Microalgae biofilm in soil: Greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia volatilization and plant growth.
Microalgal biofilm in soils represents an alternative fertilization method for agricultural sustainability. In the present study, greenhouse gas emission, soil ammonia volatilization, and the growth of Pennisetum glaucum were evaluated under the effect of a microalgal biofilm, commercial urea, and a control (without application of a nitrogen source). CH4emissions were equal for the three treatments (p>0.05). CO2emissions significantly increased in microalgal biofilm treatment (p<0.01), which was also responsible for the highest N2O emissions (p<0.01). The ammonia (NNH3) volatilization losses were 4.63%, 18.98%, and 0.82% for the microalgal biofilm, urea, and control treatments, respectively. The main differences in soil characteristics were an increase in nitrogen and an increase in cation exchange capacity (p<0.01) caused by the algal biomass application to the soil. The soil organic matter content significantly differed (p<0.05) among the three treatments, with the microalgal biofilm treatment having the greatest increase in soil organic matter. Significant differences were observed for shoot dry matter mass and nitrogen content in the plants from both treatments where nitrogen sources were applied. All treatments differed from each other in leaf dry matter mass, with the urea treatment increasing the most. Chlorella vulgaris was the dominant microalgal specie in the soil.
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Viçosa Campus, 36570-900, Brazil. Electronic address: jackeline.castro@ufv.br.
Jackeline de Siqueira
JS
Castro
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Viçosa Campus, 36570-900, Brazil. Electronic address: lucia.calijuri@gmail.com.
Maria Lúcia
ML
Calijuri
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Viçosa Campus, 36570-900, Brazil. Electronic address: paula_assemany@hotmail.com.
Paula Peixoto
PP
Assemany
Department of Statistics, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Viçosa Campus, 36570-900, Brazil. Electronic address: cecon@ufv.br.
Paulo Roberto
PR
Cecon
Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Viçosa Campus, 36570-900, Brazil. Electronic address: igor.assis@ufv.br.
Igor Rodrigues
IR
de Assis
Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Viçosa Campus, 36570-900, Brazil. Electronic address: vinicius.j.ribeiro@ufv.br.
Vinícius José
VJ
Ribeiro
D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis*; D018441:Biofilms; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris; D005308:Fertilizers; D000074382:Greenhouse Gases; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis; D058086:Microalgae; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000254:growth & development*; D012987:Soil; D014835:Volatilization
D005308:Fertilizers; D000074382:Greenhouse Gases; D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000641:Ammonia; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D008697:Methane
Algal biomass; Ammonia volatilization; Greenhouse gas fluxes; Nutrient recovery