悬着水位对铝硅酸盐的稳定性及土壤发生的影响

The mineral stability and solute activities of soil solution extracted from selected horizons of seven studied pedons of Alfisols in Kentucky, USA, and the relationship between distribution of iron-manganese concretions and the restrictive layers were investigated. The results showed that the genesis and development of these soils and mineral weathering trends were strongly influenced by the depth of bedrock and the presence of perched water tables at lithic (limestone) interfaces due to the dissolution and buffering effect of limestone bedrock. The extractable Mg/Ca ratio as depth function and soil depth above bedrock could be used as indices of weathering and degree of soil development. Maximum iron-manganese concretion accumulation was found to occur in the horizon overlying clay horizon (>40% clay) with a sharp increase in clay content (>10%), which suggested that zones of Fe-Mn concretion accumulation in soils of the Inner Bluegrass Region appeared to be a sensitive genetic indicator of argillic horizons with restrictive permeability.     

Alberta油砂地区在两种水文流域森林土壤酸化敏感性研究

Input of large amounts of N and S compounds into forest ecosystems through atmospheric deposition is a significant risk for soil acidification in the oil sands region of Alberta. We evaluated the sensitivity of forest soils to acidification in two watersheds （Lake 287 and Lake 185） with contrasting hydrological regimes as a part of a larger project assessing the role of N and S cycling in soil acidification in forest ecosystems. Fifty six forest soil samples were collected from the two watersheds by horizon from 10 monitoring plots dominated by either jack pine （Pinus banksiana） or aspen （Populus tremuloides）. Soils in the two watersheds were extremely to moderately acidic with pH （CaCl2） ranging from 2.83 to 4.91. Soil acid-base chemistry variables such as pH, base saturation, Al saturation, and acid-buffering capacity measured using the acetic acid equilibrium procedure indicated that soils in Lake 287 were more acidified than those in Lake 185. Acid-buffering capacity decreased in the order of forest floor 〉 subsurface mineral soil 〉 surface mineral soil. The most dramatic differences in percent Ca and Al saturations between the two watersheds were found in the surface mineral soil horizon. Percent Ca and Al saturation in the surface mineral soil in Lake 287 were 15% and 70%, respectively; the percent Ca saturation value fell within a critical range proposed in the literature that indicates soil acidification. Our results suggest that the soils in the two watersheds have low acid buffering capacity and would be sensitive to increased acidic deposition in the region.     

基于1:50 000土壤数据库并结合PKB方法估算中国浙江省土壤有机碳储量的研究

Soil organic carbon(SOC) is an important component of farming systems and global carbon cycle. Accurately estimating SOC stock is of great importance for assessing soil productivity and modeling global climate change. A newly built 1:50 000 soil database of Zhejiang Province containing 2 154 geo-referenced soil profiles and a pedological professional knowledge-based(PKB) method were used to estimate SOC stock up to a depth of 100 cm for the Province. The spatial patterns of SOC stocks stratified by soil types,watershed(buffer analysis), topographical factors, and land use types were identified. Results showed that the soils in Zhejiang covered an area of 100 740 km2 with a total SOC stock of 831.49 × 106 t and a mean SOC density of 8.25 kg m-2, excluding water and urban areas. In terms of soil types, red soils had the highest SOC stock(259.10 × 106t), whereas mountain meadow soils contained the lowest(0.15 × 106t). In terms of SOC densities, the lowest value(5.11 kg m-2) was found in skel soils, whereas the highest value(45.30 kg m-2) was observed in mountain meadow soils. Yellow soils, as a dominant soil group, determined the SOC densities of different buffer zones in Qiantang River watershed because of their large area percentage and wide variation of SOC density values.The area percentages of various soil groups significantly varied with increasing elevation or slope when overlaid with digital elevation model data, thus influencing the SOC densities. The highest SOC density was observed under grassland, whereas the lowest SOC density was identified under unutilized land. The map of SOC density(0–100 cm depth) and the spatial patterns of SOC stocks in the Province would be helpful for relevant agencies and communities in Zhejiang Province, China.     

三叶草对污染土壤中芘的去除研究

Phytoremediation has been used as an emerging technology for remediation of soil contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ubiquitous persistent environmental pollutants derived from natural and anthropogenic processes, in the last decade. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the potential of phytoremediation of pyrene from spiked soils planted with white clover (Trifolium repens) in the greenhouse with a series of pyrene concentrations ranging from 4.22 to 365.38 mg kg^-1. The results showed that growth of white clover on pyrenecontaminated soils was not affected. The removal of pyrene from the spiked soils planted with white clover was obviously higher than that from the unplanted soils. At the end of the experiment (60 d), the average removal ratio of pyrene in the spiked soils with white clover was 77%, which was 31% and 57% higher than those of the controls with or without micobes, respectively. Both roots and shoots of white clover took up pyrene from the spiked soils and pyrene uptake increased with the soil pyrene concentration. However, the plant-enhanced dissipation of soil pyrene may be the result of plant-promoted microbial degradation and direct uptake and accumulation of pyrene by white clover were only a small part of the pyrene dissipation. Bioconcentration factors of pyrene (BCFs, ratio of pyrene, on a dry weight basis, in the plant to that in the soil) tended to decrease with increase in the residual soil pyrene concentration. Therefore, removal of pyrene in the contaminated soils was feasible using white clove.     

不同土地利用方式下上壤微生物群落水平生理图谱(CLP)与土壤碳、氮有效性之间的相互关系（英文）

The goal of this work was to assess soil microbial respiration,determined by the assay of community-level physiological profiling in an oxygen-sensitive microplate(O2-CLPP),in response to endogenous C and several individual C substrates in the soils with different organic C contents(as a function of soil type and management practice).We also used the O2-CLPP to determine the respiratory response of these soils to endogenous C and amended C substrates with N addition.A respiratory quotient(RQ) was calculated based on the ratio of the response to endogenous soil C vs.each C-only substrate,and was related to total organic carbon(TOC).For assessing N availability for microbial activity,the effect of N supplementation on soil respiration,expressed as N_(ratio),was calculated based on the response of several substrates to N addition relative to the response without N.Soils clustered in 4 groups after a principal component analysis(PCA),based on TOC and their respiratory responses to substrates and endogenous C.These groups reflected differences among soils in their geographic origin,land use and C content.Calculated RQ values were significantly lower in natural forest soils than in managed soils for most C-only substrates.TOC was negatively correlated with RQ(r = —0.65),indicating that the soils with higher organic matter content increased respiratory efficiency.The N addition in the assay in the absence of C amendment(i.e.,only endogenous soil C present) had no effect on microbial respiration in any soil,indicating that these soils were not intrinsically N-limited,but substrate-dependent variation in N_(ratio) within soil groups was observed.     

人为土中纳米颗粒的发生、结构和矿物相

Soils contain various kinds of crystalline to amorphous solid particles with at least one dimension in the nanoscale (<100nm). These nanoparticles contribute greatly to dynamic soil processes such as soil genesis, trace element cycling, contaminant transport, and chemical reaction. The nano-sized fraction of an Anthrosol was obtained to determine the occurrence, chemical composition, structure, and mineral phases of nanoparticles using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Selected area electron diffraction or the fast Fourier transform of high-resolution images was used in structural characterization of the nanoparticles with HRTEM. Two nanoscale mineral types, i.e., mineral nanoparticles and nanominerals, were observed in the Anthrosol. Mineral nanoparticles in soil included well crystalline aluminumsilicate nanosheets, nanorods, and nanoparticles. Nanosheets with a length of 120-150 nm and a width of about 10-20 nm were identified as chlorite/vermiculite series. The presence of clear lattice fringe spacing in HRTEM image of nanoparticles indicated that mineral nanoparticles had a relatively good crystallinity. The nanomineral ferrihydrite also existed in the Anthrosol. The HRTEM images and the particle size distribution histogram suggested that these ferrihydrite nanoparticles were quite homogeneous, and had a narrow size distribution range (1-7 nm) with a mean diameter of 3.6±1.6 nm. Our HRTEM observation indicated that mineral nanoparticles and nanominerals were common and widely distributed in Anthrosols. HRTEM and selected area diffraction or lattice fringe spacing characterization provided further proofs to the structure of nanoparticles formed in soil.energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), ferrihydrite, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), nanominerals, nano-sized fraction     

Dynamic Relationship Between Biologically Active Soil Organic Carbon and Aggregate Stability in Long-Term Organically Fertilized Soils

Biologically active soil organic carbon (BASOC) is an important fraction of soil organic carbon (SOC), but our understanding of the correlation between BASOC and soil aggregate stability is limited. At an ecological experimental station (28°04 -28°37 N, 116° 41 -117° 09 E) in Yujiang County, Jiangxi Province, China, we analyzed the dynamic relationship between soil aggregate stability and BASOC content over time in the red soil (Udic Ferrosols) fertilized with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium chemical fertilizer (NPK) without manure or with NPK plus livestock manure or green manure. The dynamics of BASOC was evaluated using CO2 effux, and soil aggregates were separated according to size using a wet-sieving technique. The soils fertilized with NPK plus livestock manure had a significantly higher content of BASOC and an improved aggregate stability compared to the soils fertilized with NPK plus green manure or NPK alone. The BASOC contents in all fertilized soils decreased over time. The contents of large aggregates (800-2000 μm) dramatically decreased over the first 7 d of incubation, but the contents of small aggregates (< 800 μm) either remained the same or increased, depending on the incubation time and specific aggregate sizes. The aggregate stability did not differ significantly at the beginning and end of incubation, but the lowest stability in all fertilized soils occurred in the middle of the incubation, which implied that the soils had a strong resilience for aggregate stability. The change in BASOC content was only correlated with aggregate stability during the first 27 d of incubation.     

生物炭碳固定于稳定性土壤团聚体中：土壤黏土矿物及其它土壤性质的作用

Aggregation and structure play key roles in water-holding capacity and stability of soils.In this study,the incorporation of carbon(C) from switchgrass biochar into stable aggregate size fractions was assessed in an Aridisol(from Colorado,USA) dominated by 2:1 clays and an Alfisol(from Virginia,USA) containing weathered mixed 1:1 and 2:1 mineralogy,to evaluate the effect of biochar addition on soil characteristics.The biochar was applied at 4 levels,0,25,50,and 100 g kg~(-1),to the soils grown with wheat in a growth chamber experiment.The changes in soil strength and water-holding capacity using water release curves were measured.In the Colorado soil,the proportion of soil occurring in large aggregates decreased,with concomitant increases in small size fractions.No changes in aggregate size fractions occurred in the Virginia soil.In the Colorado soil,C content increased from 3.3 to 16.8 g kg~(-1),whereas in the53 μm fraction C content increased from 5.7 to 22.6 g kg~(-1) with 100 g kg~(-1)biochar addition.In the Virginia soil,C content within aggregate size fractions increased for each size fraction,except the2 000 μm fraction.The greatest increase(from 6.2 to 22.0 g kg~(-1)) occurred in the 53–250 μm fraction.The results indicated that C was incorporated into larger aggregates in the Virginia soil,but remained largely unassociated to soil particles in the Colorado soil.Biochar addition had no significant effect on water-holding capacity or strength measurements.Adding biochar to more weathered soils with high native soil organic content may result in greater stabilization of incorporated C and result in less loss because of erosion and transport,compared with the soils dominated by 2:1 clays and low native soil organic content.     

中国土壤分类法中铁铝土的分类

The development of the classification of ferrallitic soils in China is reviewed and the classification of Ferralisols and Ferrisols in Chinese Soil Taxonomy is introduced in order to discuss the correlation between the ferrallitic soil classification in the Chinese Soil Taxonomy and those of the other soil classification systems. In the former soil classification systems of China, the ferrallitic soils were classified into the soil groups of Latosols, Latosolic red soils, Red soils, Yellow soils and Dry red soils, according to the combination of soil-forming conditions, soil-forming processes, soil features and soil properties. In the Chinese Soil Taxonomy, most of ferrallitic soils are classified into the soil orders of Ferralisols and Ferrisols based on the diagnostic horizons and/or diagnostic characteristics with quantitatively defined properties. Ferralisols are the soils that have ferralic horizon, and they are merely subdivided into one suborder and two soil groups. Ferrisols are the soils that have LAC-ferric horizon but do not have ferralic horizon, and they are subdivided into three suborders and eleven soil groups. Ferralisols may correspond to part of Latosols and Latosolic red soils. Ferrisols may either correspond to part of Red soils, Yellow soils and Dry red soils, or correspond to part of Latosols and Latosolic red soils.     

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on the Activities of Soil Enzymes Involved in Carbon and Nutrient Cycling

Soils are continuously exposed to large amounts of engineered nanoparticles, especially silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which can affect the activity, stability, and specificity of microbial enzymes. Therefore, the measurement of specific enzyme activity can be used to identify major changes in soil environments. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AgNPs on soil enzymes that play critical roles in mineralizing carbon and nutrients in soil. Soil samples (silt loam and sandy loam) were collected from the surface layer (0–15 cm) of a field at the George Washington Carver Farm, Lincoln University of Missouri, USA. The soils were then treated with AgNP solutions at 0, 1 600, or 3 200 μg Ag kg~(-1) dry soil, using either 10- or 50-nm AgNPs and a randomized complete block design, with three replicates per treatment. The AgNP-treated soil samples were homogenized and incubated for one month, and soil acid phosphatase, β-glucosaminidase, β-glucosidase, and arylsulfatase activities were measured after one hour, one week, and one month of incubation. The activities of all four enzymes were reduced by AgNP treatment after one hour and one week.However, AgNP size had no effect. After one month of incubation, the AgNP treatments had mixed effects, which suggests that soil enzymes are only affected on a short-term basis. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms by which AgNPs reduce soil enzyme activity.     

中国土壤系统分类中盐成土及其相关土壤诊断标准的修订建议

对土壤进行科学分类是土壤资源开发和利用的基础,也是土壤调查制图的基础,在农业生产、土地利用的决策和管理中发挥着重要作用,标志着土壤科学的发展水平.目前国际上土壤分类主要有《美国土壤系统分类》(以下简称《ST》)[1]和《世界土壤资源参比基础》(以下简称《WRB》)[2],我国从1984年开始的中国土壤系统分类研究,也已形成了具有中国特色的《中国土壤系统分类》(以下简称《CST》)[3]成果.这三个分类体系都是以定量化的诊断层和诊断特性为基础的多阶层土壤分类体系.     

发生分类淋溶土与系统分类参比特征研究

利用最新建立的中国 1∶10 0万土壤数据库 ,研究了我国发生分类淋溶土与中国土壤系统分类的参比及其在中国土壤系统分类下的空间分布和数量特征。结果表明 ,我国发生分类淋溶土总面积为10 5 975 7.8km2 ,分布规律明显 ;与系统分类参比 ,发生分类淋溶土分属于中国土壤系统分类 4个土纲 ,即淋溶土、雏形土、新成土和灰土 ,它们分别占发生分类淋溶土总面积的 72 .8%、2 6 .1%、1.0 %、0 .1% ,其中包含系统分类的 2 5个土类和 4 7个亚类 ,参比关系复杂 ,不是简单的一对一的关系。分析发生分类某一类型土壤分属于系统分类不同类型的面积比例及其标准偏差 ,结果表明土壤参比的单元级别越低 ,越易于参比和把握。为了使中国土壤系统分类更实用、更易于普及 ,深入开展土壤基层分类研究 ,进一步发展和完善中国土壤系统分类是必要的 ,也是十分迫切的。研究结果对于土壤类型的正确参比、中国土壤系统分类的应用与发展 ,具有很好的参考应用价值     

The study on method to draw large-scale soil map in diluvial soil area in Hokkaido, using digital elevation data for a 10 m grid

(pp. 59–66)
In order to understand the detailed soil distribution of a terrace with a diluvial deposit, the method to draw a large-scale soil map was studied in Urausu Town of Sorachi district by combinig soil survey and digital elevation data for a 10 m grid.
The results are summarized as follows:

• 1) 

  From a soil survey, soils in the research area were classified into 3 soil series groups according to Classification of Cultivated Soils in Japan, Third Approximation, which were Skeletal Terrace Brown Forest Soils, Fine-textured Aquic Brown Forest Soils and Fine-textured Haplic Gray Upland Soils. In addition, Fine-textured Haplic Gray Upland Soils · were classified into 2 categories based on the abundance of gravel in the subsoil.

       
  
  

Survey of molybdenum fertility status in Maryland coastal plain soils for tobacco production

Abstract

Coastal Plain soils in southern Maryland are typically acid (pH = 5.0±0.5) with low organic matter (1.2±0.5%), clay (2.8 to 9.8%), CEC (2.4 to 6.8 meq 100/g), and total Fe contents (4.5 to 34.9 g/kg). The objectives of this investigation were to assess the status of plant available molybdenum (Mo) in these soils by examining the extractable Mo levels in Ap horizon soil samples and tissue Mo contents in cured tobacco collected across a five‐county region. Seventy soil samples representing 11 soil series and 198 composite samples of tobacco served as the basis for the surveys. Plant available Mo in soil, estimated using a solution containing 0.18M ammonium oxalate and 0.1M oxalic acid as the extractant, ranged from 0.02 to 0.53 (ig/g and averaged 0.08 μg/g Mo. Three of the 11 soil series examined and 30% of the total soil samples exhibited extractable Mo levels ≤ 0.03 μg/g therefore may have less than adequate available Mo for tobacco. Cured leaf Mo contents ranged from non‐detectable to 7.95 μg/g and averaged 0.84±0.95 μg/g Mo. Approximately 15% of the leaf samples contained ≤ 0.2 μ/g Mo which approaches borderline deficiency for Mo with 12.2% having Mo contents within the range 0.2 to 0.4 ng/g where growth responses were reported in burley tobacco. The causes for the approximate one fourth of the plant samples having less than optimum Mo concentrations for maximum productivity for tobacco can likely be attributed to: 1) acid soils associated with inadequate liming programs; 2) very low extractable Mo levels in several soil series; and 3) excess input of SO₄ ^‐2 in fertilizers and acid rainfall in the region which have been shown to inhibit MoO₄ ^‐2 ion uptake by tobacco plants.     

Colluvisols under cultivation in Schleswig-Holstein. 2. Carbon distribution and soil organic matter composition

Soils under intensive cultivation have altered due to water erosion. This study was conducted to determine whether soil organic matter (SOM) composition of the colluvial source (Ap horizons) differs from the colluvial sink (M horizons). The SOM of a sandy Catena with erodic Cambisols and colluvic soils (Colluvisols) in Schleswig-Holstein, Northwest Germany, was investigated. A wet chemical analysis was combined with CPMAS ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. In one case a significant correlation between the SOM composition of the Ap horizon of the erodic Cambisol and the M horizon of the Colluvisol was high (r² = 0.904^-), whereas the correlation for the other set was much weaker (r² = 0.640*). Two possible paths of pedogenesis are discussed. About 70% of the SOM of the colluvial source is decomposed during translocation or after deposition. A selective preservation or new formation of humins in the M material is probable. These humins contain, obviously, large amounts of polysaccharides, which were not detected by the wet chemical analysis. Further investigations of colluvic and erodic soils are necessary in order to specify the SOM quality and its possible modification due to soil translocation and accumulation.     

Lateral flow in loamy to sandy Kandiudults of the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia (USA)

Interest in site-specific agronomic management in intensively cropped regions necessitates characterization of subsurface water movement for efficient water management (irrigation timing) and control of off-site agrichemical movement. Soils formed in fluvial sediments in portions of the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia (USA) are extensively used for peanut, cotton, and corn production. Certain proximate soils in this region possess contrasting subsoil properties, and it was hypothesized that these differences would have major effects on water redistribution across the landscape. This could be important in irrigation management, where soils possessing increased impedance to vertical flow could require decreased irrigation as opposed to soils without vertical flow restrictions. At a site near Plains, GA. (USA), hydraulic properties of soils with differences in overlying sand thickness and contrasting argillic horizon textures (sandy vs. loamy) were evaluated. The soils were predominantly in loamy and sandy families of Typic, Arenic, and Grossarenic Kandiudults. Laboratory measurements, field monitoring of matric potentials under simulated and natural rainfall, and modeling (VS2DT) were utilized to evaluate soil hydraulic properties. Reduction in vertical K_s occurred in horizons containing higher clay (argillic horizon). Changes in tension and build ups in hydraulic gradients associated with infiltration and redistribution events existed above and within horizons with low K_s. Evidence suggested there was less groundwater recharge occurring in the loamy than in the sandy pedons, suggesting more pronounced lateral flow occurred in the loamier soils. Model simulations of water movement across a slightly sloping (1%) simulated landscape indicated lateral gradients of flow existed within the solum of these soils. Analyses of tracer (Br) movement suggested a very slight lateral redistribution occurred within a relatively short monitoring period within the sandy pedon's Bt1 horizon, and the Bt2 and Bt3 horizons of the loamy pedon. Evidence suggested both loamy and sandy argillic horizons slightly, but not overwhelmingly, induced lateral flow on these landscapes.     

Soils with complex organic profiles on the Vasyugan Plain

Soils with intricate patterns of their humus profiles developing in the neutral-calcium landscapes of the southern taiga of Western Siberia under highly dynamic paleogeographic, climatic, and weather conditions are characterized. The specific features of these soils comprise the diverse modern humus horizons along with the relic ones of different preservation rates, shallow leaching of carbonates, and a weak development of the middle-profile soil horizons. Specifying these organo-accumulative soils is substantiated by their high humus content against the geochemical background of the clayey calcareous parent rocks. The conjugated series of soils reflect different stages of the soil evolution (the humus profile degradation, the development of eluvial process, and the increase of contrasts in the acid-base conditions) and the hydromorphic transformation accompanied by the formation of organic horizons making the humus profile more complicated. In accordance with the diagnostic horizons, the position of the soils studied was determined in the Classification and Diagnostics of Soils of Russia. The relic enrichment of the humus horizon is proposed to be used as a specific feature of these soils.     

The Effect of Fire on Mercury Cycling in the Soils of Forested Watersheds: Acadia National Park,Maine, U.S.A.

This study compares mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) distribution in the soils of two forested stream watersheds at Acadia National Park, Maine, U.S.A. Cadillac Brook watershed, which burned in 1947, has thin soils and predominantly deciduous vegetation. It was compared to the unburned Hadlock Brook watershed, with thicker soil and predominantly coniferous vegetation. Soils in both watersheds were primarily well drained. The fire had a significant impact on the Cadillac watershed, by raising the soil pH, altering the vegetation, and reducing carbon and Hg pools. Total Hg content was significantly higher (P > 0.05) in Hadlock soils (0.18 kg Hg ha^-1) compared to Cadillac soils (0.13 kg Hg ha^-1). Hadlock O horizon had an average Hg concentration of 134±48 ng Hg g^-1 dry weight, compared to 103±23 ng Hg g^-1 dry weight in Cadillac O horizon. Soil pH was significantly higher in all soil horizons at Cadillac compared to Hadlock soils. This difference was especially significant in the O horizon, where Cadillac soils had an average pH of 3.41±0.22 compared to Hadlock soils with an average pH of 2.99±0.13.To study the mobilization potential of Hg in the O horizons of the two watersheds, batch adsorption experiments were conducted, and the results were modeled using surface complexation modeling. The results of Hg adsorption experiments indicated that the dissolved Hg concentration was controlled by the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. The adsorption isotherms suggest that Hg is more mobile in the O horizon of the unburned Hadlock watershed because of higher solubility of organic carbon resulting in higher DOC concentrations in that watershed.Methylmercury concentrations, however, were consistently higher in the burned Cadillac O horizon (0.20±0.13 ng Hg g^-1 dry weight) than in the unburned Hadlock O horizon (0.07±0.07 ng Hg g^-1 dry weight). Similarly, Cadillac soils possessed a higher MeHg content (0.30 g MeHg ha^-1) than Hadlock soils (0.16 g MeHg ha^-1). The higher MeHg concentrations in Cadillac soils may reflect generally faster rates of microbial metabolism due to more rapid nutrient cycling and higher soil pH in the deciduous forest. In this research, we have shown that the amount of MeHg is not a function of the total pool of Hg in the watershed. Indeed, MeHg was inversely proportional to total Hg, suggesting that landscape factors such as soil pH, vegetation type, or land use history (e.g., fire) may be the determining factors for susceptibility to high Hg in biota.     

Classifying soils at the ultimate stage of weathering in the tropics

Oxisols cover ≈ 23% of the land surface in the tropics and are utilized extensively for agricultural purposes in the tropical countries. Under the variable input types of agricultural systems practiced locally, some of these soils still appear to have problems in terms of proper soil classification and subsequently hinder attempts to implement sustainable agro‐management protocols. The definition for Oxisols in Soil Survey Staff (1999) indicates that additional input is still required to refine the definition in order to resolve some of the outstanding classification problems. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the properties of some Oxisols and closely related soils in order to evaluate the classification of these soils. Soils from Brazil, several countries in Africa, and Malaysia were used in this study. Field observations provided the first indication that some of the presently classified kandi‐Alfisols and kandi‐Ultisols were closer to Oxisols in terms of their properties. Water‐retention differences and apparent CEC of the subsurface horizons also supported this idea. The types of extractable Fe oxides and external specific surface areas of the clay fractions showed that many kandic horizons have surface properties that are similar to the oxic horizons. Micromorphology indicated that the genetic transition from the argillic to the oxic involves a diminishing expression of the argillic. Properties, such as CEC, become dominant. The kandic horizon is therefore inferred as a transition to the oxic horizon. It is proposed that the Oxisols be keyed out based only on the presence of an oxic horizon and an iso–soil temperature regime. The presence of a kandic horizon will be reflected at lower levels in Oxisols. The Oxisols will now be exclusive to the intertropical belt with an iso–soil temperature regime. The geographic extend of the Oxisols would increase and that of kandi‐Alfisols and Ultisols would decrease. A few kandi‐Alfisols and Ultisols in the intertropical area will have low CEC which would fail the weatherable mineral contents. The kandic subgroups of some Alfisols and Ultisols will be transitional between the low (< 16 cmol_c [kg clay]^–1)‐ and high (> 24 cmol_c [kg clay]^–1)‐activity clay soils. The proposed changes to classification will contribute to a better differentiation of the landscape units in the field. Testing of the proposed classification on some Malaysian soils showed that the new definition for Oxisols provides a better basis for the classification of the local soils and the development of meaningful soil‐management groups for plantations.     

Micro flora related to the nitrogen cycle in the tropical upland farm soils

Samples of upland-farm surface soils (0–10 em in depth) belonging to various great soil groups were collected in 28 upland sites in Thailand during the rainy season.

Among the microbes related to the transformation of nitrogen, namely ammonifiers, ammonia oxidizers, nitrite oxidizers and denitrifiers, the count of denitrifier showed the maximum value amounting to 10⁴ to 10⁵ per 1 g of dry soil, followed byammonifier. The population level of nitrogen-fixing blue green algae was unexpectedly high, being 10³ to 10¹

The microbial counts in Brown Forest Soils, Rendzinas and Grumusols with high content of organic matter, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium tended to be high.

Non-calcic Brown Soils, Reddish Brown Lateritic Soils, Alluvial Soils, Red-Yellow Podzolic Soils and Gray Podzolic Soils which lack in some nutrients showed intermediate levels of microbial populations, while the counts of nitrogen-fixing blue green algae in Alluvial Soils and those of denitrifier in Red-Yellow Podzolic Soils were markedly high. In the case of Low Humic Gley Soils and Regosols with low content of organic matter, available phosphorus and available potassium, the population of microbes was generally small.

The relationship between the organic matter content and the microbial population of soils was positively significant at 0.1 % level only in the case of fungal population (r=0.551), while the relationship between the available phosphorus content and the microbial population was positively significant at 0.1% level only in the case of Azotobacter (r=0.682).

The relationships between the total nitrogen, the exchangeable potassium, the amount of NH₄+^-N, the amount NO₂ ^--N, or the amount of NH₄ ⁺-N+NO₂ ^--N and each microbial population were not significant in any microbial groups.

The count of denitrifiers in upland farm soils of Thailand was 9 times as high as that in non-volcanic upland-farm soils of Japan and was 23 times higher than that in volcanic soils though large variations were seen among the great soil groups of Thailand. Conversely, the population of non-spore-forming nitrite oxidizers in the upland farm soils of Thailand was 1/100 that in non-volcanic soils of Japan and 1/280 that in volcanic soils. In the case of Azotobacter, the count in upland farm soils of Thailand averaged 2,800 per 1 g of dry soil. while that in non-volcanic upland farm soils of Japan was 77 on the average.

The ratio of aerobic bacteria to actinomycetes in upland farm soils of Thailand was 2.31, while that of non-volcanic soils of Japan was 7.28.