Effect of tillage below the seed on emergence of wheat seedlings in a hardsetting soil

Two field experiments investigated the effect of tilled and untilled soil below the seed and the effect of a press wheel on the emergence of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings on a hardsetting soil at Tatura, Victoria, Australia. Soil physical properties of the seedbed including penetrometer resistance, temperature and water content were recorded. The fate of seeds and seedlings and the length of roots were determined. In the experiments, germination was high (over 90%) and was not affected by the depth of tillage, the press wheel or by temporary waterlogging, but several physical conditions of the soil restricted emergence. In the first experiment, the rate and final emergence (at Day 10) was increased by tillage below the seed (e.g. at 46–90 mm depth) in spite of the penetrometer resistance of soil at 0–20 mm depth being 50% greater than that in the treatment untilled below the seed. The roots of the seedlings in the treatments untilled below the seed were temporarily waterlogged (at Days 0–1) and grew in soil that was drier (at Days 3–9) and harder than in treatments tilled below the seed. In the second experiment, the press wheel increased the rate of emergence by decreasing the sowing depth by 10 mm. Tillage below the seed increased the rate of emergence by decreasing the penetrometer resistance of the soil to less than 2.0 MPa.     

Tree-species range shifts in a changing climate: detecting, modeling, assisting

In these times of rapidly changing climate, the science of detecting and modeling shifts in the ranges of tree species is advancing of necessity. We briefly review the current state of the science on several fronts. First, we review current and historical evidence for shifting ranges and migration. Next, we review two broad categories of methods, focused on the spatial domain, for modeling potential range shifts and future suitable habitat: empirical species-distribution models and more process-based simulations. We propose long-term demography studies as a complementary approach in the time domain when sufficient data are available. Dispersal and successful migration into newly suitable habitat are key mechanisms constraining range shifts. We review three approaches to estimating these processes, followed by a discussion of the potential for assisted migration. We conclude that there have been significant recent advances on several fronts but there are still large uncertainties that need further research.     

Viability of a Freshwater Mussel (Elliptio complanata) as a Biomechanical Filter for Aquaculture Ponds II: Effects on Aquaculture Pond Water Quality

Bivalves have been proven to be an inexpensive method for removing suspended solids, dissolved nutrients, and controlling algal growth through suspension feeding. The freshwater mussel, Elliptio complanata, is one of the most abundant species in Delaware, and it is additionally favorable for this experiment because of its hardiness against environmental stress and its filtration efficiency. This study examines the possibility that biomechanical filters such as E. complanata can supplement existing chemical and mechanical filtration regiments in aquaculture pond management. Twelve earthen aquaculture ponds located at the Delaware State University were stocked at a density of 4,000 catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) per hectare. Four different concentrations (0, 75, 150, and 300) of E. complanata were placed in trays within the ponds with three replicates of each concentration. The trays were suspended 15 cm below the surface of the water for a period of five months. Fish were fed a 32% protein diet twice daily at a rate of 1% of their body weight. Water quality was analyzed weekly while fish and mussel growths were measured biweekly. Results from water quality parameters varied significantly and were not conclusive based on the data obtained in this study. Water quality did not improve within the mussel treatment ponds during the course of this study and was found to be significantly below that of control ponds for all of the water chemistry parameters measured, with the exception of ammonia. Catfish in the 150 mussel treatment ponds grew the fastest; the 75 mussel treatment provided the most growth in mussels; and the 300 mussel group maintained the highest mussel survivorship. Although there were differences between ponds, fish growth and survivorship were not significantly different between treatments. While our mussel densities may have not been sufficient, their placement within the water column may have added additional stress. Being removed from the sediment can result in a decreased clearance rate in a benthic species such as E. complanata. This study may not have been conclusive in proving that mussels can be used to maintain water quality in aquaculture ponds, but we did see positive growth and survivorship of mussels and fish that indicated that the mussels were thriving in the aquaculture pond setting. This study may show that aquaculture ponds provide a suitable habitat in which propagated mussels may be held until their release into native areas.     

Soil compaction by uniaxial loading and the survival of the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa

Earthworms are the major component of the soil fauna in temperate agro-ecosystems. Land use and soil management are widely reported to influence earthworm populations. We report simple laboratory experiments in which earthworm survival was tested against uniaxial loads for a range of soil conditions. Across all the experimental conditions 86% of earthworms survived. While greater loads (up to 800 kPa) over longer exposure times (up to 60 s) decreased survival; even under the most severe test conditions 33% of earthworms survived. Our results suggest that decreased earthworm populations in compacted soil are not due to uniaxial loading alone, but may be the result of shearing the soil during loading or from changes to the soil properties.     

Earthworms bring compacted and loose soil to a similar mechanical state

We tested the hypothesis that earthworms stabilise loose soil and loosen compacted soil to a similar mechanical state. Casts collected from initially loose soil (980 kg m⁻³) had 10-fold greater viscosity (31 kPa s) and 5-fold greater yield stress (200 Pa) than a control soil without worms. Lumbricus terrestris; Dendrobaena sp. and Aporrectodea longa were all investigated, with no difference found between species. In compacted soils (1300 kg m⁻³), A. longa produced casts with similar mechanical properties to loose soil, with viscosity and yield stress decreased by 45% compared to the control without worms. Earthworms were shown to bring initially loose and compacted soil to an intermediate mechanical state that is more favourable for structural stability and root growth.     

A comparison of microtubers and field-grown tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for hexoses, sucrose and their ratios following postharvest cold storage

Cold-induced sweetening (CIS) is a significant postharvest problem in processing potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. A rise in hexose sugar levels during cold storage results in a brown, bitter tasting and unmarketable product. We tested if potato microtubers (MicroT) can undergo CIS and if this corresponds to the CIS response in field-grown tubers (FieldT) with the hope of fast-tracking breeding programmes using a MicroT system. Using MicroT from potato genotypes representing a range of CIS response levels we have demonstrated that MicroT undergo CIS more rapidly than FieldT. Correlations of glucose:sucrose and hexose:sucrose ratios were highly significant between the two tuber types after cold treatment and these ratios are known to be good predictors of invertase activity, a key regulator of CIS. Correlations of individual sugars were non-significant before and after postharvest cold treatment.     

Considerations for Scottish soil monitoring in the European context

Two contrasting phases of work are described that help inform the development and requirements of a soil monitoring system: firstly, the development and application of a multi-criterion analysis of soil quality indicators grounded in the basic natural sciences; and secondly, scrutiny of the outcome of that process by a wide range of non-specialist but key stakeholders at a workshop. This process ensures that the final monitoring design meets both the scientific rigour expected from a monitoring system and as far as possible meets the aspirations of policy and regulatory stakeholders. Individual indicators of soil quality were evaluated in terms of their applicability against a number of important environmental and logistical parameters and therefore their overall fitness for purpose. These included relevance to different soil types, functions, habitats and threats to soil, the inherent variability of soil, and a range of technical aspects such as analytical complexity, precision and reproducibility of analytical results and whether a standard operating procedure (SOP) existed for the technique. A tiered approach to soil monitoring was supported by workshop delegates. This will require indicators that are suitable and effective at national, site-specific and process-level scales. In addition, the opportunities for synchronizing soil monitoring with air and water quality monitoring should be considered and the potential for integrating on-site measurements with remote methods should be researched further. It was considered by workshop attendees that soil monitoring should be rooted in pedological principles (i.e. recognizing defined soil horizons) to ensure that results can be extrapolated from individual sites and to retain flexibility.