Soil Fertility Index,Soil Evaluation Factor,and Microbial Indices under Different Land Uses in Acidic Soil of Humid Subtropical India

A study was conducted to examine the impact of land use on soil fertility in an Entisol in the Jalpaiguri District of humid subtropical India. The natural forest served as a control against which changes in soil properties were compared. Soil samples were collected from four different depths (0–25, 25–50, 50–75, and 75–100 cm) of soil from four land uses (viz. forest, home garden, arecanut plantation, and agriculture) and examined for pH, organic carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), aluminum (Al), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA). Soil pH (5.7), OC (2.29%), N (386 kg ha^?1), and P (22.54 kg ha^?1) were greatest in forest soil, followed by soil from arecanut plantation, agriculture, and home garden. The greatest Ca (0.892 cmol kg^?1), Mg (0.527 cmol kg^?1), and Al (1.86 cmol kg^?1) were found in the arecanut plantation, whereas K (0.211 cmol kg^?1) was greatest in forest. The greatest content of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid–extractable copper, zinc, manganese, and iron (2.25, 1.66, 4.86, and 7.65 ppm, respectively) were found in forest. MBC (558 mg kg^?1), MBN (26.67 mg kg^?1), and DHA (33.03 μg TPF 24 h^?1 g^?1) was greatest in forest soil. Soil fertility index varied from 13.13 in arecanut plantation to 18.49 in forest. The soil evaluation factor ranged from 5.32 in agriculture to 6.56 in forest. Pearson's correlation matrix revealed strongly significant positive correlation of soil fertility index and soil evaluation factor with soil properties.     

Conservation Effects on Soil Quality and Climate Change Adaptability of Ethiopian Watersheds

This study analyzes effects of soil and water conservation (SWC) on soil quality and implications to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Upper Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia by using the Anjeni watershed as a case study site. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from two sub‐watersheds of Anjeni: the Minchet sub‐watershed (with SWC measures) and the Zikrie sub‐watershed (without SWC measures). Soil samples were taken from 30‐cm depth from five representative landscape positions and analyzed following the standard soil lab analysis procedures. The results show that soils from the conserved sub‐watershed had improved quality indicators compared with those from the non‐conserved site. Significant improvement due to SWC measures was observed in the soil hydrological [total moisture content (+5·43%), field capacity (+5·35%), and available water capacity (+4·18%)] and chemical [cation exchange capacity (+4·40 cmol(+) kg⁻¹), Mg²⁺ (+1·90 cmol(+) kg⁻¹), Na⁺ (+0·10 cmol(+) kg⁻¹)] properties. SWC interventions significantly reduced soil erosion by 57–81% and surface runoff by 19–50% in the conserved sub‐watershed. Reduction in soil erosion can maintain the soil organic carbon stock, reduce the land degradation risks, and enhance the C sequestration potential of soils. Therefore, adoption of SWC measures can increase farmers' ability to offset emissions and adapt to climate change. However, SWC measures that are both protective and sufficiently productive have not yet been implemented in the conserved sub‐watershed. Therefore, it is important that SWC structures be supplemented with other biological and agronomic measures in conjunction with soil fertility amendments appropriate to site‐specific conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in Soil Properties and Microbial Indices across Various Management Sites in the Mountain Environments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The mountainous region of the Himalayas is covered with forest, grassland, and arable land, but the variation in ecosystem functions has not been fully explored because of the lack of available data. This study appraises the changes in soil properties over the course of a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter) for forest, grassland, and arable soils in a typical hilly and mountainous region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Soil samples were collected from major land-cover types in the mountain region: natural forest, grassland, and cultivated land (arable). The natural forest served as a control against which changes in soil properties resulting from removal of natural vegetation and cultivation of soil were assessed. Soil samples were collected from depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm six times during the year and examined for changes in temperature, moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), micronutrients [iron, manganese, copper, and zinc (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, respectively)], and microbial population. Significant differences were found in soil temperature, soil moisture, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and number of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi among the three land-cover types. Soil under cultivation had 4–5 °C higher temperature and 3–6% lower moisture than the adjacent soils under grassland and forest. Electrical conductivity (EC) values of forest, grassland, and arable soil were 0.36, 0.30, and 0.31 dS m^?1, indicating that soil collected from the forest had 18–20% more EC than the adjacent arable and grassland soils. On average, amounts of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in the soil collected from the arable site were 6.6, 5.7, 1.7, and 0.8 mg kg^?1, compared with 24.0, 12.1, 3.5, and 1.2 mg kg^?1 soil in the forest soil, showing that arable had two to four times less micronutrients than grassland and forest. Populations of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in the forest were 22.3 (10⁵), 8.2 (10⁵), and 2.5 (10³), respectively, while arable land exhibited 8.2 (10⁵), 3.2 (10⁵), and 0.87 (10³). Season (temperature) and depth showed significant effects on microbial activity and nutrient concentration, and both decreased significantly in winter and in the subsurface layer of 15?30 cm. Different contents of the parameters among arable, grassland, and forest soils indicated an extractive effect of cultivation and agricultural practices on soil. Natural vegetation appeared to be a main contributor to soil quality as it maintained the moisture content and increased the nutrient status and microbial growth of soil. Therefore, it is important to sustain high-altitude ecosystems and reinstate the degraded lands in the mountain region.     

Forms and Status of Potassium in Some Soils Supporting Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis,Jacq) Plantations in Cross River State,Nigeria

The status of the various forms of potassium (K) in soils derived from sedimentary sandstone and basement complex rocks that support oil palm plantations was investigated. The investigation revealed that in the surface and subsurface soils of sedimentary sandstone, water-soluble K ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 cmol per kilogram (cmol kg^?1), exchangeable K from 0.07 to 0.40 cmol kg^?1, difficultly exchangeable K from 0.15 to 0.88 cmol kg^?1, acid-soluble K from 0.48 to 2.00 cmol kg^?1, nonexchangeable K from 12.31 to 36.39 cmol kg^?1, and total K from 12.80 to 38.39 cmol kg^?1, where S. in soils derived from basement complex rocks, values ranged from 0.02 to 0.08 cmol kg^?1, 0.10 to 0.23 cmol kg^?1, 0.16 to 0.57 cmol kg^?1, 0.67 to 1.50 cmol kg^?1, 13.87 to 31.90 cmol kg^?1, and 15.36 to 33.28 cmol kg^?1 for water-soluble, exchangeable, difficultly exchangeable, acid-soluble, nonexchangeable, and total K, respectively, in both the surface and subsurface soils. More K was found in soils derived from sedimentary sandstone than in soils derived from basement complex rocks. In all soils, the contents of all forms of K generally decreased with depth. The low values of total K indicate that these soils are deficient in K; hence these soils require adequate K fertilization for efficient production of the oil palm.     

Effects of eucalyptus and coniferous plantations on soil properties in Gambo District,southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Plantation establishment using exotic species on disturbed cultivated and undisturbed primary forest soils is common in Gambo district, southern Ethiopia, but their effects on soil properties are not fully known. This study investigated the effects of plantation species on major soil physical and chemical properties and further evaluated the soil quality under different land uses. Soil samples in triplicates, collected under different plantations, were analysed for their physical and chemical properties. Based on these soil properties, an integrated soil quality index was determined. The soil bulk density (BD) varied from 0.72 to 0.80 cm^?3 in plantations established on primary forest land and natural forest and from 0.86 to 1.14 g cm^?3 in those plantations established on cultivated soils. Also significantly lower pore volume and infiltration rate were observed under plantations established on cultivated lands than those on primary forest soils. Higher water volume (% at ?1500 kPa matric potential) was obtained in soils under Juniperus procera and natural forest compared with that under the rest of the plantations investigated. The concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC) varied from 3.4 to 10.2%, N from 0.3 to 1.0% and Av.P from 1.5 to 7.0% in soils under plantations and natural forest. Exchangeable cations generally showed a decreasing trend with depth in all land use types with minor exceptions. The concentrations of exchangeable Ca⁺² varied from 6.5 to 22.7 cmol kg^?1 and were significantly higher under Juniperus procera than under Eucalyptus species. The soil under plantations on previously cultivated lands showed soil quality index below 0.5 (the baseline value), while those established on undisturbed forest soil were generally above that value. The study results suggest that selecting species such as Juniperus procera and prolonging the harvesting period would improve and maintain the quality of soil properties.     

Deforestation and land-use effects on soil degradation and rehabilitation in western Nigeria. II. Soil chemical properties

Temporal changes in soil chemical and nutritional properties were evaluated in a long-term experiment conducted on Alfisols in West Africa. Effects of land use and cropping duration on soil chemical properties at 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm depths were evaluated for five treatments: (1) alley cropping with Leucaena leucocephala established on the contour at 4-m intervals; (2) mucuna (Mucuna utilis) fallowing for 1 year followed by maize (Zea mays)-cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation for 2 years on severely degraded land; (3) fallowing with mucuna on moderately degraded soils; (4) ley farming involving growing improved pastures for 1 year, grazing for the second year, and growing maize-cowpea for the third year on severely degraded land; (5) ley farming on moderately degraded soils. Soil chemical properties were measured once every year from 1982 through 1986 during the dry season, and included pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total soil nitrogen (TSN), Bray-P, exchangeable cations, and effective cation exchange capacity (CEC). Regardless of the cropping system treatments, soil chemical quality decreased with cultivation time. The rate of decrease at 0–5 cm depth was 0·23 units year⁻¹ for pH, 0·05 per cent year⁻¹ for SOC, 0·012 per cent year⁻¹ for TSN, 0·49 cmol kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ for Ca²⁺, 0·03 cmol kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ for Mg²⁺, 0·018 cmol kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ for K⁺, and 0·48 cmol kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ for CEC. Although there was also a general decrease in soil chemical quality at 5–10 cm depth, the trends were not clearly defined. In contrast to the decrease in soil properties given above, there was an increase in concentration at 0–5 cm depth of total acidity with cultivation time at the rate of 0·62 cmol kg⁻¹ year⁻¹, and of Mn³⁺ concentration at the rate of 0·081 cmol kg⁻¹ year⁻¹. Continuous cropping also increased the concentration of Bray-P at 0–5 cm depth due to application of phosphatic fertilizer. Trends in soil chemical properties were not clearly defined with regards to cropping system treatments. In general, however, soil chemical properties were relatively favorable in ley farming and mucuna fallowing treatments imposed on moderately degraded soils. Results are discussed in terms of recommended rates of fertilizer use, in view of soil test values, expected yields, and critical limits of soil properties.     

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Pinus caribaea growth in relation to soil physico-chemical properties in plantation forests in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The present study described the relationship between growth and soil physico-chemical properties in Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) and Pinus caribaea (Pinaceae), two important species in Nigerian forest recovery programs. The study sites were located in a 17-year-old plantation in a Northern Nigeria forest reserve. The soils at the study sites were nutrient poor compared with other plantations. Growth of E. camaldulensis was positively correlated with exchangeable K content in soils 0–20 cm deep, and negatively correlated with total N and exchangeable Na in soils 20–150 cm deep. Growth of P. caribaea was positively correlated with available P in soils 0–20 cm deep, and volumetric water content in soils 20–150 cm deep. Soils in the top layers were very hard and plinthite layers were well developed at shallow soil depths at most sites. E. camaldulensis exhibited a comparatively high survival rate, and its growth was comparable to that in other plantations. However, the survival rates of P. caribaea were low and its growth was lower than that in other plantations. The survival rate of E. camaldulensis was lower at sites where plinthite layers were found within 50.8 cm of the surface. These results indicated that E. camaldulensis is suitable for afforestation in Northern Nigeria. However, it is not recommended for sites where the plinthite layer occurs at shallow soil depths.     

Characteristics,classification, and agricultural potential of some Niger delta soils in Nigeria

Abstract

Nine pedons representing the major soils of an 80,000 ha area in Yenagoa, Niger Delta, Nigeria, were classified and evaluated for maize, plantain and oil palm cultivation. The soils were identified as low activity clay (LAC) Ultisols (Kanhapludult and Kandiudult) or Acrisols (FAO, UNESCO) with hydromorphism reaching the A‐horizon in most cases. They were mainly derived from alluvial materials. The presence of an argillic B‐horizon in all the pedons indicated that the depositions were not recent. Most of the soils were sandy at he top but clayey in the subsoils although a few have either sandy or clayey texture throughout the profile. Organic matter content in the A‐horizon was 2.30–4.50%. The pH was between strongly acidic (3.5) to slightly acidic (5.0). The CEC in the B‐horizon was low (<24 cmol kg^‐1) in the sandy soils and moderate (>24 cmol kg^‐1) in the clayey soils. The exchange complex was dominated by Ca (2–17 cmol kg^‐1), followed by Mg (1–8 cmol kg^‐1), while K was low (0.07–0.22 cmol kg^‐1) to fairly high (>0.66 cmol kg^‐1). The base saturation was just moderate (50–92%). The soils were marginally suitable (S3) for maize, with about 20% of the area not suitable (N1) presently. The main constraints to arable cultivation were heavy rainfall, imperfect or poor drainage, and low base saturation. They are moderately suitable (S2) for plantain due to low base saturation, short dry season, and unfavorable texture which was light in some and too heavy in others. For oil palm, the soils were moderately (S2) to highly (S1) suitable, though the short dry season, low base saturation and poor drainage could pose as limitations. Obviously, with good drainage and proper fertility management high yields of maize, plantain and oil palm could be obtained on these soils. Such studies should be made to cover the entire Niger Delta in order to provide data to justify the preservation of all prime agricultural soils in the area from being lost to the oil industry.     

Comparison of soil properties of native forests,Pinus patula plantations and adjacent pastures in the Andean highlands of southern Ecuador: land use history or recent vegetation effects?

In the high Andes of Ecuador scarcity of farmland has led to accelerated deforestation, in particular over the last 40 years. Soil mis‐management has caused the rapid decline of soil fertility and most farmland has been irreversibly transformed into grassland or tree plantations. The present study assessed whether pastures and particularly pine plantations were associated with less soil nutrients. The soils from six sites each of native forests and Pinus patula plantations, and their adjacent pastures were sampled in a geographically large area in the Paute watershed, south Ecuador. Soil analyses showed statistically significant differences for soil cations and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) only. ECEC was highest in soils from native forests and their adjacent pastures (6.4 cmol/kg) compared to pine plantations and their pastures (4.2 cmol/kg). Mean soil organic matter and pH were similar in native forests/pastures (39% SOM; pH 5.4) and in plantations/pastures (40% SOM; pH 5). As pasture soils had ECEC concentrations statistically similar to those of their adjacent forest or plantation, they do not form a single homogeneous land use type based on soil nutrients. Therefore, this study cannot conclude that the presence of pines alone has caused soil degradation, but instead that the soil at the site was already degraded before pines were planted. This study proposes the scenario that pine plantations are established in pastures as a last resort, when the soils are already strongly degraded, and more profitable land uses are not available. Farmers are reluctant to use fertile land for tree plantations, and only the planting of well‐known species, such as pines, is officially encouraged.     

Impacts of termites on selected soil physicochemical characteristics in the highlands of Southwest Ethiopia

Termites are reported to improve soil physicochemical properties thereby enhance soil fertility of their mound and foraging areas. Empirical study pertaining to these effects is missing in Southwest Ethiopia. For this study, soil samples affected by termite activities were collected at 1 m interval within 0–3 m distance from the base of six termite mounds on gently sloping and sloping land and analyzed for physicochemical parameters. The result of the analysis depicted that soil bulk density (1.38–1.15 g cm^?3) and moisture content (21.1–9.9%) decreased with increased distance from the mound base. While clay content decreased with increased distance from the mound base from72.0% to 45.5%, sand and silt contents increased from 8.0% to 21.3% and 19.3% to 28.5%, respectively. PH (6.23), organic carbon (3.85%), total nitrogen (0.4%), cation exchange capacity CEC (30.43 cmol kg^?1), exchangeable Ca (13.73 cmol kg^?1), Mg (3.15 cmol kg^?1), and PBS (56.8%) were higher on termite mounds. While, electrical conductivity (0.03 dS m^?1–0.06 dS m^?1), exchangeable K (0.52–0.93 cmol kg^?1) and Na (0.02–0.03 cmol kg^?1) showed increasing trend with the distance from the mound base. Our results indicated that termite mounds are important sinks of organic matter and mineral nutrients, and hence contribute to the enhancement of soil fertility. Thus, for subsistent farmers the uses of termite mounds as a fertilizer present an opportunity to improve agricultural production.     

Landuse impacts on soil organic carbon fractions in different rainfall areas of a subtropical dryland

Landuse can alter soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions by affecting carbon inflows and outflows. This study evaluated changes in SOC fractions in response to different landuses under variable rainfalls. We compared cropland, grassland and forest soils in high rainfall (Islamabad ~1142 mm) and low rainfall (Chakwal ~667 mm) areas of Pothwar dryland, Pakistan. Forest soils in both rainfall areas had highest SOC (11.32 g kg^?1), particulate organic carbon (POC, 1.70 g kg^?1), mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC, 7.17 g kg^?1) and aggregate-associated organic carbon (AOC, 7.86 g kg^?1). However, in rangeland and cropland soils, these varied with rainfall. Under high rainfall, SOC and MOC were 12% and 17% higher in rangeland than in cropland while POC and AOC were equal. Under low rainfall, SOC and MOC were higher in rangeland than in cropland by 7.21 and 1.79 g kg^?1 at 0–15 cm and equal at 15–30 cm depth. POC and AOC were higher in rangeland than in cropland, in both depths. Averagely, SOC, POC, MOC and AOC were 26%, 68%, 76% and 30% higher in high rainfall than in low rainfall soils. Sensitivity of SOC fractions to landuses observed under different rainfalls could provide useful information for soil management in subtropical drylands.     

Soil carbon and nutrient pools, microbial properties and gross nitrogen transformations in adjacent natural forest and hoop pine plantations of subtropical Australia

Background, Aims, and Scope  An improved understanding of important soil carbon (C) and nutrient pools as well as microbial activities in forest ecosystems is required for developing effective forest management regimes underpinning forest productivity and sustainability. Forest types and management practices can have significant impacts on soil C and nutrient pools as well as biological properties in forest ecosystems. Soil C and nutrient pools were assessed for adjacent natural forest (NF), first rotation (1R) (50-year-old), and second rotation (2R) (1-year-old) hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Ait. ex D. Don) plantations in southeast Queensland of subtropical Australia. Materials and Methods  Five transects spaced 3 m apart with 9 sampling points along each transect were selected (9.6 m × 12.0 m each site), with 45 soil cores (7.5 cm in diameter) collected and separated into 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths. These soils were analysed for total C, total nitrogen (N), C (δ¹³C) and N (δ¹⁵N) isotope composition. The 0–10 cm soils were analysed for pH, CEC, exchangeable cations, total P and total K, and assayed for microbial biomass C and N, respiration, metabolic quotient, potential mineralizable N (PMN), gross N mineralization (M) and immobilization (I). Results  Total C and N in 0–10 cm soils were higher under NF and 1R plantation than under 2R plantation, while they were highest in 10–20 cm soils under NF, followed by the 1R and then 2R plantation. δ¹³C was lower under NF than under the plantations, while δ¹⁵N was higher under NF than under the plantations. Total P was the highest under NF, followed by the 1R and then 2R plantation, while total K was higher under the 2R plantation. No significant differences were detected for pH, CEC, exchangeable cations, microbial C and N, respiration and metabolic quotient among the 3 sites. PMN and M were higher under NF, while I was the highest under the 2R plantation, followed by the NF and then 1R plantation. Discussion  Soil total C and N in 0–10 cm depth were significantly lower under 2R hoop pine plantation than those under NF and 1R hoop pine plantation. There were significant reductions in soil total C and N from NF to 1R and from 1R to 2R hoop pine plantations in 10–20 cm depth. This highlights potential N deficiency in the 2R hoop pine plantations, and application of N fertilizers may be required to improve the productivity of 2R hoop pine plantations. There were no significant differences in other soil chemical and physical properties in 0–10 cm depth among the 3 sites under NF, 1R and 2R hoop pine plantations, except for soil total P and K. Soil microbial biomass C, CO₂ respiration and metabolic quotient did not differ among the 3 sites assessed, perhaps mainly due to these biological variables being too sensitive to variations in soil chemical and physical properties and thereby being associated with a larger variability in the soil biological properties. However, soil potential mineralizable N, gross N mineralization and immobilization were rather sensitive to the conversion of NF to hoop pine plantation and forest management practices. Conclusions  Total C and N in the top 20 cm soil were highest under NF, followed by 1R and then 2R hoop pine plantations, indicating that N deficiency may become a growth-limiting factor in the 2R hoop pine plantations and subsequent rotations of hoop pine plantation. The sample size for soil δ¹³C seems to be much smaller than those for soil total C and N as well as δ¹⁵N. The significant reductions in soil total P from NF to 1R and then from 1R to 2R hoop pine plantations highlight that P deficiency might become another growth-limiting factor in the second and subsequent rotations of hoop pine plantations. Soil microbial properties may be associated with large spatial variations due to these biological properties being too sensitive to the variations in soil chemical and physical properties in these forest ecosystems. Recommendations and Perspectives  Soil potential mineralizable N, gross N mineralization and immobilization were useful indices of soil N availability in response to forest types and management practices. The sampling size for soil δ¹³C was much smaller than the other soil chemical and biological properties due to the different patterns of spatial variation in these soil properties.     

Geochemical assessment,distribution, and dynamics of trace elements in urban agricultural soils under long‐term wastewater irrigation in Kano,northern Nigeria

A study was conducted to evaluate the distribution and origin of trace elements (Ti, Fe, Nb, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, and Zr) in five representative long‐term wastewater‐irrigated urban vegetable gardens of Kano, Nigeria. Surface‐soil concentrations (0–15 cm) of Ti (4600–14 300 mg kg^–1), Fe (4000–31 800 mg kg^–1), Pb (96–355 mg kg^–1), and Y (33–98 mg kg^–1) were high compared to mean concentrations in comparable soils elsewhere. However, soil‐pollution assessment yielded no evidence of anthropogenic input of the trace elements studied. Indices such as the enrichment factor, the contamination factor, and the geoaccumulation index (I_geo) revealed little to no contamination with trace elements. The I_geo calculated for these metals varied across locations between 0.00 and 0.12 with Nb having the highest I_geo value. Similarly, the contamination factor was low for all metals with the exception of Fe reaching a contamination factor of 4.2 at one location. Geochemical‐balance evaluations showed depletion of all trace elements except for Fe which was 176% higher than in a natural uncultivated and unirrigated reference soil. Correlation and factor analyses showed that all determined trace elements likely originated from the same natural sources, which probably are the soil parent material and atmospheric depositions.     

Zinc Deficiency in Rainfed Wheat in Pakistan: Magnitude,Spatial Variability,Management, and Plant Analysis Diagnostic Norms

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a widespread micronutrient disorder in crops grown in calcareous soils; therefore, we conducted a nutrient indexing of farmer‐grown rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Pak‐81) in 1.82 Mha Potohar plateau of Pakistan by sampling up to 30 cm tall whole shoots and associated soils. The crop was Zn deficient in more than 80% of the sampled fields, and a good agreement existed between plant Zn concentration and surface soil AB‐DTPA Zn content (r=0.52; p≤0.01). Contour maps of the sampled areas, prepared by geostatistical analysis techniques and computer graphics, delineated areas of Zn deficiency and, thus, would help focus future research and development. In two field experiments on rainfed wheat grown in alkaline Zn‐deficient Typic Haplustalfs (AB‐DTPA Zn, 0.49–0.52 mg kg^?1), soil‐applied Zn increased grain yield up to 12% over control. Fertilizer requirement for near‐maximum wheat grain yield was 2.0 kg Zn ha^?1, with a VCR of 4∶1. Zinc content in mature grain was a good indicator of soil Zn availability status, and plant tissue critical Zn concentration ranges appear to be 16–20 mg kg^?1 in young whole shoots, 12–16 mg kg^?1 in flag leaves, and 20–24 mg Zn kg^?1 in mature grains.     

The effects of irrigation and cultivation on the quality of desert soil in central Iran

Cultivation of irrigated desert soils in Central Iran is one way of utilizing under‐exploited land to produce more food. This study explores the value of soil quality indicators as measures when converting desert to croplands. Soil samples from unfarmed desert, wheat and alfalfa sites in the Abarkooh Plain (Central Iran) were taken from 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm depths. Soil quality indicators including organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, particulate organic carbon (POC) in aggregate fractions, and aggregate water‐stability were determined. The desert soils contained organic carbon of 0·26–0·56 g kg⁻¹, total nitrogen of 0·05–0·08 g kg⁻¹ and carbohydrate of 0·03–0·11 g kg⁻¹ at 0–30 cm depth. Across this depth, the contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen and carbohydrate in wheat were about 3–7, 2–3 and 6–26‐times higher than those of desert soils, respectively. These values for alfalfa were 5–12, 3–4 and 7–35 times, respectively. The POC (near zero in desert soils) and generally other soil quality indicators showed greater improvement in alfalfa than in wheat fields. The results indicated a significant decrease in proportion of the fraction <0·05 mm in cultivated soils, whereas the proportion of the large aggregate size classes (2–4 and 1–2 mm) was increased by irrigation and cultivation. A significant improvement in aggregate water‐stability was observed in cultivated soils. At all depths, a large portion of the total soil organic carbon was stored in the fractions <0·05 mm for desert and macroaggregates (0·25–2 mm) for cultivated soils. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Pinus caribaea growth in relation to soil physico-chemical properties in plantation forests in Northern Nigeria

The present study described the relationship between growth and soil physico-chemical properties in Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) and Pinus caribaea (Pinaceae), two important species in Nigerian forest recovery programs. The study sites were located in a 17-year-old plantation in a Northern Nigeria forest reserve. The soils at the study sites were nutrient poor compared with other plantations. Growth of E. camaldulensis was positively correlated with exchangeable K content in soils 0–20 cm deep, and negatively correlated with total N and exchangeable Na in soils 20–150 cm deep. Growth of P. caribaea was positively correlated with available P in soils 0–20 cm deep, and volumetric water content in soils 20–150 cm deep. Soils in the top layers were very hard and plinthite layers were well developed at shallow soil depths at most sites. E. camaldulensis exhibited a comparatively high survival rate, and its growth was comparable to that in other plantations. However, the survival rates of P. caribaea were low and its growth was lower than that in other plantations. The survival rate of E. camaldulensis was lower at sites where plinthite layers were found within 50.8 cm of the surface. These results indicated that E. camaldulensis is suitable for afforestation in Northern Nigeria. However, it is not recommended for sites where the plinthite layer occurs at shallow soil depths.     

Impact of land use on soil organic carbon stocks in the humid tropics of NE Tanzania

The conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land use is considered as a major cause for a decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, the extent and impact of different land uses on SOC stock development is highly uncertain, especially for tropical Africa due to a lack of reliable data. Interactions of SOC with the soil mineral phase can modify the susceptibility of SOC to become mineralized. Pedogenic Fe‐, Al‐oxides and clay potentially affect SOC stabilization in highly weathered soils typically found in the humid tropics. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of different land uses on SOC stock on such soils. For that purpose, 10 pedologically similar, deeply weathered acidic soils (Acrisols, Alisols) in the Eastern Usambara Mountains (Amani Nature Reserve, NE Tanzania) under contrasting land use were sampled to a depth of 100 cm. The calculated mean SOC stocks were 17.5 kg C m^?2, 16.8 kg C m^?2, 16.9 kg C m^?2, and 20.0 kg C m^?2 for the four forests, two tea plantations, three croplands, and one homegarden, respectively. A significant difference in mean SOC stock of 1.3 kg C m^?2 was detected between forest and cropland land use for the 0–10 cm depth increment. No further significant impacts of land use on SOC stocks were observed. All soils have a clearly clay‐dominated texture. They are characterized by high content of pedogenic oxides with 29 to 47 g kg^?1 measured for the topsoils and 36 to 65 g kg^?1 for the subsoils. No positive significant relationship was found between SOC and clay content. Statistically significant positive relationships existed between oxalate‐extractable Fe, Al, and SOC content for cropland soils only. Compared to data published in literature the SOC stocks determined in our study were generally high independent of the established land use. It appears that efficient SOC stabilization mechanisms are counteracting the higher disturbance regime under agricultural land use in these highly weathered tropical soils.     

Effects of short‐rotation Eucalyptus plantations on soil quality attributes in highly acidic soils of the central highlands of Ethiopia

In recent decades, conversion of agricultural land to short‐rotation (5–10 years) Eucalyptus plantations has become a common practice in the highlands of Ethiopia. Yet, we have a poor understanding of the effect of these land conversions on soil quality attributes under acidic soil conditions. Previous studies along the same line but based merely on physico‐chemical properties of soils were inconsistent and contradictory. We compared soil physical, chemical and biological properties under 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations with adjacent grassland soils. Results revealed that soil bulk density of adjacent grassland was significantly smaller than in the two Eucalyptus plantations. Although land‐use change from grassland to short‐rotation Eucalyptus did not affect soil texture significantly, values of soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, calcium and cation exchange capacity (CEC) values in adjacent grassland were greater at both 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths compared with 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations. Available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and magnesium were not significantly affected under the three land‐use systems. Generally, no differences were observed in available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations or in CEC between the two sampling depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). The microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen recorded in 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations were comparable but significantly smaller than in adjacent grasslands. Kinetics parameters calculated using a first‐order equation (C_t = C_o (1?e^?kt)) showed potentially mineralizable carbon (C_o) was significantly larger (P < 0.001) under grassland compared with 5‐ and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus plantations. Conversion of grassland to 5‐year‐old and 10‐year‐old Eucalyptus reduced the values of C_o by 21 and 43%, respectively. However, soil physical and chemical properties were not adversely affected by age of Eucalyptus over a 5‐year period. It is concluded that Eucalyptus plantations degrade soil ecosystem functioning and environmental sustainability compared with grassland.     

Downed logs improve soil properties in old-growth temperate forests of northern Iran

Dead trees, particularly downed logs, play an important role in the dynamics of forest ecosystem. Contribution of decaying wood to C and nutrient pools of forest soils depends on the tree species and degree of wood decay. However, the extent to which the downed logs affect the soil properties of temperate forests has rarely been evaluated. In this study, a mixed beech forest was selected in Liresar region of Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, to investigate if and how the presence of downed logs affected soil quality and function by comparing soils underneath degraded logs and nearby soils of the two dominant tree species(beech and hornbeam). We then explored how these effects occurred as downed logs decomposed by comparing the woods of both tree species at four degrees of decomposition. Degree of decay of downed logs was classified into four classes(DC1–DC4). Eight dead trees of each tree species were selected at the center of each sample plot. Three composite soil samples underneath each decaying log and 100 cm away from a decaying log were collected at two soil depths(0–15 and 15–30 cm) to analyze soil main physicochemical properties and microbial activity. The results revealed that downed logs affected soil physical(5% wetter than control soils), chemical(2% lower pH, 100% increase in organic C and total N in the case of hornbeam, and 2% increase in P), and biological characteristics(soil microbial respiration enhanced by 10%, and microbial biomass C 620 and 351.5 mg kg~(-1) and microbial biomass N 66.47 and 32.18 mg kg~(-1), respectively, in the cases of beech and hornbeam), thus resulting in significantly different soil microsites from those without downed logs. Presence of downed logs increased soil microbial activity and soil fertility as wood decayed. Thus, the presence of downed logs is an important factor influencing forest soils and should be taken into consideration in forest management practices.     

Soil organic carbon stocks of conifers, broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf forests of Spain

Forests represent an important resource for mitigating the greenhouse effect, but which is the contributions of the different forest types in sequestering and keeping soil C for a longer time is still uncertain, particularly in the Mediterranean area. The aim of this work is to quantify the soil organic C (SOC) stock in the 0–30 and 0–100?cm depths of mineral soil, according to the main forest types—conifers, broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf—and the different climatic zones of Spain, using a database comprising records of 1,974 pedons. Conifers and broadleaf forests show a trend in SOC stock distribution, with the stocks decreasing with increasing Mediterranean conditions. On average, in the 0–30?cm depth, the soils under broadleaf store the highest amount of SOC (5.9?±?0.1?kg?m^?2), followed by conifers (5.6?±?0.1?kg?m^?2) and evergreen broadleaf soils with an amount always lower (3.4?±?0.2?kg?m^?2). Climate and forest cover are the principal factors in determining the amount of SOC stored in Spanish forests. The significantly higher amount of SOC found in conifers and broadleaf forests than the evergreen broadleaf forests leads us to hypothesize a decrease in the SOC if climate change will increase drought periods with a consequent expansion of this latter forest type. Correlations between the SOC stocks under the different forest types, climate and soil features support the major role of climate and vegetation in controlling SOC sequestration in the Mediterranean area, while the effect of texture is less pronounced. Assigning a precise SOC stock to the different forest types, according to each climatic zone, would notably help to obtain an accurate SOC estimate at national level and for future assessments of the status of this large C reservoir.