Seven years of repeated cattle manure addition to eroded Chinese Mollisols increase low-molecular-weight organic acids in soil solution

Background and aims: Organic amendments are an option in enhancing soil biological productivity. Limited research exists on the effects of long-term cattle manure addition on low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) concentrations in corn (Zea mays L) and soybean (Glycine max L.) fields in the region of soil erosion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential influence of cattle manure on the LMWOAs concentration in erosion soil. Methods: A field experiment was established in Hailun city, Northeast China to determine the impact of long-term cattle manure addition on the total amounts of main LMWOAs in eroded Mollisol fields. There were three levels of simulated-erosion, which removed 0, 10 and 30 cm of topsoil. Two soil amendments were: (1) chemical fertilizer at the rate normally used by farmers in the region and (2) chemical fertilizer plus 15,000 kg ha-1 (dry weight basis) of cattle manure. Main LMWOAs in soil were assessed at the flowering stage of soybean and the jointing stage of corn. Principle results: Compared to chemical fertilizer alone, 7-years of repeated cattle manure addition significantly increased total amounts of main LMWOAs in rhizosphere about 9-70 times and bulk soil about 6-62 times. The magnitude of increase by cattle manure was in the order of oxalate>malate>malonate>lactate>maleate in corn plots, and oxalate>malate>malonate>lactate in soybean plots. In comparison, cattle manure and topsoil removal had larger effect on LMWOAs concentrations in corn plot than soybean plot. The addition of cattle manure application and top soil removal had significant independent influence on main LMWOAs concentration in soil solution. Conclusion: This study suggested that addition of cattle manure would be an effective approach in modifying soil biological properties through the increases in low-molecular-weight organic acids to eroded Chinese Mollisols. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.