Purpose Green waste compost (GWC) refers to organic fertilizer formed by high-temperature fermentation of green wastes such as litter, lawn clippings and branch clippings. To examine the remediation capacity of GWC in actual agricultural production and elucidate the metals migration in soil-crop systems, a field experiment on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with the application of 0.3% and 0.6% (m/m) GWC was carried out. Materials and methods Soil and plant samples were collected along the text growth, after which lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) content in different plant organs, and across soil profiles were assessed by laboratory analysis. The changes of microbial community structure were also characterized. Results and discussion GWC application significantly affected the passivation of acid-soluble Pb and Cd in the surface soil (0–20 cm) of the field. The G3 and G6 treatments significantly reduced the acid-soluble Pb content in the 0–20 cm soil by 72.5% and 59.8% compared to CK. At the same time, GWC enhanced the migration of heavy metals in the topsoil. The Shannon index, observed species index, and Chao1 index of the soil bacterial community were significantly lower than those without GWC. At the genus level, the abundance of Nocardioides significantly increased, which may account for the enhanced adsorption and passivation of Pb and Cd. The soil pH, organic matter content, total nitrogen, and acid-soluble Pb and Cd content were the environmental factors that significantly altered soil bacterial communities. Under the G6 treatment, the Pb content in the wheat roots, stems, and grains decreased from 9.66 mg kg− 1, 2.18 mg kg− 1, and 0.8 mg kg− 1 to 4.32 mg kg− 1, 0.99 mg kg− 1, and 0.61 mg kg− 1, respectively, the Cd contents decreased from 2.43 mg kg− 1, 0.14 mg kg− 1, and 0.29 mg kg− 1 to 0.37 mg kg− 1, 0.09 mg kg− 1, and 0.20 mg kg− 1. Compared with the no-fertilization treatment, the application of GWC significantly increased the yield of spring wheat after applying 0.3% (G3) and 0.6% (G6). Conclusions GWC could be considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly organic fertilizer, improving soil fertility and promoting crop growth. At the same time, it could be used as an amendment for the remediation of heavy metal-polluted soils.

Speciation and fate of Pb and Cd in the soil profile and bacterial community composition following GWC application in a wheat cropping system

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月20日

查看全文

Chenchen Wang,
Yuanxin Liu,
Xiangyang Sun,
Jie Ma

摘要

Purpose

Green waste compost (GWC) refers to organic fertilizer formed by high-temperature fermentation of green wastes such as litter, lawn clippings and branch clippings. To examine the remediation capacity of GWC in actual agricultural production and elucidate the metals migration in soil-crop systems, a field experiment on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with the application of 0.3% and 0.6% (m/m) GWC was carried out.

Materials and methods

Soil and plant samples were collected along the text growth, after which lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) content in different plant organs, and across soil profiles were assessed by laboratory analysis. The changes of microbial community structure were also characterized.

Results and discussion

GWC application significantly affected the passivation of acid-soluble Pb and Cd in the surface soil (0–20 cm) of the field. The G3 and G6 treatments significantly reduced the acid-soluble Pb content in the 0–20 cm soil by 72.5% and 59.8% compared to CK. At the same time, GWC enhanced the migration of heavy metals in the topsoil. The Shannon index, observed species index, and Chao1 index of the soil bacterial community were significantly lower than those without GWC. At the genus level, the abundance of Nocardioides significantly increased, which may account for the enhanced adsorption and passivation of Pb and Cd. The soil pH, organic matter content, total nitrogen, and acid-soluble Pb and Cd content were the environmental factors that significantly altered soil bacterial communities. Under the G6 treatment, the Pb content in the wheat roots, stems, and grains decreased from 9.66 mg kg^− 1, 2.18 mg kg^− 1, and 0.8 mg kg^− 1 to 4.32 mg kg^− 1, 0.99 mg kg^− 1, and 0.61 mg kg^− 1, respectively, the Cd contents decreased from 2.43 mg kg^− 1, 0.14 mg kg^− 1, and 0.29 mg kg^− 1 to 0.37 mg kg^− 1, 0.09 mg kg^− 1, and 0.20 mg kg^− 1. Compared with the no-fertilization treatment, the application of GWC significantly increased the yield of spring wheat after applying 0.3% (G3) and 0.6% (G6).

Conclusions

GWC could be considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly organic fertilizer, improving soil fertility and promoting crop growth. At the same time, it could be used as an amendment for the remediation of heavy metal-polluted soils.