Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A.J.A.Vintenet al.
Evaluation of the Soil Organic Matter Dynamics Model MOTOR
3.3
Evaluation of the Soil
Organic Matter Dynamics
Model MOTOR, for Predicting
N Immobilization/Mineralization
Following Field Incorporation
of Paper Mill Sludge in a
Horticultural Soil
A.J.A. V
INTEN
1
, P. M
ARTIN
-O
LMÈDO
2
, S. S
ATTAR
1
,
P.J. K
UIKMAN
3
AND
A.P. W
HITMORE
4
1
EnvironmentDivision, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains
Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK;
2
EscuelaAndaluzadeSalud
Publica, CampusUniversitariodeCartuja, Ap.Correos2070,
18080 Granada, Spain;
3
AB-DLO Institute for Soil Fertility,
Wageningen, The Netherlands; and
4
Silsoe Research Institute,
Silsoe,Bedfordshire, UK
Introduction
The UK output of paper mill sludge (PMS) is expected to be 1 million
tonnes in the year 2000. About 0.2 million tonnes are spread on farmland
as an exempt waste, providing benefit as a soil conditioner and liming
agent (Aitken
et al
., 1988). PMS, typically with a high C : N ratio, can also
be used to reduce nitrate pollution of groundwaters through soil N
immobilization. However, accurate predictions of N dynamics related to
land application of PMS are necessary to maximize N leaching prevention,
and to adjust fertilizer N requirement for crops. Such an approach was
attempted in an experiment carried out at Dipper Field, Balmalcom Farm
(Fife, Scotland), where PMS was applied to a sandy loam horticultural soil.
During 1994/95, the addition of PMS to vegetable crop residues in autumn
and winter decreased nitrate leaching without impairing the yield of the
next crop (Vinten
et al
., 1998). The present Chapter is focused on N
immobilization/mineralization following PMS application in June 1996,
and the immediate effects on the following crop N uptake and the residual
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