不同咸水梯次滨海盐土入渗过程及水盐分布特征

咸水冰融化入渗对重盐碱地具有明显的改良作用,而咸水冰融化是融水水质和水量的动态变化过程。为模拟咸水冰融化入渗滨海盐土过程,探讨咸水灌溉改良盐碱地的可行性,本研究设置了不同咸水梯次入渗滨海盐土的土柱试验,试验处理为:咸水梯次入渗(GSI)、咸水单一入渗(DSI)和咸水冰融化入渗(MSI),以淡水入渗(CK)为对照;其中咸水矿化度和水量分别为15g·L~(–1)和314.3mm。根据咸水冰融化过程中融水水质和水量的变化过程,GSI设置了4个矿化度和水量(S1:81 g·L~(–1)和25 mm;S2:19 g·L~(–1)和125.8 mm;S3:3 g·L~(–1)和94.3 mm;S4:0 g·L~(–1)和69.2 mm)的咸水连续入渗。结果表明:相同时间内,咸水处理的入渗深度和速度均大于CK;入渗初期,GSI的入渗深度和速率均高于DSI,且上一梯次咸水的入渗能显著提高下一梯次咸水的入渗率,后期GSI处理随着入渗咸水矿化度的降低,入渗率显著低于DSI。入渗后,0～40 cm土层土壤水盐含量由大到小依次为DSIGSIMSI,GSI和MSI土壤水盐分布一致,脱盐率分别为92.87%和91.38%,显著大于DSI的74.74%。以上结果明确了不同咸水梯次入渗滨海盐土的入渗特征,咸水梯次入渗可获得与咸水冰融化入渗一致的脱盐效果,这为后续模拟咸水冰融水入渗盐碱土过程提供了手段,同时也为咸淡水轮灌技术提供了理论依据。     

去电子处理微咸水矿化度对土壤水盐运移特征的影响

为探究去电子处理微咸水对土壤水盐运移的影响,该文通过室内土柱试验,分析了不同矿化度微咸水(0.14、2、3、4、5 g/L)经去电子处理后土壤水分入渗及盐分分布规律。结果表明:不同矿化度去电子微咸水土壤入渗速率及湿润锋运移速率明显大于未处理微咸水,入渗时间为200 min时,累积入渗量和湿润锋运移深度在矿化度为4 g/L时增加幅度最大。相同矿化度去电子微咸水与未处理微咸水相比,Philip入渗公式吸渗率、Green-Ampt入渗公式饱和导水率及湿润锋处吸力均显著增加。去电子微咸水能够显著提高土壤的持水效率和上层土壤盐分的淋洗效果,矿化度为4 g/L时,相对淋盐率和Na+相对淋洗率最大。该研究表明去电子化处理能够改善土壤水盐运移特性,有利于微咸水安全利用。     

咸水淋洗改良滨海盐渍土的潜力研究

通过室内土柱模拟试验,研究了不同矿化度咸水对砂壤质滨海盐碱土土壤入渗特征的影响,以及咸水淋洗土壤水盐变化规律和节水潜力。研究结果表明,高矿化度咸水略微降低土壤入渗性能,但当淋洗水矿化度高于15.61g/L时,土壤入渗性能不再继续降低;不同矿化度水处理淋出液矿化度都经历快速下降、较快下降、缓慢下降3个阶段,土壤盐分随咸水淋洗水量的增加先上升,再经历急剧下降、快速下降、缓慢下降,土壤经咸水淋洗后盐分含量明显下降;根据水盐平衡预估咸水淋洗具有较高的节水潜力,5.35g/L和10.36g/L的咸水淋洗节水潜力分别约为48.08%,38.46%,海水淋洗节水潜力最小,约为24.04%。     

不同钠吸附比的咸水结冰融水入渗后滨海盐土的水盐分布

在室内利用相同矿化度(10 g·L^-1)、不同钠吸附比(5、10 和30)的咸水进行咸水结冰融水模拟试验、结冰融水入渗和咸水直接入渗的土柱试验, 以淡水处理为对照, 分析不同钠吸附比咸水结冰融水入渗下滨海盐土水盐分布特征。结果表明: 咸水冰融化过程中, 融出水的矿化度和钠吸附比均呈由高到低的变化趋势。咸水结冰融水入渗速度和入渗深度均快于和深于淡水。咸水钠吸附比越小, 结冰融水入渗速率越快、深度越深。水盐分布也表现为低钠吸附比咸水结冰处理的表层土壤含水量较低, 水分向深层迁移, 这种水分分布也使盐分向深层运移, 表现为表层土壤含盐量低, 深层土壤含盐量大。土层含水量低钠吸附比咸水处理高于高钠吸附比处理, 10~45 cm 土层则表现出相反的趋势; 表层土含盐量低钠吸附比处理高于高钠吸附比处理, 且咸水处理下土壤脱盐的深度大于淡水处理。钠吸附比5 的咸水结冰处理, 0~10 cm 土壤平均含水量和含盐量分别为30.3%和1.1 g·kg^-1, 显著低于其他处理。为比较咸水结冰灌溉和咸水直接灌溉的效果, 室内利用含盐量为10 g·L^-1、钠吸附比10 的咸水进行直接入渗的土柱(土壤含盐量为21.3 g·kg^-1)模拟试验, 结果表明: 与咸水直接入渗处理相比, 咸水结冰融水处理盐分淋洗效果更好, 该处理0~25 cm土层平均土壤含盐量为2.9 g·kg^-1, 显著低于咸水直接入渗的10.6 g·kg^-1。     

水分调控降低盐分对夏玉米的影响

环渤海低平原冬小麦夏玉米一年两作种植系统中,冬小麦季微咸水灌溉造成土壤含盐量增加,影响下茬玉米正常出苗。通过水分调控消减根层土壤盐分是有效可行的途径,并利于冬小麦夏玉米一年两作的微咸水安全利用。该研究通过盆栽与田间试验相结合的方法,研究玉米出苗对土壤水盐阈值的响应以及玉米播后灌水对出苗、生长、根层水盐和产量的影响。盆栽试验结果表明:1)玉米在低土壤盐分含量(全盐含量0.8g·kg–1)下,60%田间持水量即可达到正常出苗;2)在高土壤盐分含量(全盐含量3.5 g·kg–1)下,出苗时间延长,出苗率降低;3)土壤盐分对出苗的影响,随着土壤含水量降低而越趋严重。因此在较高的盐分条件下,维持出苗期间一定土壤含水量,更利于缓解土壤盐分对玉米出苗的影响。大田试验中灌溉水盐分梯度为淡水(对照)、3g·L–1、4 g·L–1和5 g·L–1。田间试验结果表明:1)随着灌溉水盐分浓度增加冬小麦收获时0~20 cm土壤盐分含量明显增加;2)淡水、3 g·L–1、4 g·L–1和5 g·L–1灌溉冬小麦,收获期0~20 cm土壤盐分含量分别为1.0 g·kg–1、1.3g·kg–1、1.6 g·kg–1、2.0 g·kg–1;3)夏玉米播种后立即灌溉一次75 mm淡水,玉米出苗期耕层土壤含水量维持在田间持水量的70%以上,土壤含盐量下降到1.0 g·kg–1左右,夏玉米生长进程和产量不受影响。2年(2015年和2016年)淡水、3 g·L–1、4 g·L–1和5 g·L–1微咸水拔节期灌溉冬小麦,下茬夏玉米产量分别为9 510.4 kg·hm–2、9 913.6 kg·hm–2、9 910.6 kg·hm–2、9 986.0 kg·hm–2和9 621.8 kg·hm–2、9 455.3 kg·hm–2、9 460.2 kg·hm–2、9 221.4kg·hm–2,产量差异不显著。考虑该地区降水的时间分布,与玉米生长同期的充足夏季降水的淋洗作用,微咸水灌溉小麦的积盐可得到很好淋洗。因此,该地区在冬小麦生长季实施不超过5 g·L–1微咸水灌溉,利用冬小麦夏玉米关键生育期水分调控,可消减微咸水灌溉土壤盐分积累对玉米出苗影响,结合夏玉米出苗水管理和雨季淋盐,实现周年稳产和水盐平衡,根层土壤不积盐。     

微咸水灌溉对土壤盐分和作物产量影响研究

黄淮海平原部分地区分布着相当大面积矿化度在2～5g/L之间的浅层微咸水,有很大开发利用潜力。如何对其进行安全有效地开发利用是目前急需研究的重要课题。通过微区定位试验,研究了鲁西北低平原地区小麦玉米两熟制下微咸水灌溉对土壤盐分与作物产量的影响以及麦秸覆盖对微咸水灌溉土壤盐分的调控作用。结果表明,麦季利用3～5g/L矿化度的微咸水补充灌溉,两年后没有发生积盐现象,微咸水灌溉带入土体的盐分通过咸淡水轮灌和雨季自然淋洗,1m土体总盐量达到周年平衡。麦秸覆盖能够改善盐分在土体中的垂直分布,使土壤根系分布密集层保持较低盐分水平,缓解盐分对作物的危害,并有显著的增产效果。两年试验结果表明,与淡水灌溉比较,微咸水灌溉配合麦秸覆盖对作物年产量无显著差异,而不配以覆盖则导致减产。     

水质对咸水滴灌土壤盐分淋洗过程的影响

为阐明水质对咸水滴灌土壤盐分淋洗过程的影响,通过室内土柱试验研究了咸水和淡水对咸水滴灌不同区域土壤盐分的淋洗过程及脱盐效果。结果表明,淡水淋洗的入渗速率明显高于咸水;咸水、淡水淋洗后咸水滴灌不同区域土壤含盐量均大幅下降,均可达到良好的脱盐效果;不同区域咸水滴灌土壤滤出液电导率(EC)均呈"快速上升-快速下降-趋于稳定"的变化趋势,而对咸水滴灌风干土淋洗的滤出液EC却呈先快速降低后逐渐趋于稳定的变化过程;从淋洗滤出液到达稳定电导率的体积来看,咸水对咸水滴灌土壤盐分整体淋洗效果优于淡水。     

不同矿化度咸水结冰灌溉对重度盐碱地土壤水分入渗和盐分运移的影响

为探究不同矿化度咸水结冰灌溉对重度盐碱地土壤水分入渗和盐分运移的影响。采用室内有机玻璃土柱模拟试验,设置3个梯度灌水水质(蒸馏水、3 g/L微咸水、10 g/L咸水)和2种灌溉方式(结冰灌溉、直接灌溉)的6种不同处理,对土壤的水分入渗特性及脱盐效果进行对比分析研究。结果表明:(1)3个梯度灌水水质下,结冰灌溉方式的土壤初始入渗速率分别是直接灌溉方式的8.2,4.6,5.8倍。结冰灌溉方式下,灌溉水矿化度越高,土壤入渗速率越快;(2)Kostiakov模型适合拟合不同矿化度咸水结冰灌溉方式下的土壤水分入渗过程,Horton模型适合拟合不同矿化度咸水直接灌溉方式下的土壤水分入渗过程;(3)3个梯度灌水水质下,直接灌溉方式0—60 cm土层土壤含水率较结冰灌溉方式分别提高1.4%～6.3%,1.6%～3.6%,0.9%～7.6%;(4)各处理下0—30 cm土层土壤脱盐效果较为显著,盐分不断向土层60 cm处迁移,各处理土壤脱盐率逐渐降低。0—30 cm土层处,淡水直接灌溉方式下土壤脱盐率最大(93%～97%),3 g/L微咸水结冰灌溉的脱盐率次之(87%～91%)。50—60 cm土层处,淡水结冰灌溉方式下土壤脱盐率最高(13.3%),其次为3 g/L微咸水结冰灌溉方式(9.1%)。综合考虑,3 g/L微咸水结冰灌溉能够提高土壤水分入渗速率,有效降低0—60 cm土层的土壤盐分含量。     

滨海盐渍土和棕壤咸水入渗特征分析

基于室内均匀土柱一维垂直积水人渗试验,分析了入渗水矿化度对滨海盐渍土和棕壤人渗历时、入渗速率、累积入渗量、平均含水率增量的影响.结果表明,相对淡水入渗,咸水入渗显著增加土壤入渗能力,盐渍土和棕壤入渗能力分别在矿化度为12 g/L和3 g/L时最强,到达25 cm湿润锋处入渗历时分别比淡水少32.5％和38.2％.同一矿化度条件下,通常盐渍土入渗能力较棕壤强;不同矿化度条件下,盐渍土入渗能力差异较小.Philip模型对短历时咸水入渗拟合精度较高,偏差在±0.19％范围内.不同矿化度水入渗,盐渍土湿润剖面平均含水率增量为38.22％～38.85％,棕壤为36.64％～37.82％.     

秸秆排水体埋深对盐渍土水盐分布的影响及排水抑盐效果

为探究秸秆排水体对盐渍土水盐运移的影响及其排水排盐效果,通过室内土柱试验,研究在淡水(CK)和微咸水灌水情况下秸秆排水体埋深为40和60 cm时供试土壤的水盐分布状况。结果表明,入渗阶段,湿润锋与入渗时间呈幂函数关系,累积入渗量与入渗时间则可采用Kostiakov模型进行拟合;蒸发阶段,秸秆排水体对埋设深度以下的土体具有明显的保水作用,40 cm埋深的处理在40~70 cm土层范围以及60 cm埋深的处理在50~70 cm土层范围土壤水分变化的相对变化量均0;秸秆排水体有利于保持灌水后土壤的脱盐状态,40 cm埋深处理和60 cm埋深处理比无埋设的对照处理分别减少了19.61%和15.68%的盐分变化量;秸秆体的排水排盐效果与灌水矿化度和秸秆排水体埋深密切相关,灌溉水矿化度适当的增加和秸秆体的埋设加深将有利于排水效果的提升,低灌溉水矿化度结合秸秆体深埋具有更好的排盐效果。该研究为微咸水灌溉及盐渍土的开发利用提供依据和参考。     

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.