Effects of charcoal production on soil physical properties in Ghana

Charcoal production, widespread in Ghana like in other W African countries, is a major driver of land‐cover change. Effects of charcoal production on soil physical, including hydrological, properties, were studied in the forest–savannah transition zone of Ghana. Core and composite samples from 12 randomly selected sites across the width of Kotokosu watershed were taken from 0–10 cm layer at charcoal‐site soils and adjacent field soils (control). These were used to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat), bulk density, total porosity, soil texture, and color. Infiltration rates, surface albedo, and soil‐surface temperature were also measured on both sites. The results showed that the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils under charcoal kilns increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 6.1 ± 2.0 cm h^–1 to 11.4 ± 5.0 cm h^–1, resulting to a relative increase of 88%. Soil color became darkened under charcoal kilns with hue, value, and chroma decreasing by 8%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. Bulk density on charcoal‐site soils reduced by 9% compared to adjacent field soils. Total porosity increased from 45.7% on adjacent field soils to 50.6% on earth kilns. Surface albedo reduced by 37% on charcoal‐site soils while soil‐surface temperature increased up to 4°C on average. Higher infiltration rates were measured on charcoal‐site soils, which suggest a possible decrease in overland flow and less erosion on those kiln sites.     

Effects of cattle manure on selected soil physical properties of smallholder farms on two soils of Murewa,Zimbabwe

The effects of cattle manure and inorganic N‐fertilizer application on soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were determined on clay and sandy soils of the Murewa smallholder farming area, Zimbabwe. Maize was grown in four fields termed homefields (HFs) and outfields (OFs) because of spatial variability induced by management practices and with the following fertility treatments: control (no fertility amelioration), 5, 15 and 25 t/ha cattle manure + 100 kg/ha N applied annually for seven consecutive years. The addition of cattle manure resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increases in SOC, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon in clay soils from at least the 5 t/ha cattle manure rate and was comparable between HFs and OFs on clay soils. Aggregate protected carbon in clay soils was significantly higher from the 15 and 25 t/ha cattle manure rates compared to the 5 t/ha cattle manure treatment. In contrast, only SOC was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the addition of cattle manure on the sandy soils, while bulk density, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were not significantly changed. Bulk density was also not significantly (P > 0.05) different on the clay soils. A significant and positive linear relationship (r² = 0.85) was found between SOC and macro‐aggregate stability, while an r² value of 0.82 was obtained between SOC and aggregate protected carbon on the clay soils. However, no regressions were performed on data from the sandy soils because of the lack of significant changes in soil physical properties. Application of cattle manure and inorganic N‐fertilizer significantly increased (P < 0.05) maize grain yield on both soil types. Results show that inorganic N‐fertilizer combined with cattle manure at 5–15 t/ha per yr is necessary to increase maize yields and SOC on sandy soils in Murewa, while at least 15 t/ha per yr cattle manure is required on the clay soils to improve physical properties in addition to maize yields and SOC.     

潮土中残留小麦和玉米秸秆养分含量差异及与微生物群落组成的关系

黄淮海平原典型潮土上小麦和玉米收获后的秸秆往往直接还田,但驱动它们在不同质地潮土(砂质、壤质、黏质)中分解的微生物是否与残留秸秆养分含量有关尚不清楚。本研究基于尼龙网袋法,通过10个月的田间培育试验,监测秸秆分解率、残留秸秆养分含量及微生物群落组成,评估各指标在秸秆类型和土壤质地之间的差异,探究残留秸秆养分与微生物群落组成之间的关系。结果表明:小麦和玉米秸秆的分解率均随着土壤质地变黏重而增大,二者在砂质、壤质、黏质土壤中的平均分解率分别为73.66%和75.43%、74.19%和76.63%、77.68%和78.05%。小麦残留秸秆的平均氮、磷、钾含量分别比玉米残留秸秆的平均氮、磷、钾含量低12.0%、34.4%、16.7%(P0.05),但两者的碳含量无显著差异;在不同质地潮土间,除秸秆磷含量随土壤变黏重显著增加外,其余养分含量变化不显著。基于磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)的微生物群落组成分析表明,小麦和玉米秸秆中的细菌、真菌、放线菌含量无显著差异,但小麦秸秆中革兰氏阳性菌(G~+)含量比玉米秸秆低20.26%,而革兰氏阴性菌(G~–)含量比玉米秸秆高16.35%,同时,G~+/G~–、真菌/细菌、单不饱和脂肪酸/饱和支链脂肪酸比在两种秸秆间存在显著差异;小麦和玉米秸秆在黏质潮土中的细菌、真菌、总PLFA的平均含量分别比砂质潮土中低25.1%、30.3%、22.9%(P0.05),而放线菌含量平均比砂质潮土高93.8%(P0.05)。冗余分析(RDA)分析表明,小麦与玉米残留秸秆中的微生物群落组成显著不同,主要与其G~+和G~–不同有关,其中小麦秸秆的微生物群落组成主要与秸秆的C/N、C/P、C/K比值有关,而玉米秸秆则主要与秸秆的氮、磷、钾含量和分解率有关,说明影响小麦和玉米秸秆微生物群落组成的养分参数不同。     

土壤改良剂对冷浸田土壤特性和水稻群体质量的影响

以南方典型冷浸田为研究对象, 在明沟排水的基础上, 通过田间定位试验, 以不施土壤改良剂为对照, 研究了施用不同土壤改良剂(自研的脱硫灰改良剂、生物活性炭, 市售的土壤改良剂石灰、硅钙肥、腐植酸)对冷浸田氧化还原电位、土壤呼吸强度、土壤微生物数量、水稻群体构建及产量构成因素的影响。结果表明, 施用改良剂能够改善土壤理化性状, 提升土壤速效养分和pH,但除脱硫灰处理外, 其他改良剂处理对土壤Eh未产生显著影响。施用不同土壤改良剂在水稻各生育期均能有效增强土壤微生物呼吸强度和放线菌数量, 并且放线菌数量达到差异性显著水平(P<0.05), 生物活性炭处理下土壤呼吸强度和放线菌数量分别较对照增加67.6%和127.6%。各土壤改良剂处理与CK相比较均有助于提高叶片SPAD、茎蘖数、水稻干物质积累量、成穗数、穗粒数、产量结实率和根系伤流速率。其中以脱硫灰和生物活性炭处理改良效果最佳, 抽穗后29 d时,根系伤流速率较CK分别提高45.4%和39.1%, 叶片SPAD分别增加27.4%和22.5%; 成熟期水稻成穗数较对照提高12.1%和10.7%,干物质积累量增加68.8%和50.5%,产量分别增加12.8%和10.3%。综上所述, 土壤改良剂可有效改善冷浸田土壤特性及水稻群体质量, 脱硫灰和生物活性炭处理的改良效果最明显, 增产幅度最大。     

Seasonal differences in tillage draught on a sandy loam soil with long‐term additions of animal manure and mineral fertilizers

Energy requirements for soil tillage are closely linked to soil properties, such as clay, water and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. Long‐term application of inorganic fertilizer and organic amendments affects SOC content but little is known about seasonal differences in tillage draught requirements of soils subject to contrasting nutrient management regimes. We assessed autumn and spring tillage draught following harvest of early‐sown and timely sown winter wheat grown on a sandy loam in the Askov Long‐Term Experiment on Animal Manure and Mineral Fertilizers. Draught force was related to soil texture, soil water and SOC content, shear strength and bulk density, nutrient management, and yield of the preceding winter wheat. Contents of clay and SOC ranged from 8.9 to 10.6% and from 0.98 to 1.36%, respectively. In the autumn and spring, SOC normalized by clay content explained 38 and 5% of the variation in specific draught, respectively. Specific draught did not differ significantly among individual fertilization treatments. SOC was closely correlated with clay and water contents and bulk density, and with yield of the preceding wheat. Draught force was significantly smaller in the spring than in the autumn. In the autumn when soils were drier (?700 hPa), tillage draught was correlated with several soil characteristics, whereas water content was the dominating parameter in the spring when soils were wetter (?100 hPa). The range of SOC contents observed in this study aligns with that observed in Danish sandy loams under intensive cultivation, and within this range, SOC per se had little effect on draught requirements.     

不同质地潮土夏玉米推荐施肥方法研究

为推动夏玉米科学施肥,在河南省砂壤、中壤和黏壤质潮土上采用田间试验研究了Nutrient Expert(NE)和Agro Services International Inc(ASI)法推荐施肥对夏玉米产量和经济效益的影响及基于NE推荐施肥的氮磷钾肥利用效率。结果表明,各推荐施肥处理夏玉米产量、纯收益和蛋白质产量均表现为黏壤>中壤>砂壤,NE推荐施肥处理的产投比最高,其次是ASI推荐施肥处理,推荐施肥可显著增加夏玉米植株养分积累量,促进籽粒产量和蛋白质产量的提高。在砂壤、中壤和黏壤上的NE推荐施肥处理比农民习惯施肥处理分别增产7.22%、3.84%和11.32%,ASI推荐施肥分别增产13.44%、10.60%和11.20%。NE推荐施肥处理中施氮对夏玉米的增产效应最大,氮肥农学效率和氮磷钾肥利用率均表现为黏壤>中壤>砂壤,磷、钾肥农学效率均表现为砂壤>黏壤>中壤,3种质地潮土的肥料农学效率均表现为磷肥>钾肥>氮肥。由此得出,NE推荐施肥适宜在黏壤质潮土推行,而ASI法推荐施肥适宜于砂壤和中壤质潮土。     

Manioc peel and charcoal: a potential organic amendment for sustainable soil fertility in the tropics

In tropical areas, where crop production is limited by low soil quality, the development of techniques improving soil fertility without damage to the environment is a priority. In French Guiana, we used subsistence farmer plots on poor acidic soils to test the effect of different organic amendments, bitter manioc peel (M), sawdust (Sw) and charcoal (Ch), on soil nutrient content, earthworm abundance and yard-long bean (Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis) production. The peregrine Pontoscolex corethrurus was the only earthworm species found. Pod production and plant growth were lowest in unamended soil. The application of a mixture of manioc peel and charcoal (M + Ch) improved legume production compared with other organic mixtures. It combined the favourable effects of manioc peel and charcoal. Manioc peel improved soil fertility through its low C:N ratio and its high P content, while charcoal decreased soil acidity and exchangeable Al and increased Ca and Mg availability, thus alleviating the possible toxic effects of Al on plant growth. The M + Ch treatment was favourable to P. corethrurus, the juvenile population of which reached a size comparable to that of the nearby uncultivated soil. The application of a mixture of manioc peel and charcoal, by improving crop production and soil fertility and enhancing earthworm activity, could be a potentially efficient organic manure for legume production in tropical areas where manioc is cultivated under slash-and-burn shifting agriculture.     

Live fences – a hidden resource of soil fertility in West Kenya

In the highlands of Western Kenya, intensified land use combined with low use of mineral fertilizers at farm level is driving soil nutrient depletion and declining yield levels. All farms and individual field crop plots are surrounded by life fences and the area under such hedge structure is estimated to cover 3–5% of the total farmland area. The land below the hedges is not tilled and may receive nutrient and carbon inputs by the occasional addition of field crop residues and litter fall. We hypothesized that the areas covered by live fences represent not only an important land resource, but are also largely untapped sites characterized by high soil fertility in an otherwise largely degraded environment. We characterized physico‐chemical attributes of top soils collected on farmland and from adjacent live fences composed of five different fencing species in representative environments of Kakamega district (sandy Acrisol and bimodal rainfall distribution vs. clay Ferralsol and monomodal rainfall distribution). In addition, the maize production potential of these soils was assessed in a supplementary pot experiment. Concentrations and total amounts of soil C, N, N supplying capacity, exchangeable K, as well as aggregate stability tended to be higher in hedge structures than in field crop soil. The amount of labile (permanganate‐oxidizable) carbon and the carbon management index in fence lines on Acrisol were similar to those of the adjacent Kakamega rain forest reserve, while they were reduced by > 50% in crop fields. These trends were reflected in the biomass and N and K uptake by maize in potted soil. Effects were generally larger in Acrisol than in Ferralsol and were most pronounced with Tithonia diversifolia. We conclude that live fences are soil fertility hotspots that may be valorised in the future by replacing the generally unproductive fencing species with economical perennial crops.     

Biomass and Phosphorus Uptake Responses of Maize to Phosphorus Application in Three Acid Soils from Southern Cameroon

Abstract

A phosphorus (P) greenhouse experiment was carried out with maize (Zea Mays L.) using surface horizons of three contrasted acid soils from southern Cameroon. The objectives were (i) to assess causal factors of maize differential growth and P uptake and (ii) to explore plant–soil interactions in acid soils under increasing P supply. Shoot and root dry‐matter yield and P uptake were significantly influenced by soil type and P rate (P<0.000), but the interaction was not significant. Soil properties that significantly (P<0.05) influenced maize growth variables were available P, soil pH, exchangeable bases [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)], and exchangeable aluminium (Al). Data ordination through principal‐component analysis highlighted a four‐component model that accounted for 88.1% of total system variance (TSV) and summarized plant reaction in acid soil condition. The first component, associated with 36.1% of TSV, pointed at increasing root–shoot ratio with increasing soil acidity and exchangeable Al. The second component (24.6% of TSV) highlighted soil labile P pool increase as a function of P rate. The third and fourth components reflected nitrogen (N) accumulation in soils and soil texture variability, respectively.     

Impact of residue characteristics on phosphorus availability in West African moist savanna soils

The role of residue characteristics in enhancing the availability of P was investigated in a greenhouse study using two soils from the northern Guinea savanna (NGS) and four from the derived savanna (DS) zones of the West African moist savanna. Eight organic residues of varying C-to-P ratio were used and maize ( Zea mays) was grown for 7 weeks. The effect of the organic residues on P availability (measured as resin P and maize P accumulation) differed among the soils. On average, the increase in resin P, calculated as {[(soil+residue)–control]/(control)×100}, was between 8% (Davié, DS) and 355% (Danayamaka, NGS). Maize P accumulation was increased by ca. 11% in Davié and Niaouli (DS) soils and 600% in Danayamaka soil. The increase in maize total dry matter yield (DMY) ranged from 2% to 649%. Residues with C-to-P ratio >200 produced lower DMY than those with lower ratios. Residue organic P (Po) extractable with 0.2 N H₂SO₄ (acid-Po) accounted for 92% ( P =0.0001) of the variation in DMY in a step-wise regression with residue parameters as independent variables and mean DMY as the dependent variable. The residue Po extractable with 0.5 M NaHCO₃ (HCO₃-Po) correlated significantly with DMY in Danayamaka and Davié soils, and with P accumulation in Danayamaka soil. The relationships between the residue Po and DMY might imply that Po fractions in decomposing residues contribute to P availability. However, the suitability of using the Po content of organic residues to predict their agronomic value with respect to P nutrition needs further evaluation.     

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.

     

土壤紧实度对伴矿景天生长及镉锌吸收性的影响研究

采集黏土、壤黏土和砂质壤土,分别设置无压实、低紧实度及高紧实度3种处理,通过盆栽试验研究了土壤紧实度对Cd、Zn超积累植物伴矿景天生长和Cd、Zn吸收性的影响。结果表明,与无压实处理比较,砂质壤土、壤黏土和黏土中伴矿景天地上部生物量在低紧实度下显著下降66.8%~83.5%、59.9%~60.4%和57.9%~71.4%;高紧实度处理却显著提高了伴矿景天的根系活力(142%~241%)。高紧实度处理显著降低了壤黏土上伴矿景天地上部Cd和Zn含量,但低紧实度对砂质壤土和黏土上伴矿景天地上部Cd和Zn含量无显著影响。与无压实处理比较,低紧实度显著降低了砂质壤土、壤黏土和黏土上伴矿景天的Cd吸取量,分别下降50.4%~73.8%、61.4%~74.9%和43.4%~63.3%,Zn吸取量下降48.7%~79.5%、73.6%~79.0%和46.1%~63.5%;土壤紧实度对壤黏土上伴矿景天的镉锌吸取效率影响最明显。     

淮北平原砂姜黑土玉米产量与土壤性质的区域分析

以淮北平原作为调查区域,对砂姜黑土区48个样点的玉米产量及0～20 cm耕层土壤性质进行了分析。结果表明:在涡阳县东、西部,蒙城县南部和怀远县北部,玉米产量多在8.7t/hm~2以上,土壤容重较小;而在蒙城县北部,玉米产量多在7t/hm~2以下,土壤容重最大,平均达到1.6g/cm~3以上。涡阳县土壤有机碳含量最高,平均值达到15.4g/kg,较怀远县和蒙城县分别增加了28.3%和55.9%。土壤全量养分和速效养分随玉米产量等级变化不明显。相关性分析表明:玉米产量与耕层土壤穿透阻力(r=–0.348,P0.05)、土壤容重(r=–0.484, P0.01)呈负相关,而与土壤有机碳(r=0.421, P0.01)呈正相关。因此,土壤物理性质与土壤有机碳是影响该区玉米产量的关键因子。     

Implications of Azospirillum brasilense inoculation and nutrient addition on maize in soils of the Brazilian Cerrado under greenhouse and field conditions

The combination of nitrogen and Azospirillum can ensure greater nutrient absorption and crop yield in agricultural areas using high technology. Thus, the objective was to evaluate maize response to Azopirillum brasilense (AZ) inoculation and nutrient (macronutrients and micronutrients) application under greenhouse and field conditions in clay and sandy soils of the Brazilian Cerrado. In the greenhouse assays, the following parameters were measured: shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), and root volume (RV). In the field experiments, the maize yield was determined after drying the grains at 60 °C for 48 h. In clay soil, there was a significant increase in the SDW, RDW and RV in the treatment with AZ concentrated (10¹¹ cells ml⁻¹ of inoculum) when compared with the control treatment and the treatment with AZ diluted (10⁶ cells ml⁻¹ of inoculum). In this soil, adding micronutrients did not affect the maize response under greenhouse conditions. In sandy soil, there was no difference between the AZ treatment and the control, except for treatments where nutrients and AZ were both added leading to a significant increase in the maize response. In both soils, the RV:RDW ratio was higher in the treatment with AZ concentrated compared to that in the treatment with AZ diluted, but the yield response depended on the addition of nutrients. Inoculation with A. brasilense gave comparable yield to the nitrogen treatment. The grain production was increased by 29% in the treatment with A. brasilense and nitrogen compared to nitrogen fertilization alone. In this study, the yield response was affected significantly when maize was inoculated with A. brasilense, but this response was dependent on the soil type under greenhouse conditions.     

Effect of Nostoc (Cyanobacteria) inoculation on the structure and stability of clay soils

The effect of Nostoc spp. (Cyanobacteria) inoculation on soil structure was studied in two clay soils (Calanco and Biancana) originating by erosion processes from Pliocenic marine sediments of central Tuscany (Italy). Two axenic Nostoc strains, AfS49 and KaS35, selected for their soil colonization and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production capacities, were inoculated in Petri dishes on the two clay soils sterilized by autoclaving. The soils, inoculated with an amount of cyanobacterial biomass corresponding to 1.0 g dry wt. m^-2, were incubated under continuous light at 27°C for 3 months and periodically wetted using a pipette. The two strains showed different growth rates and EPS production on both soils: KaS35 produced more biomass, while AfS49 produced more EPS. This different behavior was also documented by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations. The effect of cyanobacterial inoculation on soil structure resulted in the protection of soil porosity by reducing the damaging effect of water addition. Indeed, the incidence of transmission pores in the inoculated soils (about 30%) was higher with respect to the control soils (about 5%). Data also showed the beginning of a primary aggregation as a consequence of interaction between the secreted EPS and the morphological units of the fine soil fraction. However, no significant differences in water soil structure stability were measured between inoculated and non-inoculated soils. In this paper the interactions between the EPS produced by the two strains and the clay aggregates are discussed in order to understand the role of cyanobacterial inoculation in maintaining soil structure.Dedicated to Professor J. C. G. Ottow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Soils and the conditional allelopathic effects of a tropical invader

Allelopathy may contribute to the formation of mono-dominant stands of exotic species, but the effects of allelochemicals can be highly conditional. We explored variation in the production of phenolics in leaves, accumulation of phenolics in soils, and the inhibitory effects of soils under an aggressive invader Prosopis juliflora across a range of invaded sites and potential mechanisms by which soils alter the effects of P. juliflora leaf litter. For eight sites in Northwest India we compared the concentration of total phenolics and the seedling growth of Brassica campestris in soils from beneath P. juliflora to that in soils collected away from P. juliflora canopies. We then explored these effects in detail in soils from two sites that differed substantially in texture by germinating seeds of B. campestris in these soils amended with P. juliflora macerated leaf leachate. Finally, we tested the effects of l-tryptophan in soils from these two sites on the seedling growth of B. campestris. Across all sites soil beneath P. juliflora contained higher levels of total phenolics and suppressed the growth of B. campestris than soil that was not under P. juliflora. We observed much variation among P. juliflora-invaded sites in the total phenolic levels of soils and the degree to which they suppressed B. campestris and the concentration of phenolics in soils significantly correlated with the root length of B. campestris when grown in these soils. Soil from two sites amended with P. juliflora macerated leachate suppressed seedling growth of B. campestris, with the effect being higher in sandy soil than sandy loam soil. In soil amended with leachate the strong suppression of B. campestris corresponded with much higher total phenolic and l-tryptophan concentrations. However, in other tests l-tryptophan did not affect B. campestris. Our results indicate that the allelopathic effects of P. juliflora can be highly conditional and that variation in soil texture might contribute to this conditionality.     

Influence of phytoparasitic nematodes on symbiotic N2 fixation in tropical herbaceous legume cover crops

 Populations of plant parasitic nematodes and their effects on symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation in herbaceous legumes and on some selected characteristics of other plant species associated with such cover crops were studied. Two legume species [mucuna, Mucuna pruriens (L) DC. var. utilis (Wright) Bruck and lablab, Lablab purpureus L. Sweet], one grass/weed species [imperata, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Rauschel] and a cereal (maize, Zea mays L.) were used. There were three soil treatments (fumigation, fumigation plus inoculation with Meloidogyne species, and an untreated control). Plant parasitic nematode populations in soil, roots and nodules were determined at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting. The response of the phytoparasitic nematodes to soil treatments varied according to the plant species present. The predominant nematodes in soils, roots and nodules of legumes were of the genus Meloidogyne, whereas other genera of parasitic nematodes dominated the fauna in soils and roots of maize and imperata. Biomass yield of mucuna was not significantly affected by either Meloidogyne spp. or the other genera of phytoparasitic nematodes. In contrast, the dry matter yield of lablab measured at 12 weeks was reduced by 16% in inoculated compared with fumigated soils. Similarly, the biomass yields of maize and imperata were reduced by 10% and 29%, respectively, in unfumigated rather than fumigated soils. The amounts of N accumulated in mucuna, maize and imperata were not significantly affected by the two groups of plant parasitic nematodes. However, at 12 weeks, lablab grown on inoculated soils accumulated only 69% of the N found in plants grown on fumigated soils. Inoculation of soil with Meloidogyne spp. significantly increased the number of nodules on lablab roots compared with the non-inoculated treatments, whereas nodulation in mucuna was not affected by soil treatment. After 12 weeks, the quantity of N₂ derived from symbiotic fixation in mucuna was not significantly affected by soil treatments whereas the amount of fixed N in lablab was 32% lower in inoculated than in fumigated soils. Possible mechanisms for the non-suppressive effect of plant parasitic nematodes on mucuna are discussed. Received: 12 March 1999     

Field‐scale potassium and phosphorus fluxes in the bioenergy crop switchgrass: Theoretical energy yields and management implications

Our understanding of how mineral nutrition affects productivity and composition of bioenergy crops grown on marginal lands remains fragmented and incomplete despite world‐wide interest in using herbaceous biomass as an energy feedstock. Our aim was to determine switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass production and maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield on marginal soils used previously to evaluate the effect of soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertility on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage production. Grain yield of maize was reduced on P‐ and/or K‐limited plots that also impaired alfalfa forage yield, whereas switchgrass biomass yields were high even in plots possessing very low available P (4 mg kg^–1) and K (< 70 mg kg^–1) levels. Linear‐plateau regression models effectively described the relationship of soil test P and K to tissue P and K concentrations, and tissue P and K concentrations accurately predicted removal of P and K in harvest biomass. However, neither soil‐test P and K, nor tissue P and K concentrations were effective as diagnostics for predicting switchgrass biomass yield nor could soil tests and their change with cropping predict nutrient removal. Concentrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and ash were not influenced by P and K nutrition. Predicted bio‐ethanol production was closely associated with biomass yield whereas high biomass K concentrations reduced estimated bio‐oil production per hectare by as much as 50%. Additional research is needed to identify diagnostics and managements to meet the bioenergy production co‐objectives of having high yield of biomass with very low mineral nutrient concentrations (especially K) while sustaining and improving the fertility of marginal soils.     

Rainfall and tillage effects on soil structure after alfalfa conversion to maize on a clay loam soil in New York

Soil degradation is accelerated when perennial crops are converted to annual row crops, primarily due to increased soil disturbance from tillage. Subsequent heavy rainfall may induce soil settling, reduce macroporosity and increase hardsetting upon drying. An experiment involving plow and no-tillage and two simulated rainfall treatments (‘wet’ and ‘dry’) was conducted on Kingsbury clay loam soil in northern New York in 1992 and 1993 to study their effects on soil structure under maize (Zea mays L.) after conversion from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and to evaluate the use of spectral analysis of micropenetrometer observations for studying soil aggregation. Undisturbed soil cores were collected from the row and trafficked and non-trafficked interrow positions at the 0.05 and 0.15 m depths and used for laboratory measurement of soil strength and pore system properties. These well-structured soils show a high contribution (up to 0.15 m³ m⁻³) of macropores to the total porosity of the soil. Soil strength was generally slightly higher for no-till (NT) than plow till (PT), although only significant in 1992. Soil strength in the surface layer did not change significantly with drying. Spectral density patterns did not show strong treatment effects, although distinct peaks reflect 3.0–3.5 mm stable structural units within macroaggregates. Simulated rainfall treatments and tillage treatments generally did not strongly affect measured soil properties, presumably due to stable soil structure. Structurally stable clay loam soils show little effect of tillage or settling on soil physical properties in the first years after alfalfa to maize conversion, and have good potential for long-term annual crop production if properly managed.     

Effect of the exotic invasive plant Solidago gigantea on soil phosphorus status

Invasions by exotic plant species can modify biogeochemical cycles and soil properties. We tested whether invasion by early goldenrod (Solidago gigantea, Asteraceae) modifies soil phosphorus pools at three sites in Belgium. Aboveground phytomass and soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected in early goldenrod patches and in adjacent, uninvaded, grassland vegetation. Soil P fractions varied between the three sites in line with corresponding differences in organic matter, carbonate and clay contents. In addition to site-specific impacts, plots invaded by goldenrods generally had higher concentrations of labile P [i.e. resin-extractable inorganic P (Pi) and bicarbonate-extractable Pi and organic P]. Soil CO₂ release and alkaline and acid phosphomonoesterase activities were also higher in invaded plots, suggesting that the increase in labile Pi was due to enhanced mineralization. Phosphorus uptake by vegetation was 1.7–2.1 times higher in invaded plots, mostly due to the higher annual yield of S. gigantea. Altogether, the results indicate that S. gigantea enhances P turnover rates in invaded ecosystems.