Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate
The application of soil organic amendments is a well-established approach to enhancing soil fertility; yet the effects of poultry feather hydrolysate (PFH) on temperate coarse-textured agricultural soils remain underexplored. A six-month microcosm experiment was conducted to determine the effects of...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Aditi Roy Veronika Jílková |
| author_facet | Aditi Roy Veronika Jílková |
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| description | The application of soil organic amendments is a well-established approach to enhancing soil fertility; yet the effects of poultry feather hydrolysate (PFH) on temperate coarse-textured agricultural soils remain underexplored. A six-month microcosm experiment was conducted to determine the effects of PFH in different states (liquid or solid) and addition rates (none, low, or high; i.e., 0, 4, or 8 t dw ha<sup>−1</sup>, respectively) on microbial activity, nutrient availability and retention, and organic matter (OM) stabilization in two coarse-textured soils (loamy sand or sandy loam). Sandy loam soil exhibited a stronger response to PFH application, supporting 20% higher microbial activity, 35% higher nutrient retention, and 89% higher OM content in soil aggregates compared to loamy sand soil, reflecting enhanced OM stabilization. Moreover, PFH in the liquid state demonstrated more prolonged microbial activity and more sustained release of nutrients compared to the solid state. Finally, at the end of incubation, the high addition rate of PFH significantly increased soil nutrient content by 106%, while the low addition rate limited the increase to 39%, both compared to the no addition rate. Overall, the results suggest that PFH, particularly in the liquid state and at the high addition rate, serves as an effective soil organic amendment, enhancing microbial activity and soil fertility while emphasizing the importance of soil texture in optimizing its application. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b87cfc62d260439bb03b41f5b76a5894 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-b87cfc62d260439bb03b41f5b76a58942025-08-20T02:45:48ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-07-01157163810.3390/agronomy15071638Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition RateAditi Roy0Veronika Jílková1Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Na Sádkách 7, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech RepublicBiology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Na Sádkách 7, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech RepublicThe application of soil organic amendments is a well-established approach to enhancing soil fertility; yet the effects of poultry feather hydrolysate (PFH) on temperate coarse-textured agricultural soils remain underexplored. A six-month microcosm experiment was conducted to determine the effects of PFH in different states (liquid or solid) and addition rates (none, low, or high; i.e., 0, 4, or 8 t dw ha<sup>−1</sup>, respectively) on microbial activity, nutrient availability and retention, and organic matter (OM) stabilization in two coarse-textured soils (loamy sand or sandy loam). Sandy loam soil exhibited a stronger response to PFH application, supporting 20% higher microbial activity, 35% higher nutrient retention, and 89% higher OM content in soil aggregates compared to loamy sand soil, reflecting enhanced OM stabilization. Moreover, PFH in the liquid state demonstrated more prolonged microbial activity and more sustained release of nutrients compared to the solid state. Finally, at the end of incubation, the high addition rate of PFH significantly increased soil nutrient content by 106%, while the low addition rate limited the increase to 39%, both compared to the no addition rate. Overall, the results suggest that PFH, particularly in the liquid state and at the high addition rate, serves as an effective soil organic amendment, enhancing microbial activity and soil fertility while emphasizing the importance of soil texture in optimizing its application.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1638organic amendmentcoarse-textured soilsmicrobial activitynutrient availabilitywater-holding capacityorganic matter stabilization |
| spellingShingle | Aditi Roy Veronika Jílková Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate Agronomy organic amendment coarse-textured soils microbial activity nutrient availability water-holding capacity organic matter stabilization |
| title | Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate |
| title_full | Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate |
| title_fullStr | Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate |
| title_short | Laboratory Optimization of Poultry Feather Hydrolysate Application for Soil Fertility: Effects of Soil Texture and Hydrolysate State and Addition Rate |
| title_sort | laboratory optimization of poultry feather hydrolysate application for soil fertility effects of soil texture and hydrolysate state and addition rate |
| topic | organic amendment coarse-textured soils microbial activity nutrient availability water-holding capacity organic matter stabilization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1638 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aditiroy laboratoryoptimizationofpoultryfeatherhydrolysateapplicationforsoilfertilityeffectsofsoiltextureandhydrolysatestateandadditionrate AT veronikajilkova laboratoryoptimizationofpoultryfeatherhydrolysateapplicationforsoilfertilityeffectsofsoiltextureandhydrolysatestateandadditionrate |