Mineralization and Nitrification in Soil Altered By Ground Cover and Nutrient Source in An Organic Apple Orchard.

Organically managed orchards require sources of nutrition acquired from organic fertilizers or ground covers, the alternative to synthetic, inorganic fertilizers used in conventionally managed systems. Through the addition and subsequent decomposition of organic matter, microbial activity is stimulated. Processes in the nitrogen cycle such as mineralization, nitrification and denitrification can be altered, depending on the inputs of organic substrates and the resultant changes in microbial community composition. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the combinations of four ground covers (compost, wood chips, paper mulch, and mow-n-blow) and three organic fertilizers (composted poultry litter, poultry litter based commercial, and no fertilizer) treatments on mineralization and nitrification in an organic apple orchard soil established in 2006. Microbial biomass, enzyme activity, available C and N concentrations were measured annually from 2007-2013 at the 0-10 and 10-30cm depths to evaluate the impacts of these treatments on mineralization and nitrification. The data obtained from this study will provide science-based information to mid-southern producers regarding organic ground cover and fertilizer combination effects on soil fertility and nutrient management.

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See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Biology & Biochemistry
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