Eaece
ORZ N A
A Deh drated Ammonia-Base Waste Sulfite Liquor
On icro-organisms
Soils
PI • nts
W. B. Bollen
A. N. Roberts
Elmer Hansen
R. A. Pendleton
July 1955
Miscellaneous Paper 12
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
•
OREGON STATE COLLEGE •
CORVALLIS
CONTENTS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Page
1
Introduction Nature and Extent of Previous Investigations Present Investigations •
Microbial Transformations and Effects of Orzan-A in Soils. . . Experimental Method .
. ....
Sampling Method .
Analytical Methods
Results and Discussion. , ... . .
Ammonification and Nitrification.
Sulfur Oxidation .
. . . . Conclusions •
.
V.
•
.
..
•
•
•
.
.
3
3
.......
. . ......
•
. .
5
9
•
10
10
Effects of Orzan-A on the Growth and Production of Certain
Economic Crops Greenhouse Tests, 1951-52 Field Tests, 1952-53. . . . . .. • . • • Potatoes and Bush Beans.
.
21
21
24
24
Potatoe s . .
. . . .
. . .
. . 24
Bush Beans . 24
Other Crops ....... . • •
e • •
. . 25
Strawberries .
. 26
Blueberries 27
R oses and Azaleas .
. ......... . . . . 27
Chewings Fescue Sod
.....
27
Summary and Conclusions .
..... . .
. 28
• •
•
.
.
•
.....
• •
•
VI.
4
•
•
•
....
•
A
.
•
Effects of Orzan-A on Growth of Sunflowers, and on Certain
Chemical and Physical Properties of the Soil. . . . . . . . 30
Greenhouse Studies. .
. ....... . . . . . .
. 30
. .
Laboratory Studies. 32
Chemical Effects . .
... ..
32
.
32
Soil Reaction 32
Cation Exchange Capacity of Fallow Dayton and
Newberg Soils • • • •
. . 33
Available Nutrients . . . . ...... . . . . . . 33
Phy sical Effects . . . ... . . . ... .
.
. 34
Soil Moisture . ...... . . . . . . .
. 34
Aggregation Studies .
. 36
Summary and. Conclusions . . . . ... . . . .
39
•
•
•
•
•
..
4
References •
.
.
40
TABLES
Table
Page
1. Chemical Analysis of Orzan-A .. . .. . • . ..
12
2. Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Equivalents Added
to Soil in Treatments ..... . ..... .
. 13
3. Effect of Orzan-A on Microbial Numbers in Soil. .
4. Soil Respiration and Decomposition of Orzan,
Dextrose, and Sawdust as Indicated by Carbon
Dioxide Evolution in 30 Days . .
5. Oxidation of Orzan-A Sulfur Applied at 300 p.p.
Compared with Flour Sulfur at 2000 p.p.m.. . .
6. Oxidation of Orzen-A Sulfur and Flour Sulfur
Applied at 1000 p.p.m. in Oregon Soils
7. Ammonification and Nitrification of Orzan-A
8. Soil Characteristics end Transformations of
Orzen-A. Summary Table. .. .•. . • •
9. Crop Response to Orzan-A Soil Treatments in
Greenhouse. 1951-52 . . .... . .. . .
10. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate Containing
Equivalent Amounts of Nitrogen on the Yield of
Burbank Potatoes and Wade Bush Beans
. ... .
••
25
11. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate Containing
Equivalent Amounts of Nitrogen on the Growth of
Tomato, Beet, and Cabbage. 1952 (Non-replicated)
Trial
......................25
12. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate Containing
Equivalent Amounts of Nitrogen on the Growth and
Fruit Production of Marshall Strawberries Under
Field Conditions. 1952-53.. . . . . . . . . . .
26
13. Effect of Orzan-A on Fruit Production of Jersey
Blueberry Plants Under Clean Cultivation. 1952-53
27
• •
14. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate Containing Equivalent •
Amounts of Nitrogen on the Growth of Chewings Fescue Sod. 1953.28
15. Effect of Orzan and Lime on the Yield of Sunflowers Grown in
Newberg Sandy Loam and Dayton Silty Clay Loam. . . . . . .
31
16. The pH of Dayton and Newberg Soils Treated with Orzan and Lime
After One Month Incubation in a Greenhouse. . . 32
.
17. The Cation Exchange Capacity of Fallow Dayton and Newberg
Soils as Affected by Varying Rates of Orzan and Lime . . 33
18. Effects of Orzan on Available Calcium, Potassium, and
Phosphorus, and the Percentage of Organic Matter on Newberg
Sandy Loam Soil in the Greenhouse. . . . .. . . . . . .
. 34
19. Availability of Soil Moisture as Affected by Orzan and Lime
on Newberg and Dayton Soils in the Greenhouse. . . . . • 35
20. Usable Soil Moisture in Newberg and Dayton Soil in the Greenhouse
as Affected by Orzan-A and Lime .. . . . . • • . . . . 36
21. Effects of Orzan on Aggregation in Two Soils .
38
EFFECT OF ORZAN-A, A DEHYDRATED AMMONIA-BASE UWE SULFITE LIQUOR
ON PLANTS, SOILS, AND MICRO-ORGANISMS
W. B. Bollen, A. N. Roberts, Elmer Hansen, and R. A. Pendleton
Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station*
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of wood wastes in crop production and soil improvement has
been a major project at the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station for a number
of years. Various agronomic investigations have bean carried on as part of a
general program dealing with air and stream pollution in relation to agriculture
in Oregon, and much attention has been given to the increasingly serious problem
of waste sulfite liquor disposal. The recently developed ammonia-base sulfite
process for wood pulping avoids stream pollution by converting the waste liquor
into a dehydrated by-product of commercial value. This material is now produced
and marketed by the Crown-Zellerbach Corporation under the trade name "Orzan-A.**
Since a practical and ideal solution of the pollution problem is realized when
waste industrial products. can be recovered and profitably used in agriculture
and other industries, it is appropriate that the Agricultural Experiment Station
test the possible utilization of this new by-product. Therefore the Departments
of Horticulture, Soils, and Bacteriology have cooperated in conducting research
to determine the feasibility of using Orzan-A in Oregon agriculture.
NATURE AND EXTENT OF PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS
Previous studies on dolomite-base waste sulfite liquor in liquid form,
containing about 8 per cent solids, have shown that amounts equivalent to as
much as 80 tons per acre could be applied to growing plants in the greenhouse
without injury and with some apparent benefit (20). When applied in irrigation
* A cooperative project of the Departments of Horticulture, Soils, and Bacteriology, financed with the aid of a grant by the Crown-Zellerbach Corporation.
Walter M. Mellenthin, assistant horticulturist, assisted in the horticulture)
investigations. Jack C. Goertzen, graduate research fellow in soils, conducted
the investigations on growth of sunflowers in the greenhouse and on certain
chemical and physical properties of the soil. Part III of this report is based
on his thesis, "The Effect of Dried Sulfite Waste Liquor on Certain Properties
of Two Western Oregon Soils," presented March 29, 1954, to meet in part the
requirements for the M. S. degree. He contributed also to the microbial studies
on the Dayton and Newberg soils. Dr. K. C. Lu, research assistant in bacteriolog:„
assisted in the microbial investigations.
** A complete description of the physical and chemical properties of this
product can be found in Technical Bulletin 531, "Orzan," published by the Crown
Zellerbach Corporation, Industrial Products Division, North Portland, Oregon.
water to field crops, amounts up to 120 tons per acre had little effect on the
soil but the heaviest treatment was somewhat depressive to growth of certain
crops. The general conclusion from these greenhouse and field studies was that
annual applications as high as 60 tons per acre were unlikely to injure either
plants or soil and the possibility of desirable effects was not excluded (23).
Moderate amounts of the liquor applied to soil were observed to increase general
microbial activity, most of the constitutents undergoing rapid transformation (4).
About one-half of the total sulfur content was rapidly available as sulfate; waste
sulfite liquor can thus serve as a sulfur fertilizer, where the slow availability
of the sulfonic combination could be advantageous. Other plant nutrients, including nitrogen, while available and of fertilizing value, are present in only
minor concentrations in calcium- and dolomite-base waste sulfite liquors. Sulfite lignins, although resistant like all lignins, appeared more readily decomposable than many others. Soil reaction was not greatly altered, even by
heaviest treatments with the liquor; the pH was slightly lowered at first but
gradually returned to essentially the original value.
Alderfer et al (1) found that 5 tons per acre of a processed liquor containing 50 per cent dissolved solids increased the number of water-stable granules in
soil and produced excellent structure. An application of 4o to 60 pounds available
nitrogen per acre prevented serious competition between soil micro-organisms and
crop plants for mineral nitrogen during decomposition of the less resistant constituents of the waste sulfite liquor.
Sowden and Atkinson (18) in Canada found a response from sulfite waste
liquor containing added nitrogen but none from liquor which contained no nitrogen.
The effects of waste sulfite liquor on certain soil properties were reported
more recently by Sowden and Atkinson (19). They found that applications of
waste sulfite liquor increased the moisture equivalent of a sandy soil but
had little effect on this property in a clay soil. Additions of the liquor had
a direct effect of increasing the size of water-stable aggregates. There was also
a decrease in pH and an increase in the content of organic carbon.
The lignin contained in waste sulfite may influence the base exchange
capacity of the soil. McGeorge (11) found that the addition of isolated lignin
to soil increased the yield of potatoes. Calcium lignosulfonate from sulfite waste
liquor has been observed by Sanchelli (15) to increase the yield of lima beans
under certain conditions.
Compared to waste sulfite liquors in liquid form, Orzan-A has the same
evident advantage of other similar dehydrated products. It is a dry solid which
can be readily handled and transported; so its use is not limited to areas in the
vicinity of pulp and paper mills. Moreover, because it is derived from an ammoniabase liquor, its nitrogen content is relatively high and the product deserves considerati'm for fertilizing value.
PRESENT INVESTIGATIONS
The results of studies on Orzan-A at the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Sta
tion during the two-year period 1951-53 are reported in the following sections:
I. Microbial Transformations and Effects of Orzan-A in Soils.
II.
III.
.
Effects of Orzan-A on the Growth and Production of Certain Economic Crops.
Effects of Orzan-A on Certain Chemical and Physical Properties of the Soil.
PART I
MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATIONS AND EFFECTS OF ORZAN-A
W. B. Bollen, Bacteriologist
"Orzan-A" is a light-brown spray-dried powder soluble in water in all proportions. It has a composition that suggests possible use as a soil conditioner
and fertilizer, but its value may be more or less determined by its influences
upon soil micro-organisms and its transformations by them. The principal components are lignin ammonium sulfonates and sugars, each of which may directly or
indirectly cause soil aggregation. The nitrogen and sulfur analyses, although
relatively low in comparison with commercial fertilizers, show that these essential and often deficient plant food elements are present in immediately as well
as in potentially available forms. The sulfonic sulfur and that portion of the
nitrogen not alkali replaceable should be rendered available sooner or later by
decomposition of the organic constituents by soil micro-organisms. While the
C/N ratio of 15/1 appears favorable for such decomposition, the inherent resistance of lignin, by retarding its microbial alteration, could well lead to its
persistence and desirable incorporation in the humus-complex.
The sugars, on the other hand, are readily available carbon sources present in considerable proportion and, with the amount of nitrogen apparently more
than adequate for their microbial decomposition, should stimulate general microbial activity in the soil and thus indirectly benefit soil fertility. Examples of
such indirect effects include: (a) solution of soil minerals effected by respiratory carbon dioxide, (b) fixation of nitrogen by such bacteria as Clostridium
butyricum, (c) production of microbial slimes and gums as well as mold mycelia
that could improve physical condition by increasing soil aggregation, and (d)
increase in amount of dead bacterial proteins available for conjugation with resistant lignins to form the humus nucleus.
The acid character of Orzan-A is shown by the pH value of 2.8 for a 1:10
aqueous solution. At first glance, this would appear to limit its desirability
for use on acid soils and enhance its value on highly alkaline soils. However,
the equivalent acidity is slightly less than 500 p.p.m. (Table 1), and 50 pounds
of high grade limestone would neutralize one ton of Orzan-A. It is unlikely,
therefore, that applications within the range of feasibility would overcome soil
buffer capacity and decrease the pH to any marked extent.
To determine what action occurs on the major constituents of Orzan-A
when it is added to soil, and to find what effects it may have on micro-organisms
related to soil fertility, a series of laboratory experiments were made with a
number of widely different soil types. The investigation included studies on
general microbial activities in soil as shown by plate counts and carbon dioxide
evolution, and experiments on ammonification, nitrification and sulfur oxidation
as specific transformations.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
Soils used in the investigation represented 15 different soil types ranging
from sandy loam to clay adobe in . texture and from acid to strongly alkaline in
reaction. In organic matter they ranged from less than 1 per cent for Newberg
sandy loam to more than 50 per cent in Klamath peat. With few exceptions the
soil types are listed according to official soil survey classifications; soils
from areas not surveyed were texturally classified by subjective tests and were
named according to the locality from which obtained.* The soils and their prop
erties pertinent to the various experiments are listed in Table 8.
Sampling Method
Ten-pound samples of Orzan-A were taken from the center of each of two 100pound sacks, mixed and reduced to 5 pounds with a hand sample splitter. This
subsample was passed through a 20-mesh screen, mixed, and stored in a tightly
closed screw cap bottle for use as required in the laboratory. A 100-mesh
analytical sample was prepared from the 20-mesh material.
Each soil sample was a composite of approximately 50 pounds taken to a depth
of six inches from representative areas in the field. Any surface debris was
first removed. Each sample was passed through -a 10-mesh screen in the laboratory,
mixed, and stored in tightly covered enamel-lined cans. Most of the samples were
only slightly moist, but some of the heavier soils required partial air-drying
before they could be screened.
Analytical Methods
Moisture was determined as loss in weight by drying samples at 1050C. for
24 hours.
Saturation capacity of soils was calculated from the amount of water retained
by samples in Gooch crucibles wetted from below by immersion, and then allowed to
drain to constant weight in a moisture-saturated atmosphere.
Ash was determined by ignition at 900°C.; total carbon, by dry combustion
at 950°C.; total nitrogen, by the standard Kjeldahl method. Total sulfur was
gravimetrically determined as BaSO4 precipitated from a solution obtained following magnesium nitrate fusion (23). Water-soluble sulfate in Orzan-A was similarly
determined on a 1:5 aqueous solution of the sample. Sulfate in soils was estimated on 1:5 water extracts; powdered barium chloride was added to solutions
clarified as described under nitrification, diluted if necessary, and slightly
acidified with hydrochloric acid; the resulting turbidity was read on a Bausch
and Lomb monochromatic colorimeter, using a 630 mu filter, and evaluated from a
standard curve. Ammonia nitrogen was determined by distilling samples in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 (17) and titrating the distillate with N/14
H2SO4, using methylred-bromcresolgreen mixed indicator. This method includes
ammonium in free and exchangeable forms, each of which is available for
fication. Determinations for pH were made with:a glass electrode electrometer;
for mineral soils, readings were made on 1:5 distilled water suspensions from
which coarse particles were allowed to settle; a 1:20 suspension was used for the
peat soil.
Numbers of micro organisms were estimated by plating procedures. Peptone
*The unofficial soil designations used in this report are the following:
Burns clay loam, Ontario clay loam, and Vale sandy loam.
glucose acid agar was used for molds and sodium albuminate agar was employed for
bacteria and Streptomyces (8).
Respiration studies were conducted with the general apparatus and pro
cedure previously described (3). Two hundred grams of soil, water-free basis,
were used for each treatment; incubation was at 28PC. with moisture content maintained at 60 per cent of the saturation capacity. The evolved CO 2 was absorbed
in approximately 1N Na0H. Periodic determinations of the amounts evolved during
a 30-day incubation period were made by double titration, using a Beckman automatic titrator. The results provide an index of the rate and extent of decomposition of Orzan-A in comparison with other sources of organic matter.
Comparative ammonification and nitrification of Orzan-A and peptone was
studied by adding these materials at several different rates to 100-gram portions of soil and determining ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate nitrogen after 10
and 20 days' incubation in pint milk bottles. At these intervals replicate
bottles of control and treated soils were removed for analysis. Samples equivalent to 10 grams, water-free basis, were removed for ammonia determinations
by distillation from phosphate buffer solution as mentioned above. To the remaining soil, 90 grams water-free basis, distilled water was added to give 1:5
dilutions and the suspensions were shaken 30 minutes. Clear filtrates were
obtained with the aid of copper hydroxide, substituting cupric acetate for copper
sulfate in Harper's procedure (10), thus allowing sulfate determinations to be
made on the same solution. Nitrites and nitrates were determined colorimetrically, using the alpha napthylamine-sulfanilic acid method and the phenoldisulfonic acid method, respectively (21).
Oxidation of sulfur was studied by incubating 100-gram portions of soil with
added flour sulfur and with Orzan-A for 10 and 20 days and then determining sulfates turbidimetrically on 1:5 extracts prepared and clarified as described under
nitrification. The colorimetric and turbidimetric determinations were made with
a Bausch and Lomb monochromatic colorimeter, using appropriate filters and standard curves.
Incubation temperature in all cases was 28 0C. (82°P.). Where aeration
was not forced as it was in the respiration experiment, the bottles of soil
were covered with uniformly punctured caps to permit gaseous exchange. Moisture
loss was restored by weight at frequent intervals to maintain water content at
near 60 per cent of the saturation capacity, an amount considered optimum
for general microbial activity in the soil. In a few cases longer incubation
periods were used; these are indicated in the tables.
All data, except for pH, are expressed on the water-free basis. Rates of
treatment given in parts per million (p.p.m.) also are on the water-free basis
while tons per acre include moisture. Orzan-A was used at several different
rates as indicated in the tables;equivalents in the various elements concerned
are also indicated. All treatments and determinations were made in duplicate.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
As shown in Table 3 no outstanding increases or decreases in any of the
several groups of micro-organisms enumerated at 30 days, the time selected to
represent an approximate equilibrium level, resulted from the Orzan-A treatment.
Since the original soil samples were low in moisture, the incubated controls
showed higher numbers in most cases. Streptomyces, a genus of higher bacteria
which are strongly oxidative but develop slowly, are of interest because of
their ability to attack lignins. Where Orzan-A was added, their percentage
increased in the two acid soils but decreased in the moderately alkaline soil,
although in the latter case their numbers increased above those in the control.
Because the Streptomyces and certain non-sporeforming bacteria largely
responsible for lignin decomposition in the soil are relatively sensitive to
acidity, there may be some concern that Orzan-A, by lowering pH, would inhibit these organisms. Only with the highly alkaline Gooch soil, however,
was the pH of Orzan-A treated soil less than in corresponding controls by
more than 0.5. Usually the depression was only 0.2 to 0.3 pH, and similar
reductions were produced by dextrose and by sawdust. Moreover, plate counts
(Table 3), where not showing increases, showed no marked reduction in bacterial numbers or Streptomyces percentage in Orzan-A treated soils. For
liquid dolomite-base waste sulfite liquor also, it has been found that the
acidity did not retard decomposition and that the effect on soil pH was negligible (4).
Both molds and bacteria increased in the strongly alkaline soil treated
with Orzan-A, probably due to the decrease in pH. This decrease in pH is
largely attributable to CO 2 production, and the greater decreases obtained
with Orzan-A are consistent with its high content of sugars, which readily
yield CO2 on decomposition. The chemical analysis (Table I) shows that on
an equivalent basis the readily oxidizable carbon in reducing substances is
nearly five times the oxidizable sulfur. Despite the relative weakness
of CO2 as an acid, whatever effect Orzan-A has on soil reaction may be ascribed more to the sugars than to the oxidizable sulfur compounds it contains.
As with the addition of any type of more or less readily decomposable
organic matter to the soil, brief pronounced increases in molds and some
bacteria could be expected within the first few days following Orzan-A treatment. These changes were not determined by the laborious plating procedure
but were incidently indicated by CO2 evolution curves plotted from the res
piration studies.
The rate and extent of CO 2 evolution from soils is 'a measure of decomposition for native as well as for added organic matter. In the latter instance it is assumed that all CO 2 above the amount released by the untreated
soil control originates from the organic addition. This is probably true
where the organic matter additions are not excessive. Increased microbial
activity engendered by addition of 1 per cent or more of carbonaceous
material may accelerate decomposition of the native organic matter, (7) but
the effect is of minor practical importance (12). Nevertheless, soil respiration studies are important as an index of soil fertility and for indicating
the relative decomposability of different organic materials (3). The data
in Table 4 thus show that in the wide variety of soils, to which all additions were on an equivalent carbon basis, Orzan-A as a whole decomposed less
rapidly than dextrose but more rapidly than sawdust. An exce ption occurred
in Yakima fine sandy loam, where more carbon dioxide was produced from pine
sawdust than from the Orzan-A. Since nearly 20 per cent of the carbon in
Orzan-A is present in more readily decomposable reducing substances, equivalent
to 24.8 per cent calculated as glucose, and assuming the rest of the carbon
to be in lignins, a CO 2 production equivalent to more than 20 per cent of
the total carbon indicates theoretically that the excess was derived from
decomposition of lignin. On this basis, with Orzan-A equivalent to 1000 p.p.m.
carbon the added lignins were appreciably decomposed only in the Gooch and
Klamath soils. Percentage decomposition was greater when the rate of Orzan-A
treatment was doubled, so that lignin decomposition in these cases is indicated in the Medford and two Yakima soils as well as in the peat soil.
In all these instances the extent of lignin decomposition was small: the
increases of 2 to 15 over 20 per cent could indicate oxidation of only 1
to 7.5 per cent of lignin carbon. With dextrose applied at a doubled rate,
more CO2 was evolved from the dextrose but the percentage decomposition was
less.
Previous studies on dolomite-base waste sulfite liquor containing 8.28
per cent solids showed that with a rate of 10 tons of liquor per acre, equivalent to 374 p.p.m. carbon, of which 311 were in lignin, the lignin decomposition in Willamette silty clay loam soil amounted to 30 per cent in 30 days
and was complete in 300 days (4). The greater resistance of Orzan-A lignins,
especially as shown in the Willamette soil, may be a result of the dehydration process or of ammoniation. Although ammoniation would be expected to
increase decomposability by providing nitrogen for microbial assimilation,
the ammonia nitrogen combined with lignin sulfonate in Orzan-A appears almost wholly unavailable in 30 days (Table 7.
With alkali soils undetermined amounts of CO 2 could have been derived
from carbonates. However, since bicarbonates are not decomposed above
pH 5 and all Orzan-A treated soils showed pH values above this, it is un
likely that appreciable amounts of CO 2 were liberated from mineral combination. It is more probable that with the Gooch and Yakima alkali soils, the
original samples of which respectively contained 13 and 70, and 290 and 560
p.p.m., bicarbonate and carbonate carbon, that the respiration values were
low because of absorption of CO 2 by the normal carbonate (6). This effect
was small in the Yakima alkali soil but was extensive in the Gooch soil, where
the pH of the incubated control fell from 10.1 to 8.6 in 35 days. Orzan-A
treatment, producing more CO 2 , lowered the pH still more. Orzan-A lignin
could therefore have been more extensively decomposed in the Gooch soil
than is apparent from the CO 2 evolved. The other soils contained no normal
carbonate.
Although not presented, graphs representing CO 2 evolution on a cumulative basis show forms characteristic of the relative resistance of the different organic materials. The curves for dextrose rise sharply and soon approach
a slowly rising plateau indicating rapid attainment of an equilibrium level;
for sawdust they rise briefly and level off more and more slowly; Orzan-A
curves are intermediate. With different soils the graphs vary in spread
between the curves but not in their relative positions. Respiration capacity does not correlate with rate and extent of decomposition of added organic matter; within soils of the same textural class it is more indicative
of the amount and extent of decomposition of the native organic matter or
humus. The Burns clay loam soil, which showed the highest respiration, is
high in organic matter and much of this is incompletely stabilized. Organic
matter constitutes over 50 per cent of the Klamath peat, but this is extensively decomposed, and the respiration capacity of this soil, while high,
is less than for the Burns soil. Because of the more resistant nature of its
8
organic matterl amore extensive lignin-decomposing flora could be expected
in the peat soil, and this could offer an explanation for the evident decomposition of added Orzan-A lignin in this case. The more extensive decomposition of this lignin in the Gooch soil, which has a relatively low respiration capacity, may be due to a greater population of the specific bac
teria involved, many of which could not develop on the plating medium employed. On the other hand, the absence of Streptomyces on the plates would
suggest a slower decomposition.
Sawdust decomposition as indicated by CO 2 evolution was considerably
less than shown for Orzan-, except for an unusual increase with ponderosa
pine at 1000 p.p.m. carbon in Yakima soil. Distribution of the 51 per cent
total carbon in sawdust among the major constituents is approximately 25 percent in celluloses, 16 per cent in lignins, and 10 per cent in extractives,
including 2 to 5 per cent water soluble, the latter being higher in pines
than in Douglas-fir. The water-soluble constituents may be considered readily
decomposable, the celluloses less so. Whether free or combined with lignin,
celluloses are attacked more or less slowly in the soil by specific microorganisms. With Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine sawdust, CO 2 evolution during
50 days' decomposition in Chehalis silty clay loam soil could account for 60
and 70 per cent mineralization of the holocellulose, assuming little or no
lignin decomposition.* Since the lignins are most resistant, it is apparent
from Table 4 that they contributed little if any to the CO2 production in
30 days, even in those soils giving evidence of some Orzan-A lignin decomposition. Although the data are limited, they suggest that lignin in Orzan-A
is less resistant than lignins as they occur in woods. It should be useful
in building up soil humus.
Where sources of additional nitrogen were added with the sawdust, the
CO2 production in most cases was decreased or but slightly increased. This
phenomenon is commonly exhibited in soil respiration experiments. From
practical field experience it is known that decomposition of readily decomposable organic matter having a wide carbon:nitrogen ratio is favored by
adding nitrogen to adjust this ratio to approximately 20:1 (5). Under optimum conditions in the laboratory, however, the added nitrogen stimulates a
burst of microbial activity that is not long maintained. As a result the
CO2 production may soon fall below that from materials limited in nitrogen.
In effect the initial more rapid decomposition ties up the available nitrogen
as well as some carbon in resistant bacterial protein, after which decom position must proceed essentially the same as without added nitrogen and thus
becomes dependent upon repartition of that which has been assimilated. This
is usually well exhibited when sawdust and other plant residues high in
resistant constituents are added to the soil.
Addition of Orzan-A as a supplementary source of nitrogen gave results
similar to those with ammonium nitrate alone. Because of its high sugar
content Orzan-A could not be used as the sole source of added nitrogen in
adjusting the carbon:nitrogen ratio to 20:1.
* Unpublished data.
Ammonification and Nitrification
A little more than one-half of the nitrogen in Orzan-A is not distillable as ammonia with approximately 1 per cent phosphate buffer at pH 7.4.
Since plants require nitrogen as ammonia or nitrate, which in soils are produced from ammonia, it is desirable to know if the firmly held nitrogen could
be made available by soil micro-organisms. The process of ammonification of
organic nitrogenous compounds, usually proteins, involves digestion to amino
acids and subsequent oxidation-reduction to carbon dioxide, water, and ammonia.
A great variety of molds and bacteria, including Streptomyces, effect this
transformation. A few highly specific bacteria oxidize ammonia to nitrite
and others continue the oxidation to nitrate. To determine whether or not
available nitrogen could be produced from the lignin ammonium sulfonates in
Orzan-A, the ammonification and nitrification experiments set up as in Table 7
were made as described under Methods.
In all cases nitrates were derived almost entirely from the readily
distillable ammonium nitrogen. Nitrification percentage is calculated on
the basis of total nitrogen, and unless the percentage exceeds 45, as with
the Gooch soil at 100 days, no nitrates could be considered derived from
the ammonium more firmly held in the ligninsulfonates. Peptone and ammonium
sulfate were used as the usual standards for comparison. Transformations of
Orzan-A are summarized in Table 8, which includes several soils for which
detailed experimental data are not presented.
Orzan-A nitrogen, exclusive of ammonia distilled at pH 7.4, appears
highly resistant to liberation by micro-organisms. Only in the Dayton and
Newberg soils, where Orzan-A was used at low rates equivalent to 50 and 100
p.p.m. N, was any ammonification evident. Nitrification occurred in most of
the soils and was extensive in some. More nitrates were produced over a
longer time in the Gooch soil. Where nitrification was zero or very low,
Sulfur oxidation also was zero or low. The large amount of sugar in Orzan-A
probably caused these retarding effects; the micro-organisms involved are almost exclusively autotrophic bacteria, and in general these are inhibited by
relatively small amounts of water-soluble organic matter. With longer incubation periods the sugar would be decomposed and its interference thus eliminated.
Ammonification percentages as calculated are subject to error resulting
from denitrification losses and from some absorption of ammonium by, clay
minerals of the soil. Marked decreases in ammonium concentration sometimes
occur without a compensating increase in nitrates. The sum of ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate nitrogen at the close of an incubation period often falls
short of balancing the nitrifiable nitrogen present at the beginning. In
the soils treated with ammonium sulfate the recovery of ammonium at 20 days
was in many cases only 50 to 60 per cent, and the difference was usually not
made up by nitrification. It is possible that some ammonia was lost by volatilization, but such losses should have been slight because evaporation was
kept low. Assimilation of available nitrogen by micro-organisms can account
for only small amounts.
Nitrite concentrations in all cases were less than 1 p.p.m. and the
data are omitted. Transformation of ammonia to nitrite in soils is normally
less rapid than oxidation of nitrite to nitrate. In some cases ammonia will
not completely nitrify at high alkalinity. Little or no nitrate accumulated
10
in the alkali soils, except in the Gooch soil where the pH fell to 7.5 in
35 days.
Sulfur Oxidation
Sulfur oxidation in soils is a function of certain autotrophic bacteria,
usually limited to members of the genus Thiobacillus. Different species have
different favorable pH ranges, but one or more representatives of the group
are likely to be active at any pH in soils ranging from strongly acid to
highly alkaline. The transformations they effect produce sulfates as available plant food and permit the use of elemental sulfur or oxidizable sulfur
compounds to overcome soil deficiencies. High acidity produced and tolerated
by certain species also makes feasible the use of heavy applications of sulfur in the reclamation of alkali soils.
In the experiment reported in Table 4, Orzan-A equivalent to 300 p.p.m.
sulfur, exclusive of sulfate, was found to give rise to sulfates rapidly in
some soils, but slowly or not at all in others. These differences do not
correlate with differences in pH or sulfates in the original soil. Flour
sulfur, which was oxidized in all the soils, was least rapidly oxidized in
the three acid soils, in two of which sulfates were not produced from Orzan-A.
Low sulfur-oxidizing power of acid soils from the Willamette Valley has
been noted previously (9). With exception of the Burns soils Orzan-A
sulfur was oxidized more rapidly in the soils having higher pH values.
Elemental sulfur also was more rapidly oxidized in the alkaline soils. The
extremely rapid transformation in each of the Burns soils, however, shows
that pH is not the only important factor involved. Indigenous species and
strains of Thiobacillus and their adaptations are probably as important as
environmental factors.
It should be observed that approximately 7 per cent of the total sulfur
in Orzan-A occurs as sulfate. This as well as the soil sulfate shown by
controls must be subtracted from the total found in Orzan-A treated soils
at the close of incubation to calculate the sulfur oxidized.
In the second experiment Orzan-A was applied on an equivalent basis,
excluding sulfates, with flour sulfur at 1000 p.p.m. This has an apparent
advantage over the ratio used in the first series of tests, but has the disadvantage of the high proportion of sugar introduced by Orzan-A; as previously
mentioned, autotrophic bacteria are more or less inhibited by appreciable
concentrations of soluble organic matter. This influence was shown in the
nitrification study and is also evident generally in the results shown in
Table 6. In most cases sulfates were produced less rapidly with the heavier
Orzan-A application. Flour sulfur, on the other hand, was more rapidly oxidized at 2000 than at 1000 p.p.m. Over a longer time more Orzan-A sulfur is
transformed, as shown for 100 days with the Gooch soil. Orzan-A equivalent
to flour sulfur at 1000 p.p.m. closely approaches the latter in pH lowering
effect, but as previously pointed out much of this effect is probably due to
CO2 liberated in decomposition of the sugars.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Orzan-A, a dehydrated ammonia-base waste sulfite liquor, applied to soils
caused no marked changes in numbers of micro-organisms as determined by
plate counts at the close of 30 days' incubation.
11
2.
Evolution of. CO2 from Orzan-A treated soils was due chiefly to decomposition of sugars. The lignin complex was little decomposed in 30 days,
although in several soils it proved less resistant than lignin of pine
or fir sawdust.
3. The ammonium nitrogen distillable at pH 7.4 is readily nitrified, although the sugars present may be temporarily inhibitive. The remainder,
approximately one-half of the total nitrogen in the lignin ammonium sulfonates, is only very slowly liberated as ammonia and transformed to nitrate in soils.
h. Sulfur of the lignin sulfonates is oxidized to sulfate in soils at rates
generally comparable to those of flour sulfur.
5. Of the fertilizer elements in Organ-A about 45 per cent of the total nitro
gen and 7 per cent of the sulfur is readily available. The sulfonic sulfur is oxidized to available sulfate more rapidly in some soils than
others. These differences are probably due to influence of ecological
factors on the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. With few exceptions the sulfonates, as well as flour sulfur, were oxidized more rapidly in the alkaline soils.
6. Microbial transformations and effects of Orzan-A observed in different
types of soils point to the conclusion that it has direct fertilizer
values commensurate with its analysis, and that in part these values
may be enhanced by slow and thus prolonged availability. Indirect benefits can result from the sugars as a source of energy for various microorganisms and from the carbon dioxide released. The lignin can be expected to contribute extensively to formation of humus.
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Oxidation of Orzan-A Sulfur Applied at 300 p.p.
Compared with Flour Sulfur at 2000
p.
s04
it-'.„
Days
foil and treatment
20
10
0
20
10
P •P 41. P .P111. P .P.rn •
Table
Vale sandy loam
8 8
Soil only
Orzan-A * . .
Sulfur Vale sandy loam
10.5
Soil only Orzan-A .
.
.
......
Sulfur
Yakima fine sandy loam
Soil only 7.3
Orzan-A Sulfur Yakima fine sandy loam
Soil only . . . . .
9.5
Orzan P
Sulfur Chehalis silty clay lo-.
5 9
Soil only
Orzan-A Sulfur Willamette silty clay 1.am
Soil only 5 5
Orzan-A Sulfur .. .... . . . .
Burns clay loam
Soil only .7.8
Orzan-A Sulfur Burns clay lOam
10 2
Soil only
Orzan-P
Sulfur Cascade clay loam
Soil only
5 9
Orzan-A Sulfur. . . . . Ontario clay loam
Soil only ._.
Orzan-A . . . . ......
Sulfur S • idi a.
Days
20
10
%
%
8.7
8.5
7.9
8.8
8.4
7.7
65
10.7
10.7
10.3
10.5
10.3
9.8
1750
. .
.
1720
1950
2100
7.2
6.7
4.9
7.2
6.1
4.5
15
5
83
85
18
.
170
990
8
21
50
9.5
9.4
9.4
9.5
9.4
9.1
42
.
.
120
180
420
100
150
870
12
15
9
39
6.0
5.7
4.8
6.0
5.5
4.5
6
. .
.
9
14
68
17
80
95
0
3
13
4
5.5
5.3
4.7
5.4
5.2
4.3
8
. .
.
10
16
74
12
20
162
3
8
7.8
8.0
7.8
8.0
7.8
7.4
225
190
180
1530
120
160
2220
o
67
6
100
10.3
9.3
9.2
10.2
9.5
9.2
2275
2300
2300
4150
2350
2250
4370
0
93
0
100
5.7
5.9
5.4
5.6
5.7
5.2
l
3
11
48
8
187
2
9
7.9
8.1
30
33
50
22
54
7.9
6.5
7.9
6.4
.
.
. .
.
70
100
210
48
170
1o6o
74
105
640
2
3
28
1750
59
2150
92
43
19
2600
0
.
40
130
1125
Orzan-A added at 5.3 tons per acre, equivalent, on water-free basis, to 300
p.p.m S as ammonium lignin sulfonates plus 23 p.p.m. S as sulfate.
Table 6. Oxidation of Orzan-A Sulfur and Flour Sulfur
Applied at 1000 p.p.m in Oregon Soils
S oxidized-S as SO4
PH
Days
Days
Days
Soil and treatment
10
20
10
20
10
20
p.p.m.
p.p.m p-.p.
Newberg sandy loam
;
12
17
17
5.4
5.6
Soil only 5.9
185
11 10
200
5.7
5.8
Orzan-A 17 23
240
190
5.o
5.2
S ulfur .... .. . 2
Yakima fine sandy loam
3 0
7.1
7.4
7.4
Soil only . .
6.96.6
1
55
Orzan P
115
5.4
5
.2
Sulfur
.....
•
•
• •
Yakima fine sandy loam
'9 8
Soil only
Orzan-A . I,. .
Sulfur 1
Dayton silty clay loam
Soil only O
rzan-A
•
...
Sulfur 5.5
•
•
•
Ontario clay loam
Soil only Orzan-A Sulfur .
8.2
.
• •
Medford clay adobe
Soil only . .... O rzan-A .... . . Sulfur Klamath peat
Soil only
Orzan-A Sulfur 7.1
• .
8 1
Gooch fine sandy loam
• • . 10.1
Soil only . .
Orzan A x
S
ulfurx
.
.
.
.
.
• •
0
9 28
5
9.8
65
55
80
180
9.7
9.8
330
400
2
27 32
5.1
5.4
5.4
5.3
5.2
4.7
10
110
175
14
50
240
0
2
17 23
8.1
3o
5o
25
35
5.7
7.5
6.3
5.8
42
500
0
0
1 48
6.7
6.2
7.2
6.3
48
5.7
5.Ei
26
135
330
3
8
30 30
7.7
7.9
7.6
7.6
7.8
2300
2750
7.9
2500
2450
3000
300o
37 47
20 55
10
20
200
345
1850
dws
0
90
285
10.0
9.6
9.9
6.2
10
days
35
100
8.6
7.5
8.6
7.1
7.0
7.0
32
•
0
days
35
100
35 100
30
195
34
750
750
1 28
25 36
530
0 Orzan-A added at 17.6 tons per acre, equivalent, on water-free basis, to
1000 p.p.m. S as ammonium lignin sulfonates plus 77 p.p.m. S as sulfate.
x
To the Gooch soil Orzan-A was applied at 34.2 tons per acre and flour
sulfur was applied at 2000 p.p.m.
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0H
PART II
EFF TS OF ORZAN-A ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION
OF CERTAIN ECONOMIC CROPS
A.N. Roberts and Elmer Hansen, Horticulturists
In order to determine the nttritional value of Orzan-A and at the same
time detect possible stimulating or retarding effects to plant growth at
certain concentrations, a series of greenhouse and field tests were conducted
upon a wide variety of common economic plants. The greenhouse studies were
made during the winter and spring of 1951-52. The field plots were established in the spring of 1952 and were maintained through two growing seasons to
ascertain any carryover effects of the soil treatments.
GREENHOUSE TESTS, 1951-52
These preliminary experiments were conducted primarily to determine the
growth response of crop plants to various cnncentrations of Orzan-A and the
concentration of the material in the soil at which growth was definitely
retarded. The results of these rate studies were then used in designing
field trials.
Beets, carrots, cabbage, green beans, Red Creeping fescue, sunflowers,
tomatoes, and white clover were grown in No. 10 cans containing uniformly
mixed potting soil to which weighed amounts of Orzan-A were added. The
treatments were arranged in randomized blocks to facilitate statistical
analysis of the data. The rates of Orzan-A in tons per acre used on each
of the crops were 4.4, 8.8, and 17.7, with a control series receiving none.
The crops were grown for a period of from 37 to 74 days, depending on the rate
of growth of the particular plant in question. Production of plant material
(fresh weight) was used as an index of plant growth response to the Orzan-A
applications. These results are given in Table 9.
According to the data obtained, some crops are more tolerant than others
to Orzan-A. With the exception of Red Creeping fescue and white clover, no
crop was injured by Orzan-A when used at the rate of approximately 9 tons
per acre. The growth of tomato and sunflower was not siginificantly suppressed
by 18 tons per acre. The growth of fescue grass and white clover was not
affected by Orzan-A used at the rate of 4.5 tons, but double this amount was
injurious. Five tons per acre appeared to be a safe amount for all crops
grown under the conditions of this experiment, which would probably be more
than would be economically feasible for field applications. Other tests made
with sunflower plants grown on a sandy soil and a clay soil respectively indicate that higher concentrations of Orzan-A could be used without injury
where lime was applied in combination.
In the case of green beans, tomatoes, cabbage, and sunflower, there was
significant increased production of plant material from applications of 4.4
tons per acre of Orzan-A.
Table 9. Crop Response to Orzan-A Soil Treatments
in Greenhouse 1951-52
Crop
Average pot yield of fresh material
---
--Fruit
or
Plant tops
roots
Grams
Grams
Length of
test
Tons /are
Carrots
(Chantenay)
73 days
tt
None
4.41
8.83
5.78
7.38
6.42
17.66
No Growth
L.S.D.* C 5%
Green Beans
(Tendergreen)
63
days
it
28.34
33.86
16.96
None
4.41
8.83
17.66
No Growth
L.S.D. C 5%
Beets
(Detroit Dark
Red)
56
days
L.S.D.
Red-Creeping
Fescue
74
days
ff
I,
5%
57 days
H
8.83
17.66
%
3 .0
150.38
178.23
164.88
140.48
None
4.41
8.83
17.66
L.S.D.
*L.S.D. least significant difference
2 .17
38.0
30.8
24.2
3.9
None
4.111
L.S.D. C 5
Tomatoes
(Stokesdale
4.59
12.73
12.5j.
14.73
0.87
None
4.41
8.83
3.7.66
11
F-Value
Not significant
11.04
10.64
9.72
4.97
No Growth
1408
30.8
34.1
12.1
No Growth
4.52
Table 9. (Continued
Crop
Length of
test
Average pot yield of fresh material
Orzan-A
• a.
To ns ac re
White
Clover
days
53
tt
ft
46.48
47.85
8.53
No Growth
None
4.41
8.83
17.66
tt
L.S.D.
Cabbage
(Golden Acres
days
37
5%
None
ft
4.41
tf
8.83
17.66
days
4o
It
It
tt
3.62
88.9
96.8
94.4
43.2
L.S.D. 7© 5%
Sunflower
Plant tops
^
Grams
11.35
134.6
155.7
186.5
139.8
None
4.41
8.83
17.66
L.S.D. * 5% F-Value
Not significant
* L.S.D. - least significant difference
Fruit or roots
Grams
24
FIELD TESTS, 1952-53
Tests with certain annual and perennial herbaceous plants and with some
woody shrubs were made over a 2-year period, 1952-53. These experiments were
conducted on a fairly uniform block of Chehalis silty clay loam soil. Irr
gation was used to supplement normal rainfall and to maintain optimum
soil moisture conditions for plant growth. The crops used in these field
tests included beets, bush beans, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes as annual
herbaceous plants; strawberries as a herbaceous perennial; Chewings fescue
as a perennial grass; and as woody shrubs, blueberries, azaleas, and roses.
The primary purpose of these field tests was to compare the fertilizer
value of Orzan-A used at several rates with that of a standard commercial
fertilizer containing an equivalent amount of available nitrogen. Ammonium
sulfate was used as a measure of comparison. In most cases the plots were
maintained for two growing seasons but without additional Orzan-A or fertilizer
treatment the second year in order that carryover effects could be ascertained.
Potatoes and bush beans
In this experiment the individual plots were 7 feet by 12 feet. In 1952,
Burbank 'potatoes were planted on these plots in rows 3 1/2 feet apart.
The following year Wade bush beans were planted on the same areas in rows
28 inches apart. Unplanted border areas 6 feet in width were maintained
around each plot. The plots were arranged in a randomized block with each
treatment replicated 5 times.
Soil treatment consisted of 1 and 2 tons of Orzan-A per acre with 70 and
140 pounds of nitrogen as ammonium sulfate used for comparison. Control plots
receiving no treatment completed the series. The Orzan-A and ammonium
sulfate were applied over the surface of the plot area receiving the
treatment, and were rototilled into the surface 6-8 inches of soil before the
crop was planted.
Potatoes: The first year (1952), Burbank potatoes were planted on
these plots in rows 3 1/2 feet apart; the hills were 1 foot apart in the
row. Fairly uniform stands were obtained on all plots. Following maturity
the plots were harvested and the number of hills and total weight of
crop per plot recorded. These results are given in Table10 as average yield
per hill in ounces.
As a result of variation between replications in the experiment no
significant difference was found between the several treatments. There is
some indication that the 1-ton rate of Orzan-A increased yield somewhat but
this is not supported statistically.
Bush Beans: In order to determine possible carryover effects of
Orzan-A applications into the second growing season, these same plots were
planted to Wade bush beans in 1953. The beans were planted in 4 rows 28
inches apart and two inches apart in the row. Excellent stands of
plants were obtained, and, by thinning, the finalnumber of plants per plot
was fairly uniform. The crop was harvested in three pickings with as near
the same maturity as possible. The average total crop in pounds per plot is
given in Table10 with a statistical evaluation. As in the preceding year none
of the soil treatments significantly increased crop yield. Although the Orzan-A
plots in the field appeared to have a greener appearance and in some cases made
somewhat more growth, this response was not measurable in increased crop yield.
Table 10. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate
Containing EquivaLent Amounts of Nitrogen on the Yield
of Burbank Potatoes and Wade Bush Beans
Treatment 1952
Amount per acre
Potato crop 1952
Average per hill
Ounces
Bean crop 1953
Average per plot.
Pounds
35.2
34.5
2 tons Orzan-A
30.2
32.9
Control
26.2
30.8
70 lbs. of nitrogen as
(N114 )00425.2
31. 8
140 lbs. of nitrogen as
(N114)2SO4
26.0
1 ton Orzan-A
L.S.D. 5
(3.5% N)
5
L.S.D. 1%
28.6
F'-value
2.9
Not sig.
4.0
Other crops
A non-replicated experiment comparing the effects of Orzan-A and ammonium
sulfate on the growth and yield of tomato, beet, and cabbage was also, included
in the 1952 studies. The rows receiving the treatments were in close proximity
to one another so that soil variation could not have been excessive and yet the
rows were probably far enough apart to avoid border and fertilizer drift effects.
These data are presented in Table ll for what supporting value they may have in
ascertaining growth response to Orzan-A applications.
Table 11. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate
Containing Equivalent Amounts of Nitrogen on the Growth of
Tomato, Beet, and Cabbage
1952 (Non-replicated) Trial
Treatment
Amount per acre
Tomato
Weight per row
ounds
1/2 ton Orzan-A (3.5%N) 399
" 447
1 ton Orzan-A
Control
455
70 lbs. of nitrogen as
(N114)2SO4
482
Weight per beet
Ounces
6.5
8.0
5.6
8.6
Cabbage
Weight per head
Pounds
2.9
2.8
1.9
3.0
A temporary stimulation of growth and deeper green leaf color of the
tomato plants was observed after planting. These effects were probably due
to the nitrogen contained in the Orzan-A, since plants which had received
equivalent amounts of nitrogen as ammonium sulfate showed comparable effects.
However, no pignificant differences in yield of fruit were found. The size
of beet and cabbage head was apparently increased by Orzan-A and by equivalent
amounts of nitrogen as ammonium sulfate. It appeared that the immediate respoage obtained from Orzan-A was probably due to the nitrogen contained.
Strawberries: A randomized block of Marshall strawberry plots was planted
in the spring of 1952. The size of these plots was 7 feet by 12 feet and each co/
tained 30 plants spaced 3 feet by 3 feet apart. A uniform stand of plants was
maintained on all plots.
Orzan-A at the rate of 1/2, 1, and 2 tons per acre was applied before
planting. Equivalent amounts of nitrogen in the form of ammonium sulfate at
rates of 35, 70, and 140 pounds of nitrogen per acre were applied to other
plots. Control plots receiving no fertilizer treatment were included also.
The required amount of Orzan-A or ammonium sulfate was applied to the soil
surface of the entire plot area to be treated and was rototilled into the
surface 6-8 inches of soil before the plants were set. Each treatment was
replicated 5 times at random over the planted area
Growth response to treatment the first year was measured in terms, of
runner production. Runner production has been found to be closely associated
with general vigor of the strawberry plant and its ability to produce fruit.
Fruit yield data were obtained also the second year (1953). A summary of both
runner production and fruit yield are given in Table 12.
Table 12. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium Sulfate
Containing Equivalent Amounts of Nitrogen on the Growth
and Fruit Production of Marshall Strawberries Under
Field Conditions. 1952-53
Treatment
Amount per acre
1952
1/2 ton Orzan-A (3.5% N)
1 ton Orzan-A
2 tons Orzan-A
Control
35 lbs. of nitrogen as (NH4) 004
70 lbs. of nitrogen as (NH4)
2SO4
140 lbs.of nitrogen as (NH4) 2SO4
L.S.D. 5%
L.S.D. 1%
Average fruit
Average number
zUnners per plot Inoduction per plot
1953
1952
Pounds
454.o
17.9
17.0
484.6
17.4
543.4
20.1
548.6
17.0
460.0
16.0
468.4
18.1
470.8
F-value
F -value
Not sig.
Not sig.
There was no significant difference between treatments in runner production the first year or in fruit production the second year. As in the
case of the tomato crop, a temporary stimulation of growth and deeper green
leaf color of the strawberry plants was observed shortly after planting
where Orzan-A or ammonium sulfate had been applied, but this was not measurable as increased runner or fruit production.
27
Blueberries: The individual plots planted to blueberries consisted of
8 plants of the Jersey variety planted in 2 rows on an area 5 feet by 12
feet. As in the case of the other plots described the Orzan-A treatment
was applied and worked into the soil before planting. The plots were arranged
in a randomized block with 6 replications of 2 treatments: 1 ton per acre of
Orzan-A and a series receiving no Orzan. No noticeable growth response was
observed the first year. The second year (1953) same fruit was produced on
all plants and a record was taken of the yield. The data obtained are given
in Table 13. There was no measurable increase in the average fruit yield
from the Orzan-A treatment.
Table 13. Effect of Orzan-A on Fruit Production
of Jersey Blueberry Plants Under Clean Cultivation
1952-53
Treatment
Amount per acre
Total fruit production
(Average - 6 plots)
Pounds
1 Ton Orzan (3.5% N)
4.4
Control
4.4
Least significant difference 5%
Least significant difference 1%
F-value
Not significant
Roses and azaleas: Plots similar to those planted to blueberries were
also planted to Golden Dawn roses and Mollis azaleas. A series of plots in
both blocks received 1 ton of Orzan-A per acre and a series of untreated
controls were included for comparison. In each of 2 years careful observation showed no difference in growth or flowering that could be attributed
to the Orzan-A added to the soil.
Chewings Fescue Sod: There was some indication in greenhouse studies
that Orzan-A added to the soil in moderate amounts might be advantageous
in seed germination:and early seedling growth. To explore this possibility
further and. to determine What effects Orzan-A placed in the surface soil
might have in establishing and maintaining grass sods, a series of grass
plots were established'in 1953•
This experiment was of randomized-block design with 4 replications of
7 treatments. The individual plots within each block were approximately
1/100 acre in size (432 square feet). Each plot was surrounded by a 4-foot
border that was not treated. Before seeding, Orzan-A at the rate of 1, 2, or
4 tons to the acre was applied to the soil surface of the plot receiving each
treatment and the material mixed in the surface 3-inches of soil. At the
same time ammonium sulfate at the rate of 285, 570, and 1140 pounds per acre
was used to supply an equivalent amount of nitrogen as the 1- 1 2-, and 4-ton
rates of Orzan-A. The ammonium sulfate was likewise mixed with the surface
3-inches of soil. A series of plots receiving no treatment were included
for comparison. Chewings fescue grass seed was then broadcast on June 12 at
the rate of 60 pounds per acre over the whole area and covered lightly with a
harrow and roller. The plots were irrigated. several times during germination
28
of the seed and at approximotely 2-week intervals throughout the summer months.
On September 1 and again on September 19 the grass was clipped and weighed
immediately. The average fresh weight of the clippings from the four replications of each treatment with a statistical evaluation of the total for both
clippings is given in Table 14.
Both the Orzan-A and ammonium sulfate increased the production of plant
material over that of the controls in all treatments used, with the possible
exception of the 1-ton rate of Orzan-A. However, it is significant that an
equivalent amount of nitrogen in the form of ammonium sulfate produced more
grass than did the 2- and 4-ton rates of Orzan-A. This may be attributed
partly to slow availability of approximately one-half of the nitrogen in
Orzan-A, as demonstrated in the ammonification and nitrification studies. (p.9)
It is also possible that much of this difference was due to the noticeably poorer
stand of seedlings where large amounts of Orzan-A in the surface soil caused
excessive crusting to take place. This appeared to prevent seedling emergence
in some. areas. In no case, however, did Orzan-A at the rates used show a
growth response greater than that of an equivalent amount of nitrogen in
ammonium sulfate.
Table 14.. Effect of Orzan-A and Ammonium
Sulfate Containing Equivalent Amounts of Nitrogen on
the Growth of Chewings Fescue Sod. 1953
First clipping
Fresh weight
Avg. per plot
Sept. 1
Pounds
Treatment
Amount per acre
Second clipping
Fresh weight
Avg. per plot
Sept. 19
Pounds
.5
1 ton Orzan-A(3% N
Total
Fresh weight
per plot
Pounds
12.0
2 tons Orzan-A
"
19.0
5.0
24.0
4 tons Orzan-A
"
20.2
10.2
30.4
3.o
.3
3.3
285 lbs. (NH4) 2 SO4(21%N) 15.5
2.8
18.3
Control
570 lbs. (NH4)2SO4
I/
34.0
6.9
40.9
1140 lbs. (NH4)2504
tl
40.5
8.7
49.2
L.S.D. 5%
11.3
L.S.D. I%
15.4
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The effects of Orzan-A on the growth and production of certain economic
crops was studied over a period of two years, 1951-53• In these studies both
field and greenhouse tests were used to determine the response of annual,
perennial, and woody plants to various concentrations of Orzan-A incorporated
in the soil in which the crop was grown. In certain experiments a comparison
was made between crop response to various rates of Orzan-A and to that of
ammonium sulfate applications containing equivalent amounts of nitrogen.
The results of these tests indicate that Orzan-A can be, applied to soils
at the rate of five tons per acre without danger of injury to most crops. On
certain annual and herbaceous perennial crops Orzan-A used at the rate of onehalf to two tons per acre stimulates growth and improves leaf color. This
effect appears to be due to the nitrogen contained in the product, since
similar results were obtained from equivalent amounts of nitrogen applied
as ammonium sulfate. This improved growth and leaf color are reflected in
increased production of plant material in the case of grass and certain
herbaceous vegetable plants but not in the case of strawberries and
certain woody plants. In all cases equivalent amounts of nitrogen in
the form of ammonium sulfate gave as good or better growth response with the
crops studied.
It appeared th t Orzan-A has some carryover effects into the second
growing season following application with some crops. However, this growth
response was too small to be of much significance.
On the basis of these investigations, it appears that Orzan-A can be
used at rates as high as L tons per acre.on most crops without detrimental
effects and in some cases with beneficial growth response. The principal
benefits to be derived by most crops would be from the nitrogen and sulfur
contained in the product. This means that the material if used as a fertilizer
would be in direct competition with other nitrogen carriers.
PART III
EFFECTS OF ORZAN-A ON GROWTH OF SUNFLOWERS, AND ON
CERTAIN CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOIL
R. A. Pendleton, Soil Scientist
Possible fertilizing and amendment values of Orzan-A were investigated
on two Oregon soils: Newberg sandy loam, representative of a light-textured
soil, and Dayton silty clay loam, representative of a heavy-textured soil.
Both are alluvial soils, slightly to moderately acid. Bulk samples of the
surface six inches were obtained from the field for use in greenhouse and
laboratory studies. The investigations covered the effect of Orzan-A on
growth of sunflowers in the greenhouse; the effects on soil reaction, cation
exchange capacity, and available calcium, phosphorus, and potassium; and
effects on soil moisture and aggregation.
GREENHOUSE STUDIES
Ninety-six one-gallon cans were prepared for treatments of 0, 1, 5, and
10 tons per acre of Orzan-A and like treatments of lime in all combinations.
Treatment rates were calculated on the 12f;.sis of 2,000,000 pounds of soil per
acre. There were six replications of each treatment. Forty-eight of these
were left fallow for soil studies and forty-eight were planted to sunflowers
for yield data. Sunflowers were grOwn for forty-one days, then harvested.
The fallow pots were incubated for a similar period and then the soil re,–
moved and dried for preparation in laboratory analysis. Supplemental to the
Orzan-A treatments in the pots with sunflowers, the following nutrients were
added:
Nutrient
N
n •n
P205
K20
Ca
Mg
S
Total Nutrient Supplements Added to
Sunflowers in the Greenhouse
Soil
Newberg
430 lbs/A
1232
612
184
15
126
Dayton
488 lbs/A
1397
694
208
16.96
142
In addition to these greenhouse pot studies, use was made of some field
plots previously treated by the Horticulture Department in order to study the
chemical changes related to certain ions.
Where sunflowers were grown in greenhouse pots, observations showed
plainly that when Orzan-A was used at the 5-ton per acre and 10-ton per acre
rates there was a definite cru3t form-tion on the soil surface as it tended to
become dry. This greatly interfered with emergence of the seedlings. Eknergence
was accomplished by frequent watering to keep the surface moist. No measurements
were made of the degree or hardness of this crust, since it was not part of the
proposed project.
Yield data are given in table 15.
Table 15. Effect of Orzan and Lime on the Yield of Sunflowers
Grown in Newberg Sandy Loam and Dayton Silty Clay Loam
Yield per _pot
Newberg sandy loam
Lime treatment per acre
Tons
0 tons
Grams
16.63
18.68
0
1
5
10
17.15
18.65
Mean
1_7_. 78
Orzan treatment per acre
10 tons
5 tons
1 ton
Grams
Grams
Grams
16.37
17.96
17.96
12.45
15.03
18.53
10.80
17.66
17.43
15.31+
14.23
Mean
Grams
14.06
17.33
Dayton silty day loam
0
1
5
10
Mean
18.51
18.11
17. 4 5
21.58
19.00
17.25
20.60
17.12
17.95
19.45
2.13
Newberg LSD 1%
Newberg LSD 5% = 1.56
19.11
22.40
20.58
13.73
17.37
22.40
20.96
14.87
18.38
18.71
19. 2 4
18.31
19.64
16.99
Dayton LSD 1% = 4.16
LSD 5% = 3.10
The data for yields on Newberg soil indicate a reduction in sunflower yield
for the 5-ton per-acre and 10-ton per acre ratesc.ofJOrzan-A alone. The addl.,
tion of lime in either the 1-ton per acre or 5-ton per acre rate seemed to off
set the depressing effect of the Orzan-A. There are insufficient data to evalu
ate the combination of 10 tons lime with Orzan-A.
The yields secured on the Dayton soil indicate no effect of Orzan-A alone
up to 5 tons per acre but a reduction in yield occurred when the 10-ton rate was
used. Lime in 1 ton or more rate seemed to offset this depressing effect.
Due to liberal additions of N, P205, K20, Ca, Mg, and S, no evaluation
was possible as to-the value of these elements in the Orzan-A.
32
LABORATORY STUDIES
Chemical effects
Soil reaction: Determinations of soil reaction were made by a Beckman
pH meter on a 1:1 soil suspension. In this study the effect of the Orzan
and lime combination of treatments is given in Table 16.
Table 16. The pH of Dayton and Newberg Soils Treated with Orzan and Lime
After One Month Incubation in a Greenhouse
Newberg sandy loam
Lime treatment
i Pr Sage
Tons
0
1
5
10
Mean
0 tonsPH
Orzan treatment per acre
10 tons
5 tons
1 ton
pH
pH
PH
5.15
5.39
6.11
6.43
6.))
6.97
7.19
6.50
6.0
5.00
4.68
5.)0
I 6. 93
5.02
i 7.08
5.87
6.88
] 6.1h
5.61
Mean
PH
5.06
5.77
6.7o
7.05
Dayton silty clay loam
0
1
5 .0 7
5.69
5
6.2
7.20
10
Mean
6.12
4. 9 3
5 .45
6. 3 9
4.85
7.17
7.15
4.81
4.97
5.11
5.20
5.99
5.91
5.02
5.32
6.3o
4-.92
5.36
6.08
6.68
The soil reaction as measured by pH was made slightly more acid by
Orzan-A additions. Ten tons per acre of Orzan-A in the Newberg soil
lowered the pH about 0.7 pH and in the Dayton by about 0.3 pH. Similar
but less marked changes occurred with lower rates of Orzan-A. One ton of
lime per acre was more than adequate to offset the acid effect of 5 tons of
Orzan-A but not sufficient to offset the acid effect of 10 tons.per acre
of Orzan-A. No accurate data were obtained to determine the exact amount of
lime required to neutralize the acidic effect of a definite amount of Orzan-A.
Spulnik and others (20) working with Newberg loam soil found that sulfite
waste liquor lowered the pH similar to this for a temporary period but
after incubation the condition was reversed. Stephenson and Bollen (23) found
no consistent change in pH of Chehalis silt loam soil due to sulfite waste
liquor up to 120 tons per acre (1 ton solids) each year for 5 years. Other
workers have found a tendency for a slight lowering of soil pH with heavy
rates of sulfite waste liquor.
33
Cation exchange capacity of fallow Dayton and Newberg soil: The cation
exchange capacity of the soil was determined by saturating the collad with
ammonia from ammonium acetate and then displacing the ammonia with dilute
hydrochloric acid add titrating the ammonia from the resulting ammonium
chloride, a method adopted from Schollenberger and Simon (16). Results are
shown in Table 17.
Table 17, The Cation Exchange Capacity of Fallow Dayton and Newberg Soils
as Affected by Varying Rates of Orzan and Lime
Lime treatment per acre
Tons
0
1
5
10
Mean
0
1
5
Cation exchange capacity in milligrams per 100 grams of soil
Newberg sandy loam
Orzan treatment per acre
Mean
10 tons
5 tons
1 ton
0 tons
mg.
mg.
mg.
mu.
mg.
17.11
18.10
17.00
16.70
16.65
17.40
18.10
17.20
17.10
17.20
17.110
18.40
17.80
17.50
15.90
18.11
18.50
18.33
17.50
16.81
Mean
17.58
18.28
21,80
22.50
20.75
Dayton silty clay loam
24.05
20.10
20.05 25.12
21.70
20.90
25.90
22.65
21.90
25.90
24.20
21.00
21.15
20.96
19.55
10
17.10 1
22 .16
20.94
22.38
23.24
22.96
25.24
A small increase in cation exchange capacity was noted for both soils.
In the Dayton soil the increase was considerably more marked than in the
Newberg soil. The addition of lime showed a trend toward increasing the
effectiveness of the Orzan-A, which would be expected by making the reaction
more suited to decomposition of the Orzan.
No evaluation was made of this increase in cation exchange capacity.
Available nutrients: For this study soils previously treated by the
Horticulture Department were used to measuie the effect of Orzan-A in 0, 3,
15, and 30 ton per acre rates on the availability of phosphorus, potassium,
and calcium, in a Newberg sandy loam soil. Phosphorus was determined by
the Truog-Meyer method (24), potassium by the Piper method (13) and calcium
by AOAC method (2). Sampling was done under two conditions, one where radishes had been grown and one where sunflowers had. been grown. Results are
shown in Table 18.
Table 18. Effects of Orzan on Available Calcium, Potassium, and Phosphorus,
and the Percentage of Organic Matter on Newberg Sandy Loam Soil
In the Greenhouse
Crop:
Orzan per acre
Tons
Calcium
ppm
0
3
5675
5345
15
30
5185
4976
2298
2.247
2223
2132
N.S. (2)
N .S.
N.S.
N.S.
LSD 1%
LSD 5%
Potassium
PPm
Crop:
0
4.6
23
46
LSD 1%
LSD 5%
Radishes
Phosphorus
PPm
932
899
912
787
Organic
Matter
per cent
6.20
6.76
7.28
8.89
129.65
90.24
0.5563
0.3872
Sunflower
4935
4865
4865
428;
2098
832
2116
22P8
2203
76 8
842
770
6.28
6.60
7.90
9.13
N .S.
N .S.
N.S.
N.X.
N .S.
N.X.
0.5345
0.3720
These results are not typical of the Newberg sandy loam soil, since a
location was selected which had been treated with a very large amount of leaf
mold which raised the organic matter content far above that of an average
Newberg soil.
Treating with Orzan-A did not significantly influence the-availcbility of
potassium or calcium as measured here. The heaviest rate of Orzan caused a
slight depression in available P 00- out not at the 15 ton or lower rate.
5'
Physical effects
Soil moisture: Moisture equivalent data were obtained by centrifuge
method as outlined by Piper (13) and ,12.e wilting pcint was estimated by
using the 15 atms. percentage point obtained from pressure membrane data
according to the method outlined by Richnrds (14). in addition, a few
wilting point determinations were made by growth of sunflowers. These
appeared to agree well with the 15 atms. figure and hence it is assumed
that the pressure membrane figures are adequate for wiling point data. Figures
for all treatments are shown in Table 19 and the available moisture supply shown
separately in Table 20.
35
Table 19. Availability of Soil Moisture as Affected by Orzan
and Lime on Newberg and Dayton Soils in the Greenhouse
---- Newberg sandy loam
Treatment
15 Atmos- Available
M.E.
moisture
phere
Lime
Orzan
by
difference)
per acre per acre
Per cent
Per cent Per cent
Tons
Tons
6.59
14.78
0
8.19
5.36
14.20
8.84
1
4.02
9.91
13.93
5
0
j 15.06
11.21
10
3.85
6.83
1
8.5o
0
15.33
6.32
9.84
I 16.16
1
4.87
1
1 14.17
5
9.30
1
5
10
1
5
5
5
5
lo
10
5
10
10
10
0
0
15.90
14.28
17.27
15.15
j 17.30
t 15.74
15.87
8.27
6.52
9.36
16.42
8.58
0.03
14.30
10.16
14.46
4.14
1.39
15.85
9.73
10.54
11.98
6.01
8.75
5.79
0.88
7.16
Plants
Died
Dayton silty clay loam
0
30.01 0
30.87
o
1
30.31
0
5
0
30.98
10
1
23.59
0
30.56
a.
1
1
28.44
5
1
18
29.93
0
29.146
5
1
r)
30.23
2.3.9u
5
5
30.03
5
10
29.06
10
0
s10
1
29.72 10
28.60
5
10
10
30.24
11,99
16.39
15.98
14.10
17.57
14.89
16.21
11.66
13.13
1.37
22.86
12.58
12.35
13.02
23.31
11.46
13.29
13.48
18.46
10.66
16.93
17.4)
16.u,
7.07
16J3
17.143
15.94
6.77
17.60
16.43
15.12
11.78
*P.W.P. Permanent wilting point by the sunflower method.
19.32
36
Table 20 Usable Soil Moisture in Newberg and Dayton Soil in the
Greenhouse as Affected by Orzan-A and Lime
Per cent of available moisture
Newberg sandy loam
Lime treatment per/A
Tons
0
1
5
10
Mean
0 Tons
Per cent
Orzan treatment per acre
10 Tons
1 Ton
5 Tons
Per centPer cent
Per cent
6.59
6.83
6.01
7.16
5.36
6.32
8. 75
----
4.02
4.87
5.79 '
4.14
6.65
5.11
4.7 0
3.85
0.03
0.88
1.39
Mean
Per cent
4.95
4.51
. 5.36
4.23
1.54
Dayton silty clay lor..m
0
1
5
10
Mean
16.39
16.93
16.88
17.60
14.89
17.43
17.43
16.43
15.94
15.12
-
10.66
7.07
6.77
11.78
1 6.9 5
16.54
15.83
9.07
'
16.21
16.07
14.54
14.37
14.25
15.23
The data indicate that Orzan-A tends to depress the available or usable
moisture in both soils. In the Dayton soil rates of 5 tons per acre or less
show only a slight and provably not significant depression but the 10-ton per
acre rate rather markedly reduced the supply of moisture.
In the Newberg soil the reduction in supply of available moisture was
extreme at the 10-ton per acre rate and rather striking at the 5-ton per acre
rate. In this Newberg soil the effect of the 10 tons per acre of Orzan-A
was shown in a very marked rise in percentage moisture held at the 15 atmosphere pressure with no corresponding increase in the M. E.
Some tests of permanent wilting point by growing sunflowers indicate that
the 15 atmosphere method was essentially reliable.
Aggregation studies: Water stable aggregate analyses of the soil were
made on air dried samples which were passed through 1/4 mesh screen, then
washed in auest of three screens by vertical agitation over a stroke of 1-1/4
inches at about 30 r.p.m. Screen sizes were 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 millimeter
openings. Date were obtained of the per cent of the sample held on each
screen after 30 minutes of agitation. Results of these tests are shown
in Table 21.
In the Newberg soil there was a rather marked increase in aggregation as
37
measured by the 1.0 and 0.5 m.m. screen sizes, with all Orzan treatments. The
5-ton per acre rate was considerably more effective than 1-ton per acre but
the 10-ton per acre rate was not any more effective than 5 tons per acre.
The 5 tons per acre and 10 tons per acre treatments showed a slight reduction in aggregates of the 0.25m.m. size in this soil.
In. the Dayton soil there was evidence of a slight increase in aggregates of the 1.0 m m. size from the 5-ton and 10-ton rates of Orzan-A, but
results for the smaller sized aggregates were inconclusive.
38
Table 21. Effects of Orzan on Aggregation in Two Soils
Lime treatment
per acre
Tons
Percentage of soil held on different screen sizes
Orzan treatment per acre
Mean
5 tons 10 tons
1 ton
0 tons
Per
cent
Per
cent
Per
cent
Per cent Per cent
Part A. Newberg soil.
0
1
5
10
Mean
1.8
2.9
2.6
2.1
4.8
3.4
3.1
15.1
15.0
2 .3 5
3.77
15.25
5.3
5.9
7.8
6.8
0
1
5
10
Mean
6.30
16.1
14.8
14.4
7.3
8.88
20.1
19.0
14.1
13.9
10.6
8.95
8.8o
8.10
9.o
8.63
11.90
Part B. Newberg Soil.
15.6
10.7
8.6
Screen Size 1.0 mm.
18 .2 9
Screen Size 0.5 mm.
15.6
15.6
14.1
16.0
11.8
10.8
12.65
13.93
15.33
Part C. Newberg Soil. Screen Size 0.25 mm.
'45.9
4i.6
47.3
0
1
5
10
43.9
Mean
44.66
0
29.8
1
5
27.1
22.6
20.7
10
Mean
25.05
12.7
13.1
15.6
24.7
0
1
5
10
Mean
16.53
38.4
36.7
36.7
36.8
37.1
38.35
36.83
38.6
39.4
37.0
45.1
40.4
47.5
44.33
Part D. Dayton Soil.
35.0
29.9
19.3
27.4
35.0
24.0
20.9
27.3
29.15
255
Part E. Dayton Soil.
18.7
17.3
24.1
18.0
17.8
17 . 3
21.1
20.3
20.43
18.23
16 .69
18. 50
17 .148
42.15
39.8
Screen Size 1.0 mm.
19.2
28.48
40.9
48.2
1.5
28.68
32.1i5
27.6
37.45
Screen Size 0.5 mm.
17.3
18.7
17.9
20.4
16.5
18.48
17.15
21.63
18.58
Part F. Dayton Soil. Screen Size
18.7
15.5
18.8
12.2
0
16.7
21.3
17.0
17.9
1
1
6.2
16.8
17.3
17.6
5
18.0
16.3
15.7
20.2
10
Mean
41.58
39.53
17.40
0.25 mm.
16.3
18.23
18./48
17.55
39
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence in this study with sunflowers grown under greenhouse
conditions that any improved growth or yield could be anticipated on Newberg
sandy loam or Dayton silty clay loam soils from additions of Orzan-A in rates
of 1 to 10 tons per acre. However, any effect of the contained nutrients NI
P205 , K2 0, Ca, Mg, or S, would have been nullified by liberal additions of
these elements.
Orzan-A in the amounts used tended to increase the soil acidity. At the
lower rate the increase amounted to about 0.5 pH unit for the Newberg soil and
somewhat less for the Dayton soil. Higher rates caused more change in pH.
The change in pH was more than offset by 1 ton per acre of limestone, but
no measurements were made as to the amount required to offset the acidic
properties.
Measurements of the effect of Orzan-A on the cation exchange capacity (CEC)
of these two soils showed an upward trend with increasing rates of Orzan-A.
With the 10-ton per acre rate the CEC of the Newberg soil was increased an
average of about 9 per cent over the check and in the Dayton soil the increase
was about 19 per cent over the check. No evaluation was made as to whether
these values were significant.
The measurements of available nutrients were on a sample of soil not
typical of Newberg. In the sample u5ed there was no evidence of any appreciable change in the availability of ca]clum or potassium at any of the rates
of Orzan used. Up to 15 tons per acre of Orzan caused no change in available phosphorus but 30 tons per acre did cause a depression.
Available moisture in both the Newberg and Dayton soils was markedly
reduced by Orzan-A at 10 tons per acre, and in the Newberg soil 5 tons per
acre showed a slight reduction in usable moisture.
Aggregation as measured by 1.0 mm. and 0.5 mm. sizes was improved by
rates of Orzan up to 5 tons per acre. However, this improved aggregation
was not reflected in any improved plant growth or moisture availability.Apparently, it likewise did not prevent the formation of a crust condition,
occasioned possibly by migration of the Orzan-A to the soil surface.
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