Zur Geschichte des Mineralnamens “Goethit”

The history of the mineral name Goethite (α-FeOOH) In 1806 the mining official J.H. Engels found in Eisenfeld near Siegen (Westphalia) two excellent pieces of a “ruby coloured iron mica”, already known as “Rubinglimmer”. He and his friend H.A. Achenbach, a parson, teacher and hobby mineralogist, proposed to J.G. Lenz, professor for mineralogy at Jena, to dedicate this mineral with the new name “Goethenit” to the famous poet J.W. von Goethe, who was also a great natural scientist. Lenz altered this name according to a proposal of F.W. Riemer, the secretary of Goethe, to “Goethit” and published it 1806 in his tables of minerals (printed as “Göthit”). However some years before the mineral was already described by J.C. Ullmann, professor for mining at Marburg, as “Pyrrhosiderit”. “Rubinglimmer” and the other mentioned names designated at that time the γ-form of FeOOH. In 1901 F.A. Lacroix reported, in order to avoid confusions, that the name “Goethit” was transferred to the α-form of FeOOH and that the γ-form had got the name “Lepidokrokit”.     

Communication of the results of the “Primary Production in the Sahel (PPS)” research project

The main conclusions of the Malian-Dutch “Primary Production in the Sahel (PPS)” research project, which was carried out during 1976–1981 (Penning de Vries and Djitèye, 1982), may be summarized as follows: (1) poor soil quality is just as great a barrier to rural development as water shortage; (2) animal production is high per unit area, compared with similar ecological zones in the U.S.A. and Australia; (3) attempts to increase production without due attention to the shortage of soil nutrients are bound to fail; (4) socio-economic conditions determine the feasibility of productive investments in agriculture in the Sahel. This article presents the PPS approach to publicizing these results and promoting a badly needed revision of development policy in the Sahel.     

Ertragssimulation mit “Ceres Wheat” an Grundwasserböden gemäßigter Klimazonen. Teil 2: Verifizierung des geänderten Modelles “Ceres Wheat”

Calibration of the simulation model “Ceres Wheat” under conditions of soils with shallow watertable and temperate climate. Part 2: Verification of the modified model “Ceres Wheat” The Ceres Wheat yield model has been adopted to soils under wet conditions and to humide climate. The basic assumptions of the modified model have been checked. The simulated results of the soil water balance, the plant development and the nitrate losses by drain discharge give fairly well agreements to field data from a Calcaric Fluvisol (Speicherkoog, Schleswig-Holstein). The modification improves the model and leads to the opportunity to simulate special aspects in agronomical and ecological advices.     

Beziehungen zwischen “verfügbarem” Bodenphosphat und den Phosphatblattgehalten von Tectona grandis (Teak) in Westafrika

Relationships between “available” soil phosphorus and foliar phosphorus content of Tectona grandis (teak) in West-Africa Significant relationships were analysed between the foliar phosphorus content of Tectona grandis L. and the topsoil phosphorus contents on a broad range of soils in West African plantations of Tectona grandis L. (teak), except for soils very poor in clay or organic matter (< 15% T or < 1% C). Of all methods used (P-H₂O, P-Mehlich, P-CAL, P-Bray-1, P-Soltanpour, P-Dabin, P-Resin, P-H₂SO₄, P-550, P-org) the fraction of soil P (P-550) dissolved in 1 n H₂SO₄ after dry ashing at 550 °C (r = 0.548^***, n = 63) and the method of Bray-1 (r = 0.505^***, n = 63) show the best results. The first reflects 80-90% of the organic P content and is recommended for the evaluation of the phosphorus supply. Using multiple correlation analysis we found a highly significant relationship (R = 0.794^***, R² = 0.63, n = 58) between foliar P as depending variable and P-Bray (positive), the soil sand content (negative) as well as soil pH (positive). A sufficient phosphorus supply of teak foliage (0.2% P) occured at soil levels of 300-320 kg P per ha and 15 cm (or more than 150 mg P/kg in topsoils free of stones (P-550)) in the studied area between Benin and Liberia.     

Quartärgeomorphologische untersuchungen im Nordteil der “Tunesischen dorsale”

Seven Quaternary profiles from the Mediterranean region of northern Tunisia are described and their geomorphological significance assessed. Fifteen radiocarbon datings permit the field observations to be arranged in a chronosequence.The results indicate that the Late Pleistocene period witnessed the production and displacement of coarse debris, a process extending down to low altitudes. Until now, however, the only evidence for this has been found in the vicinity of steep slopes or rock walls. The coarse sediments partly overlie slope deposits derived from reddish soils; to some extent they contain fine reddish pedogenic material, and in part they are covered by it.In the Holocene, the displacement of fine alluvial sediments alternated several times with the formation of humic horizons. Anthropogenic influences on landscape evolution must be admitted as a possibility as from at least three thousand years ago.The aeolian sands of the Late Pleistocene and Middle Holocene are correlated with regressions of high sea levels.     

Characterization of a Unique “Super Soft” Kernel Trait in Wheat

Kernel texture in wheat (Triticum sp.) is central to end‐use quality and utilization. Here we report the discovery of a novel soft kernel trait in soft white winter wheat (T. aestivum L.). Two heritable kernel phenotypes were selected among F₃‐derived sibs, hereafter designated “normal soft” (wild‐type) and “super soft.” Normal soft lines exhibited single kernel characterization system (SKCS) hardness index (HI) values typical of soft wheat (HI ≈ 20), whereas the super soft lines were unusually soft (HI ≈ 5). Under some environments, individual super soft lines exhibited HI values as low as HI = –4. The super soft trait was manifested in reduced SKCS kernel texture and higher break flour yields, with some increase in sodium carbonate SRC (solvent retention capacity) values and sponge cake volumes. Straight‐grade flour yield, flour ash, milling score, and cookie diameter were largely unaffected. With the possible exception of the sodium carbonate SRC values, we observed no indication that the super soft trait conferred any negative aspects to commercial soft wheat quality. As such, the super soft trait may provide wheat breeders with new opportunities to modify the end‐use quality of wheat.     

Definition of the “Purity Protocol” for Producing Gluten‐Free Oats

Several oat processors in the United States and Canada operate under what is referred to as a Purity Protocol for the provision of gluten‐free oats. This term is derived from a Health Canada position statement that indicated that pure oats, which they defined as oats that are harvested, transported, stored, processed, and manufactured under good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to minimize the presence of gluten, can safely be consumed by some persons with celiac disease. While proprietary definitions of the appropriate GMPs have been used in industry for many years, no independent definition of the requirements to make a Purity Protocol claim has been published. This paper provides a consensus definition of the Purity Protocol requirements based on input from the four largest Purity Protocol oat processors in North America. This definition provides transparency to gluten‐free consumers and allows for auditing of a Purity Protocol claim.     

Submicroscopic characterisation of phosphatic and sesquioxidic nodules of some soils of the “Chaco deprimido” (Argentina): Preliminary results

In this paper two examples are presented of the investigation by submicroscopic techniques, of particular problems in the characterisation and analysis of various pedological features in soils of the “Chaco Deprimido”.

The first concerns nodules seen in an alluvial soil. The techniques established their phosphatic composition and identified them as small bone fragments which are undergoing alteration.

The second relates to study of sesquioxidic nodules and cutans in solodised soils and planosols, and shows them to have a dominantly manganiferous composition; this result enables one to make certain interpretations concerning the physicochemical conditions essential for the formation of such pedological features.     

The role of “effective microorganisms” in the composting of banana (Musa ssp.) residues

“Effective microorganisms” (EM) are a poorly defined mixture of supposedly beneficial microorganisms that are claimed to enhance microbial turnover in compost and soil. In Costa Rica, EM are used to produce organic compost (bokashi) from banana residues (Musa ssp.). Given the scarcity of scientific data about the effects of EM on the mineralization of plant residues, this study aimed at investigating the effects of EM addition on the decomposition of banana residues during Bokashi production. To this end, the following non‐EM treatments were compared to EM Bokashi: Bokashi produced with water (W), with molasses (M) as an EM additive, and with sterilized EM (EMst). Subsequently, the effects of the resulting Bokashi treatments on the growth of young banana plants were evaluated. Compared with non‐EM controls, the effect of EM on the mineralization of banana material was negligible. Dry‐matter losses of the composts with different EM treatments were similar, with about 78% over 5 weeks. Ergosterol concentration was highest in EM Bokashi (77 µg (g dry soil)^–1) and lowest in EMst Bokashi (29 µg (g dry soil)^–1). Microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and microbial biomass nitrogen (N_mic) were both lowest in EM (C_mic = 3121 µg g^–1; N_mic = 449 µg g^–1), while C_mic was highest in Bokashi produced with molasses (3892 µg g^–1) and N_mic was highest in EMst (615 µg g^–1). Treatment effects on adenylate concentrations and adenylate energy charge were negligible. Application of all Bokashi variants to young banana plants significantly increased shoot growth under greenhouse conditions compared to plants grown in a control soil without amendments. However, these effects were similar for all Bokashi treatments, even if EM Bokashi increased the K concentrations in banana leaves significantly compared to Bokashi produced with EMst and the control. Bokashi produced with only molasses and EM Bokashi decreased the number of root nematodes under greenhouse conditions compared to the control. Overall, the results confirmed the expected influence of composting on the degradation of organic material and the effect of compost application on plant growth. Hower, under the conditions of this study, EM showed no special effects in this, except for increasing the K concentrations in the leaves of young banana plants.     

Bioaccumulation of mineral elements in grapevine varieties cultivated in “La Mancha”

The capacity of a plant to take up chemical elements is measured as the ratio of the element concentration in the plant and its concentration in the soil. This ratio is called the bioaccumulation index (BAC). The choice of rootstock and variety can differentially affect nutrient uptake of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Generally, only slight differences can be observed in the accumulation of N, P, and Zn. In contrast, wide variations are found in the absorption of K, Ca, Mg, and Cl. While studies on plant nutrients and major elements have been carried out in vineyards, very few references concern the trace‐element concentrations in leaves. In the study described here, five varieties (Airén, Cencibel, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay) grown on a Calcisol Petric or Typic Calcixerept (typical of La Mancha) were compared in terms of leaf trace‐element concentrations. A total of three samples (20 healthy and completely developed leaves from the middle part of the shoot) were collected from three different plants of the same variety. Leaves were dried, milled, and x‐ray fluorescence analysis was performed. It was found that the variety of grapevine influences the uptake of four of the major elements: Al (low in Garnacha, [0.4 ± 0.2] g kg^–1), Ca (high in Cencibel, [32.6 ± 8.1] g kg^–1), P (low in Airén, [0.9 ± 0.4] g kg^–1) and K, which showed significant differences in almost all of the varieties (from [4.7 ± 1.8] g kg^–1 in Cencibel to [8.0 ± 10.1] g kg^–1 in Chardonnay). No statistically significant varietal differences were found for trace elements. The only exception was La, which was present at higher levels in the variety Cencibel ([7.5 ± 0.3] mg kg^–1). This finding allows to assess the geochemical fingerprinting of calcareous soils regardless of the grapevine variety studied.     

Determination of “normal” levels and upper limit values of trace elements in soils

To determine “normal” levels of trace elements in soils, soil samples taken all over Belgium were analysed. The selection of the sampling places was based on the geological substrata, from which the soils originate and on the texture class to which they belong. The elements As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, V and Zn were determined using an extraction method with strong acids. The found concentrations were called “total acid extraction concentrations”, although this extraction does not extract all the elements which are incorporated into the minerals. This has been done, however, by arc emission spectrography which was applied to determine the elements Ag, B, Co, Cr, Ga, Mo, Ni, Sn, Sr and V. The greatest difference between the “overall total” concentrations and the “total extractable concentrations” were found for chromium. Based on the obtained results, an upper limit for normal levels of trace elements was fixed. For Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb and Sb, this upper limit value is almost the same for all the investigated soils irrelevant of their texture. The same conclusion could not be made for the other elements. For these elements, the soil texture and also the geological parent material, on which the soil was formed, have an influence on the upper limit value.     

Accumulation soils like “Ockererde”—forgotten soil units in soil‐classification systems

Accumulation soils like those known as “Ockererde” are not yet represented in the German and in international soil‐classification systems, even though they represent important members of catenas found in humid low‐mountain areas influenced by the translocation of interpedon matter. Currently, this soil is referred to as “(Hang‐)Oxigley”, though this does not take into account its water and matter dynamics. Six representative catenas in the Black Forest (SW Germany) will be used to describe the occurrence, extent, and properties of the accumulation‐affected “Ockererde” derived from a variety of parent materials at specific altitudes. On the basis of their morphological, chemical, and physical properties as well as matter dynamics, it is possible to distinguish “Ockererde” clearly from soil units with similar characteristics (“Lockerbraunerde”, Andosols). Finally, suggestions will be given for the classification of “Ockererde”.     

“Preferential flow”: Eine Übersicht über den heutigen Kenntnisstand

Preferential flow: A review of current knowledge Despite intensive research neither suitable methods of measurement, nor complete theoretical statements give an adequate account of preferential flow due to the exceptional complexity and variability of the soil system. In particular it is not possible to make predictions of preferential flow for a given soil due to observations and measurements. In this work we describe theoretical and technical problems of preferential flow and initiate ideas for future work in this field.