Re‐analysis of the Relationship between Organic Carbon and Loss‐on‐Ignition in Soil

The suitability of loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) as an alternative to direct measurement of organic carbon (OC) has been debated for decades without resolution. The literature contains an abundance of different linear regression models to describe the LOI–OC relationship, most based on untransformed values of LOI and OC. Such regression is suspect because the variables are unable to occupy Euclidean space. Logratio transformation—based on relative rather than absolute differences—eliminates this constraint. Re‐analysis of the relationship on new and 10 previously published datasets using logratio techniques reveals that the relationship is nonlinear and that the profusion of regression models is in part a function of the range of LOI. Although LOI may offer a crude estimate of OC at high LOI levels, OC/LOI ratios when LOI is less than about 25% are too variable for reliable OC estimation, and interstudy comparisons remain dubious. Direct measurement of OC is recommended.     

Acid‐soil‐stress influence on mineral‐ion contents of sorghum leaves and juvenile panicles

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv RTX430, SC214, SC574, SC599, TAM428, and SC326xSC103] were grown on soils of pH 4.2 or 6.2–6.5. Leaf and nonexserted juvenile panicle tissues were collected at 75 days after planting. Fresh and dry weights were measured and element contents [sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu)] were measured by atomic absorption. Significant cultivar differences in ion concentration (μmol/g dry weight) were found. Juvenile panicles had higher ion concentration (μmol/g dry weight) [S, P, Mg, Ca, K, Zn, and Cu) than leaves. Within leaf tissue, ion concentration (μmol/g dry weight) was correlated with tissue water content (g water/g dry weight).     

The evolution of glucose‐6P‐dehydrogenase and 6P‐gluconate‐dehydrogenase activities and the ortho‐diphenolic content of sunflower leaves cultivated under different boron treatments.

Both enzymatic activities increased under B‐deficient and B‐toxic treatments. The ortho‐diphenolic content did not change with B levels.

Our results suggest that the primary B action on the OPP pathway is at the first enzyme (glucose‐6P‐dehydrogenase) level and that the B effect on 6P‐gluconate‐dehydrogenase is secondary to this. The B action on the enzymatic activities seems not to be caused by any direct interaction with substrates, as B infiltration of B‐deficient culture “in vivo”; seems to result in long term effects on cell structures and/or processes not easily r

In this paper the glucose‐6P‐dehydrogenase and 6P‐gluconate ‐ dehydrogenase activities and ortho‐diphenolic content of hydroponically‐cultivated sunflower‐leaves with moderately deficient, normal and toxic B levels were measured. The change in these parameters during time was considered, together with the restoration of enzymatic activities by means of borate infiltration of deficient and normal leaves. The micronutrient content of the leaves was alsversible by B infiltration of leaves. The positive correlation found between the 6P‐gluconate‐dehydrogenase activity and the Zn content in leaves might be interpretable as and indirect B effect on that activity through modification of Zn content.     

Distribution of sludge‐borne manganese in field‐grown maize

Abstract

The uptake and distribution of manganese (Mn) in field‐grown maize (Zea mays L.) was studied in a long‐term sewage sludge field trial on an acid sandy soil at Bordeaux. Since 1974, sewage sludge had been applied at levels of 101 dry matter (DM) ha^‐1 year^‐1 (SS 10) and 1001 DM ha^‐1 per 2 years (SS 100) on annually cropped maize plots. Treatment with farmyard manure (FYM) at a rate of 10 t DM ha^‐1 year^‐1 served as unpolluted control. Five replicate plants per treatment were examined at six different growth stages. At each stage, the whole plant was separated into its different organs and the Mn distribution was determined in at least 12 different plant parts. Manganese concentrations were always higher in SS 100 plants compared to FYM and SS 10 treated plants. Significant treatment‐dependent differences occurred almost all in the roots and in the different leaf levels while we found similar Mn concentrations in the stalk and in the reproductive organs. In the different stalk levels and in the ear composites we determined low Mn concentrations with critical deficiency values in FYM and SS 10 plants while Mn concentrations in SS 100 plants were in the normal range. Soil treatment also significantly influenced the initial absorption by the roots. Despite low absolute Mn concentrations in the roots of FYM plants, the Mn transfer coefficient (plant Mn concentration/soil Mn concentration) was highest in FYM plants and lowest in SS 100 plants indicating a relatively low Mn plant availability in the sludge‐treated plots.     

Loss‐on‐ignition as an estimator of soil organic carbon in a‐horizon forestry soils

Abstract

The determination of soil organic matter by wet digestion techniques is a slow and laborious analysis. Loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) provides a simple alternative technique for the estimation of soil organic carbon in non‐calcareous A horizon soils of the Natal midlands and Zululand forestry regions. Using multiple regressional techniques, the relationships between loss‐on‐ignition, Walkley organic carbon and soil texture for 55 soils were determined over a range of ignition temperatures. The relationships hold best for soil samples with relatively low organic carbon contents (< 5%). The optimum temperature for ignition was found to occur at 450°C and resulted in the relationship: Soil organic carbon = 0.284*LOI percent. No advantage is gained through ignition at higher temperatures due to the loss of clay mineral structural water, even if the soil texture is accurately known.     

Metal‐Associated Forms and Speciation in Biosolid‐Amended Oxisols

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of pH and ionic strength on the distribution and speciation of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd) in surface soil samples from two Brazilian Oxisols amended with biosolids. Soils and biosolids were equilibrated in an experimental dual‐chamber diffusion apparatus that permits the soils and biosolids to react through a solution phase via diffusion across a membrane. After equilibrium was reached, soil and biosolids samples were sequentially fractionated to identify various solid forms of Zn, Cu, and Cd. Metal concentrations in the solution phase were determined and mass balance calculated. Equilibrating pH had no major effect on Cu solubility from biosolids and, at pH range from 4 to 7, most Cu remained in the biosolids. Soluble Zn and Cd concentration increased with decreasing pH because of the increased solubility of the biosolids. Copper and Zn were primarily associated with the residual fraction and Fe oxides in one soil, but were primarily associated with chemically unstable fractions, or adsorbed to the surface of oxides, in the other soil. In both soils, Cd was primarily associated with readily bioavailable fractions. The effect of pH on the metal distribution was more evident than the ionic strength effect. Free ions were the predominant metal species in solution, especially at lower pH values.     

Response of alfalfa to a phillipsite‐based slow‐release fertilizer

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Aragon wide leaf) to test the performance of a zeolite (phillipsite) phosphorus‐potassium (P‐K) fertilizer versus soluble potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) applied to a coarse‐textured substratum consisting of a mixture 1: 4 (in volume) soihbasaltic ash. Plants were sown at four fertilization rates and five harvests were collected after nine months. The nutrient content in plant tissue was higher in the plants treated with zeolitic fertilizer, although the response was primarily due to P. No differences due to the fertilizer source were observed for dry matter yield. When considering nutrient uptake, differences between the two fertilizers were enhanced, although the results for P are more pronounced. The soil nutrient content found after the experiment shows that available P was significantly higher in those pots that received the zeolite fertilizer, but no differences were found for K.     

Response of Corn Growth in Salt‐Affected Soils of Northeast China to Flue‐Gas Desulfurization By‐product

Abstract

In semiarid and arid regions, plant growth is limited by high pH, salinity, and poor physical properties of salt‐affected soils. A field experiment was conducted in the semiarid region of Kangping in northeast China (42°70′ N, 123°50′ E) to evaluate a soil‐management system that utilized a by‐product of flue‐gas desulfurization (FGD). Soil was treated with 23,100 kg ha^?1 of the by‐product. Results of corn growth were grouped into three grades (GD) according to stages of corn growth: GD1, seeds did not germinate; GD2, seeds germinated but corn was not harvested; and GD3, plants grew well and corn was harvested. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^?), carbonate (CO₃ ^2?), exchangeable and soluble calcium (Ca²⁺), chloride (Cl), and sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) in surface soils of the three grades (>20 cm) was measured to assess the correlation between corn growth and soil properties. Vertical differences in subsoil properties (0‐100 cm) between GD1 and GD3 were compared to known benchmark soil profiles. The FGD by‐product significantly increased EC, exchangeable and soluble Ca²⁺, and SO₄ ^2? and decreased CO₃ ^2?, exchangeable sodium (Na⁺), and soluble Na⁺. pH, EC, HCO₃ ^?, CO₃ ^2?, and Cl^? were higher in surface soils of GD1 than GD3. Soil hardness, soil moisture content, Cl^?, and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were higher in GD1 than in GD3, whereas the amount of available P was lower in GD1. Interestingly, the concentration of Cl^?, a toxic element for plant growth, was 2.5 and 1.5 times higher in GD1 than in GD3 and control soil, respectively. In the comparison study of subsoils, GD1 and GD3 were classified as having typical characteristics of saline‐alkali soil (pH>8.5; exchangeable‐sodium‐percentage [ESP]>15; EC>4.0) and alkali soil (pH>8.5; ESP>15; EC<4.0), respectively.     

Wirkung der bodenversauerung auf den N‐, P‐, K‐ und Mg‐gehalt junger Sommergerstepflanzen*

Auf 31 Ackerstandorten (Sand bis stark lehmiger Sand) mit sichtbarer Wachstumsminderung von Sommergerste infolge Bodenversauening wurden von geschädigter und gesunder Teilfläche Boden‐ und Pflanzenproben entnommen. Die Böden wurden auf den pH‐Wert (0,1 N KCl), den DL‐löslichen P‐ und K‐Gehalt sowie den Mg‐Gehalt nach Schachtschabel, die Pflanzenproben auf den N‐, P‐, K‐ und Mg‐Gehalt untersucht. Die Sommergerste war sichtbar geschädigt und im Wachstum gemindert, wenn der pH‐Wert des Bodens unter 4,6 lag. Unter den Bedingungen einer starken Bodenversauerung war der N‐, P‐, K‐ und Mg‐Gehalt der geschädigten Pflanzen im Vergleich zu den Vergleichspflanzen bis um 80% reduziert. Der pH‐Wert des Bodens korreliert mit den N‐, P‐ und K‐Gehalten der Pflanzen, jedoch nicht mit dem Mg‐Gehalt. Signifikante Beziehungen zwischen Gehalt im Boden und in der Pflanze liegen bei P, K und Mg vor. Induzierter Mangel, insbesondere an P und K, trägt nach diesen Ergebnissen zur Wachstumsminderung von Sommergerste auf stark versauerten Böden bei.     

Measurement of nitrous oxide emissions from grassland soil using photo‐acoustic infra‐red spectroscopy,long‐path infra‐red spectroscopy,gas chromatography,and continuous flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry

Abstract

This study evaluated the performance of photo‐acoustic infra‐red spectroscopy (PAIRS) for measuring nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes in the field, in comparison with long‐path infra‐red spectroscopy ('Hawk'), gas chromatography (GC), and continuous flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry (CF‐IRMS). The N₂O flux measurements from fertilized and grazed grassland were made simultaneously by the different methods, before and after water application. Before irrigation, mean N₂O fluxes ranged from 3 to 20 g N ha¹ day¹ for the PAIRS and GC measurements, but were undetectable with the Hawk. Within 2 hours of irrigation, mean fluxes increased to 740, 640, and 270 g N ha‘¹day¹, based on GC, PAIRS, and Hawk measurements, respectively. After about 24 hours, irrigation had reached its full effect and N₂O fluxes had increased to 1,050,710, and 410 g N ha¹ day¹. The GC measurements were consistently higher than the PAIRS measurements. However, a second experiment, comparing the PAIRS analyzer with continuous flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry (CF‐IRMS), suggested that the former was negatively biased; the PAIRS response was about 33% lower than CF‐IRMS. When the resulting correction factor was applied to the results of the first experiment, there was very good agreement between the PAIRS and GC measurements. The Hawk measurements were lower than PAIRS and GC, but a statistical comparison was not possible, due to the limited number of Hawk measurements that could be made in the windy weather conditions. Windy conditions also resulted in an underestimation of the N₂O flux by PAIRS compared to GC and CF‐IRMS analysis, which could not solely be attributed to a change in the analyzer sensitivity. There was no obvious explanation for this discrepancy and further investigations are needed to resolve this issue.     

Ion interactions in calcium‐efficient and calcium‐inefficient tomato lines 1

Two Ca‐efficient and 3 Ca‐inefficient tomato lines selected on the basis of dry matter production, Ca concentrations in tissues, and severity of Ca deficiency symptoms were grown in nutrient solutions containing 6 levels of total Ca ranging from 15 to 365 mg in 70 mg increments. All lines responded to increased Ca supply by increasing in dry weight and by accumulating Ca. The critical Ca concentrations in the shoots were 0.25% and 0.40% on a dry weight basis for the efficient and inefficient lines, respectively. Concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, P, and NO₃ ^‐ were lower in shoots and except for Mg were lower in roots of efficient plants than in the inefficient plants. For all lines as more Ca was available in the media and as Ca increased in the shoots and roots, the concentrations of the nutrients other than Ca declined. The declines in concentrations of K and Mg were not due to dilution by higher dry matter production in the efficient lines relative to the inefficient ones, although the total accumulation of Ca, P, and NO₃ ^‐ did not vary with Ca supplied. Antagonism among cations may account for differences in efficiency among lines of tomato.     

Sodium bicarbonate‐DTPA test for macro‐and micronutrient elements in soils

Abstract

Individual soil tests are used to assess plant nutrient element needs. Separate soil tests, however, are time consuming and costly. Our objective was to develop a 0.5M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) soil phosphorus (P) test in combination with 0.005M diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) so macronutrient dements: ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N), nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N), P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg); and micronutrients: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) could be quantified in one extraction. The NaHCO₃‐DTPA extracting solution is a combination of 0.5M NaHCO₃ and 0.005M DTPA and has a pH of 7.60±0.05. Sodium in the solution enhances the NH₄, K, Ca, and Mg extraction; bicarbonate (HCO₃) is for P extraction; DTPA chelates Ca, Mg, and micronutrients; and the water is for NO₃ extraction. Soil samples (0–15 cm depth) came from two sources. The first set was from 12 N x P dryland proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) experiments, conducted from 1985 through 1987 in eastern Colorado. These soils were extracted with potassium chloride (KCl), NaHCO₃, ammonium acetate (CH₃‐COONH₄), DTPA, ammonium bicarbonate DTPA (AB‐DTPA), and with the NaHCO₃‐DTPA solutions. The second set included 25 soils from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and were analyzed only for available P with the NaHCO₃ and NaHCO₃‐DTPA methods. Simple linear correlations for macronutrient elements and micronutrients were highly significant. Critical levels for the macronutrient elements: NO₃‐N, P, and K were 27, 11, and 144 mg kg^‐1, respectively; and the critical levels for the micronutrients: Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were 3.9, 0.35, 0.97, and 0.24 mg kg^‐1, respectively.     

The determination of hot‐water‐soluble boron in some acid Oregon soils using a modified azomethine‐H procedure

Abstract

A method is proposed for determination of hot‐water‐soluble boron in acid soils from western Oregon. The soil sample is boiled in 0.02 M CaCl₂, filtered, and B determined using azomethine‐H. Soils extracted in this way yielded extracts with little color in them and the predicted error due to this color was 0.00–0.07 ppm B. The use of charcoal as a decolorizing agent resulted in comparatively high predicted errors.

Inductively‐coupled plasma emission spectroscopic (ICP) analysis of distilled water and 0.02 M CaCl₂ extracts indicated that the extractable B level was not affected by the presence of CaCl₂. Azomethine‐H yielded comparable values to ICP but the curcumin method tended to give high values for hot‐water‐soluble B.     

Der einfluss Klimatischer Faktoren auf die Ertragsbildung im ISDV‐Standort vergleich Grüppenbühren‐Rauischholzhausen‐Puch

Im Standortvergleich zwischen den Standorten Grüppenbühren bei Oldenburg, Rauischholzhausen bei Gießen und Puch bei München werden in der 1. Mitteilung Zusammenhänge zwischen mittleren Trockenmasseerträgen bei Winterweizen einerseits und den Klima‐Elementen Temperatur, Niederschlag und Strahlungsbilanz andererseits aufgezeigt. Die der Auswertung zugrundeliegenden Daten wurden innerhalb der "Internationalen Stickstoff‐Dauerdüngungs‐ Versuche ISDV”; ermittelt. Die Versuchsreihe ISDV wurde auf insgesamt 24 Standorten in Europa als Stickstoffsteigerungsversuch (6 N‐Stufen ohne und 3 N‐Stufen mit organischer Düngung) mit einer dreigliedrigen Fruchtfolge in den Jahren 1972–1983 von der Internationalen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Bodenfruchtbarkeit innerhalb der Internationalen Bodenkundlichen Union konzipiert und betreut. Die Ergebnisse lassen sich wie folgt zusammenfassen:

Die Ergebnisse lassen sich wie folgt zusammenfassen:

? Der Einfluss der Klima‐Elemente auf die untersuchten Ertragskomponenten differiert deutlich zwischen den Standorten.

? Eine unterschiedliche Wirksamkeit in den N‐Düngungsvarianten konnte am Standort Grüppenbühren und Rauischholzhausen in der Tendenz aufgezeigt werden.

? Für den Standort Puch war kein gesicherter Einfluss festzustellen.

? Weitere Auswertungsschritte auf der Ebene der Monatsdaten und Pentadenwerte sind vorgesehen.     

Orthophosphate and organic phosphate in the soil solution of four sandy soils in relation to pH‐evidence for humic‐FE‐(AL‐) phosphate complexes

Abstract

Soil from the Ap‐horizon of four acid sandy soils differing mainly in Corg content was adjusted to pH values between 3 and 7.5 with NaOH and HCl respectively and incubated for two weeks. Afterwards, displaced soil solution was obtained and analyzed.

The concentrations of Fe, Al, and P showed a broad minimum in the pH range from 4 to 6. The concentration of these elements strongly increased with the increase of pH to 7.5. Acidification below pH values of 4 led to a slight increase.

Separation of dissolved organic carbon by ultrafiltration before the photometric orthophosphate determination decreased measured concentrations in comparison to direct determination in two of the four soils. This decrease was more pronounced for soil solutions with higher concentrations of organic carbon. The effect of acid hydrolysis of organic phosphorus during orthophosphate determination can be explained by existence of humic‐Fe‐(Al phosphate complexes in the soil solution. These complexes can account for more than 50% of the total organic P in solution.     

Determination of organic matter content in arid‐zone soils using a simple “loss‐on‐ignition” method

Abstract

A simple and rapid procedure for the determination of organic matter content in mineral soils by loss‐on‐ignition without pretreatment was studied. Attention was given to the possible effect of inorganic compounds abundant in mineral soils on the estimation of organic matter content by this method. Both fast heating (DTA‐TGA type) studies and prolonged heating procedures were employed on natural and “synthetic”; soils. The results were compared to those obtained by the dichromate wet‐oxidation method widely used in soil laboratories for organic matter determination. In a group of 91 soils collected from various mineral soils in Israel, and having OM contents between 0.09 and 13.23%, a correlation coefficient of 0.972 was obtained for the linear regression between organic matter content measured by the proposed method and organic carbon measured by the dichromate wet‐oxidation method.     

Einfluss Langjährig unterschiedlicher Düngung auf P‐Entzug und P‐Gehalte in einer Tieflehm‐Fahlerde

In einem Dauerfeldversuch auf Tieflehm‐Fahlerde in Groß Kreutz, bei Potsdam, wurde der Einfluß differenzierter organischer und mineralischer Düngung auf P‐Entzug und ‐Ausnutzung sowie auf die Veränderungen der P‐Gehalte im Boden untersucht.

Die P‐Ausnutzung (Differenzmethode) nimmt mit steigender P‐Zufuhr ab. Sie liegt bei der geringsten P‐Zufuhr [xbar] bei 36%, bei der höchsten P‐Anwendung bei 12%. Zwischen der Höhe der P‐Zufuhr und dem Gehalt des Bodens an laktatlöslichem P konnten keine Beziehungen nachgewiesen werden. Schärfere Extraktions‐verfahren (kalte 1,5nHCl, heiße 1,5nHCl, 2nH₂SO₄ und Glühen des Bodens mit anschließender Extraktion mit 2nH₂SO₄) spiegeln die Beziehungen zur P‐Zufuhr besser wider. Unabhängig von Art und Höhe der P‐Düngung liegt das Verhältins P_min: P_org bei 4:1.     

Phosphorus‐sorption characteristics of intensely weathered soils in south‐central kentucky

Abstract

Studies were conducted to investigate phosphorus (P)‐sorption characteristics of some intensely weathered soils in south‐central Kentucky. Phosphorus adsorption characteristics reflected the chemical and mineralogical properties of the soils studied. All adsorption data were adequately described by first order kinetic reactions which implied that the soils have uniform surfaces for P sorption. In spite of the limitations of the Langmuir equation, its usefulness in summarizing data into one adsorption maximum value was demonstrated by nearly identical adsorption maxima estimated by three linear transformations of the equation and small deviations from the observed maxima. Variations in adsorption maxima between surface and subsoils and among soils were best correlated with extractable aluminum (Al) (r = 0.93, p<0.01) and crystalline iron (Fe) oxy‐hydroxides (r = 0.97, p<0.01). Clay content was also highly correlated with P sorption (r = 0.97, p <0.01) as well as with extractable Al (r = 0.83, p<0.05) and crystalline Fe oxides (r = 0.92, p<0.01) suggesting that its contribution may have been through its association with these soil components. In contrast, organic matter had a negative association with P sorption (r = ‐0.83, p<0.05). The results indicate higher P sorption in subsoil than in surface horizons, controlled mainly by extractable Al and crystalline Fe oxyhydroxides.     

Pflanzen‐mikroben‐interaktionen und c/n‐Stoffumsetzungsprozesse in der rhizosphäre: Aufklärung und quantifizierung

Bis in jüngste Zeit war unklar, ob den in der Rhizosphäre, der Grenzschicht zwischen dem pflanzlichen Wurzelsystem und dem Boden, ablaufenden Vorgängen tatsächlich Relevanz für die C/N‐Umsetzungsprozesse auf ökosystemarer Ebene zukommt. Zielstellung eigener Arbeiten war es daher, auf der Grundlage von Tracern (¹⁴C, ¹⁵N) und immunologischen Techniken (DAS‐ELISA) Verfahren zur entwickeln und zu testen, die zur Klärung dieser Fragestellung beitragen. Wie ^l4C‐Impulsmarkierungsexperimente ergaben, werden bereits im Verlauf der Ontogenese beträchtliche Mengen des neu assimilierten Kohlenstoffs in die organische Bodensubstanz eingebaut (bei Sommerweizen zwischen 51 und 410% und bei Schilf 21% des Wurzel‐C). Mit Hilfe von DAS‐ELISA ausgeführte Studien ließen einen sehr differenzierten Einfluß von Getreidearten und ‐Sorten auf die Besiedlung der Rhizosphäre mit dem phytoeffektiven Bakterienstamm Pantoea agglomérons D5/23 erkennen. In überstautem Niedermoortorf bewirkte die Anwesenheit von Sumpfpflanzen (Schilf, Rohrglanzgras) eine beschleunigte Umsetzung von ¹⁵N‐markiertem Nitrat zu den gasförmigen Denitrifikationsprodukten N₂O und N₂.     

Monocot‐dicot variability in response to an iron oxide‐metallic iron source

Abstract

Iron from a mixture of Fe oxide and metallic Fe was more available to corn (Zea mays L.) than it was to soybeans when the plants wore grown in calcareous soil or in nutrient solution. All this Fe, however, was DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) extractable. In solution culture the Fe was available to the soybean (Glycine max L.) plants unless CaCO₃ was included in the nutrient solution.