Effects of marine biofertilisation on Celtic bean carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotopes: Implications for reconstructing past diet and farming practices.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The application of fertilisers to crops can be monitored and assessed using stable isotope ratios. However, the application of marine biofertilisers (e.g., fish, macroalgae/seaweed) on crop stable isotope ratios has been rarely studied, despite widespread archaeological and historical evidence for the use of marine resources as a soil amendment.

Methods

A heritage variety of Celtic bean, similar in size and shape to archaeobotanical macrofossils of Vicia faba L., was grown in three 1 × 0.5 m outdoor plots under three soil conditions: natural soil (control); natural soil mixed with macroalgae (seaweed); and 15 cm of natural soil placed on a layer of fish carcasses (Atlantic cod). These experiments were performed over two growing seasons in the same plots. At the end

SUBMITTER: Grocke DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7816259 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature