Date of Award
12-9-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology, MS
First Advisor
Jennifer Bouldin
Committee Members
Calvin Shumway; Jennifer Bouldin; Richard Grippo; V. Steven Green
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2010 K52
Abstract
Effects of Locally-Available Soil Amendments on Water and Soil Quality It is important to feed and fuel our growing population in sustainable ways that maximize available resources and minimize negative environmental impacts. Locally-available soil amendments including municipal biosolids, food industry effluent, and pelletized poultry litter were evaluated in this study to measure potential soil and water quality effects. A greenhouse microcosm study involving a potential biofuel crop, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, was conducted using these soil amendments. Leachate from the microcosms was analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, and orthophosphate. Soils from the microcosms were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, active carbon, and soil organic matter. Plant biomass was also measured. Behavioral response of earthworms to application of locally-available soil amendments was also studied by performing an earthworm preference/avoidance test. Results from the greenhouse study measured no significant difference in the water quality variables. Results from the earthworm study indicated preference for soils with the locally-available soil amendments compared to no treatment.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Klasky, John Wesley Phillip, "Comparison of Water and Soil Quality from Locally Available Soil Amendments to Biomass Sorghum" (2010). Student Theses and Dissertations. 956.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/956
