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Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation
Published on: July 4, 2014
Bioavailability of biosolids molybdenum to corn
G A O'Connor1, T C Granato, R H Dowdy
1Soil and Water Science Dep, Univ of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0510, USA. gao@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
Journal of Environmental Quality
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Biosolids application to soil poses minimal molybdenum risk to cattle. Corn stover grown on amended fields showed low molybdenum levels, with copper to molybdenum ratios preventing molybdenosis in ruminants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Agronomy
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- Biosolids are increasingly used as soil amendments, raising concerns about heavy metal accumulation in crops.
- Molybdenum (Mo) is a trace element essential for ruminants, but excessive intake can cause molybdenosis.
- Corn is a significant component of cattle diets and a crop suitable for biosolids amendment due to its nitrogen requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of molybdenum accumulation in corn stover grown on biosolids-amended soil for ruminant livestock.
- To quantify the relationship between soil molybdenum load and molybdenum uptake in corn stover.
- To evaluate the impact of crop rotation (continuous corn vs. corn-soybean) on molybdenum bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of paired soil and corn stover samples from field experiments in Illinois and Minnesota.
- Quantification of molybdenum concentrations in soil and corn stover.
- Calculation of the uptake coefficient (UC) to determine molybdenum transfer from soil to stover.
Main Results:
- Corn stover exhibited low molybdenum accumulation, even with high biosolids application rates and soil molybdenum loads.
- Uptake coefficients (UC) were negligible, with negative uptake slopes observed in some continuous corn plots.
- Corn grown in a corn-soybean rotation showed potentially higher molybdenum accumulation compared to continuous corn.
Conclusions:
- The risk of molybdenosis to cattle consuming corn stover from biosolids-amended land is low.
- Corn stover molybdenum concentrations remained below toxic levels, and copper to molybdenum ratios were protective.
- Crop rotation may influence molybdenum bioavailability, warranting further investigation in biosolids risk assessments.
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