Enzymatic activity and microbial biomass in soil amended with biofuel processing byproducts
Date
2010-02-24
Authors
Alotaibi, K.
Schoenau, J.J.
Qian, P.Y.
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Abstract
Plant essential nutrient and carbon contained in byproducts associated with biofuel production
have increased their value as soil organic amendments. These byproducts include wet distillers
grain, and thin stillage from ethanol production, and glycerol from biodiesel production.
However, the potential of using these organic materials as soil amendment has not received
enough attention yet. As a consequence, this study aimed to assess the impact of wet distillers
grain, thin stillage and glycerol applied at three rates equivalent to 100, 200 or 400 kg N ha-1 in
case of WDG and TS or 40, 400 or 4000 kg C ha-1 applied alone or combined with 300 kg N ha-
1 as urea in case of glycerol on enzymes activity of alkaline phosphatase, protease and
dehydrogenase, and microbial biomass C and N content. Urea and dehydrated alfalfa were also
applied at three rates of N for comparison as conventional amendments and reference materials.
Amended soil was incubated in controlled growth chambers for 10 days. Addition of urea, DA,
WDG and GL+N significantly enhanced phosphatase activity especially at the low rate. Protease
activity was significantly enhanced by all amendments addition especially glycerol. All
amendments increased dehydrogenase activity, especially TS treatments. With the exception of
TS, all amendments showed variable effect but significant on MBC and MBN content. The
significant impact of BPB on measured microbial parameters is probably as a consequence of
their effect on microbial growth and activity.
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Keywords
distillers grains, thin stillage, glycerol, alkaline phosphatase, protease, dehydrogenase
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Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop