Nitrogen availability to grain sorghum from organic and inorganic sources on sandy and clayey soil surfaces in a greenhouse pot study

In a greenhouse pot study, we examined the availability of N to grain sorghum from organic and inorganic N sources. The treatments were¹⁵N-labeled clover residues, wheat residues, and fertilizer placed on a sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil surface for an 8-week period. Soil aggregates formed under each soil texture were measured after 8 weeks for each treatment. Significantly greater ¹⁵N was taken up and recovered by grain sorghum in sandy clay loam pots compared with loamy sand pots. Greater ¹⁵N recovery was consistently observed with the inorganic source than the organic sources regardless of soil texture or time. Microbial biomass C and N were significantly greater for sandy clay loam soil compared with the loamy sand. Microbial biomass ¹⁵N was also significantly greater in the sandy clay loam treatment compared to the loamy sand. The fertilizer treatment initially had the greatest pool of microbial biomass ¹⁵N but decreased with time. The crop residue treatments generally had less microbial biomass ¹⁵N with time. The crop residues and soil texture had a significant effect on the water-stable aggregates formed after 8 weeks of treatments. Significantly greater water-stable aggregates were formed in the sandy clay loam than the loamy sand. Approximately 20% greater water-stable aggregates were formed under the crop residue treatments compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Soil texture seemed to be one of the most important factors affecting the availability of N from organic or inorganic N sources in these soils.Contribution from the MissouriAgricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No.12131     

Manipulating the N release from N-rich crop residues by using organic wastes on soils with different textures

The potential to manipulate the N release from vegetable crop residues (cauliflower, leek) by using organic wastes was tested under field conditions on three soil textures during 2 years (silt loam, sandy loam and loamy sand). During the first year, incorporation of green waste compost and sawdust did not significantly increase microbial biomass N and did not lead to a significant N immobilization of crop residue‐N. During the second year, straw did increase microbial biomass N and showed a good N immobilization potential in all textures. The largest increase in microbial biomass N and the greatest N immobilization occurred in the loamy sand soil. The texture effect was probably because of better incorporation of the crop residues and immobilizer wastes in the loamy sand soil compared with the other textures. During spring, there was no consistent remineralization of immobilized N after the addition of malting sludge or vinasses in either year. This could be a result of the limited amount of N immobilized and available for remineralization in the first year or an unsuitable composition of the remineralizer wastes.     

Turnover of root-derived material and related microbial biomass formation in soils of different texture

Wheat plants were grown on two soils of different texture, a sandy soil and a silty clay loam, in an atmosphere containing ¹⁴CO₂. The ¹⁴C and total C content of the shoots, roots, soil rhizosphere CO₂ and soil microbial biomass were measured 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after germination. There was a pronounced effect of soil texture on the turnover of root-derived C through the microbial biomass. Turnover was relatively fast and at a constant rate in the sandy soil but slowed down in the clay soil, following an initial high assimilation of root products into the microbial biomass.Four percent of the total fixed ¹⁴C was retained in the clay loam after 6 weeks compared with a corresponding value of 1.2% for the sandy soil. The proportion of fixed ¹⁴C recovered as rhizosphere CO₂ at each of the sampling times was relatively constant for the sandy soil (ca 19%) but decreased from 17% at day 28 to 11% at day 42 in the clay soil. The proportion of total fixed ¹⁴C in the soil biomass as measured by a fumigation technique increased to a maximum value of 20% after 6 weeks in the sandy soil but decreased in the clay soil from 86% at day 21 to 26% after 42 days plant growth.     

The spatial distribution of soil microbial biomass in a permanent row crop

The effects of soil texture (silt loam or sandy loam) and cultivation practice (green manure) on the size and spatial distribution of the microbial biomass and its metabolic quotient were investigated in soils planted with a permanent row crop of hops (Humulus lupulus). The soil both between and in the plant rows was sampled at three different depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). The silt loam had a higher overall microbial biomass C concentration (260 g g^-1) than the sandy loam (185 g g^-1), whereas the sandy loam had a higher (3.1 g CO₂-C mg^-1 microbial Ch^-1) metabolic quotient than the silt loam (2.6 g CO₂-C mg^-1 microbial C h^-1), on average over depth (0–30 cm) and over all treatments. There was a sharp decrease in the microbial biomass with increasing depth for all plots. However, this was more pronounced in the silt loam than in the sandy loam. There was no distinct influence of sampling depth on the metabolic quotient. The microbial biomass was considerably higher in the rows than between the rows, especially in the silt loam plots. There was no significant difference between plots without green manure and plots with green manure for either the microbial biomass or the metabolic quotient.     

土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤肥力变化的影响

采用大田试验的方法,在云南省元谋县小雷宰流域内壤土、砂壤土和重壤土3种质地土壤上,以热研5号柱花草为材料,研究土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷的影响。试验结果表明:3种土壤质地上种植柱花草,柱花草地上部和地下部生长量和生物量表现幼苗期增加缓慢,而分枝期后增加快的趋势。壤土耕性好,兼有砂土和重壤土的优点,有利柱花草地上部分的生长发育,柱花草地上部生长量、生物量及改善土壤肥力方面显著高于重壤土。砂壤土有利于柱花草根系向深层土壤生长,柱花草地下部生长量、生物量及根瘤显著高于种植在重壤土。在3种土壤质地种植柱花草后,土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷均有上升趋势。综合而言,通气性和保肥保水能力居中的壤土更适合柱花草的生长发育及干物质的积累。     

Nitrogen Mineralization Potential as Influenced by Microbial Biomass,Cotton Residues and Temperature

Integrating information on nitrogen (N) mineralization potentials into a fertilization plan could lead to improved N use efficiency. A controlled incubation mineralization study examined microbial biomass dynamics and N mineralization rates for two soils receiving 56 and 168 kg N ha^?1 in a Panoche clay loam (Typic Haplocambid) and a Wasco sandy loam (Typic Torriorthent), incubated with and without cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) residues at 10 and 25°C for 203 days. Microbial biomass activity determined from mineralized carbon dioxide (CO₂) was higher in the sandy loam than in clay loam independent of incubation temperature, cotton residue addition and N treatment. In the absence of added cotton residue, N mineralization rates were higher in the sandy loam. Residue additions increased N immobilization in both soils, but were greater in clay loam. Microbial biomass and mineralization were significantly affected by soil type, residue addition and temperature but not by N level.     

Simulating nitrate retention in soils and the effect of catch crop use and rooting pattern under the climatic conditions of Northern Europe

This model analysis of catch crop effects on nitrate retention covered three soil texture classes (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam) and three precipitation regimes in a temperate climate representative of northern Europe (annual precipitation 709–1026 mm) for a period of 43 years. Simulations were made with two catch crops (ryegrass and Brassica) with different rooting depths, and soil N effects in the next spring were analysed to 0.25, 0.75 and 2.0 m depth to represent the catch crop effect on following crops with different rooting depths. Nitrate retained without a catch crop was generally located in deeper soil layers. In the low precipitation regime the overall fraction of nitrate retained in the 0–2.0 m soil profile was 0.23 for the sandy soil, 0.69 for the loamy sand and 0.81 for the sandy loam. Ryegrass reduced leaching losses much less efficiently than Brassica, which depleted nitrate in the 0–0.75 m soil layer more completely, but also in the deeper soil layer, which the ryegrass could not reach. A positive N effect (N_eff, spring mineral N availability after catch crop compared with bare soil) was found in the 0–0.25 m layer (that is shallow rooting depth of a subsequent main crop) in all three soil texture classes, with on average 10 kg N/ha for ryegrass and 34 kg N/ha for Brassica. Considering the whole soil profile (0–2.0 m deep rooting of next crop), a positive N_eff was found in the sand whereas generally a negative N_eff was found in the loamy sand and especially the sandy loam. The simulations showed that for shallow‐rooted crops, catch crop N_eff values were always positive, whereas N_eff for deeper‐rooted crops depended strongly on soil type and annual variations in precipitations. These results are crucial both for farmers crop rotation planning and for design of appropriate catch crop strategies with the aim of protecting the aquatic environment.     

Soil texture effect on nitrate leaching in soil percolates

Abstract

Nitrate nitrogen (NO₃‐N), which is an essential source of nitrogen (N) for plant growth, is now also considered a potential pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is because excess applied amounts of NO₃‐N can move into streams by run‐off and into ground water by leaching, thereby becoming an environmental hazard. Soils have varied retentive properties depending on their texture, organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of soil texture on NO₃‐N retention to reduce NO₃‐N contamination in the environment. A sand, 85:15 sand:peat Greensmix, a loamy sand, and sandy clay loam soils were placed in 2×3 inch metal cylinders and soaked in a 240 ppm solution of NO₃‐N for seven days to saturate the soil with NO₃ ions. The columns were leached with water to collect 10 soil percolate samples of 50 mL each until a total volume of 500 mL was collected. Nitrate‐N was measured in each 50‐mL aliquot by automated colorimetry. The results showed that soil texture affected the retention of N03‐N in the sand, which adsorbed the least amount of NO₃‐N at 119 ppm, followed by the Greensmix at 125 ppm, loamy sand at 149 ppm, and sandy clay loam at 173 ppm. More NO₃‐N was released in the first 50 mL of the sand percolate at 63% followed by the Greensmix, loamy sand, and sandy clay loam at 58,46, and 37% NO₃‐N released, respectively. Soils with more silt, clay, and organic matter retained more NO₃‐N than the straight sand. Therefore, a straight sand would be the poorest of soil types since NO₃‐N retention was low.     

耕作对土壤生物碳动态变化的影响

本文讨论了耕作方法对作玉米地土壤生物碳动态变化的影响。实验证明，传统耕法、短期免耕和长期免耕处理中的不同点位，土壤生物碳量分布有系统的差异。     

红壤微生物生物量C周转及其研究

采用14 C底物标记技术测定了三种不同质地 (红砂土菜地、黄筋泥桔园和茶籽园 )的红壤微生物生物量C的周转期。结果表明 ,在 2 5℃、5 0 %田间持水量培养条件下 ,三种红壤微生物生物量C的周转期分别为 80天、1 39天和 1 70天。周转期与粘粒含量关系较为密切 ,砂质土壤的周转期较粘粒土壤短 ,提示砂质土壤有机质易被微生物降解 ,有利于养分的迅速释放 ,而粘粒土壤则更有利于养分的持留。周转期与利用方式、pH以及有机质含量无明显相关。红壤微生物生物量C周转期总体上较报道的其他类型土壤微生物生物量C周转期短 ,表明热带—亚热带地区酸性红壤有机质和养分周转相对较快 ,这有可能是造成红壤养分贫瘠的一个原因。根据周转期估算 ,通过微生物年周转的C量 (即年流通量 )为微生物生物量C的 2倍以上     

土壤水分状况和质地对稻田N2O 排放的影响

１９９４年中国科学院封丘生态试验站通过小区试验研究了土壤质地和水分状况对稻田Ｎ２Ｏ排放的影响。结果表明稻田Ｎ２Ｏ排放主要受土壤水分状况的影响,淹水状态下,Ｎ２Ｏ排放很少,水分落于期间Ｎ２Ｏ排放量占水稻生长期Ｎ２Ｏ排放总量的８７．５０％～９８．６５％。土壤质地显影响稻田平均Ｎ２Ｏ排放通量,砂质土壤排放的Ｎ２Ｏ显或极显高于壤质和粘质土壤,水稻生长期砂质、壤质及粘质土壤的平均Ｎ２Ｏ排放通量分别为１３７．６３、８７．５４和６３．６μｇＮ２Ｏ－Ｎ／ｍ＾２．ｈ。     

Effects of Slow‐Release Fertilizers on Tomato Growth and Nitrogen Leaching

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in 9.46‐L plastic pots in a glasshouse for evaluation of their growth and nitrogen (N) losses through leaching. Plants were fertilized with either ammonium nitrate (AN) or one of three slow‐release N fertilizers. The slow‐release N fertilizers were Georgia Pacific liquid 30‐0‐0 (L30), Georgia Pacific granular 42‐0‐0 (N42), and Georgia Pacific granular 24‐0‐0 (N24). Each fertilizer was applied at 112 low N rate (L) and 224 high N rate (H) kg N ha^?1. The pots were filled with either a sandy soil from Florida or a loam soil from Georgia. Increasing the N rate did not influence shoot biomass at 19 days after transplanting (DAT) and increased biomass production at 77 DAT. Shoot biomass differed significantly among fertilizer treatments. The accumulation of N in shoots was significantly influenced by fertilizer source, rate, and soil type. The plants grown in the loam soil accumulated significantly more N than those grown in the sandy soil with the same treatment. In the loam soil, the highest and lowest N accumulations occurred in the N42‐H and N24‐L treatments, respectively; and in the sandy soil the corresponding treatments were AN‐H and N24‐L. The amount of N leached varied with the different fertilizers, soils, and time. The net leaching of N ranged from ?0.4% to 6.3% of the fertilizer N applied for the loam soil and 6.5% to 32.9% for the sand soil. The net amount of N leached from the loam soil at both high and low application rates declined in the following order: AN > N24 > N42 > L30; the corresponding order for the sandy soil was AN‐H > N42‐H > L30‐H > N24‐H. L30 had the least leaching potential, and ammonium nitrate had the most. Slow‐release fertilizers had significantly less leaching N than did ammonia nitrate.     

Toxicity of brass powder to corn and the relationship to soil fractionation of copper and zinc

Abstract

The relationship of Cu and Zn fractionation in soils to plant growth was investigated on a Sassafras sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, mesic Typic Hapludult) and a Joppa gravelly sandy loam (loamy‐skeletal, siliceous, mesic Typic Hapludult). Pot studies were conducted in the greenhouse exposing corn (Zea mays cv. Silver Queen) to concentrations of 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg brass powder/kg soil. The corn was grown over a two week period, during which time individual plant heights were taken to note differences in plant growth. Data showed that plant height was reduced when the concentration of brass powder in the soil was increased. Total and fractionated Cu and Zn levels in the soils were analyzed and compared to height. Regression equations showed a more explicit relationship between height and exchangeable Cu levels rather than other Cu and Zn levels in the two soils. Additionally, a more pronounced effect was seen in plants grown on the Sassafras sandy loam, which was attributed to differences in soil physicochemical properties.     

Sorghum root growth as influenced by soil physical properties

Abstract

Variations in the plant growth media were achieved by combining kaolinite clay (<lμm esd.), silt (2–50μm esd.) and sand (100–250 μm esd.) in various ratios. Peds of different sizes were separated from an Okolona clay soil and used as a growth media. A layer (3 cm thickness) of the sand, silt or clay and their combinations were intercalated between sandy loam soil material in a lucite coated cardboard carton. After 21 days the plants were harvested and analyzed for a number of growth parameters and related to the physical and micromorphology of the central control layer.

Germination and emergence of sorghum seed were delayed in the finer aggregates. An increase in aggregate size increased the root elongation. An examination of thin sections showed that most of the roots in the finer aggregates were grown in interpedal regions whereas in the larger aggregates roots were found in both the intrapedal as well as interpedal regions.

An increase in clay content of the central layer reduced the root growth. Silt also reduced root growth but not to the extent of the clay. Maximum root growth and penetration occurred in the mixture containing about 50 percent sand. Better root growth was observed in a sandy to sandy loam texture than clay to clay loam texture.     

Crop yield and SOC responses to biochar application were dependent on soil texture and crop type in southern Quebec,Canada

Changes to soil nutrient availability and increases for crop yield and soil organic C (SOC) concentration on biochar‐amended soil under temperate climate conditions have only been reported in a few publications. The objective of this work was to determine if biochar application rates up to 20 Mg ha^?1 affect nutrient availability in soil, SOC stocks and yield of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) on two coarse‐textured soils (loamy sand, sandy clay loam) in S Quebec, Canada. Data were collected from field experiments for a 3‐y period following application of pine wood biochar at rates of 0, 10, and 20 Mg ha^?1. For corn plots, at harvest 3 y after biochar application, 20 Mg biochar ha^?1 resulted in 41.2% lower soil NH on the loamy sand; the same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. On the loamy sand, 20 Mg biochar ha^?1 increased corn yields by 14.2% compared to the control 3 y after application; the same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. Biochar did not alter yield or nutrient availability in soil on soybean or switchgrass plots on either soil type. After 3 y, SOC concentration was 83 and 258% greater after 10 and 20 Mg ha^?1 biochar applications, respectively, than the control in sandy clay loam soil under switchgrass production. The same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. A 67% higher SOC concentration was noted with biochar application at 20 Mg ha^?1 to sandy clay loam soil under corn.     

The Role of Soil Mineralogical Characteristics in Sustainable Soil Fertility Management: A Case Study of Some Tropical Alfisols in Nigeria

The pedogenic horizons of nine profile pits dug across three toposequences were studied to determine the soil mineralogical characteristics and its implications on sustainable management of the fertility of some tropical Alfisols in Nigeria. Results showed that the epipedon which were predominantly ochric had textures that ranged from sand to sandy loam, while the subsurface (B/Bt) horizons had sandy clay loam to sandy clay texture and were gravelly (31.79–83.04%). The soil reaction ranged from strongly acid to neutral (pH 5.10 to 7.05). Calcium and magnesium dominated the exchange sites and accounted for about 75% of the exchangeable bases. Illite/mica and kaolinite were the dominant minerals in the clay fractions, while quartz, mica, and feldspars dominated the fine sand and silt fractions of the soils. While the presence of illite and mica could be important for potassium nutrition in these soils, kaolinite and oxides of iron could also cause phosphorus fixation.     

Carbon and net nitrogen mineralisation in two forest soils amended with different concentrations of biuret

Biuret is a known contaminant of urea fertilisers that might be useful as a slow release N fertiliser for forestry. We studied carbon (C), net nitrogen (N) mineralisation and soil microbial biomass C and N dynamics in two forest soils (a sandy loam and a silt loam) during a 16-week long incubation following application of biuret (C 23.3%, N 40.8%, O 30.0% and H 4.9%) at concentrations of 0, 2, 10, 100 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ (oven-dried) soil to assess the potential of biuret as a slow-release N fertiliser. Lower concentrations of biuret specifically increased C mineralisation and soil microbial biomass C in the sandy loam soil, but not in the silt loam soil. A significant decrease of microbial biomass C was found in both soils at week 16 after biuret was applied at higher concentrations. C mineralisation declined with duration of incubation in both soils due to decreased C availability. Biuret at concentrations from 10 to 100 mg kg⁻¹ soil had a significantly positive priming effect on soil organic N mineralisation in both soils. The causes for the priming effects were related to the stimulation of microbial growth and activity at an early stage of the incubation and/or the death of microbes at a later stage, which was biuret-concentration-dependent. The patterns in NH₄⁺-N accumulation differed markedly between the two soils. Net N mineralisation and nitrification were much greater in the sandy loam soil than in the silt loam soil. However, the onset of net nitrification was earlier in the silt loam soil. Biuret might be a potential slow-release N source in the silt loam soil.     

Microbial biomass and N transformations in two soils cropped with annual and perennial species

A field study was undertaken to determine the effects of different plant species on soil microbial biomass and N transformations in a well drained silty clay loam (Typic Dystrochrept) and a poorly drained clay loam (Typic Humaquept). The crop treatments were faba bean (Vicia faba L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.), bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Measurements of microbial biomass C, denitrification capacity, and nitrification capacity were performed periodically in the top 2–10 cm of soil. On most sampling dates, all three parameters were higher under perennial than under annual species. The nitrification capacity was positively affected by the level of N applied to each species (r=0.65^** for the silty clay loam and 0.84^*** for the clay loam) and not directly by the plant. The differences found in microbial biomass C were significantly correlated with the water-soluble organic C present under each plant species (r=0.74^*** for the silty clay loam and 0.90^*** for the clay loam), suggesting differences in C deposition in the soil among plant species. In the silty clay loam, the denitrification capacity was positively related to the amount of organic C found under each plant species, while in the clay loam, it was dependent on the amount of N applied to each species. There was less denitrification activity per unit biomass under legume species than under graminease, suggesting that, depending on their composition, root-derived materials may be used differently by soil microbes.     

SOIL APPLIED COBALT AND COPPER ALTER THE RHIZOBIUM SYMBIOSIS AND GROWTH STATUS OF LABLAB PURPUREUS (L.) SWEET

A pot experiment was performed to investigate the effect of cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu) nutrition on nodulation, nodule activity and growth of Lablab purpureus plants growing in sandy clay loam soil collected from Toshka region in south of Egypt. The pots were given nutrient solution only once with addition of increasing levels of cobalt and copper (50, 100, 150 and 200 μg) as cobalt or copper sulfate solution. The present study has provided a new insight into the effect of cobalt and copper on nodulation and nodule physiology of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet (kashrangeeg) that has not yet been examined. Thus, the present work suggest that Co and Cu application is essential for the enhancement of nodulation, nodule activity and growth of Lablab purpureus plants growing in sandy clay loam soil deficient for theses microelements.     

Effect of copper and zinc on microbial tolerance to triclosan in two soil types

Purpose

Sewage sludge and biosolid application to land is a common approach to fertilise soils, but sewage-derived contaminants like the antimicrobial agent triclosan, and heavy metals zinc and copper, are known to affect soil microbial communities. In this study, the tolerance to triclosan was examined for soil microbial communities chronically pre-exposed to one of two heavy metals (Cu or Zn) and the antimicrobial triclosan. This was investigated in two different soil types.

Materials and methods

The impacts of chronic exposure of copper, zinc and triclosan as individual compounds or in mixtures on soil microbial communities were assessed in soils collected from two sites. The first was a Horotiu sandy loam with ample carbon and nitrogen levels and the second was a Templeton silt loam with very low carbon and nitrogen levels. The end points used to characterise the response of the soil microbial community were biomass, metabolic activity and pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) to triclosan (using Biolog EcoPlates). In addition, metabolic activities for individual substrates were examined and those that significantly changed with the applied treatments were identified.

Results and discussion

Exposure to mixtures of both triclosan and copper in the Horotiu sandy loam reduced microbial biomass, increased metabolic activity and reduced microbial tolerance to triclosan. The decrease in soil microbial tolerance correlated with an increased metabolic activity for N-acetyl-d-glucosamine providing a potential link between triclosan exposure and nitrogen mineralisation. Exposure to both triclosan and high zinc levels decreased microbial biomass in the Horotiu sandy loam but did not have an effect on microbial tolerance to triclosan. In the finer-textured and less fertile Templeton soil, microbial tolerance to triclosan and the microbial biomass were not impacted by copper/triclosan or zinc/triclosan mixtures.

Conclusions

Mixture effects could become a cause for concern when soil microbial communities are exposed to triclosan in fertile soils with copper concentrations in excess of 50 mg kg^?1 and could be especially important in the more coarsely textured soils. Current regulations for soil contaminants only consider the risk and effects of single contaminants. Greater protection of soil resources could result from considering mixture effects and soil types.