ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Influence of Sewage Sludge and a Consortium
of Aerobic Microorganisms Added to the Soil
under a Willow Plantation on the Biological
Indicators of Transformation of Organic Nitrogen
Compounds
Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka1, Hanna Sulewska2, Alicja Niewiadomska1, Katarzyna Panasiewicz2, Klaudia Borowiak3, Karolina Ratajczak2
1Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department of General and Environmental Microbiology,
Szydłowska 50 Street, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
2Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department of Agronomy, Dojazd 11 Street, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
3Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department Ecology and Environmental Protection,
Piątkowska 94 C Street, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Szydłowska 50 Street, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
2Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department of Agronomy, Dojazd 11 Street, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
3Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department Ecology and Environmental Protection,
Piątkowska 94 C Street, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Submission date: 2017-03-31
Final revision date: 2017-05-29
Acceptance date: 2017-05-29
Online publication date: 2017-12-08
Publication date: 2018-01-02
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2018;27(1):403–412
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The aim of our three-year study was to determine the influence of sewage sludge and a consortium of aerobic microorganisms (BAF) on the dynamics of the development and activity of proteolytic and ammonifying bacteria, soil plant analysis development (SPAD), and the ratio of the leaf assimilation area in willows. Four experimental variants were used in the study: control, soil with sewage sludge, soil with sewage sludge and the BAF inoculant, and soil with the BAF inoculant. The experiment was conducted on the Start willow cultivar. In each year of our research (2013-15), soil samples for microbiological and chemical analyses were collected three times – in spring, summer, and autumn (in May, July, and September).
The research involved the application of the Koch plate method to measure the count of proteolytic and ammonifying bacteria, and spectrophotometry to determine protease and urease activity. The green seeker index (SPAD) was measured by means of non-destructive methods with a SPAD index. The ratio between the willow leaf assimilation area and leaf area (LAI) was measured by means of the SunScan Canopy Analysis System. The content of chlorophyll a and b was analyzed by means of dimethyl sulfoxide extraction.
The highest count and activity of proteolytic bacteria was observed in the soil in the third year of the experiment. Urease exhibited the highest activity in the second year of the research. Sewage sludge stimulated the proliferation and activity of proteolytic bacteria, the content of chlorophyll a and b, the leaf assimilation area, and the green seeker index (SPAD).
None of the experimental variants stimulated the count of ammonifying bacteria. The research proved that BAF stimulated urease activity, which was positively correlated with the green seeker index (SPAD) and the ratio of the leaf assimilation area. The research also revealed positive dependence between the protease activity and the content of chlorophyll a and b. The protease and urease activity proved to be the most sensitive indicators of nitrogen transformation in soil, which is reflected by willow biomass formation.
The research involved the application of the Koch plate method to measure the count of proteolytic and ammonifying bacteria, and spectrophotometry to determine protease and urease activity. The green seeker index (SPAD) was measured by means of non-destructive methods with a SPAD index. The ratio between the willow leaf assimilation area and leaf area (LAI) was measured by means of the SunScan Canopy Analysis System. The content of chlorophyll a and b was analyzed by means of dimethyl sulfoxide extraction.
The highest count and activity of proteolytic bacteria was observed in the soil in the third year of the experiment. Urease exhibited the highest activity in the second year of the research. Sewage sludge stimulated the proliferation and activity of proteolytic bacteria, the content of chlorophyll a and b, the leaf assimilation area, and the green seeker index (SPAD).
None of the experimental variants stimulated the count of ammonifying bacteria. The research proved that BAF stimulated urease activity, which was positively correlated with the green seeker index (SPAD) and the ratio of the leaf assimilation area. The research also revealed positive dependence between the protease activity and the content of chlorophyll a and b. The protease and urease activity proved to be the most sensitive indicators of nitrogen transformation in soil, which is reflected by willow biomass formation.
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