Depth distribution of soil organic C and N after long-term soybean cropping in Texas

Crop management practices have potential to enhance subsoil C and N sequestration in the southern U.S., but effects may vary with tillage regime and cropping sequence. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of tillage and soybean cropping sequence on the depth distribution of soil organic C (SOC), dissolved organic C (DOC), and total N after 20 years of treatment imposition for a silty clay loam soil in central Texas. A continuous soybean monoculture, a wheat–soybean doublecrop, and a sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation were established under both conventional (CT) and no tillage (NT). Soil was sampled after soybean harvest and sectioned into 0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–55, 55–80, and 80–105 cm depth intervals. Both tillage and cropping intensity influenced C and N dynamics in surface and subsurface soils. No tillage increased SOC, DOC, and total N compared to CT to a 30 cm depth for continuous soybean, but to 55 cm depths for the more intensive sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation and wheat–soybean doublecrop. Averaged from 0 to 105 cm, NT increased SOC, DOC, and total N by 32, 22, and 34%, respectively, compared to CT. Intensive cropping increased SOC and total N at depths to 55 cm compared to continuous soybean, regardless of tillage regime. Continuous soybean had significantly lower SOC (5.3 g kg⁻¹) than sorghum–wheat–soybean (6.4 g kg⁻¹) and wheat–soybean (6.1 g kg⁻¹), and 19% lower total N than other cropping sequences. Dissolved organic C was also significantly higher for sorghum–wheat–soybean (139 mg C kg⁻¹) than wheat–soybean (92 mg C kg⁻¹) and continuous soybean (100 mg C kg⁻¹). The depth distribution of SOC, DOC, and total N indicated treatment effects below the maximum tillage depth (25 cm), suggesting that roots, or translocation of dissolved organic matter from surface soils, contributed to higher soil organic matter levels under NT than CT in subsurface soils. High-intensity cropping sequences, coupled with NT, resulted in the highest soil organic matter levels, demonstrating potential for C and N sequestration for subsurface soils in the southern U.S.     

Soil microbial biomass response to woody plant invasion of grassland

Woody plant proliferation in grasslands and savannas has been documented worldwide in recent history. To better understand the consequences of this vegetation change for the C-cycle, we measured soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) in remnant grasslands (time 0) and woody plant stands ranging in age from 10 to 130 years in a subtropical ecosystem undergoing succession from grassland to woodlands dominated by N-fixing trees. We also determined the ratio of SMB-C to soil organic carbon (C_mic/C_org) as an indicator of soil organic matter quality or availability, and the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) as a measure of microbial efficiency. Soil organic carbon (C_org) and soil total nitrogen (STN) increased up to 200% in the 0–15 cm depth increment following woody plant invasion of grassland, but changed little at 15–30 cm. C_mic at 0–15 cm increased linearly with time following woody plant encroachment and ranged from 400 mg C kg⁻¹ soil in remnant grasslands up to 600–1000 mg C kg⁻¹ soil in older (>60 years) woody plant stands. C_mic at 15–30 cm also increased linearly with time, ranging from 100 mg C kg⁻¹ soil in remnant grasslands to 400–700 mg C kg⁻¹ soil in older wooded areas. These changes in C_mic in wooded areas were correlated with concurrent changes in stores of C and N in soils, roots, and litter. The C_mic/C_org ratio at 0–15 cm decreased with increasing woody plant stand age from 6% in grasslands to <4% in older woodlands suggesting that woody litter may be less suitable as a microbial substrate compared with grassland litter. In addition, higher qCO₂ values in woodlands (0.8 mg CO₂-C g⁻¹ C_mic h⁻¹) relative to remnant grasslands (0.4 mg CO₂-C g⁻¹ C_mic h⁻¹) indicated that more respiration was required per unit of C_mic in wooded areas than in grasslands. Observed increases in C_org and STN following woody plant encroachment in this ecosystem may be a function of both greater inputs of poor quality C that is relatively resistant to decay, and the decreased ability of soil microbes to decompose this organic matter. We suggest that increases in the size and activity of C_mic following woody plant encroachment may result in: (a) alterations in competitive interactions and successional processes due to changes in nutrient dynamics, (b) enhanced formation and maintenance of soil physical structures that promote C_org sequestration, and/or (c) increased trace gas fluxes that have the potential to influence atmospheric chemistry and the climate system at regional to global scales.     

Trace elements accumulation in soil and rice plants irrigated with the contaminated water

We carried out a study to see the effect of contaminated water of Nullah Dek on fine rice paddy and straw yields and trace elements accumulation in different parts of rice plants and soil. A site was selected near the bank of Nullah Dek at Kot Pindi Das in the District of Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The water of this nullah is contaminated by industrial effluents carrying different micronutrients. This water was employed to grow rice crop. Water samples were collected before transplanting and during the season with 15 days interval for analysis from 20 July to 1 November 2002 from a spot near village Shamke. Three fine rice varieties, viz. Super Basmati, Shaheen Basmati and Basmati 2000 were transplanted. These rice varieties were grown up to maturity. Paddy and straw yields data were recorded. Six composite soil samples from three random spots were collected from the experimental site before the start of the study to see the status of trace elements in soil. After the harvest of rice crop, soil, paddy and straw samples were analysed for Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. The chemical analysis of Nullah Dek water showed that total salts concentration was greater than the safe limit, i.e. electric conductance (EC) > 1.0 dS m⁻¹. Even sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was very high, but there was no problem of high residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were present but within safe limits. The water of Nullah Dek remained within permissible limits of irrigation from onset of rainy season till 15 October. There was an increase in EC, SAR and trace elements concentrations after 15 October but within safe limits. Soil analysis revealed its saline nature, devoid of sodicity. Among trace elements, the zinc ranged between deficiency (<0.5 mg kg⁻¹) and adequate limits (>1.0 mg kg⁻¹). Copper, Mn and Fe were present in adequate amounts. After the harvest of rice crop there was a slight decrease in pH, EC_e and SAR at both the depths, while the concentrations of all trace elements were slightly increased with more in upper layer than the lower layer. Shaheen Basmati produced the maximum paddy yield followed by Basmati 2000 and then Super Basmati. The chemical analysis of paddy samples indicated a sufficient accumulation of zinc (1.68–1.78 mg kg⁻¹), copper (1.38–1.45 mg kg⁻¹), iron (6.12–6.37 mg kg⁻¹) and manganese (2.22–2.42 mg kg⁻¹). Analysis of rice straw also showed sufficient accumulation of zinc (27.50–28.50 mg kg⁻¹), copper (20.0–20.50 mg kg⁻¹), iron (270–280 mg kg⁻¹) and manganese (2.38–2.41 mg kg⁻¹).     

Soil micronutrient availability to crops as affected by long-term inorganic and organic fertilizer applications

Micronutrient status in soils and crops can be affected by different fertilization practices during a long-term field experiment. This paper investigated the effects of different fertilization treatments on total and DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soils and micronutrients in crops after 16 year fertilization experiments in Fengqiu County, Henan Province, China. The treatments of the long-term experiment included combinations of various rates of N, P and K in addition to two rates of organic fertilizer (OF) treatments. Winter wheat and summer maize were planted annually. Soil macro- and micronutrients along with pH and organic matter (OM) were analyzed. Grains and above ground parts of both crops in the final year were harvested and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn. The results showed that soil Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations did not change among the different treatments to a significant level, except for a slight decrease of soil Zn in the CK (no fertilizer application) compared to the OF treatment. The DTPA-extractable soil Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations increased from 0.41 to 1.08 mg kg⁻¹, from 10.3 to 17.7 mg kg⁻¹, and from 9.7 to 11.8 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, with increasing soil OM content, thus showing the importance of soil OM in micronutrient availability for crops. The NPK treatment also had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrient concentrations in soil. Deficiency of N or P resulted in a low yield but high micronutrient concentrations in crops except Cu in maize stalks. Higher available soil P significantly decreased crop micronutrients, possibly because of their precipitation as metal phosphates. Maize stalks contained higher concentrations of micronutrients than those of wheat straw, whereas wheat grain had higher micronutrients than those of corn grain. The transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients from straw to grain were significantly different between winter wheat (1.63–2.52 for Cu; 2.31–3.82 for Zn; no change for Fe; 0.55–0.84 for Mn) and summer maize (0.24–0.50 for Cu; 0.50–1.21 for Zn; 0.02–0.04 for Fe; 0.07–0.10 for Mn). In conclusion, application of organic matter significantly increased the DTPA-extractable concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn compared to the CK, grain and vegetative tissue in the CK and NK had higher micronutrient concentrations than those in other treatments.     

Soil fertility properties on Agave angustifolia Haw. plantations

This study examined the variations in soil physical, chemical and biological properties from Agave angustifolia fields in three sites with different topographic conditions (valley, hill and mountain), in Oaxaca, Mexico, associated with the tillage systems, disk ploughing (DP), animal drawn ploughing (ADP) and minimum tillage (MT), respectively. Plant ages were 1.5–3.5 years (class 1), 3.6–5.5 years (class 2) and 5.6–7.5 years (class 3). Soil samples were taken at two soil depths (0–20 and 21–40 cm) from plots of 4000 m² within each site and plant age classes, during the spring of 2005. The main changes in soil properties were found in the mountain site. Soil bulk density (2.0 g cm⁻³), cone penetration resistance (CPR) (3.96 MPa), 0.7 and 1.0 mm water stable aggregates (WSA) (28.3 g kg⁻¹ and 102.2 g kg⁻¹, respectively) were higher in the mountain site than in the hill and valley fields. This result is consistent with the rocky substrate beneath the shallow soil. Soil organic carbon (SOC) (23.9 g kg⁻¹), available N (23.1 mg kg⁻¹) and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) (969.6 μg g⁻¹) at the mountain site showed the highest values, suggesting that MT practiced in this topographic condition favours the organic matter accumulation and biological activity. Soil microbial biomass carbon and SOC seem to be the soil properties that were mainly affected by the sites and soil management associated with them. For the three sites, SOC, P_Olsen, available N, exchangeable Na⁺ and SMBC were higher at 0–20 cm depth than at 21–40 cm depth within each site. Exchangeable Ca²⁺ and K⁺, P_Olsen and CPR increased with plant age. In contrast, available N decreased. Soil chemical properties were more affected by the age of the plant than physical and biological properties. Results reported here represent a reference of the fertility properties of soils cultivated with A. angustifolia, which could be used in further studies focused on management and tillage systems.     

An emerging energetic soil contaminant,CL-20, can affect the soil invertebrate community in a sandy loam soil

We investigated the effects of nitramine explosive CL-20 (China Lake compound 20) on the indigenous soil invertebrate community in Sassafras sandy loam (SSL) soil using a 12-week soil microcosm assay. Freshly collected SSL soil was amended with CL-20 to prepare multiple treatment concentrations ranging from 0 (acetone control) to 10,300 mg kg⁻¹. The selected concentration range of CL-20 adequately assessed the concentration–response relationships for total microarthropods, and for individual microarthropod groups. The overall composition of microarthropod community in SSL soil was not affected by exposure to CL-20, based on the number of taxonomic groups present in the individual treatments after 12 weeks. However, community structure analysis revealed greater sensitivity to CL-20 by predatory mesostigmatid mites. Microarthropod and nematode communities showed contrasting sensitivities to CL-20 in SSL soil. Total numbers of nematodes were either unaffected or significantly (p < 0.05) increased in CL-20 treatments compared with control. Only predator group among nematodes was consistently adversely affected by exposure to CL-20. The abundance of predatory nematodes decreased in a concentration-dependent manner throughout the 12-week exposure. Microcosm assay with corresponding community structure analysis can provide the means for validating the ecotoxicity data from standardized laboratory tests, both complimenting and expanding upon the ecotoxicological significance of data from standardized single-species toxicity tests.     

Wetting rate and sodicity effects on interrill erosion from semi-arid Israeli soils

Interrill erosion depends on soil detachment and sediment transport, which are affected by seal formation and runoff. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of wetting rate (WR) on runoff and soil erosion in semi-arid Israeli soils varying in clay content and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Six soils, ranging in clay content between 90 and 680 g kg⁻¹ and ESP between 0.9 and 20, were packed in 0.2 m×0.4 m trays, wetted at 3 WRs (2, 8, or 64 mm h⁻¹), and thereafter exposed to 60 mm of distilled water rain in a laboratory rainfall simulator. Under non-sodic conditions (ESP<2), highest runoff and erosion were obtained from loam (220 g kg⁻¹ clay and 350 g kg⁻¹ silt) which was ascribed to its high susceptibility to seal formation, runoff and detachability. Runoff and erosion increased with an increase in ESP and WR. The effect of WR on runoff and erosion was negligible in loamy sand and generally increased with an increase in clay content. In clay soils (>600 g kg⁻¹ clay), WR played a greater role in determining runoff and erosion compared with raindrop impact. A linear type dependence existed between erosion and runoff for soils with ESP<5 or when slow WR was used. For high ESP soils, or when medium or fast WR were used, an exponential type relation described better the dependence of erosion on runoff. It is suggested that for sodic soils or for conditions favoring aggregate slaking, runoff level and its velocity were high enough to initiate rill erosion that supplemented raindrop detachment in markedly increasing erosion.     

Effects of disturbance and glucose addition on nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from a paddy soil

The effects of disturbance and glucose addition on N₂O and CO₂ emissions from a paddy soil at 45% WFPS (water-filled pore space) and at 25 °C were determined. During a 45-day incubation, disturbances with and without glucose addition were imposed 0, 1, 3, and 5 times. The total amount of glucose added to soil with 1, 3, and 5 disturbances was equal (0.6% of oven-dry soil basis). Strong nitrification occurred in the paddy soil during the incubation. Disturbance alone did not influence N₂O and CO₂ emissions significantly, but disturbance with glucose addition did (P < 0.01). A flush of N₂O as well as CO₂ was always observed following disturbance with glucose addition. The discrepancy in N₂O emission between disturbance alone and disturbance with glucose addition was ascribed to the different magnitude of denitrification and/or heterotrophic nitrification. Greater cumulative emission of N₂O was observed in the treatment of three disturbance times with glucose addition (4.3 mg N kg⁻¹ soil), compared with five disturbances with glucose addition (2.5 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) and one disturbance with glucose addition (2.5 mg N kg⁻¹ soil). Cumulative CO₂ emission was significant larger in one and three disturbances with glucose addition than that five disturbance with glucose addition. Supplies of available organic C appear to be a critical factor controlling denitrification and/or heterotrophic nitrification processes and N₂O emission under relatively low moisture conditions, i.e. 45% WFPS.     

Carbon sequestration in two Brazilian Cerrado soils under no-till

A considerable proportion of the 200 million hectares of the Brazilian Cerrado is suitable for annual crops but little is known about the effects of tillage on the C dynamics of Cerrado soils. We evaluated the role of two representative Cerrado Oxisols (350 and 650 g clay kg⁻¹) as sources or sinks of atmospheric C when managed under three tillage systems (conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no-till (NT)) in 8- and 5-year long-term experiments. A literature review was also carried out and the mean C sequestration rates in no-till soils of tropical and subtropical regions of Brazil were calculated and compared with values for soils from temperate regions of the world. The original C stocks in 0–20 cm layer of soils under native Cerrado were higher in the clayey (54.0 Mg ha⁻¹) than in the sandy clay loam soil (35.4 Mg ha⁻¹), suggesting a higher physical stability of organic matter associated with variable clay minerals in the clayey Oxisol. The original C stocks of the native Cerrado soils appear not to have decreased after 23 years of conventional tillage in the sandy clay loam Oxisol, except when the soil had been subjected to erosion (15% loss of C), or after 25 years in the clayey Oxisol. Compared to conventionally tilled soil, the C stocks in no-till sandy clay loam Oxisol increased by 2.4 Mg ha⁻¹ (C sequestration rate = 0.30 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and in the clayey Oxisol by 3.0 Mg ha⁻¹ (C sequestration rate = 0.60 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The mean rate of C sequestration in the no-till Brazilian tropical soils was estimated to be 0.35 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, similar to the 0.34 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ reported for soils from temperate regions but lower than the 0.48 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ estimated for southern Brazilian subtropical soils. Considering the large area (about 70 million hectares) of the Cerrado which is currently used and potentially available for cropland, the adoption of no-till systems could turn the Cerrado soils into a significant sink for atmospheric C and contribute to the mitigation of global climate change.     

Seasonal dynamics of soil microbial biomass in coastal sand dune forest

Sand dunes are a typical landscape in the coast of western Taiwan, where Casuarina forests were established decades ago to stabilize sand dunes and protect the inland vegetation. Study of microbial biomass in such an ecosystem may give insights into the role of microbes in soil fertility and nutrient cycling. We established our study sites in two topographic units based on elevation and drainage types: upland and lowland. The study lasted for 2 years, and soil samples were collected every 3 months. Microbial biomass C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) were high in a shallow humic layer that rested on top of the soil (1222–1319 mg kg⁻¹ for C_mic and 245–276 mg kg⁻¹ for N_mic) and declined sharply to only one-tenth of the above values in the underlying surface soil (0–10 cm depth). Microbial biomass C_mic and N_mic in humic and surface soil were not significantly different between upland and lowland sites. In the upland soils, the mean C_mic was highest in autumn for both the humic and surface soil, and lowest in spring and summer for the humic layer and summer for the surface soil layer. In the lowland soils, the C_mic was highest in winter for both humic and surface soil, and lowest in spring and autumn for the humic layer and spring and summer for surface soil. Strong fluctuations of C_mic and N_mic were associated with the soil moisture prior to sampling, which appeared to control the size of microbial biomass in this environment. Temperature had little effect on the dynamics of soil microbial biomass in the sand dune forest ecosystem.     

Effects of nitrogen and intensive mixing on decomposition of C-labelled maize (Zea mays L.) residue in soils of different land use types

This study investigated the effects of mineral-N addition and intensive mixing (analogous to disturbance by plowing) on decomposition of ¹⁴C-labelled maize (Zea mays L.) residue and soil organic matter (SOM). Soils were collected from the upper 5 cm of three land use types at Edelweiler, Germany: plow tillage (PT), reduced tillage (RT), and grassland (GL). Soils were incubated for 112 days at 20 °C, with or without ¹⁴C-labelled maize residue (4 g DM kg⁻¹ soil), with or without nitrogen (100 mg N kg⁻¹ soil as NH₄NO₃) and with or without intensive mixing.

The effect of mineral-N on maize residue decomposition differed depending on the stage of decomposition and land use type. Nitrogen accelerated residue decomposition rates in the first 5 days in RT and GL soils, but not in PT soil, and decreased residue decomposition rate in all three land use types after 11 days. At the end of the incubation, N suppressed ¹⁴CO₂ efflux in RT and PT soils, but not in GL soil. Mineral-N did not increase SOM decomposition independently on the land use types.

Intensive mixing stimulated decomposition of both plant residue and SOM in all three land use types. However, effects were smaller in GL soil than in RT or PT soil, presumably because stronger soil aggregates in GL would have been less affected by mixing and allowed greater protection of SOM and plant residue against decomposition.     

Effect of tillage treatments on soil thermal conductivity for some Jordanian clay loam and loam soils

Soil thermal conductivity determines how a soil warms or cools with exchange of energy by conduction, convection, and radiation. The ability to monitor soil thermal conductivity is an important tool in managing the soil temperature regime to affect seed germination and crop growth. In this study, the temperature-by-time data was obtained using a single probe device to determine the soil thermal conductivity. The device was used in the field in some Jordanian clay loam and loam soils to estimate their thermal conductivities under three different tillage treatments to a depth of 20 cm. Tillage treatments were: no-tillage, rotary tillage, and chisel tillage. For the same soil type, the results showed that rotary tillage decreased soil thermal conductivity more than chisel tillage, compared to no-tillage plots. For the clay loam, thermal conductivity ranged from 0.33 to 0.72 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in chisel plowed treatments, from 0.30 to 0.48 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in rotary plowed treatments, and from 0.45 to 0.78 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in no-till treatments. For the loam, thermal conductivity ranged from 0.40 to 0.75 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in chisel plowed treatments, from 0.34 to 0.57 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in rotary plowed treatments, and from 0.50 to 0.79 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in no-till treatments. The clay loam generally had lower thermal conductivity than loam in all similar tillage treatments. The thermal conductivity measured in this study for each tillage system, in each soil type, was compared with independent estimates based on standard procedures where soil properties are used to model thermal conductivity. The results of this study showed that thermal conductivity varied with soil texture and tillage treatment used and that differences between the modeled and measured thermal conductivities were very small.     

Nutrient availability and cocoyam yield under different tillage practices

Research information on the effect of tillage systems on cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) growth, nutrient status and yield is lacking in Africa. The effects of zero tillage with mulch, zero tillage without mulch, manual mounding, manual ridging and conventional tillage on cocoyam yield, growth and nutrient availability were compared during 2 years on an Alfisol (Oxic Tropuldaf) at Owo in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. The surface soil (0–20 cm) was chemically analyzed before and after crop harvest and selected soil physical properties were determined. Concentration of soil organic C, N, P, K and Mg and the leaf N, P and K were significantly influenced (p = 0.05) by tillage, with zero tillage with mulch being the most effective treatment in conserving the fertility of the surface soil (0–20 cm). Soil fertility, as indicated by organic C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg, declined significantly (p = 0.05) over time in all tillage systems, but this decline was more pronounced in the conventional tillage. Zero tillage with mulch, zero tillage without mulch, manual mounding, manual ridging and conventional tillage reduced the soil organic C concentration by 20, 23, 23, 24 and 33%, respectively over the 2-year period. The decreases in soil N concentration were 25, 31, 31, 38 and 56%, soil P concentration were 13, 15, 17, 16 and 26%, and soil K concentration were 16, 26, 31, 37 and 53%, respectively. Tillage did not affect corm and cormel yields in the first year. In the second year, due to the elimination of ploughing, significant differences were obtained in the cormel yield but not of corm yield. In 2005, zero tillage with mulch produced the highest cormel yield (13.5 mg ha⁻¹) of cocoyam followed by zero tillage without mulch (13.2 mg ha⁻¹), manual mounding (12.7 mg ha⁻¹) and manual ridging (12.5 mg ha⁻¹). The lowest cormel yield (9.5 mg ha⁻¹) of cocoyam was produced by conventional tillage. Soil water contents in zero tillage with mulch and zero tillage without mulch were significantly higher (p = 0.05) than in the other tillage systems. Soil bulk density ranging from 1.21 to 1.40 mg m⁻³ correlated positively with leaf nutrient concentration and yield. Cocoyam can be grown successfully on zero tillage, with mulch and without mulch or minimum tillage systems on an Alfisol of the humid tropics.     

Influence of management practices on soil organic matter changes in the Northern China plain and Northeastern China

Soil organic matter (SOM) is strongly related to soil type and management practices. Changes in government policy have brought drastic changes in farm management practices in the last two decades in rural China. This study investigates changes in SOM in two different soils: Ustepts and Udolls. Ustepts, in the North China Plain where the climate is warm and sub-humid, developed from an alluvial flood plain with organic matter <10 g kg⁻¹. Udolls, in Northeastern China where the climate is cool and sub-humid, developed from loess-like materials with organic matter >20 g kg⁻¹. Two locations for Ustepts and three locations for Udolls were used to collect 567 soil samples in 1980–1982 and again in 2000 for SOM analysis. Soil organic matter increased for Ustepts and decreased for Udolls soils over the sampling period, resulting from differences in fertilizer rates and crop residue input to soil. Higher fertilizer input and crop intensity and initially very low SOM content in Ustepts all contributed to greater OM input than oxidation release. In contrast, lower fertilizer input and crop intensity, and initially high SOM content in the Udolls, led to lower OM input than oxidation release. Increasing SOM content through higher mineral fertilizer input is a valuable option for sustainable agriculture production in areas where SOM is low and there is a shortage or potential shortage of food supply.     

Soil C, N and crop yields in Alabama's long-term ‘Old Rotation' cotton experiment

The Old Rotation cotton experiment at Auburn, Alabama, is the oldest, continuous cotton experiment in the world (cf. 1896). Long-term cropping systems provide a unique opportunity to observe the effects of 100 years of cropping on soil organic carbon (SOC). The objective of this paper was to summarize limited data on SOC and N cycling in this historic experiment. Soil organic C has been measured on the 13 plots (6 cropping systems) in 1988, 1992 and 1994. Long-term planting of winter legumes with no other source of N applied resulted in higher SOC (9.5 g C kg⁻¹) in the plow layer (0–20 cm depth) compared to continuous cotton with no winter cover crops (4.2 g C kg⁻¹). A 3-year rotation of cotton–winter legumes–corn–small grain–soybean resulted in 12.1 g C kg⁻¹. There was a significant (P<0.05), quadratic cotton yield response (R²=0.54) to increasing SOC. Winter legume cover crops supplied between 90 and 170 kg N ha⁻¹. Where no N has been applied in fertilizer or from a legume crop, annual N removal in the cotton crop is around 13 kg ha⁻¹, about the same as that fixed in precipitation.     

Soil organic matter and related physical properties in a Mediterranean wheat-based rotation trial

Under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions, limited moisture is the main constraint to rainfed cropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and food and forage legumes. With increasing land-use pressure, moisture-conserving fallowing is being replaced by continuous cropping, which is considered an unsustainable practice. Thus, a long-term trial with durum wheat (T. turgidum var. durum) was established in 1983 at Tel Hadya, Aleppo, Syria (mean annual rainfall 330 mm) to assess alternative rotation options to fallow and continuous cropping. Nitrogen (N) and grazing/residue management were secondary factors. Soil aggregation, infiltration, hydraulic conductivity, and total soil organic matter and component fractions (fulvic and humic acids and polysaccharides) were determined at the end of 12 years. Some rotations, e.g., medic (Medicago sativa) and vetch (Vicia faba), significantly increased soil organic matter (12.5–13.8 g kg⁻¹ versus 10.9–11 g kg⁻¹ for continuous wheat and wheat/fallow). All measurements, or indices, indicated parallel trends with increasing organic matter, e.g., coefficients of macro-structure, micro-aggregation, and water-stable aggregates, and decreasing dispersion. Similarly, legume rotations had higher infiltration rates (16.2–21.8 cm h⁻¹ versus 13.9–14.4 cm h⁻¹ with continuous wheat and wheat/fallow) and hydraulic conductivity rates (8.7–12.4 cm h⁻¹ versus 6.2–7.4 cm h⁻¹ with continuous wheat and wheat/fallow). We conclude that cereal/legume rotations, in addition to being biologically and economically attractive, also enhance soil quality and thus promote soil use sustainability in fragile semi-arid areas as in the Mediterranean zone.     

Effects of mechanical energy inputs on soil respiration at the aggregate and field scales

Cultivation machinery applies large amounts of mechanical energy to the soil and often brings about a decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC). New experiments on the effects of mechanical energy inputs on soil respiration are reported and the results discussed. In the laboratory, a specific energy, K, of 150 J kg⁻¹, similar to that experienced during typical cultivation operations, was applied to soil aggregates using a falling weight. Respiration (carbon dioxide, CO₂ emission) of the samples was then measured by an electrical conductimetric method. Basal respiration (when K=0) measured on Chromic Luvisol aggregates, was found to increase with increasing SOC, from 1.88 μg CO₂ g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for a permanent fallow soil (SOC=11 g kg⁻¹) to 8.25 μg CO₂ g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for a permanent grassland soil (SOC=32 g kg⁻¹). Basal respiration of a Calcic Cambisol, more than doubled (2.0–5.2 μg CO₂ g⁻¹ h⁻¹) with increasing gravimetric soil water contents. Mechanical energy inputs caused an initial burst of increased respiration, which lasted up to 4 h. Over the following 4–24 h period, arable soils with lower SOC contents, (11–21 g kg⁻¹), respiration rates dropped back to a level, approximately 1.14 times higher than the basal value. However, grassland soils with higher SOC contents (28–32 g kg⁻¹), increases in this longer-term respiration rate following 150 J kg⁻¹ of energy, were negligible. A field experiment, in which CO₂ was measured by infra-red absorption, also showed that tillage stimulated increased levels of soil respiration for periods ranging from 12 h to more than one week. The highest respiration rates, 80 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ were associated with high energy, powered tillage on clay soils. On the same soil, low energy draught tillage resulted in a respiration rate of approximately half this value. The results of these experiments are discussed in relation to equilibrium levels of soil organic matter. The application of known quantities of mechanical energy to soil aggregates under laboratory conditions, in order to simulate the effect of different cultivation practices, when combined with the subsequent measurement of soil respiration, can provide useful indication of the likely consequences of soil management on SOC.     

Role of nutrient amendments in the success of half-moon soil and water conservation practice in semiarid Burkina Faso

The half-moon technique has been recently introduced in northern Burkina Faso as a method for the rehabilitation of sealed and crusted bare soils locally called zipellé. As this technique, like zaï and mulching practices, interested many farmers, a trial was conducted to study the effect on soil productivity of half-moon technique in association with different sources of nutrients. The experimental design consisted of treatments in which the half-moon was combined with organic or mineral fertilisers. The soil was a Ferric Lixisol with a rooting depth of 30 cm, low contents of organic matter (12 g kg⁻¹), nitrogen (0.6 g kg⁻¹) and available phosphorus (6.6 mg kg⁻¹). Applying compost or animal manure allowed yields from 900 to 1600 kg ha⁻¹ of sorghum grain, i.e. 20–39 times the yield obtained in the half-moon treatment without any amendment. Combining local rock phosphate to compost in the half-moon basins increased sorghum grain yield by 10% the first year and 26% the second year. This study showed that restoring favourable soil moisture conditions by breaking up the surface crust to improve water infiltration was not enough to improve sorghum production on the degraded zipellé. Removal of the water constraint by destroying the surface hard pan revealed the second major constraint, i.e. soil acidity and nutrient deficiency. Well-decomposed organic matter such as animal manure and compost supplied in the half-moons were good substrates that provided sorghum with the nutrients required for growth. Moreover, adding local rock phosphate to compost appeared to be an alternative for improving soil productivity. It is concluded that in the Sahelian zone, half-moon technique with appropriate nutrient management could be an effective method for the rehabilitation of degraded soil productivity.     

The effect of ground cover or initial organic carbon on soil fungi, aggregation, moisture and organic carbon in one season with oat (Avena sativa) plots

The unique capacity of fungi to efficiently sequester carbon in aerobic conditions, presents a way to maximize OC gain in agricultural systems. Oat (Avena sativa) was planted in the temperate climate of southern Ontario, Canada to study factors affecting soil organic carbon (OC). The plots varied with initial OC from 25 to 68 g kg⁻¹ or with ground cover of differing decomposability (alfalfa (Medicago sativa) growing from seed, dried oat straw, dried hay and compost) on high OC soil (60–70 g kg⁻¹). The soil was analysed for correlation of changes in soil aggregation, moisture, OC, fungal hyphal number and length and distribution of organic matter by mass and OC in density fractions within the growing season. At harvest, soil OC and moisture were increased only in plots with ground cover. Total hyphal length was not significantly different with ground cover treatment at harvest, and did not correlate with soil aggregation and soil OC. However, the number of hyphae with >5 μm diameter (primarily mycorrhizal fungi) correlated with % OC in ground cover plots while the number of hyphae <5 μm (primarily saprophytic fungi) correlated with % OC without ground cover in the gradient of initial soil OC. Mycorrhizal hyphae may be important to the increases in soil OC from surface treatment, although there was no treatment effect of mycorrhizal occurrence on the oat roots. This microcosm study, with growing and dried ground cover, suggests surface management may a simple and inexpensive means in agriculture to increase soil moisture and OC that benefits farmers as well as reducing atmospheric CO₂.     

Toxicity of chemical-warfare agent HD to Folsomia candida in different soil types

We investigated the ecotoxicity of the chemical-warfare agent (CWA) HD (Mustard) using Collembola reproduction test with numbers of adults and juveniles as measurement endpoints. Toxicity tests were conducted using soils with contrasting parameters to investigate the effects of soil properties on chemical toxicity. These included standard artificial soil (SAS; 10% OM; 6 pH), O’Neill-Hall sandy loam (OHSL; natural soil with 4.3% OM; 5.1 pH), and Sassafras sandy loam (SSL; natural soil with 2% OM; 4.9 pH). Soils were individually spiked with HD concentrations ranging from 1 to 125 mg kg^–1. Lowest observed effect concentrations (LOECs) for adult mortality were 25, 50, and 6.97 mg kg^–1 for SAS, OHSL, and SSL, respectively. The LOECs for reproduction were 6.97, 6.25, and 1.9 mg kg^–1 for SAS, OHSL, and SSL, respectively. HD toxicity to both adults and juveniles was greater in SSL. These results show that soil toxicity testing should not rely solely on the adult acute endpoints using artificial soils, but should include assays with reproductive endpoints using natural soils with varying physical and chemical parameters to adequately assess toxicity to test species.