Assessment of soil quality monitoring indicators under long term rice cultivation in hot arid Ghaggar-flood plains of India

ABSTRACT

The evaluation of soil quality is essential in monitoring the long term effects of rice cultivation. Present study investigated the effects of long term rice cultivation on soil properties and organic C pools and identified indicators for monitoring soil quality in Ghaggar-flood plains of hot arid India. Soil samples were collected from fields with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of rice cultivation. The study revealed that electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) increased after 30–40 years of rice cultivation. Available nutrients increased with increasing years of rice cultivation. The organic carbon pools namely, total organic carbon (TOC), Walkley Black carbon (WBC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were increased above 50% in 20 and above years of rice cultivation. The TOC and POC were increased by 40.6 to 132.4% and 31.7% to 104.8% in 10 to 40 years of rice cultivation. Cation exchange capacity, WBC, ESP and CaCO₃ could serve as soil monitoring indicators of long term rice cultivation in arid region. The findings clearly indicated that long term rice cultivation could aggravate soil salinity and have negative impact on soil quality in arid environment.     

Minimizing ammonia volatilization from urea,improving lowland rice (cv. MR219) seed germination,plant growth variables,nutrient uptake,and nutrient recovery using clinoptilolite zeolite

The anionic nature and high cation exchange capacity (CEC) of clinoptilolite zeolite can be exploited to reduce ammonia (NH₃) loss from urea and to improve soil chemical properties to increase nutrient utilization efficiency in lowland rice cultivation. A closed-dynamic airflow system was used to determine NH₃ loss from treatments (20, 40, and 60 g clinoptilolite zeolite pot^?1). Seed germination study was conducted to evaluate the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite on rice seed germination. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite on rice plant growth variables, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, and soil chemical properties. Standard procedures were used to determine NH₃ loss, rice plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, dry matter production, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, and soil chemical properties. Application of clinoptilolite zeolite (15%) increased shoot elongation of seedlings and significantly reduced NH₃ loss (up to 26% with 60 g zeolite pot^?1), and increased number of leaves, total dry matter, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable Na⁺. Amending acid soils with clinoptilolite zeolite can significantly minimize NH₃ loss and improve rice plant growth variables, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, and soil chemical properties. These findings are being validated in our ongoing field trials.     

Mutual relationships of biochar and soil pH,CEC, and exchangeable base cations in a model laboratory experiment

Purpose

The majority of biochar studies use soils with only a narrow range of properties making generalizations about the effects of biochar on soils difficult. In this study, we aimed to identify soil properties that determine the performance of biochar produced at high temperature (700 °C) on soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable base cation (Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺) content across a wide range of soil physicochemical properties.

Materials and methods

Ten distinct soils with varying physicochemical properties were incubated for 12 weeks with four rates of biochar application (0.5, 2, 4, and 8% w/w). Soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable base cations (Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺) were determined on the 7th and 84th day of incubation.

Results and discussion

Our results indicate that the highest biochar application rate (8%) was more effective at altering soil properties than lower biochar rates. Application of 8% biochar increased pH significantly in all incubated soils, with the increment ranging up to 1.17 pH unit. Biochar induced both an increment and a decline in soil CEC ranging up to 35.4 and 7.9%, respectively, at a biochar application rate of 8%. Similarly, biochar induced increments in exchangeable Ca²⁺ up to 38.6% and declines up to 11.4%, at an 8% biochar application rate. The increment in CEC and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content was found in soils with lower starting exchangeable Ca²⁺ contents than the biochar added, while decreases were observed in soils with higher exchangeable Ca²⁺ contents than the biochar. The original pH, CEC, exchangeable Ca²⁺, and texture of the soils represented the most crucial factors for determining the amount of change in soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content.

Conclusions

Our findings clearly demonstrate that application of a uniform biochar to a range of soils under equivalent environmental conditions induced two contradicting effects on soil properties including soil CEC and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content. Therefore, knowledge of both biochar and soil properties will substantially improve prediction of biochar application efficiency to improve soil properties. Among important soil properties, soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ content is the primary factor controlling the direction of biochar-induced change in soil CEC and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content. Generally, biochar can induce changes in soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ with the effectiveness and magnitude of change closely related to the soil’s original properties.

     

The use of gypsum for preventing soil sodification: effect of gypsum particle size and location in the profile

Laboratory studies were conducted on a mixture of surface soils from the Nile Delta (Egypt). Twenty-two soil columns, initially saturated both with respect to their water-holding capacity and to their base exchange capacity with calcium, contained 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 per cent solid gypsum in the total weight of the solid material in the column. Three particle sizes of gypsum (>0.5, 0.5–1 and 1–2 mm) were mixed either with the top layer or with the whole soil column. The result of leaching these columns with saline water (36 meq 1^?1 NaCl+4 meq 1^?1 CaCl₂) at 0.1 cm h^?1 was compared with a mathematical model based on thermodynamic equilibria. The three different particle sizes gave the same experimental results. Applying a given amount of gypsum to the surface soil was more effective in reducing the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) than mixing the same quantity through the soil. The mathematical model adequately predicted the changes in the soil column.     

Effect of gypsum on exchangeable sodium percentage and electrical conductivity in the Daeho reclaimed tidal land soil in Korea—a field scale study

Purpose

A reclaimed tidal land along the shore has poor soil properties such as high exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and electrical conductivity (EC) due to excess sodium (Na) content. Therefore, Na content should be decreased to improve the land productivity, and for this, gypsum has been widely used. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in ESP and EC of the gypsum-treated reclaimed tidal soil in a field scale.

Materials and methods

For this, gypsum was applied to Daeho reclaimed tidal land (500 ha) in Korea for 5 years (2006 to 2010). The Daeho reclaimed tidal land has been used as reclaimed paddy fields since 1993. The application rate of gypsum was calculated based on exchangeable calcium (Ca) contents and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) to maintain 60 % exchangeable calcium percentage (ECP) of CEC in soil and the average amount treated was 1570 kg ha^?1 year^?1. The changes in ESP and EC were monitored from 2006 to 2010, and 2013.

Results and discussion

The ESP dropped from 80 % in 2006 to 34 % in 2013. The EC of the soil was decreased by 73 %, from 11.5 dS m^?1 in 2006 to 3.1 dS m^?1 in 2013. Eventually, it was estimated that the ESP will be lowered below 15 % in 2023 with continuous treatment of gypsum according to ECP calculation, and EC will be declined to reach at 0.5 dS m^?1 in 2035, the average EC level of Korean rice paddy.

Conclusions

This field scale study evidenced that gypsum application effectively improves the soil properties of reclaimed tidal soil by decreasing ESP and EC.

     

Additional application of aluminum sulfate with different fertilizers ameliorates saline-sodic soil of Songnen Plain in Northeast China

Purpose

Serious soil salinization, including excessive exchangeable sodium and high pH, significantly decreases land productivity. Reducing salinity and preventing alkalization in saline-sodic soils by comprehensive improvement practices are urgently required. The combinations of aluminum sulfate with different types of fertilizer at different rates were applied on rice paddy with saline-sodic soils of the Songnen Plain in Northeast China to improve soil quality and its future utilization.

Materials and methods

Experiments were carried out in a completely randomized block design. Twelve treatments with aluminum sulfate at the rates of 0, 250, 500, and 750 kg hm^?2 with inorganic, bio-organic, and organic-inorganic compound fertilizers were performed. Soil pH, electronic conductivity (EC), cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), total alkalinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrients, soluble ions, rice growth, and yield in the saline-sodic soils were measured across all treatments. The relationships among the measured soil attributes were determined using one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and systematic cluster analysis.

Results and discussion

The pH, EC, ESP, total alkalinity, SAR, Na⁺, CO₃^2?, and HCO₃^? in saline-sodic soil were significantly decreased, while CEC, SOC, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), K⁺, and SO₄^2? were significantly increased due to the combined application of aluminum sulfate with fertilizer compared with the fertilizer alone. The most effective treatment in reducing salinity and preventing alkalization was aluminum sulfate at a rate of 500 kg hm^?2 with organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. This treatment significantly decreased the soil pH, EC, ESP, total alkalinity, SAR, Na⁺, and HCO₃^? by 5.3%, 28.9%, 41.1%, 39.3%, 22.4%, 23.5%, and 35.9%, but increased CEC, SOC, AN, AP, AK, K⁺, SO₄^2?, rice height, seed setting rate, 1000-grain weight, and yield by 77.5%, 115.5%, 106.3%, 47.1%, 43.3%, 200%, 40%, 6.2%, 43.9%, 20.3%, and 42.2%, respectively, compared with CK treatment in the leaching layer.

Conclusions

The combined application by aluminum sulfate at a rate of 500 kg hm^?2 with organic-inorganic compound fertilizer is an effective amendment of saline-sodic soils in Songnen Plain, Northeast China. These results are likely related to the leaching of Na⁺ from the soil leaching layer to the salt accumulation layer and desalination in the surface soil, and the increase of SOC improved the colloidal properties and increased fertilizer retention in soil. In addition, the environmental impact of aluminum sulfate applied to soil needs to be further studied.

     

Yield,Nutrient Uptake,and Soil Chemical Properties as Influenced by Liming and Boron Application in Common Bean in a No‐Tillage System

Abstract

In Oxisols, acidity is the principal limiting factor for crop production. In recent years, because of intensive cropping on these soils, deficiency of micronutrients is increasing. A field experiment was conducted on an Oxisol during three consecutive years to assess the response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under a no‐tillage system to varying rates of lime (0, 12, and 24 Mg ha^?1) and boron (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 kg ha^?1) application. Both time and boron (B) were applied as broadcast and incorporated into the soil at the beginning of the study. Changes in selected soil chemical properties in the soil profile (0- to 10‐ and 10- to 20‐cm depths) with liming were also determined. During all three years, gain yields increased significantly with the application of lime. However, B application significantly increased common bean yield in only the first crop. Only lime application significantly affected the soil chemical properties [pH; calcium (Ca²⁺); magnesium (Mg²⁺); hydrogen (H⁺)+ aluminum (Al³⁺); base saturation; acidity saturation; cation exchange capacity (CEC); percent saturation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and potassium (K⁺); and ratios of exchangeable Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K] at both soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). A positive significant association was observed between grain yield and soil chemical properties. Averaged across two depths and three crops, common bean produced maximum grain yield at soil pH_w of 6.7, exchangeable (cmol_c kg^?1) of Ca²⁺ 4.9, Mg²⁺ 2.2, H⁺+Al³⁺ 2.6, acidity saturation of 27.6%, CEC of 4.1 cmol_c kg^?1, base saturation of 72%, Ca saturation of 53.2%, Mg saturation of 17.6%, K saturation of 2.7%, Ca/Mg ratio of 2.8, Ca/K ratio of 25.7, and Mg/K ratio of 8.6. Soil organic matter did not change significantly with addition of lime.     

Effect of flooding on physico-chemical changes in sodic soils

Laboratory experiments were conducted with sodic soils of varying exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) (82, 65, 40, and 22) and a normal soil (ESP 4) to study the changes with time in soil pH, pCO₂, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ under submerged conditions with and without 1.0 per cent rice husk. In all the soils pCO₂, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ increased after flooding, reached the maximum value and then either maintained or declined slightly. The release of Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ was maximum in normal soil and decreased with increase of ESP in sodic soils. Addition of rice husk brought about a conspicuous increase in Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺, the maximum increase being in lowest ESP soil. Flooding reduced the pH of all soils. The effect was more pronounced in the presence of rice husk. The kinetics of pCO₂ indicated that accumulation of CO₂ was higher in normal soil and least in highest ESP soil. The addition of rice husk showed an average increase of 0.0074 atm pCO₂ in comparison to rice husk untreated soils.     

Erodibility in relation to water‐dispersible clay for some soils of eastern Nigeria

Water dispersible clay (WDC) can influence soil erosion by water. Therefore, in highly erodible soils such as the ones in eastern Nigeria, there is a need to monitor the clay dispersion characteristics to direct and modify soil conservation strategies. Twenty‐five soil samples (0–20 cm in depth) varying in texture, chemical properties and mineralogy were collected from various locations in central eastern Nigeria. The objective was to determine the WDC of the soils and relate this to selected soil physical and chemical attributes. The soils were analysed for their total clay (TC), water‐dispersible clay (WDC), clay dispersion ratio (CDR), dispersion ratio (DR), dithionite extractable iron (Fed), soil organic matter (SOM), exchangeable cations, exhangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). Total clay contents of the soil varied from 80–560 g kg⁻¹. The USLE erodibility K ranges from 0·02 to 0·1 Mg h MJ⁻¹ mm and WEPP K fall between 1·2 × 10⁻⁶–1·7 × 10⁻⁶ kg s m⁻⁴. The RUSLE erodibility K correlated significantly with CDR and DR (r = 0·44; 0·39). Also, a positive significant correlation (r = 0·71) existed between WEPP K and RUSLE K. Soils with high clay dispersion ratio (CDR) are highly erodibile and positively correlates (p < 0·51) with Fed, CEC and SOM. Also, DR positively correlates with Mg²⁺ and SOM and negatively correlate with ESP and SAR. Principal component analysis showed that SAR, Na⁺ and percent base saturation play significant role in the clay dispersion of these soils. The implication of this result is that these elements may pose potential problem to these soils if not properly managed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lime and Cattle Manure in Soil Fertility and Soybean Grain Yield Cultivated in Tropical Soil

Most tropical soils have high acidity and low natural fertility. The appropriate application of lime and cattle manure corrects acidity, improves physical and biological properties, increases soil fertility, and reduces the use of chemical and/or synthetic fertilizers by crops, such as soybean, the main agricultural export product of Brazil. This study aimed to assess the effects of the combination of the application of dolomite limestone (0, 5, and 10 Mg ha^?1) and cattle manure (0, 40, and 80 Mg ha^?1) on grain yield and the chemical properties of an Oxisol (Red Latosol) cultivated with soybean for two consecutive years. The maximum grain yield was obtained with the application of 10 Mg ha^?1 of lime and 80 Mg ha^?1 of cattle manure. Liming significantly increased pH index, the concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺) and exchangeable magnesium (Mg²⁺), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil and reduced potential acidity (H⁺ + Al³⁺), while the application of cattle manure increased pH level; the concentrations of potassium (K⁺), Ca²⁺, and exchangeable Mg²⁺; and CEC of the soil. During the 2 years of assessment, the greatest grain yields were obtained with saturation of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in CEC at the 4.4, 40.4, and 17.5 levels, respectively. The results indicated that the ratios of soil exchangeable Ca/Mg, Ca/K, K/Mg, and K/(Ca+Mg) can be modified to increase the yield of soybean grains.     

Soil in Suitability Evaluation for Irrigated Lowland Rice Culture in Southwestern Nigeria: Management Implications for Sustainability

Rice grows in all agro‐ecological zones in Nigeria and it is largely grown by small‐scale farmers. An investigation was conducted to assess the representative pedons used for rice cultivation in the southwestern part of Nigeria. The aims were to assess how suitable these lands are for rice cultivation and what constraints to continuous and sustained rice production occurs on these soils. Data (climate, soil, water, etc.) were collected from rain‐forest agro‐ecological zones (AEZ) in which these pedons are located. After laboratory analyses, the land qualities/characteristics (LQ/LC) of these pedons were compared with the land‐use requirements (LUR) for cultivating lowland rice using two methods of evaluation (conventional/FAO approach and the parametric method). Results showed that the two methods rated the aggregate suitability of these pedons for rice between marginal (S3) and unsuitable (N1). Major constraints identified in these pedons are poor soil texture, which translates to poor water management coupled with suboptimal nutrient contents [i.e., available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), and cation exchange capacity (CEC)], which may predispose rice plants to excessive iron (Fe²⁺) uptake (or bronzing or yellowing symptoms). Grain yields (GYs) collected from the farmers' field (1994 and 1995 cropping seasons) showed that in the current state of two of the soil series (Apomu and Matako), the GY of the two rice cultivars ranged between 0.61 and 2.13 t/ha and declines progressively across years in the two cropping seasons. The result suggests that in spite of good climate for irrigated lowland rice cultivation in SW Nigeria and indeed all Nigeria, special attention must be paid to the soils on which this crop is grown in terms of the soil texture, appropriate water management, and optimum contents of soil nutrients, especially available P, exchangeable K, and CEC. Thus for a sustained and continuous rice production on these soils, it is important that nutrient contents of the soil be augmented with fertilizer (organic and inorganic) coupled with appropriate water management.     

Linear Regression Models to Estimate Exchangeable Sodium Percentage and Bulk Density of Salt Affected Soils in Sahl El-Hossinia,El-Sharkia Governorate,Egypt

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to develop a Linear Regression Model for the prediction of soil bulk density based on organic matter content (OM) and textural fractions (% sand, silt and clay) as well as the soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) based on soil sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in some salt affected soils of Sahl El-Hossinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. For this purpose, 160 samples were randomly taken from top of the surface soil (0–30 cm) from different locations and samples were subjected to various analyzes. XLSTAT Version 2016.02.27444 software was used to build and test conceptual and empirical models. The statistical results of the study indicated that to predict soil bulk density (BD) based on organic matter content and textural fractions the Multiple linear regression model BD = 1.817–0.730 × OM – 0.002 × Clay – 0.001 × Silt with R² = 0.794. On the other hand, to predict soil ESP based on SAR the linear regression model ESP = 5.577 + 0.851 × SAR with R² = 0.773. A Linear Regression Model for prediction of BD and ESP of Sahl El-Hossinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, can be used with high prediction.     

Changes in profile distribution and chemical properties of natural nanoparticles in paddy soils as affected by long-term rice cultivation

Systematic studies on the genesis, properties, and distribution of natural nanoparticles(NNPs) in soil remain scarce. This study examined a soil chronosequence of continuous paddy field land use for periods ranging from 0 to 1 000 years to determine how NNPs in soil changed at the early stages of soil genesis in eastern China. Soil samples were collected from coastal reclaimed paddy fields that were cultivated for 0, 50, 100, 300, 700, and 1 000 years.Natural nanoparticles were isolated and characterized along with bulk soil samples( 2-mm fraction) for selected physical and chemical properties. The NNP content increased with increasing soil cultivation age at 60 g m-2 year-1, which was related to decreasing soil electrical conductivity(172–1 297 μS cm-1) and NNP zeta potentials(from-22 to-36 m V) with increasing soil cultivation age. Changes in several NNP properties, such as pedogenic iron oxide and total organic carbon contents, were consistent with those of the bulk soils across the soil chronosequence. Notably, changes in NNP iron oxide content were obvious and illustrated active chemical weathering, pedogenesis, and potential impacts on the microbial community. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that the soil cultivation age was the most important factor affecting NNP properties, contributing 60.7% of the total variation. Cluster and principal component analysis(PCA) revealed splitting of NNP samples into age groups of 50–300 and 700–1 000 years, indicating rapid evolution of NNP properties, after an initial period of desalinization(approximately 50 years). Overall, this study provides new insights into NNP evolution in soil during pedogenesis and predicting their influences on agriculture and ecological risks over millennial-scale rice cultivation.     

Leguminous trees for the restoration of degraded sodic wasteland in eastern Uttar Pradesh,India

The study was carried out in sodic lands of Sultanpur District, Uttar Pradesh, India. The barren soils and the soils supporting 3‐, 6‐ and 9‐year‐old plantations of Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) D.C. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Ex. D.C. plantations were examined to assess the rate and extent of changes undergone by physical and chemical properties of the soil. The study brought out that these species indicated the process of soil rehabilitation from the early stages of growth and the extent of rehabilitation increased with the age of the plantation. P. juliflora was found to be more efficient in reclaiming the soil in comparison to D. sissoo. The decline in soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) indicates the desodification and enrichment with organic C, N, P and K indicates improvement in nutrient status of the soil. After 9 years of planting the surface soil was completely desodified as indicated by pH (<8ċ5), ESP (<15) and sodium adsorption ration (<15). A significant increase in organic C, exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and decrease in exchangeable Na⁺ reveals that the nutrient status is attaining suitable balance. The physical attributes of the soil also underwent improvement in terms of increase in porosity, water‐holding capacity, field capacity and decline in bulk density. The flocculation of dispersed soil surface and improvement in soil structure was indicated by increased infiltration rate (cm h⁻¹) and soil permeability (cm²). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

砒砂岩区不同退耕还林措施土壤颗粒及交换性能分布特征

为研究砒砂岩区退耕还林还草措施下林地和草地的土壤结构及土壤交换性能对其措施的响应,选取柠条林、油松林、小叶杨林和本氏针茅草地为研究对象,并以荞麦坡耕地为对照,通过野外取样与室内试验相结合的方式,采用分形理论探究土壤粒径分布(PSD)、阳离子交换量(CEC)和交换性盐基总量(ECEC)及其组成(Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+))的分布特征,并分析其相关性关系。结果表明:(1)实施退耕还林措施后,草地和林地的PSD分布范围、非均一性、离散程度均高于坡耕地,且柠条林的土壤粉粒含量、PSD分布范围的增幅效果最显著(P0.05);土壤剖面垂直层次上,草地有利于增加表层土壤的细粒组分和粒径的分布范围,而林地更有利于对深层土壤粒径的改良与细化;(2)研究区交换性盐基组成主要以碱土金属为主(Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)),不同措施的土壤ECEC和CEC值由大到小依次为柠条林油松林小叶杨林草地坡耕地。草地表层土壤交换性能优于底层土壤,而林地与之相反;(3)黏、粉粒和细砂是决定研究区土壤交换性能的细粒土壤和粗粒土壤,粉粒是CEC、ECEC的主要贡献因子,多重分形维数可较好地描述土壤交换性能与土壤颗粒间的关系。不同措施以柠条林对土壤颗粒组成和土壤交换性能的改良效果最优。     

土壤渗透参数空间变异性及其影响因子研究

土壤渗透参数的空间变异性是地形因子以及土壤理化性质综合作用的结果,是影响水以及溶质迁移转化的关键因素。在坡地随机布设24个点位,测定30cm土壤的渗透参数、地形指数、容重、颗粒组成、有机质、交换性钠、CEC(阳离子交换量)和ESP。在经典统计学以及Kolmogorov—Smiromov(K—S)正态分布检验概率(Pk—s)检验基础上对数据进行了空间结构分析。结果表明,Kfs、容重、砂粒、黏粒、有机质、CEC等符合正态分布,交换性钠和ESP等属于对数正态分布;粉粒属于均匀分布;Kfs、容重、砂粒、黏粒、有机质、交换性钠和ESP等空间结构明显,CEC空间变异性较大;并以相关分析和主成分分析相结合的方法,分析了土壤渗透参数空间变异的主要影响因子。     

Fifteen-year fallow altered the dynamics of soil phosphorus and cationic balance of a savannah Alfisol

This study was designed to evaluate changes in the dynamics of soil phosphorus and cationic balances of a savannah soil subjected to 45 years of continuous cultivation under different fertilizer management and later left fallow for 15 years. It was conducted on the experimental plots at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), cow dung manure (D) and their combination (DNPK). Results of P fractionation and cationic distribution were compared with previous studies on the same plot 15 years ago. Organic carbon increased from a range of 3–5 g kg^?1 in 1997 to 10.9 g kg^?1 in 2012. Similarly, the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil increased from 6.40 cmol_c kg^?1 in 1997 to 16.4 cmol_c kg¹ in the present study. The degree of saturation of the CEC by Ca²⁺ was 68–79% and 10–20% for Mg²⁺, while that of K⁺ was 1.5–2%. Although there was an uneven trend in depletion and enrichment of the various P pools, however, the fallow period substantially improved the CEC and the plant available P pools of the soil by more than 200% and 6–259%, respectively.     

Cation exchange capacity measurements

Abstract

Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements are important criteria for soil fertility management, vaste disposal on soils, and soil taxonomy. The objective of this research was to compare CEC values for arable Ultisols from the humid region of the United States as determined by procedures varying widely in their chemical conditions during measurement. Exchangeable cation quantities determined in the course of two of the CEC procedures were also evaluated. The six procedures evaluated were: (1) summation of N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus BaCl₂ ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity; (2) N Ca(OAc)₂ (pH 7.0) saturation with Mg(OAc)₂ (pH 7.0) displacement of Ca²⁺; (3) N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) saturation with NaCl displacement of NH₄ ⁺; (4) N MgCl₂ saturation with N KCl displacement of Mg²⁺; (5) compulsive exchange of Mg²⁺ for Ba²⁺; and (6) summation of N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus N KCl exchangeable AJ. The unbuffered procedures reflect the pH dependent CEC component to a greater degree than the buffered methods. The compulsive exchange and the summation of N NH₄OAc exchangeable cations plus N KCl exchangeable Al procedures gave CEC estimates of the same magnitude that reflect differences in soil pH and texture. The buffered procedures, particularly the summation of N NH₄OAc exchangeable cations plus BaCl₂ ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity, indicated inflated CEC values for these acid Ultisols that are seldom limed above pH 6.5. Exchangeable soil Ca and Mg levels determined from extraction with 0.1 M BaCl₂ were consistently greater than values for the N NH₄Oac (pH 7.0) extractions. The Ba²⁺ ion is apparently a more efficient displacing agent than the NH₄ ⁺ ion. Also, the potential for dissolving unreacted limestone is greater for the Ba₂ ⁺ procedures than in the NH₄ ⁺ extraction.     

pH effects of the addition of three biochars to acidic Indonesian mineral soils

Abstract

Soil acidity may severely reduce crop production. Biochar (BC) may increase soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) but reported effects differ substantially. In a systematic approach, using a standardized protocol on a uniquely large number set of 31 acidic soils, we quantified the effect of increasing amounts (0–30%; weight:weight) of three types of field-produced BCs (from cacao (Theobroma cacao. L.) shell, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis. Jacq.) shell and rice (Oryza sativa. L.) husk) on soil pH and CEC. Soils were sampled from croplands at Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia. All BCs caused a significant increase in mean soil pH with a stronger response and a greater maximum increase for the cacao shell BC addition, due to a greater acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and larger amounts of extractable base cations. At 1% BC addition, corresponding to about 30 tons ha^?1, the estimated increase in soil pH from the initial mean pH of 4.7 was about 0.5 units for the cacao shell BC, whereas this was only 0.05 and 0.04 units for the oil palm shell and rice husk BC, respectively. Besides depending on BC type, the increase in soil pH upon the addition of each of the three BCs was mainly dependent on soil CEC (low CEC resulting in stronger pH increase), and to a lesser extent on initial soil pH (higher initial pH resulting in stronger pH increase). Addition of BC also increased the amount of exchangeable base cations (cacao shell ? oil palm and rice husk) and CEC. Through this systematic screening of the effect of BC on pH and CEC of acidic soils, we show that a small addition of BC, in particular if made of cacao shell, to acidic agricultural soils increases soil pH and CEC. However, the response is highly dependent on the type, quality and amount of the added BC as well as on intrinsic soil properties, mainly CEC.     

Liming and Copper Fertilization in Dry Bean Production on an Oxisol in No-tillage System

ABSTRACT

A field study was conducted with the objective of determining response of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to liming and copper (Cu) fertilization applied to an Oxisol. The lime rates used were 0, 12, and 24 Mg ha^?1 and Cu rates were 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 kg Cu ha^?1. Liming significantly increased common bean grain yield. Liming also significantly influenced soil chemical properties in the top (0–10 cm) as well as in the sub (10–20 cm) soil layer in favor of higher bean yield. Application of Cu did not influence yield of bean significantly. Average soil chemical properties across two soil layers (0–10 and 10–20 cm) for maximum bean yield were pH 6.4, calcium (Ca), 4.2 cmol_c kg^?1, magnesium (Mg) 1.0 cmol_c kg^?1, H+Al 3.2 cmol_c kg^?1, acidity saturation 40.4%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) 8.9 cmol_c kg^?1, base saturation 63.1%, Ca saturation 45.7%, Mg saturation 18.0%, and Potassium (K) saturation 2.9.