Improvement of mining soil properties through the use of a new bio-conditioner prototype: a greenhouse trial

Abstract

Purpose

The effect of a prototype of humic bio-conditioner (H-BC) was assessed on the development of edaphic properties and the growth of maize plants in an edaphic material used as topsoil in the rehabilitation of soils in a coal mine in Colombia.

Materials and methods

The trial was carried out in a greenhouse, using pots with edaphic material treated with the addition of doses equivalent to 0 (control), 1, 2, and 4 Mg.ha⁻¹ of H-BC; maize seeds were sown and followed up on for 60 days. Plant growth and soil biological, chemical, and physical variables were registered.

Results and discussion

The 4-Mg.ha⁻¹ treatment maintained a significantly higher enzymatic activity than the control on day 60. The respiration of the soil treated with H-BC increased significantly, with the 4-Mg.ha⁻¹ treatment standing out. The 2-Mg.ha⁻¹ treatment induced the most noticeable changes in soil metabolic activity profiles. Increases in root and leaf development were observed in the treatment with 4 Mg.ha⁻¹; apparently, this dose improved the absorption of Ca, K, and S by plants; the physical and soil aggregation indices increased significantly with 4 Mg.ha⁻¹.

Conclusions

The results indicate that H-BC can be an alternative as an enhancer of the edaphic material used in soil rehabilitation processes.