三峡库区橘园种植绿肥对土壤养分流失的影响

在自然降雨条件下,采用径流小区法研究三峡库区橘园种植绿肥作物光叶苕子、白三叶和鼠茅草对土壤养分流失的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,橘园连续3a种植光叶苕子、白三叶和鼠茅草,其径流水总量分别减少11.0%,11.4%和24.0%;总氮流失量分别减少8.3%,16.7%和40.8%;总磷流失量分别减少7.5%,25.3%和58.0%;可溶性总氮流失量分别减少15.1%,28.0%和52.1%;可溶性总磷流失量分别减少24.3%,30.6%和53.8%;铵态氮流失量分别减少10.1%,23.7%和50.9%;硝态氮流失量分别减少21.9%,35.8%和55.1%。各形态的氮、磷养分浓度较对照也有一定程度的降低。橘园种植绿肥,尤其是种植鼠茅草,可有效地减少地表径流量以及地表径流水中的养分浓度,且二者共同作用,对养分流失量的减少效果更为明显。     

绿肥覆盖对紫色土坡耕地柑橘园氮磷流失的阻控效应研究

为探明紫色土坡耕地不同绿肥覆盖对柑橘园径流和养分流失的阻控效应,在田间径流小区设置黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.)、光叶苕子(Vicia villosa Roth var.)、二月兰(Orychophragmus violaceus)和清耕对照4个处理,定量监测了在自然降雨条件下不同处理的径流及氮磷养分流失量。结果表明,与清耕对照相比,周年内绿肥覆盖可显著降低8.7%~27.0%的地表径流量、30.1%~50.6%总氮流失量和32.4%~62.9%总磷流失量。绿肥覆盖对径流和养分的阻控效应在不同品种间存在差异,整体表现为黑麦草>光叶苕子>二月兰。与清耕对照相比,黑麦草覆盖使径流中总氮、可溶性氮、硝态氮和铵态氮的流失总量分别减少50.6%,47.0%,49.5%和48.1%;总磷、可溶性磷和磷酸盐流失总量分别减少62.9%,62.6%和62.6%。此外,绿肥覆盖对不同形态养分的阻控效应也有所不同,其径流液中以可溶性氮和颗粒态磷的流失占比最大,分别占总氮和总磷的59.6%~67.0%和68.6%~71.8%。综上,绿肥覆盖栽培能有效降低紫色土坡耕地柑橘园径流及氮磷的流失,其中以覆盖栽培黑麦草和光叶苕子较好。研究结果为紫色土坡耕地柑橘园水土保育和面源污染防治提供了依据。     

混播草带控制水源区坡地土壤氮、磷流失效应

坡地土壤氮、磷流失是湖库型饮用水源区污染的主要来源。本文以云南最大的城市集中式饮用水源地为研究区域,在昆明云龙水库库区周边的坡耕地红壤上开展了混播草带防治土壤氮、磷流失效应的研究。研究结果表明:选择适宜草种进行混播,所形成的草带控制水土及氮、磷流失效果优于自然植被;对地表径流量、土壤侵蚀量的控制效果均为:混播黑麦草+紫花苜蓿>混播黑麦草+白三叶>自然植被>无草带种植;草带对土壤侵蚀量的控制效果要好于地表径流量。其中处理混播黑麦草+紫花苜蓿、混播黑麦草+白三叶径流量分别比无草带种植降低35.19%、46.26%;侵蚀量比无草带种植降低73.51%、78.13%;坡耕地地表径流中氮素流失形态主要以泥沙中氮流失为主,占到80%～85%左右,磷素流失以颗粒态磷流失为主,占到90%～95%左右;对地表径流中的氮、磷流失量控制效果均为:混播黑麦草+紫花苜蓿>混播黑麦草+白三叶>自然植被>无草带种植,对总氮流失量的控制效果要好于总磷流失量;混播黑麦草+白三叶处理中径流中总氮、总磷流失量分别降低59.96%、48.57%;混播黑麦草+紫花苜蓿处理径流中总氮、总磷流失量分别降低63.31%、56.91%;自然植被处理中径流总氮、总磷流失量分别降低29.46%、26.03%。     

丹江口库区坡耕地柑橘园套种绿肥对氮磷径流流失的影响

采用野外天然降雨条件下的径流小区试验,研究了丹江口库区坡地果园套种三叶草(Trifolium repens)、黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.)、苕子(Vicia villosa Roth)绿肥作物对氮磷径流流失的影响。结果表明:果园套种绿肥作物三叶草、黑麦草、苕子径流水量流失分别减少24.7%,31.6%和13.9%,泥沙流失分别减少36.4%,29.6%和15.7%,土壤保水能力和固土能力加强。地表径流是果园氮磷养分流失的主要途径,种植绿肥作物三叶草、黑麦草、苕子能使总氮流失分别减少30.5%,20.6%和23.9%,总磷流失分别减少52.8%,33.3%和42.3%。对不同处理地表径流水体氮素形态特征分析表明,可溶性氮素占总氮的比例较高,可溶性氮素中以硝态氮为主,铵态氮所占比重较低。坡地果园套种绿肥可使氮磷流失量明显降低,有助于水体环境的保护,同时还可改善果实品质。试验结果对库区面源污染的控制,重点水源地的水质保护提供了借鉴。     

三峡库区退耕还林土壤侵蚀及养分流失控制——以兰陵溪小流域为例

以秭归县兰陵溪小流域为研究对象,基于2016年5—9月自然降雨条件下,对三峡库区内典型退耕还林模式(茶园、板栗林、柑橘园)及原有农耕地(对照)径流小区的土壤侵蚀及养分流失情况进行了监测和分析,评估退耕还林工程实施后对小流域土壤侵蚀及氮磷养分流失的影响。结果表明:(1)退耕还林后土壤侵蚀量和总氮、总磷流失量明显减少,与农耕地相比,板栗林、柑橘园和茶园地表径流流失减少幅度分别为41.95%,22.78%,6.11%,土壤侵蚀减少幅度分别为87.91%,75.26%,58.94%,总氮流失量减少幅度分别为52.42%,44.08%,31.26%,总磷流失量减少幅度为72.87%,70.45%,43.24%。(2)相较农耕地,退耕还林模式速效氮流失量明显减少,硝态氮流失量顺序为农耕地332.09g/hm~2茶园243.42g/hm~2板栗林124.76g/hm~2柑橘园123.18g/hm~2,铵态氮流失量顺序为农耕地184.22g/hm~2茶园132.18g/hm~2柑橘园117.62g/hm~2板栗林91.42g/hm~2,且硝态氮流失量占总氮流失量比率高于铵态氮。(3)总氮、总磷主要通过侵蚀泥沙途径流失,速效氮流失的主要途径是地表径流。流域内主要污染物为随侵蚀泥沙流失的总氮。     

控释肥对坡地农田地表径流氮磷流失的影响

2010年5-9月降雨季,在鲁中山区种植春花生的坡地农田中进行野外降雨径流观测试验,研究了不同坡度下,施用普通复合肥(CCF)和纯控释肥(CRF)对地表径流液和径流泥沙中铵态氮、硝态氮、可溶性磷、颗粒态氮和磷、总氮和总磷的影响。结果表明,花生生长前期,与CCF相比,施用CRF的坡地地表径流中可溶性养分流失含量较低,其中铵态氮含量低5.0%~74.2%,硝态氮含量低3.9%~37.0%,可溶性磷含量低7.1%~94.1%;CRF处理径流中颗粒态氮和磷含量在花生生长前期低于CCF处理,花生生长后期CRF处理径流液总氮、总磷含量高于CCF处理;在整个监测期内,CRF处理径流中总氮和总磷含量低于CCF处理。不同坡度下,随着坡度的增大,CCF和CRF的径流养分流失量变化为15°>10°>5°>0°,表明在坡地条件下,CRF能维持作物生长后期较高土壤养分含量,有利于提高氮磷的利用效率,减少雨季氮磷地表径流养分流失,降低农业面源污染。     

模拟降雨条件下3种类型土壤氮磷钾养分流失量的比较

通过模拟降雨试验方法,研究比较了褐土、棕壤与红壤氮磷钾养分流失量。结果表明:在模拟降雨条件下,3种类型土壤中褐土径流量及产沙量最小,红壤最大;土壤全氮、有效磷、速效钾养分随径流流失量占到流失总量的77.27%~99.79%,径流是土壤养分流失的主要驱动力;红壤全氮、有效磷、速效钾养分流失总量最大,褐土最小,棕壤与褐土相比高出4.70%~41.01%,比红壤减少0.30%~17.69%。土壤类型及性质不同使土壤养分流失量存在根本差异,有效地改良土壤,控制及减少径流与泥沙流失是防治土壤养分流失的关键。     

山地果园套种绿肥对氮磷径流流失的影响

采用野外天然降雨条件下的小区试验研究山地新生果园套种黑麦草、紫云英和箭舌豌豆绿肥作物对氮磷径流流失的影响。结果表明,果园套种绿肥作物黑麦草、紫云英和箭舌豌豆能分别减少36.4%,33.9%和5.3%的径流水量流失,56.4%,55.2%和8.8%的泥沙流失,土壤保水能力增加,固土效果加强。地表径流和泥沙携带侵蚀是果园氮磷养分流失的主要途径,种植绿肥作物黑麦草、紫云英和箭舌豌豆能使总氮流失分别减少55.2%,49.3%和18.7%,总磷流失分别减少58.5%,55.6%和30.1%。山地果园套种绿肥可使氮磷流失量明显降低,有助于水体环境的保护,同时还增加土壤肥力,改善果实品质。     

太湖流域典型蔬菜地地表径流氮磷流失

以太湖流域典型蔬菜地为研究对象,采用田间径流池法进行田间小区试验,研究不同施肥模式下蔬菜地地表径流氮磷流失特征。结果表明：地表径流总氮流失量为45.76～60.45 kg/hm^2,总磷流失量为2.67～3.95 kg/hm^2。与常规施肥相比,优化施肥可使地表径流氮磷流失量分别减少2.48,0.31 kg/hm^2;而增氮施肥和增磷施肥处理的地表径流总氮流失量分别增加了7.76%,3.83%,总磷流失量增加2.84%,9.55%。总氮、总磷流失量与径流量呈显著线性相关,且总磷流失量与径流量的相关性更强（R2=0.913）。应加强汛期时段的田间管理和对磷的监控,减少磷流失量。有机肥与化肥以1：1配施,可有效降低菜地氮磷排放,提高蔬菜产量和氮肥利用率分别为25%,23%。     

有机养分替代对小麦产量、土壤肥力及麦田氮磷径流流失的影响

为探讨不同有机肥替代率对小麦减肥增效及减少麦田氮磷流失的效果,在等氮有机养分替代条件下进行田间小区监测试验,设置8种不同处理,分别为空白对照(CK),常规施肥(CF),100%、50%、30%猪粪有机养分替代氮肥(M1、M2、M3)及100%、50%、30%秸秆有机养分替代氮肥(F1、F2、F3),研究有机肥替代率对小麦产量、麦田氮磷流失、肥料利用率和土壤肥力的影响。结果表明,100%有机养分替代处理与常规施肥处理相比小麦产量均显著降低,但减少了麦田氮径流流失,提高了土壤肥力。麦田不同处理下总氮流失量为21.90~33.66 kg·hm^-2,与常规施肥处理相比,不同比例猪粪、秸秆有机养分替代处理总氮流失量减少了8.44%~25.94%;总磷流失量为0.60~2.00 kg·hm^-2,100%有机养分替代处理相比于常规处理总磷流失量升高了24.64%~44.93%。不同处理下小麦氮、磷肥利用率分别为17%~35%、5%~19%,其中30%~50%猪粪有机养分替代处理下氮、磷肥利用率较高,而100%猪粪、秸秆有机养分替代氮、磷肥利用率较常规施肥处理均显著降低。有机养分替代能够缓解土壤酸化,使土壤pH值维持稳定,与常规施肥处理相比,有机养分替代处理下土壤肥力有所提高。综合不同比例猪粪、秸秆有机养分替代对小麦产量、土壤肥力及麦田氮磷径流流失的影响,30%~50%猪粪有机养分替代在保证小麦高产稳产的同时,能有效降低麦田氮径流流失量,且维持较低水平磷径流流失量,是一种适宜的资源有效利用、节肥增效的有机养分替代模式。本研究结果为小麦生产中合理利用养分资源、减少化肥投入、控制麦田氮磷径流流失提供了参考。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.