Estimating soil texture from sample density

Abstract

A number of laboratory methods for determining soil physical fractions have been proposed. The methods being cumbersome and time consuming cannot be adopted for routine analysis in soil testing laboratories. Therefore, a simple method which could provide quantitative estimates of the soil size fractions is required. This study used soil sample density (ratio of mass of soil in a standard scoop to its volume) to estimate soil separates. Regression models were developed for predicting soil separates from sample density. Sand, silt, and silt+clay fractions were best described by second degree polynomials with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.75–0.80. Although the exponential function was statistically equivalent to the second degree polynomial for estimating clay, it was preferable as it yielded a better shape of the fitted curve at sample densities <1.2 g cm^‐3. Validation of the models with independent data showed that model‐predicted values of various size fractions matched well with laboratory measurements with coefficients of correlation ranging between 0.95–0.99. The higher correlation coefficients between the measured and estimated clay, silt, and sand fractions both for model development and their validation on independent data suggest that the models could be used for estimating soil separates from sample density measurements.     

Readily measurable soil properties that affect the phosphorus fertilizer requirement of ultisols

Abstract

Phosphorus fertilizer recommendations could be improved mark‐edly if, in addition to the extractable P concentration, some estimate of the P buffering capacity were considered. Measuring the P buffering capacity or its estimate from clay content or surface area, however, is too time consuming for most soil testing laboratories. Soil samples from the southeastern USA and western Spain were analyzed for several properties that either are or could be measured readily. These properties were cation exchange capacity (CEC), sample density (SD), humic matter (HM), and a color index (CHL). Topsoil samples with HM > 20 g/L were eliminated from the set. The P buffering capacity was estimated with a sorption index. This index correlated well with clay content, so clay content was used for comparison with CEC, SD, and CHL. Of these parameters, clay content was best correlated with CHL (r² = 0.81). Since CHL can be determined very quickly under routine laboratory conditions, it could be utilized for refining the P soil test interpretation and improving subsequent fertilizer P recommendations.     

An ion exchange resin method for nutrient extraction of agricultural advisory soil samples

Abstract

A method using cation and anion exchange resins is evaluated for use as a routine advisory soil extraction procedure. The wide range of elements and soil types which could potentially be extracted offer many major advantages over existing methods. By combining with a multi‐element analytical technique such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy the overall efficiency can be increased.     

Potential Use of Near Infrared Reflectance Monitoring in Precision Agriculture

Abstract

The concept of Precision farming is not new, and interest in the potential benefits gained momentum in the late eighties. The high cost of soil sampling and chemical and physical analysis by conventional laboratories has restricted the full implementation of this technique at the field level. Near infrared reflectance (NIR) could be a cost‐effective solution. Soil properties that have been calibrated include gravimetric soil water, clay content, buffer capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, titratable acidity, organic matter, mineralizable nitrogen, potential ammonia volatilization from urea, potential nitrification rate, and urease activity. A whole paradigm shift in philosophy is needed in soil testing to move away from the traditional approach of taking a perceived‐representative sample, in which all the spatial variation is lost, to using a combination of grid soil sampling at a sample intensity of 4 to 10 cores per ha and analysed separately using rapid but less accurate methods such as NIR.     

A manual colorimetric procedure for measuring ammonium nitrogen in soil and plant Kjeldahl digests

Abstract

The measurement of NH4⁺‐N in soil, and plant digests is one of the greatest needs in laboratories conducting agricultural and environmental research. Many laboratories do not have access to automated equipment for colorimetric analysis of soil and plant digests. The objective of this research was to modify an automated colorimetric analysis procedure for determining NH₄+‐N in soil and plant digests for manual use, and compare the proposed technique with the standard distillation‐titration technique. The modified procedure is based on the color reaction between NH₄ ⁺‐ and a weakly alkaline mixture of Na salicylate and a chlorine source in the presence of Na nitroprusside. Wavelength scans indicated a very well defined peak for determinations at 650 nm. Time scans showed that color development in the manual procedure was rapid, 12 to 40 minutes depending on temperature, and that the color development remained stable for at least 120 minutes. Regression analysis of the results from 18 soil and 20 plant tissue sample determinations by distillation‐titration and the proposed method indicated NH₄ ⁺ ‐N recoveries of 99% or higher. The results obtained using the colorimetric procedure were very similar to the values obtained by distil ling and titrating the digests for both soil and plant samples as indicated by the large coefficients of determination (R² = 0.99).     

Certification of an air‐dry soil for pH and extractable nutrients using one hundredth molar calcium chloride

Abstract

The preparation of an air‐dry river‐clay soil as reference soil material for pH and extractable nutrients with a 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution and the homogeneity testing are described. Recommended values for pH and the concentrations of ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N), total soluble nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) using the unbuffered 0.01M CaCl₂ are given. With respect to nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N), the sample proved not to be sufficienctly homogeneous. The certified soil sample has also been used as a sample in the International Soil‐Analytical Exchange (ISE), a continuous proficiency testing scheme. The values found by the ISE laboratories compared well with the certified values.     

Phosphorus sorption and availability indices as affected by properties of calcareous soils

Abstract

The Olsen solution is usually considered the best extractant for estimating P availability in calcareous soils, but predictability of the response to P fertilizers is often low under field conditions. In this study, soil characteristics influencing P sorption and extractability were evaluated. Forty‐one soils varying in CaCO₃, pH, and clay content were selected from pastures to minimize the effect of recent P additions. A P sorption index (PSI) determined from a single addition of 150 mg P/100 g soil was related to soil Ca and CaCO₃, but the correlation coefficients were rather low (r = 0.46 and 0.38, respectively). A P availability index (PAI), determined from the increase in extractable soil P after adding 50 mg P/kg to a suspension and allowing it to dry, was correlated quite well with cation exchange capacity and clay content (r = ‐0.61 for each) in soils with pH < 8.8. The PAI also had a positive relationship with the density of the processed soil sample (r = 0.60). The relationship between PAI and soil Ca (r = ‐0.51) was also better than that between PSI and soil Ca. Inclusion of initial soil P and organic carbon along with CEC increased the predictability of PAI from 37% to 59%. In soils with pH > 8.8, soil pH was the dominant factor controlling the PAI (r = 0.92).     

DENSIMETRIC FRACTIONATION OF SOIL ORGANO-MINERAL COMPLEXES

A rapid, simple, and precise density fractionation of soil mineral-organic complexes, suitable for routine work, is described. Special features of the method are: low sample weight, use of glass-fibre paper to collect the lighter fractions, and use of a modified Walkley-Black procedure to determine the carbon content of the light fraction in test tubes. Density-distribution curves of organo-mineral soil complexes are shown to yield useful basic information on degradation processes of soil organic matter caused by cultivation. The results suggest that complexes between clay and organic matter tend to build up preferentially with a certain proportion between the components.     

Sample preparation and selection for qualitative and quantitative analyses of soil organic carbon with mid‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Mid‐infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) is a well‐established analytical tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of soil samples. However, effects of soil sample grinding procedures on the prediction accuracy of MIR models and on qualitative spectral information have not been well investigated and, in consequence, not standardized up to now. Further, the effects of soil sample selection on the accuracy of MIR prediction models has not been quantified yet. This study investigated these effects by using 180 well‐characterized soil samples that were ground for different times (0, 2 or 4 minutes) and then used for MIR measurements. To study the impact of sample preparation, soil spectra were subjected to principal component analyses (PCA), multiple regression and partial least square (PLS) analysis. The results indicate that the prediction accuracy of MIR models for soil organic carbon (SOC) and pH and the qualitative spectral information were better overall for lightly ground (2 minutes) soil samples compared with intensively (4 minutes) or unground soil samples. Whereas the grinding procedure did not show any effect on spectra of clay minerals, spectral information for quartz and for SOC was modified. Even though it is difficult to recommend a global standardized soil sample grinding procedure for MIR measurements because of different mill types available within laboratories, we highly recommend using an internally standardized grinding procedure. Moreover, we show that neither land use nor soil sampling depth influences the prediction of the SOC content. However, sand and clay content substantially affect the score vectors used by the PLS algorithm to predict the SOC content. Thus, we recommend using soil samples similar in texture for more precise SOC calibration models for MIR spectroscopy.     

Aggregation indices to characterize structural breakdown of dry soil samples by air slaking

The objectives of this study were to develop a simple test to assess air slaking effects on structural breakdown of dry soils and with the help of the test, to verify whether observations made by Gath (1995) on artificial soil samples are also valid for undisturbed soil samples. The proposed slaking test and the derived aggregation indices allow for an indirect assessment of the effect of air slaking. It is possible to use the test as a means of grouping soil structure with respect to slaking susceptibility. Thus, soil samples with clay contents < 10% and granular or weakly coherent structure are practically completely dispersed upon immersion. Soils with > 30% clay are well aggregated in angular blocks and prisms, and slaking will stop at a microaggregate level. Loess soils, which usually have a range of 10 to 30% clay content and coherent to subangular blocky structure show an intermediate behaviour. Finally, the results obtained here using undisturbed soil samples are in line with those obtained by Gäth (1995), indicating that at a given water content rate of water uptake as influenced by hydraulic conductivity, sample size and bulk density is a major factor controlling effects of air slaking. However, when comparing samples of different origin, increase in clay content is the principal factor that reduces slaking effects.     

A rapid steam distillation method of assessing potentially available organic nitrogen in soil

Abstract

A rapid steam distillation of assessing potentially available organic nitrogen in soil is described. It involves determination of the ammonia‐N produced by steam distillation of the soil sample with pH 11.2 phosphate‐borate buffer solution for 8 min. The method is simple and precise, and its results are not significantly affected by air‐drying or air‐dry storage of the soil sample before analysis. It is well suited for use in soil testing laboratories because it does not require extraction, filtration or transfer steps. Studies using 33 Brazilian soils showed that the results obtained by this method were highly correlated with those obtained by aerobic and anaerobic incubation methods of assessing potentially available organic nitrogen in soil.     

Water Repellence of Cultivated Organic Soils

Abstract

A range of cultivated organic soils was studied with respect to water repellence. All soils were wettable above a water content of approximately 30-50 % (v/v). Below this critical content, most soils showed a varying degree of water repellence. Well decomposed peat had lower infiltration rates than moderately decomposed peat. Lightly crushing the peat soil before measurement increased the infiltration rate compared with an undisturbed soil sample. In tests with aqueous ethanol of different molarity, peat soils showed greater repellence than gyttja soils. All moss peat layers were extremely water repellent and fen peats slightly less repellent. Water repellence did not occur on gyttja clay and marl gyttja.     

Soil bulk density corrections for providing a better relationship with root growth in gravelly soil

Abstract

Bulk density of a Tifton (Plinthitic Paleudult; fine loamy, siliceous, thermic) soil containing 5.8 to 11.0% of the sample weight as pebbles was 0.06–0.12 g/cc lower when corrections were made for presence of pebbles or concretions. A method for determining the bulk density of the soil matrix between pebbles or concretions is outlined. After adjustment, the bulk density at which root penetration was inhibited in this soil closely approximated that for soils which do not contain concretions. The proposed procedure reflects more nearly how bulk density changes where plant roots are growing than previously published procedures do.     

Effect of soil acidification on the growth and nitrogen use efficiency of maize in Ultisols

Purpose

To examine the effect of soil acidification on growth and nitrogen (N) uptake by maize in Ultisols.

Materials and methods

A clay Ultisol derived from Quaternary red earth and a sandy Ultisol derived from tertiary red sandstone were used in this study. A pot experiment was conducted with maize growing in the two Ultisols acidified to different pH values. Urea with ¹⁵N abundance of 10.11% was used to investigate the distribution of N fertilizer between soil and plant. Total N content and ¹⁵N abundance in plant and soil samples were determined by elemental analysis-isotope mass spectrometry.

Results and discussion

Critical soil pHs of 4.8 and 5.0 were observed for maize growing in the clay and sandy Ultisols, respectively. Below the critical soil pH, increasing soil pH significantly increased maize height and the yield of maize shoots and roots (both P < 0.05), but changes in soil pH showed no significant effect on maize growth above the critical soil pH in both Ultisols. Maize growing in the sandy Ultisol was more sensitive to changes in soil pH than in the clay Ultisol. Increase in the pH in both Ultisols also increased N accumulation in maize, the N derived from fertilizer in maize, physiological N use efficiency, and N use efficiency (NUE) by maize. Changes in soil pH had a greater effect on these parameters below the critical soil pH, compared to above. The change in soil pH had a greater effect on N accumulation in maize, the N derived from fertilizer in maize, and NUE in the sandy Ultisol than in the clay Ultisol. The NUE increased by 24.4% at pH 6.0, compared with pH 4.0 in the clay Ultisol, while the NUE at pH 5.0 was 4.8 times that at pH 4.0 in the sandy Ultisol. The increase in soil pH increased the ratio of N accumulation in maize/soil residue N and decreased the potential loss of fertilizer N from both Ultisols.

Conclusions

Soil acidification inhibited maize growth, reduced N uptake by maize, and thus, decreased NUE. To maintain soil pH of acidic soils above the critical values for crops is of practical importance for sustainable food production in acidic soils.

     

Predicting soil water retention characteristics from soil physical and chemical properties

Abstract

Knowledge of soil water availability for plant growth is vital for the development of plant growth simulation models. Data on soil water availability are often not available because field and laboratory measurements of soil water content are time‐consuming and tedious. The objective of this study was to develop alternative procedures to predict water content at ‐10 kPa (UL10), ‐33 kPa (U133), ‐1500 kPa (LL), and the potential available water capacity (AWC) from easily and routinely available soil properties. Multiple regression equations for soil orders of Soil Taxonomy were developed using a database containing information of about 12,000 pedons of the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and some foreign countries. Regression equations with bulk density, sand, silt, clay, and organic carbon contents accounted for up to 83% of the variation in UL10 for all orders except Ultisols. For Ultisols, sand content accounted for up to 90% of the variation in UL10. Equations with clay and organic carbon contents accounted for up to 75% of the variability in UL33 for all except Aridisols, Oxisols, Vertisols, and Spodosols. For these four orders, equations with bulk density, clay, silt, and sand contents accounted for up to 81% of the variation in UL33. LL was linearly related to clay content. Clay content accounted for up to 91% of the variation in LL for all but Oxisols and Vertisols. More accurate predictions of AWC resulted when AWC was computed from UL10 and LL water content data. Equations with bulk density alone or bulk density plus silt and/or sand contents accounted for up to 83% of the variation in AWC for all except Entisols, Inceptisols, and Spodosols.     

伊犁河谷不同森林模式下土壤的养分特征和粒径组成

[目的]对伊犁河谷不同森林模式下土壤粒径组成和养分空间特征进行研究,为科学栽培和可持续经营提供理论依据。[方法]通过野外采样与室内试验,分析伊犁河谷不同模式下土壤粒径分布特征及其与土壤理化性质的关系。[结果]7个模式林地土壤基本集中在细粉粒和粗粉粒两个粒级。主要由细粉粒—粗粉粒—黏粒、细粉粒—粗粉粒—极细砂粒和粗粉粒—细粉粒—极细砂粒为主的质地组成,其中细粉粒—粗粉粒—黏粒土壤养分较佳,相比之下含有砂粒的土壤养分较低。土壤有机质和土壤碱解氮与黏粒和细粉粒含量的关系非常密切,尤其是细粉粒;速效磷与砂粒、黏粒和细粉粒呈正相关;速效钾与黏粒和细粉粒含量的关系密切,随着其含量增加而增加,跟砂粒呈显著负相关,砂粒含量高,速效钾含量降低。[结论]伊犁河谷7个模式林分土壤养分状况各异,养分各项指标含量不同,可根据养分状况进行抚育管理。各模式土壤中粉粒含量占绝对优势。根据各养分含量与各粒径组成之间的相关性分析表明,土壤颗粒越细,与土壤养分的关系越密切。     

Relationship between minimum exchangeable potassium and soil taxonomy

Abstract

Potassium is an essential element for plant growth and its importance in agriculture has been well recognized. With continuous cropping of a soil, exchangeable ? levels decrease to a minimum, steady‐state level if no ? is added. This minimum level is important to both modeling soil ? cycling and fertilizer ? recommendations, and it has been determined by field studies lasting from 2 to 10 years. Consequently, there is a need for estimation of minimum exchangeable ? levels for a wide range of soil types from soil physical and chemical properties. A literature survey provided 19 studies where minimum exchangeable ? had been measured and regression analysis was conducted on this data to determine predictive relationships. Minimum exchangeable ? is closely related to soil clay content (r² from 0.66 to 0.99), however, regression constants varied from study to study. Improved correlations were obtained between minimum exchangeable ? and clay content when all the soils (22A, r²=0.69) were divided into 3 groups according to the Fertility Capability Soil Classification (FCC) System and Soil Taxonomy (r² of 0.86, 0.82, and 0.68). Differences in regression constants between groups were consistent with changes in soil properties associated with ? levels and exchangeability. This analysis provided relationships to estimate minimium exchangeable ? level from soil clay content for a wide range of soil types, which should aid soil ? modeling and fertilizer ? recommendations.     

A comparison of some methods for soil organic carbon determination

Abstract

This study compared three dichromate‐oxidation methods adapted for use with 100‐mL digestion tubes and 40‐tube block digester (for controlled heating), the Walkley‐Black method, a loss‐on‐ignition procedure and an automated dry combustion method for the determination of organic carbon in soils of the northwestern Canadian prairie. The Walkley‐Black method required a correction factor of 1.40. The modified Tinsley method and the Mebius procedure, adapted for use with 100‐mL digestion tubes, recovered 95% and 98%, respectively, of soil carbon against the dry combustion procedure. The presence of elemental carbon in some soils probably caused, at least partially, the slightly incomplete recovery; thermal decomposition of dichromate may not have been accurately corrected for. A dichromate‐oxidation procedure with controlled digestion at 135°C gave 100% recovery, but somewhat more variable results. The loss‐on‐ignition procedure, even when allowance was made for clay content of the soils, was the least satisfactory of the methods tested. All procedures produced correlation coefficients of 0.980 or better against the dry combustion method.     

Potassium behavior and clay mineral composition in the soil with low effectiveness of potassium application

ABSTRACT

Increasing exchangeable potassium (ExK) content in soil to an appropriate level is important to mitigate the transfer of radioactive cesium to crops. We focused on a buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) field with a low ExK content, despite the application of K, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan (Field A), following the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Dai-ichi (No. 1) Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. We examined the relationship between K concentration and clay mineral composition in the soil of Field A and compared the findings with another field in Fukushima Prefecture (Field B) to clarify whether K applied to the soil was leached or remaining fixed. Pot experiments showed that K concentration in water seepage from pots following irrigation was significantly lower in pots from Field A than in those from Field B. Soil ExK content after soybean cultivation was lower in soils of Field A than those of Field B. These results indicate that K applied to Field A was fixed in the soil. Analysis of clay mineral composition confirmed the distinctive vermiculitic nature of Field A soils. This clay mineralogy would be associated with the higher K fixation ability of Field A than Field B soils. This study demonstrated that K fixation in vermiculite was a factor preventing the increase in ExK content from K application to Field A.