Effect of moisture content on ethylene glycol retention by clay minerals

For the accurate determination of ethylene glycol retention by soil minerals, precision in moisture removal is extremely important. One percent decrease in moisture appears to increase the ethylene glycol retention by 10 to 12 mg/g of sample. Drying samples over P₂O₅ is tedious and requires considerable care. An alternate method that is precise and easy is presented. By this method, an air-dried Ca-saturated subsample suspected of containing irreversibly dehydrating clays is saturated and equilibrated with ethylene glycol. The retention values are determined on a moisture-free weight basis calculated from a duplicate subsample dried in an oven at 105°C. Ethylene glycol retention of samples that do not contain irreversibly dehydrating clays is determined directly by saturation and equilibration of 105°C oven-dried samples.     

Use of organic manures for amendment of compacted clay soils II. Effect of carbon to nitrogen ratio

Abstract

The effect of the carbon:nitrogen ratio (C/N) of organic amendments on soil structure modification was studied in laboratory incubation experiments. Variable C/N ratios were obtained through application of carbonaceous substrates (cellulose, starch and wheat straw) and different levels of urea. Optimal responses of soil density and soil aggregate stability were found for the C/N range of 20–40. The levels of sugars extracted with boiling water and those of uronic acids were highest for the same C/N range. The preference of this C/N range substrates is also justified theoretically, considering microbial carbon and nitrogen budgets.     

Water dispersible clay in calcareous soils of southwestern Spain

Water dispersible clay (WDC) is a good indicator of the risk of soil erosion by water and the consequent losses of nutrients and contaminants in overland flow. We measured the content and studied the properties of WDC in 26 samples of calcareous Xeralfs, Xerepts and Xererts of southwestern Spain collected from fields under different crop and tillage management; the soils ranged widely in total clay content (60–455 g kg^− 1), calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) (< 1–559 g kg^− 1) and active calcium carbonate equivalent (ACCE; 2–135 g kg^− 1), and were poor in organic carbon and soluble salts. The WDC content was determined by shaking 10 g of soil in 1 L of simulated rainwater for 4 hours. Non-carbonate WDC contents were found to be strongly correlated with the total clay content of the soils and ranged from 1 to 92 g kg^− 1 soil (mean = 29 g kg^− 1), the non-carbonate WDC/total clay ratio ranging from 0.01 to 0.29 (mean = 0.12). Based on regression analyses, illite was more dispersible than smectite and iron oxides decreased dispersion of clay. Carbonate WDC contents ranged from 1 to 27 g kg^− 1 (mean = 8 g kg^− 1) and were averaged one third the non-carbonate WDC contents; also, they were strongly correlated with the soil ACCE. WDC was rich in phosphorus (P) relative to the bulk soil. The enrichment ratio (ER) for total P (i.e. the ratio of total P in WDC to total P in soil) ranged from 0.2 to 29 (mean = 5) and was inversely related to the total clay content. On average, about one tenth of the soil total P was exported in the WDC and about one fifth of the total P in WDC was in the form of bicarbonate-extractable P (i.e. relatively soluble or ‘labile’ P). Part of the P in WDC seemingly occurred as metal phosphate particles formed by reaction of P fertilizers with soil. In summary, significant amounts of P can be exported via WDC, even though the proportion of total clay that is water dispersible is substantially lower in these soils than in cultivated soils of other semiarid regions.     

Water retention models for fractal soil structures

A review of water retention functions based upon fractal soil structures is presented. We consider the modelling approach for a fractal fabric, a fractal pore boundary and a fractal pore space, identifying the latter case as one of particular complexity. In each case, the water retention function is derived from the pore volume distribution arising from the structural model in question. We examine published models and highlight problems, namely lack of generality and inconsistency with the assumed fractal structure. The models considered in this paper do not account for the effects of pore connectivity, and as such their validity as a necessary condition for the existence of fractal structure is questionable.     

The influence of soil macroporosity on water retention, transmission and drainage in a clay soil

Abstract. Reductions in hydraulic conductivity and specific yield (drainable porosity) of large cores of Evesham clay soil were observed for periods up to 40 days under continuous ponding. A strong linear relationship ( r ²= 0.94) found between these two variables was used as parameter input to a layered drainage model for mole drained soils. Model results indicated that soils of lower drainable porosity and hydraulic conductivity produced higher peaked hydrographs widi faster recessions. These results are discussed in relation to the effects of soil loosening on drain response in heavy clay soils.     

Wear of spring tine cultivator points in sandy loam and light clay soils in southern Poland

Correct evaluation and forecasting of durability of soil cutting parts are the decisive factors for proper operation of agricultural machinery. During operation of cultivators, over two-fold difference in wear of cultivator points is observed, which makes establishing of their exchange periods extremely difficult. So, there is a need to conduct some research aimed for determination of relationship between arrangement of the points in individual cultivator rows and their wear. The presented experiments were performed under authentic farm conditions during spring soil loosening and levelling operations before sowing and planting, in sandy loam and light clay soils. Changes in length and thickness of the spring tine points, wear patterns and weight loss were measured. Loss in length of spring tine points was described by a complex function of the distance travelled or by an exponential function of the distance from the measuring point to the symmetry axis of a spring tine point; loss in thickness was described by a linear function. It was found that soil type, as well as arrangement of the points in individual cultivator rows and their position in relation to the tractor wheel track, significantly influenced their wear. It was also observed that wear of spring tine points was 40–100% higher in the sandy loam soil than in the light clay soil, and that wear within a tractor wheel track was 17–40% higher than outside the track. Moreover, wear of points positioned in the first row on the cultivator frame was 26–100% higher than wear of those in the third row. The research results emphasise the need for field experiments at compare wear of spring tine points made of different materials or of different designs to take into account differences in wear due to positioning of the points on cultivator frames.     

Effects of sewage sludge amendment on soil aggregation

Sewage sludge in doses of 200 and 400 Mg ha⁻¹ (dry weight) were applied in an experimental rehabilitation of a limestone quarry to improve soil physical condition. The effect of this organic waste on soil aggregation and structural stability has been tested measuring aggregate size distribution by dry- and wet-sieving procedures over a period of 28 months. We discuss the influence of the organic components of aggregates on soil structure. The main effect of sewage sludge was to increase aggregate stability to raindrop impact (splash) just after application of the former but one year later this effect decreased notably. Organic matter is distributed in different ways between macro- and microaggregates, and this parameter seems to be responsible for the structure changes observed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of soil clay constituents on surface free energy of clay fractions

Measurements were made of the contact angle for glycerol, di-iodomethane and cis-decalin drops settled on the surface of pellets prepared from sodium forms of clay fractions of soils before and after successive removal of organic matter, iron and aluminium. On the basis of contact angles thus measured and a modified Young equation, the dispersive and non-dispersive components of the surface free energy of the clay fractions were calculated. It was found that the non-dispersive component decreased linearly with an increase in organic matter content, and with Fe and Al in the clay fractions of the soils studied. However, the dispersive component was not dependent on organic matter content, but decreased with increasing content of Fe and Al in the clay fractions studied.     

Dust retention by tree and shrub leaves and its accumulation in light chestnut soils under forest shelterbelts

The capability to retain dust in forest shelterbelts growing along dirt roads with different rates of traffic was studied. The notion of the dust retention capacity of tree and shrub leaves is substantiated, five categories of potential dust retention are distinguished, and methods for its studies are proposed.     

Responses of anaerobic bacteria to soil amendment with selenite

Soil (Haplic Luvisol) was incubated in anaerobic microcosms with and without addition of a small amount of selenite (2 mg Se kg⁻¹) and straw, and changes in both bacterial populations (fermentative and selenite-respiring) and selenium fractionation were assessed. Selenite caused an initial decrease in CO₂ emission (−98% alone and −60% with straw) but this effect decreased with time. Selenite and straw additions enhanced the dynamics of fermentative and selenite-respiring bacteria but their effect was not cumulative. Selenium became less easily extractable during incubation: the non-extractable fraction of added selenium increased from 22% to 68% (73% with straw).     

Organic matter and polyacrylamide amendment of Norfolk loamy sand

Loamy sand soils of the southeastern USA Coastal Plains often have poor physical properties because they contain cemented subsurface hard layers that restrict root development and yield. Their physical properties can be improved by adding amendments. Polyacrylamide (PAM) amendments and/or organic matter (OM) in the form of ground wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stubble or pecan (Carya illinoensis) branches were mixed into a blend of 90% E horizon and 10% Ap horizon (to assure microbial presence) obtained from a Norfolk soil (Acrisol or fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudult). We hypothesized that incorporation of these amendments would improve soil physical properties by reducing strength and improving aggregation. Amended treatments contained 450 g of soil, OM, and 30 or 120 mg kg⁻¹ of PAM (12 mg mol⁻¹, anionic, and 35% charge density); treatments were incubated for 96 days at 10% (w/w) water content. Twice during the incubation period, treatments were leached with 1.3 pore volumes of deionized water. After leaching and equilibrating to stable water contents, treatments were analyzed for bulk densities and probed with a 5-mm diameter flat-tipped bench-top penetrometer to measure penetration resistances. Though penetration resistances increased for the highest level of PAM amendment, they showed no significance when both PAM and OM were added to the soil. When compared to controls, treatments with PAM at 120 mg kg⁻¹ had decreased bulk densities. Treatments with both rates of PAM had decreased requirements for water needed to maintain treatments at 10% water contents. Aggregation increased with increasing amounts of PAM but showed no consistent trend when both PAM and OM were added to the soil. Because PAM increased aggregation and water holding capacities in these coastal soils, it could reduce the need for deep tillage. However, more work needs to be done to determine an effective mix of PAM and OM.     

Effect of clay content and silt—clay fabric on stability of artificial aggregates

The influence of clay content and silt–clay fabric on aggregate stability was investigated. Two silt—clay fabrics were produced in the laboratory by mixing silt particles with a clay phase: (i) a loose packing of the silt particles with clay aggregates, and (ii) a close packing of the silt particles with the dispersed clay phase, the latter coating and bridging the silt particles. Porosity and pore size distribution were measured, and the silt—clay fabric was described using scanning electron microscopy. The aggregate stability was measured under three treatments corresponding to different wetting conditions and energy levels: fast wetting, mechanical breakdown and slow wetting. Our results show that aggregate stability is related to both clay content and silt—clay fabric. Comparison of fragment size distributions and their mean weight diameter amongst the three treatments enabled identification of mechanisms responsible for the variation of aggregate breakdown. The compression of trapped air was the predominant breakdown mechanism for both fast and slow wetting and was related mainly to porosity characteristics. For the mechanical breakdown, the degree of disintegration depended on the cohesion of the silt–clay fabric, which is related to the continuity of the solid phase.     

Water retention and hydraulic conductivity of a loamy sand soil as influenced by crop rotation and fertilization

Measurements are reported of soil organic carbon content, dry bulk density, water retention characteristics, and saturated hydraulic conductivity of a sandy loam soil with two different crop rotations and two levels of fertilization. The water retention characteristics were fitted to the van Genuchten equation. Values of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were estimated by calculation. It was found that crop rotation has much larger effects on these soil physical properties than fertilization. Water retention and hydraulic conductivity are greater when mustard, and clover with grass are included in the crop rotation, but only at water contents greater than 0,10 and 0, 13 kg kg^?1respectívely.     

Water retention properties of a sandy soil with superabsorbent polymers as affected by aging and water quality

Hydraulic properties, specifically the water holding capacity of soils, play a key role in the ability of soils to sustain plant growth. Additions of hydrophilic polymers (superabsorbents) can improve the water holding capacity of sandy soils. This has led to practical applications of these materials particularly in arid regions and countries, where water is the limiting factor for plant production. The objectives of this study are to investigate how effective hydraulic properties of polymer‐soil mixtures are affected by addition of absorbents in different concentrations. Novel aspects are the investigation of aging under repeated wetting–drying‐cycles over an appreciable time in the field and a systematic investigation of the salt influence on the water uptake of polymers. We added the polymer Super AB, A‐200 (Iran Polymer Institute), to dune sand in ratios of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1% w/w. We found that the effective water retention characteristics of the soil–absorbent mixtures were improved with respect to plant‐available water compared to the pure sand, and the improvement was related to the respective amount of absorbent in the mixture. The plant available water content (PAW) increased from 0.005 for the untreated sand to 0.06, 0.20, and 0.28 g g^?1, respectively, for the sand with the three polymer additions. Due to aging of the polymers, PAW decreased after 6 months of cyclic drying and wetting to about half of the value immediately after the initial treatment. We attribute this to the effect of salts. This is corroborated by the results from water uptake experiments by the pure polymers. Repeated cycles of water uptake showed that salts in the water greatly reduced the uptake capacity of the polymers after few cycles. The effect was strong for bivalent cations and less pronounced for monovalent cations.     

Effect of n amendment on c mineralization of an oily waste

A laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of N fertilizer forms, NO _in3 ^sup? ,-N vs NH _in4 ^sup+ -N, and rates of application on C mineralization of an oily waste in a clay-loam soil. Carbon mineralization rates (CMR) were determined from CO₂ (measured routinely by gas chromatography) evolved during a seven week incubation. The CMR and cumulative C mineralized (CCM) increased with increasing levels of fertilizer N added. The greatest enhancement in waste C mineralization occurred when the waste-C: fertilizer-N (WC:FN) ratio was in the range 18 to 22:1. Variabilities in estimates of the potentially mineralizable C pool sizes and specific mineralization rate constants showed that these decomposition parameters were altered by N amendment. Of the three fertilizer N sources evaluated, amendment with calcium nitrate produced the greatest enhancement in waste C mineralization, at each WC:FN ratio, followed by urea and ammonium nitrate, respectively.     

蘑菇培养废料的土壤培肥增产效果研究

蘑菇培养后的废料做水稻基肥 1～4t/亩 ,可增加土壤有机质 ,有效磷和有效钾 ;提高水稻产量 .     

Water and temperature dynamics in a clay soil under winter wheat: influence on straw decomposition and N immobilization

Summary Winter wheat grown on a clay soil was subjected to one of four treatments. The control was not irrigated; the drought treatment had screens to divert rainwater; the irrigation and irrigation/fertilization treatments were irrigated using a drip-tube system with liquid fertilizer (200 kg N ha^-1 year^-1) applied daily in the irrigation/fertilization treatment according to predicted plant uptake. All other treatments also received 200 kg N, but as a single application of bag fertilizer. Soil temperature was monitored. Soil moisture was measured using gravimetric samplings and a capacitance method. Litter bags with barley straw were buried at 10 cm depth in the spring and sampled repeatedly during the growing season. Decomposition rates were calculated assuming exponential decay and that water-soluble components were immediately decomposed or leached from the litter bags. Rates were highly dependent on soil moisture, and the constants ranged from 0.11% day^-1 in the drought treatment to 0.55% day^-1 in the irrigation/fertilization treatment. A simulation model with driving variables based on Q ₁₀ temperature dependence and a log/linear relationship between soil water tension and activity was fitted to the data. The control and drought treatments showed high climate-corrected decomposition constants. The high values were attributed to low and erratic mass loss due to drought, and to low precision in the conversions from water content to tension in the dry range. The irrigated treatments showed good fits, and there was little or no difference in decomposition rates between the two irrigated treatments. The N dynamics of the straw differed considerably between treatments, and the ranking of plots in terms of net immobilization in the straw was control>irrigation/fertilization>irrigation>drought.     

Amorphous clay materials of towada ando soils

Towada Ando soils consisted of five soils—Towada-a (1,000 years old), Towada-b (2,000 years old), Chuseri (4,000 years old), Nanbu (8,600 years old), and Ninokura soils (10,000 years Amorphous clay materials of these soils taken at different localities were studied by the combined use of selective dissolution and differential infrared spectroscopy, X-ray analysis, electron microscopy, etc.

The main clay minerals of Towada-a soils, present-day soils, were montmorillonite-vermic-ulite chloritic intergrades and opaline silica, or these minerals and allophane in the humus horizons, and allophane in the non-humus ones. Towada-b soils overlain by the Towada-a soils showed the clay mineralogical constituents similar to those of Towada-a soils. However, allophane was one of the main clay minerals in all the humus horizons as well as non-humus ones. The main clay minerals of Chuseri soils were allophane and layer silicates consisting chiefly of chloritic intergrades and chlorite in the humus horizons, and allophane in the non-humus ones. Opaline silica was present in minor amounts in the humus horizons of Chuseri soils, but nearly absent in Nanbu and Ninokura soils.

There were remarkable differences in the clay mineralogical composition of Nanbu and Ninokura soils with differences of their environmental conditions. Allophane and imogolite Were dominant in the clay fractions of both humus and non-humus horizons of very shallowly buried Nanbu soil which was subjected to the strong leaching process. Allophane was the main clay mineral of deeply buried Nanbu and Ninokura soils which showed the absence of notable accumulation of bases and silica. On the contrary, halloysite with a small amount of siliceous amorphous material appeared in very deeply buried Nanbu and Ninokura soils where bases and silica were distinctly accumulated. The amounts of halloysite in the clay fractions were larger in the humus horizons than non-humus ones, and in Ninokura soil than Nanbu soil.

Soil age, soil organic matter, and depositional overburden of tephras were observed to be conspicuous among various factors relating to the weathering of amorphous clay materials in Towada Ando soils.