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Is Rockwool Potentially Harmful to the Soil Environment as a Nursery Substrate? Taking Eisenia fetida as an Example for Toxicological Analysis

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  • Shengyang Zheng

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China)

  • Chenzhe Wang

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China)

  • Jing Ju

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China)

  • Qigen Dai

    (Joint International Research Laboratory Agricultural & Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry Education China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China)

  • Haitao Zhao

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China)

  • Ping Liu

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China)

  • Xin Wang

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China)

Abstract

We studied the effect of rockwool matrix on the conventional physical and chemical properties of soil and analyzed its toxicological effect on Eisenia fetida . The physical and chemical properties of rockwool were studied with characterization tests. By measuring earthworm enzymes and earthworm intestinal microorganisms, the effects of different rockwool particle sizes and additive amount on Eisenia fetida were analyzed. The results indicate that a low concentration of rockwool (<30 g/kg) had little effect on the soil physicochemical properties and the activity of Eisenia fetida , and played a positive role in improving the soil porosity. A high concentration of rockwool (>100 g/kg) reduced the exchangeable Ca and Mg content in the soil, and had a significant impact on the enzyme activity of Eisenia fetida . Mechanism studies have shown that high concentrations of rockwool (>200 g/kg) can have a significant impact on the nervous system of earthworm tissue. In addition, small particle size and low concentration of rockwool is conducive to the increase in intestinal microbial species of Eisenia fetida . This study clarifies the effects of emerging rockwool substrates on soil and soil organisms and provides theoretical support for the safe and reliable application of rockwool substrates in agricultural production.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengyang Zheng & Chenzhe Wang & Jing Ju & Qigen Dai & Haitao Zhao & Ping Liu & Xin Wang, 2023. "Is Rockwool Potentially Harmful to the Soil Environment as a Nursery Substrate? Taking Eisenia fetida as an Example for Toxicological Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:10:p:1964-:d:1255602
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. M. Dubský & F. Šrámek, 2009. "The effect of rockwool on physical properties of growing substrates for perennials 38," Horticultural Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 36(1), pages 38-43.
    2. Sandra Ečimović & Mirna Velki & Alma Mikuška & Jelena Bažon & Lucija Sara Kovačić & Suzana Kristek & Jurica Jović & Franjo Nemet & Katarina Perić & Zdenko Lončarić, 2022. "How the Composition of Substrates for Seedling Production Affects Earthworm Behavior," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Carmassi, G. & Incrocci, L. & Maggini, R. & Malorgio, F. & Tognoni, F. & Pardossi, A., 2007. "An aggregated model for water requirements of greenhouse tomato grown in closed rockwool culture with saline water," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 88(1-3), pages 73-82, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pankaj Kumar & Vinod Kumar, 2024. "Preface to the Special Issue “Agricultural Environmental Pollution, Risk Assessment, and Control”," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-3, January.

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