The impact of the long-term application of mineral nitrogen and sewage sludge fertilizers on the quality of soil organic matter

Abstract

Abstract Background Soil fertility is substantially influenced by soil organic matter quality and quantity. Much attention has also been given to glomalin content as one of the qualitative parameters of soil fertility. Glomalin content is considered an indicator of soil fertility due to its positive correlation with soil organic carbon. Aim This study aim to (i) determine the influence of different fertilization systems on maize yield and soil organic matter quality parameters, (ii) ensure that changes in total glomalin content (TG) and easily extractable glomalin (EEG) content are sensitive enough to reflect changes in the SOM quality resulting from long-term fertilization, and (iii) determine whether both forms of glomalin must be determined or if the easily extractable glomalin (EEG) content is sufficient, even for a fertile chernozem. Materials and methods Long-term field experiments with silage maize monocultures were used to study relationships under different rates of mineral nitrogen and sewage sludge fertilization. The trials comprised 5 treatments: (i) no fertilization control (Con), (ii) and (iii) two different calcium ammonium nitrate rates (N120 and N240 at doses of 120 and 240 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively), and iv) and v) two different sewage sludge rates (S120 and S240 corresponding to mineral N doses). Topsoil (0–30 cm) analysis was performed 28 years after the onset of the experiment to determine soil organic carbon, the fractions of humic substances, potentially mineralizable carbon and dissolved organic carbon, the potential wettability index, soil aggregate stability, EEG, and total glomalin (TG). Results The control treatment, which did not include fertilization, showed significantly lower average yields (9.76 t DM ha−1 year−1) than the fertilization treatments (on average 12.3 DM ha−1 year−1). Significant differences in yields were not found between the fertilization treatments. A positive correlation between glomalin (EEG, TG) content and soil organic matter carbon content was observed. A periodic application of sewage sludge increased the content of glomalin. However, the highest quality of SOM was found in the control treatment (nonfertilized). This treatment had the highest values for the humic/fulvic acid ratio and the highest contents of humic acids and potentially mineralizable carbon. Furthermore, the Con treatment showed the highest soil aggregate stability and potential wettability index. Mineral N fertilization significantly reduced soil aggregate stability values. Conclusions The unfertilized control showed the highest SOM quality but the lowest yields. The data on glomalin content can be used to study soil organic matter quality. Because the EEG extraction method is easy to apply, uses lower quantities of chemicals and consumes less time, it presents a better option than TG extraction. The sensitivity of the methods for SOM quality determination decreases with increasing SOM content. Graphical Abstract