Comparison of soil builder product, artificial root exudates, and fertilizer on brownfield soil
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Nina Goodey
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
Soil is a non-renewable resource, and the production of brownfield sites reduces its availability for agricultural and ecological functions. Healthy soils have a high enzyme activity, while unhealthy soils have low to no microbial activity. Environmental contamination and climate change contribute to the reduction of enzyme health, which leads to the production of barren soil. Thus, it is crucial to find quick, effective, and cheap solutions to revitalize the enzymatic functions of soil. This project focuses on comparing different techniques of revitalizing the microbial function of brownfield soils. Here, we focus on treating a highly contaminated soil with 4 different treatments: water, artificial root exudates (AREs), soil builder product (C20, from Precision Organics), and ammonium nitrate fertilizer. A total of 28 soil samples, with 7 replicates for each treatment, are held in a soil chamber. On day 0, the soils are treated once, and watered every third day for an entirety of 30 days. Soil analyses, such as phosphatase enzyme assay, CO2 respiration, pH, and microbial community are performed twice; once pre- and another, post treatment. Based on these analyses, the data will reveal the most effective treatment for revitalizing soil health. The results from this experiment will help scientists make further conclusions on how to effectively revitalize the health of a barren, contaminated soil, ensuring bountiful soil for future generations.
Comparison of soil builder product, artificial root exudates, and fertilizer on brownfield soil
Soil is a non-renewable resource, and the production of brownfield sites reduces its availability for agricultural and ecological functions. Healthy soils have a high enzyme activity, while unhealthy soils have low to no microbial activity. Environmental contamination and climate change contribute to the reduction of enzyme health, which leads to the production of barren soil. Thus, it is crucial to find quick, effective, and cheap solutions to revitalize the enzymatic functions of soil. This project focuses on comparing different techniques of revitalizing the microbial function of brownfield soils. Here, we focus on treating a highly contaminated soil with 4 different treatments: water, artificial root exudates (AREs), soil builder product (C20, from Precision Organics), and ammonium nitrate fertilizer. A total of 28 soil samples, with 7 replicates for each treatment, are held in a soil chamber. On day 0, the soils are treated once, and watered every third day for an entirety of 30 days. Soil analyses, such as phosphatase enzyme assay, CO2 respiration, pH, and microbial community are performed twice; once pre- and another, post treatment. Based on these analyses, the data will reveal the most effective treatment for revitalizing soil health. The results from this experiment will help scientists make further conclusions on how to effectively revitalize the health of a barren, contaminated soil, ensuring bountiful soil for future generations.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.