Soil Amendment with a Lignite-Derived Humic Substance Affects Soil Properties and Biomass Maize Yield

Katarzyna Solek-Podwika (), Krystyna Ciarkowska and Barbara Filipek-Mazur
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Katarzyna Solek-Podwika: Soil Science and Agrophysics Department, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Aleja Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Krystyna Ciarkowska: Soil Science and Agrophysics Department, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Aleja Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Barbara Filipek-Mazur: Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Department, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Aleja Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: A two-year pot experiment was set up to determine the ability of Actosol (Act) to improve soil properties and maize yields. The Act effects were compared to those of manure, nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (NPK) and an additive-free control (Ctr). After years 1 and 2, the pH, sorption properties, total carbon (TC), total N (TN), available P and K contents, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), residuum (Re) and humic acids (HAs) were measured in coarse- and medium-textured soils. Maize yield, N, P and K were also quantified. The plant element uptake and soil quality index (SQI) were calculated. In both soil types, the Act increased the DHA, cation exchange capacity, bioavailable K, P, TC, TN, C HAs and C Re in the soils compared to the Ctr. The maize yield, K and P contents and their uptake by the maize increased in both soil types after Act application. The SQI increased by >50% with a single dose (Act1), almost doubling with a double dose (Act2) compared to the Ctr. With Act1 and Act2, the P and K uptake increased several-fold. The soil properties and maize yield after using Act demonstrated its utility in improving soil organic matter and maize growth and in disposing of waste.

Keywords: coarse- and medium-textured soils; humic acid containing waste; actosol; 2-year pot experiment; K and P uptake (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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