Pérez-Sepúlveda, Mariela

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    Effect of lignin-based by-product on the physical and chemical properties of three tropical soils, tomato yield and fruit quality
    (2019-05-14) Pérez-Sepúlveda, Mariela; Flores-Mangual, Mario L.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Linares Ramírez, Angela; Cardona Martínez, Nelson; Department of Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences; Pérez Alegría, Luis R
    The need for agriculture production will increase resulting in greater agricultural residues production. These residues can be deconstructed to obtain simple carbohydrates (e.i. glucose) and a lignin-based by-product that could be applied as a soil amendment. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of a lignin by-product application on the physical and chemical properties of soil as well as tomato yield and fruit quality. A Vertisol was used as soil medium to growth tomato under greenhouse conditions, while Vertisol, Mollisol and Ultisol were used for an open space soil medium experiment. Soils were grounded and mixed with a lignin by-product at 20:1 and 10:1 (first experiment) and 20:1, 40:1, 80:1 (second experiment) soil:lignin ratios and placed in pots. In both experiments tomato plants were planted and monitored weekly for yield components. Indicator leaves were collected to assess plant nutrition. Soil was evaluated before applications and after harvest to determine soil properties. The greenhouse experiment results showed significant differences for plant height, where plants in pots with a lignin by-product were at least 15 cm taller than control (no lignin). However, there were no significant differences on crop yield, fruit quality and biomass among treatments. In the greenhouse experiment soil physical properties were improved, including bulk density (Db), aggregate stability (AS) and volumetric water content. In the outdoor experiment AS increased as the lignin by-product concentration increased. However, no significant differences were observed in soil Db. Soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity significantly increased in soil amended with lignin by-product. In both experiments soil was enriched with Ca, S, Fe and Mn, although plants showed high levels of Mn and Fe. The results suggest that lignin by-product could be used as a soil amendment to improve physical and chemical properties of soil, and ongoing efforts are being made to further study its effects on other crops and in the field.