Effects of 'Agri-SC' soil conditioner on soil structure and erodibility: some further observations

Abstract. In field and laboratory experiments the conditioner‘Agri-SC’has shown improvements in the structure of loamy sand soils in east Shropshire, UK. It resulted in statistically significant decreases in soil bulk density values and increases in soil porosity and aggregate stability. Further experiments are in progress on both loamy sand and silt loam soils.     

Nitrogen uptake by ryegrass from organic wastes applied to a sandy loam soil

Sandy‐textured Mediterranean soils are invariably depleted in organic matter and supply only small amounts of N to crops. To compensate for these deficiencies, we tested the N supply from six organic wastes applied to a Cambic Arenosol in pots growing ryegrass. The results showed that the behaviour of the wastes in supplying N to a ryegrass crop grown in this soil can be predicted by observing their performance in laboratory aerobic incubations. The N made available during these incubations fitted well to a one‐pool kinetic model.     

Dynamic Monitoring of the Mud

[Objective] The research aimed to provide basic files and theoretical guidance for constructing sluicing-siltation dam using soil with high clay content soil.[Method] The soils of Dagou basin near Xiwu Village of Baishui County,Shaanxi Province were taken as experimental materials.pvc pipes with same height and diameter were used to construct testing model for dynamically determining settlement,shear strength,wet density of grouting bulk under 2 different grouting speeds(15 cm/d and 25 cm/d).[Result] Under different grouting speeds,general change trend was similar during grouting course.The subsidence,deformation,shear strength and wet density increased with the increase of grouting speed.Five or six days after grouting,daily displacement under 25 cm/d grouting speed was fewer than that under 15 cm/d grouting speed.[Conclusion] The increase of grouting speed could shorten the time for reaching the same subsidence,deformation,shear strength and wet density and increased displacement at the initial stage of grouting,however,with the increase of grouting time,lower grouting bulk was bad for displacement at later grouting period because it was near impermeable layer.     

淮北平原涝渍兼治的组合排水工程形式

由于淮北平原砂姜黑土区的气候、地形、地貌、水文地质、土壤等多方面原因,致使旱、涝、渍频繁,且涝渍灾害往往是紧密相连,先涝后渍,涝渍相随．造成大面积减产．甚至绝收,旱、涝、渍灾害一直困扰着本区的农业发展。通过试验及调查,从治理涝渍效果、提高农业产量、投入产出等方面进行综合分析,提出了几种适宜于本区的组合排水形式。     

西藏沙化动态及其原区

西藏自治区是我国沙化最严重的地区之一。2004年调查结果表明,西藏沙化面积为216842．7km^2其中重度以上的沙化面积占总沙化面积的91．53％;沙化类型以戈壁占绝对优势：草地、未利用地是主要的沙化土地利用类型。全区沙化总体上呈恶化趋势,沙化土地面积增加,沙化程度加剧,但拉萨、山南等地沙化土地有所减少。西藏土地沙化变化是受自然因素与人为因素共同作用的结果。     

Biomass of fine and small roots in two Japanese black pine stands of different ages

The biomass and the spatial distribution of fine and small roots were studied in two Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) stands growing on a sandy soil. More biomass of fine and small roots was found in the 17-year-old than in the 40-year-old stand. There were 62 g m⁻² of fine roots and 56 g m⁻² of small roots in the older stand, which represented mean values of 608 g for fine and 552 g for small roots per tree, respectively. In the younger stand, a total of 85 g m⁻² of fine roots and 66 g m⁻² of small roots were determined, representing a mean of 238 g for fine and 186 g for small roots per tree, respectively. Fine and small root biomasses decreased linearly with a soil depth of 0–50 cm in the older stand. In the younger stand, the fine and small roots developed only up to a depth of 30 cm. Horizontal distributions (with regard to distance from a tree) of both root groups were homogeneous. A positive correlation in the amount of biomass of fine and small roots per m² relative to tree size was found. Fine and small root biomasses increased consistently from April to July in both stands. The results also indicated earlier growth activity of the fine roots than small roots at the beginning of the growing season. The seasonal increases in fine and small root biomasses were slightly higher in the younger stand than the older stand.     

Biomass distribution in 40-year-old trees of Japanese black pine

Measurements were carried out to survey the quantity of above- and below-ground biomass and its distribution of five Japanese black pines (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) growing on a sandy soil. The roots, divided into diameter groups, were surveyed using two methods—soil coring and excavation. Average dry weight of total biomass of the trees was 176,185 g. Roots represented 13.2%, below-ground stump 6.5%, stem 70.4% and branches with needles 9.9% of total biomass. Roots made up about two thirds and stump one third of below-ground biomass. Total length of below-ground biomass (except roots with diameter < 0.1 cm) was 479.1 m/tree. Roots with diameter of 0.1–0.2 cm represented only 0.7% of below-ground biomass, however as much as 49.9% of their total length. Roots with diameter over 10.0 cm constituted as much as 21.6% of below-ground biomass, however were only 0.3% of its total length. Root systems had well developed tap roots to maximal depth of 231 cm. The results indicated that mass and length of roots with diameter 0.5–2.0 cm had a close correlation with branch mass. Mass and length of roots with diameter 2.0–10.0 cm closely correlated to stem mass. Stem mass, root mass and root length closely correlated to DBH. A rather low correlation was found between DBH and mass of branches and below-ground stump. DBH was a suitable variable for predicting total biomass.