemental sulfur (HDOM-WS) in weight, respectively. The relationship between hardness of HDOM and soil moisture, the effect of HDOM on wheat germination rate, the decomposition characteristics and the effect of HDOM on wheat growth were systematically assessed. The results showed that the hardness of HDOM-W decreased sharply when the soil moisture content increased to 3%. Compared to chopped wheat straw (CWS) treatment, wheat germination rate was not significantly reduced by HDOM-W. Lower decomposition rates were found in HDOM-W, but the trends were similar. The biomass, total N and P concentration of wheat in HDOM-WS increased by 137.9%, 137.1%, and 141.8%, respectively (P< 0.05) compared to CWS. Wheat K concentration in HDOM-WB increased by 39.7% (P< 0.05). Therefore, application of HDOM in soils can improve seed bed, promote crop growth and increase nutrients, which finally elevating soil fertility. Organic byproducts like crop straws, fruit tree branches, grasses, abandoned wood furniture, etc. can be potentially recycled as HDOM and returned to the field to tackle the problem of organic waste disposal and sustainably maintain soil quality.