University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Doctoral Thesis:
Christina Hipfinger
(2022):
Nickel Agromining performance on an Austrian serpentine site, determined by agronomic practice, plant species, long-term and large-scale application.
Doctoral Thesis - Institut für Bodenforschung (IBF),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 113.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- Background. Agromining systems in nickel-enriched agricultural soils provide an eco-friendly niche for a sustainable production of "bio-ore". Nickel hyperaccumulator plants are capable to bioaccumulate nickel in aerial plant tissues; harvested biomass can be processed to nickel products. Aims. The most efficient Agromining strategy was examined on an Austrian serpentine soil by testing the nickel hyperaccumulator species Odontarrhena chalcidica Waldst. & Kit. for (i) various agricultural management practices, (ii) consecutive three-years planting and (iii) large-scale-application. Three other potential nickel hyperaccumulator species were also tested. Methods. Publication I: Odontarrhena chalcidica was planted in six treatments: (i) no fertilization, fertilized with (ii) mineral fertilizer, (iii) pig manure, (iv) cow manure, (v) compost and (vi) planted at higher plant density. Publication II: Four nickel hyperaccumulator species (Berkheya coddii Roessler, Bornmuellera tymphaea (Hausskn.) Hausskn., Bornmuellera emarginata (Boiss.) Rešetnik, O. chalcidica) were fertilized according to the most successful practice of publication I. Results. Publication I: Nickel yields (in kg ha−1) showed enhanced trends upon fertilization with pig manure (21.3), cow manure (22.7) and mineral fertilizer (20.6). Fertilization with pig and cow manure enhanced soil nutrient concentration and abundance of soil mesofauna. Publication II: Nickel yields (in kg ha−1) were highest for O. chalcidica (94.3), followed by B. emarginata (45.6), B. tymphaea (44.0) and B. coddii (8.54). Constant shoot nickel concentrations and soil nickel pools over three consecutive years ensured sustainable nickel Agromining at comparable efficiency. Conclusion. Aboveground biomass was identified as key factor for maximizing Agromining efficiency. Odontarrhena chalcidica enabled sustainable Agromining practice over three consecutive years on an Austrian serpentine soil.
- Betreuer: Puschenreiter Markus
- 1. Berater: Rosenkranz Theresa
- 2. Berater: Wenzel Walter