Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Based on future scenarios, agricultural areas will be dramatically influenced by climatic patterns, and sustainable measures such as reduced applications of inorganic fertilizers and practices to increase carbon sequestration are needed in order to reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Decreased soil fertility is a considerable stress factor limiting the productivity of agriculture. Soil fertility is based on chemical, biological, and physical components. Soil biology is a prime indicator of soil health and comprises the presence of micro-and macroorganisms. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are manufactured and sold as commercial products and are one important tool used as a microorganism-based strategy to support long-term sustainable agricultural practices.
EU was in 2020 the second-largest sheep producer globally, and the sheep are primarily reared for meat production. Sheep wool is, due to low market prices, often not considered a commercially viable product and a significant part of the wool is either dumped, burnt, or sent to landfill sites. Sheep wool is by the European Commission classified as special waste and there is ongoing research in finding environmentally friendly ways of waste wool management. Sheep wool has during the last decade gained interest within the horticultural sector due to its nutrient content and physical properties. The suitability of sheep wool as a long-term organic fertilizer is established in several studies. However, less is known about its interaction and combined effects with AMF.
For this trial, the main aim was to examine the plant performance of leek (A. porrum) in the combined presence of AMF and sheep wool pellets (SWP). Prior to the experiment, nutrient analyses and physical measurements were performed on each substrate and SWP. The main trial was performed in a greenhouse for 56 days. The treatments included mycorrhizal inoculation by R. irregularis, and sheep wool pellets (5 g/L) and the growth was then evaluated by measurements of plant biomass and tissue N concentration. Also, root colonization by AM fungal structures was examined.
The results showed that SWP addition had a significant effect on plant growth, the tissue N concentration and biomass increased correspondingly. The combined effects of SWP and AMF inoculation could not be fully determined. However, sheep wool has most certain the potential of being an organic fertilizer, but also the ability to promote soil microbiota due to its biochemical properties. Long-term trials would be needed to fully evaluate sheep wool as a plant biostimulant and as a substrate amendment.