Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of progressive pig slurry (PS) rates, applied over a 12-year period, on the molecular composition of soil organic matter in a calcareous soil. Annual organic matter rates of PS ranged from 1.0 to 4.8 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>. Humic acids (HAs)...

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Main Authors: Àngela D. Bosch-Serra, Diana E. Jiménez-de-Santiago, José A. González-Pérez, Gonzalo Almendros
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/3/725
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author Àngela D. Bosch-Serra
Diana E. Jiménez-de-Santiago
José A. González-Pérez
Gonzalo Almendros
author_facet Àngela D. Bosch-Serra
Diana E. Jiménez-de-Santiago
José A. González-Pérez
Gonzalo Almendros
author_sort Àngela D. Bosch-Serra
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to determine the effect of progressive pig slurry (PS) rates, applied over a 12-year period, on the molecular composition of soil organic matter in a calcareous soil. Annual organic matter rates of PS ranged from 1.0 to 4.8 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>. Humic acids (HAs) were extracted from field plots treated with PS, including a control (no PS applied). These HAs were analysed using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The proportions of the 122 major compounds released from the soil HAs indicated that PS stimulated humification processes, with the degree of enhancement depending on the application rate. The applied PS contained a high proportion of aliphatic compounds, but only steroids and triterpenes accumulated in the HA soil fraction, and this was only observed at low PS rates. These results suggest that the application of PS leads to a dose-dependent increase in alkyl compounds, mainly alkanes and olefins. Aromatic compounds also showed a dose-dependent increase, but not in terms of the demethoxylated compounds typical of mature humic substances found in the original soil. Instead, the increase in aromatics was observed in the form of methoxyphenols, suggesting a recent incorporation of lignin derivatives from crop residues into the HA.
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series Agronomy
spelling doaj-art-e6340506e42044b2be77a553b7e3a4092025-08-20T02:11:04ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-03-0115372510.3390/agronomy15030725Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous SoilÀngela D. Bosch-Serra0Diana E. Jiménez-de-Santiago1José A. González-Pérez2Gonzalo Almendros3Department of Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Sciences and Soil, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure Av. 191, 25198 Lleida, SpainDepartment of Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Sciences and Soil, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure Av. 191, 25198 Lleida, SpainInstituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), Av. Reina Mercedes 10, 41012 Seville, SpainNational Museum of Natural History (MNCN, CSIC), Serrano 115 B, 28006 Madrid, SpainThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of progressive pig slurry (PS) rates, applied over a 12-year period, on the molecular composition of soil organic matter in a calcareous soil. Annual organic matter rates of PS ranged from 1.0 to 4.8 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>. Humic acids (HAs) were extracted from field plots treated with PS, including a control (no PS applied). These HAs were analysed using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The proportions of the 122 major compounds released from the soil HAs indicated that PS stimulated humification processes, with the degree of enhancement depending on the application rate. The applied PS contained a high proportion of aliphatic compounds, but only steroids and triterpenes accumulated in the HA soil fraction, and this was only observed at low PS rates. These results suggest that the application of PS leads to a dose-dependent increase in alkyl compounds, mainly alkanes and olefins. Aromatic compounds also showed a dose-dependent increase, but not in terms of the demethoxylated compounds typical of mature humic substances found in the original soil. Instead, the increase in aromatics was observed in the form of methoxyphenols, suggesting a recent incorporation of lignin derivatives from crop residues into the HA.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/3/725aromatic compoundsalkanesalkenesanalytical pyrolysisfatty acidshumic acid
spellingShingle Àngela D. Bosch-Serra
Diana E. Jiménez-de-Santiago
José A. González-Pérez
Gonzalo Almendros
Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil
Agronomy
aromatic compounds
alkanes
alkenes
analytical pyrolysis
fatty acids
humic acid
title Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil
title_full Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil
title_fullStr Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil
title_full_unstemmed Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil
title_short Pig Slurry Fertilization Changes the Pyrolytic Signature of Humic Substances in Calcareous Soil
title_sort pig slurry fertilization changes the pyrolytic signature of humic substances in calcareous soil
topic aromatic compounds
alkanes
alkenes
analytical pyrolysis
fatty acids
humic acid
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/3/725
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AT joseagonzalezperez pigslurryfertilizationchangesthepyrolyticsignatureofhumicsubstancesincalcareoussoil
AT gonzaloalmendros pigslurryfertilizationchangesthepyrolyticsignatureofhumicsubstancesincalcareoussoil