Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
addClaim

Long-term biosolids applications to overgrazed rangelands improve soil health

Authors: Buchanan, Cassidy; Ippolito, Jim; Blecker, Steve; Paschke, Mark;

Long-term biosolids applications to overgrazed rangelands improve soil health

Abstract

Overgrazed rangelands can lead to soil degradation, yet long-term land application of organic amendments (i.e., biosolids) may play a pivotal role in improving overgrazed rangelands in terms of soil health. However, the long-term effects on soil health properties in response to Single or Repeated, low to excessive biosolids applications, on semi-arid, overgrazed grasslands have not been quantified. Using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), soil physical, biological, chemical, nutrient, and overall soil health indices between biosolids applications (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, or 30 Mg ha−1) and application time (Single: 1991, Repeated: 2002) was determined. Results showed no significant changes in soil physical and nutrient health indices. However, the chemical soil health index was greater when biosolids were applied at rates < 30 Mg ha-1 and within the Single compared to Repeated applications. The biological soil health index was positively affected by increasing biosolids application rate, was overall greater in the Repeated as compared to the Single application, and was maximized at 30 Mg ha-1. The overall soil health index was maximized at rates < 30 Mg ha-1. When all indices were combined, and considering past plant community findings at this site, overall soil health appeared optimized at a biosolids application rate of ~ 10 Mg ha-1. The use of soil health tools can help determine a targeted organic amendment application rate to overgrazed rangelands so the amendment provides maximum benefits to soils, plants, animals, and the environment.

Keywords

SMAF, soil management assessment framework, soil health, biosolids

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!