Oslan Jumadi, St. Fatmah Hiola, Yusminah Hala, Jeanette Norton, Kazuyuki Inubushi
Abstract: Azolla microphylla Kaulf. (Azolla) biomass was composted to create a high nitrogen (N) organic matter amendment (Azolla compost). We examined the effect of this Azolla compost on carbon (C) and N mineralization and the production of biogenic gases, nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), in a soil incubation experiment. A pot experiment with upland kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) examined plant growth in silt loam soil treated with three levels of Azolla compost. The results showed that N2O production from soil increased with urea amendment, but not with Azolla compost treatments. The Azolla-amended soil showed enhanced CO2 production throughout the 4-week incubation. The Azolla-treated soils showed a 98% lower global warming potential compared to urea treatment over the 4-week incubation. However, Azolla-amended soil had higher nitrate (NO3–) levels compared to urea-fertilized soil at 1 week of incubation, and these were maintained until the fourth week. Soils amended with Azolla compost showed lower ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) levels than those in the urea-fertilized soils. The height and dry weight of upland kangkong fertilized with Azolla compost were similar to plants receiving urea fertilization. Therefore, the use of Azolla compost as a substitute for urea fertilizer would be beneficial for reducing the production of N2O while maintaining plant growth. © 2014, © 2014 Japanese Society of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.
Department of Biology, Makassar State University, Makassar, 90224, Indonesia; Department of Plant, Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, 84322-4820, UT, United States; Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Matsudo, 271-8510, Japan
