Lime and Cattle Manure in Soil Fertility and Soybean Grain Yield Cultivated in Tropical Soil

Most tropical soils have high acidity and low natural fertility. The appropriate application of lime and cattle manure corrects acidity, improves physical and biological properties, increases soil fertility, and reduces the use of chemical and/or synthetic fertilizers by crops, such as soybean, the main agricultural export product of Brazil. This study aimed to assess the effects of the combination of the application of dolomite limestone (0, 5, and 10 Mg ha^?1) and cattle manure (0, 40, and 80 Mg ha^?1) on grain yield and the chemical properties of an Oxisol (Red Latosol) cultivated with soybean for two consecutive years. The maximum grain yield was obtained with the application of 10 Mg ha^?1 of lime and 80 Mg ha^?1 of cattle manure. Liming significantly increased pH index, the concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺) and exchangeable magnesium (Mg²⁺), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil and reduced potential acidity (H⁺ + Al³⁺), while the application of cattle manure increased pH level; the concentrations of potassium (K⁺), Ca²⁺, and exchangeable Mg²⁺; and CEC of the soil. During the 2 years of assessment, the greatest grain yields were obtained with saturation of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in CEC at the 4.4, 40.4, and 17.5 levels, respectively. The results indicated that the ratios of soil exchangeable Ca/Mg, Ca/K, K/Mg, and K/(Ca+Mg) can be modified to increase the yield of soybean grains.     

Spatial Distribution of Surface Soil Acidity,Electrical Conductivity,Soil Organic Carbon Content and Exchangeable Potassium,Calcium and Magnesium in Some Cropped Acid Soils of India

Land degradation is a global problem. Best management of degraded land can be done by evaluating the spatial variability of soil properties including chemical properties of degraded land and mapping such variations. Since, a significant portion of arable land in India is chemically degraded due to soil acidity; the present study was conducted to study the spatial variability of soil acidity (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (OC) content, exchangeable potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) contents in some cropped acid soils of India. A total of four hundred (one hundred from each series) representative surface (0–0.15 m depth) soil samples were collected from arable soils representing four soil series namely Hariharapur, Debatoli, Rajpora and Neeleswaram situated in Orissa, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala states of India, respectively, and were analyzed. Soil acidity (pH between 3.90 and 6.45) showed a low variability, in contrast to other soil properties, which showed moderate variability. The coefficients of variation varied from 32.4 to 74.3, 31.2 to 50.9, 45.6 to 100, 71.9 to 93.0 and 59.0 to 79.8% for EC (mean between 0.05 and 0.09 dS m⁻¹), OC (mean between 0.29 to 1.86%), exchangeable K⁺ (mean between 39.1 and 77.7 mg kg⁻¹), Ca²⁺ (mean between 148 and 293 mg kg⁻¹) and Mg²⁺ (mean between 111 and 191 mg kg⁻¹), respectively. Soil pH and OC content were positively and significantly correlated with exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content. Geostatistical analysis revealed that the best fit models were gaussian, exponential and spherical for different soil properties with moderate to strong spatial dependency. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Yield,Nutrient Uptake,and Soil Chemical Properties as Influenced by Liming and Boron Application in Common Bean in a No‐Tillage System

Abstract

In Oxisols, acidity is the principal limiting factor for crop production. In recent years, because of intensive cropping on these soils, deficiency of micronutrients is increasing. A field experiment was conducted on an Oxisol during three consecutive years to assess the response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under a no‐tillage system to varying rates of lime (0, 12, and 24 Mg ha^?1) and boron (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 kg ha^?1) application. Both time and boron (B) were applied as broadcast and incorporated into the soil at the beginning of the study. Changes in selected soil chemical properties in the soil profile (0- to 10‐ and 10- to 20‐cm depths) with liming were also determined. During all three years, gain yields increased significantly with the application of lime. However, B application significantly increased common bean yield in only the first crop. Only lime application significantly affected the soil chemical properties [pH; calcium (Ca²⁺); magnesium (Mg²⁺); hydrogen (H⁺)+ aluminum (Al³⁺); base saturation; acidity saturation; cation exchange capacity (CEC); percent saturation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and potassium (K⁺); and ratios of exchangeable Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K] at both soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). A positive significant association was observed between grain yield and soil chemical properties. Averaged across two depths and three crops, common bean produced maximum grain yield at soil pH_w of 6.7, exchangeable (cmol_c kg^?1) of Ca²⁺ 4.9, Mg²⁺ 2.2, H⁺+Al³⁺ 2.6, acidity saturation of 27.6%, CEC of 4.1 cmol_c kg^?1, base saturation of 72%, Ca saturation of 53.2%, Mg saturation of 17.6%, K saturation of 2.7%, Ca/Mg ratio of 2.8, Ca/K ratio of 25.7, and Mg/K ratio of 8.6. Soil organic matter did not change significantly with addition of lime.     

Clay Dispersion of Hardsetting Inceptisols in Southeastern Nigeria as Influenced by Soil Components

Abstract

Hardsetting soil properties are undesirable in agricultural soils because they hamper moisture movement and soil aeration. The soils of the floodplain of Niger River in eastern Nigeria hardsets upon drying, following dispersion, puddling, and slaking during the waterlogged period. Ten soil samples collected from a depth of 0–20 cm were analyzed for their properties. The soils are classified as Fluvaquentic Eutropepts or Dystric Gleysol (FAO). The objective was to investigate the influence of some soil properties on water‐dispersible clay (WDC) of the soils, which is the precursor of the hardsetting process. The total clay content (TC) correlated significantly with WDC (r=0.94??), whereas the water‐dispersible silt (WDSi) was higher than its corresponding total silt content. The WDC showed a positive correlation with dithionite extractable Fe (Fed), Al (Ald), and oxalate extractable Fe (Feo) (r=0.75?, 0.89??, and 0.76? respectively). Exchangeable Mg²⁺ correlated significantly with WDSi (r=0.70). Principal component analysis of the soil variables indicates that 15 soil components, which influence WDC as hardsetting properties, were reduced to 5 orthogonal components. The parameters that influence hardsetting properties are exchangeable Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fed, Alo, and Feo. Other soil properties are kaolinite, smectite, illite, and WDC, including soil organic carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC), and ESP. Therefore, those soil properties, which explain hardsetting characteristics most, are exchangeable Na⁺, Fed, OC, Mg²⁺, and Alo. There are negative consequences on the erodibility, runoff, infiltration and tillage of the soils at both submerged and dry conditions due to clay dispersion, low OC, and hardsetting behavior of the soil.     

通过施用碱性矿渣和作物残茬生物炭以促进酸性老成土中盐基饱并降低土壤酸度

This investigation was conducted by using alkaline slag and crop straw biochars to reduce acidity of an acidic Ultisol through incubation and pot experiments with lime as a comparison. The soil was amended with different liming materials： lime（1 g kg^-1）,alkaline slag（2 and 4 g kg^-1）, peanut straw biochar（10 and 20 g kg^-1）, canola straw biochar（10 and 20 g kg^-1） and combinations of alkaline slag（2 g kg^-1） and biochars（10 g kg^-1） in the incubation study. A pot experiment was also conducted to observe the soybean growth responses to the above treatments. The results showed that all the liming materials increased soil p H and decreased soil exchangeable acidity. The higher the rates of alkaline slag, biochars, and alkaline slag combined with biochars, the greater the increase in soil p H and the reduction in soil exchangeable acidity. All the amendments increased the levels of one or more soil exchangeable base cations. The lime treatment increased soil exchangeable Ca^2＋, the alkaline slag treatment increased exchangeable Ca^2＋ and Mg^2＋ levels, and the biochars and combined applications of alkaline slag with biochars increased soil exchangeable Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋ and K^＋ and soil available P. The amendments enhanced the uptake of one or more nutrients of N, P, K, Ca and Mg by soybean in the pot experiment. Of the different amendments, the combined application of alkaline slag with crop straw biochars was the best choice for increasing base saturation and reducing soil acidity of the acidic Ultisol. The combined application of alkaline slag with biochars led to the greatest reduction in soil acidity, increased soil Ca, Mg, K and P levels, and enhanced the uptake of Ca, Mg, K and P by soybean plants.     

Influence of soil properties on the aggregate stability of cultivated sandy clay loams

Purpose

Frequent cultivation and overhead irrigation have led to severe surface crusting, erosion and poor irrigation performance on sandy clay loam soils in the Coal River Valley, Tasmania, Australia. This study was established to identify the key soil properties related to aggregate breakdown determined by different methods, and explore options for reducing soil crusting.

Materials and methods

Soil aggregates were collected from 0 to 5 cm depth from 20 sites managed for packet salad and lettuce production. The stability of air-dried 2.00–4.75 mm aggregates was determined by rainfall simulation, wet sieving and clay dispersion. Soil aggregates were analysed for particle size, mineralogy, soluble and exchangeable cations, pH, EC, labile carbon and total carbon. The association between aggregate stability and the measured soil properties was explored using Spearman correlation, linear regression and regression tree analysis.

Result and discussion

Aggregate stability determined by rainfall simulation was closely associated with soil properties that promote aggregation, including effective cation exchangeable capacity (ECEC) and the proportion of polyvalent cations (Ca²⁺, Al³⁺). In contrast, aggregate stability determined by wet sieving was associated with soil properties that promote disaggregation, including quartz and sand content, and to lesser extent, the proportion of monovalent cations (especially K⁺). Clay dispersion was closely associated with pH, quartz content, soil texture and the sodium adsorption ratio. Soil carbon appeared to have only moderate influence on aggregate stability, but not clay dispersion, while labile carbon was not significantly related to any measure of aggregate stability or clay dispersion. Similarly, the proportion of Na⁺ ions was not related to either measure of aggregate stability and was only moderately related to clay dispersion.

Conclusions

Options for improving aggregate stability appear limited as aggregate stability was strongly related to the content of inherent soil properties such as sand/quartz and smectite contents. However, high correlation between exchangeable Ca²⁺ and aggregate stability determined by rainfall simulation indicates that soil crusting may be reduced through application of products that rich in Ca²⁺ such as gypsum.

     

Competitivity,selectivity, and heavy metals-induced alkaline cation displacement in soils

Abstract

The simultaneous incorporation of heavy metals into the soil is still a matter of great concern. Interaction (competitive sorption) between these metals and the soil solid phase may result in a deterioration of soil quality which relies basically on amounts of alkaline cations saturating soils sorptive complex. Results of this study indicate that Pb, Cu, C d, and Zn have induced solution pH decreases which were more intensive at highest metal loading rates. Partition parameters (Kd)-based sequences showed that Pb and Cu were more competitive than Cd and Zn and the overall selectivity sequence followed: Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn. Metal loadings and their competitive sorption have led to a strengthened displacement of alkaline cations (i.e. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺), especially of Ca²⁺ as a factor “stabilizing” soil sorptive complex. Such metals impact jointly with soils acidification are of great environmental concern since tremendous amounts of alkaline cations (especially Ca²⁺) may be potentially leached out, irrespective of the degree of soil contamination, as evidenced in the current study. High and positive ΔG values implied that the studied soils were characterized by generally low concentrations of exchangeable potassium which required high energy to get displaced (desorbed). Further studies on heavy metal uncontaminated or contaminated areas should be undertaken to provide with data which should be used for predictions on changes related to soil buffering capacity as impacted by heavy metal inputs.     

砒砂岩区不同退耕还林措施土壤颗粒及交换性能分布特征

为研究砒砂岩区退耕还林还草措施下林地和草地的土壤结构及土壤交换性能对其措施的响应,选取柠条林、油松林、小叶杨林和本氏针茅草地为研究对象,并以荞麦坡耕地为对照,通过野外取样与室内试验相结合的方式,采用分形理论探究土壤粒径分布(PSD)、阳离子交换量(CEC)和交换性盐基总量(ECEC)及其组成(Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+))的分布特征,并分析其相关性关系。结果表明:(1)实施退耕还林措施后,草地和林地的PSD分布范围、非均一性、离散程度均高于坡耕地,且柠条林的土壤粉粒含量、PSD分布范围的增幅效果最显著(P0.05);土壤剖面垂直层次上,草地有利于增加表层土壤的细粒组分和粒径的分布范围,而林地更有利于对深层土壤粒径的改良与细化;(2)研究区交换性盐基组成主要以碱土金属为主(Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)),不同措施的土壤ECEC和CEC值由大到小依次为柠条林油松林小叶杨林草地坡耕地。草地表层土壤交换性能优于底层土壤,而林地与之相反;(3)黏、粉粒和细砂是决定研究区土壤交换性能的细粒土壤和粗粒土壤,粉粒是CEC、ECEC的主要贡献因子,多重分形维数可较好地描述土壤交换性能与土壤颗粒间的关系。不同措施以柠条林对土壤颗粒组成和土壤交换性能的改良效果最优。     

Additional application of aluminum sulfate with different fertilizers ameliorates saline-sodic soil of Songnen Plain in Northeast China

Purpose

Serious soil salinization, including excessive exchangeable sodium and high pH, significantly decreases land productivity. Reducing salinity and preventing alkalization in saline-sodic soils by comprehensive improvement practices are urgently required. The combinations of aluminum sulfate with different types of fertilizer at different rates were applied on rice paddy with saline-sodic soils of the Songnen Plain in Northeast China to improve soil quality and its future utilization.

Materials and methods

Experiments were carried out in a completely randomized block design. Twelve treatments with aluminum sulfate at the rates of 0, 250, 500, and 750 kg hm^?2 with inorganic, bio-organic, and organic-inorganic compound fertilizers were performed. Soil pH, electronic conductivity (EC), cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), total alkalinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrients, soluble ions, rice growth, and yield in the saline-sodic soils were measured across all treatments. The relationships among the measured soil attributes were determined using one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and systematic cluster analysis.

Results and discussion

The pH, EC, ESP, total alkalinity, SAR, Na⁺, CO₃^2?, and HCO₃^? in saline-sodic soil were significantly decreased, while CEC, SOC, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), K⁺, and SO₄^2? were significantly increased due to the combined application of aluminum sulfate with fertilizer compared with the fertilizer alone. The most effective treatment in reducing salinity and preventing alkalization was aluminum sulfate at a rate of 500 kg hm^?2 with organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. This treatment significantly decreased the soil pH, EC, ESP, total alkalinity, SAR, Na⁺, and HCO₃^? by 5.3%, 28.9%, 41.1%, 39.3%, 22.4%, 23.5%, and 35.9%, but increased CEC, SOC, AN, AP, AK, K⁺, SO₄^2?, rice height, seed setting rate, 1000-grain weight, and yield by 77.5%, 115.5%, 106.3%, 47.1%, 43.3%, 200%, 40%, 6.2%, 43.9%, 20.3%, and 42.2%, respectively, compared with CK treatment in the leaching layer.

Conclusions

The combined application by aluminum sulfate at a rate of 500 kg hm^?2 with organic-inorganic compound fertilizer is an effective amendment of saline-sodic soils in Songnen Plain, Northeast China. These results are likely related to the leaching of Na⁺ from the soil leaching layer to the salt accumulation layer and desalination in the surface soil, and the increase of SOC improved the colloidal properties and increased fertilizer retention in soil. In addition, the environmental impact of aluminum sulfate applied to soil needs to be further studied.

     

昆明烟区植烟土壤pH与中微量元素时空变异性研究

分析昆明烟区5个年度（2012—2020年）共4 888份植烟土壤pH和中微量营养元素的年际变化特征，为预测和阻控土壤酸化及科学配施中微量营养元素提供理论基础。结果表明，2012—2020年：①pH均值介于6.0~6.4，主要分布在微酸性至中性范围，随种植年限的增加，强酸性土壤频度增加，微酸性和中性土壤减少；②有机质均值变幅为29.7~32.2 g/kg，自2018年后有所下降；③交换性镁均值介于240.6~270.7 mg/kg，整体较丰富，随种植年限增加略有降低；④有效锌主要分布在很高等级，有效硼和水溶性氯主要分布在低和很低等级；⑤除pH外，5个年度的土壤有机质、交换性镁、有效锌、有效硼和水溶性氯样本的空间变异性较高。综上所述，在常规施肥管理模式下，昆明烟区植烟土壤酸碱度、有机质和交换性镁含量整体适宜，近年来有缓慢下降趋势；有效硼和水溶性氯含量整体偏低，均表现出一定的时空异质性。因此，基于昆明烟区常规施肥水平上，在注重提高有机肥和硼肥施用量，降低锌肥施用量的同时，应保持土壤交换性镁和水溶性氯的平衡。     

Effect of low energy-consuming biochars in combination with nitrate fertilizer on soil acidity amelioration and maize growth

Purpose

We evaluated the ameliorative effects of crop straw biochars either alone or in combination with nitrate fertilizer on soil acidity and maize growth.

Materials and methods

Low energy-consuming biochars were prepared from canola and peanut straws at 400 °C for 2 h. Incubation experiment was conducted to determine application rate of biochars. Afterward, maize crop was grown in pots for 85 days to investigate the effects of 1 % biochars combined with nitrate fertilizer on soil pH, exchangeable acidity, and maize growth in an Ultisol collected from Guangdong Province, China.

Results and discussion

Application of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 % either canola straw biochar (CSB) or peanut straw biochar (PSB) increased soil pH by 0.15, 0.27, 0.34, and 0.30, 0.58, 0.83 U, respectively, after 65-day incubation. Soil pH was increased by 0.49, 0.72, 0.78, and 0.88 U when 1 % CSB or PSB was applied in combination with 100 and 200 mg N/kg of nitrate, respectively, after maize harvest in greenhouse pot experiment. These low-cost biochars when applied alone or in combination with nitrate not only reduced soil exchangeable acidity, but also increased Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and base saturation degree of the soil. A total of 49.91 and 80.58 % decreases in exchangeable acidity were observed when 1 % CSB and PSB were incubated with the soil for 65 days, compared to pot experiment where 71.35, 78.64, 80.2, and 81.77 % reductions of exchangeable acidity were observed when 1 % CSB and PSB were applied in combination with 100 and 200 mg N/kg of nitrate, respectively. The higher contents of base cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺) in biochars also influenced the plant growth. The higher biomass in CSB-treated pots was attributed to the higher K content compared to PSB. The higher percent reduction in exchangeable Al³⁺ by applying 1 % CSB combined with 200 mg N/kg of nitrate consistently produced maximum biomass (129.65 g/pot) compared to 100 mg N/kg of nitrate and 1 % PSB combined with 100 and 200 mg N/kg of nitrate. The exchangeable Al³⁺ mainly responsible for exchangeable acidity was decreased with the application of biochars and nitrate fertilizer. A highly significant negative relationship was observed between soil exchangeable Al³⁺ and plant biomass (r ²?=?0.88, P?<?0.05).

Conclusions

The biochars in combination with nitrate fertilizer are cost-effective options to effectively reduce soil acidity and improve crop growth on sustainable basis.

     

Yield,Nutrient Uptake,and Changes in Soil Chemical Properties as Influenced by Liming and Iron Application in Common Bean in a No-Tillage System

Soil acidity is the principal limiting factor in crop production in Oxisols, and deficiency of micronutrients has increased in recent years because of intensive cropping. A field experiment was conducted over three consecutive years to assess response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to lime and iron (Fe) applications on an Oxisol in a no-tillage system. Changes in selected soil chemical properties in the soil profile (0- to 10- and 10- to 20-cm depths) with liming were also determined. Lime rates used were 0, 12, and 24 Mg ha^–1, and Fe application rates were 0, 50, 100, 150 200, and 400 kg ha^–1. Both lime and Fe were applied as broadcast and incorporated in the soil. Grain yields of common bean were significantly increased with the application of lime. Iron application, however, did not influence bean yield. There were significant changes in soil profile (0- to 10-cm and 10- to 20-cm depths) in pH, calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), hydrogen + aluminum (H⁺ + Al³⁺), base saturation, acidity saturation, cation exchange capacity (CEC), Ca²⁺ saturation, Mg²⁺ saturation, potassium (K⁺) saturation, and ratios of Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K. These soil chemical properties had significant positive association with common bean grain yield. Averaged across two depths and three crops, common bean produced maximum grain yield at pH_w 6.3, Ca²⁺ 3.8 cmol_c kg^–1, Mg²⁺ 1.1 cmol_c kg^–1, 3.5 H⁺ + Al³⁺ cmol_c kg^–1, acidity saturation 41.8%, CEC 7.5 cmol_c kg^–1, base saturation 57.4%, Ca saturation 45.2%, Mg saturation 14.2%, K saturation 9.1%, Ca/Mg ratio 3.1, Ca/K ratio 22.6, and Mg/K ratio 6.7.     

Responses of soil chemical and microbial indicators to conservational tillage versus traditional tillage in the North China Plain

This study compared the responses of soil chemical and microbial indicators to the conservational tillage (CT) versus traditional tillage (TT) in a Haplic Cambisol in the North China Plain (NCP). These indicators included soil organic C (SOC), soil total N (STN), soil available P (SAP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN), alkaline phosphomonoesterase (AP), β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), nitrate reductase (NR), protease, urease and the geometric mean of the assayed enzymes (GMea). Our results showed that almost all investigated parameters, except the contents of CEC, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and the ratios of GMea/MBN and C/N, were significantly higher under the CT (no-till, NT and reduced-till, RT) than those under the TT, whilst the crop yield was not significantly affected by tillage treatments. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that the first and second component explained 67.2% and 16.6% of the total variation, respectively. The first component was significantly correlated with GMea, MBC, MBN and β-glucosidase, and effectively discriminated soils under the NT or RT from those under the TT. Our results indicated that the 6-year CT improved the quality of the Haplic Cambisol by enhancing its chemical and microbial properties, whilst GMea, MBC, MBN and β-glucosidase were among the most effective indicators for monitoring these improvements.     

Effects of biochar application in forest ecosystems on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions: a review

Purpose

Forests play a critical role in terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycling and the mitigation of global climate change. Intensive forest management and global climate change have had negative impacts on the quality of forest soils via soil acidification, reduction of soil organic carbon content, deterioration of soil biological properties, and reduction of soil biodiversity. The role of biochar in improving soil properties and the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been extensively documented in agricultural soils, while the effect of biochar application on forest soils remains poorly understood. Here, we review and summarize the available literature on the effects of biochar on soil properties and GHG emissions in forest soils.

Materials and methods

This review focuses on (1) the effect of biochar application on soil physical, chemical, and microbial properties in forest ecosystems; (2) the effect of biochar application on soil GHG emissions in forest ecosystems; and (3) knowledge gaps concerning the effect of biochar application on biogeochemical and ecological processes in forest soils.

Results and discussion

Biochar application to forests generally increases soil porosity, soil moisture retention, and aggregate stability while reducing soil bulk density. In addition, it typically enhances soil chemical properties including pH, organic carbon stock, cation exchange capacity, and the concentration of available phosphorous and potassium. Further, biochar application alters microbial community structure in forest soils, while the increase of soil microbial biomass is only a short-term effect of biochar application. Biochar effects on GHG emissions have been shown to be variable as reflected in significantly decreasing soil N₂O emissions, increasing soil CH₄ uptake, and complex (negative, positive, or negligible) changes of soil CO₂ emissions. Moreover, all of the aforementioned effects are biochar-, soil-, and plant-specific.

Conclusions

The application of biochars to forest soils generally results in the improvement of soil physical, chemical, and microbial properties while also mitigating soil GHG emissions. Therefore, we propose that the application of biochar in forest soils has considerable advantages, and this is especially true for plantation soils with low fertility.

     

Changes in Chemical Properties of an Oxisol Due to Gypsum Application

The increasing demand for fertilizers and the fact that the world reserves of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are depletable make appropriate soil management a critical factor in agriculture. Techniques for the fertilizer use and soil acidity corrective are becoming increasingly necessary to minimize the cost of yield and increase the nutrient efficiency. In view of the aforementioned, the present study aimed to assess the effects of gypsum application on the leaching of cations in the soil profile. A completely randomized design in a 5 × 4 factorial arrangement, with five replicates, was used. The treatments corresponded to five gypsum rates (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 magnesium (Mg) ha^?1) applied on broadcast of soil and at four depth sampled (0–5, 6–10, 11–15, and 16–20 cm). Gypsum application increased the fertility in depth, with the leaching of cations. There was an increase in soil pH, exchangeable K⁺ and calcium (Ca²⁺), sulfur (S–SO₄^2?), P, boron (B), and manganese (Mn) concentration, cation exchange capacity (CEC), K⁺ and Ca²⁺ saturation, Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺/K⁺, and K⁺/(Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) ratios, and electrical conductivity in soil depth. On the other hand, there was a decrease in exchangeable Mg²⁺ and potential acidity hydrogen and aluminum (H⁺ + Al³⁺), available silicon (Si), Mg²⁺ saturation, and Ca²⁺/K⁺ and Mg²⁺/K⁺ ratio. These results demonstrate that the gypsum application in an Oxisol with 690 g kg^?1 of clay improves the root system with a significant increase in the soil fertility in the profile.     

Biochar application as a win-win strategy to mitigate soil nitrate pollution without compromising crop yields: a case study in a Mediterranean calcareous soil

Purpose

The environmental benefits of biochar application, ranging from improvements in crop yield to global change mitigation, have been extensively studied in the last decade. However, such benefits have not been profusely demonstrated under a Mediterranean climate and still less in combination with high pH soils. In our study, the short to medium effects of biochar application on a soil-plant system under Mediterranean conditions in an alkaline soil were assessed.

Material and methods

Barley plants were grown in field mesocosms during three agronomical years at three biochar addition rates (0, 5, and 30 t ha^?1). Related to soil, different physicochemical parameters were analyzed as well as microbial respiration, biomass, and functional diversity. In the plant domain, in vivo ecophysiology variables such as leaf transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis rate were determined while photosynthetic pigment content and soluble protein concentrations were measured in the laboratory. Additionally, crop yield and nutrient composition were also analyzed. The soil-plant connection was investigated by the N content ratio in both fractions establishing the nitrogen efficiency in the system.

Results and discussion

The highest rate of biochar amendment enhanced soil moisture and electrical conductivity combined with an increase of SO₄^2?, Cl^?, Mg²⁺, and K⁺, and decrease of NO₃^? and HPO₄^?. Notable variations regarding nutrition and moisture were induced in this Mediterranean alkaline soil after biochar addition although pH remained stable. Contrastingly, there were no major effects on microbial activity, but a lower abundance of the nosZ functional gene was found. Similarly, plant parameters were unaffected regarding chemical composition and ecophysiology although biochar induced a higher efficiency in the plant nitrogen uptake without increasing crop yield.

Conclusions

Biochar addition at the highest rate (30 t ha^?1) reduced soil-soluble nitrate although N uptake by the plant remained invariable, in turn coupled to no effects on crop productivity. Our study showed that, in a Mediterranean agroecosystem, a wood biochar produced by gasification was unable to increase crop yield, but enhanced soil water retention, decreased the need for N fertilization, and decreased soil-soluble nitrate concentrations, something that could help to mitigate the excessive nitrate levels associated with over-fertilization.

     

Distribution of Manganese(Ⅱ) Chemical Forms on Soybean Roots and Manganese(Ⅱ) Toxicity

Distribution of chemical forms of manganese(Ⅱ)(Mn(Ⅱ))on plant roots may affect Mn(Ⅱ)absorption by plants and toxicity of Mn(Ⅱ)to plants at its high level.The chemical forms of Mn(Ⅱ)on soybean roots were investigated to determine the main factors that affect their distribution and relationship with Mn(Ⅱ)plant toxicity.Fresh soybean roots were reacted with Mn(Ⅱ)in solutions,and Mn(Ⅱ)adsorbed on the roots was differentiated into exchangeable,complexed,and precipitated forms through sequential extraction with KNO_3,EDTA,and HCl.The exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)content on the roots was the highest,followed by the complexed and precipitated Mn(Ⅱ)contents.Mn(Ⅱ)toxicity to the roots was greater at pH 5.5 than at pH 4.2 due to the larger amount of exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)at higher pH.The cations Al~(3+),La~(3+),Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+),and NH_4~+competed with Mn(Ⅱ)for cation exchange sites on the root surfaces and thus reduced exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots,in the order Al~(3+),La~(3+)Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)NH_4~+.Al~(3+) and La~(3+) at 100μmol L~(-1) decreased exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)by 80%and 79%,respectively,and Ca~(2+) and Mg2+at 1 mmol L~(-1) decreased exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)by 51%and 73%,respectively.Organic anions oxalate,citrate,and malate reduced free Mn(Ⅱ)concentration in solution through formation of complexes with Mn(Ⅱ),efficiently decreasing exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots;the decreases in exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots were 30.9%,19.7%,and 10.9%,respectively,which was consistent with the complexing ability of these organic anions with Mn(Ⅱ).Thus,exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)was the dominant form of Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots and responsible for Mn(Ⅱ)toxicity to plants.The coexisting cations and organic anions reduced the exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)content,and thus they could alleviate Mn(Ⅱ)toxicity to plants on acid soils.     

Effect of Sheep Manure and Its Produced Vermicompost and Biochar on the Properties of a Calcareous Soil after Barley Harvest

ABSTRACT

Conversion of manures to vermicompost and biochar may alleviate some negative effects of manure application to soil but the efficiency of the produced vermicompost and biochar as compared to their feedstocks is not well-known. In the current investigation, we compared the effects of sheep manure and its derived vermicompost and biochar (pyrolyzed at 400°C for 4 h) on the properties of a calcareous soil that planted with five cultivars of barley (Behrokh, Khatam, Reyhaneh03, Fajr 30 and Nimrooz) for 60 days. Different soil properties and availability of nutrients and barley yield were determined after plant harvest. The biochar significantly increased barley yield rather than control (4.20 vs. 3.57 g pot^?1), but sheep manure and vermicompost had no effect on it (3.51 and 3.37 g pot^?1, respectively). Fajr 30 and Nimrooz (3.52 and 3.42 g pot^?1, respectively) had significantly lower yield than other cultivars. Biochar increased soil pH up to 8.2. Soil salinity was increased by application of all organic materials (increase to 16–36%). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic matter content of soil were also increased by all organic materials application (0.4–0.9 cmol kg^?1 and 0.33–0.50%, respectively). All organic materials increased total nitrogen (N), but this increase was the highest with sheep manure application (53%). The availability of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) was increased significantly by application of all organic materials, and this increase was the highest with biochar application (19 and 309 mg kg^?1, respectively). Biochar application had no effect on the availability of micronutrients, but application of sheep manure and vermicompost increased the availability of iron (Fe) (0.62 and 0.48 mg kg^?1, respectively) and zinc (Zn) (0.18 and 0.37 mg kg^?1, respectively). Generally, organic materials may change the status of soil nutrients via change in soil pH, organic matter content, release of nutrients, increase in soil CEC and formation of soluble complex with nutrients.     

Cation exchange capacity measurements

Abstract

Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements are important criteria for soil fertility management, vaste disposal on soils, and soil taxonomy. The objective of this research was to compare CEC values for arable Ultisols from the humid region of the United States as determined by procedures varying widely in their chemical conditions during measurement. Exchangeable cation quantities determined in the course of two of the CEC procedures were also evaluated. The six procedures evaluated were: (1) summation of N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus BaCl₂ ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity; (2) N Ca(OAc)₂ (pH 7.0) saturation with Mg(OAc)₂ (pH 7.0) displacement of Ca²⁺; (3) N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) saturation with NaCl displacement of NH₄ ⁺; (4) N MgCl₂ saturation with N KCl displacement of Mg²⁺; (5) compulsive exchange of Mg²⁺ for Ba²⁺; and (6) summation of N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus N KCl exchangeable AJ. The unbuffered procedures reflect the pH dependent CEC component to a greater degree than the buffered methods. The compulsive exchange and the summation of N NH₄OAc exchangeable cations plus N KCl exchangeable Al procedures gave CEC estimates of the same magnitude that reflect differences in soil pH and texture. The buffered procedures, particularly the summation of N NH₄OAc exchangeable cations plus BaCl₂ ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity, indicated inflated CEC values for these acid Ultisols that are seldom limed above pH 6.5. Exchangeable soil Ca and Mg levels determined from extraction with 0.1 M BaCl₂ were consistently greater than values for the N NH₄Oac (pH 7.0) extractions. The Ba²⁺ ion is apparently a more efficient displacing agent than the NH₄ ⁺ ion. Also, the potential for dissolving unreacted limestone is greater for the Ba₂ ⁺ procedures than in the NH₄ ⁺ extraction.