Objectives and tools

• The specific objectives of the project
• Methodology
• Assessment of the current content of SOM in the CZ-PL borderland
• EOMs
• Field experiments
• Pot experiment
• Laboratory and field analyses

The specific objectives of the project

1. To assess the status of SOM in the CZ/PL borderland.
2. To prepare a guideline for the application of EOM on soil with respect to ecosystem services.
3. To define the soil properties which influence transformation of EOM. To develop and describe a procedure how to use a set of methods for detection of acute and long-term effects of EOM on soil chemistry and biology with respect to properties of a given site.

Methodology

The assessment of the content of total organic matter and its labile and stable fractions in the Czech-Polish borderland is being performed using analysis of soil samples taken from 80 plots on arable land in spring 2013.
Two field experiments and a pot experiment are used for estimation of the effects of EOM on the content of different fractions of SOM and for evaluation how input of EOM affects soil physical characteristics. The field experiments enable evaluation of the influence of different local conditions on estimated endpoints. The aim of the pot experiment is to assess the interactions among soil physico-chemical properties and EOM transformation.

Soil samples for laboratory analyses are taken one month after the EOMs addition and shortly before the harvest. The analysis of risks related to EOM addition to soil will be based on the TRIAD approach which follows three lines of evidence: chemical, ecotoxicological and ecological. Nutrients, inorganic and organic pollutants are determined. The ecology is represented by soil microbiology (biomass, activity, diversity) and by soil fauna (edaphon, epigeon). The emission of GHG will be measured.
Six different EOMs will be tested during the project, the selection of EOMs is to be based on data about the amount and type of EOM produced in the project area.
The field and pot experiments will run during 2013-2014.

Assessment of the current content of SOM in the CZ-PL borderland

Contact person: Radek Kaczynski (IUNG): rkaczynski@iung.pulawy.pl

Soil samples were collected in the spring of 2013. Plots for collecting soil samples where selected form historical locations used for soil monitoring in the periods of 1970-1980 (PL) and 2007 (the last sampling for CZ monitoring). Organic matter content is the most important soil parameter to be determined. In 2013, organic matter content in soil samples was analyzed with identical methods as previously, so that the analytical results are comparable. Resampling of the same parcel over a long period of time will give not only information about the current state of organic matter in the borderland, but also about trends of changes in SOM (Soil Organic Matter) content in order to assess SOM changes as dependent on soil properties, climate and land use. The potential changes might result from climate change , land use and organizational changes in agriculture (intensification or extensification of cultivation , changes in agricultural techniques). Effects of these factors are difficult to determine in a short period of time (1-5 years), but they would probably be visible in a longer time period. Assessment of labile SOM fractions in soils will provide additional information: the content and the ratio of labile fraction to the total SOM are considered as a parameter very sensitive to land use changes even in a relatively short period of time.

Map of plots sampled in spring 2013

EOMs

Industrial compost, organic fertilizer produced by homogenization and composting materials containing degradable organic substances, including sludge.
Animal meal, organic fertilizer produced from animal by-products in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Organic fertilizer produced from manure (poultry litter, manure) and degradable organic substances during thermophilic aerobic fermentation (Puste Jakartice).
Waste from potato industry (production of fries). It consists of peelings, undersized fries, leftover, rinsed starch. All is processed in biogas plant, then dewatered (Braszowice).

Field experiments

Contact person: Michaela Smatanová (UKZUZ):michaela.smatanova@ukzuz.cz

The EOMs are tested at three doses which are related to N fertilization. The control is fertilized only with mineral fertilizer, the highest tested dose contains all applied N in EOM.

Basic soil properties

Pot experiment

Contact person: Rafal Galazka (IUNG): rgalazka@iung.pulawy.pl

The EOMs are tested at two doses which are related to N fertilization. The control is fertilized only with mineral fertilizer, the highest tested dose contain all applied N in EOM.
The pot experiment is run by IUNG (Pulawy, PL).

Basic soil properties

Laboratory and field analyses