We do forget that the urban landscape
is terribly abused and neglected. I have
addressed the same problems with agricultural lands, but in fairness, their problems
are actually quite minor in most cases. A
simple rest will do the most good. Just how
do you rest urban lands?
That is the problem and adding fresh
compost is a case of importing fresh soils to replace those diminished by poor husbandry.
Of course, adding a charge of biochar will
allow the plants to prosper, but that option is hardly available yet. They still need to rotate different plant regimes
through the soils while topping up the nutrients. It is not going to happen and the simplest solution
is just what is described here.
Perhaps the dairy industry needs to
get serious about converting their manure into a composting operation on an industrial
basis. We presently have the heavy equipment
to move it all around.
Dairy manure goes urban
by Staff Writers
Research plots were split and planted with St. Augustine
When natural ecosystems are replaced by roads, homes, and commercial
structures, soil is negatively impacted. Studies have shown that, among other
issues, distressed urban soils are often significantly compacted, may have
alkaline pH, and may contain low amounts of essential organic matter and
nutrients. This altered soil is typically not conducive to healthy plant root
growth and establishment, leading to challenges for urban landscapes and homegardens.
"The management of urban soils often requires a different approach
than is applied to natural or agricultural soils, but some management practices
that are commonly used in agricultural systems have the potential to improve
the quality of urban soils", explained Amy L. Shober, corresponding author
of a new report from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and
Agricultural Science.
Shober, along with graduate student Shawna Loper and their colleagues,
designed a study to determine if the addition of compost-with or without the
application of shallow tillage or aeration-improves soil properties and plant
growth in simulated new residential landscapes.
According to the report published in HortScience, the researchers
established 24 mixed landscape plots designed to simulate new residential
landscapes. Each plot was constructed using 10 cm of subsoil fill material over
a compacted field soil and planted with St.
Augustine
The scientists applied
composted dairy manure solids as an organic soil amendment at a depth of 5 cm
in combination with two mechanical soil treatments (tillage to 15 cm and plug
aeration), then assessed soil physical and chemical properties, plant growth
and quality, and plant tissue nutrient concentrations to determine the effects
of the different treatments.
The data showed that applications of compost significantly reduced soil
density and pH and increased soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, and
concentrations of phosphorus and potassium. Growth was enhanced in all of the
ornamentals (except one) when the plants were cultivated in soil amended with
composted dairy manure solids. In most instances, plant tissue nitrogen and
phosphorus concentrations were higher for plants grown in soils receiving
compost.
"We found that composted dairy manure solids can improve soil
physical and chemical properties in residential landscapes when sandy fill
soils are used. Application of composted dairy manure solids can also enhance
the establishment and improve the growth of selected ornamental landscape
plants", Shober said. "However, topdressing with composted dairy
manure solids enhanced plant growth and quality as much as incorporation of
compost to a depth of 20 cm by tillage."
The results also showed that shallow tillage and aeration had little
effect on soil properties or plant growth.
The study showed the benefits of compost additions only during the
first year after planting; the authors noted
that the increased growth and the subsequent health of plants resulting from
applications of compost may also prevent future plant failure. They recommended
that future studies be done to evaluate the long-term effects of compost
addition after the plant establishment period.
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