Z. Hatam, A. Ronaghi,
Volume 15, Issue 58 (3-2012)
Abstract
Application of compost and compost leachate as organic fertilizers can improve plant growth, nutrients uptake and increase phytoavailability of nutrients in soil. A factorial experiment (4×4×2) was conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of compost and compost leachate on growth and chemical composition of barley and bioavailability of some nutrients in calcareous clay loam soil and sandy soil under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of four levels of compost (0, 15, 30, and 60 g kg-1), four levels of compost leachate (0, 10, 20, and 40 g kg-1), and two culture mediums (clay loam soil and sandy soil) with three replicates. Results indicated that application of compost and compost leachate significantly increased barley shoot dry matter, the number of tillers, spikes and grain yield in clay loam soil and sandy soil. The maximum barley shoots dry matter and numbers of tillers in both culture mediums were obtained at the highest level of compost or compost leachate, and the maximum number of spikes and grain yield were obtained at the lowest level of compost or compost leachate. Application of compost in clay loam soil and sandy soil increased shoot and root concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). However, addition of compost leachate only increased shoot concentrations of Fe and P. Increasing compost levels increased post harvest concentrations of NO3- N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and also electrical conductivity and organic matter content of clay loam soil and sandy soil. Addition of compost leachate significantly increased concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu and also electrical conductivity and organic matter content of both culture mediums. In both culture mediums and both compost and compost leachate treatments, post harvest concentrations of micronutrients were above critical levels. Therefore, addition of these nutrients is not required for the next cultivation. Generally, compost and compost leachate are appropriate organic fertilizers for barley production however, high salinity level in compost leachate, the rate and frequency of leachate application, particularly in sand, needs intensive control and monitoring. Prior to any fertilizer recommendation, the results of this study need to be verified under field conditions, as well.
B. Torabi Farsani, M. Afyuni,
Volume 25, Issue 1 (5-2021)
Abstract
Compost leachate is a liquid resulting from physical, chemical and biological decomposition of organic materials. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of leachate compost on the physical, hydraulic and soil moisture characteristic curves. Also, the effect of leachate on the aerial organ fresh weight of corn was investigated. Leachate was added to clay loam and sandy clay loam soils at the rate of zero, 1.25 and 2.5 weight percent. The soil water characteristic curve and the estimation of the parameters of the van Gnuchten and Brooks and Corey models were performed using RETC software. Leachate increased the bulk density and decreased the available water of the clay loam soil. Only 1.25% of the leachate increased the available water in the sandy clay loam soil. Two levels of leachate decreased the bulk density of sandy clay loam soil. Leachate decreased the saturation hydraulic conductivity of the clay loam and increased this parameter of sandy clay loam soil. Leachate was more successful in increasing the aerial organ fresh weight of corn in the sandy clay loam soil. Therefore, leachate was more useful in sandy clay loam than in clay loam soil, and 1.25% treatment was better in the sandy clay loam soil. Also, the used leachate increased the repellency of both soils. Leachate caused the parameters of van Gnuchten and Brooks and Corey models to increase, as compared to the control in both soils.
