Soil physical and chemical properties determine a soil's crop production potential and the sustainability of a production system. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of solid and liquid pig manure application on the physical and chemical properties of soil after 5 years of manure application. Solid pig manure increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) by 110%, aggregate stability by 30%, available and total phosphorus by 471% and 52% respectively, available nitrogen by 38%, organic carbon by 29% and exchangeable K by 308%, and reduced soil bulk density by 14%. Liquid pig manure (LPM) also increased aggregate stability by 21%, exchangeable K by 45%, available P and total P by 258% and 27%, respectively and, reduced bulk density by 6%. An important finding was the 33% decrease in the concentration of exchangeable Ca in LPM-amended soils. Significant manure by cropping system interaction was also obtained for water retention parameters and available water, total nitrogen and electrical conductivity. There was no effect of pig manure on pH and exchangeable Mg concentrations. Soils under perennial vegetation had 31% greater Ksat, 26% increase in available N, 31% greater available P, 15% greater total P and 12% lower bulk density compared with those under annual crops. Our results show that SPM has a potential as a better organic amendment in improving physical and chemical properties of surface soils. / February 2016

Knowing the concentrations of the nutrient elements in soils is important due to their toxic effect on humans and the environment. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of water quality, depths and distances of lateral installation on soil chemical properties during turfgrass cultivation. A field experiment was conducted using a Split Split Plot design based on the Randomized complete Block (RCB) with two treatments (well’s and wastewater), and eight sub-treatments (45 and 60 cm distance of the laterals and 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm depths of laterals) in three replicates on a sandy-loam soil, in Shahrekord, Iran. Soil samples were collected from 0-30 and 30-60 cm depth for measuring nitrate (NO3-), electrical conductivity (EC), and pH at the end of the experiment. During the experiment, fecal coliform (FC) were also measured at the soil surface. Results indicated that by increasing lateral distance, NO3- level increased in both layers. With installing laterals in deeper levels, NO3- concentration decreased at the beginning, then increased in the first layer, whereas in the second layer NO3- concentration decreased. In addition, installing laterals in deeper depth, caused an increase in soil EC in the top layer, but a decrease in the lower layer. However, the results showed that there was no significant effect of experimental factors on soil pH. The results also show that with increasing laterals depth, Fc level decreased at the soil surface.

<p>This thesis focuses on dwelling sites with hearths dating from the period 600-1900 AD, located in the coniferous forest areas of Northern Sweden. The term dwelling sites with hearths refers to sites where stone-lined hearths occur. These hearths are of a type that became very common in Northern Sweden during the first millennium after the birth of Christ.</p><p>The main aim of this study is to apply environmental archaeological methods to the investigation of dwelling sites with hearths in order to attain new information on the organisation and use of these sites, as well as to discuss and evaluate earlier strategies of settlement and subsistence. For this study, soil chemical survey and pollen analysis methods are used. Soil chemical surveys have been conducted at a total of 13 sites from the period 1000/1100-1900 AD at locations in the inland areas of the counties of Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland, while pollen analyses have been conducted at 4 sites located in the county of Norrbotten.</p><p>Interpretations of the results are related to previous archaeological research, surveys and excavations. In addition, historical and ethnographical documentation as well as historical research concerning the conditions in the area during later periods are considered.</p><p>The results show that environmental archaeological methods can provide information about settlements with hearths that is not normally possible to discern through archaeological surveys or excavations. Regarding the environmental impact at the settlement areas, there are clear differences between different dwelling sites with hearths. These differences seem to be independent of the number of hearths at the sites. Thus, it is not possible to make interpretations regarding these dwelling sites based purely on the number of hearths at the sites. The results also imply that these sites have been part of a settlement system where different types of dwelling sites were in use for shorter periods of time, for different purposes, and by a limited number of people. With the exception of the 17th century church and market place in Arvidsjaur, none of the examined dwelling sites could be interpreted as being a gathering site for a large number of people. Compared to descriptions of the conditions in the Sami area (Sa. Sápmi) during historical periods, this type of settlement pattern is comparable to the Forest Sami settlement pattern of late historical times. Moreover, soil chemical surveys conducted in areas adjacent to a number of hearths show similarities to the Sami hut (Sw. kåta). </p><p>To sum up, the use of dwelling sites with hearths shows continuity from the 7th century settlements to Sami settlements of the 20th century, with respect to the environmental impact at the dwelling sites. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that a settlement pattern and subsistence similar to that of the Forest Sami economy and settlement of late historical times are characteristic for settlements with hearths and may have occurred as early as 600 AD.</p>

This thesis focuses on dwelling sites with hearths dating from the period 600-1900 AD, located in the coniferous forest areas of Northern Sweden. The term dwelling sites with hearths refers to sites where stone-lined hearths occur. These hearths are of a type that became very common in Northern Sweden during the first millennium after the birth of Christ. The main aim of this study is to apply environmental archaeological methods to the investigation of dwelling sites with hearths in order to attain new information on the organisation and use of these sites, as well as to discuss and evaluate earlier strategies of settlement and subsistence. For this study, soil chemical survey and pollen analysis methods are used. Soil chemical surveys have been conducted at a total of 13 sites from the period 1000/1100-1900 AD at locations in the inland areas of the counties of Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland, while pollen analyses have been conducted at 4 sites located in the county of Norrbotten. Interpretations of the results are related to previous archaeological research, surveys and excavations. In addition, historical and ethnographical documentation as well as historical research concerning the conditions in the area during later periods are considered. The results show that environmental archaeological methods can provide information about settlements with hearths that is not normally possible to discern through archaeological surveys or excavations. Regarding the environmental impact at the settlement areas, there are clear differences between different dwelling sites with hearths. These differences seem to be independent of the number of hearths at the sites. Thus, it is not possible to make interpretations regarding these dwelling sites based purely on the number of hearths at the sites. The results also imply that these sites have been part of a settlement system where different types of dwelling sites were in use for shorter periods of time, for different purposes, and by a limited number of people. With the exception of the 17th century church and market place in Arvidsjaur, none of the examined dwelling sites could be interpreted as being a gathering site for a large number of people. Compared to descriptions of the conditions in the Sami area (Sa. Sápmi) during historical periods, this type of settlement pattern is comparable to the Forest Sami settlement pattern of late historical times. Moreover, soil chemical surveys conducted in areas adjacent to a number of hearths show similarities to the Sami hut (Sw. kåta). To sum up, the use of dwelling sites with hearths shows continuity from the 7th century settlements to Sami settlements of the 20th century, with respect to the environmental impact at the dwelling sites. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that a settlement pattern and subsistence similar to that of the Forest Sami economy and settlement of late historical times are characteristic for settlements with hearths and may have occurred as early as 600 AD.

Development of the swine and cattle industries has led to an increase of manure application to agricultural lands in Saskatchewan. Studies have been conducted to determine the nutrient benefits of swine manure application. However, a need was also identified for information on the effects of manure application on soil physical and chemical properties. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of repeated applications of manure on soil physical and chemical properties and to relate those effects to early plant growth and development.<p>Four experimental sites were used, representing the Dark Brown (Plenty), Brown (Riverhurst irrigated), Black (Dixon) and Gray (Melfort) Soil Zones of Saskatchewan, where liquid swine manure had been applied for four to seven years. At each site, treatments were 1) a control treatment, 2) a nitrogen based agronomic rate of manure application, 3) a high rate of manure application (2-4x the agronomic rate) and 4) a urea fertilizer treatment. At the Dixon site, the same two manure treatments with cattle manure were also examined.<p>Soil strength, as determined by penetration resistance measurements and barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i>) emergence were measured at two experimental sites (swine and cattle manure trials at Dixon, SK) in a field study. Penetration resistance was measured at 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm depths, 20, 39 and 123 days after seeding using a recording cone penetrograph. Twenty days after seeding, there were no significant differences among treatments at the 10, 15 and 20 cm depths. But, at the 5 cm depth, the control treatment had soil strength 0.11 MPa lower than the two manure rates. The manure treatments were not significantly different from the urea treatment. Thirty-nine days after seeding, the soil strength of the low rate manure treatment was 1.1 MPa greater than the control at the 10 cm depth, but not significantly different from the urea treatment. One hundred and twenty three days after seeding, the control treatment had greater soil strength than the high rate of manure at 5 and 10 cm depths by 0.28 and 0.71 MPa respectively. At the 20 cm depth, the high rate of manure had the greatest soil strength. Barley emergence on the two manured treatments did not differ significantly from the control. Aggregate size was measured in field samples collected from all sites. Aggregate size for the manured treatments did not differ from the control at any site.<p>Soil crust strength, flax emergence, infiltration rate, salinity, sodicity, coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) and modulus of rupture were measured under controlled conditions in intact cores of soil removed from all five experimental sites. All soils were treated with a simulated rainfall from a Guelph Rainfall Simulator II. Following the simulated rainfall, crust strength was measured with a hand-held penetrometer. Soil crust strength was measured daily for 10 days as the cores dried. Repeated applications of liquid swine manure at either low or high rates decreased soil strength in the Plenty, Riverhurst and Melfort soils, and increased soil strength in the Dixon soil. Repeated applications of liquid swine manure at low rates caused flax emergence to decrease for the Riverhurst soil compared to its control and had no significant effect at the other sites. There were no notable differences in infiltration rates among treatments. Repeated applications of liquid swine manure caused salinity (EC) to increase slightly for the Plenty and Riverhurst soils, and sodicity (ESP) to increase slightly for the Melfort and Dixon soils relative to their control. The COLE and modulus of rupture measurements indicated no significant effects and were inconclusive due to difficulties in measurement. <p>None of the properties measured in any of the treatments exceeded threshold values for soil productivity, or where plant injury might be considered an issue. It is concluded that repeated (four to seven) annual applications of liquid swine or cattle manure would not cause any large alterations in soil strength, aggregation, infiltration, salinity, or sodicity that would affect early plant growth and development. This was supported by field and lab measurements of emergence that showed limited effect.

Development of the swine and cattle industries has led to an increase of manure application to agricultural lands in Saskatchewan. Studies have been conducted to determine the nutrient benefits of swine manure application. However, a need was also identified for information on the effects of manure application on soil physical and chemical properties. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of repeated applications of manure on soil physical and chemical properties and to relate those effects to early plant growth and development.<p>Four experimental sites were used, representing the Dark Brown (Plenty), Brown (Riverhurst irrigated), Black (Dixon) and Gray (Melfort) Soil Zones of Saskatchewan, where liquid swine manure had been applied for four to seven years. At each site, treatments were 1) a control treatment, 2) a nitrogen based agronomic rate of manure application, 3) a high rate of manure application (2-4x the agronomic rate) and 4) a urea fertilizer treatment. At the Dixon site, the same two manure treatments with cattle manure were also examined.<p>Soil strength, as determined by penetration resistance measurements and barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i>) emergence were measured at two experimental sites (swine and cattle manure trials at Dixon, SK) in a field study. Penetration resistance was measured at 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm depths, 20, 39 and 123 days after seeding using a recording cone penetrograph. Twenty days after seeding, there were no significant differences among treatments at the 10, 15 and 20 cm depths. But, at the 5 cm depth, the control treatment had soil strength 0.11 MPa lower than the two manure rates. The manure treatments were not significantly different from the urea treatment. Thirty-nine days after seeding, the soil strength of the low rate manure treatment was 1.1 MPa greater than the control at the 10 cm depth, but not significantly different from the urea treatment. One hundred and twenty three days after seeding, the control treatment had greater soil strength than the high rate of manure at 5 and 10 cm depths by 0.28 and 0.71 MPa respectively. At the 20 cm depth, the high rate of manure had the greatest soil strength. Barley emergence on the two manured treatments did not differ significantly from the control. Aggregate size was measured in field samples collected from all sites. Aggregate size for the manured treatments did not differ from the control at any site.<p>Soil crust strength, flax emergence, infiltration rate, salinity, sodicity, coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) and modulus of rupture were measured under controlled conditions in intact cores of soil removed from all five experimental sites. All soils were treated with a simulated rainfall from a Guelph Rainfall Simulator II. Following the simulated rainfall, crust strength was measured with a hand-held penetrometer. Soil crust strength was measured daily for 10 days as the cores dried. Repeated applications of liquid swine manure at either low or high rates decreased soil strength in the Plenty, Riverhurst and Melfort soils, and increased soil strength in the Dixon soil. Repeated applications of liquid swine manure at low rates caused flax emergence to decrease for the Riverhurst soil compared to its control and had no significant effect at the other sites. There were no notable differences in infiltration rates among treatments. Repeated applications of liquid swine manure caused salinity (EC) to increase slightly for the Plenty and Riverhurst soils, and sodicity (ESP) to increase slightly for the Melfort and Dixon soils relative to their control. The COLE and modulus of rupture measurements indicated no significant effects and were inconclusive due to difficulties in measurement. <p>None of the properties measured in any of the treatments exceeded threshold values for soil productivity, or where plant injury might be considered an issue. It is concluded that repeated (four to seven) annual applications of liquid swine or cattle manure would not cause any large alterations in soil strength, aggregation, infiltration, salinity, or sodicity that would affect early plant growth and development. This was supported by field and lab measurements of emergence that showed limited effect.

Submitted by Aline Michelle da Silva Barbosa (aline.m.barbosa@hotmail.com) on 2018-06-05T12:41:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_AlineBarbosa.pdf: 1928040 bytes, checksum: 78498434789a7210c9e13594314f6df8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alexandra Maria Donadon Lusser Segali null (alexmar@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-06-05T18:44:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 barbosa_ams_me_jabo.pdf: 1928040 bytes, checksum: 78498434789a7210c9e13594314f6df8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-05T18:44:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 barbosa_ams_me_jabo.pdf: 1928040 bytes, checksum: 78498434789a7210c9e13594314f6df8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-06 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O reúso de esgoto tratado é uma alternativa promissora para a agricultura irrigada por suprir a alta demanda hídrica e nutricional dos cultivos, além de reduzir o impacto ambiental ao evitar o lançamento do efluente nos corpos hídricos. Porém, pode haver contaminação tóxica e patogênica do solo, da planta e das águas subterrâneas. Objetivou-se, avaliar o impacto da aplicação de efluente de estação de tratamento de esgoto (EETE), via fertirrigação, no solo e na solução do solo de uma área experimental cultivada com Brachiaria, em Jaboticabal, SP. O EETE foi aplicado durante 4 anos (2013 a 2017) em dois experimentos com delineamento em faixas, com quatro repetições. Nos experimentos, utilizou-se um sistema de aspersão em linha tripla para aplicar lâmina uniforme de irrigação, mas gradual de EETE, estabelecendo-se cinco tratamentos com as seguintes frações do efluente em água: E5 = 100%; E4 = 87%; E3 = 60%; E2 = 31%, E1 = 11% e E0 = 0. O tratamento E0, em que se aplicou apenas água, recebeu fertilizante a base de ureia, superfosfato triplo e cloreto de potássio, equivalente à aplicada no tratamento E3 via efluente. A aplicação do EETE no solo cultivado com Brachiaria durante 4 anos não resultou em risco de salinização, sodificação e contaminação por elementos potencialmente tóxicos do solo. A aplicação do efluente aumentou a fertilidade do solo, em consequência do aumento das concentrações de macro e micronutrientes. Concluiu-se que a aplicação de EETE em Latossolo de região úmida, como em Jaboticabal, SP, apresenta baixo risco de degradação ambiental, uma vez que não contamina o solo e a solução do solo. / The reuse of treated sewage is a promising alternative for irrigated agriculture by supplying the high water and nutritional demand of the crops, besides reducing the environmental impact by avoiding the discharge of the effluent in the water bodies. However, there may be toxic and pathogenic contamination of soil, plant and groundwater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of application of treated sewage effluent (TSE) via fertigation on soil and soil solution of an experimental area cultivated with Brachiaria in Southeastern Brazil. The TSE was applied for 4 years (2013 to 2017) in two experiments conducted in a strip design, with four replications. In the experiments, a triple line source sprinkler system applied uniform but gradual irrigation depth of TSE, establishing five treatments with the following fractions of the effluent in water: E5 = 100%; E4 = 87%; E3 = 60%; E2 = 31%, E1 = 11% and E0 = 0. The E0 treatment, in which only water was applied, received fertilizer based on urea, triple superphosphate and potassium chloride in a dose equivalent to that applied to E3 treatment via effluent. TSE application increased soil fertility as a result of increased macro and micronutrient concentrations. The indices of salinization and sodification, as well as the concentration of potentially toxic elements, were not increased with TSE doses. It was concluded that the application of SET in Wetland Latosol, as in Jaboticabal, SP, presents low risk of environmental degradation, since it does not contaminate soil and soil solution.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-08-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:34:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 laperutaneto_j_me_botfca.pdf: 1510258 bytes, checksum: f88f2af3fb61d4a1517b0357317acec0 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / No ano de 2005 foi realizado, em área da Estação de tratamento de Esgoto da Fazenda Experimental Lageado, campus da Universidade Estadual Paulista - Botucatu, SP, experimento com lodos de esgoto, proveniente da própria estação do Lageado, da estação de tratamento de esgoto da SABESP, no município de Franca-SP, e com lodo do tratamento de água, proveniente da Estação de Tratamento de Água da SABESP no município de Botucatu-SP, tendo por objetivo, a avaliação dos efeitos causados pela aplicação desses resíduos em Neosolo Quartzarênico e Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico , irrigados com água tratada fornecida pela SABESP e por água residuária da própria estação de tratamento do Lageado. As variáveis analisadas foram : pH, acidez potencial, matéria orgânica, capacidade de troca de cátions (CTC), soma de bases (SB), saturação em bases (V%), P(resina), Al3+, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn. O experimento foi constituído de tratamentos, os quais foram montados ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 3x2x3x2, sendo 3 épocas, dois tipos de solo, 3 tipos de lodo, 2 tipos de água, com 3 repetições por tratamento, resultando no total 108 amostras. Os tratamentos foram preparados em recipientes de 9,50 litros, contendo uma mistura de 70% do volume de solo e os 30 % restantes de lodo. 2 O lodo da ETE-Lageado apresentou para a maioria dos elementos estudados, teores médios maiores, que os do lodo da ETE-Franca e ETA-Botucatu que foram semelhantes. Os teores da maioria dos elementos variam com a época, para os três lodos, sendo seus comportamentos explicados por modelos polinomiais de segunda ordem na quase totalidade. Os lodos podem ser aplicados ao solo, uma vez que os níveis dos nutrientes, foram considerados de médio para alto de acordo com Raij et al. (1996), e os níveis de Cu e Zn não se apresentaram tóxicos (U.S.EPA,1996). / An experiment using sludge from Lageado sewage farm, from SABESP sewage farm in the city of Franca-SP and sludge from SABESP waterworks in the city of Botucatu-SP was carried out in Lageado Experimental Farm, campus of Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu-SP in the year of 2005, with the purpose of assessing the effects caused by the application of these residues to quartzose sand and oxisol irrigated with purified water supplied by SABESP and residuary water from Lageado waterworks. The analysed variables were: pH, potencial acidity, organic matter, cation exchange capacity (CEC), base addition (BA), base saturation (V%), P(resin), Al+3, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The experiment consisted of treatments, which were assembled at random, in a 3x2x3x2 factorial scheme, being respectively: 3 time, 2 types of soil, 3 4 types of sludge, 2 types of water, with three repetitions for each treatment, resulting in a total of 108 samples. The treatments were prepared in 9,5 liter containers with a mixture of 70% of the soil volume and 30 % of sludge. The sludge from the Lageado sewage farm presented, for most of the analysed elements, higher average contents than the ones from Franca sewage farm and Botucatu waterworks that were both similar. The amount of most elements varies according to time for all of 3 types of sludge, their behavior being explained through second order polynomial models almost in its totality. The sludges may be used as a soil conditioner, since the levels of the nutrients were considered as average to high according to Raij et al. (1996) and Cu an Zn levels havenþt showed as being toxic (USEPA, 1996). 1 1 kKey words: sludge; soil - chemical properties, wasted waters, sanitation.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:59:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bezerra_crf_me_ilha.pdf: 4718193 bytes, checksum: 4d7b1aedef38861f4f56220a90ed06a4 (MD5) / A fertilidade do solo é um dos principais fatores relacionados à baixa produtividade das áreas destinadas tanto para a produção de grãos como de forragem de milho. O adequado fornecimento de nutrientes para o milho é de grande importância, pois, plantas bem nutridas apresentam maior potencial de produção. Assim sendo, os atributos químicos do solo são de extrema importância à sua produtividade. O objetivo foi estudar a variabilidade e as correlações lineares e espaciais entre os atributos da planta e do solo, visando selecionar um indicador da qualidade química do solo de boa representatividade para estimar a produtividade da forragem. Foi instalada a malha geoestatística para a coleta dos dados do solo e da planta, contendo 125 pontos amostrais, numa área de 2500 m2. No ano de 2005, na Fazenda Bonança (Agropecuária Dahma), município de Pereira Barreto (SP), Brasil (20o40’12’’ latitude S; 51o01’50’’ longitude W), foi instalado o presente ensaio em uma área irrigada por pivô central e manejada no sistema de integração agricultura-pecuária, com plantio direto de milho sobre brachiária. Os atributos analisados foram: produtividade de forragem do milho (MSF), fósforo (P), matéria orgânica (MO), pH, potássio (K), acidez potencial (H+Al), alumínio (Al), soma de bases (SB), capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), saturação por base (V%) e a necessidade de calagem para elevação da saturação por bases a 70% (NC), nas profundidades 1 (0-0,20 m) e 2 (0,20-0,40 m). No geral, os atributos estudados, além de não terem revelado distribuição aleatória, apresentaram variabilidade entre baixa e muito alta. Seguiram padrões espaciais claramente definidos, com alcances da dependência espacial entre 7,6 e 42,0 metros. Assim, o maior alcance que poderá assegurar extrema... / The soil fertility is one of the most important factors which are linked to low yields of the areas for growing grains or corn forage. The appropriate nutrient supply for corn is of great importance as plants with the right nutrient content show better yields. Therefore, the soil chemical features are extremely important for good yields. The objective of this experiment was to study the variability and the linear and spatial correlations between plant and soil features, aiming at selecting an indicator which appropriately represents the soil chemical quality for forage yield. A geostatistical mesh was installed to collect the soil and plants data; there were 125 sampling stations in an area of 2500 m2. This experiment was established in 2005, on Bonança Farm (Agropecuária Dahma), in Pereira Barreto (SP), Brazil (20°40’12’’ latitude S; 51°01’50’’ longitude W); the area was irrigated by center pivot and under crop-livestock integration, no-tillage system for growing corn after Brachiaria. The analyzed features were: corn forage yield (CFY), phosphorus (P), organic matter (OM), pH, potassium (K), potential acidity (H+Al), sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation (V%) and liming need in order to increase the base saturation up to 70% (LN), in two different depths: 1 (0-0.20 m) and 2 (0.20-0.40 m). Overall, the studied features, besides not revealing random distribution, showed variability between low and very high. They showed clearly defined spatial patterns which range between 7.6 and 42.0 meters. Thus, the greatest range which can ensure extreme magnitude similarity with any of the studied features and feed the precision farming software must be of 42.0 meters. Although the linear correlation between CFY and K1 and K2 was low, it was extremely significant. However, from the spatial point of view, there was an...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Thesis (M.Sc.(Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Winery solid waste materials namely, wine filter materials (FM), grape marc (berry stalks, skins and seeds) and chopped grapevine pruning canes were composted in heaps through a thermophilic process. The filter materials were mixed with the grape marc and grapevine prunings at five rates (10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) to produce five composts herein designated as C10FM, C25FM, C50FM, C75FM and C100FM, respectively. A laboratory incubation study was thereafter carried out to determine the nutrient release potential of the composts using two soil types with varying textural characteristics. Each compost was mixed with soil at a rate equivalent to 200 kg N ha-1 and the mineral N, available P and exchangeable K content determined over 42 days incubation period. Results revealed that the composts possess high C content and low C:N ratios; and released significantly higher NH4-N and K concentration relative to un-amended control. The differences in the amount of P mineralised among the five compost treatments were not significant while significantly higher amount of K was mineralised at higher FM mix rates. The composts were applied to maize cv. SNK2147 on sandy soil in a greenhouse pot study at five rates (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 t ha-1) to determine their effects on crop growth and yield as well as on selected soil chemical properties. An un-fertilised control and NPK fertiliser treatments were included for comparison. The pots were arranged in a completely randomized design, with each treatment replicated four times. The C50FM, C75FM and C100FM treatments applied at 80 t ha-1 gave significantly higher maize dry matter yield than the NPK fertiliser treatment. Quantitative estimates of the optimum compost rate for dry matter production ranged from 450 to 1842 g pot-1. Application of these composts significantly increased dry matter yield, plant height, stem diameter and the number of functional leaves per plant compared to the un-fertilised control. The K content of shoot from composts treatments exceeded the critical nutritional level of 3.3%. Plant tissue Zn content from C10FM, C25FM and C50FM treatments exceeded the critical nutritional level of 15 mg kg-1 while the residual soil K, Na and Zn contents after crop harvest were significantly increased following compost application. Similarly, the residual P was significantly increased in C25FM, C75FM and C100FM treatments after harvest. In conclusion, application of these composts exerted beneficial effects on maize performance and soil. Field studies under variable conditions are recommended to validate these findings. Keywords: wine, compost, nutrient release potential, maize, soil chemical properties