红壤性水稻土稀土元素组分分布与变异性研究

测定了具有代表性的 4种母质发育、3种水育型的红壤性水稻土及起源土壤的∑REE、∑LREE和∑HREE ,分析了其分布特点和剖面变异性 ,表明 :(1)红壤性水稻土的∑REE平均水平和离散性均大于全国水稻土平均水平 :(2 )不同母质发育的供试土壤的∑REE和∑LREE的平均水平依玄武岩母质土壤系列 >石英闪长岩母质土壤系列 >黑云母花岗岩母质土壤系列 >凝灰岩母质土壤系列顺序递减 ;(3 )土壤剖面稀土组分体系的变异程度为 :∑LREE >∑HREE >∑REE ;而在不同水育类型上则依起源土壤、潜育型水稻土、渗育型水稻土、潴育型水稻土顺序增大。 (4 )∑LREE和∑HREE在渗育型水稻土的E层和潴育型水稻土的Br层具有显著的分馏作用     

不同类型水稻土微生物群落结构特征及其影响因素

选取基于我国土壤地理发生分类的不同类型土壤发育的四种水稻土,利用¹⁵N₂气体示踪法测定生物固氮速率,采用实时荧光定量PCR（Real-time PCR）技术测定细菌丰度,通过16S rRNA基因高通量测序分析微生物群落组成和多样性。结果表明：变形菌门（Proteobacteria）、酸杆菌门（Acidobacteria）、绿弯菌门（Chloroflexi）和蓝藻门（Cyanobacteria）是水稻土中优势微生物类群。四种类型土壤发育的水稻土细菌群落结构差异显著（Stress<0.001）,群落结构分异（NMDS1）与土壤pH存在极显著正相关关系（P<0.01）。土壤有机碳和碱解氮含量显著影响水稻土中细菌丰度和群落多样性（P<0.01）。红壤发育的水稻土细菌16S rRNA基因拷贝数显著高于其他三种类型水稻土,但OTU数量、Chao1指数和PD指数均低于其他三种类型水稻土。土壤pH对水稻土生物固氮速率有显著影响（P<0.01）,紫色土发育的水稻土具有最高的生物固氮速率（3.2±0.7 mg×kg^-1×d^-1）,其中优势类群细鞘丝藻属（Leptolyngbya）可能是生物固氮的主要贡献者。研究结果丰富了对水稻土微生物多样性的认识,为通过调控土壤pH和微生物群落组成来提高稻田生物固氮潜力提供了理论依据。     

湘东丘陵区不同母质发育底土的土壤微生物商

土壤微生物商(土壤微生物生物量碳和有机碳的比值:MBC/SOC)常作为表土有机碳和肥力变化的敏感指标,但能否应用于不同母质发育的底土仍有待验证。通过选取湘东丘陵区3种母质发育的土壤(花岗岩红壤、酸性紫色土和第四纪红土红壤),挖掘土壤剖面采集土壤样品深至母质/母岩层,研究不同母质发育底土的微生物商分布和差异。结果表明,3种母质发育土壤SOC和MBC含量随剖面加深而降低,但微生物商在某些深层底土层(淀积层、母质层)升高。在酸性紫色土和花岗岩红壤底土层,微生物较易利用的溶解性有机碳(DOC)含量也出现升高现象。底土DOC/SOC的升高可部分解释微生物商的剖面分布规律。土壤MBC含量与SOC、DOC含量均呈显著正相关关系,但MBC含量与DOC含量关系更为密切。在湘东丘陵区,微生物商无法指示不同母质发育底土的SOC和肥力差异,评价底土的肥力质量还需综合考虑SOC、MBC含量等其他土壤指标。     

湘南红壤稻田AOA-amoA、narG、nosZ基因丰度及其环境影响因子

为了解南方红壤稻田参与土壤氮循环过程的功能微生物及其与环境因子间的普遍规律性关系,应用荧光定量PCR方法研究了稻田中不同时期氨氧化古菌氨单加氧酶编码基因AOA-amoA、硝酸盐还原酶编码基因narG和N_2O还原酶编码基因nosZ基因丰度的变化,结合主成分分析(PCA)、冗余分析(RDA)探讨了有关硝化、反硝化微生物功能基因丰度变化及其与土壤环境因子间的相互关系。结果表明:AOA-amoA、narG和nosZ基因丰度间极显著正相关;AOA-amo A、narG和nosZ基因丰度随水稻生育进程逐渐降低,在早稻成熟期显著低于翻地前及早稻移栽前。土壤有机质、电导率、微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮、pH值、Eh及盐酸提取态Fe(Ⅱ)对AOA-amoA、narG和nosZ基因丰度的变化有重要影响,其中盐酸提取态Fe(Ⅱ)与其相关性最强。本研究探讨了红壤稻田氮转化微生物在不同时期的数量变化及其环境影响因素,为合理调控红壤稻田氮转化提供了理论依据。     

红壤性水稻土可溶态稀土分布特征及与酸度调控的关系

测定了具有代表性的4种母质发育、3种水育型的红壤性水稻土及起源土壤的可溶性稀土(REEs)和稀土总丰度(∑REE),分析了REEs的分布特征及与∑REE的相关,研究了经酸碱调节后土壤REEs与pH值的关系,结果表明:(1)不同母质发育的供试土壤REEs平均值依石英闪长岩母质土壤系列、凝灰岩母质土壤系列、黑云母花岗岩母质土壤系列、玄武岩母质土壤系列顺序递减。(2)供试土壤REEs与∑REE的相关不显著。(3)起源土壤剖面中REEs具有明显自上而下增大的趋势,而不同水育型水稻土剖面的REEs分布各有特征,但总的趋势是自上而下减少。(4)经酸度调节后供试土壤的REEs随着土壤pH值的提高而下降,呈显著的幂函数相关。     

广东不同母质发育水稻土钾素的固定与释放

本文通过室内模拟和化学方法研究了广东几种不同母质发育的水稻土的钾素的固定与释放特性。结果表明,砂页岩、珠江三角洲沉积物、石灰岩和玄武岩发育的水稻土的固钾量均随钾加入量的增加而增大,但花岗岩发育的水稻土却相反;砂页岩、花岗岩和玄武岩发育的水稻土的固钾量在淹水时最高,而沉积物和石灰岩发育的水稻土则在恒湿时最高;沉积物发育的水稻土的非交换性钾累计释放量和平均释放速率显著高于其它母质发育的水稻土;施钾肥对非交换性钾释放的影响因土壤所含粘土矿物类型而异。     

红壤性水稻土的形成过程特点及其肥力演变

红壤性水稻土形成过程中,物质转化和移动是在淹水还原占优势的周期性干湿交替和氧化还原交替条件下进行的。它不仅加速有机质的积累,而且E.H./T.H.值和H.A./F.A.比值增大。复盐基作用使酸性和盐基高度不饱和的红壤,发育成为盐基饱和度相当高的红壤性水稻土。氧化还原和络合等淋移作用,导致化学元素在土体中重新分配,红壤富铝化过程减缓,有利于水稻土的培肥熟化。土壤物理性质和剖面特征也发生相应的改变,形成具有核块状结构、胶膜和铁、锰斑淀积明显的渗积层(P层);结构改善;肥力不断提高。上述变化与植稻年限呈正相关趋势,可把红壤性水稻土形成过程划分为雏型淹育型阶段;过渡渗育型阶段;十年左右初步形成具有水稻土基本属性的渗育型水稻土。     

不同施肥模式对土壤氮循环功能微生物的影响

  【目的】   微生物在土壤氮循环过程中发挥着重要作用。通过研究农田土壤氮循环过程中不同功能微生物群落基因丰度对施肥模式的响应及其关键影响因素,探讨不同施肥模式调控下氮素转化的微生物学机制,为改善农业生产中氮素的管理策略提供理论依据。   【方法】   田间试验始于2011年,试验地点位于江苏省常州市溧阳市南渡镇,供试土壤为白土型水稻土,种植制度为稻麦轮作。试验包括单施化肥 (NPK)、化肥+畜禽有机肥 (NPKM)、化肥+秸秆还田 (NPKS) 以及相邻江苏省耕地质量监测点不施肥对照 (CK),共 4个处理。于2014年水稻成熟期采集土壤样品,采用实时荧光定量PCR法分析了土壤硝化 (amoA)、反硝化 (narG、nirS、nirK、norB、nosZ)、固氮 (nifH)、硝酸盐异化还原 (napA) 等氮循环过程的相关功能微生物基因丰度的变化。以氨氧化微生物为模式微生物,测定添加与不添加1-辛炔情况下的土壤硝化潜势,分析氨氧化古菌 (AOA) 与氨氧化细菌 (AOB) 功能基因丰度与土壤硝化功能的内在联系。   【结果】   与CK相比,NPK处理显著增加了土壤中AOB-amoA、narG、nosZ和nifH基因的丰度。与NPK处理相比,NPKS处理进一步提高了土壤中AOB-amoA、narG、nosZ、nifH以及nirK基因的丰度。与CK相比,除AOA-amoA、nirS、napA基因以外,NPKM处理显著提高了土壤中所有氮循环功能基因的丰度。AOB-amoA基因丰度的变化对土壤氮循环功能基因丰度的整体变异影响最大。AOB主导了施肥土壤的硝化过程 (81.90%～84.42%)。土壤总硝化潜势与AOB-amoA基因丰度显著相关,但与AOA-amoA基因丰度相关性不显著。氮循环功能微生物基因丰度主要受到土壤pH、土壤有机碳(SOC)和NO₃–含量的影响。   【结论】   畜禽有机肥与秸秆的施用能够进一步刺激氮循环功能基因丰度的增长,促进土壤氮循环。土壤pH、SOC和NO₃–含量是影响土壤氮循环功能微生物丰度的关键因素。施肥主要通过提高土壤AOB-amoA功能基因的丰度,进而提高土壤硝化潜势,因此在控制土壤硝化作用时应重点关注AOB微生物群落。     

用宏基因组学方法研究绿肥对水稻根际微生物磷循环功能基因的影响

  【目的】  绿肥对土壤微生物磷循环的影响受到研究者们的广泛关注，但绿肥影响土壤磷循环的微生物机理尚不明确。利用宏基因组学方法剖析长期绿肥还田对土壤磷循环功能微生物的影响，旨在阐明绿肥对土壤磷循环影响的微生物机理，为绿肥的科学利用提供依据。  【方法】  以中国湖南祁阳绿肥及稻草还田定位试验的水稻根际土为材料，利用宏基因组学方法，对土壤微生物DNA进行PE150 (双端读长150 bp) 宏基因组测序，使用MetaWRAP软件中的read_qc模块进行质控，用assembly模块megahit方法进行组装；基于组装的较长序列 (> 1000 bp) 使用Diamond软件的BLASTX和UniProtKB/SWISS-PROT数据库进行序列比对，根据磷活化 (磷酸酯矿化、膦酸酯矿化、无机磷溶解)、磷吸收 (膦酸酯运输、磷酸酯运输和无机磷酸盐运输) 和缺磷诱导响应调控三大类主要磷循环功能相关基因 (重点关注的64个磷循环功能基因) 进行筛选；再利用R语言进一步分析水稻根际土壤中磷循环功能基因相对丰度及其与土壤理化指标之间的关系，阐述绿肥对土壤磷循环功能微生物的影响。  【结果】  土壤pH等9个常规指标在有、无绿肥处理之间均无显著差异。无稻草还田时，绿肥处理对64个磷循环功能基因中的11个相对丰度影响显著，这11个基因广泛分布在除磷酸酯运输及无机磷溶解外的5个功能组中，其中phnA、phnN、phnV等3个基因相对丰度上升，phnI、phnL、glpB、glpO、pitA、phoA、phoP、phoU等8个基因相对丰度下降。而在稻草还田时，绿肥处理仅phnPP基因相对丰度显著降低。相关性分析显示，土壤pH与磷酸酶活性、无机磷溶解基因pqqB、pqqC 、pqqCD、pqq E、pqqF相对丰度呈显著负相关 (P < 0.05)；无机磷溶解pqqB、pqqC 、pqqCD、pqq E等4个基因相对丰度分别与有效磷含量、磷酸酶活性以及有机氮含量呈显著正相关 (P < 0.05)。冗余分析 (RDA) 结果表明，绿肥处理通过pH、AP以及磷酸酶活性影响磷循环功能基因。  【结论】  绿肥翻压下水稻根际微生物磷功能基因相对丰度深受稻草还田的影响。与单绿肥或单稻草还田相比，绿肥翻压基础上增加稻草还田对磷循环功能基因影响效果不明显，秸秆甚至减弱了绿肥对磷循环功能基因的影响，其原因可能是绿肥和稻草还田下不同微生物及不同磷循环功能基因之间存在激烈竞争。     

尿素和KNO3对水稻土无机氮转化过程和产物的影响Ⅱ.N2O生成过程

采用15N技术标记尿素和KNO3,研究了淹水条件下黄泥土和红壤性水稻土生成N2 O的主要过程。结果表明 ,黄泥土反硝化过程产物以N2 为主 ,N2 O的生成量可以略而不计。加入KNO3促进NO- 3异化还原成铵过程 ,从而增加N2 O生成速率。红壤性水稻土主要通过反硝化或好气反硝化过程生成N2 O ,随着土壤pH的提高或NO- 3 浓度升高 ,N2 O生成速率增大。无论是黄泥土还是红壤性水稻土 ,有相当一部分样本的N2 O的15N丰度在NO- 2 、NO- 3 、NH 4的15N丰度范围外 ,由此推论 ,氮转化生成N2 O的过程应在微生物细胞内进行。     

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.