Effects of seasonal rainfall and water table movement on the soil solution composition of tropical peatland

ABSTRACT

Understanding the composition of the soil solution of tropical peatlands is important because it directly affects nutrient availability and environmental degradation. The objectives of this study were to investigate temporal fluctuations in the soil solution composition in tropical peatlands in West Kalimantan and Riau, Indonesia and identify the factors controlling these fluctuations. In each site, we established four study plots consisting of three plots under oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantation and one plot under uncultivated land as the control. Triplicate soil solution samples were collected at 50 and 200 cm depths, fortnightly. During the drought, the pH at 50 cm was low (3.7–4.0), which was influenced by oxidation reactions such as organic acids and NO₃^? generations. The pH at a depth of 200 cm was high (5.9–6.8), due to reduction reactions such as denitrification. High cation concentrations at both depths would result from organic matter decomposition and the limited downward movement of water. Rewetting the West Kalimantan peatland caused a sharp decrease in pH and ionic concentrations at 50 and 200 cm depths, because of the transportation of ions from the upper acidified layer. However, the lower rainfall levels in Riau than West Kalimantan resulted in a gradual decrease in pH and Ca²⁺ concentration. The higher pH levels and ion concentrations in West Kalimantan than in Riau would be influenced by the enhanced microbial activity due to water supply from the risen water table in this site. This study showed that seasonal rainfall and water table movement were the main factors controlling the fluctuations in the chemical composition of soil solutions.     

自然降雨对干化土壤水分恢复有效性分析

研究自然降雨对干化土壤水分恢复的有效性,有利于合理利用降水资源,加强干化土壤水分管理,促进土壤干层得到有效恢复。在陕北米脂试验站设置野外地下大型土柱,通过2014—2019年连续定位监测降雨、土壤含水率状况,分析自然降雨对干化土壤水分恢复的有效性。结果表明:(1)从深层干化土壤水分恢复角度考虑,黄土丘陵半干旱区降雨可以分为3种类型:表层入渗快速蒸发型、浅层入渗缓慢蒸发型和深层入渗补给型。其中深层入渗补给型降雨为有效降雨,该类型雨量>26 mm,能够对深层干化土壤产生有效水分补给。2014—2019年发生深层入渗补给型降雨仅16次,累积雨量791.8 mm,降雨次数、降雨量的有效率分别为4.64%和35.19%。(2)月尺度条件下,降雨量(P月)与逐月入渗深度(Z逐月)、月累积入渗深度(Z累积)均呈二次函数关系变化,Z逐月=-0.0102P月2+3.955P月-6.7335(R^2=0.9639),Z累积=-0.0003P月2-0.1331P月+191.71(R^2=0.9208)。(3)年尺度条件下,2014—2019年雨量分别为187.6,391.6,590.8,337.6,342.4,400.0 mm,降雨逐年引发的入渗深度依次为160,220,400,260,260,120 cm,累积入渗深度依次可达180,220,400,700,1000,1400 cm。研究结果对揭示自然降水恢复干化土壤机理,加强土壤干层人工蓄水保墒技术,合理选择保墒措施,以及促进当地生态环境建设具有积极的推动作用。     

Long‐Term Changes in Soil Carbon Stocks in the Brazilian Cerrado Under Commercial Soybean

The net effect of agriculture on soil carbon is not yet fully understood. While a number of studies on shallow profiles have been published, evidence suggests that carbon stock changes occur in deeper layers. In this study we analyzed the effect of agriculture in the Cerrado soil C looking at changes in seven different profile depths from 0 to 100 cm in a commercial grain farm. We also used isotopic techniques to distinguish between the original Cerrado C₃ carbon and the C₄ carbon derived from the grasses used in agriculture. At 0–5 cm depth C stocks significantly decreased with cultivation time. The C stock did not change significantly when it was calculated using the 0–10, 0–20, 0–30, 0–50 or 0–75 cm profile (p > 0·05) but increased with cultivation time when the profile considered was 0–100 cm (p < 0·05). A two‐source isotope model revealed that there was a significant increase in carbon derived from C₄ grasses for all depths with cultivation time. Annual carbon sequestration rates for the upper 100 cm of soil were 1·1 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for total carbon and 0·8 Mg C₄ C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for C₄ carbon. The oldest area, with 23 years of cultivation, had a soil C stock increase compared to the native Cerrado soil of 17·6%. These findings suggest that commercial grain farms practices may increase soil C stock compared to native Cerrado soil, if a more complete soil profile down to 100 cm is used to assess C stocks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eucalyptus growth and phosphorus nutritional efficiency as affected by soil compaction and phosphorus fertilization

ABSTRACT

Soil compaction interferes in soil nutrient transport and root growth. The aim of this work was to evaluate eucalypt growth and phosphorus (P) nutritional efficiency as affected by soil compaction and P rates. The treatments were composed of a 3 × 4 factorial scheme (soil bulk densities levels versus P fertilization rates) for two weathered tropical soils, a clayey Ferralsol (F_Clayey) and a sandy Ferralsol (F_Sandy). The soil bulk densities assessed were 0.90, 1.10 and 1.30 g cm^?3 for F_Clayey, and 1.35, 1.55 and 1.75 g cm^?3 for F_Sandy. The P rates were 0, 150, 300 and 600 mg kg^?1 for F_Clayey, and 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^?1 for F_Sandy. Soil compaction reduced root growth, P content in the plant, P utilization efficiency and P recovery efficiency; and increased average root diameter. Phosphorus fertilization increased root length density, root surface area, dry matter, P content in the plant, P utilization efficiency and P uptake efficiency; and decreased P recovery efficiency. It was concluded that P fertilization is not effective to offset the deleterious effects of soil compaction on eucalypt growth and nutrition.

Abbreviations: F_Clayey: clayey Ferralsol; F_Sandy: sandy Ferralsol; R_Dens: root length density; R_Diam: root diameter; R_Surf: root surface area; R_DM: root dry matter; S_DM: shoot dry matter; WP_DM: whole-plant dry matter; R_P: root P content; S_P: shoot P content; WP_P: whole-plant P content; PU_tE: P utilization efficiency; PU_pE: P uptake efficiency; PRE: P recovery efficiency.     

基于染色示踪的农膜残留农田土壤优先流特征

随着覆膜农作的发展,农膜残留日益严峻,严重影响土壤水流运动。为了探索农膜残留对水流运动的影响机制,在河套灌区九庄节水综合试验站,设计3种残膜量,分别为0,300,600 kg/hm^2,于成熟期在各试验小区选择典型区域进行20,80 mm水量的染色示踪试验,共6个处理,研究不同残膜量对土壤物理特性的影响,基于染色示踪技术分析不同入渗量和不同残膜量对土壤水流运动的影响,并评价各处理土壤剖面的优先流特征。结果表明:随着残膜量增加,土壤容重、饱和导水率和土壤初始含水率呈下降趋势,而土壤孔隙度呈增大趋势,土壤中随机分布的残膜导致残膜处理(300,600 kg/hm^2)的各物理参数有较高的变异系数。基于土壤染色剖面二值化图像分析,土壤优先流发育程度随残膜量和入渗量增加而提高,300,600 kg/hm^2残膜量处理的最大染色深度(MDSD)和土壤染色剖面的变异系数(Cv)随残膜量增加而增大,与20 mm入渗量相比,80 mm入渗量下残膜处理的MDSD和Cv分别平均增加47.23%和27.34%。不同处理的优先流特征指标差异显著,5个优先流特征指标(染色面积比、基质流深度、优先流比、长度指数和变异系数)均显示残膜处理(300,600 kg/hm^2)的优先流程度高于无残膜处理(0 kg/hm^2),可见残膜量及入渗量的增加均会增大土壤优先流的发生几率和强度。     

Risk assessment for volunteer and seedling GM potatoes in the northernmost European growing areas

Abstract

Commercial production of genetically modified (GM) potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) could represent a risk to conventional production if volunteer plants develop from tubers or true seeds that survive until the following growing season. We studied such risks under northernmost European conditions and monitored the effects of cultivar, tuber size and tuber depth in the soil on winter survival at MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Jokioinen (61°06′N, 23°02′E) from 2004–2007. Tubers of two non-GM cultivars, Saturna and Asterix, and two size classes, 25–30 mm and 45–50 mm, were planted at depths of 10 and 20 cm in autumn, soon after harvest. In winters 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 all tubers planted in the soil in autumn were killed by frost. In 2005–2006, the field was covered by up to 30–40 cm of snow and the minimum soil temperatures ranged between ?0.4^oC and ?0.9^oC, but only 0.0–3.5% of the tubers survived and there was no difference between cultivars, tuber sizes and planting depths. Under laboratory conditions compared with ?2.0°C and ?2.5°C, treatment at ?3.0°C for 72 h resulted in significantly lower survival rate of the tubers (8.2%). Asterix, a late maturing table potato cultivar, was more resistant to low temperatures than the processing cultivar Saturna. In general, volunteer tubers are not currently a significant risk for coexistence of GM and conventional potato production in northern Europe due to the cold winter conditions but also due to possibilities to control the sporadic volunteers from the next crop. However, we noted that seedlings initiated from true potato seed are able to produce tubers despite the short growing season. Such a risk could be reduced by accepting only non-berry-producing GM cultivars for cultivation.     

Residual effects of soil Zn fertilization on soil characteristics,yield and quality of Platycodon grandiflorum

ABSTRACT

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is common worldwide and is a major limiting factor in the cultivation of Platycodon grandiflorum because most P. grandiflorum is cultivated on soils with slight or severe levels of Zn deficiency in China. To investigate the effects of soil Zn fertilization on P. grandiflorum and its residual effects on soil characteristics, a randomized complete block design was conducted at the experimental station of Shandong Agricultural University China in 2016–2018. In 2016, ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O was used as Zn fertilizer. The fertilizer levels of Zn fertilizer were designed as 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kg ha^?1 and were denoted as CK, Zn₄, Zn₆, Zn₈ and Zn₁₀. No Zn fertilizer was used in 2017 and 2018. The results showed that soil Zn fertilization increased the quantity of soil bacteria, and actinobacteria, Zn₈ and Zn₁₀ treatments increased the soil fungal quantity in 2017, whereas the effect was observed only in the Z₁₀ treatment in 2018. Soil Zn fertilization enhanced the activity of polyphenol oxidase, decreased that of phosphatase, and did not influence the invertase activity in both 2017 and 2018. Both the yield and the quality of P. grandiflorum in the succeeding three years increased due to the soil Zn fertilization in 2016. Overall, soil Zn application is a suitable approach to the cultivation of P. grandiflorum, and the residual effects of a one-time soil Zn fertilization could last at least two years.     

Sustaining Productivity of Baby Corn–Rice Cropping System and Soil Health through Integrated Nutrient Management

Organic matter is essential to enhance the soil quality and sustainability of an agroecosystem and ecological services. Thus a 2-year (2007–2009) study was carried out at Agriculture Experiment Farm, Giridih, India. Baby corn (Zea mays L.) yielded maximum cobs (0.84 Mg/ha) and green fodder (17.65 Mg/ha) yield when grown with inorganic fertilizers alone (F₁, nitrogen, phosphorus pentoxide, potassium oxide (N:P₂O₅:K₂O):: 150:60:60 kg/ha). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced most grain (3.10 Mg/ha) and straw (4.16 Mg/ha) yield when the preceding crop received nutrients in equal proportion of organic and inorganic (50:50) sources (F₄ and F₅). System productivity in terms of baby corn equivalent yield (1.08 Mg/ha) was greatest when nutrients were applied in 30:70 ratio (F₂ and F₃). Baby corn grown with F₁ took up the maximum nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Remarkable improvement was noticed in microbial activity (microbial population, soil respiration, microbial biomass carbon), soil enzymes (urease and acid phosphatase), and soil fertility parameters [NPK, organic carbon, and cation exchange capacity] with F₄ and F₅ treatments as compared to others. Integrated nutrient-management practices improved soil health. Almost all the parameters were nonsignificantly greater in vermicompost than that of farmyard manure.     

Drip fertigation and irrigation interval effects on growth,productivity, nutrient,and water economy in summer peanut

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of irrigation intervals and fertigation on growth, yield, and quality of peanut as well as an account of fertilizer and water savings under drip irrigation combined with fertigation. Pod and haulm yields and economics of peanut with application of irrigation water at I_1, i.e. 4 day interval through drip (10 day in surface irrigation) did not differ significantly compared with I_2, i.e. 6 day interval through drip (15 day in surface irrigation). However, significantly higher kernel and oil yields were obtained at I₁ and also recorded higher partial factor productivity (PFP). Our study showed that drip irrigation saved 37.2% irrigation water over surface method. Fertigation at 75% Nitrogen & potassium (NK) through drip with 75% P in soil (F₃) significantly improved pod, haulm, kernel, and oil yields by 14.3%, 11.5%, 13.9%, and 12.3%, respectively, while net returns increased by INR 13,499 ha^?1 over 50% NK through drip with 50% P in soil (F₂) and at par with others. Fertigation at 50–100% NK with 50?100% P in soil (F₂ to F₄) could save 36.4–37.3% irrigation water over F₁. Maximum PFP was recorded under F₂.

Abbreviations: N: Nitrogen; P: phosphorus; K: potassium; M: million     

施氮对茶园土壤氟和茶树新梢氟含量的影响

通过田间试验研究了不施肥(CK)、施氮360 kg?hm?2(T1)、施氮720 kg?hm?2(T2)处理下茶园土壤无机氮、p H、各形态氟含量的动态变化和春、夏、秋茶树新梢一芽四叶、一芽五叶氟含量,探讨茶园施氮对土壤和茶树新梢氟含量的影响。结果表明:1)茶园施氮后短期内(20~30 d)土壤水溶态氟含量显著降低,土壤交换态氟和铁锰结合态氟含量降低;长期(45~50 d)土壤水溶态氟含量的降低作用减弱,土壤交换态氟和铁锰结合态的含量增加;在试验结束时(164 d),与CK处理相比,T1处理0~20 cm土壤各形态氟含量降低,T2处理0~20 cm土壤各形态氟含量增加。2)0~20 cm茶园土壤水溶态氟、铁锰结合态氟与NH4+-N分别呈极显著负、正相关(P0.01),20~40 cm土壤水溶态氟、交换态氟与NO3?-N分别呈极显著正、负相关(P0.01)。土壤p H与土壤水溶态氟含量极显著负相关(P0.01),与其他3种形态氟含量相关性不显著。土壤铁锰结合态氟与交换态氟、有机结合态氟呈显著、极显著正相关,但与土壤水溶态氟均无显著相关性。3)春茶前后施氮可以降低春、夏、秋茶树新梢一芽四叶、一芽五叶氟含量,但未达显著水平。T1处理新梢氟含量的降低值为夏茶(25.15~27.95 mg?kg?1)秋茶(21.06~24.31 mg?kg?1)春茶(18.58~21.03 mg?kg?1),T2处理的降低值为秋茶(18.64~22.34 mg?kg?1)夏茶(7.79~14.14 mg?kg?1)春茶(3.52~7.30 mg?kg?1)。春、夏、秋茶树新梢氟含量主要受0~20 cm土壤无机氮和20~40 cm土壤p H的影响。因此推测施氮通过影响茶树根系氟的吸收和氟在叶片中的累积过程调控茶树新梢氟含量,该研究成果为合理利用施氮技术降低茶园土壤和茶树新梢氟含量提供了理论依据。     

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on methane flux in a structured clay soil cultivated with onion in Central Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of N fertilization on the soil CH₄ flux during the growing season of onion in a structured clay soil with stagnant water at depths of 70–80 cm and with a peat-mixed subsoil. The following 4 treatments were analyzed over a period of two years: T1) fertilized, onion growing, T2) fertilized, bare field, T3) unfertilized, onion growing, and T4) unfertilized, bare field. In the fertilized T1 and T2 treatments, fertilizers (mixture of 3 : 1 NH₄NO₃ : (NH₄)₂SO₄) at rates of 322 kg N ha^?1 in 1999 and 242 kg N ha^?1 in 2000 were applied as basal fertilizers before onion was transplanted. CH₄ fluxes among the treatments ranged from ?0.06 to 0.12 mg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1 in 1999, and from ?0.03 to 0.01 mg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1 in 2000, which were high after heavy rain in summer. Cumulative CH₄ flux from May to November in the fertilized T1 and T2 treatments was 59 mg CH₄-C m^?2 for both treatments in 1999, and 3.2 and ?0.9 mg CH₄-C m^?2 in 2000, respectively. On the other hand, in the unfertilized T3 and T4 treatments, the cumulative CH₄ flux was 0.2 and ?9.2 mg CH₄-C m^?2 in 1999, and ?26 and ?20 mg CH₄-C m^?2 in 2000, respectively. Although the cumulative CH₄ flux in each treatment was higher in 1999 than in 2000, the fertilized treatments in both years showed a significantly higher cumulative CH₄ flux than the unfertilized treatments. This might be ascribed to the higher level of nitrification in the fertilized treatments, because a high nitrate concentration was observed in the fertilized treatments in the onion growing season. The results also revealed that onion growing did not exert a significant influence on the CH₄ flux. The precipitation from May to November was 642 mm in 1999 and 1,008 mm in 2000, and the CH₄ emission increased when the precipitation was low. In addition, the CH₄ concentration in the soil profile increased with the increase of the depth in summer as the soil was dry. These findings indicated that CH₄ diffusion from the soil to the atmosphere was inhibited by rainwater.     

Soil and nutrients losses under different crop covers in vertisols of Central India

Purpose

Accelerated erosion removes fertile top soil along with nutrients through runoff and sediments, eventually affecting crop productivity and land degradation. However, scanty information is available on soil and nutrient losses under different crop covers in a vertisol of Central India. Thus, a field experiment was conducted for 4 years (2010–2013) to study the effect of different crop cover combinations on soil and nutrient losses through runoff in a vertisol.

Materials and methods

Very limited information is available on runoff, soil, and nutrient losses under different vegetative covers in a rainfed vertisol. Thus, the hypothesis of the study was to evaluate if different crop cover combinations would have greater impact on reducing soil and nutrient losses compared to control plots in a vertisol.

This experiment consisted of seven treatment combinations of crop covers namely soybean (Glycine max) (CC₁), maize (Zea mays) (CC₂), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) (CC₃), soybean (Glycine max)?+?maize (Zea mays) ??1:1 (CC₄), soybean (Glycine ma x))?+?pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) ?2:1 (CC₅), maize (Zea mays)?+?pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) ??1:1 (CC₆), and cultivated fallow (CC₇). The plot size was 10?×?5 m with 1% slope, and runoff and soil loss were measured using multi-slot devisor. All treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications.

Results and discussion

Results demonstrated that the runoff and soil loss were significantly (p?<?0.05) higher (289 mm and 3.92 Mg ha^?1) under cultivated fallow than those in cropped plots. Among various crop covers, sole pigeon pea (CC₃) recorded significantly higher runoff and soil loss (257 mm and 3.16 Mg ha^?1) followed by that under sole maize (CC₂) (235 mm and 2.85 Mg ha^?1) and the intercrops were in the order of maize?+?pigeon pea (211 mm and 2.47 Mg ha^?1) followed by soybean?+?maize (202 mm and 2.38 Mg ha^?1), and soybean?+?pigeon pea (195 mm and 2.15 Mg ha^?1). The lowest runoff and soil loss were recorded under soybean sole crop (194 mm and 2.27 Mg ha^?1). The data on nutrient losses indicated that the highest losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) (25.83 kg ha^?1), total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) (7.76, 0.96, 32.5 kg ha^?1) were recorded in cultivated fallow (CC₇) as compared to those from sole and intercrop treatments. However, sole soybean and its intercrops recorded the minimum losses of SOC and total N, P, and K, whereas the maximum losses of nutrients were recorded under pigeon pea (CC₃). The system productivity in terms of soybean grain equivalent yield (SGEY) was higher (p?<?0.05) from maize?+?pigeon pea (3358 kg ha^?1) followed by that for soybean?+?pigeon pea (2191 kg ha^?1) as compared to sole soybean. Therefore, maize?+?pigeon pea (1:1) intercropping is the promising option in reducing runoff, soil-nutrient losses, and enhancing crop productivity in the hot sub-humid eco-region.

Conclusions

Study results highlight the need for maintenance of suitable vegetative cover as of great significance to diffusing the erosive energy of heavy rains and also safe guarding the soil resource from degradation by water erosion in vertisols.

     

基于HYDRUS-1D的城市草地土壤水分模拟——以扬州市人工草地为例

[目的] 研究城市化背景下草地土壤水分运动规律,为提升海绵城市建设水平提供科学依据和技术支撑。[方法] 以江苏省扬州大学扬子津校区农水与水文生态试验场的人工草地为研究区,利用实测降雨和同期土壤含水量数据对不同降雨事件下的雨水入渗深度进行分析。通过HYDRUS-1D模型对研究区土壤含水量变化过程进行模拟。[结果] 在小雨（<10 mm）和中雨（10~25 mm）事件中,研究区草地的雨水入渗深度分别小于15 cm和30 cm;在大雨（25~50 mm）到暴雨（>50 mm）事件中,雨水入渗深度通常超过30 cm,或可达60 cm以上;土壤含水量模拟值与实测值的均方根误差范围为0.012～0.034 cm³/cm³。[结论] 不同等级降雨事件下的草地雨水入渗深度存在明显差异,入渗深度总体上随着降雨量的增加而增加;HYDRUS-1D模型能够准确模拟不同等级降雨事件下的城市人工草地区雨水入渗深度。     

Changes in soil organic carbon and nitrogen in an area of Andisol following afforestation with Japanese cedar and Hinoki cypress

Abstract

To determine the rates of increase in C and N stocks in the soil and organic layers following afforestation in Andisols, we measured C and N densities in the organic and soil layers at depths of 0–5, 5–15 and 15–30?cm, together with a chronosequence analysis of 4-year-old, 14-year-old and 23-year-old Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and 4-year-old, 12-year-old and 25-year-old Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantations. The short-term changes in C and N were confirmed by repeated sampling 5?years after the first sampling. Tree growth, biomass accumulation and organic layers were much greater in Japanese cedar than in Hinoki cypress plantations. Soil C density (kg?m^?3) increased and bulk density decreased with stand age in the surface layer (0–5?cm). The average soil C accumulation rate was 22.9?g?C?m^?2?year^?1 for Japanese cedar and 21.1?g?C?m^?2?year^?1 for Hinoki cypress. Repeated sampling showed that the rate of increase in C in the surface soil was relatively slow in young stands and that soil C density (kg?m^?3) in the subsurface soil did not change over a 5-year period. Although N accumulated in the tree biomass and organic layers, the soil N density (kg?m^?3) did not change after afforestation. Although the andic properties of the soil and differences in the planted species did not influence the rate of increase in soil C, soil C density was expected to increase to a concentration greater than 80?g?kg^?1, possibly because of the large C accumulation capacity of Andisols.     

Long-Term Effects of Different Passages of Vehicular Traffic on Soil Properties and Carbon Storage of a Crosby Silt Loam in USA

The passage of vehicles with heavy axle loads causes soil compaction, and this adversely affects soil properties and crop yield.The adverse effects can persist for several years due to significant changes in key soil properties. However, the mechanisms of the aforementioned effects are not well understood for conservation agriculture(CA)(e.g., no-till(NT)) wherein the use of heavy machinery is considerably common. Therefore, known compaction forces(0 Mg load for compaction(NT-0, control), two passages of 2.5 Mg water wagon axle load(NT-2), and four passages of 2.5 Mg water wagon axle load(NT-4)) were applied to all the plots annually for 20 consecutive years. The experiment was established in 1997 at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory(WANRL), Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Each treatment was replicated thrice. Soil samples were obtained in November2016 to determine the effects of variations in the axle load and vehicular passages on carbon(C) and nitrogen(N) storage and selected soil properties of a Crosby silt loam soil under NT-based corn-soybean rotation with residue retention in Central Ohio, USA. Three locations were also randomly selected in an adjoining natural woodlot(WL) soil plot and sampled(30 m away from the compaction field) to compare the effects of vehicular traffic on soil under NT with WL soil. Results revealed that soil bulk density(ρb) and total porosity at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths were not affected by the passages of vehicular traffic for 20 years under the NT system.The penetration resistance(PR)(1.86 and 2.03 MPa at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths, respectively) was significantly higher under NT-4 compared with that under other treatments. Saturated hydraulic conductivity at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths ranged from19.7 to 31.4 and 18.5 to 29.5 mm d~(-1), respectively, across all the treatments. The proportion of macroaggregates( 0.25 mm) and microaggregates( 0.25 mm), mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter of aggregates, pH, electrical conductivity, and C and N contents and storage did not differ significantly between the treatments at either of the sampling soil depths. The data indicated that 2 to 4 passages of vehicles with 2.5 Mg of axle load did not cause significant compaction of the Crosby silt loam under NT compared with that under natural WL. Therefore, the continuous cultivation of row crops with NT and residue retention is feasible with passages of vehicular traffic for well-drained soils in Central Ohio.     

Application of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Assessment of Soil Quality in a Long‐Term Pasture

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the ability of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to analyze chemical soil properties and to evaluate the effects of different phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization rates on soil quality in different layers of a long‐term pasture. The NIRS calibrations were developed for humus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (N_Kjeldahl), and several humic substances (HA1, “mobile” humic acids fraction; ΣHA, sum of humic acids; FA1, “mobile” fulvic acids; ΣFA, sum of fulvic acids, etc.) using soil samples of rather heterogeneous origin, collected during 1999–2003. Different spectral preprocessing and the modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression method were explored to enhance the relation between the spectra and measured soil properties. The equations were employed for the quality prediction of a sod gleyic light loam (Cambisol) in five PK fertilization treatments. The soil was sampled in 2000 and 2003 in three field replicates at depths of 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–50 cm, n=60 samples yr^?1. The best coefficients of correlation, R², between the reference and NIRS‐predicted data were as follows: for N_Kjeldahl, 0.965; humus, 0.938; HA1, 0.903; HA2, 0.905; HA3, 0.924; ΣHA, 0.904; and FA1, 0.911; and ΣFA, 0.885. Our findings suggest that it is feasible to use NIRS for the assessment of the effects of the inorganic PK fertilizer on the soil quality in different depths of a long‐term pasture.     

Distribution of 137Cs and 60Co in plough layer of farmland: Evidenced from a lysimeter experiment using undisturbed soil columns

Radionuclide fallout during nuclear accidents on the land may impair the atmosphere, contaminate farmland soils and crops, and can even reach the groundwater. Previous research focused on the field distribution of deposited radionuclides in farmland soils, but details of the amounts of radionuclides in the plough layer and the changes in their proportional distribution in the soil profile with time are still inadequate. In this study, a lysimeter experiment was conducted to determine the vertical migration of 137Cs and 60Co in brown and aeolian sandy soils, collected from the farmlands adjoining Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant(NPP) in eastern China, and to identify the factors influencing their migration depths in soil. At the end of the experiment(800 d), >96% of added 137Cs and 60Co were retained in the top 0–20 cm soil layer of both soils;very little 137Cs or 60Co initially migrated to 20–30 cm, but their amounts at this depth increased with time. The migration depth of 137Cs was greater in the aeolian sandy soil than in the brown soil during 0–577 d, but at the end of the experiment, 137Cs migrated to the same depth(25 cm) in both soils. Three phases on the vertical migration rate(v) of 60Co in the aeolian sandy soil can be identified: an initial rapid movement(0–355 d, v = 219 ± 17 mm year-1), followed by a steady movement(355–577 d, v = 150 ± 24 mm year-1) and a very slow movement(577–800 d, v = 107 ± 7 mm year-1). In contrast, its migration rate in the brown soil(v = 133 ± 17 mm year-1) was steady throughout the 800-d experimental period. The migration of both 137Cs and 60Co in the two soils appears to be regulated by soil clay and silt fractions that provide most of the soil surface area, soil organic carbon(SOC), and soil pH, which were manifested by the solid-liquid distribution coefficient of 137Cs and 60Co. The results of this study suggest that most 137Cs and 60Co remained within the top layer(0–20 cm depth) of farmland soils following a simulated NPP accident, and little reached the subsurface(20–30 cm depth). Fixation of radionuclides onto clay minerals may limit their migration in soil, but some could be laterally distributed by soil erosion and taken up by crops, and migrate into groundwater in a high water table level area after several decades.Remediation measures, therefore, should focus on reducing their impact on the farmland soils, crops, and water.     

Integrated Nutrient Management Affects Fruit Yield of Sapota (Achras zapota L.) and Nutrient Availability in a Vertisol

ABSTRACT

We studied the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) combinations on supplement of plant nutrient for quantitative and qualitative fruit production in sapota. Thus, 17 combinations of INM practices were evaluated on fruit yield of sapota and nutrient availability in a Vertisol of Chambal region, India. The results demonstrated that almost all treatment combinations comprised of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), i.e. 1,000:500:500 g NPK plant^?1 with application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients had a significant effect on the fruit yield of sapota, soil microbial biomass, NPK content of leaf, fruit and soil over control (T₁). Among different treatments, application of 2/3rd part of RDF + 50 kg FYM + 250 g Azospirillum + 250 g Azotobacter plant^?1 (T₁₁) significantly enhanced the number of fruits plant^?1 (327.88), yield plant^?1 (29.03 kg) and yield ha^?1 (4.52 t). However, the soil microbial count of fungi (8.89 cfu g^?1 soil), bacteria (11.19 cfu g^?1 soil) and actinomycetes (5.60 cfu g^?1 soil) at fruit harvest was higher under the 2/3 of RDF +10 kg vermicompost + 250 g Azospirillum + 250 g Azotobacter plant^?1 (T₁₅). The leaf nitrogen content (N, 2.03%) was higher in T_15, while phosphorus (P, 0.28%) and potassium (K, 1.80%) content were higher in T₁₁. It is evident that treatment T₁₁ increased fruit yield by 32% in Sapota cv. Kalipatti compared to control. Therefore, combined application of nutrient sources proved not only beneficial for enhancing fruit yield of sapota but also sustaining soil health in Chambal region of south-eastern Rajasthan.     

Effects of microbial inoculations on soil chemical,biochemical and microbial biomass carbon of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) growing Vertisols

Cassava is an important subsidiary food in the tropics. In Tamil Nadu, India, microbial cultures were used to eradicate the tuberous root rot of cassava. Hence, an experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to test the effects of coinoculation of microbes on soil properties. The surface soil from the experimental site was analysed for soil available nutrients, soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon. The treatment of Azospirillum with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended N:P₂O₅:K₂O (NPK) rate (50:25:50 kg ha^?1) significantly increased soil available nitrogen (142.81 kg ha^?1) by 72.66% over uninoculated control. There was a significant increase in available phosphorus in soil by the inoculation of AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended NPK rate (41.04 kg ha^?1) compared to other treatments. The application of Pseudomonas fluorescens with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased available iron (19.34 µg g^?1) in soil. The treatment of Azospirillum with Trichoderma increased urease enzyme activity at the recommended NPK rate (816.32 μg urea hydrolyzed g^?1 soil h^?1). Soil application of all cultures at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased dehydrogenase activity (88.63 μg TPF g^?1 soil) and β-glucosidase activity (48.82 μg PNP g^?1 soil) in soil. Inoculation of Trichoderma alone at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (3748.85 μg g^?1 soil). Thus, the microbial inoculations significantly increased soil available nutrient contents, enzyme activities such as urease, dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity and microbial biomass carbon by reducing the amount of the required fertilizer.     

硫酸法钛石膏作为土壤调理剂在油菜上的施用效果研究

为研究钛白粉生产过程中经无害化处理的副产品钛石膏作为土壤调理剂的施用效果及安全性,试验对供试钛石膏通过成分鉴定—土柱淋溶—盆栽种植的方式,研究了钛石膏和钛石膏淋溶液中的有害元素含量以及钛石膏与土壤不同比例掺混后对油菜生长、产量和功能叶光合速率影响。结果表明:钛石膏主要成分为CaSO_4和Fe_2O_3,固体中的重金属含量均符合国家安全标准。钛石膏淋溶液中含有较少量的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+),不含其他有害物质,施用后不会随雨水和灌溉污染土壤和地下水。随着钛石膏添加比例的增加,油菜产量呈先增高后降低的趋势,过量的钛石膏施用会抑制油菜的生长。钛石膏与土壤按照1∶4体积比混合施用后效果最好,与常规土壤栽培方式相比,油菜出苗20天后功能叶蒸腾速率提高了11.86%;出苗30天后功能叶SPAD值增加了4.33%,收获时油菜株高提高了12.97%,产量增加了14.08%。相关性分析显示,油菜产量(y)与钛石膏添加比例(x)的关系为y=0.0001x~3-0.0212x~2+0.6966x+41.815(R~2=0.999 4),综合考虑函数及其他因素,在实际生产中若每公顷施用300t的钛石膏能起到最佳增产效果。