Abstract
Two composts were tested as mulching materials in a vineyard: one was a sewage sludge and bark compost with a low heavy metal content, the other was a municipal solid waste compost with a higher concentration of metals. Both compost mulches increased organic matter content, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium of soil and improved the porosity and water retention capacity of the soil. They also reduced soil temperature fluctuations, reduced evaporation of soil water, and influenced the levels of some nutrients measured in leaf samples. The data obtained show that the nutrients uptake was more influenced by the physical conditions of the soil (temperature, moisture) than by the availability of nutrients in the soil. The sewage sludge and bark compost did not cause any significant increase in heavy metal levels in soil and plants. In contrast, the municipal solid waste compost led to a notable accumulation of metals in the soil, in the vegetation and in the musts. Both the compost mulch materials had considerable advantages for the soil management on the grapevine rows, by reducing chemical weed control and allowing for the substitution of chemical fertilisers with no loss in vigour, yield or quality of musts.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ballif JL, Moncomble O & Descotes A (1991) Influence sur le ruisselement et l'érosion de couvertures de compost urbain et d'écorces fraiches broyées dans le vignoble champenois. ANPP Annales 3: 359–365
Bevacqua RF & Mellano VJ (1993) Sewage sludge compost's cumulative effects on crop growth and soil properties. Compost Sci Utilization 1(3): 34–37
Beyea J, De Chant L, Conditt M & Jones B (1993) Wet bag composting trial yields promising results. Biocycle April: 72–75
Burke W, Gabriels D and Buoma J (1986) Soil Structure Assessment. In: Burke W, Gabriels D & Bouma J (eds) Soil Structure Assessment. Balkema, Rotterdam
Cieslinski G, Neilsen GH & Hogue EJ (1995) Effect of pH and soil Cd concentration on Cd uptake and accumulation by apple trees. Acta Horticulturae 383: 47–56
Cieslinski G, Neilsen GH & Hogue EJ (1996) Effect os soil cadmium application and pH on growth and cadmium accumulation in roots, leaves and fruit of strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassaDuch.). Plant and Soil 180: 267–276
Dean RB & Suess MJ (1985) The risk to health of chemicals in sewage sludge applied to land. Waste Manag Res 3: 251–278
DeHaan FAM & vanderZee SEATM(1992) Compost regulations in the Netherlands in view of sustanaible soil use. In: Hoitink HAJ & Keener HM (ed) Science and Engineering of Composting, pp 507–522. Reinassance Publ. Worthington, (OH)
Failla O, Stringari G, Porro D & Scienza A (1993) Determination of leaf standards for apple trees and grapevines in northern Italy. In: Fragoso MAC & vanBeusichem ML (eds) Optimization of Plant Nutrition, pp 37–41. Kluver Academic Publishers, Dordrecht the Netherlands
Ferreira ME & Cruz MCP(1992) Estudo do efeito de vermicomposto sobre absorcao de nutrientes e producao de metéria seca pelo milho e propriedades do solo. Cientifica Sao Paulo 20 (1): 217- 227
GU (Gazzetta Ufficiale) (1992) Metodi ufficiali di analisi chimica dei suoli. DM (Decreto Ministariale) 11 maggio 1992, suppl. G.U., 121, 25 maggio 1992
Guidi G, Pera A, Giovannetti M, Poggio G & Bertoldi M (1988) Variations of soil structure and microbial population in a compost amended soil. Plant and Soil 106: 113–119
He XT, Traina SJ & Logan TJ (1992) Chemical properties of municipal solid waste composts. J Environ Qual 21: 318–319
IPLA (Istituto Piante Legno Ambiente) (1992) Metodi di analisi dei compost. Ed. Regione Piemonte, Assessorato Ambiente, Torino, Collana Ambiente 6. 170 p
Korcak RF (1989) Cadmiun distribution in field grown fruit trees. J Environ Qual 18: 519–523
Martin Prevel P, Gagnard J & Gautier P (1987) L'analyse vegetale dans le controle de l'alimentation des plantes: technique et documentation. In: Plant Analysis, pp 161–178. Lavoiser Publishing Inc, USA.
McConnel DB, Shiralipour A & Smith WH (1993) Compost application improves soil properties. Biocycle April: 61–63
Petruzzelli G, Lubrano L & Guidi G (1989) Uptake by corn and chemical extractability of heavy metals from a four year compost treated soil. Plant and Soil 116: 23–27
Pinamonti F, Zorzi G, Gasperi F, Silvestri S & Stringari G (1995) Nutritional status of grapevines and apple-trees grown under various soil management techniques in the plant row. Acta Horticulture 383: 313–321
Pinamonti F, Stefanini M & Dalpiaz A (1996) Soil management effects on nutritional status and grapevine performace. Vitic. Enol. Sci. 51 (2): 76–82
Roe NE, Stoffella PJ & Bryan HH (1993) Utilization of MSW compost and other organic mulches on commercial vegetable crops. Compost Science & Utilization 1 (3): 73–84
Sartori G, Ferrari A & Pagliai M (1985) Changes in soil porosity and surface shrinkage in a remolded, saline clay soil treated with compost. Soil Science 139 (6): 523–530
Sequi P, Guidi G & Petruzzelli G (1974) Sulla determinazione dell'efficacia dei condizionatori della struttura del suolo. Agrochimica 18: 150–155
Sikora JL (1995) Effect of compost-fertilizer blends on crop growth. In: deBertoldi M, Sequi P, Lammers B & Papi T (eds) The Science of Composting, pp 423–430. Blackie Academic & Professional Publ., Glasgow
Smith WH(1995) Utilizing composts in land management to recycle organics. In: deBertoldi M, Sequi P, Lammers B & Papi T (eds) The Science of Composting, pp 413–422. Blackie Academic & Professional Publ., Glasgow
USDA (US Department of Agriculture) (1988) Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys. Robert E. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA
Woodbury PB (1992) Trace elements in municipal solid waste composts: a review of potential detrimental effects on plants, soil biota, and water quality. Biomass and Bioenergy 3: 239–259
Zorzi G, Silvestri S & Cristoforetti A (1995) Composting in Italy: current state and future outlook. In: deBertoldi M, Sequi P, Lammers B & Papi T (eds) The Science of Composting, pp 698–713. Blackie Academic & Professional Publ., Glasgow
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pinamonti, F. Compost mulch effects on soil fertility, nutritional status and performance of grapevine. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 51, 239–248 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009701323580
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009701323580