Soluble selenium content of agricultural soils in Japan and its determining factors with reference to soil type,land use and region

Abstract

To evaluate labile selenium (Se) content in agricultural soils in Japan and to investigate its determining factors, 178 soil samples were collected from the surface layer of paddy or upland fields in Japan and their soluble Se contents were determined. Two grams of soil was extracted with 20 mL of 0.1 mol L^?1 sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) solution for 30 min in boiling water, and the released Se was reduced to Se (IV) after organic matter decomposition. The concentration of Se (IV) was then determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector after treatment with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and extraction with cyclohexane. Soluble Se content ranged from 2.5 to 44.5 μg kg^?1 with geometric and arithmetic means of 11.4 and 12.8 μg kg^?1, respectively, and corresponded to 3.2% of the total Se on average. The overall data showed log-normal distribution. In terms of soil type, Non-allophanic Andosols and Volcanogenous Regosols had relatively high soluble Se content, and Wet Andosols and Lowland Paddy soils had relatively low soluble Se content. In terms of land use, upland soils had significantly higher soluble Se content than paddy soils (p < 0.01). The soluble Se content had significant positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) content of the extract, soil pH and total Se content (p < 0.01). In conclusion, total Se content in combination with soil pH was the main determining factor of the soluble Se content of agricultural soils in Japan.     

Evaluation of sodium tetraphenylboron (NaBPh4) as a soil test of potassium availability

Non-exchangeable potassium (K_nex) contributes to soil K availability and several extractants are used to access its contribution. This study evaluated sodium tetraphenylboron (NaBPh₄) as a soil test of K availability in 20 soils from Northern Greece. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. ‘Yecora’) was sown in a greenhouse pot experiment and five cropping cycles were carried out until K-depletion. Soils were analyzed with NH₄OAc and NaBPh₄ (1 and 5 min incubation periods). Critical levels of K ranged between 130–140 and 330–340 mg K kg^?1 of soil for NH₄OAc and NaBPh₄ (1 min incubation period), respectively, and between 32 and 35 g K kg^?1 of wheat dry matter. NaBPh₄-K (1 min) related better with K concentration and uptake compared to NH₄OAc for each cropping cycle (r² = 0.45–0.83 and 0.44–0.89) and for all soils (r² = 0.58 and 0.51). Similar results obtained in soils low in exchangeable K (r² = 0.41 and 0.39). Correlation between NH₄Oac- and NaBPh₄-extractable K was weaker among soils below the critical level (r = 0.70) compared to those above (r = 0.93). Inclusion of illitic K and cation exchange capacity in a multiple linear regression between NH₄OAc- and NaBPh₄-extractable K showed that they significantly contributed to NaBPh₄-extractable K.     

Factors affecting potassium fixation in calcareous soils of southern Iran

Potassium fixation capacity and mineralogical analysis of 24 representative soils, collected from southern Iran, were studied. Potassium fixation analysis was performed by adding six rates of K from 0 to 1000 mg kg^?1 soil in a plastic beaker and shaking for 24 h. Mineralogical analysis showed that the clay fractions were dominated by smectite, chlorite, mica, palygorskite, vermiculite and quartz. In general, the studied soils fixed 8.5–55% of the added K. The potassium fixation capacity of the studied soils was significantly correlated with smectite content (r ² = 0.87), clay content (r ² = 0.60), cation-exchange capacity (r ² = 0.79) and NH₄OAc-K. Wetting and drying treatment and incubation time had significant effects on K fixation. The average percentage increase in K fixation following the wetting and drying treatment was 24 and 30% for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. The average percentage increase in K fixation with increasing residence time was 79 and 56% for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Because K fixation is a diffusion process, time and increased concentration of soluble K (because of soil drying) are factors affecting the rate of K diffusion from a soil solution to the interlayer positions of the expansible 2:1 clay minerals.     

Measuring and simulating pH buffer capacity of calcareous soils using empirical and mechanistic models

ABSTRACT

We studied (i) the pH buffer capacity (pHBC) of calcareous soils varied widely in calcite and texture, (ii) the contribution of soil properties to pHBC and (iii) the significance of using a model based on calcite dissolution to estimate the pHBC of calcareous soils. The pHBC of soils was measured by adding several rates of HCl to soils (100–6500 mM H⁺ kg^–1), in a 0.01 M CaCl₂ background and an equilibration time of 24 h. The pHBC (mM H⁺ kg^–1 pH^?1) varied from 55 to 3383, with the mean of 1073. The pHBC of the soils was strongly correlated with soil CaCO₃ equivalent (calcite) (r = 0.94), sand (r = ?0.72), silt (r = 0.60), EC (r = 0.63), pH (r = 0.55), and weakly (r = 0.37) but significantly with clay content. The attained pHBC values indicated that calcite was probably the main buffer system in these soils. The chemical equilibrium model successfully predicted pH titration curves based on calcite dissolution, indicating buffering of acid inputs in the calcareous soils is dominated by calcite dissolution. The model can be used to simulate acidification of calcareous soils and to provide information for making environmental management decisions.     

Comparison of carbon skeletal structures in black humic acids from different soil origins

Andosols are characterized by an abundance of black humic acids (HAs) belonging to Type A with a high content of aromatic carbon (C) in particular condensed aromatic C. Black HAs are also observed in other soils, such as Chernozems and the subsoil of paddy field, and extracted after washing with an acid or using chelating agent such as sodium pyrophosphate (Na₄P₂O₇). However, contribution of condensed aromatic structures to those soil HAs are unknown. To obtain the information about C skeletal structures of black HAs in soils other than Andosols, HAs were obtained from 2 Chinese Chernozem samples, 2 subsoil samples from Japanese paddy fields (Fulvisols), and a Rendzina-like soil (Cambisols) as well as an Andosol sample (reference) by successive extraction with 0.1 M NaOH (HAs₁) and 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (HAs₂), and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction 11-band profile analyses were applied. In the black HAs₂ from the non-Andosol samples, the proportion of C present as aromatic C, size of C layer planes, and relative C layer plane content ranged from 52 to 59%, 0.48 to 1.92 nm (mean size, 0.76–0.91 nm), and 58 to 100 AU (arbitrary unit) mg^?1, respectively, with a positive correlation between total C layer plane content and the degree of humification. Those ranges were similar to the distribution ranges of Andosols HAs₁ reported by our previous study.     

Arsenic contents and physicochemical properties of agricultural soils from the Red River Delta,Vietnam

Abstract

To evaluate arsenic (As) levels in agricultural soils of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam, surface (0–5 cm) and subsurface (20–25 cm) soil samples were collected from 18 paddy and six upland fields on both sides of the river. As a reference, forest soils were also sampled at two sites of the upper river basin. The total As contents of approximately 80% of the surface paddy and upland soils exceeded the maximum allowable limit for Vietnamese agricultural soils (12 mg kg^?1). Arsenic contents higher than 35 mg kg^?1 were found in soils from the Hungyen and Hanam provinces, where high As levels in the groundwater have also been reported. Sequential fractionation of As in these soils indicated that the amounts of As in the phosphate-extractable and residual fractions were higher than those in the forest soils. Elevated total As contents were also detected in the surface soil of a paddy field near a fertilizer factory in Hanoi (site P10). The amount of HCl-extractable As in the surface soil at P10 corresponded to 84% of the total As, while the proportion never exceeded 40% at other locations. In the surface soil at P10, most of the As was part of the phosphate-extractable fraction. Significant correlations between the total As contents of the upland soils and their non-crystalline Fe oxide contents (r = 0.652, P ≤ 0.05) and between As levels of paddy soils and their crystalline Fe oxide contents (r = 0.544, P ≤ 0.01) were observed. Overall, the present study indicated that although serious As pollution was not found in the studied area, there were some point pollutions caused by industrial activities, in addition to some non-point pollutions resulting from high As concentrations in the groundwater. In addition, Fe oxides in the soils are important factors affecting the As contents of agricultural soils in the Red River Delta.     

Aggregate-associated soil organic carbon and total nitrogen following amendment of puddled and sawah-managed rice soils in southeastern Nigeria

Puddling during sawah rice cultivation destabilizes the soil structure. The re-formation of soil water-stable aggregates (WSA) following puddling and amendments, and their associated organic carbon (SOC) and total N were studied at Akaeze and Ikwo in south-eastern Nigeria. The amendments, which were randomized in triplicate, include control, NPK fertilizer, poultry dropping, rice husk powder and rice husk ashes (RHA). Soil samples from 0 to 15 cm depth were taken from the field after 2 years of cultivation. Most of the SOC were found in the very fine aggregates. There was no consistent trend in the treatment effects. However, the NPK-amended soils showed the lowest values of WSA > 2 mm in both locations, whereas the poultry dropping-amended soils showed the least and the highest mean-weight diameter (MWD) values at Akaeze and Ikwo, respectively. The SOC of the whole soil in Akaeze correlated positively with MWD (r = 0.92*). Irrespective of location, SOC in soils and WSA > 2.00 mm correlated positively with MWD (r = 0.56*; 0.65*, respectively) while SOC in WSA 0.50–0.25 mm accounted for low MWD values. More carbon was sequestered at Akaeze than at Ikwo, with the RHA-amended soils being the highest at both locations.     

Evaluation of available silicon content and its determining factors of agricultural soils in Japan

To evaluate the available silicon (Si) content in agricultural soils in Japan and to investigate the determining factors of this content, we collected 180 soil samples from the surface layer of paddies and upland fields in Japan and determined their available Si contents. A phosphate buffer (PB; 0.02 M, pH 6.9) or an acetate buffer (AB; 0.1 M, pH 4.0) was used to extract available Si from the soil samples, and the Si concentrations in the extracts were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emissions spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The total Si content and selected physicochemical properties were also determined for the soil samples. The median values of the available Si contents by the PB and AB methods were 48.8 and 79.7 mg kg^?1 and corresponded to 0.017% and 0.027% of the total Si content, respectively. The overall data showed log-normal distributions. The available Si content of the upland soils was significantly higher than that of the paddy soils by both the PB (p < 0.01) and AB methods (p < 0.05). The available Si contents by the PB and AB methods had a significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) and they had significant negative correlation with the total Si content (p < 0.01). The values of the available Si contents by the PB and AB methods correlated positively with the pH, total carbon (C) content, and dithionite-citrate bicarbonate extractable iron (Fed) and aluminum (Ald), acid oxalate extractable iron (Feo) and aluminum (Alo), Fed-Feo and Alo+1/2Feo values (p < 0.01). A multi-regression analysis indicated that pH, amorphous minerals and crystalline iron (Fe) oxides were the dominant determining factors of available Si in the soils, and these three variables explained approximately two thirds of the variation of available Si content in agricultural soils in Japan. In terms of soil type, Terrestrial Regosols, Dark Red soils and Andosols had relatively high available Si contents, whereas Sand-dune Regosols, Red soils and Gray Lowland soils had relatively low contents. In terms of region, the soils in the Kanto and Okinawa regions had relatively high available Si contents and those in the Kinki, Shikoku and Chugoku regions had relatively low contents. In conclusion, the available Si content and its determining factors for agricultural soils in Japan were quantitatively elucidated, and this will contribute to the establishment of rational soil management?—including the application of silicate materials, taking into account the Si-supplying power of the relevant soils—for sustainable and productive agriculture in Japan.     

Soil temperature,growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by wheat straw mulch

Maize crop is grown mostly in tropical/subtropical environments where drought adversely affects its production. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four years (1999 – 2002) to study the effect of wheat straw mulch (0 and 6 t ha^?1) and planting methods (flat and channel) on maize sown on different dates. Maximum soil temperature without mulch ranged from 32.2 – 44.4°C in channel and 31.6 – 46.4°C in flat planting method. Mulching, however, lowered soil temperature by 0.8 – 7.0°C in channel and 0 – 9.8°C in flat planting. Mulching, on an average, improved leaf area index by 0.42, plant height by 14 cm, grain yield by 0.24 t ha^?1 and biomass by 1.57 t ha^?1, respectively. Mulching improved grain yield only in flat sowing. Interaction between sowing date and planting method was significant. Seasonal variation in biomass were significantly correlated (p = 0.05) with mean air temperature during 0 – 45 days after planting (DAP) (r = ?0.95), pan evaporation during 0 – 15 DAP (r = 0.79) and negative correlation with rainfall in entire cropping season (r = ?0.89), whereas biomass increase with mulch in different cropping seasons had negative relation (r = ?0.74) with amount of rain during 0 – 15 DAP.     

Properties and classification of volcanic ash soils around Lake Kuwanuma on the eastern footslope of Mt. Funagata in Miyagi prefecture,northeastern Japan

One of the developments in recognition of soil properties and different soils is from morphological to analytical. With an incorporation of analytical data, transitional soils can be systematically named using a key-out order as well as typical soils. Our major objective was to evaluate soils with multiple forming processes such as andosolization, podzolization, etc., using soil analytical data, selecting a small area having different soil names based on soil morphological properties. According to a local soil map, Ando soils, Brown forest soils (Dark) and Wet and Dry podzols soils are adjacently distributed around Lake Kuwanuma on the eastern footslope of Mt. Funagata in Miyagi prefecture, northeastern Japan. We studied the morphological, chemical and mineralogical properties of these soils and classified them according to the recent Comprehensive Soil Classification System of Japan (CSCSJ), United States Department of Agriculture Soil Taxonomy (ST) and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). The elevation of Lake Kuwanuma is 780 m above sea level and a plateau is located next to a steep slope on the western side of the lake. Three pedons were sampled from the northern side of Lake Kuwanuma, and 3 additional pedons were sampled from the plateau. The average difference in elevation between these two groups of pedons was 229 m. All 6 pedons were classified as Andosols in CSCSJ, Udands in ST and Andosols in WRB. Thus, andosolization was the dominant soil-forming process throughout the study area. The major modification of Andisols in the study area was caused by forest vegetation. Of the 6 pedons sampled, three were classified as Fulvudands in ST and had the Fulvic prefix qualifier in WRB. Furthermore, weak podzolization was suggested on the basis of soil profile observations. One pedon on the plateau had a Bs horizon, which satisfied the spodic horizon requirements of ST. Thus, weak podzolization, especially on the plateau, was another accessory characteristic in the present study area. The nearby distribution of Podzols soils and Ando soils in the local soil map may be explained by differences in temperature, leaching intensity and other factors. A podzolic subgroup of Andosols/Udands was desired to express the properties of pedons on the plateau in the lower categories of the recent soil classification systems.     

Differential impacts of climate variability on yields of rainfed barley and legumes in semi-arid Mediterranean conditions

Climate change has emerged as a major concern for crop production. This study used a field experiment to examine the differential yield responses of barley, lentil, common vetch, and bitter vetch to weather in the Mediterranean region. Crops were grown in a 10-year rotation trial in Lebanon. Precipitation and temperature were used as explanatory variables in simple linear correlation and standardized multiple-regression analyses. Grain yields were not correlated with annual precipitation. Barley grain yield was correlated positively with precipitation from March to May (r = 0.70) and the rainfall distribution index (r = 0.71), but negatively with mean May temperature (r = –0.62) and absolute minimum temperature in January (r = –0.91). Unlike barley, legume grain yield was not correlated with any rainfall parameters. Common vetch grain yield was negatively correlated with mean May temperature (r = –0.68). Grain yield of the two vetches were also correlated negatively with the absolute minimum temperature in January, but grain yield of lentil was not correlated with any weather variable. Standardized multiple-regression analyses showed that mean May temperature had the strongest influence on grain yield of barley, lentil, and common vetch, indicating that, under climate change, higher temperature may have a more deleterious effect on grain yield than lower rainfall. The negative correlation between common vetch and barley grain yields and temperature in May suggests that early sowing to induce earlier flowering and maturity to escape the hot summer may be an option to increase common vetch and barley grain yields.     

Zinc Deficiency in Rainfed Wheat in Pakistan: Magnitude,Spatial Variability,Management, and Plant Analysis Diagnostic Norms

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a widespread micronutrient disorder in crops grown in calcareous soils; therefore, we conducted a nutrient indexing of farmer‐grown rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Pak‐81) in 1.82 Mha Potohar plateau of Pakistan by sampling up to 30 cm tall whole shoots and associated soils. The crop was Zn deficient in more than 80% of the sampled fields, and a good agreement existed between plant Zn concentration and surface soil AB‐DTPA Zn content (r=0.52; p≤0.01). Contour maps of the sampled areas, prepared by geostatistical analysis techniques and computer graphics, delineated areas of Zn deficiency and, thus, would help focus future research and development. In two field experiments on rainfed wheat grown in alkaline Zn‐deficient Typic Haplustalfs (AB‐DTPA Zn, 0.49–0.52 mg kg^?1), soil‐applied Zn increased grain yield up to 12% over control. Fertilizer requirement for near‐maximum wheat grain yield was 2.0 kg Zn ha^?1, with a VCR of 4∶1. Zinc content in mature grain was a good indicator of soil Zn availability status, and plant tissue critical Zn concentration ranges appear to be 16–20 mg kg^?1 in young whole shoots, 12–16 mg kg^?1 in flag leaves, and 20–24 mg Zn kg^?1 in mature grains.     

Phosphorus Sorption in Hydromorphic Soils Overlying Alluvium and Coastal Plain Sand Parent Materials in Delta State,Nigeria

Highly weathered soils of the tropics are known to have great affinity for phosphate sorption with reportedly high values for affinity constant, k. This study evaluated soil samples from profiles dug at Agbor, Kwale, and Otegbo which overly alluvium and coastal plain sand parent materials for their capacities to sorb phosphorus (P). The samples were equilibrated in 30 ml of 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) containing various amounts of P as monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) to give 0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400, 800, and 1000 μg/L P for 6 days at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C. The rate of P adsorption increased with increased concentrations of P and was generally low in the soils. Affinity constant k was also low and did not compare with values earlier obtained for well-drained soils. P adsorption capacity decreased in the order: Agbor > Otegbo > Kwale. Percent phosphorus sorbed was highest at Agbor with values of 11.33%, 10.8%, and 10.12% for 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg P added, respectively. The adsorption maxima (b) of the soils was significantly correlated with the soils organic carbon with r = 0.817, p < 0.05; r = 0.883, p < 0.05, and r = 0.886, p < 0.05 for Agbor, Kwale, and Otegbo soils, respectively. Proper management of the soils organic matter content coupled with the addition of rock phosphate is recommended for P improvement in these soils for sustained cultivation of crops such as Raphia hookeri that are adapted to hydromorphic environment.     

Initial soil organic carbon concentration influences the short-term retention of crop-residue carbon in the fine fraction of a heavy clay soil

Among factors controlling decomposition and retention of residue C in soil, effect of initial soil organic C (SOC) concentration remains unclear. We evaluated, under controlled conditions, short-term retention of corn residue C and total soil CO₂ production in C-rich topsoil and C-poor subsoil samples of heavy clay. Topsoil (0–20 cm deep, 31.3 g SOC kg^?1 soil) and subsoil (30–70 cm deep, 4.5 g SOC kg^?1 soil) were mixed separately with ¹³C–¹⁵N-labeled corn (Zea mays L.) residue at rates of 0 to 40 g residue C kg^?1 soil and incubated for 51 days. We measured soil CO₂–C production and the retention of residue C in the whole soil and the fine particle-size fraction (<50 μm). Cumulative C mineralization was always greater in topsoil than subsoil. Whole-soil residue C retention was similar in topsoil and subsoil at rates up to 20 g residue C kg^?1. There was more residue C retained in the fine fraction of topsoil than subsoil at low residue input levels (2.5 and 5 g residue C kg^?1), but the trend was reversed with high residue inputs (20 and 40 g residue C kg^?1). Initial SOC concentration affected residue C retention in the fine fraction but not in the whole soil. At low residue input levels, greater microbial activity in topsoil resulted in greater residue fragmentation and more residue C retained in the fine fraction, compared to the subsoil. At high residue input levels, less residue C accumulated in the fine fraction of topsoil than subsoil likely due to greater C saturation in the topsoil. We conclude that SOC-poor soils receiving high C inputs have greater potential to accumulate C in stable forms than SOC-rich soils.     

Efficiency of gypsum application to acid Andosols estimated using aluminum release rates and plant root growth

Abstract

A great deal of information on the efficiency of gypsum or phosphogypsum to ameliorate acidity in highly weathered soils is available, but only limited information is available on the efficiency in acid Andosols, which possess large amounts of active aluminum (Al). We examined the effectiveness of gypsum application to non-allophanic Andosols (one humus-rich A horizon and two B horizons poor in humus) using extractable soil Al analyses (batch and continuous extraction methods) and a cultivation test using burdock (Arctium lappa). With gypsum amendment, pH(H₂O) values of the soil decreased from 4.5–4.7 to 4.2–4.4, whereas the treatment made almost no difference to the values of pH(KCl). Total active Al (acid oxalate-extractable Al) was hardly affected by gypsum for all samples. Potassium chloride-extractable Al definitely decreased with the addition of gypsum in all soils; however, the decrease was small (0.1–1.4 cmol_c kg^?1) and the values still exceeded “the threshold of 2 cmol_c kg^?1” for inducing Al toxicity in sensitive plants (4.4–8.6 cmol_c Al kg^?1). The change in Al solubility with gypsum application represented by Al release rates from soils using continuous extraction methods with a dilute acetate buffer solution (10^?3 mol L^?1, pH 3.5) differed greatly among the soil samples: The release rate of one of the B horizon samples decreased by 71%, certainly showing the insolubilization of Al compounds, whereas the release rates of the A horizon sample showed almost no change. These changes in Al solubility were well correlated with the plant root growth. Root growth was improved with gypsum in the B horizon sample, whereas improvement was not observed in the A horizon soil. The decrease in the rate of Al release of another B horizon soil with gypsum treatment was smaller (by 20–34%), possibly because of lower pH values after gypsum application (pH[H₂O] of 4.2–4.3). In the B horizon soil, root growth improved only slightly. Thus, the effectiveness of gypsum application to acid Andosols appeared to be largely influenced by soil humus contents and slight differences in soil pH values, and corresponded to a decrease in Al release rates using the continuous extraction method.     

Effect of Citrate Concentration on the Extraction Efficiency of Selected Micronutrients from Soil

This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of citrate concentration on the extraction efficiency of some micronutrients from soil. Composite surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from Eastern Harage Zone (Babile and Haramaya Districts), Wolaita Zone (Damot Sore, Boloso Bombe, Damot Pulasa and Humbo Districts) and Dire Dawa Administrative Council in purposive sampling. The treatments were arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. A greenhouse pot experiment with soybean plant was conducted to determine the correlation between soil test methods and the selected micronutrients, such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in the leaves of the plant. The results showed that, among the different citrate concentrations with strontium chloride (SrCl₂) tested for the determination of available Fe, Mn and Zn, the highest correlation coefficients (r = 0.82, p < 0.05), (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) and (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) were found between the diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) method and 0.02 M strontium chloride (SrCl₂)-0.025 M citric acid extractant, respectively. Therefore, 0.02 M SrCl₂-0.025 M citric acid extractant is considered to be the most effective for the determination of Fe, Mn and Zn in soils of the studied areas. Similarly, high correlation coefficients (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) were found between DTPA and 0.02 M SrCl₂-0.05 M citric acid and (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) between DTPA and 0.02 M SrCl₂-0.025 M citric acid extractants for the determination of available Cu from soils. Hence, the 0.02 M SrCl₂-0.05 M citric acid extractant was shown to be the best for the determination of Cu in soils of the studied areas. However, considering the use of universal extractant, the 0.02 M SrCl₂-0.025 M citric acid extractant could easily be adopted as a procedure for the determination of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn for both agricultural and environmental purposes. The greenhouse experiment confirmed the result.     

Effect of phosphogypsum application on the chemical properties of Andosols,and the growth and Ca uptake of melon seedlings

Abstract

Allophanic Andosols are widely used as a major material in commercial nursery media for fruit vegetables in Japan because of their remarkable physical properties, such as a high water-holding capacity. In the present study, our objectives were: (1) to examine the effect of phosphogypsum (PG) on the chemical properties of Andosols, (2) to investigate the effect of PG on the growth and Ca uptake of melon seedlings. The effect of PG on chemical properties of Andosols was studied using five Andosols with different inorganic and organic colloidal components. The change in soil pH (H₂O) was dependent on the soil samples; an increase was observed in the case of Kawatabi 3Bw soil; a sharp decrease in Kawatabi A2 soil; and almost no change or a slight decrease in Kameoka A1, A2 and Bw soils. The water-soluble Ca content was examined as an index of Ca availability in Andosols treated with PG. The increment in water-soluble Ca by PG application was depressed by allophane. The effect of PG application to the nursery media prepared from Andosols on growth and Ca uptake of melon (Cucumis melo L.) was examined in 2002. Three different varieties, Amusu, Earl's and Midorishima, were used in this experiment. The pH value of nursery media was stable at 6.4 ± 0.1 regardless of PG application rate. In contrast, electrical conductivity was clearly increased by PG application, and was reached at 1.2 dS m^?1 in 4.0 g L^?1 application. The application of PG increased water soluble Ca of nursery media from 1.7 to 5.2 cmol_c L^?1. Both top and root growth of melon seedlings were enhanced regardless of varieties, dry matter weights were maximized at 4 g L^?1 PG application. The Ca uptake of melon seedlings was promoted by PG application in all the varieties. It was suggested that the relative root growth rate of melon seedlings was closely related to the Ca uptake of melon seedlings.     

Differential soil acidification caused by parent materials and land-use changes in the Pearl River Delta region

Soil acidification occurs widely across the world, which has been partly attributed to land-use change. However, measureable effect of land-use change as well as parent materials on soil acidification remains poorly understood. Here, a typical area with intensive land-use change in the Pearl River Delta of China was chosen for this study. Topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm) samples (n = 169) under different land uses (paddy fields, vegetable lands and orchards) and parent materials (granite and alluvial sediment) were collected in 2020. Soil pH, exchangeable base cations, exchangeable acidity and pH buffering capacity were measured to evaluate the status of soil acidification. The change of soil pH over the last 15 years was evaluated via comparing with historical data (n = 329) in 2005. The results showed a higher exchangeable acidity and lower pH buffering capacity and exchangeable base cations of soils derived from granite compared with soils derived from alluvial sediment in 2020. In the last 15 years, significant soil acidification under different parent materials was observed under vegetable lands and orchards but not paddy fields. Faster pH decline was found under land-use change from paddy fields compared with the unchanged vegetable lands or orchards. Furthermore, stronger acidification under the same land-use change was observed for soils derived from granite compared with soils derived from alluvial sediment. These results indicate that land-use change induced soil acidification is dependent on parent materials. This study implies that cropping management such as suitable rotation operation may slow soil acidification, and measures including straw returning may ameliorate acidified soils.     

Soil slaking sensitivity as influenced by soil properties in alluvial and residual humid tropical soils

Purpose

In the humid Caribbean region characterized by high-intensity tropical rainfall, soil aggregate breakdown and pore blocking due to slaking pressures are major land degradation mechanisms. In this research, we investigated the susceptibility of soils to slaking pressures under rapid wetting as influenced by soil properties and the depositional origin from which the soil is formed using water-stable aggregates (WSAr) and percolation stability (PSc) as indices of the strength of aggregate inter-particle cohesion.

Materials and methods

Wet sieving and percolation stability analyses were employed to investigate WSAr and pore blocking, respectively. The combined effect of soil properties of clay, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was used to determine the slaking sensitivity score (SSc) of 14 physiogeographically important soils in Trinidad, comprising of nine alluvial and five residual soils.

Results and discussion

Results showed that irrespective of alluvial or residual depositional nature of the parent material, samples had high SSc with an average WSAr of 37.8% and PSc of 6.0 mm/10 min. The linear relationships between SSc with WSAr (r²?=???0.12) and SSc with PSc (r²?=???0.012) of all the 14 soils although negative were weak. Clay content accounted for 94.0% of the variation in CEC in alluvial soils and had strong negative relationships with WSAr (r²?=???0.74) and PSc (r²?=???0.79) in residual soils. Additionally, OM with WSAr (r²?=?0.52) and PSc (r²?=?0.24), and CEC with WSAr (r²?=?0.46) and PSc (r²?=?0.39) showed significant positive linear relationships in residual soil.

Conclusions

The predominantly micaceous and kaolinitic clay mineralogy of these soils, coupled with the low OM contents, increases the proneness of the soils to slaking. This suggests that clay mineralogy is responsible for the high slaking sensitivity rather than clay content or just the depositional origin of the soils. As CEC increases, an accompanying increase in OM is required to increase inter-particle cohesion and to impart partial hydrophobicity, which in turn decreases mineralogically induced susceptibility of individual aggregates to slaking.

     

Soil Phosphorus Remediation by Bahia Grass,Common Bermuda Grass,Crab Grass,and Switch Grass

Soil phosphorus (P) removal by harvest may be a practical remediation strategy. Small plots of bahia grass (BG) (Paspalum notatum Flügge), common bermuda grass (CB) (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), crab grass (CG) (Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel.), and switch grass (SG) (Panicum virgatum L.) were established on a coastal plain soil (Mehlich 3P, 100–500+ mg kg^?1) . Yield, tissue P concentration, and uptake P were determined in 2002–2005, and surface (0–15 cm) soil P were determined in 2002 and 2005. The uptake decreased, SG > CG > BG = CB (range 230–90 kg ha^?1), paralleling the decrease in surface soil P. Uptake depended on soil P (P < 0.01–0.10), with uptake > surface soil P decrease at low soil P due to uptake from subsoil but decrease > uptake at high soil P due to leaching. Soil P concentration did not affect SG tissue P nor did multiple harvests decrease its relative productivity.