Effect of Surface-Applied Compost without Incorporation on Soil Properties

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F26296080%3A_____%2F25%3AN0000010" target="_blank" >RIV/26296080:_____/25:N0000010 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://eurosoil2025.eu/static/upload/ow175/events/ev613/site/files/EUROSOIL25_Book_of_Abstracts.pdf" target="_blank" >https://eurosoil2025.eu/static/upload/ow175/events/ev613/site/files/EUROSOIL25_Book_of_Abstracts.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Effect of Surface-Applied Compost without Incorporation on Soil Properties

Original language description

A three-year field experiment (2022–2024) was conducted in Blatnice, Czech Republic, to assess the effect of surface-applied compost without soil incorporation on soil properties. The site is classified as modal carbonate cambisol (WRB: Calcaric Cambisol), located in the MT2 climatic region (mean annual temperature 7–8 °C; annual precipitation 550–650 mm). The soil is deep, loamy, non-skeletal with a gentle slope (0–3°). Two treatments were established: (i) untreated control and (ii) compost applied annually at 30 t.ha-1 post-harvest. The crop rotation comprised oilseed rape (2022), winter wheat (2023), and maize for grain (2024). Soil sampling occurred before sowing and after harvest each year. Physical analyses included bulk density, total porosity, gravimetric soil moisture, maximum capillary water capacity, and minimum air capacity at depths 0–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m, and 0.20–0.30 m. Aggre gate size distribution was assessed by dry sieving at 0–0.15 m and 0.15–0.30 m; a structure coefficient quantified the ratio of agronom ically valuable to less stable aggregates. Chemical analyses comprised pH/KCl, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, organic carbon (Corg), total humus, and humic-to-fulvic acid ratio. Organic carbon was measured by wet oxidation; humus was calculated using the Welte coefficient. Biological properties were evaluated through microbial biomass carbon and potential mineralisable nitrogen. Surface-applied compost without incorporation significantly reduced bulk density in the upper soil layer and enhanced soil moisture retention at all depths. Structural stability improved, with higher proportions of stable aggregates. Treated soils exhibited increased pH/ KCl, enhanced macronutrient availability, and a trend towards higher organic carbon, though not statistically significant. Microbial bio mass was unaffected, while potential nitrogen mineralisation increased. Crop yields showed no significant changes; however, winter wheat grain quality improved in nitrogen and gluten content following compost application. The compost mulch reduced evaporative losses and soil erosion risk. Surface application without incorporation decreased machinery requirements, yielding 20–30% operational cost savings. These results demonstrate that surface application of compost without soil incorporation is a viable strategy in temperate arable sys tems. It maintains soil function, supports soil conservation, and aligns with reduced tillage principles and efficient resource use.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40101 - Agriculture

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů