A laboratory incubation study was conducted to determine the effects of liming on microbial activity and N mineralization
in two Bizana soils amended with broiler manure. The experimental layout was a 4 x 3 complete factorial
experiment with three replicates, arranged in a randomized design. Soil pH, CO2 evolution, and mineral
N concentration were measured. After 56 days the soil pH ranged from 4.50 to 5.74 and 4.99 to 5.94, in the
Magusheni and Nikwe soils, respectively. The effect of liming on microbial activity and N mineralization differed
between the soils. In the Nikwe soil (acid saturation 4.0%), microbial activity and N mineralization increased as
the rate of broiler manure application was raised, but liming had no effect. In the Magusheni soil (acid saturation
25%), microbial activity increased as both lime and chicken manure application rates increased, but liming
reduced N mineralization, suggesting N immobilization was being driven by an active microbial population in the
limed soils. The rates of lime and/or chicken manure application, percentage Ca2+ and soil acid saturation were
important factors influencing microbial activity and N mineralization, but the effect of soil pH on N mineralization
was not evident in either of the soils.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:tut/oai:encore.tut.ac.za:d1001059 |
| Date | 25 November 2008 |
| Creators | Jezile, G, Westfall, D, Peterson, G, Child, DR, Turner, DP, Van Averbeke, W |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | |
| Rights | Taylor & Francis |
| Relation | South African Journal of Plant and Soil |
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