A calibration method of detecting soil water content based on the information-sharing in wireless sensor network

In agricultural production, there is contradiction between the cost and accuracy of detection during the course of acquiring soil water content (θ) online. This conflict is one of the core issues of automatic water-saving irrigation technology in agriculture. At the same time, capacitive soil moisture sensor (CSMS) has received considerable attention, for it can acquire θ with low cost and high precision, and meet the application requirements of wireless sensor network (WSN). But CSMS is vulnerable to the soil temperature (T_s) and salinity (S_s) in the measurement process. Therefore, this study took EC-5 sensor for example to establish water detection calibration models of soil temperature and salinity for single sensor, using Least Squares Support Vector Machines on MatLAB (LS-SVMlab) as the tool. On this basis, we explored the spatial variability of T_s and S_s, and then a method, which could be used to calibrate the output signals of sensors in multi-point network, was proposed based on the information-sharing (T_s or S_s) technology of WSN. Through laboratory experiment, we effectively reduced the impact of soil temperature and salinity on the single sensor. In example analysis, we investigated the detection precision and costs under different information-sharing radiuses (r). And the results indicated that the method we proposed based on the information-sharing technology of WSN could successfully calibrate the influence of soil temperature and salinity on sensors in multi-point network, and it was an efficacious approach to determine the balance between the calibration accuracy of moisture sensor and the investment of agricultural production. For example, while the calibration precision of soil temperature and salinity is respectively 1%, the costs can be reduced by 30%.     

土壤pH值对极小种群毛枝五针松生理特性的影响

幼苗建成期是毛枝五针松(Pinus wangii)天然更新的关键阶段,为找出影响毛枝五针松幼苗存活的关键生态因子,采用植物生理学方法,研究在7个酸碱度土壤培育下,毛枝五针松松针超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶活性(POD)活性和脯氨酸、可溶性糖质量分数及丙二醛(MDA)摩尔质量浓度的变化。结果表明:毛枝五针松在弱碱土壤中抗逆性更强,形态观察得知其在弱碱性土壤中生长更好;生理指标测定结果表明,土壤在p H=7.69~8.42时最适宜毛枝五针松幼苗的生长发育。     

基于GIS的土壤肥力质量综合评价——以天然云冷杉针阔混交林为例

以吉林汪清林业局金沟岭林场中41块天然云冷杉针阔混交林样地为对象,采用主成分-聚类分析,结合GIS技术,对该区域土壤肥力质量进行综合评价。结果表明,按主成分-聚类分析结果将41块样地分为4类:第1类土壤肥力质量综合得分为11.17~18.86(优),包括5块样地;第2类土壤肥力质量综合得分为3.01~7.44(良),包括8块样地;第3类土壤肥力质量综合得分为-6.97~1.27(一般),包括24块样地;第4类土壤肥力质量综合得分为-12.40~-9.63(差),包括4块样地。然后采用Arc GIS软件对综合得分进行普通Kriging插值,其标准均方根预测为0.9544,在1的附近,这基本达到插值精度的要求。从生成的研究区土壤肥力质量综合得分空间分布图来看,森林土壤肥力质量由西向东呈现先降低后升高的趋势;由北向南,森林土壤肥力质量变化幅度逐步减小,表明研究区南部土壤肥力质量变化较北部均匀。就研究区的整体土壤肥力质量而言,土壤肥力质量中等以上(优,良,一般)样地数占所研究区样地总数比例为90.24%,表明所研究区森林土壤肥力质量整体处于良好水平。     

Effects of burning on soil macrofauna in a savanna-woodland under different experimental fuel load treatments

In West African savanna-woodland, the use of prescribed burning as a management tool has ecological implications for the soil biota. Yet, the effects of fire on soil inhabiting organisms are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the responses of soil macro-invertebrates to early fires in a Sudanian savanna-woodland on a set of experimental plots subject to different fuel load treatments. The abundance of major macro-invertebrate taxa and functional groups, and taxon richness were quantified in soil cores collected from three different soil layers before and immediately after burning. The results indicated that, overall, there was substantial spatial and temporal variation in the composition of macro-invertebrate assemblages. The immediate effects of fire were to reduce total invertebrate numbers and numbers of many invertebrate groups dramatically. This is probably due to the fact that many of the surface-dwelling macrofauna perished as a result of less favorable microclimate due to fire, diminished resources, or migrate to safer environments. Fuel load treatment did not affect the community taxonomic richness or abundance of the soil-dwelling fauna. Furthermore, annual changes in community composition were more pronounced at the burnt site than in the control. This could be related to the inter-annual difference in precipitation pattern recorded during the two-year study period at our site. Since soil macrofauna population declines in fire-disturbed areas, increasing fire prevalence may jeopardize the long-term conservation of fire sensitive macrofauna groups. Special fire management attention is therefore recommended with due consideration to the type of burning and fuel properties to avoid the detrimental effects of intense fire affecting the resilience of savanna soil macrofauna species.     

Soil enzyme activities during the 2011 Texas record drought/heat wave and implications to biogeochemical cycling and organic matter dynamics

Extreme droughts and heat waves due to climate change may have permanent consequences on soil quality and functioning in agroecosystems. During November 2010 to August 2011, the Southern High Plains (SHP) region of Texas, U.S., a large cotton producing area, received only 39.6 mm of precipitation (vs. the historical avg. of 373 mm) and experienced the hottest summer since record keeping began in 1911. Several enzyme activities (EAs) important in biogeochemical cycling were evaluated in two soils (a loam and a sandy loam at 0–10 cm) with a management history of monoculture (continuous cotton) or rotation (cotton and sorghum or millet). Samplings occurred under the most extreme drought and heat conditions (July 2011), after precipitation resulted in a reduction in a drought severity index (March 2012), and 12 months after the initial sampling (July 2012; loam only). Eight out of ten EAs, were significantly higher in July 2011 compared to March 2012 for some combinations of soil type and management history. Among these eight EAs, enzymes key to C (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase) and P cycling (phosphodiesterase, acid and alkaline phosphatases) were significantly higher (19–79%) in July 2011 than in March 2012 for both management histories regardless of the soil type (P > 0.05). When comparing all sampling times, the activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartase and urease (rotation only) showed this trend: July 2011 > March 2012 > July 2012. Activities of phosphodiesterase, acid phosphatase, α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase were higher in July 2011 than July 2012 in at least one of the two management histories. Total C was reduced significantly from July 2011 to March 2012 in the rotation for both soils. Only the activities of arylsulfatase (avg. 36%) and asparaginase showed an increase from July 2011 to March 2012 for both soil types, which may indicate they have a different origin/location than the other enzymes. EAs continued to be a fingerprint of the soil management history (i.e., higher EAs in the rotation than in monoculture) during the drought/heat wave. This study provided some of the first evidence of the adverse effects of a natural, extreme drought and heat wave on soil quality in agroecosystems as indicated by EAs involved in biogeochemical cycling.     

The installation of underground pipelines: effects on soil properties

Since the 1970s a network of underground pipes, up to 1200 mm diameter, has been installed in the UK to transmit crude oil to refineries and gas from onshore terminals for distribution. Chosen routes are subject to significant constraints. Current techniques for pipe installation involve topsoil removal and storage. Trench depth is set to allow a cover of 1200 mm overburden after pipes have been installed. The heavy machinery involved results in severe compaction of exposed subsoil. Subsoil is loosened comprehensively and topsoil replaced. Existing field drains are reconnected, and, if necessary, new drains with gravel backfill installed. Pipe installation usually takes place between April and October. Preventative measures to limit compaction during installation are not a practical option. If subsequent arable crops or grass are poorer or drainage more defective than before disturbance, the loss is assessed and compensation paid. To determine the cause of the loss >60, investigations have been made throughout the UK. Soil physical properties were assessed in an open trench using visual and tactile methods. Consistently, severe compaction in the subsoil was identified as the cause of poor crop growth or drainage; it was not observed in the topsoil. Specific recommendations for remedial action were made based on location, depth and severity of the compaction. These included the installation of additional land drains, increasing the amount of gravel above the drains, or further subsoil loosening orientated to cross gravel backfill. After appropriate remedial action, net compensation for crop losses was frequently small or negligible.     

基于GIS的不同种植模式下凉州区日光温室土壤养分分析

采用GPS定位取样测试、ACIGIS软件数据分析和地统计分析方法,对凉州区日光温室土壤养分状况进行了分析评价。结果表明,在0~20 cm表层土壤中,不同种植模式的氮、磷、钾养分分布趋势基本一致。种植番茄—架豆、番茄—辣椒电导率最大,为1.97 ms/cm;种植番茄—架豆盐分最高,为11.9 g/kg;种植人参果CEC最大,为16.87%。在20~40 cm土壤中,种植番茄—辣椒电导率最高,为2.59 ms/cm;种植小乳瓜盐分最大,其值为17.9 g/kg;种植人参果CEC最大,为19.94%。     

连作及轮作土壤微生物菌群对黄瓜幼苗生长及土壤酶活性的影响

通过植物-土壤反馈试验,研究连作及轮作土壤微生物菌群对黄瓜幼苗生长和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,轮作土壤微生物处理黄瓜植株鲜质量、叶绿素含量、土壤中性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶活性显著高于连作土壤微生物处理;连作及轮作土壤微生物处理增加了黄瓜幼苗干质量、鲜质量、叶绿素含量及总叶面积,显著提高了土壤中性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶活性。综上,连作及轮作土壤微生物菌群对黄瓜幼苗生长均产生正反馈作用,并且轮作土壤微生物的正反馈作用大于连作土壤微生物。     

Comparative soil distribution and dissipation of phoxim and thiamethoxam and their efficacy in controlling Bradysia odoriphaga Yang and Zhang in Chinese chive ecosystems

Bradysia odoriphaga Yang and Zhang (the chive gnat) is the major insect pest affecting Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng.) in Northern China. Only three insecticide products are registered for its control. In the present study, we compared the persistence and distribution of thiamethoxam and phoxim in soil and determined their long-acting control effects against B. odoriphaga and two other secondary pests, Thrips alliorum Priesner and the Asiatic onion leaf miner Acrolepia alliella Semenov and Kuznetsov (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae), after a single soil application using the directional spray-washing method during the early Chinese chive root-rearing period. Under the same applied dosage, the rhizosphere soil at a depth of 4.0–10.0 cm had concentrations of thiamethoxam and phoxim ranging from 2.21 to 7.44 mg/kg and 0.09–0.44 mg/kg, respectively, at the 7th day after application. The half-lives of thiamethoxam and phoxim in the soil were 27.5 and 6.7 days, respectively. Thiamethoxam persisted for 210 days, whereas phoxim only persisted for 45 days in the soil and plants. In addition, thiamethoxam applied at 6.0 kg a.i./ha maintained a low population density of B. odoriphaga, T. alliorum and A. alliella for nine months longer than phoxim. In conclusion, thiamethoxam may help farmers more effectively manage B. odoriphaga and other secondary pests on Chinese chive and reduce the costs of insecticide use while sustaining protection.     

烤烟套种甘薯对烟叶质量、烟薯产量及土壤温湿度的影响

为筛选出适宜与烤烟套种的甘薯品种,解决部分烟区烤烟种植调茬难度大与综合效益低等问题,通过田间大区试验,研究烤烟套种不同甘薯品种对烟叶质量、烟薯产量及土壤温湿度的影响。结果表明,烟薯套种能够明显提升土壤相对含水率和烟叶产量,其相对含水率提高幅度介于12.03%~91.88%,烤烟产量增幅为12.29%~31.26%。烤烟套种甘薯以紫薯产量最高,块根产量达29400 kg/hm ²,且单薯质量大于100 g占总薯重的比例在紫薯中最高。烤烟套种甘薯提升了烤烟中上部烟叶的总糖和还原糖含量,降低了烟碱和总氮含量,有利于改善烟叶内在品质。烤烟套种甘薯降低了上部烟叶含梗率,但增大了上部烟叶叶面密度,以烤烟套种紫薯表现突出。烤烟与紫薯套种,可作为一种烟田增产、烟叶增值和烟农增收的种植模式。