Modelling of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn uptake, by winter wheat and forage maize, from a sewage disposal farm

Abstract. A predictive model of metal concentrations in crops was developed to optimize soil liming and sludge application strategies at a dedicated sewage sludge disposal site. Predictions of metal concentrations in plant tissue were derived from measured values of soil metal concentration, humus content and soil pH. The plant and soil data used to parameterize the model were collected on site using quadrat sampling of mature crop and underlying topsoil. The uptake model was used to map predicted metal concentrations in wheat grain and forage maize based upon a database of soil characteristics (metal content, % humus and pH) measured as part of a routine geochemical survey of the site. The effect of a management strategy to modify uptake of Cd by wheat by changing soil pH was investigated. The effect of soil dust adhering to maize plants at harvest was also simulated to investigate the importance of this pathway for Cd transfer to animal feed such as silage.
The model gave satisfactory predictions for uptake of Cd and Zn but less useful simulations for Pb, Cu and Ni. The results for Cd uptake showed a greater dependence on soil pH in the case of wheat in comparison to maize. It is suggested that, for the study site, liming to pH 7.0 will reduce Cd concentrations in wheat grain to within EC legal standards. However the Cd content of maize may still exceed these guidelines, with a relatively minor contribution from contamination with soil dust.     

Prediction of available heavy metals by six chemical extractants in a sewage sludge‐amended soil

Abstract

In a field experiment conducted during three years in a sandy‐loam, calcareous soil, one aerobically digested sewage sludge (ASL) and another anaerobically digested sewage sludge (ANSL) were applied at rates of 400, 800, and 1,200 kg N/ha/year, and compared with mineral nitrogen fertilizer at rates of 0, 200, 400, and 600 kg N/ha/year in a cropping sequence of potato‐corn, potato‐lettuce, and potato, the first, second, and third year, respectively. Results showed that the highest values of soil extractable metals were obtained with aqua regia, whereas the lowest levels with DTPA. All metal (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr) gave significant correlations between metal extracted with the different extractants and metal loading applied with the sludges. The metal extractable ion increased over the control for Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr extracted with DTPA, EDTA (pH 8.6) and 0.1 N HC1, for Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr extracted with EDTA (pH 4.65) and AB‐DTPA, and for Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cr extracted with aqua regia. The level of metal‐DTPA extractable resulted highly correlated with that obtained by the other methods, except the Ni‐aqua regia extractable. The soil extractable elements which showed significant correlations with metals in plant were: Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni in potato leaves, Cd, Ni, and Pb in corn grain, and Zn and Cd for lettuce wrapper leaves. In general, all the chelate based extractants (DTPA, EDTA pH 4.6, EDTA pH 8.6, AB‐DTPA) were equally useful as indicator of plant available metals in the soil amended with sludge.     

Soil micronutrient availability to crops as affected by long-term inorganic and organic fertilizer applications

Micronutrient status in soils and crops can be affected by different fertilization practices during a long-term field experiment. This paper investigated the effects of different fertilization treatments on total and DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soils and micronutrients in crops after 16 year fertilization experiments in Fengqiu County, Henan Province, China. The treatments of the long-term experiment included combinations of various rates of N, P and K in addition to two rates of organic fertilizer (OF) treatments. Winter wheat and summer maize were planted annually. Soil macro- and micronutrients along with pH and organic matter (OM) were analyzed. Grains and above ground parts of both crops in the final year were harvested and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn. The results showed that soil Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations did not change among the different treatments to a significant level, except for a slight decrease of soil Zn in the CK (no fertilizer application) compared to the OF treatment. The DTPA-extractable soil Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations increased from 0.41 to 1.08 mg kg⁻¹, from 10.3 to 17.7 mg kg⁻¹, and from 9.7 to 11.8 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, with increasing soil OM content, thus showing the importance of soil OM in micronutrient availability for crops. The NPK treatment also had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrient concentrations in soil. Deficiency of N or P resulted in a low yield but high micronutrient concentrations in crops except Cu in maize stalks. Higher available soil P significantly decreased crop micronutrients, possibly because of their precipitation as metal phosphates. Maize stalks contained higher concentrations of micronutrients than those of wheat straw, whereas wheat grain had higher micronutrients than those of corn grain. The transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients from straw to grain were significantly different between winter wheat (1.63–2.52 for Cu; 2.31–3.82 for Zn; no change for Fe; 0.55–0.84 for Mn) and summer maize (0.24–0.50 for Cu; 0.50–1.21 for Zn; 0.02–0.04 for Fe; 0.07–0.10 for Mn). In conclusion, application of organic matter significantly increased the DTPA-extractable concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn compared to the CK, grain and vegetative tissue in the CK and NK had higher micronutrient concentrations than those in other treatments.     

Mercury in soils and crops from fields receiving high cumulative sewage sludge applications: Validation of U. S. EPA's risk assessment for human ingestion

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) has owned and operated a 6320 ha Dedicated Beneficial Sludge Utilization Site in Fulton County, Illinois since 1971. The site consists of calcareous strip mine spoil intermingled with placed land. Sewage sludge from Chicago is barged to the site, located approximately 185 miles southwest of the city, and utilized to reclaim the strip mined soils and to fertilize the corn and wheat crops grown on them. Fields have received as much as 1317 dry Mg ha^?1 of sewage sludge since 1971. Sludge Hg concentrations have ranged from 1.1 to 8.5 mg Hg kg^?1 with mean concentration of 3.31 mg Hg kg^?1, and maximum cumulative Hg loading rates are approximately 4 kg ha^?1. Sludge applications have significantly increased extractable soil Hg concentrations, and regression analysis indicates that from 80 to 100% of the Hg applied to soils in sewage sludge since 1971 still resides in the top 15 cm of soil. Since 1985 the MWRDGC has been monitoring Hg concentration in corn leaf and grain, wheat grain and soils at the Fulton County site. Monitoring data indicate that 98.8% of the corn grain samples, 93.0% of the wheat samples and 50.7% of the corn leaf samples collected from 1985 through 1992 had Hg concentrations below detectable limits (<25μg kg^?1). Cumulative Hg loading rates are utilized along with crop tissue concentrations to compute crop uptake response slopes (UC) for Hg into plant tissues at the Fulton County site. The UC for corn and wheat grain was zero and for corn leaf was ?0.0014 (mg Hg/kg tissue)/(kg Hg/ha soil), which indicate that sewage sludge additions did not increase plant tissue Hg concentrations at the Fulton County site. The negative UC obtained for corn leaf may actually indicate that sewage sludge applications decreased Hg uptake from mined soils possibly due to organic carbon and sulfides in the anaerobically digested sludge binding native Hg. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U. S. EPA) has recently promulgated their 40 CFR Part 503 regulation for sewage sludge use and disposal. The rule sets risk based limits on ten metals, including Hg, in sludges that are land applied. Exposure pathways involving plant uptake of Hg are briefly discussed and it is shown that the UC used in U. S. EPA's risk assessment models for these pathways overpredict uptake of Hg by crops when compared with the UC derived from the MWRDGC's monitoring data at Fulton County.     

Chemical Fractionation of Trace Elements in Biosolid‐Amended Soils and Correlation with Trace Elements in Crop Tissue

Abstract

A previous study indicated that agricultural biosolid applications increased the concentration of EPA₃₀₅₀‐digestible trace elements in soils on Pennsylvania production farms but could not indicate potential trace‐element environmental availability. This study was conducted to determine if biosolid application had altered the distribution of trace‐elements among operationally defined soil fractions and the relationship of trace element concentrations in soil and crop tissues. Biosolid‐amended and unamended soils from production farms in Pennsylvania were extracted using a modified Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) sequential fractionation technique and analyzed for chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Trace‐element concentrations in crop tissues (soybean silage, sudangrass, corn grain, alfalfa hay, and orchardgrass hay) from the same farms were also determined. Fractionation results indicated that the proportion of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn that is potentially bioavailable is quite small in unamended soils. Biosolid applications significantly (P≤0.1) increased concentrations of Cu in all soil fractions (average increase over unamended soil=1.14, 8.27, 6.04, and 5.84 mg kg^?1 for the exchangeable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions, respectively), Ni (0.41, 1.65 mg kg^?1 for the reducible and residual fractions, respectively), Pb (5.12 and 1.49 mg kg^?1 for the reducible and residual fractions, respectively), and Zn (8.28, 7.12, 4.44, and 8.98 mg kg^?1 for the exchangeable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions, respectively) but did not significantly increase Cr in any soil fraction. Concentrations of Cu in all soil fractions were significantly (P≤0.01) correlated with concentrations of Cu in orchardgrass tissue (r=0.70, 0.66, 0.76, and 0.69 for the exchangeable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual soil fractions, respectively). Concentrations of exchangeable and reducible Zn were significantly correlated with Zn in sudangrass tissue (r=0.81 and 0.67), and reducible Zn was significantly correlated with Zn concentrations in orchardgrass tissue (r=0.65). Application of biosolids had little effect on bioavailability of Cr, Ni, or Pb, whereas higher loadings of Cu and Zn led to a shift toward the more labile soil fractions. Loadings of Cu and Zn were much smaller than cumulative loadings permitted under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Part 503 regulations. Chemical soil fractionation was able to detect increases in labile soil Cu and Zn that relate to increased phytoavailability.     

The effects on corn and on a rhodic paleudult soil of 17 annual Cu and Zn sulfate additions

A long-term field experiment was established in 1967 and continued through 1983 to evaluate the response of corn (Zea mays L.) and the loading capacity of a Davidson clay loam soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudult) to yearly additions of Cu and Zn sulfates. By 1983, the 17 annual additions of Cu and Zn resulted in cumulative totals up to 280 kg Cu and 560 kg Zn ha^?1. These Cu and Zn additions, either alone or together, did not cause any grain or stalk yield decreases. The DTPA extractant separated most of the soil treatment levels for both Cu and Zn. The sevenfold increase in DTPA extractable Cu and eighteenfold increase in DTPA extractable Zn followed linear relationships to treatment levels. Copper concentrations in the blades and grain were not related to soil additions of Cu or Zn. However, Zn concentrations in blades and grain were directly related to each other, to soil Zn treatment levels and to DTPA Zn. Increasing blade Zn concentrations were accompanied by decreasing blade Mn concentrations.     

Copper,zinc, and cadmium accumulation in two prairie soils and crops as influenced by repeated applications of manure

A study was conducted to determine the effect of repeated (5–7 y) annual application of liquid swine or solid cattle manure on the plant availability of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) at two field sites in the W‐central and E‐central agricultural regions of Saskatchewan, Canada. Soil samples, plant‐straw and grain samples from the 2003 growing season were collected and analyzed for total Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations using nitric acid microwave digestion followed by atomic‐absorption spectroscopy. An ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB‐DTPA) extraction was performed on the soil samples as a measure of the plant‐available fraction. Crop plants that were tested included wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The results of this study indicated that long‐term repeated applications of manure fertilizer sometimes resulted in increased plant availability of Cu, Zn, and Cd, as reflected in increased concentrations of the plant‐available metal observed both in the soil and plant tissue. In the case of Cu and Zn, these increases were related to the rate of application, as the manure is a source of Cu and Zn. Changes in soil conditions from repeated manure application, including a decrease in pH and stimulated plant‐root growth can explain the effect that both manure and urea‐fertilizer application had on increasing the Cd concentration in the plant. Overall, there does not appear to be any concern about soil metal loading and plant accumulation in these soils after 5–7 y of manure application, as soil and plant concentrations were well below the allowable limits.     

Effects of sewage sludge application method on corn production

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of land application of municipal sewage sludge to agricultural land in Upper Cumberland Region of the Tennessee valley. Treatments included single and annual applications of sewage sludge both surface applied and injected into the soil. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effects of different land application methods of sewage sludge on corn grain yields. Other objectives were to determine the plant availability and migration of sludge Cu and Zn, and to determine organic N mineralization rates based on corn yield and leaf N content. Application of sewage sludge positively affected corn grain yields due to increased availability of N, and in drought years soil moisture. Yield and leaf N content data suggest that organic N mineralization rates near 50% in the year of application and 30% in the second year. Application of sewage sludge resulted in a greater increase in availability of Cu at the soil surface as compared to Zn, however neither Cu or Zn leached from the surface of the soil.     

污泥农用对痕量元素在小麦-玉米轮作体系中的积累及转运的影响

利用田间试验初步研究了污泥农用对小麦、玉米大田作物及土壤环境影响以及污泥中痕量元素在土壤与植物可食部分之间转移规律。结果表明,施用污泥后,尤其是36t·hm^-2施用量时,土壤中Zn、Cu、Cd、Pb、As和№的含量均显著增加,但是施用污泥4．5至36t·hm^-2后,除小麦籽粒中Zn、Cu含量和玉米籽粒中Zn、Cr含量显著增加外,其他痕量元素在小麦和玉米籽粒中的含量没有显著增加。作物籽粒中Zn含量与土壤中污泥施加量之间存在着显著的线性回归关系,土壤中增施1t·hm^-2之污泥,小麦和玉米籽粒中Zn的含量分别增加0．570和0．118mg·kg^-1。小麦和玉米籽粒除M和Pb的富集系数相近外,对其他痕量元素而言,小麦籽粒的富集系数显著高于玉米籽粒。从痕量元素的累积速率和现行土壤环境质量标准考虑,北京污泥中Hg是优先考虑控制的元素,但是污泥中№对食品安全的影响还需要进行长期的大田实验研究。     

The relationship between phosphorus and copper concentrations in wheat

Abstract

Poorly managed kaolinitic soils are often too low in P and K for optimum agronomic crop production. Even though many of these soils have relatively high phosphate fixing capacities, P applied at sufficient rates to increase soil P to acceptable levels may induce micronutrient deficiencies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of applied and residual P on Mn, Zn, and Cu uptake by field grown wheat (Triticum aestivum). Treatments were a one‐time application of P (0, 64, 128, 256, and 384 kg/ha P) and K (0, 110, 220, 440, and 660 kg/ha K) rates arranged in a 5×5 complete factorial. The treatments were applied in October, 1977 and the study was continued through June, 1979. Potassium and P × K interactions did not have a significant effect on Mn, Zn, or Cu uptake. Phosphorus did not affect Mn concentration in the wheat tissue but Zn and Cu concentrations generally decreased as applied and residual soil P levels increased. The tissue Zn concentration at the various plant growth stages did not decrease below defined critical levels. The Cu concentration decreased linearly with applied P and curvilinearly with residual P. The tissue Cu levels often decreased below suggested critical levels. Total Cu in the wheat tissue indicated that the decrease in Cu concentration as P levels increased was not a simple dilution effect resulting from increased plant growth as applied and residual soil P increased.     

The uptake and distribution of heavy metals by spring wheat

Pot experiments were carried out with two soils from long-term field experiments to examine heavy metal distribution in spring wheat. The soils (Luvisol pH 6.5 and Cambisol pH 5.5) were manured with sewage sludge for 18 ys and now show heavy metal contamination. The Cd-, Zn-, Pb- and Cr-contents of the grain were appreciably lower than those of straw. Nickel and Cu levels in the grain, however, exceeded those of the straw. In the unpolluted control the grain was enriched in Zn. Grain with a Cd-content lower than the German guide value was produced only with Cd concentrations of the soil lower than 0.5 mg kg^–1 and a pH value greater than 5.7. Higher Ni and Pb contents were found in the chaff than in the straw. Roots were enriched in Cd, Zn, Ni and Cu, as compared with the soil. However, Pb and Cr were hardly taken up by the roots. Liming decreased the Cd-, Zn- and Ni-content in the plant. pH variation was found to have a negligible effect on the uptake of Cu, Pb and Cr.     

Yield response of crops amended with sewage sludge in the field is more affected by sludge properties than by final soil metal concentration

Adverse effects on crop yield or quality have been reported in sewage‐sludge treated soils at soil total metal concentrations below those of the current EU directives. A field trial was set up in Belgium (2002–2004) to assess crop response to the application of sewage sludge below these soil thresholds but with sludge metal concentrations either above (high‐metal) or below (low‐metal) sludge metal limits. Two lime‐stabilized and two raw, dewatered sludges were applied annually at rates of 10, 25 and 50 t dry matter (dm) ha^?1 for 3 years with four rates of N‐fertilizer as a reference. Final soil metal concentrations increased to maximums of 1.6 mg Cd kg^?1 and 225 mg Zn kg^?1 through sludge applications. Maize yield was marginally affected by treatments in year 1, whereas wheat and barley grain yields in subsequent years increased up to threefold with increasing sludge or fertilizer rates and were mainly explained by grain‐N. However, the grain yield of winter wheat in year 2 was reduced by about 14% in lime‐stabilized high‐metal sludge treatments compared with wheat receiving N‐fertilizer at equivalent grain‐N. Wheat grain and straw analysis showed no nutrient deficiencies but Zn concentrations in grain and straw were greater than in N‐fertilizer and lime‐stabilized, low‐metal sludge treatments, suggesting Zn toxicity. Sludge properties other than Cd concentration (e.g. electrical conductivity) affected crop Cd in the first year (maize), whereas significant correlations between Cd application and wheat grain Cd were found in the second year. Wheat grain Cd concentrations reached the international trade guideline of 0.1 mg Cd kg^?1 fresh weight in the plots amended with lime‐treated, high‐metal sludge even though soil Cd remained below EU limits. In the third year, barley grain Cd remained largely below EU limits. We discuss the possibility that sludge properties rather than soil total metal concentrations are related to effects on crops in the initial years after sludge applications. In none of the 3 years were any adverse effects on crops found for sludge meeting current EU regulations.     

The zinc status of some Nova Scotia soils and crops

Abstract

Ranges for total, 0.1N HCl and EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃ extractable Zn in 69 samples of surface soil (0–15 cm), representing nine soil series, were 14–108, 0.9–10.5 and 0.5–8.0 ppm respectively. Total Zn in barley (Hordeum vulgare), carrot (Daucus carata sativa), corn (Zea mays L), grape (Vitis spp.), onion (Allium cepa), pea (Pisum sativum, strawberry (Fragaria spp.), and wheat (Triticum spp.) leaves and in barley and wheat grain ranged from 13.5 to 80.6 ppm.

The results suggest that, with the possible exception of corn leaf samples from one location, Zn levels in plant tissue were adequate. However, the results also indicate that liming strongly acid sandy soils reduces Zn availability and may induce a deficiency in Zn sensitive crops.     

Comparison of routine soil tests and EPA method 3050 as extractants for heavy metals in Delaware soils

Abstract

Agricultural use of sewage sludges can be limited by heavy metal accumulations in soils and crops. Information on background levels of total heavy metals in soils and changes in soil metal content due to sludge application are; therefore, critical aspects of long‐term sludge monitoring programs. As soil testing laboratories routinely, and rapidly, determine, in a wide variety of agricultural soils, the levels of some heavy metals and soil properties related to plant availability of these metals (e.g. Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, pH, organic matter, texture), these labs could participate actively in the development and monitoring of environmentally sound sludge application programs. Consequently, the objective of this study was to compare three soil tests (Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTP A) and an USEPA approved method for measuring heavy metals in soils (EPA Method 3050), as extractants for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in representative agricultural soils of Delaware and in soils from five sites involved in a state‐monitored sludge application program.

Soil tests extracted less than 30% of total (EPA 3050) metals from most soils, with average percentages of total metal extracted (across all soils and metals) of 15%, 32%, and 11% for the Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTPA, respectively. Statistically significant correlations between total and soil test extractable metal content were obtained with all extractants for Cu, Pb, and Zn, but not Cd and Ni. The Mehlich 1 soil test was best correlated with total Cu and Zn (r=0.78***, 0.60***, respectively), while the chelate‐based extractants (DTPA and Mehlich 3) were better correlated with total Pb (r=0.85***, 0.63***). Multiple regression equations for the prediction of total Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, from soil test extractable metal in combination with easily measured soil properties (pH, organic matter by loss on ignition, soil volume weight) had R² values ranging from 0.41*** to 0.85***, suggesting that it may be possible to monitor, with reasonable success, heavy metal accumulations in soils using the results of a routine soil test.     

Sewage sludge incinerator ash effects on soil chemical properties and growth of lettuce and corn

Abstract

Incineration reduces sewage sludge volume, but management of the resulting ash is an important environmental concern. A laboratory incubation study and greenhouse pot experiments with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were conducted to examine the potential for recycling elements in sewage sludge incinerator ash in agricultural systems. Ash rates in both the laboratory and greenhouse were 0, 0.95, 3.8, 15.2, and 61.0 g/kg soil (Typic Hapludoll). Ash was also compared to equivalent rates of citrate soluble P from superphosphate fertilizer in a soil‐less growth medium. During soil: ash incubation, Olsen P and DTPA extractable copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) increased with incubation time at the higher ash rates. Release rates diminished rapidly, however, and the limited release of these elements after 280 days was associated with decreasing pH. In the greenhouse, ash amendment increased extractable soil P, plant tissue P, and the growth of lettuce and corn. Ash was a less effective P source than superphosphate fertilizer in the soil‐less growth medium and Olsen P levels were more consistent with these differences than Bray P. Ash increased extractable soil levels and plant tissue concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), Cu, and Zn, but extractable soil manganese (Mn) and plant tissue Mn decreased. Ash increased soil pH and extractable SO₄‐S. DTPA extractable Cd and Pb increased, but chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) decreased. Lettuce accumulated higher amounts of these trace metals than corn, but tissue concentrations were at control levels or below detection limits in both crops.     

Soil zinc and pH effects on zinc concentrations of corn plants

Abstract

Z1nc (Zn) deficiency of corn (Zea mays L.) has been detected in 20 or more states 1n the United States including Georgia. Since soil pH is a major factor in assessing the availability of soil Zn, this measurement has been included with acid extractable soil Zn in developing calibration Zn soil tests in North Carolina and Virginia. The objectives of this study were to develop a reliable soil test for Zn based on soil pH and Mehlich 1 soil Zn for corn gown on coarse‐textured soils and to compare our soil test values with those recently published from North Carolina where Mehlich 3 was the extractant. The study was conducted 1n 1979 to 1981 on a Tifton loamy sand (Plinthic Paleudult) site which had been used to study the influence of lime rates on micronutrient availability since 1970. Treatments consisted of four soil pH levels ranging from 5.3 to 6.6 and soil Zn levels ranging from 0.5 to 4.9 mg/kg. The Zn levels were established from the previous study where 5.6 kg Zn/ha had been applied annually for eight years (residual treatment) and by applying 3.36 or 6.72 kg Zn/ha during 1979, 1980 and 1981.

Soil Zn, corn shoot, and ear leaf Zn values were reflective of the amount of Zn applied except that the residual Zn treatment resulted in Zn concentrations > than the annual application of 3.36 kg Zn/ha. Zinc tended to accumulate in the soil and in corn leaf tissue more from the residual Zn than the recently applied Zn treatments, especially at the highest pH levels. Increasingly more soil Zn was required to increase corn shoot and ear leaf Zn one mg/kg as soil pH increased. In the initial year, each unit (kg/ha) of applied Zn increased corn shoot Zn approximately 4 units (mg/kg) at pH 5.3 and only 0.3 unit at pH 6.6. Zinc deficiency symptoms developed in corn shoots for the two highest soil pH levels in two of three years. Corn yields were increased by Zn only in 1980 and were increased by residual or applied Zn at pH levels of 6.2 and 6.6. Regression equations from these studies were utilized to develop predictive corn shoot and ear leaf Zn values over wide ranges in soil Zn and pH. Our field research data using Mehlich 1 extractant could possibly be used satisfactorily in North Carolina regression equations where Mehlich 3 was the extractant; however, certain limitations would need to be imposed in the North Carolina equations.     

旱地石灰性土壤上长期施磷对小麦籽粒铁锰铜锌含量的影响

  【目的】  研究石灰性土壤上施用磷肥引起的小麦铁、锰、铜、锌含量的变化及其与作物养分吸收和土壤养分有效性的关系,为旱地小麦磷肥合理施用和丰产优质生产提供科学依据。  【方法】  于2004年在陕西杨凌设置不同磷肥用量的长期定位田间试验,土壤为石灰性土壤,pH 8.3。试验在每个小区施氮(N) 160 kg/hm2的基础上,设置施用P₂O₅ 0、50、100、150、200 kg/hm2 5个水平。于2013—2016年3个收获期取样,测定了小麦地上部各器官生物量和铁、锰、铜、锌含量,及0—20和20—40 cm土层土壤有效铁锰铜锌含量。  【结果】  与不施磷相比,施用磷肥提高了小麦产量和籽粒铁、锰含量,但降低了籽粒铜、锌含量,同时提高了土壤有效铁、锰、锌含量,对有效铜含量影响不显著。进一步回归分析得出,施P₂O₅ 165 kg/hm2时产量最高,为6492 kg/hm2;施P₂O₅ 100 kg/hm2时籽粒铁含量最高,为41.7 mg/kg;施P₂O₅ 94 kg/hm2时籽粒锰含量最高,为37.5 mg/kg;施P₂O₅ 136 kg/hm2时籽粒锌含量最低,为25.4 mg/kg;籽粒铜含量在每增施P₂O₅ 100 kg/hm2时会降低0.4 mg/kg。土壤有效锰、锌在施P₂O₅ 100 kg/hm2时达到最大值,比对照分别提高24%和35%;土壤有效铁在施P₂O₅ 200 kg/hm2时增幅最大,为8%;土壤有效铜在各施磷量下无显著变化。产量为最高产量的95% 时施磷量为 108 kg/hm2,当超过这一施磷量时,产量增幅减小,籽粒铁锰含量不再增加,铜锌含量持续降低。  【结论】  黄土高原石灰性旱地土壤上,长期施磷提高了小麦籽粒铁、锰含量,降低了籽粒铜、锌含量。籽粒铁、锰含量增加与土壤有效铁、锰增加促进了小麦的吸收及向籽粒的转移有关,而籽粒铜、锌含量降低与施磷后土壤有效铜没有显著提高,且高磷抑制铜转运和锌吸收有关。为了兼顾小麦高产与营养平衡,这一地区的施磷量应不超过P₂O₅ 108 kg/hm2,以防止小麦籽粒铜、锌含量进一步降低,并维持合适的籽粒铁、锰含量。     

中国南方红壤上作物产量和土壤性质对长期施肥的响应

A 15-year fertilization experiment with different applications of inorganic N, P and K fertilizers and farmyard manure (M)was conducted to study the yield and soil responses to long-term fertilization at Qiyang, Hunan Province, China. Average grain yields of wheat and corn (1 672 and 5 111 kg ha^-1, respectively)for the treatment NPKM were significantly higher than those (405 and 310 kg ha^-1)of the unfertilized control and single inorganic fertilizer treatments. Compared with the corresponding initial values of the experiment, all treatments showed a yield decline of 9 to 111 kg ha^-1 year^-1 in wheat and 35 to 260 kg ha^-1 year^-1 in corn, respectively, and a significant pH decline of 0.07 to 0.12 pH year^-1, except for the treatments PK and NPKM. After long-term fertilization, the soil organic C, soil available P, exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and available Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contents were higher in the treatment NPKM than in the treatments applied with inorganic fertilizer only. Compared to the treatment NPK, the treatment NPKM, where manure partially replaced inorganic N, had a positive impact on arresting the decline of soil pH. This improved grain yields of wheat and corn, suggesting that application of NPK fertilizer in combination with farmyard manure is important to maintain soil fertility and buffering capacity in red soil.     

Relations Between Soil Properties and Selected Heavy Metal Concentrations in Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown in Contaminated Soils

Spring wheat was grown in soils near a non-ferrous metals mining and smelting base in Baiyin city, Gansu province, P.R. China. The area studied is 501 km². Some of the croplandshad been contaminated by heavy metals mainly through wastewaterirrigation or aerial deposition. The soil samples were analyzedfor pH, organic matter and available phosphorous (P); also fortotal cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents. Spring wheat grains were also analyzed for heavy metals. The results were interpreted using multiple linear correlation and stepwise regression analyses. The increment oftotal soil contents of selected heavy metals could enhance grain Cd accumulation, and the increment of total Zn content of soil could lower the grain Pb accumulation. The correlationswere markedly increased by including other soil properties forgrain Cd and Pb. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that the effect of soil pH and available P on the uptake of grain Cd were greater than that of the other total soil contents ofheavy metals. Grain Cd and Pb could be reliably predicted bythe total soil contents of Cd and Pb while the uptake of grainZn and Cu were not satisfactorily predicted.     

Competitivity,selectivity, and heavy metals-induced alkaline cation displacement in soils

Abstract

The simultaneous incorporation of heavy metals into the soil is still a matter of great concern. Interaction (competitive sorption) between these metals and the soil solid phase may result in a deterioration of soil quality which relies basically on amounts of alkaline cations saturating soils sorptive complex. Results of this study indicate that Pb, Cu, C d, and Zn have induced solution pH decreases which were more intensive at highest metal loading rates. Partition parameters (Kd)-based sequences showed that Pb and Cu were more competitive than Cd and Zn and the overall selectivity sequence followed: Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn. Metal loadings and their competitive sorption have led to a strengthened displacement of alkaline cations (i.e. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺), especially of Ca²⁺ as a factor “stabilizing” soil sorptive complex. Such metals impact jointly with soils acidification are of great environmental concern since tremendous amounts of alkaline cations (especially Ca²⁺) may be potentially leached out, irrespective of the degree of soil contamination, as evidenced in the current study. High and positive ΔG values implied that the studied soils were characterized by generally low concentrations of exchangeable potassium which required high energy to get displaced (desorbed). Further studies on heavy metal uncontaminated or contaminated areas should be undertaken to provide with data which should be used for predictions on changes related to soil buffering capacity as impacted by heavy metal inputs.