Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.     

Basic Soil Productivity of Spring Maize in Black Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization Based on DSSAT Model

Increasing basic farmland soil productivity has significance in reducing fertilizer application and maintaining high yield of crops. In this study, we defined that the basic soil productivity （BSP） is the production capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local environment and field management. Based on 22-yr （1990-2011） long-term experimental data on black soil （Typic hapludoll） in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China, the decision support system for an agro-technology transfer （DSSAT）-CERES-Maize model was applied to simulate the yield by BSP of spring maize （Zea mays L.） to examine the effects of long-term fertilization on changes of BSP and explore the mechanisms of BSP increasing. Five treatments were examined： （1） no-fertilization control （control）; （2） chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium （NPK）; （3） NPK plus farmyard manure （NPKM）; （4） 1.5 time of NPKM （1.5NPKM） and （5） NPK plus straw （NPKS）. Results showed that after 22-yr fertilization, the yield by BSP of spring maize significantly increased 78.0, 101.2, and 69.4% under the NPKM, 1.5NPKM and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value （in 1992）, but not significant under NPK （26.9% increase） and the control （8.9% decrease）. The contribution percentage of BSP showed a significant rising trend （P〈0.05） under 1.5NPKM. The average contribution percentage of BSP among fertilizations ranged from 74.4 to 84.7%, and ranked as 1.5NPKM〉NPKM〉NPK〉NPKS, indicating that organic manure combined with chemical fertilizers （I.5NPKM and NPKM） could more effectively increase BSP compared with the inorganic fertilizer application alone （NPK） in the black soil. This study showed that soil organic matter （SOM） was the key factor among various fertility factors that could affect BSP in the black soil, and total N, total P and/or available P also played important role in BSP increasing. Compared with the chemical fertilization, a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） not only increased the concentrations of soil nutrient, but also improved the soil physical properties, and structure and diversity of soil microbial population, resulting in an iincrease of BSP. We recommend that a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） should be the fertilization practices to enhance spring maize yield and improve BSP in the black soil of Northeast China.     

Effects of Long-Term Organic Amendments on Soil Organic Carbon in a Paddy Field A Case Study on Red Soil

Soil organic carbon （SOC） is one of the main carbon reservoirs in the terrestrial ecosystem. It is important to study SOC dynamics and effects of organic carbon amendments in paddy fields because of their vest expansion in south China. A study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between the SOC content and organic carbon input under various organic amendments at a long-term fertilization experiment that was established on a red soil under a double rice cropping system in 1981. The treatments included non-fertilization （CK）, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilization in early rice only （NPK）, green manure （Astragalus sinicus L.） in early rice only （OM1）, high rate of green manure in early rice only （OM2）, combined green manure in early rice and farmyard manure in late rice （OM3）, combined green manure in early rice, farmyard manure in late rice and rice straw mulching in winter （OM4）, combined green manure in early rice and rice straw mulching in winter （OMS）. Our data showed that the SOC content was the highest under OM3 and OM4, followed by OM1, OM2 and OM5, then NPK fertilization, and the lowest under non-fertilization. However, our analyses in SOC stock indicated a significant difference between OM3 （33.9 t ha^-1） and OM4 （31.8 t ha^-1）, but no difference between NPK fertilization （27 t ha^-1） and nonfertilization （28.1 t ha^-1）. There was a significant linear increase in SOC over time for all treatments, and the slop of linear equation was greater in organic manure treatments （0.276-0.344 g kg-1 yr^-1） than in chemical fertilizer （0.216 g kg^-1 yr^-1） and no fertilizer （0.127 g kg^-1 yr^-1）.     

Changes in Organic Carbon Index of Grey Desert Soil in Northwest China After Long-Term Fertilization

Soil organic carbon （SOC）, soil microbial biomass carbon （SMBC） and SMBC quotient （SMBC/SOC, qSMBC） are key indexes of soil biological fertility because of the relationship to soil nutrition supply capacity. Yet it remains unknown how these three indexes change, which limits our understanding about how soil respond to different fertilization practices. Based on a 22-yr （1990-2011） long-term fertilization experiment in northwest China, we investigated the dynamics of SMBC and qSMBC during the growing period of winter wheat, the relationships between the SMBC, qSMBC, soil organic carbon （SOC） concentrations, the carbon input and grain yield of wheat as well. Fertilization treatments were 1） nonfertilization （control）; 2） chemical nitrogen plus phosphate plus potassium （NPK）; 3） NPK plus animal manure （NPKM）; 4） double NPKM （hNPKM） and 5） NPK plus straw （NPKS）. Results showed that the SMBC and qSMBC were significantly different among returning, jointing, flowering and harvest stages of wheat under long-term fertilization. And the largest values were observed in the flowering stage. Values for SMBC and qSMBC ranged from 37.5 to 106.0 mg kg1 and 0.41 to 0.61%, respectively. The mean value rank of SMBC during the whole growing period of wheat was hNPKM〉NPK_M〉NPKS〉CK〉NPK. But there were no statistically significant differences between hNPKM and NPKM, or between CK and NPK. The order for qSMBC was NPKS〉NPKM〉CK〉hNPKM〉NPK. These results indicated that NPKS significantly increased the ratio of SMBC to SOC, i.e., qSMBC, compared with NPK fertilizer or other two NPKM fertilizations. Significant linear relationships were observed between the annual carbon input and SOC （P〈0.01） or SMBC （P〈0.05）, and between the relative grain yield of wheat and the SOC content as well （P〈0.05）. But the qSMBC was not correlated with the annual carbon input. It is thus obvious that the combination of manure, straw with mineral fertilizer may be benefit to increase SOC and improve soil quality than using only mineral fertilizer.     

Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation Increases Percentage of Soil Olsen-P to Total P at Two 15-Year Mono-Cropping Systems in Northern China

Soil organic carbon （SOC） and soil Olsen-P are key soil fertility indexes but information on their relationships is limited particularly under long-term fertilization. We investigated the relationships between SOC and the percentage of soil Olsen-P to total P （PSOPTP） under six different 15-yr （1990-2004） long-term fertilizations at two cropping systems in northern China. These fertilization treatments were （1） unfertilized control （control）; （2） chemical nitrogen （N）; （3） N plus chemical P （NP）; （4） NP plus chemical potassium （NPK）; （5） NPK plus animal manure （NPKM） and （6） high NPKM （hNPKM）. Compared with their initial values in 1989 at both sites, during the 1 lth to 15th fertilization years annual mean SOC contents were significantly increased by 39.4-47.0% and 58.9-93.9% at Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, and Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, under the two NPKM fertilizations, respectively, while no significant changes under the no-P or chemical P fertilization. During the 1 lth to 15th fertilization years, annual mean PSOPTP was respectively increased by 2.6-4.2 and 5.8-14.1 times over the initial values under the two chemical P fertilizations and the two NPKM fertilizations, but was unchanged in their initial levels under the two no-P fertilizations at both sites. Over the 15-yr long-term fertilization SOC significantly positively correlated with PSOPTP （r^2=0.55-0.79, P〈0.01）. We concluded that the combination of chemical P plus manure is an effective way to promote SOC accumulation and the percentage of soil Olsen-P to total P at the two mono-cropping system sites in northern China.     

Estimation of the Biological Methods of Assessing Soil N-Supplying Capacity in Calcareous Soil

Although many biological methods are used to determine soil nitrogen supplying capacity, there are certain differences in the results for different types of soils and various ways of measurement due to the complexity of soil N conformation, the high variance of soil and microorganism, and the difference of environment. Therefore, it is not clear about which biologic incubation method is better for calcareous soil. In this study, pot experiments were performed by using 25 different calcareous surface soil samples on the Loess Plateau and taking the N uptake of wheat and corn with leaching soil initial nitrate and without leaching in pot experiments as the control to investigate the difference of eight biological incubation methods for reflecting soil nitrogen supply capacity. The eight biological methods are waterlogged incubation, aerobic incubation for 2 weeks and for 4 weeks, dry-wet alternation aerobic incubation for 2 weeks, long-term alternate leaching aerobic incubation (and N mineralization potential, N^o), short-term leaching aerobic incubation, microbial biomass carbon (B_c), and microbial biomass nitrogen (B_N) method, respectively. Among these methods, the dry-wet alternation aerobic incubation and aerobic incubation for 4 weeks were the modification of the method of aerobic incubation for 2 weeks according to the actual farmland moisture. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between these methods and crop uptake N w with leaching soil initial nitrate were 0.530, 0.700, 0.777, 0.768, 0.764 (and 0.790, N₀), 0.650, 0.555, and 0.465, respectively (r_0.05 = 0.369, r_0.01 = 0.505). While without leaching soil initial nitrate, their coefficients were 0.351, 0.963, 0.962, 0.959, 0.825 (and 0.812, N₀), 0.963, 0.289, and 0.095, respectively (r_0.05 = 0.369, r_0.01=0.505). In conclusion, excluding the soil initial nitrate, the correlation coefficients between the eight methods and crop uptake N were, from high to low, N₀, aerobic incubation for 4 weeks, dry-wet alternation aerobic incubation for 2 weeks, and long-term alternate leaching aerobic incubation, while including the soil initial nitrate the correlation coefficients between them increased significantly and the values were all beyond 0.950 for these four methods, including aerobic incubation for 2 weeks and for 4 weeks, dry-wet alternation aerobic incubation for 2 weeks and short-term leaching aerobic incubation. The waterlogged incubation method, B_C and B_N in the calcareous soil, had lower correlation coefficient with crop uptake nitrogen compared with other methods. Thus, dry-wet alternation aerobic incubation for 2 weeks was a better index for evaluating calcareous soil N supply capacity due to some other methods having disadvantages and not suitable for the actual farmland characteristics.     

盐渍土利用过程中土壤磷素的累积与利用

通过对长期定位试验的研究测定，研究了盐渍土培肥过程中土壤磷素的收支平衡以及磷素累积及其形态。同时，探讨了盐渍土的磷肥利用率。结果表明：通过长期培肥特别是施用磷肥，土壤含磷量有较大幅度的提高，其中大量的磷素被转化为无效的Ｃａ１０－Ｐ，占无机磷总量的４８％。而提高氮肥使用量，合理氮磷配比，有助于降低无效态的Ｃａ１０－Ｐ的比例。同时，表明作物对磷的需求能力并不因磷肥投入量增加而增加，在一定施磷水平以上，     

Long Term Effects of Farming System on Soil Water Content and Dry Soil Layer in Deep Loess Proifle of Loess Tableland in China

Soil water is strongly affected by land use/cover in the Loess Plateau in China. Water stored in thick loessal soils is one of the most important resources regulating vegetation growth. However, soil water in the deep loess proifle, which is critical for maintaining the function of the“soil water pool”is rarely studied because deep proifle soil samples are dififcult to collect. In this study, four experimental plots were established in 2005 to represent different farming systems on the Changwu Tableland：fallow land, fertilized cropland, unfertilized cropland, and continuous alfalfa. The soil water content in the 15-m-deep loess proifles was monitored continuously from 2007 to 2012 with the neutron probe technique. The results showed that temporal variations in soil water proifles differed among the four farming systems. Under fallow land, the soil water content increased gradually over time, ifrst in the surface layers and later in the deep soil layers. In contrast, the soil water content decreased gradually under continuous alfalfa. The distributions of soil water in deep soil layers under both fertilized and unfertilized cropland were relatively stable over time. Thus farming system signiifcantly affected soil water content. Seven years after the start of the experiment, the soil water contents in the 15-m-deep proifles averaged 23.4%under fallow land, 20.3%under fertilized cropland, 21.6%under unfertilized cropland, and 16.0%under continuous alfalfa. Compared to measurements at the start of the experiment, both fallow land and unfertilized cropland increased soil water storage in the 15-m loess proifles. In contrast, continuous alfalfa reduced soil water storage. Fertilized cropland has no signiifcant effect on soil water storage. These results suggest that deep soil water can be replenished under the fallow and unfertilized farming systems. Dry soil layers （i.e., those which have soil water content less than the stable ifeld water capacity） in the subsoil of the Changwu Tableland region can be classiifed as either temporary dry soil layers or persistent dry soil layers. Temporary dry soil layers, which typically form under annual crops, often disappear during wet years. Persistent dry soil layers generally develop under perennial vegetation. Even after removing the vegetation, persistent dry soil layers remain for several decades. This study provides information useful for the conservation and utilization of soil water resources in the Loess Tableland.     

Soil Quality Assessment of Acid Sulfate Paddy Soils with Different Productivities in Guangdong Province,China

Land conversion is considered an effective measure to ensure national food security in China, but little information is available on the quality of low productivity soils, in particular those in acid sulfate soil regions. In our study, acid sulfate paddy soils were divided into soils with high, medium and low levels based on local rice productivity, and 60 soil samples were collected for analysis. Twenty soil variables including physical, chemical and biochemical properties were determined. Those variables that were significantly different between the high, medium and low productivity soils were selected for principal component analysis, and microbial biomass carbon （MBC）, total nitrogen （TN）, available silicon （ASi）, pH and available zinc （AZn） were retained in the minimum data set （MDS）. After scoring the MDS variables, they were integrated to calculate a soil quality index （SQI）, and the high, medium and low productivity paddy soils received mean SQI scores of 0.95, 0.83 and 0.60, respectively. Low productivity paddy soils showed worse soil quality, and a large discrepancy was observed between the low and high productivity paddy soils. Lower MBC, TN, ASi, pH and available K （AK） were considered as the primary limiting factors. Additionally, all the soil samples collected were rich in available P and AZn, but deficient in AK and ASi. The results suggest that soil AK and ASi deficiencies were the main limiting factors for all the studied acid sulfate paddy soil regions. The application of K and Si on a national basis and other sustainable management approaches are suggested to improve rice productivity, especially for low productivity paddy soils. Our results indicated that there is a large potential for increasing productivity and producing more cereals in acid sulfate paddy soil regions.     

石灰性土壤供氮能力几种生物测定方法的评价研究

 【目的】目前测定土壤供氮能力的生物方法较多，但基于土壤氮素形态的复杂性、土壤和微生物的高度变异以及生态条件的差异，不同土壤及不同测定方法结果之间仍然存在一定差异，对石灰性土壤采用哪些生物培养方法较好，目前仍无明确结论。【方法】以采自于黄土高原差异较大的25个农田耕层石灰性土壤为供试土样，以淋洗和未淋洗土壤起始NO3--N小麦和玉米两季盆栽试验作物吸氮量为参比，对可反映土壤供氮能力的淹水培养法、通气培养2周法、通气培养4周法、干湿交替通气培养2周法、间歇淋洗长期通气培养法、短期淋洗通气培养法、微生物量碳和微生物量氮等8种生物方法进行了比较研究，其中干湿交替通气培养法和通气培养4周法，是我们对通气培养2周的修订方法。【结果】在不包含起始矿质氮条件下，以上8种生物培养方法与淋洗土壤起始NO3--N盆栽试验作物吸氮量的相关系数依次为0.530，0.700，0.777，0.768，0.764，0.650，0.555和0.465（r0.05=0.369，r0.01=0.505），其中间歇淋洗长期通气培养法确定的氮素矿化势与作物吸氮量的相关系数为0.790；在包括起始矿质氮后（起始矿质氮+矿化氮），以上8种生物方法与未淋洗土壤起始NO3--N盆栽试验作物吸氮量相关系数依次为0.351，0.963，0.962，0.959，0.825， 0.963，0.289和0.095（r0.05=0.369，r0.01=0.505），其中氮素矿化势与作物吸氮量的相关系数为0.812。【结论】在排除起始矿质氮，特别是硝态氮的影响后，在反映旱地石灰性土壤可矿化氮量上，以氮素矿化势最佳；其次为通气培养4周、干湿交替通气培养2周和间歇淋洗长期通气培养法。包括起始矿质氮后，即在反映土壤供氮能力方面，各种通气培养法与未淋洗土壤起始NO3--N作物吸氮量相关性均大幅度提高，其中通气培养2周、通气培养4周、干湿交替通气培养2周和短期淋洗通气培养法相关系数均在0.950以上。而淹水培养法和微生物量碳、氮在表征石灰性土壤供氮能力上均比其它通气培养法逊色。综合考虑各方法在反映土壤可矿化氮和土壤供氮能力上的优劣，以及考虑到间歇淋洗长期通气培养法和以此获得氮素矿化势需培养时间较长，不适于作为实验室常规分析和快速测定土壤供氮能力的方法。根据本研究结果，可将干湿交替通气培养2周作为旱地石灰性土壤供氮指标，该方法不仅更加符合旱地土壤实际水分变化特征，而且既可反映土壤可矿化氮，也可用于评价土壤供氮能力。     

Spatiotemporal Changes in Soil Nutrients:A Case Study in Taihu Region of China

The accurate assessment of the spatiotemporal changes in soil nutrients influenced by agricultural production provides the basis for development of management strategies to maintain soil fertility and balance soil nutrients. In this paper, we combined spatial measurements from 2 157 soil samples and geostatistical analysis to assess the spatiotemporal changes in soil organic carbon （SOC）, total nitrogen （TN）, available phosphorus （AP） and available potassium content （AK） from the first soil survey （in the 1980s） to the second soil survey （in the 2000s） in the Taihu region of Jiangsu Province in China. The results showed that average soil nutrients in three soil types all exhibited the increased levels in the 2000s （except for AK in the yellow brown soil）. The standard deviation of soil nutrient contents increased （except for TN in the paddy soil）. Agricultural production in the 20 years led to increases in SOC, TN, AP and AK by 74, 82, 89 and 65%, respectively, of the Taihu areas analyzed. From the 1980s to 2000s all the nugget/sill ratios of soil nutrients indices were between 25 and 75% （except for AK in the yellow brown soil in the 2000s）, indicating moderate spatial dependence. The ratio of AP in the yellow brown soil in the 2000s was 88.74%, showing weak spatial dependence. The spatial correlation range values for SOC, TN, AP and AK in the 2000s all decreased. The main areas showing declines in SOC, TN and AP were in the northwest. For AK, the main region with declining levels was in the east and middle of western areas. Apparently, the increase in soil nutrients in the Taihu region can be mainly attributed to the large increase in fertilizer inputs, change in crop systems and enhanced residues management since the 1980s. Future emphasis should be placed on avoiding excess fertilizer inputs and balancing the effects of the fertilizers in soils.     

Soil Monitoring System as a Basic Tool for Protection of Soils and Sustainable Land Use in Slovakia

The purpose of soil monitoring system in Slovakia is better to protect the soils with regard to sustainable land use. The main objective is the observation of soil properties concerning the main threats to soil： soil contamination, salinisation and sodification, decline in soil organic matter （SOM）, soil compaction and erosion. Soil monitoring system in Slovakia is consistently running since 1993. Its importance consists of providing the information on changing spatial and temporal variations of soil parameters as well as the evolution of soil quality in topsoil and subsoil. Soil monitoring network in Slovakia is constructed using ecological principles, taking into account all main soil types and subtypes, SOM, climatic regions, emission regions, polluted and non-polluted regions as well as various land use. The results of soil monitoring of 318 sites on agricultural land in Slovakia have been presented. Soil properties are evaluated according to the main threats to soil relating to European Commission recommendation for European soil monitoring performance as follows： soil contamination, soil salinization and sodification, decline in SOM, soil compaction and erosion. The most significant change has been determined in physical properties of soils. The physical degradation was especially manifested in compacted and the eroded soils. About 50% of agricultural land is potentially affected by soil erosion in Slovakia. In addition, decline in SOM and available nutrients indicate the serious facts on evaluation and extension of soil degradation processes during the last period in Slovakia. Obtained measured data and required outputs are reported to Joint Research Centre （JRC） in lspra （Italy） and European Environmental Agency （EEA） in Copenhagen （Denmark）. Finally, soil monitoring system thus becomes a basic tool for protection of soils and sustainable land use as well as for the creation of legislatives not only in Slovakia, but in EU, too.     

不同的秸秆还田对土壤理化性质及水稻产量的影响

研究了不同的作物秸秆还田对土壤理化性质及水稻产量的影响。结果表明,秸秆还田对土壤物理性质的影响明显,与单施化肥的对照相比,秸秆还田处理的土壤容重下降。添加了秸秆的处理都比单施化肥的对照稻谷产量高,最多增产500.00 kg/hm~2,增产率为7.62%;添加了秸秆腐熟菌剂的秸秆还田处理均比不添加秸秆腐熟菌剂的秸秆还田处理的稻谷产量高,最多增产438.34 kg/hm~2,增产率为6.62%。化肥+麦秸+腐熟菌剂与化肥+油菜秸+腐熟菌剂的稻谷产量最高。不同的秸秆还田处理都比单施化肥处理的有效穗多。秸秆还田能够改善土壤的物理性质,增加水稻的产量。     

Soil pH Management across Spatially Variable Soils

Knowledge and management of soil pH, particularly soil acidity across spatially variable soils is important, although this is greatly ignored by farmers. The objective of the study was to evaluate in-field spatial variability of soil pH, and compare the efficiency of managing soil pH through site-specific method vs. uniform lime application. The study was conducted on three sites with study sites I and II （23°50＇ S; 29°40＇ E）, and study sites IIl （23°59＇ S; 28°52＇ E） adjacent to each other in the semi-arid regions of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Soil samples were taken in four replicates from geo-referenced locations on a regular grid of 30 m. Soils were analyzed for pH, and SMP buffer pH. Soil maps were produced with Geographic Information System （GIS） software, and soil pH datasets were interpolated using a geostatistical tool of inverse distance weighing （IDW）. Soil pH in the fields varied from 3.93 to 7.00. An excess amount of lime as high as 30 t/ha under uniform lime application were recorded. These recommendations were in excess on field areas that needed little or no lime applications. Again, there was an under applications of lime as much as 35 t/ha for uniform liming applications. This under- and over-recommendations of lime based on average soil pH values suggests that uniform soil acidity correction and soil pH management strategy is not an appropriate strategy to be adopted in these fields with spatially variable soils. The field can be divided into lime application zones of （1） high rates of lime, （2） low rates of lime and （3） areas that requires no lime at all so that lime rates are applied per zone. A key to site-specific soil acidity correction with lime is to reach ideal soil pH for the crop in all parts of the field.     

解磷细菌对石灰性土壤磷形态的影响

从石灰性土壤中分离,筛选出解磷细菌,进行油菜盆栽生物模拟试验,研究了北方石灰性土壤中解磷细菌对磷形态的影响,结果表明:在石灰性土壤中,解磷细菌可以促进Ca2-P、Al-P、Fe-P增加,降低土壤中难溶态Ca10-P、缓效态Ca8-P,对O-P影响不明显,从而证明了解磷细菌能够促进石灰性土壤中磷素形态向易被作物利用状态转化,减缓向缓效态、难溶态的转化。     

Response of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Aggregate Fractions to Long-Term Fertilization in Irrigated Desert Soil of China

Irrigated desert soil samples in the Hexi Corridor of China were collected over a period of 23 years from a site where different fertilization methods had been used. Changes of soil organic carbon （SOC） and its water stable aggregate （WSA） size fractions were studied. The effects of various fertilization methods on the distribution of added organic carbon （OC） in different WSA size fractions were also analyzed. The results showed that the applied fertilizations for 23 years improved SOC concentrations and OC concentrations in all WSA size fractions compared to the non-fertilized treatment （CK）. In addition, fertilization obviously increased the OC stocks of2 mm, 0.25-2 mm and 0.053-0.25 mm WSA fractions, respectively. A signiifcant positive correlation was found between soil C gains and OC inputs （r=0.92, P〈0.05）, indicating that SOC may have not reached the saturation point yet at the site. The C sequestration rate was estimated by 14.02%at the site. The OC stocks in all of the〈2 mm WSA fractions increased with the increase of OC input amounts;and the conversion rate of the input fresh OC to the OC stock of〈0.053 mm WSA fraction was 1.2 and 2.6 times higher than those of the 0.25-2 mm and 0.053-0.25 mm WSA fractions, respectively. Therefore, the〈0.053 mm WSA fraction was the most important component for soil C sequestration in the irrigated desert soil.     

Soil Salinization in Some Irrigated Areas of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Monitoring and assessment of agricultural land degradation is of vital importance for better land and water management planning and reclamation. It requires setting baseline information and basic analysis at specific time and space. About 33 geo-referenced soil sampling spots were selected in two agricultural production locations in the Kingdom of Bahrain to assess the status and preliminary causes of land degradation. Soil samples were taken from 13 sites in Diraz location while 19 samples were taken from Budayyi location. The samples were taken to 90 cm depth at 30 cm intervals. Standard procedures were followed to determine soil physiochemical properties. In addition, field observations on farm condition, distance from the sea, method of irrigation and irrigation water source were taken. Some of the soil samples were deliberately taken from outside the irrigated basins among trees compared with samples taken from inside the actively growing area for comparison. The results indicated that the salinity level was significantly （P 〈 0.001） higher at the 0-30 cm soil depth compared with 30-60 cm or 60-90 cm depths in both locations. The distance from the sea did not show clear correlation with surface soil salinity in Budayyi area compared with Diraz. Both locations showed significantly higher salinity levels on samples taken outside the actively growing areas compared with those taken from within. The effect is more prominent at the 0-30 cm depth. The observed variability on salinity levels may be attributed to farm management practices and deteriorating quality of ground water. Thus, agricultural land degradation in Bahrain cannot be attributed to ground water deterioration alone. The use of tertiary treated sewage water （TSE） may ease the pressure on ground water, but the pH of the TSE should be carefully monitored and managed with proper studies on leaching requirements to avoid further salinity complications.     

Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions Under Maize-Legume Intercropping System in the North China Plain

Many studies have focused on various agricultural management measures to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide （N2O） emission. However, few studies have investigated soil N2O emissions in intercropping systems in the North China Plain. Thus, we conducted a ifeld experiment to compare N2O emissions under monoculture and maize-legume intercropping systems. In 2010, ifve treatments, including monocultured maize （M）, maize-peanut （MP）, maize-alfalfa （MA）, maize-soybean （MS）, and maize-sweet clover （MSC） intercropping were designed to investigate this issue using the static chamber technique. In 2011, M, MP, and MS remained, and monocultured peanuts （P） and soybean （S） were added to the trial. The results showed that total production of N2O from different treatments ranged from （0.87＆#177;0.12） to （1.17＆#177;0.11） kg ha-1 in 2010, while those ranged from （3.35＆#177;0.30） to （9.10＆#177;2.09） kg ha-1 in 2011. MA and MSC had no signiifcant effect on soil N2O production compared to that of M （P＆lt;0.05）. Cumulative N2O emissions from MP in 2010 were signiifcantly lower than those from M, but the result was the opposite in 2011 （P＆lt;0.05）. MS signiifcantly reduced soil N2O emissions by 25.55 and 48.84%in 2010 and 2011, respectively （P＆lt;0.05）. Soil N2O emissions were signiifcantly correlated with soil water content, soil temperature, nitriifcation potential, soil NH4＋, and soil NO3-content （R2=0.160-0.764, P＆lt;0.01）. A stepwise linear regression analysis indicated that soil N2O release was mainly controlled by the interaction between soil moisture and soil NO3-content （R2=0.828, P＆lt;0.001）. These results indicate that MS had a coincident effect on soil N2O lfux and signiifcantly reduced soil N2O production compared to that of M over two growing seasons.     

Reduction of the Pathogenic Propagules of Fusarium profiferatum by Solar and Combined Soil Amendments

The effects of solarisation using clear, UV stabilized, 25μm low density polyethylene mulching combined with soil amendment of chicken manures 12 th^-1, mixed fungicides of Metalaxyl 2 g-Benlate 1.5 g L^-l, Biocontrol agent of Trichoderma harzianum （T.h.） and NPK fertilizer 180 Kg h^-1, on the survived micro and macrocondia of Fusarium proliferatum （Matsushita） Nirenberg were ascertained during summer 2008. Mulched treatments within 45 and 60 days significantly reduced viable propagules to 6 and 3.4 × l03 cfu1 g soil, respectively at 5 cm depth followed by 15 and 30 cm soil depth. Natural heating of dry soil reduced an initial population of 76 × 10^3 to 46.73, 49 and 49.13 × 103 cfu＇lg soil at 5, 15 and 30 cm depth, respectively. Therefore, Fusarium proliferatum reduced by 85.29 and 89.22% within 45 and 60 days compared to 38% in control aired soil. Application of mulching with T. harzianum caused a worthwhile reduction 84.37% in viable propagules, solar with low doses of Metalaxyl-Benlate further reduced Fusarium propagules at all depths 95.5%. Combining chicken manures proved its reduction of fungi cfu at 5 cm depth only, whereas NPK amendments failed in their reduction effects at various depths. However, almost 95% reduction in Fusarium propagules was achieved at various soil depths when combining Met.-Ben., with soil mulching. Combining T.h. was also proved to be significant in reducing fungus inoculum by 88.58, 96.06% at 5 and 15 cm depth. Generally, manures and NPK fertilizers amended soil found equally effective in reducing cfu of Fusarium at 5 and 15 cm depth similar to polyethylene mulching for both solar duration.     

Biological Protection against Fungal Diseases of Winter Wheat under Different Soil Tillage Technologies

The effect of biopreparations, homogenized with the seed （seed treatment before sowing as a dressing）, and used as a mixture with mineral fertilizer ANL （ammonium nitrate with limestone）, upon both grain production and the health state of the winter wheat were evaluated during 2006-2009. Besides conventional soil cultivation, reduced tillage with incorporated chopped straw, and direct drilling into untilled soil covered with mulch, were also used. The following biopreparations were applied： Supresivit （Trichoderma harzianum）, Polyversum （Pythium oligandrum）, and Trianum P （a different strain ofTrichoderma harzianum）. Attention was focused on the foliar fungi pathogens Drechslera tritici-repentis, Septoria tritici, and Alternaria triticina, as well as on the soil-borne pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium.