The Effect of Phosphogypsum and Turkey Litter Application on the Properties of Eroded Agrochernozem in the South Ural Region (Russia)

Abstract

The possibility of using industrial and poultry wastes as an ameliorant/fertilizer for erosion-prone soils was investigated. We studied the impact of phosphogypsum (PG) and turkey litter (TL) application on the physicochemical properties of weakly eroded agrochernozem in conditions of a 5-year field experiment in the South Ural region, Russia. In particular, we examined the effect of treatments on the soil moisture reserves, soil structure, microaggregate composition and particle size distribution, aggregate stability (water resistance), organic carbon content (Corg), ammonium, nitrate and alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus (Pav), exchange potassium (Kex), and potato productivity/ecological quality. Treatments included the application of the PG at 5, 10, and 20 t ha–1, the TL at 40 and 60 t ha–1; and in mixes of PG and TL at ratios of 1:10, 1:5, and 1:2. The obtained results indicated that the introduction of PG and TL increased (compared to control) the moisture reserves (by 10–17%), resistance of soil aggregates to water (8–15%), the content of Corg (6–10%), available nitrogen (two orders of magnitude), Pav (3–6 times) and Kex (2–3 times), and improved, as well, soil structure. In general, years factor had a significant effect on soil water-physical properties; its influence was 44–67%, while the effect of treatments was 21–30%. The agrochemical properties (Corg and Pav) were dependent on treatments factor (77 and 95%, respectively), while the content of all forms of nitrogen depended on the year factor (34–57%). The obtained results suggest the application of PG and TL to improve agrochernozem fertility status and minimize its erodibility without soil and plant contamination.