Early evolution of selected Technosols in SE Spain

Resumen del póster presentado al EcoDesert International Symposium, celebrado en Almeria (España) del 20 al 22 de febrero e 2019.Technosols are artificial soils made from selected agricultural and/or industrial residues to replace or enhance degraded soils, scoured urban surfaces, artificial taluses from roads, railroads, mines and quarries, among others. The objective of this research is to test different Technosols for both agriculture and restoration of degraded rangelands in the province of Almeria, SE Spain. Technosols are made with different proportions of organic and inorganic wastes from the stone industry and intensive agriculture. Comercial bentonite was added to improve both water retention and cation exchange capacity. Preliminary assays have shown that these Technosols can replace real soils due to their adequate soil properties, with regards the control with very low organic matter. Technosols had a higher content of organic matter and better chemical properties (total N, C, C/N, ¿). However, organic matter did not increase proportionally to the amount of compost added. Soil permeability rates in agricultural plots improved after 6 months, which indicates that these artificial soils are undergoing a successful evolution. On the one hand, Technosols increased the crop production. On the other hand, it is still early to observe differences in the growth of native forest plants. On the one hand, Technosols increased the crop production. On the other hand, it is still early to observe differences in the growth of native forest plants. It is necessary to continue monitoring these Technosols for a few years at least to ensure that the good soil structure and functionality are maintained