Traditional Soil Extracts as a Low-Cost Tool for Native Plant Production in Ecological Restoration Nurseries
Start Date
3-16-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
3-16-2026 11:39 AM
Abstract
Ecological restoration projects increasingly rely on native plant nurseries to supply high-quality planting material, particularly in urban and peri-urban landscapes. In the Andean region of Colombia, traditional ecological knowledge has long incorporated the use of soil aqueous extracts as low-cost inputs to enhance seedling development in native species nurseries. However, the composition and functional effects of these traditional soil-based inputs remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
This study evaluated the effects of a traditionally prepared soil aqueous extract on the early development of Quercus humboldtii seedlings under nursery conditions. A completely randomized experimental design was implemented with three treatments: a traditional soil extract, a control treatment prepared with commercial water, and a no-application control. Seedling growth variables, soil chemical properties, and microbial functional groups were assessed over a four-month period.
While no statistically significant differences were observed in height or stem diameter among treatments, seedlings treated with the traditional extract exhibited a higher aboveground-to-root biomass ratio. The extract maintained stable nutrient concentrations, increased soil pH despite originating from acidic soils, and supported a more diverse microbial functional profile compared to controls. Changes in microbial biomass carbon suggested shifts in soil microbial dynamics following extract application.
These findings highlight the potential of traditional soil extracts as a low-cost, biologically active input for native plant production in restoration nurseries. The approach offers transferable insights for urban restoration initiatives seeking affordable and ecologically grounded strategies to improve nursery practices and plant quality.
Subjects
Habitat restoration, Plant ecology, Soil science
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Traditional Soil Extracts as a Low-Cost Tool for Native Plant Production in Ecological Restoration Nurseries
Ecological restoration projects increasingly rely on native plant nurseries to supply high-quality planting material, particularly in urban and peri-urban landscapes. In the Andean region of Colombia, traditional ecological knowledge has long incorporated the use of soil aqueous extracts as low-cost inputs to enhance seedling development in native species nurseries. However, the composition and functional effects of these traditional soil-based inputs remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
This study evaluated the effects of a traditionally prepared soil aqueous extract on the early development of Quercus humboldtii seedlings under nursery conditions. A completely randomized experimental design was implemented with three treatments: a traditional soil extract, a control treatment prepared with commercial water, and a no-application control. Seedling growth variables, soil chemical properties, and microbial functional groups were assessed over a four-month period.
While no statistically significant differences were observed in height or stem diameter among treatments, seedlings treated with the traditional extract exhibited a higher aboveground-to-root biomass ratio. The extract maintained stable nutrient concentrations, increased soil pH despite originating from acidic soils, and supported a more diverse microbial functional profile compared to controls. Changes in microbial biomass carbon suggested shifts in soil microbial dynamics following extract application.
These findings highlight the potential of traditional soil extracts as a low-cost, biologically active input for native plant production in restoration nurseries. The approach offers transferable insights for urban restoration initiatives seeking affordable and ecologically grounded strategies to improve nursery practices and plant quality.