Organoclays for controlled release of the herbicide fenuron

Organoclays were assayed as matrices in which to associate herbicides, with the aim of decreasing product losses that could give rise to water contamination from agricultural activities. Fenuron was selected as model of a very mobile and highly water-soluble herbicide. Two different organoclays of high (A-HDT) and low (H-C18) reversible fenuron sorption were selected. Herbicide-organoclay complexes were prepared from the two organoclays and with two different fenuron contents (20 and 40 g AI kg-1) and two different mixing times, so as to form a series of weak and strong complexes. The release of fenuron from those complexes into water and water/soil suspensions gave values of T50 (time to release 50% of the fenuron content) ranging from 0.3 min to 2400 h. The total fenuron released in these closed systems ranged from 48 to 80% of the fenuron in the complex. The organoclay type (high or low sorptivity) had the greatest influence on fenuron release, followed by the strong or weak complex, suggesting that herbicide-organoclay interactions are the main factors controlling release. Soil column leaching experiments showed fenuron-organoclay complexes to be effective in reducing the peak herbicide concentration in the leachate to a half (6 microns) or a quarter (3 microns) of that obtained from the free technical compound (12 microns). Herbicide lost through leaching was reduced from 78% for the free technical fenuron to 50-30%, depending on the organoclay used as carrier and the strength of the complex. Bioassay with ryegrass showed that the weak fenuron/H-C18 complex (40 g AI kg-1) gave the same herbicidal activity as technical fenuron. The potential suitability of low-sorptive organoclays for conferring slow-release properties on the fenuron complex has been demonstrated.     

Sensitivity analyses for four pesticide leaching models

Sensitivity analyses using a one-at-a-time approach were carried out for leaching models which have been widely used for pesticide registration in Europe (PELMO, PRZM, PESTLA and MACRO). Four scenarios were considered for simulation of the leaching of two theoretical pesticides in a sandy loam and a clay loam soil, each with a broad distribution across Europe. Input parameters were varied within bounds reflecting their uncertainty and the influence of these variations on model predictions was investigated for accumulated percolation at 1-m depth and pesticide loading in leachate. Predictions for the base-case scenarios differed between chromatographic models and the preferential flow model MACRO for which large but transient pesticide losses were predicted in the clay loam. Volumes of percolated water predicted by the four models were affected by a small number of input parameters and to a small extent only, suggesting that meteorological variables will be the main drivers of water balance predictions. In contrast to percolation, predictions for pesticide loss were found to be sensitive to a large number of input parameters and to a much greater extent. Parameters which had the largest influence on the prediction of pesticide loss were generally those related to chemical sorption (Freundlich exponent nf and distribution coefficient Kf) and degradation (either degradation rates or DT50, QTEN value). Nevertheless, a significant influence of soil properties (field capacity, bulk density or parameters defining the boundary between flow domains in MACRO) was also noted in at least one scenario for all models. Large sensitivities were reported for all models, especially PELMO and PRZM, and sensitivity was greater where only limited leaching was simulated. Uncertainty should be addressed in risk assessment procedures for crop-protection products.     

Aquacrop模型在北疆棉花生育期灌溉洗盐制度优化中的适用性

为明确Aquacrop模型在北疆棉田膜下滴灌和地下滴灌方式下生长和生产模拟的适用性，并探究棉田生育期最优灌溉洗盐制度，该研究以2020和2021年的田间试验数据对模型参数进行校正和验证，并用校正好的模型揭示3种灌溉水平（100%ETc、80%ETc、60%ETc，其中ETc为作物需水量）、3种淋洗总定额（0、120和240 mm）、3种灌水频率（5、7和10 d/次）和3种降水年型（湿润年、平水年、干旱年）对棉花产量和灌溉水生产力的影响。结果表明，2021年所有处理的冠层覆盖度、地上生物量归一化均方根误差（normalized root mean square error, NRMSE）不大于20.998%，一致性指数d≥0.967，决定系数R²≥0.914，产量均方根误差（root mean square error, RMSE）、NRMSE、d和R²分别为0.389 t/hm²、6.797%、0.836和0.754，模型整体模拟效果良好。基于58 a气象数据的模型模拟表明：灌溉水平、淋洗定额、降水年型对棉花产量和灌溉水生产力的影响显著，灌水频率的影响不显著；在平均土壤含盐量范围为12～18 g/kg的植棉区域，综合考虑产量、灌溉水生产力及实际生产情况，湿润年推荐80%ETc+120 mm的灌溉淋洗总定额，平水年和干旱年推荐100%ETc+120 mm的灌溉淋洗总定额；推荐延长灌水频率至10 d/次以减少灌水次数，节约成本。研究可以为Aquacrop模型在棉田中的应用积累经验，为农业水资源高效利用提供理论指导与技术支撑。     

Effects of the 1995–1997 drought on nitrate leaching in lowland England

Abstract. The effect of drought between summer 1995 and 1997 on stream and river nitrate concentrations was investigated using sites close to the long-running meteorological station in Oxford, UK. Nitrate concentrations in the River Windrush were relatively low during the drought, but after it had ended reached the highest level since records began in 1973. The low concentrations during the drought probably reflect a reduced contribution from agricultural runoff. High nitrate concentrations were found in a field drain at Wytham Environmental Change Network site during and after the drought, but discharge was greatly reduced. A woodland stream at Wytham had much lower nitrate concentrations than the field drain but these similarly increased during and after the drought. There was evidence that both a concentrating effect of low water volumes and enhanced soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rates were causing concentrations to rise. The effects of mineralization and nitrification were more important in woodland than agricultural land. Nitrate load over the course of a year was determined largely by discharge, but steeper gradients for the relationship between cumulative load and cumulative discharge were seen during and after the drought than before, reflecting the higher concentrations.     

三峡库区土壤元素分布特征及其发生学意义

选取三峡库区万州段具有代表性母岩和土壤作为研究样点,测定了土壤和母岩中Si、Al、Fe、K、Mg、Ca、Na等几种风化成土元素的含量,探讨了土壤元素分布特征及其发生学意义。研究表明:母岩元素平均含量顺序为:Si>Al>Fe>K>Mg>Ca>Na,其中Fe、Ca、Mg、Na、K高于中国和世界元素背景值,而Al介于中国和世界元素背景值之间,Si的平均含量则低于背景值;灰岩区上的土壤中,Ca、Mg、K元素最高,砂岩母质区的土壤风化素含量较低;而碎屑岩类中,泥岩区土壤风化元素相对较高,粉砂岩区土壤风化元素含量介于泥岩与砂岩区之间;母岩的淋失强度为Ca>Mg>Al>Si>K>Fe>Na,Na元素的迁移程度小,是由于母岩中Na元素对土壤的不断补充。因此以土壤中风化元素含量为基础计算的风化指标,难以反映亚热带温暖潮湿地区的成土风化过程,常用的土壤分子硅铝率和硅铁铝率也不能指示所有土壤的风化成土作用程度,只适用于判断风化初期或成土作用早期。     

Evaluation of New Container Media for Aglaonema Production

Mandated processing of waste by‐products in the United States has inspired national interest in addressing the effectiveness of using composted biosolids and yard trimmings to grow containerized plants. Diamond bay Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema ‘Diamond Bay’) was transplanted in containers filled with one of eight formulated media (components added by volume). Medium 1 was a standard mix commonly used in Aglaonema production (5:2:3 peat–vermiculite–perlite); medium 2 was formulated on site to contain peat–bark–stalite–rice hulls–coir (2:2:3:1:2); media 3 and 4 contained 40% biosolid–yard waste compost instead of peat and with or without 20% stalite, respectively; and media 5, 6, 7, and 8 were commercially formulated to contain peat–bark–perlite–rice hulls–coir (4:1.5:2.5:1:1, 4:1.5:2.5:1:1, 4:2:2:1:1, and 3.0:2.5:2:1:1.5, respectively). Physical and chemical properties of the eight media were in ranges 50–65% container water‐holding capacity, 2.9–7.8% air‐filled porosity, 55–80% moisture (w/w), 0.11–0.37 g·cm³ bulk density, 0.34–0.96 g·cm³ particle density, 4.2–7.2 pH, 0.12–4.4 dS·m^?1 electrical conductivity (EC), 27.3–54.5 meg/100 g cation exchange capacity (CEC), 17.9–39.0% carbon (C), and 0.22–1.7% nitrogen (N). Medium 4 (40% compost) had 5.5 times more ammoniacal N (NH₄‐N) and 1.7 times more nitrate N (NO₃‐N) than that of the standard commercial mix. At week 8, plants grown in media 2 and 5 were 8.9% to 9.5% taller than plants grown in medium 1 (commercial standard). At week 16, there were no significant differences in plant heights or growth indices among media. At week 24, there were no significant differences in plant height, growth index, visual quality, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight among media. However, cumulative phosphorus (P) leaching from media 1, 4, and 5 was significantly more than leaching from media 2 and 8. This study suggests that compost may serve as a horticulturally suitable and cost‐effective alternative to peat‐based media for Aglaonema production.     

Sulfate and Calcium Movement in an Allophanic Soil—The Relevance of Ion‐Pair Adsorption in the Soil–Plant System

Cooperative adsorption involving anions and cations, termed ion‐pair adsorption (IPA), is reported to increase the retention of some ions in certain soils. Sulfate and calcium can exhibit such interaction, and this affects their movement through the soil. Ion‐pair adsorption is shown here in miscible displacement experiments with a variable‐charge soil. The relevance of IPA under more realistic conditions is further investigated in a pot experiment. Rapeseed (Brassica napus) was grown at two different irrigation regimes and with two sulfur fertilizer sources. Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄·2H₂O) was used to induce IPA in contrast to potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄). The results suggest that IPA reduces sulfate and calcium leaching only in the short term. Continued irrigation dissipates the differences between the two fertilizer sources. Final soil ion concentrations and the plant uptake could not be related to IPA, evidencing the short‐term relevance of IPA. The influence of IPA on the bioavailability of calcium and sulfate to plants still demands further study.     

Effects of grazing strategy on limiting nitrate leaching in grazed grass‐clover pastures on coarse sandy soil

Urinations of ruminants on grazed pastures increase the risk of nitrate leaching. The study investigated the effect of reducing the length of the grazing season on nitrate leaching from a coarse sandy, irrigated soil during 2006–2007 and 2007–2008. In both years, precipitation was above the long‐term mean. The experiment was initiated in a 4‐yr‐old grass‐clover sward in south Denmark. Three treatments were as follows grazing only (G), spring cut followed by grazing (CG) and both spring and autumn cuts with summer grazing (CGC). Nitrate leaching was calculated by extracting water isolates from 80 cm depth using ceramic suction cups. Because of considerable variation in measured nitrate concentrations, the 32 installed suction cups per treatment were insufficient to reveal differences between treatments. However, weighted nitrate leaching estimations for G, CG and CGC showed estimated mean nitrate N concentrations of 23, 19 and 13 mg/L for an estimated proportion area occupied by urine patches of 0.33, 0.26 and 0.16, respectively. Thus, N concentrations in G and CG exceeded the EU limit of 11.3 mg N/L. Under the prevailing conditions, the time of urination did not appear important. The estimated background leaching calculated from suction cups presumably not situated under urine patches resulted in mean nitrate N concentrations of 2.6 mg/L.     

Nitrate leaching losses under Miscanthus grass planted on a silty clay loam soil

Abstract. Nitrate leaching under newly planted Miscanthus grass was measured for three years. The crop received either no fertilizer-N or an annual spring application of 60 kg or 120 kg N ha^-1. During three winters soil water was collected from porous cup probes installed 90 cm deep. Nitrate leaching was calculated from the mean drain flow recorded in two drain gauges multiplied by the mean nitrate-N concentration in the soil water solutions collected. In the first year soil water nitrate concentrations were high on all treatments and N losses were 154, 187 and 228 kg ha^-1 respectively on the unfertilized treatment and those that received 60 or 120 kg N ha^-1. Leaching losses in the second and third years were, in turn, 8, 24 and 87 kg ha^-1 and 3, 11 and 30 kg ha^-1 for the unfertilized treatment and for the 60 and 120 kg N ha^-1 treatments respectively. Leaching losses were closer to those recorded under extensively managed grassland than arable land. The large losses in the first year were probably due to the previous agricultural management at the site and excessive inputs of N on the fertilized plots. In the second and third year, lower drainage volumes may also have influenced losses. The results show that Miscanthus , once established, can lead to low levels of nitrate leaching and improved groundwater quality compared with growing arable crops.     

水载型木材防腐剂有效成分的加速固着方法

以铬化砷酸铜(CCA)为代表的水载型防腐剂,逐渐被其他主要有效成分为铜的水载型防腐剂取代,这类防腐剂中的.针对水载型防腐剂抗流失性差的缺点,介绍4种用于加速防腐剂中有效成分在木材中固着的方法,分析了这些方法对水载型防腐剂中有效成分的固着效果,并就如何加速ACQ中有效成分的固着研究进行了分析和展望.