Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Sisouvanh P., Trelo-ges V., Hartmann Christian, Pierret Alain, Sengkhrua T., Suvannang N. (2017). Soil column-based experimental design to assess the impact of compost and vermicompost amendments on maize biomass. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 22 (1), 8 p.

Titre du document
Soil column-based experimental design to assess the impact of compost and vermicompost amendments on maize biomass
Année de publication
2017
Type de document
Article
Auteurs
Sisouvanh P., Trelo-ges V., Hartmann Christian, Pierret Alain, Sengkhrua T., Suvannang N.
Source
Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 2017, 22 (1), 8 p.
Most experiments measuring the positive impact of organic matter (OM) amendments on plant water stress were conducted in pots and did not take into account the vertical extension of the plant root system. Our goal was to build an experimental setup able to mimic the geometry of organic amendments distribution relative to plants, i.e. amendments mixed with the top layer (0-10 cm) when most of the roots develop below this layer. We had 2 objectives (i) to test our soil water monitoring instruments and (ii) to check if a promoting effect of OM amendments on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plants was possible in soil columns. The PVC columns (60 cm high, 20 cm diameter) were filled with a loamy soil; the organic amendments were mixed with the top layer at a rate of 20 t/ha. We controlled 3 variables: the type of organic amendments (compost vs vermicompost), fertilizer amount (high/low amount) and soil compaction (high/low). Water stress was induced by gradually letting the soil dry to 50 % of the field capacity. Plant growth and soil water status were measured simultaneously during 6 weeks; at the end of experiment above and below ground biomass were measured. In the presence compared to the absence of OM, the plant height and plant above ground biomass were significantly higher, approximately multiplied by 2. Despite similar soil porosity in control and vermicompost columns, the latter had significantly our technical experiment has shown that the characteristics of our columns and our monitoring instruments were able to record changes in soil water content that could be associated to difference in plant development. A very strong promoting effect of OM was measured, but no difference was observed between compost and vermicompost as the experimental design was made mainly for technical purpose.
Plan de classement
Pédologie [068]
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010071490]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010071490
Contact