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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 71-84.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2024195

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Effect of particle size ratio, fertilizer application amount, and seeding rate combinations coal gangue matrix properties in restoration of a mining area

Li-li MA1(), Fu-zhen JIANG2, Yu-shou MA1, Kai-bin QI2, Shun-bin JIA3, Zheng-peng LI2()   

  1. 1.Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences,Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
    2.Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences,Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
    3.Qinghai Province Grassland Station,Xining 810016,China
  • Received:2024-05-22 Revised:2024-07-15 Online:2025-03-20 Published:2025-01-02
  • Contact: Zheng-peng LI

Abstract:

Coal gangue, a solid waste produced from mining activities, has a poor physical structure, making the nutrients it contains inaccessible to plants. Therefore, improving the matrix properties of coal gangue is crucial in the ecological restoration of mining areas. This study utilized an L9(34) orthogonal design to investigate the combined effects of: (A) coal gangue particle size ratio<7 mm (0%, 25% or 50%), (B) organic fertilizer application amount (15+7.5, 30+15 or 45 m3·ha-1+22.5 t·ha-1 sheep manure+commercial organic fertilizer), (C) slow-release urea application amount (30, 60 or 90 kg·ha-1), and (D) seeding rate (60, 120, or 180 kg·ha-1), on above-ground vegetation and soil nutrients. The optimal improvement model was selected using TOPSIS multivariate analysis. The findings revealed that over time, the above-ground biomass and soil nutrient levels decreased across different treatments. Specifically, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium decreased significantly, while total potassium showed a notable increase. Range analysis indicated that the application rate of slow-release urea and seeding rate were critical for above-ground biomass, whereas the particle size ratio<7 mm and organic fertilizer amount were key factors for soil nutrient content. A comprehensive TOPSIS analysis based on above-ground biomass and soil fertility indicators identified the T2 (A1B2C2D2) treatment as the most effective, comprising 0% of coal gangue with a particle size ratio<7 mm, 30 m3·ha-1 of sheep manure+15 t·ha-1 of commercial organic fertilizer, 60 kg·ha-1 of sustained-release urea, and a seeding rate of 120 kg·ha-1. The results of this study offer valuable insights for ecological restoration in the Muli mining area.

Key words: coal gangue, substrate improvement, above-ground biomass, soil nutrients, comprehensive evaluation