Interactive effects of compost and pre-planting soil moisture on plant biomass, nutrition and formation of mycorrhizas: a context dependent response
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: We aimed to investigate the combined impacts of compost addition and pre-planting soil moisture conditions, on plant-available nutrients, and subsequent impacts on the biomass, nutrition and formation of AM by two important crop species. A glasshouse study was undertaken in which wheat and tomato plants were grown in compost amended or un-amended soil that was subjected to different moisture regimes prior to planting. The availability of P was strongly influenced by compost addition, but not pre-planting moisture conditions. In contrast, mineral N pools were affected by compost addition and pre-planting soil moisture conditions in complex ways. These changes in nutrient availability affected plant biomass, nutrient uptake and formation of AM. In general, plant performance was better where pre-planting soil moisture conditions were wet or dry, and worse where they involved a wet/dry cycle, and mycorrhizal colonisation was lower where compost was added to the soil. That pre-planting moisture conditions affect the biomass of subsequent crops is an important finding, the potential implications of which are considered here.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: H. T. T. Ngo, T. R. Cavagnaro
Institution: The University of Adelaide
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W2794557448