Pedosphere 14(3): 371--378, 2004
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2004 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Effects of multiple soil conditioners on a mine site acid sulfate soil for vetiver growth |
LIN Chu-Xia1 , LONG Xin-Xian1, XU Song-Jun2, CHU Cheng-Xing1, MAI Shao-Zhi2 and JIANG Dian1 |
1 College of Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642 (China). E-mail: cxlin@scau.edu.cn
2 Department of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China) |
| ABSTRACT |
| A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of various soil treatments on the growth of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) with the objective of formulating appropriate soil media for use in sulfide-bearing mined areas. An acidic mine site acid sulfate soil (pH 2.8) was treated with different soil conditioner formula including hydrated lime, red mud (bauxite residues), zeolitic rock powder, biosolids and a compound fertilizer. Soils treated with red mud and hydrated lime corrected soil acidity and reduced or eliminated metal toxicity enabling the establishment of vetiver grass. Although over-liming affected growth, some seedlings of vetiver survived the initial strong alkaline conditions. Addition of appropriate amounts of zeolitic rock powder also enhanced growth, but over-application caused detrimental effects. In this experiment, soil medium with the best growth performance of vetiver was 50 g of red mud, 10 g of lime, 30 g of zeolitic rock powder and 30 g of biosolids with 2000 g of mine soils (100% survival rate with the greatest biomass and number of new shoots), but adding a chemical fertilizer to this media adversely impacted plant growth. In addition, a high application rate of biosolids resulted in poorer growth of vetiver, compared to a moderate application rate. |
| Key Words: heavy metals, mine site acid sulfate soils, soil conditioners, soil pH, vetiver grass |
| Citation: Lin, C. X., Long, X. X., Xu, S. J., Chu, C. X., Mai, S. Z. and Jiang, D. 2004. Effects of multiple soil conditioners on a mine site acid sulfate soil for vetiver growth. Pedosphere. 14(3): 371-378. |
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