Previous research has shown that population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes are reduced when a legume crop is grown in rotation with sugarcane. However, this effect is only temporary, as nematodes usually return to high densities within 12 months of planting sugarcane. This rapid resurgence suggests that natural enemies that normally keep plant-parasitic nematodes under control in natura...

This study focused on the microbial profile present in an agricultural soil that becomes suppressive after the application of composted almond shells (AS) as organic amendments. For this purpose, we analyzed the functions and composition of the complex communities present in an experimental orchard of 40-year-old avocado trees, many of them historically amended with composted almond shells. The...

Prediction of phosphorus (P) availability from soil-applied composts and manure is important for agronomic and environmental reasons. This study utilized chemical properties of eight composted and two non-composted beef cattle (Bos taurus) manures to predict cumulative phosphorus uptake (CPU) during a 363-d controlled environment chamber bioassay. Ten growth cycles of canola (Brassica napus L.)...

ABSTRACT Soil fertility amendments, including composted cotton-gin trash, swine manure, a rye-vetch green manure, or synthetic fertilizers, were applied to subplots and tillage on bare soil; or tillage followed by surface mulch with wheat straw were applied to main plots to determine the effect on the incidence of southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, yield of processing tomato, and soi...

This study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus from March 2008 to December 2009 to evaluate the effects of previously applied amendments on maize grain weight and some soil properties. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times in a factorial layout. Four different rates of poultry drop...

der et al., 1994). Water soluble carbohydrates directly stabilize aggregates (Angers and Mehuys, 1989) and Soil structural degradation is common in intensively cultivated have been strongly correlated (r 0.74) with aggregaecosystems due to the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM). We tion (Haynes and Swift, 1990). investigated the mechanisms by which different frequencies of organic amendment...

Leaching behavior of organic contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be altered in the presence of organic amendments through enhanced sorption of PAHs to the amended soil. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of biochar in two forms (i.e., crushed and pulverized), and granular activated carbon on immobilization and leaching behavior of selected...

Organic matter inputs, including plant residues, manure, and composted organic wastes, have been shown to significantly reduce the severity of a wide variety of root diseases, including those caused by Pythium spp., in natural systems (Perrin, 1986) and field systems (Lewis et al, 1992). Compost amendments have also been shown to reduce the incidence of bacterial spot in field tomato (Miller et...

Delwiche, C. C. (University of California, Davis), and M. S. Finstein. Carbon and energy sources for the nitrifying autotroph Nitrobacter. J. Bacteriol. 90:102-107. 1965.-The effect of various organic compounds on the growth and metabolism of the obligatively autotrophic nitrifying organism Nitrobacter was studied. A slight stimulation of both nitrification and growth was obtainable with a numb...

Introduction and Research Objectives Use of organic by-products as soil amendments in agricultural production exemplifies a strategy for converting wastes to resources. Paper mill sludge is one of the largest underutilized organic by-products in Wisconsin. Paper mill sludge (PS) generation in Wisconsin increases approximately 5% per year, and 70% of all PS generated currently (740,000 dry tons)...