Straw incorporation and soil organic matter in macro-aggregates and particle size separates

Two field experiments in which straw has been removed or incorporated for 17 yr (loamy sand) and 10 yr (sandy clay loam) were sampled to examine the effect of straw on the C and N contents in whole soil samples, macro-aggregate fractions and primary particle-size separates. The particle size composition of the aggregate fractions was determined. Aggregates were isolated by dry sieving. Straw incorporation increased the number of 1–20 mm aggregates in the loamy sand but no effect was noted in the sandy clay loam. Straw had no effect on the particle size composition of the various aggregate fractions. After correction for loose sand that accumulated in the aggregate fractions during dry sieving, macro-aggregates appeared to be enriched in clay and silt compared with whole soil samples. Because of the possible detachment of sand particles from the exterior surface of aggregates during sieving operations, it was inferred that the particle size composition of macro-aggregates is similar to that of the bulk soil. The organic matter contents of the aggregate fractions were closely correlated with their clay + silt contents. Differences in the organic matter content of clay isolated from whole soil samples and aggregate fractions were generally small. This was also true for the silt-size separates. In both soils, straw incorporation increased the organic matter content of nearly all clay and silt separates; for silt this was generally twice that observed for clay. The amounts of soil C, derived from straw, left in the loamy sand and sandy clay loam at the time of sampling were 4.4 and 4.5 t ha^?1, corresponding to 12 and 21% of the straw C added. The C/N ratios of the straw-derived soil organic matter were 11 and 12 for the loamy sand and sandy clay loam, respectively.     

Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Physical Attributes and Aggregate-Associated Phosphorus Under Long-Term Rice-Wheat Cropping

The quantification of phosphorus(P) in bulk soil and P distribution in different size fractions of water-stable aggregates(WSAs)are important for assessing potential P loss through runoff. We evaluated available and total P distribution within WSAs of a sitty clay to clay soil in a long-term fertility experiment of a rice-wheat cropping system in India. Surface soil samples were collected from seven plots amended with NPK fertilizers in combination with or without organic amendments, farmyard manure(FYM), green manure(GM), and paddy straw(PS). The plot with no NPK fertilizers or organic amendments was set as a control. The soil samples were separated by wet sieving into four soil aggregate size fractions: large macroaggregates( 2.0 mm), small macroaggregates(0.25–2.0 mm), fine microaggregates(0.05–0.25 mm), and a silt + clay-sized fraction( 0.05 mm). Structural indices were higher in the soil receiving organic amendments than in the soil receiving inorganic fertilizer alone. Organically amended soil had a higher proportion of stable macroaggregates than the control and the soil receiving inorganic fertilizer alone, which were rich in microaggregates. Total and available P contents within WSAs were inversely related to the aggregate size, irrespective of treatment. The distribution of available and total P in the soil aggregate size fraction was as follows: silt + clay-size fraction small macroaggregates fine microaggregates large macroaggregates. Within a size class, aggregate-associated available and total P contents in the organically amended soil were in the following order: FYM PS ≥ GM. The available P content of the microaggregates( 0.25 mm) was 8-to 10-times higher than that of the macroaggregates( 0.25 mm), and the total P content of the microaggregates was 4-to 5-times higher than that of the macroaggregates. Cultivation without organic amendments resulted in more microaggregates that could be checked by the application of organic amendments such as FYM and GM, which increased the proportion of water-stable macroaggregates by consolidating microaggregates into macroaggregates.     

灰质白云岩土壤有机碳的团聚体保护

采集喀斯特地区灰质白云岩发育的乔木林下土壤,全部湿筛分为>5mm,5～2mm,2～1mm,1～0.5mm,0.5～0.25mm共5个粒级团聚体,再将5个粒级团聚体进行碳水化合物提取后后再次分别湿筛,收集>5mm,5～2mm,2～1mm,1～0.5mm,0.5～0.25mm共5个粒级的团聚体样品.对两次湿筛中5个粒级的土壤分别进行团聚体含量、土壤有机碳、土壤可氧化态有机碳测定,分析土壤团聚体稳定性与土壤有机碳、土壤可氧化态有机碳的关系.结果表明:灰质白云岩乔木林下土壤在经过提取碳水化合物的第二次湿筛后,大粒级团聚体(>5mm,5～2mm)向小粒级(2～1mm,1～0.5mm,0.5～0.25mm)转移;有机碳主要存在于较大粒级团聚体中,但各粒级团聚体有机碳并不随之转移;各粒径团聚体可氧化态碳含量均减少,但较大粒级(>5mm,5～2mm)可氧化态有机碳含量多,较小粒级(2～1mm,1～0.5mm,0.5～0.25mm)可氧化态有机碳含量少,故推测较大粒级团聚体(>2mm)保护土壤活性有机碳能力比较小粒级团聚体(<2mm)强.     

湿润速率和粘粒含量对红壤沟间侵蚀的影响

An aggregate stability test and a simulated rainfall test were conducted on four representative Ultisols from southeastern China. The soils selected, with clay contents ranging between 117 and 580 g kg-1 , were derived from shale and Quaternary red clay. The stability of aggregates (2–5 mm in diameter) obtained from the soil samples were determined by the Le Bissonnais method. For determination of infiltration, runoff, and erosion, the soil samples were packed in 30 cm × 60 cm trays, wetted at rates of 2, 10, and 60 mm h-1 , and then exposed to simulated rainfall at 60 mm h-1 for 1 h. The results indicated that both aggregate stability and slaking caused by fast wetting increased with increasing clay content. The effect of wetting rate (WR) on infiltration and seal formation varied with clay contents. In the soil with low clay content (sandy loam), the infiltration rate was affected slightly by WR due to low aggregate stability and slaking. In the soils with medium clay content (silt clay loam and clay), WR affected infiltration significantly due to the high aggregate slaking force. In the soil with high clay content, the effect of WR on infiltration was significant, but not as evident as in the soils with medium clay content, which may be related to high aggregate stability by wetting partially compensating for slaking force. The effect of WR on soil loss was similar to that of runoff, but more pronounced. The findings from this study indicated that the relationship between wetting rate and clay content should be considered when predicting interrill erosion in Ultisols.     

鄂南第四纪粘土红壤团聚体的稳定性及其稳定机制初探

用湿筛法和LeBissonnais法研究了鄂南第四纪红粘土母质发育的两种侵蚀程度的红壤团聚体的稳定性,并且分析了影响供试土壤团聚体稳定性的土壤性质。结果表明,轻度侵蚀的耕作土壤团聚体的稳定性较低,在水的作用下易崩解成较小粒径的水稳性团聚体;强度侵蚀的土壤表层团聚体的稳定性较高,崩解后产生较多的水稳性大团聚体。引起土壤团聚体破坏的主要作用机制是土壤团聚体中的闭蓄空气爆破引起的消散作用;研究区第四纪红壤团聚体的主要胶结物质是土壤中的粘粒、游离氧化铁铝和无定形铁。由于供试土壤中有机质含量很低,在本研究中,有机质含量与土壤团聚体稳定性之间没有显著正相关关系。     

连续施肥20年后棕壤团聚体分布和碳储量变化

利用两种不同分离方法(干筛法与湿筛法)对耕作施肥20年后棕壤的团聚体组成、团聚体有机碳含量以及有机碳储量进行了研究。结果表明:棕壤团聚体以0.25～1mm团聚体为主。与长期不施肥比较,除0.25～1mm粒级外长期施用氮磷化肥使风干团聚体和水稳性团聚体中较大团聚体和微团聚体数量下降,降低了各级风干团聚体中有机碳积累,增加了水稳性团聚体中有机碳积累;长期施用有机肥较大团聚体和微团聚体数量增加及其相连的有机碳含量和储量均增加;长期有机无机肥配施大团聚体数量下降,微团聚体数量增加,有机碳含量均增加,大团聚体碳库储量下降,微团聚体碳库储量增加。由此可见长期施有机肥土壤结构改善,固C潜力增加。长期高量有机肥与无机肥配施可能有利于土壤固碳,但不利于作物生长。     

中国亚热带红壤团聚体稳定性与土壤化学性质的关系

The stability of aggregates in the surface soil is crucial to soil erosion and runoff generation. Thus, to understand the stability and the breakdown mechanisms of soil aggregates as well as the relationship between aggregate stability and selected soil chemical properties, such as different forms of Fe and Al oxides, organic matter, CEC and clay content, the aggregates of slightly and severely eroded red soils derived from Quaternary red clay in subtropical China were analyzed using the routine wet sieving and the Le Bissonnais methods. The results indicated that the aggregates of the severely eroded soils were more stable than those of the slightly eroded soils. Different aggregate breakdown mechanisms resulted in different particle size distribution. The slaking from entrapped air in aggregates severely destroyed the soil aggregates, especially in the slightly eroded soils. Meanwhile, mechanical breakdown and microcracking had little effect on the aggregates compared to slaking. The fragments resulting from slaking were mainly microaggregates that increased in size with increasing clay content. The main fragment size of the slightly eroded soils was 1.0-0.2 mm, while for the severely eroded soils it was 5.0-2.0 mm and 1.0-0.5 mm. Overall, more than 20% of the fragments were smaller than 0.2 mm. In addition, aggregate stability was positively and often significantly correlated with Fe_d, Al_d, Fe_o and clay content, but significantly and negatively correlated to SOC.     

Organic matter and wetting capacity distribution in aggregates of Chilean soils

The wetting capacity of Hapludands and Palehumults under grassland and forest in southern Chile was assessed by measuring contact angles of solid, water and air interfaces. Microaggregates obtained from natural aggregates of two sizes (4–6.3 and 10–12 mm) were spread onto microscope slides and drops of saturated aqueous KCl solution were placed on the surface of the aggregates. The wetting angles of the drops were measured with a microscope with a horizontal viewing direction and an ocular containing a goniometer. The wetting capacity was determined on layers peeled progressively from the walls of aggregates toward their centres, and the organic matter content of the different aggregate layers was determined. The water stability of the aggregates was measured by dry and wet sieving. Hapludands always showed greater hydrophobicity than Palehumults. The wetting resistance of the soil matrix samples was less than that of the single layers of aggregates. The wetting resistance of aggregates generally increased from the exterior to their centre. The increase was strongest in the topsoil under grassland. Smaller aggregates under both grassland and forest showed a greater hydrophobicity than larger ones. Organic matter content increased towards the aggregate interiors, especially in the fine aggregates. Aggregates with greater water repellence were more stable to dry and wet sieving, especially under forest. Therefore, intensive management decreases wetting resistance and makes the soil less stable.     

应用Le Bissonnais法测定富铁土中团聚体的稳定性及其意义

土壤团聚体的数量和稳定性是衡量土壤抗蚀性和土壤质量的重要指标,应用LeBissonnais法对富铁土团聚体的稳定性和物理学机制进行了研究。结果表明,LeBissonnais法测定的团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)与常规湿筛法测定的>0.25mm团聚体含量、MWD和>2mm团聚体破坏率(PAD)呈极显著正相关。富铁土中5～2,2～1,1～0.5mm团聚体经快速湿润(FW)、慢速湿润(SW)和预湿后扰动(WS)处理后,稳定性团聚体的粒级分布随处理方式和初始团聚体大小的不同而不同;经FW处理后,大多数团聚体崩解;团聚体崩解产物的MWD表现为FW相似文献   

不同肥力水平土壤团聚体的稳定性及对氮肥盐溶液的响应

在室内利用筛分技术研究了关中地区相同质地类型3个不同肥力水平土团聚体的组成及其稳定性,并在4个不同浓度氯化铵溶液中进行湿筛,探讨了不同肥力土壤团聚体对盐溶液的反应特征及抗化学物质分散的能力,以便揭示长期施用无机氮肥对土壤团聚体的作用与影响。结果表明,干、 湿筛结果显示3个肥力水平土壤直径＞0.25 mm团聚体的含量均随肥力水平的升高显著增加,供试土团聚体的水稳性较差,湿筛后直径＜0.25 mm的微团聚体含量在85%以上,而富有农学价值的直径在15 mm的水稳性团聚体在高肥力土壤中含量仅为2.80%,中肥力土壤为1.47%,低肥力土壤为0.84%。3种肥力土壤团聚体组成受氯化铵溶液浓度的影响,在4种浓度的氯化铵溶液中湿筛后,直径25 mm的团聚体的含量随溶液浓度增大而减少,而0.252 mm团聚体含量明显增加。试验得到的主要结论为, 不同肥力水平土壤团聚体质量差异明显; 团聚体的化学稳定性受盐溶液浓度和肥力水平的共同作用,随氮肥溶液浓度增大,团聚体组成集中在0.252 mm的较小范围,盐分使得多级的团聚体组成向单一化方向变化; 高肥力土壤受氮肥溶液的影响相对较弱,中、 低肥力土壤对氮肥溶液的响应则较为强烈。     

Soil‐aggregate formation as influenced by clay content and organic‐matter amendment

Naturally occurring wetting‐and‐drying cycles often enhance aggregation and give rise to a stable soil structure. In comparatively dry regions, such as large areas of Australia, organic‐matter (OM) contents in topsoils of arable land are usually small. Therefore, the effects of wetting and drying are almost solely reliant on the clay content. To investigate the relations between wetting‐and‐drying cycles, aggregation, clay content, and OM in the Australian environment, an experiment was set up to determine the relative influence of both clay content (23%, 31%, 34%, and 38%) and OM amendments of barley straw (equivalent to 3.1 t ha^–1, 6.2 t ha^–1, and 12.4 t ha^–1) on the development of water‐stable aggregates in agricultural soil. The aggregate stability of each of the sixteen composite soils was determined after one, three, and six wet/dry cycles and subsequent fast and slow prewetting and was then compared to the aggregate stabilities of all other composite soils. While a single wet/dry cycle initiated soil structural evolution in all composite soils, enhancing macroaggregation, the incorporation of barley straw was most effective for the development of water‐stable aggregates in those soils with 34% and 38% clay. Repeated wetting‐and‐drying events revealed that soil aggregation is primarily based on the clay content of the soil, but that large straw additions also tend to enhance soil aggregation. Relative to untreated soil, straw additions equivalent to 3.1 t ha^–1 and 12.4 t ha^–1 increased soil aggregation by about 100% and 250%, respectively, after three wet/dry cycles and fast prewetting, but were of less influence with subsequent wet/dry cycles. Straw additions were even more effective in aggregating soil when combined with slow prewetting; after three wet/dry cycles, the mean weight diameters of aggregates were increased by 70% and 140% with the same OM additions and by 160% and 290% after six wet/dry cycles, compared to samples without organic amendments. We suggest that in arable soils poor in OM and with a field texture grade of clay loam or finer, the addition of straw, which is often available from preceding crops, may be useful for improving aggregation. For a satisfactory degree of aggregate stability and an improved soil structural form, we found that straw additions of at least 6.2 t ha^–1 were required. However, rapid wetting of straw‐amended soil will disrupt newly formed aggregates, and straw has only a limited ability to sustain structural improvement.     

施肥措施对复垦土壤团聚体碳氮含量和作物产量的影响

研究复垦后不同施肥措施下有机碳（OC）和全氮（TN）在水稳性团聚体及粉黏粒组分中的分布特征，以期深入理解不同施肥措施下土壤有机碳的固持机制。以生土和连续6年不同施肥措施的复垦土壤为研究对象，采集0～20 cm耕层土壤样品，利用湿筛法进行土壤粒径分组，分析大粒径大团聚体（> 2 mm）、小粒径大团聚体（0.25～2 mm）、微团聚体（0.053～0.25 mm）和粉黏粒组分（< 0.053 mm）中OC和TN含量，判断各粒径团聚体及粉黏粒组分中有机碳储量的驱动因素，探究团聚体及粉黏粒组分中有机碳含量与作物产量之间的关系。试验设不施肥（CK）、施氮磷钾化肥（NPK）、单施有机肥（M）和有机无机肥配施（MNPK）4个处理。结果表明：1）整个试验周期（2008-2013年），同CK相比， NPK、M以及MNPK处理均显著提高了玉米籽粒产量，且以MNPK处理的效果最显著，分别提高了79.49%、116.07%和113.85%。     

土壤微团聚体中矿物-有机复合体特征

以国家肥力网湖南祁阳红壤长期定位试验站的长期施有机肥和长期施化肥的土壤为研究对象,采用干筛法获得土壤微团聚体。利用同步辐射红外显微成像法研究土壤微团聚体中黏土矿物和有机官能团的原位分布图谱及其相关性。结果表明:土壤中黏土矿物(3 620 cm-1)和大分子有机物(脂肪,2 920 cm-1;蛋白质,1 650 cm-1;多糖,1 080 cm-1)呈高度异质性的分布规律。其中,黏土矿物和多糖有较为相似的分布模式;而黏土矿物和脂肪、蛋白类物质则呈现差异较大的分布模式。与长期施化肥处理的土壤微团聚体相比,长期施有机肥处理的土壤微团聚体中黏土矿物和大分子有机物呈现更高的分散性。此外,施有机肥和化肥处理土壤微团聚体样品中黏土矿物与有机官能团的决定系数(R2)均为:黏土矿物-脂肪黏土矿物-多糖黏土矿物-蛋白质,表明土壤微团聚体中黏土矿物和大分子有机物的亲和性有差异,且该差异不受长期施肥处理的影响。同步辐射微区域红外谱进一步表明,从土壤微团聚体外部到内部,黏土矿物的特征峰和大分子有机物的特征峰强度均逐渐增加。     

长期保护性耕作提高土壤大团聚体含量及团聚体有机碳的作用

【目的】团聚体形成被认为是土壤固碳的最重要机制。本文以河南豫西地区长期耕作试验为研究对象,研究了长期保护性耕作对土壤团聚体性质及土壤有机碳(SOC)含量的影响,为探讨土壤固碳机理,优化黄土高原坡耕地区农田耕作管理措施,实现土壤固碳减排、培肥土壤提供理论依据。【方法】长期耕作试验开始于1999年,试验处理有免耕覆盖(NT)、深松覆盖(SM)和翻耕(CT)。利用湿筛法筛分第3年(2002年)和第13年(2011年)0—10cm和10—20 cm土层中,2000、250~2000、53~250和53μm级别的水稳性团聚体,计算团聚体平均质量直径(MWD),并测定了各级别团聚体的有机碳(SOC)含量。【结果】1)连续13年免耕覆盖和深松覆盖显著提高了土壤表层0—10 cm的SOC含量,分别比翻耕增加了33.47%和44.48%。2011年免耕覆盖和深松覆盖SOC含量较2002年上升了1.92%和8.59%,翻耕下降了18.97%。2)与翻耕相比,免耕覆盖和深松覆盖2000μm团聚体含量显著提高了40.71%和106.75%;53~250μm团聚体含量显著降低了19.72%和22.53%;团聚体平均质量直径显著提高了20.55%和39.68%,显示了土壤结构的明显改善。3)免耕覆盖和深松覆盖显著提高了表层土壤所有团聚体有机碳的含量,尤其以2000μm团聚体提升最多。与翻耕相比,2000μm团聚体有机碳分别提高了40.0%和27.6%。4)免耕覆盖和深松覆盖下表层土壤大团聚体有机碳含量随耕作年限增加,微团聚体有机碳随耕作年限降低。2000μm的土壤团聚体有机碳含量2011年较2002年分别升高了23.93%和7.12%,53~250μm微团聚体有机碳含量分别下降了19.58%和13.27%。【结论】长期保护性耕作(包括免耕覆盖和深松覆盖)可显著提高表层土壤大团聚体含量,降低微团聚体含量,提高团聚体的水稳性,改善土壤结构。同时可增加土壤团聚体有机碳含量,提高土壤肥力。长期保护性耕作在河南豫西丘陵地区是一种较为合理的耕作方式。     

湘东地区典型土壤团聚体稳定性的影响因素

[目的]揭示湘东地区土壤团聚体的分布规律及其影响稳定性因素,为研究南方土壤团聚体胶结机制提供一定的理论依据。[方法]在湘东地区选择3种常见成土母质(第四纪红土、花岗岩风化物、板岩风化物)上发育的典型自然林地、水田与旱地,采集表层土壤(0—20cm)与底层土壤(40—60cm),利用湿筛法测定土壤水稳性团聚体组成。[结果]土地利用方式、母质类型及土层部位显著影响土壤团聚体的组成及稳定性,且它们的交互作用也非常明显。不同利用方式下土壤团聚体稳定性总体表现为:水田林地旱地;但利用方式对团聚体稳定性的影响仅局限于表层土壤,同时在花岗岩风化物发育质地较砂的土壤上表现不明显。不同母质间土壤团聚体稳定性呈现出如下规律:第四纪红土板岩风化物花岗岩风化物,但表层土壤或旱地、林地利用下该规律不甚明显。同时,表层土壤团聚体稳定性一般要显著高于底层土壤,但对于第四纪红土发育质地较为黏重的土壤或水田利用方式下并非如此。[结论]成土母质、利用方式、土层部位通过对土壤质地、有机质、氧化物等的影响间接影响着湘东地区土壤团聚体的分布。     

喀斯特坡地浅层岩溶裂隙土壤团聚体稳定性与养分垂向变化特征

浅层岩溶裂隙（SKF）为植物提供生长空间、水分和养分,是石漠化地区的重要生境类型。以矩形和漏斗形SKF剖面为研究对象,采用干、湿筛分法和Le Bissonnais法,分析了不同土层土壤团聚体稳定性特征和破坏机理,测定了团聚体中土壤有机质（SOM）、碱解氮（AHN）和有效磷（AP）的含量。结果表明：SKF剖面粒径＞0.25 mm的团聚体均超过90%,PAD值范围为0.01%~4.75%。干、湿筛作用下,MWD值变化范围分别为4.63~7.69 mm和1.33~4.24 mm,团聚体分形维数D范围分别为1.57~2.18和1.55~2.15。SKF土壤团聚体的稳定性随剖面深度加深而降低,矩形SKF土壤团聚体的稳定性要强于漏斗形SKF,快速湿润产生的消散作用是造成团聚体破碎的主要机制。团聚体破坏率（PAD）、团聚体分形维数（D）和平均重量直径（MWD）这三类指标均表明,SKF土壤团聚体水稳定性、通透性均较好。SKF剖面30 cm以下土层,团聚体SOM、AHN和AP含量相较0~20 cm土层大幅下降,含量范围分别为13.27±0.94~37.53±3.47 g?kg-1、71.58±3.27~198.54±22.63 mg?kg-1和0.15±0.03~ 0.38±0.10 mg?kg-1,土壤AP十分贫乏。SKF形态会影响SOM含量随土层深度的变化,矩形SKF 30 cm以下土层含量随深度加深而降低,而漏斗形SKF则没有显著性差异。随土层深度加深,矩形和漏斗形SKF剖面AP含量的变化趋势一致,AHN含量的变化趋势则与SKF形态之间没有明显关联。SOM、AHN和AP含量越高,SKF剖面团聚体水稳定性越强。     

Carbon contents and aggregation related to soil physical and biological properties under a land-use sequence in the semiarid region of central Argentina

Land-use change affects vast areas of the semiarid region of central Argentina, where agriculture becomes predominant over mixed farming systems, and large areas of permanent pastures (PAS) are being converted to agricultural land. This land-use change causes loss of soil structure, but very little is known about the effect of changes in aggregate size distribution on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. We decided to use dry sieved aggregates since this technique is commonly used in semiarid regions. The study was carried out at Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina. The soil was a sandy loam Entic Haplustoll with a carbonate-free A-horizon. The PAS site had been under weeping love grass for more than 40 years. Parts of this PAS were turned to cultivation in 1989 (CULT14) and in 2001 (CULT2). Sampling was carried out at 0.6 m intervals to 0.18 m depth. Bulk density (BD), organic carbon (OC), and water holding capacity and infiltration were determined on these samples. Dry aggregate size distribution and OC content of the size fractions were determined on large undisturbed samples. Samples of pooled aggregate size fractions >4, 1–4, and <1 mm, as well as corresponding samples of non fractionated soil were incubated and respiration was measured by CO₂ evolved. The soil of CULT2 had 29% lower contents of large (>4 mm) and 37% higher contents of very small (<1 mm) aggregates than PAS. The intermediate size aggregates were not affected by the short-term effect of tillage. OC loss in CULT2 was 16% regarding PAS. Longer term effects of cultivation were characterized by 30% loss of intermediate size aggregates, 22% increase of bulk density, 74 and 19% decrease in water infiltration and water retention, respectively of CULT14 compared to PAS. A 32% decrease of OC was observed after 14 years of cultivation. Intermediate size aggregates had highest OC contents and no difference between treatments was found, except for a lower value of large aggregates in CULT14. Respiration rates and total CO₂ evolved was related to OC contents of fractions; however, PAS respired more from its small aggregates than expected from their OC content. The results showed that OC turnover and loss of aggregation was very fast in this soil, but soil hydraulic properties were affected in the longer term. Dry aggregates were found to useful for studying soil degradation, and they showed similar trends as those indicated in the literature for water stable aggregates.     

Vermicompost and Gypsum Amendments Improve Aggregate Formation in Bauxite Residue

Improving aggregate formation and stability of bauxite residue is essential for the development of a soil on the residue. Effects of gypsum and vermicompost on related chemical and physical conditions of bauxite residue were studied in a laboratory incubation experiment. The addition of gypsum at 2% and 4% w/w reduced pH and exchangeable sodium percentage while increasing exchangeable calcium content. The addition of vermicompost reduced bulk density while significantly increasing porosity and total organic carbon. Vermicompost had a positive effect on the formation and stabilization of water‐stable aggregates in the residue, while gypsum was more beneficial to silt‐sized microaggregate flocculation. Amendments also enhanced the erosion resistance of bauxite residue. Furthermore, wet sieving using the modified Le Bissonnais' method revealed that in comparison with differential clay swelling and mechanical breakdown, slaking was the major disaggregation mechanism of residue aggregates. The combination of gypsum and vermicompost converted the residue from a sheet‐like structure to a granular macroaggregated structure while converting microaggregates from a grain to a granular or prismatic structure. The findings of this work suggest that application of gypsum and vermicompost to bauxite residue may directly influence aggregate size distribution and its micromorphology, resulting in the improvement of both aggregate stability and structure. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土壤原始颗粒对不同破碎机制下团聚体稳定性的影响

土壤团聚体是土壤结构的基本单元,其稳定性是描述土壤抵抗外力破坏作用的重要指标。目前常用的团聚体测定方法很少考虑到土壤原始颗粒对其不同破碎机制下稳定性的影响。以两种不同质地团聚体特征差异明显的壤质砂土和砂质黏壤土为研究对象,对土壤全样进行快速湿润(FW)、预湿润后震荡(WS)以及慢速湿润(SW)三种处理方式预处理以研究团聚体不同破碎机制,同时考虑将各粒级团聚体中的土壤原始颗粒剥离出来,消除土壤原始颗粒对各粒级团聚体含量结果的影响,研究土壤原始颗粒对不同破碎机制下团聚体稳定性的影响。结果表明:两种土壤在不同处理方式下,各粒级土壤含量存在较大差异,砂质黏壤土在三种处理模式下平均质量直径(MWD)均显著大于壤质砂土,两种土壤MWD均呈现MWD_(fw)MWD_(ws)MWD_(sw)的大小顺序,两种土壤团聚体破坏均是团聚体快速湿润时孔隙内部封闭的空气压力作用为主,其次是机械扰动作用,黏粒膨胀作用影响最小。土壤原始颗粒对各粒级团聚体的影响程度受到土壤类型和破碎机制影响,土壤原始颗粒对壤质砂土影响较大,对砂质黏壤土的影响相对较小。分散前的团聚体(0.05 mm)占总土壤的百分比(AR)值难以正确反映土壤团聚体稳定性,消除土壤原始颗粒影响后,AR能够较好体现土壤团聚体稳定性。消除土壤原始颗粒影响前后的AR比值表明土壤原始颗粒对壤质砂土的影响远远大于对砂质黏壤土的影响。     

Aggregate Stability and Its Relationship with Some ChemicalProperties of Red Soils in Subtropical China

The stability of aggregates in the surface soil is crucial to soil erosion and runoff generation. Thus, to understand the stability and the breakdown mechanisms of soil aggregates as well as the relationship between aggregate stability and selected soil chemical properties, such as different forms of Fe and A1 oxides, organic matter, CEC and clay content, the aggregates of slightly and severely eroded red soils derived from Quaternary red clay in subtropical China were analyzed using the routine wet sieving and the Le Bissonnais methods. The results indicated that the aggregates of the severely eroded soils were more stable than those of the slightly eroded soils. Different aggregate breakdown mechanisms resulted in different particle size distribution. The slaking from entrapped air in aggregates severely destroyed the soil aggregates,especially in the slightly eroded soils. Meanwhile, mechanical breakdown and microcracking had little effect on the aggregates compared to slaking. The fragments resulting from slaking were mainly microaggregates that increased in size with increasing clay content. The main fragment size of the slightly eroded soils was 1.0-0.2 mm, while for the severely eroded soils it was 5.0-2.0 mm and 1.0-0.5 mm. Overall, more than 20% of the fragments were smaller than 0.2 mm.In addition, aggregate stability was positively and often significantly correlated with Fed, Ald, Feo and clay content, but significantly and negatively correlated to SOC.