Soil Physical Properties and Bromide Movement in Relation to Tillage System

Abstract

Conventional (CT) and no‐tillage (NT) effects on soil physical properties and bromide (Br) movement were studied at two locations in North Carolina. The soils were a Norfolk sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudult) at a North American eastern Coastal Plain location and a Pacolet sandy clay loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludult) at a Piedmont location. Bulk density (Db), macroporosity (Mp), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were measured in the plant row (R) and trafficked (T) or untrafficked (N) interrow positions. Simulated rain was applied at two intensities to 1?m² plots after KBr was surface applied. The first simulated rain (30 min) consisted of a low (1.27 cm h^?1) or a high (5.08 cm h^?1) intensity applied 24 h after Br application. One week later, the high rainfall rate was repeated on all plots. Soil samples for Br determinations were taken 2 days after each rain simulation event to a depth of 40 cm and at the end of the growing season to 120 cm. Soil physical properties were affected by both tillage and position. Bulk density was greater for NT than for CT and in the T compared with R and N row positions. Mp was significantly greater in NT than CT at Coastal Plain location, but the results were opposite at the Piedmont location. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was highly variable ranging from 0.36 cm h^?1 to 14.4 cm h^?1 at the Coastal Plain location and from 0.06 cm h^?1 to 7.12 cm h^?1 at the Piedmont location. Saturated hydraulic conductivity at T position was about 100% lower than Ks at N and R positions, but the effect of tillage system was not significant on Ks. The surface 10 cm of soil contained the greatest Br concentration for both tillage systems. For the first and second sampling dates, greater Br movement occurred under NT vs. CT. However, no significant differences were observed in Br movement in the end of season sampling. Because of the coarser soil texture, greater Ks and Mp at the Coastal Plain location, Br moved, to a greater depth at this site than at the Piedmont site.     

Tillage and application effects on herbicide leaching and runoff

Herbicides are key products in sustaining agricultural production and, to minimize agro-environmental concerns regarding their use, continued assessment of their behavior under different management practices is required. Leaching and runoff losses of four herbicides applied preplant-incorporated (PPI) were evaluated in two tillage systems over a 3-year period (1989–1991). Scant leaching during the droughty 1991 growing season limited treatment evaluations to 2 years. Herbicides were applied at recommended rates (1.7 and 2.2 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha⁻¹) to conventional tillage (CT) and mulch tillage (MT) corn (Zea mays L.) fields on Hagerstown silty clay loam (fine, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalf). Tillage treatments were defined as moldboard plow-disk-harrow (CT) and single-disking (MT). During this study, CT followed 5 years of corn production in a comparable CT system on this site and, similarly, MT followed a 5-year no-tillage (NT) system. Herbicides were applied preemergence (PRE) to CT and NT in the 5-year study and preplant-incorporated (PPI) in this study. Herbicide mobility in subsurface drainage was evaluated from herbicide mass transported to pan lysimeters installed 1.2 m deep. Surface drainage losses of these chemicals were determined from residues in runoff collected with automated sampling and recording equipment.

Leachate volumes were greater from MT than CT in 1989 and 1990 and exceeded all seasonal losses during the previous 5 years under NT management. Comparisons of total seasonal leachate discharged to pan lysimeters within and among studies and herbicide mass leached showed that timing of leachate-inducing precipitation relative to herbicide application was the key factor in regulating herbicide translocation. Herbicide mass transported through the root zone averaged from less than 0.1% to 0.9% of applied rates in CT and from 1.4% to 5.1% in MT.

Leachate-availability of herbicide residues and extent of herbicide longevity in this soil under MT conditions were similar to previous findings under NT management. Despite these behavioral similarities for herbicides among tillages, herbicide mass discharged per unit of percolate was most often lower for MT compared with NT, particularly in early growing seasons of comparable precipitation. Thus, the PPI treatment in MT appeared to reduce leaching of these chemicals compared with PRE application in NT.

Runoff losses of PPI herbicides ranged from 0.35% to 0.77% of applied rates in CT and from 0.13% to 0.28% in MT. Losses of PRE-applied herbicides from NT averaged less than 0.1% of applied rates; maximum yearly losses ranged from 0.06% to 0.18%. Thus, the character of the disked, minimally tilled surface provided a level of impedance to runoff that was greater than achieved with the tilled surface on this 3 to 5% slope, but less than previously obtained with an untilled, mulch-covered surface.     

Crop Residue Effects on Total and Dissolved Losses of Fe,Mn, Cu,and Zn by Runoff

Runoff may cause losses of micronutrients from soils. This can result in environmental problems such as contaminant transfers to water or a decrease in soil fertility. Appropriate soil management may reduce these micronutrient losses. This study examined the effect of applying crop residues to the soil surface on iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) losses by runoff. Runoff and sediment yield were measured on 1-m² plots using a rainfall simulator with constant 65 mm h^?1 intensity. Eight successive rainfall applications were performed at 65 mm each. Corn (Zea mays L.) straw was applied to plots at rates ranging from 0 to 8 t ha^?1. Both total and dissolved concentrations of the micronutrients studied were decreased by corn straw applications. After 520 mm cumulative rainfall, total soil losses ranged from 150 to 15354 kg ha^?1 depending on the amount of corn straw applied. Total micronutrient concentrations in runoff were as follows: Fe from 14.98 to 611.12 mg L^?1, Mn from 0.03 to 0.61 mg L^?1, Cu from 0.10 to 1.43 mg L^?1, and Zn from 0.21 to 5.45 mg L^?1. The relative contribution of the dissolved fraction to the total micronutrient content loss was low, but varied depending on the nutrient, being less than 1 percent for Fe and Mn and almost 10 percent for Zn. Total and dissolved concentrations in runoff of the studied elements decreased exponentially as the rate of applied corn straw increased. In conclusion, the addition of corn straw to soil reduced micronutrient losses.     

Compost and Manure Effects on Fertilized Corn Silage Yield and Nitrogen Uptake under Irrigation

Abstract

Dairy manure increases the yields of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from eroded, furrow‐irrigated soils and may increase corn (Zea mays L.) silage yield from steeper eroded areas under sprinkler irrigation. In a 2‐year field study in southern Idaho on Portneuf silt loam (coarse silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcid), the effects of a one‐time, fall application of 29 or 72 Mg ha^?1 of dry manure or 22 or 47 Mg ha^?1 of dry compost on subsequent silage yield and nitrogen (N) uptake from previously eroded, sprinkler‐irrigated hill slopes were evaluated. In October 1999, stockpiled or composted dairy manure was disked to a depth of 0.15 m into plots with slopes from 0.8 to 4.4%. After planting field corn in 2000 and 2001, a low‐pressure, six‐span traveling lateral sprinkler system was utilized to apply water at 28 mm h^?1 in amounts sufficient to satisfy evapotranspiration to 6.4‐×36.6‐m field plots. Yields in 2000 were 27.5 Mg ha^?1, similar among all rates of all amendments and a fertilized control. In 2001, compost applied at oven‐dry rates up to 47 Mg ha^?1 increased yield compared to controls. Silage yield in 2001 increased initially then decreased with increasing manure applications. Where compost or manure was applied, regardless of rate, 2‐year average N uptake was 15% greater than controls. Regardless of treatment or year, yields decreased linearly as soil slope increased.     

Soil CO2 emission and its relationship to soil properties under different tillage systems

There is a lack of understanding as to which soil property is the most important at regulating the temporal variability of soil CO₂ emissions on China’s Loess Plateau. The objective of this study was to evaluate the CO₂ emissions and their relationships to certain soil properties in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) field subject to no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) practices. The CO₂ emissions were signi?cantly higher in the CT (257.6 mg CO₂ m^?2 h^?1), compared with the NT (143.8 mg CO₂ m^?2 h^?1), treatment. Soil organic matter content and carbon stock were 8% and 14% higher, respectively, in the NT, compared with the CT, treatment. Regression analyses between the CO₂ emissions and soil properties, including soil temperature and carbon stock, explained up to 88% and 60% of the temporal variability in CO₂ emissions in the NT and CT treatments, respectively. Linear correlations between the soil temperature and CO₂ emissions were recorded in both the NT and CT treatments. Soil temperature was the most important factor in terms of understanding the temporal variability in CO₂ emissions in wheat fields of the study area.     

Least limiting water range for different soil management practices in dryland farming in Iran

Integrated evaluation of soil physical properties using the least limiting water range (LLWR) approach may allow a better knowledge of soil water availability. We determined the LLWR for four tillage practices consisted of conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), no-tillage (NT) and fallow no-tillage (NT_f). In addition, LLWR was determined for abandoned soils (i.e. control), compacted soils, ploughed compacted soils and abandoned soils with super absorbent polymers (SAPs) application. Soil water retention, penetration resistance (PR), air-filled porosity and bulk density were determined for the 0–5 and 0–25-cm depths. Mean LLWR (0.07–0.08 cm³ cm^?3) was lower in compacted soils than the soils under CT, NT, NT_f, RT, tilled, abandoned and SAP practices but it was not different among tillage practices. The values of LLWR were 0.12 cm³ cm^?3 for NT and CT. LLWR for tilled plots (0.12 cm³ cm^?3) became greater than compacted soils by 1.3 times. Analysis of the lower and upper limits of the LLWR further indicated that PR was the only limiting factor for soil water content, but aeration was not a limiting factor. The LLWR was more dependent on soil water content at permanent wilting point and at PR.     

N-Source Effects on Temporal Distribution of NO3-N Leaching Losses to Subsurface Drainage Water

Understanding the temporal distribution of NO₃-N leaching losses from subsurface drained ‘tile’ fields as a function of climate and management practices can help develop strategies for its mitigation. A field study was conducted from 1999 through 2003 to investigate effects of the most vulnerable application of pig manure (fall application and chisel plow), safe application of pig manure (spring application and no-tillage) and common application of artificial nitrogen (UAN spring application and chisel plow) on NO₃-N leaching losses to subsurface drainage water beneath corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation systems as a randomized complete block design. The N application rates averaged over five years ranged from 166 kg-N ha^?1 for spring applied manure to 170 kg-N ha^?1 for UAN and 172 kg-N ha^?1 for fall applied manure. Tillage and nitrogen source effects on tile flow and NO₃-N leaching losses were not significant (P?<?0.05). Fall applied manure with CP resulted in significantly greater corn grain yield (10.8 vs 10.4 Mg ha^?1) compared with the spring manure-NT system. Corn plots with the spring applied manure-NT system gave relatively lower flow weighted NO₃-N concentration of 13.2 mg l^?1 in comparison to corn plots with fall manure-CP (21.6 mg l^?1) and UAN-CP systems (15.9 mg l^?1). Averaged across five years, about 60% of tile flow and NO₃-N leaching losses exited the fields during March through May. Growing season precipitation and cycles of wet and dry years primarily controlled NO₃-N leaching losses from tile drained fields. These results suggest that spring applied manure has potential to reduce NO₃-N concentrations in subsurface drainage water and also strategies need to be developed to reduce early spring NO₃-N leaching losses.     

N-Application Methods and Precipitation Pattern Effects on Subsurface Drainage Nitrate Losses and Crop Yields

Diverting the infiltrating water away from the zone of N application can reduce nitrate–nitrogen (NO₃–N) leaching losses to groundwater from agricultural fields. This study was conducted from 2001 through 2005 to determine the effects of N-application methods using a localized compaction and doming (LCD) applicator and spoke injector on NO₃–N leaching losses to subsurface drainage water and corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) yields. The field experiments were conducted at the Iowa State University’s northeastern research center near Nashua, Iowa, on corn–soybean rotation plots under chisel plow system having subsurface drainage ‘tile’ system installed in 1979. The soils at the site are glacial till derived soils. The N-application rates of 168 kg-N ha^?1 were applied to corn only for both the treatments each replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. For combined 5 years, the LCD N-applicator in comparison with spoke injector showed lower flow weighted NO₃–N concentrations in tile water (16.8 vs. 20.1 mg L^?1) from corn plots, greater tile flow (66 vs. 49 mm), almost equivalent NO₃–N leaching loss with tile water (11.5 vs. 11.3 kg-N ha^?1) and similar corn grain yields (11.17 vs. 11.37 Mg ha^?1), respectively, although treatments effects were found to be non-significant (p?=?0.05) statistically. The analysis, however, revealed that amount and temporal distribution of the growing season precipitation also affected the tile flow, NO₃–N leaching loss to subsurface drain water, and corn–soybean yields. Moreover, the spatial variability effects from plot to plot in some cases, resulted in differences of tile flow and NO₃–N leaching losses in the range of three to four times despite being treated with the same management practices. These results indicate that the LCD N-applicator in comparison with spoke injector resulted in lower flow weighted NO₃–N concentrations in subsurface drain water of corn plots; however, strategies need to be developed to reduce the offsite transport of nitrate leaching losses during early spring period from March through June.     

Nitrogen Leaching Of Spring Wheat Genotypes (Triticum Aestivum L.) Varying In Nitrogen-Related Traits

Efficient use of nitrogen (N) by wheat crop and hence prevention of possible contamination of ground and surface waters by nitrates has aroused environmental concerns. The present study was conducted in drainage lysimeters for three years (1998–2000) to identify whether spring wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) that differ in N-related traits differ in N leaching and to relate parameters of N use efficiency (NUE) with parameters of N leaching. For this reason two spring wheat cultivars (‘Albis’ and ‘Toronit’) and an experimental line (‘L94491’) were grown under low (20 kg N ha^?1) and ample N supply (270 kg N ha^?1). The genotypes varied in parameters of NUE but not in N leaching. Grain yield of the high-protein line (‘L94491’) was, on average, 11% lower than that of ‘Toronit’ but among genotypes had significantly higher N in the grain (%), grain N yield, and N harvest index. Nitrogen lost through leaching was considerably low (0.42–0.52 g m^?2) mainly due to low volume of percolating water or the ability of the genotypes to efficiently exploit soil mineral N. There were no clear relationships between N-related genotype traits and N leaching, but across all treatments significantly negative correlations between volume of leachate and the amount of N in the total biomass and grain N yield existed.     

Discharge of Escherichia Coli from Agricultural Surface and Subsurface Drainage Water: Tillage Effects

Drainage water from agricultural fields with applied manure can degrade the bacterial quality of surface and groundwater. The impact of conventional tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) practices on Escherichia coli (E.coli) discharge through artificially drained soils is not well understood. Consequently, two field trials were conducted during 2002–2004. The first trial involved fall applications of beef manure while the second involved spring applications of dairy manure. Both surface and subsurface drainage water were monitored in the first trial while only subsurface drainage water was monitored in the second. Under fall applied beef manure (trial 1), no differences (p?>?0.05) were observed in E.coli concentrations (cfu/100 ml) in combined drainage water under both tillage systems. However, during 2003–2004, subsurface drainage water under ZT had higher E.coli concentrations and loads than drainage water under CT. When the combined (surface + subsurface) annual E.coli loads were considered, CT loads were greater than ZT during 2002–2003 with an opposite situation during 2003–2004. Overall, annual E.coli loads were similar under ZT (4.7?×?10¹⁰ cfu/ha) and CT (4.8?×?10¹⁰ cfu/ha). Spring dairy manure application (trial 2) produced significant (p?>?0.03) tillage effect on E.coli loads in subsurface drainage water only during the second year. During the study period, ZT plots (1.55?×?10¹⁰ cfu/ha) discharged 5× more E.coli than CT (0.23?×?10¹⁰ cfu/ha). A longer duration of ZT practices resulted in higher subsurface flow volumes and subsequently greater loads of E.coli discharge in both trials.     

Long-Term Effect of Nitrogen and Tillage Management on Soil Carbon Pools in the Semiarid Northern Great Plains

No-tillage and manure application effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N) concentrations were studied under a 27-year-old 4-year rotation consisting corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-field pea (Pisum sativum L.). Under each crop, four applied N treatments were control, annual urea-N applications at the rate of 45 and 89 kg N ha^?1, and composted beef cattle feedlot manure-N at the rate 179 kg N ha^?1 applied once every four year. For each fertilizer treatment, no-till (NT) and conventional till (CT) were compared for basic soil properties, SOC, and total N within 0–15 cm soil. Manure application significantly reduced soil bulk density and increased SOC and total N over urea-N. Particulate organic matter, mineralizable N, and permanganate-oxidizable C fractions significantly related with SOC. Long-term manure additions and no-tillage had potential to improve soil compaction and maintain SOC over chemical fertilizer N and CT.     

Evaluation of yield and some physiological changes in corn and sorghum under irrigation regimes and application of barley residue,zeolite and superabsorbent polymer

In order to investigate the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll, relative water content (RWC) and forage yield of corn and sorghum under various irrigation regimes and combination treatments of barley residue, zeolite and superabsorbent polymer, an experiment was conducted over 2 years in Kerman, Iran. A randomized complete block design arranged in a factorial split was used with three replications. Two irrigation regimes of normal and drought stress based on 70 and 140 mm cumulative pan evaporation, respectively, and two plant species (corn and sorghum) as factorial combinations were compared in the main plots. Five treatments, (1) 10 t ha^?1 zeolite + 4.5 t ha^?1 residue, (2) 60 kg ha^?1 superabsorbent + 4.5 t ha^?1 residue, (3) 5 t ha^?1 zeolite + 30 kg ha^?1 superabsorbent + 4.5 t ha^?1 residue, (4) 4.5 t ha^?1 residue and (5) – control, were compared in subplots. In both plants, forage yield, potential quantum yield (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased significantly under drought stress. Chlorophyll a content, SPAD index and Fv/Fm were higher in corn than in sorghum, but RWC was higher in sorghum. Corn produced higher forage yield (62.8 t ha^?1) than sorghum (49.3 t ha^?1). The application of 10 t ha^?1 zeolite with 4.5 t ha^?1 residue increased most traits more than any of the other treatments, but the superabsorbent had no significant effect on the studied traits.     

Effect of tillage systems and polyacrylamide on soil physical properties and wheat grain yield in arid regions differing in fine soil particles

A field study was performed for two consecutive seasons to evaluate the effect of polyacrylamide (PAM), tillage systems and particle size on soil physical properties and wheat grain yield. The PAM rates were 0, 10 and 20 kg ha^?1 while the tillage treatments included no-tillage (NT), moldboard plowing (CT1), and chisel plowing (CT2). Soil fine particles size of two locations were A (25.2 silt + clay) and B (38.5 silt + clay). Location B reported higher organic matter and total porosity while lower in bulk density. The CT1 and NT treatments denoted better soil organic matter percentage. The CT1 presented maximum infiltration rate compared to other tillage systems. No tillage showed better soil water contents while the minimum was in CT1 of location A and CT2 of location B. Increasing the PAM rate increased total porosity, infiltration rate and soil water content while decreased soil bulk density. Possibly, the presence of compacted layer in location A hindered the effect of PAM. At location B, the CT2 with PAM of 20 kg ha^?1 had the highest grain yield compared to other tillage systems. The PAM is beneficial for soil and water conservation and can be used in agriculture.     

Long-term effects of agronomic practices on the soil organic carbon sequestration in Chernozem

The study was based on data from selected long-term field trials established at the Experimental Fields of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad (Serbia). The effect of tillage systems on SOC concentration and SOC stock was most pronounced at 0–10 cm depth. In a 0–40 cm soil layer, in a 7-year period, no-till (NT) sequestrated 863 kg SOC ha^?1 yr^?1 more compared to moldboard plow tillage (PT), while the effects of disc tillage (DT) and chisel tillage (CT) were not significantly different. Unfertilized three-crop rotation (CSW) compared to two-crop rotation (CW) enhanced SOC storage in a 0–30 cm soil layer by 151 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 in a 56-year period. Within fertilized treatments, SOC concentration was highest under continuous corn (CC). Mineral fertilization (F) non-significantly increased the SOC stock compared to no fertilization in corn monoculture in a 32-year period. The incorporation of mineral fertilizers and harvest residues (F + HR) and mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure (F + FYM) sequestered 195 and 435 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 more than the unfertilized plot, respectively, in a 0–30 cm soil layer, in a 35-year period. Irrigation did not significantly affect SOC sequestration.     

Surface Liming and Zinc Availability in a Long‐Term Experiment under No‐Till System

No‐till (NT) system with crop rotation is one of the most effective strategies to improve agricultural sustainability in tropical and subtropical regions. To control soil acidity in NT, lime is broadcast on the surface without incorporation. The increase in soil pH due to surface liming may decrease zinc (Zn) availability and its uptake by crops. A field experiment was performed in Paraná State, Brazil, on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox to evaluate Zn bioavailability in a NT system after surface liming and re‐liming. Dolomitic lime was surface applied on the main plots in July 1993 at the rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha^?1. In June 2000, the main plots were divided in two subplots to study of the effect of surface re‐liming at the rates of 0 and 3 Mg ha^?1. The cropping sequence was soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] (2001–2 and 2002–3), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (2003), soybean (2003–4), corn (Zea mays L.) (2004–5), and soybean (2005–6). Soil samples were collected at the following depths: 0–0.05, 0.05–0.10, and 0.10–0.20 m, 10 years after surface liming and 3 years after surface re‐liming. Soil Zn levels were extracted by four extractants: (i) 0.005 mol L^?1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) + 0.1 mol L^?1 triethanolamine (TEA) + 0.01 mol L^?1 calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution at pH 7.3 (DTPA–TEA), (ii) 0.1 mol L^?1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, (iii) Mehlich 1 solution, and (iv) Mehlich 3 solution. Zinc concentrations in leaves and grains of soybean, wheat, and corn were also determined. Soil pH (0.01 mol L^?1 CaCl₂ suspension) varied from 4.4 to 6.1, at the 0‐ to 0.05‐m depth, from 4.2 to 5.3 at the 0.05‐ to 0.10‐m depth, and from 4.2 to 4.8 at the 0.10‐ to 0.20‐m depth, after liming and re‐liming. Zinc concentrations evaluated by DTPA–TEA, 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl, Mehlich 1, and Mehlich 3 solutions were not changed as a result of lime rate application. Re‐liming increased Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl at 0–0.05 m deep and by DTPA–TEA at 0.05–0.10 m deep. Surface‐applied lime promoted a decrease in Zn concentrations of the crops, mainly in grains, because of increased soil pH at the surface layers. Regardless of the liming treatments, levels of Zn were sufficient to soybean, wheat, and corn nutrition under NT.     

Comparison of soil water chemistry and sample size requirements for pan vs tension lysimeters

A study was conducted to compare soil leachate chemistry and determine sample size requirements for tension vs pan (zero-tension) lysimeters. Analyses were performed on an annual and seasonal basis for one year of data collected at Pea Vine Hill, a forested site in southwestern Pennsylvania. On an annual basis, SO₄ ^?2, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Mn⁺², K⁺ and specific conductance were significantly higher in tension lysimeter samples but no chemical species were significantly higher in pan lysimeters. Seasonal comparisons indicated chemical differences between lysimeter types were variable with more significant deviations present during wet periods. Nearly all significant seasonal differences were comprised of higher concentrations in tension compared to pan lysimeters. Disparities in leachate chemistry between lysimeter types were ascribed to different sources of water collected by the instruments especially during wet periods. Sample size requirements were calculated for two biweekly periods for each lysimeter type at three confidence levels. Based upon calculated sample demands, pan lysimeter soil leachate chemistry could be characterized with fewer samples than tension lysimeters. Less than .30 samples were generally necessary for pan B-horizon lysimeters at the 70% confidence level. Sample requirements were usually unreasonable at higher confidence levels.     

Effects of simulated wind followed by rain on runoff and sediment yield from a sandy loessial soil with rills

Purpose

Severe soil erosion is caused by wind and water acting separately or in combination or sequentially and is an important factor affecting dryland ecosystems, especially in the severely eroded “water–wind erosion crisscross region” on the Loess Plateau. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the magnitudes of wind and water erosion under simulative conditions and explore the mechanisms of their interactions.

Materials and methods

We analyzed the interaction between these two types of erosion by exposing a sandy loessial soil with an artificial rill to simulated wind at four speeds (0, 1, 8, and 15 m s^?1) and then to simulated rainfall, measuring runoff, sediment yield, and characterizing changes in rill morphology. This simulated the transition period between the dry (windy) and wet seasons.

Results and discussion

The time to runoff initiation depended on both wind speed and rainfall intensity, but rainfall had a larger impact on runoff. At the 15 m s^?1 wind speed, the total runoff significantly (P?<?0.05) increased by 33.3 kg when the rainfall intensity was increased to 120 from 60 mm h^?1. Under the 120 mm h^?1 rainfall intensity, the total sediment yields increased significantly (P?<?0.05) with increasing wind speed. Erosion sediment yields increased by 9.7, 16.3, and 70.4 % with increasing wind speed under all three rainfall intensities when compared with a no wind case. Changes in rill morphology caused by wind erosion were a factor that affected the erosion processes of subsequent rainstorms.

Conclusions

Our results provide a basis for hypothesizing trends of wind and water erosion, highlight the importance of wind and water erosion acting in conjunction in semi-arid ecosystems, and are conducive for developing a more integrated perspective of wind–water dynamics on the Loess Plateau.

     

Connectivity of sediment transport in a semiarid environment: a synthesis for the Upper Jaguaribe Basin,Brazil

Purpose

Hydrosedimentological studies conducted in the semiarid Upper Jaguaribe Basin, Brazil, enabled the identification of the key processes controlling sediment connectivity at different spatial scales (10⁰–10⁴ km²).

Materials and methods

Water and sediment fluxes were assessed from discharge, sediment concentrations and reservoir siltation measurements. Additionally, mathematical modelling (WASA-SED model) was used to quantify water and sediment transfer within the watershed.

Results and discussion

Rainfall erosivity in the study area was moderate (4600 MJ mm ha^?1 h^?1 year^?1), whereas runoff depths (16–60 mm year^?1), and therefore the sediment transport capacity, were low. Consequently, ～60 % of the eroded sediment was deposited along the landscape, regardless of the spatial scale. The existing high-density reservoir network (contributing area of 6 km² per reservoir) also limits sediment propagation, retaining up to 47 % of the sediment at the large basin scale. The sediment delivery ratio (SDR) decreased with the spatial scale; on average, 41 % of the eroded sediment was yielded from the hillslopes, while for the whole 24,600-km² basin, the SDR was reduced to 1 % downstream of a large reservoir (1940-hm³ capacity).

Conclusions

Hydrological behaviour in the Upper Jaguaribe Basin represents a constraint on sediment propagation; low runoff depth is the main feature breaking sediment connectivity, which limits sediment transference from the hillslopes to the drainage system. Surface reservoirs are also important barriers, but their relative importance to sediment retention increases with scale, since larger contributing areas are more suitable for the construction of dams due to higher hydrological potential.     

Effects of fertilizer placement on solute leaching under ridge tillage and no tillage

Elevated nitrate concentrations in ground water can be a problem in agricultural areas, especially where soils are sandy. Tillage operations, such as ridge tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT) can reduce runoff and erosion but leaching of soluble nutrients could adversely impact groundwater. In a 2-year study, Br was used to trace the effects of fertilizer placement on solute movement under corn (Zea mays L.) in RT and NT systems on a Monmouth fine sandy loam (Typic Hapludult) in Maryland. Treatments included 120 kg ha⁻¹ of Br⁻ or NO₃⁻-N applied in a narrow band near the ridge top (RT-RA) or in the furrow (RT-FA) with ridge tillage, or in the inter-row with NT. Two-dimensional arrays of tensiometers and suction lysimeters were used to follow the movement of water and solutes during and after the corn-growing season. Tillage and fertilizer placement did not significantly affect N uptake when averaged across years. A pronounced argillic horizon beginning at 60 cm depth caused lateral movement of Br. It appears that Br leaching in RT-RA increased slightly due to the crop canopy funneling rain towards the ridge top. Therefore, when fertilizer is applied near the row, rain occurring after full corn canopy may cause greater solute leaching in RT-RA compared to other treatments. Rain during the beginning of the growing season or after harvest caused less leaching in RT-RA. Corn yield could be maximized and N leaching minimized by applying fertilizer to the upper portion of the ridge in RT.     

Mobility and Availability of Copper in Agricultural Soils Irrigated from Water Treated with Copper Sulfate Algaecide

A mesocosm system was designed to study evaporation kinetics and transport of TCE in flowing surface water. The airtight unit, with a total internal volume of 52.01?×?10^?2 m³, was fabricated with glass and Teflon material, and was provided with 8.53 m long channel to simulate water flow in an open channel. The peristaltic pumps, connected to the inlet and the outlet of the mesocosm, provided a constant water flow through the channels. The experimental studies were conducted at two different velocities, 9.42?×?10^?3 and 4.71?×?10^–3 m/s, respectively. For both the velocities, a tracer (NaBr) test confirmed uniform water flow in the channels. The total length and the length between the sampling ports were found sufficient to record gradual decrease in TCE concentrations along the direction of the flow in the channels. The volatilization coefficient for TCE was found to be 0.49 and 1.07 h^?1 for the experiments conducted at lower and higher water velocities, respectively. The TCE evaporation half life (t 1/2) and the corresponding evaporation half distance (d 1/2) were 1.41 h and 23.98 m for lower velocity, and 0.65 h and 21.96 m for higher velocity, respectively.