Long-term application of organic matter based fertilisers: Advantages or risks for soil biota? A review

摘要

The addition of organic matter rich materials to agricultural soil is currently a common practice to improve its quality and fertility. However, the input of organic matter rich waste materials into soils significantly impacts ecosystem functions. The potential contamination of soil by various chemical compounds is one of the many risks that should be taken into account. Recent environmental studies have assessed the introduction of potentially hazardous compounds from pharmaceutical and personal care products, heavy metals, and other sources. This review summarizes knowledge concerning the influence of long-term soil fertilisation on soil biota, with special attention to soil nematodes. The interaction between fertilisers and soil organisms is highly complex. Nematode communities can be used as an ecosystem assessment tool to provide a holistic measure of the biotic and functional status of soils. However, extensive investigation of nematode interaction with the affected soil, and the physicochemical characteristics of the soil, should elucidate their role as one of the components in the feedback cycle controlling ecosystem processes.