Inorganic and organic ligands induced changes in Pb sorption of arid ‎clay and calcareous loamy sand soils

The objective of this study was to investigate sorption, desorption, and immobilization of Pb in the clay and calcareous loamy sand soils treated with inorganic ligands (NO₃^?, Cl^? and H₂PO₄^?). Pb sorption was also determined in the presence of oxalate and citrate. The maximum Pb sorption capacities (q) ranged from 42.2 to 47.1 mmol kg^?1 for the clay soil, and from 45.2 to 47.0 mmol kg^?1 for loamy sand soil. It was observed that the binding energy constant (k) for Pb sorbed onto loamy sand soil (528–1061) is higher than that for clay soil (24.38–55.29). The loamy sand soil-sorbed greater quantities of Pb compared to the clay soil when initial pH was ≥ 3. However, it had lower sorption capacity at the lowest initial pH of 2. Additionally, the greatest Pb sorption and immobilization occurred in the soil treated with H₂PO₄. In the clay soil, the sorption of Pb was depressed at 0.1 mol kg^?1 of Cl^?, as compared with other ligands. Concerning organic acids, citrate ligand showed the highest decrease in Pb sorption. It could be concluded that the nature of Pb sorption can depend on the type and quantity of ligands present, as well as the soil type.     

Interactions of gamma‐irradiated sewage,nitrogen and phosphorus for Sorghum on a calcareous soil

Abstract

The interaction of gamma‐irradiated sewage sludge, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on dry matter production, phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake of sorghum was examined. Three crops of sorghum were grown in the greenhouse in 19 1 plastic buckets. The phosphorus and sludge treatments were applied at the initiation of the experiment only. Nitrogen was applied to the corresponding nitrogen treatment pots before each of the three croppings.

There was a significant nitrogen x sewage interaction for dry matter production, phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake in each harvest. There was a significant phosphorus sewage sludge interaction in the first harvest for phosphorus uptake. All other possible interactions were not statistically significant. The 67 metric ton/ha sludge rate produced nearly the same yield as the nitrogen treatment. In the first harvest, sludge significantly increased plant phosphorus uptake from the fertilizer phosphorus. The phosphorus uptake in sorghum from 472 and 944 kg P/ha from the sludge treatments was comparable to that from 1299 and 2598 kg P/ha from triple superphosphate.     

Zinc sorption–desorption by sand,silt and clay fractions in calcareous soils of Iran

Zinc sorption–desorption by sand, silt and clay fractions of six representative calcareous soils of Iran were measured. Sand, silt and clay particles were fractionated after dispersion of soils with an ultrasonic probe. Zinc sorption analysis was performed by adding eight rates of Zn from 6 to 120 μmol g^?1. For the desorption experiment, samples retained after the measurement of Zn sorption were resuspended sequentially in 0.01 M NaNO₃ solution and shaken for 24 h. Results indicated that Zn sorption by soil fractions increased in the order clay > silt > sand, and correlated negatively with CaCO₃ content and positively with cation exchange capacity (CEC) and smectite content. Results indicated that for all fractions, the Langmuir equation described the sorption rates fairly well. In contrast to sorption, Zn desorption from soil fractions increased in the order sand > silt > clay, and correlated positively with CaCO₃ content, CEC and smectite content. Results showed that parabolic diffusion and two constant equations adequately described the reaction rates of Zn desorption. In general, for all soils studied, the coarser the particle size, the less Zn sorption and more Zn desorption, and this reflects much higher risk of Zn leaching into groundwater or plant uptake in contaminated soils.     

Yield of iron‐sprayed and non‐sprayed strawberry cultivars grown on high ph calcareous soil

Abstract

Iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis (FeDC) results in extensive reduction in yield of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) grown on high pH calcareous soils. Three cultivars differing in response to FeDC were grown on a high pH (8.2) calcareous soil (25.4% calcium carbonate equivalent in surface 20 cm) in the field (Choueifat, coastal area of Lebanon) to determine the effects of FeDC on fruit yield of cultivars sprayed with FeEDDHA [ferric ethylene‐diiminobis (2‐hydroxyphenyl) acetate]. The unsprayed plots were used as a control. No significant interaction (P<0.05) between cultivars x FeEDDHA spray treatment, and no significant differences (P<0.05) between one and two FeEDDHA spray(s)/week treatment was noted for visual FeDC, fruit number, and fruit yield. Sprayed cultivars once a week produced higher yields than unsprayed ones; overall increases were 33% (13% for ‘Motto’, 30% for ‘Chandler’, and 56% for ‘Douglas'). Even though only slight FeDC was noted on the ‘Motto’ cultivar receiving no Fe EDDHA spray, fruit yields were increased when sprayed with FeEDDHA. However, significant increases in yield for ‘Chandler’ and ‘Douglas’ cultivars with severe FeDC ratings were rioted when sprayed with FeEDDHA.     

Influence of poultry manure–derived biochars on nutrients bioavailability and chemical properties of a calcareous soil

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of poultry manure (PM) and its derived biochars on chemical properties of a calcareous soil. PM and biochars prepared at 200°C (B200), 300°C (B300) and 400°C (B400) were applied to a calcareous soil at 2% level (w/w) and incubated for 150 days. Selected soil chemical properties and phosphorous, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper availability and recovery were determined at 1, 15, 45 and 150 days of incubation. Soil nutrients availability, organic carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased by addition of all organic substances. Biochars prepared at higher temperatures were more effective in increasing soil OC with higher durability compared to other treatments. The addition of PM and B200 decreased soil pH, whereas B400 increased it. Although the highest soil EC was observed in B300- and B400-treated samples in the early stages of incubation, the rate of increase in soil EC was higher for PM- and B200-treated soils compared to other treatments. It was concluded that biochar prepared at 300°C had the highest positive effect on nutrients availability and lasts longer in calcareous soil compared to the other produced biochars and PM.     

Effects of zinc fertilization and irrigation on grain yield and zinc concentration of various cereals grown in zinc‐deficient calcareous soils

Effects of varied irrigation and zinc (Zn) fertilization (0, 7, 14, 21 kg Zn ha^‐1 as ZnSO₄7.H₂O) on grain yield and concentration and content of Zn were studied in two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), two durum wheat (Triticum durum), two barley (Hordeum vulgare), two triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmark), one rye (Secale cereale), and one oat (Avena sativa) cultivars grown in a Zn‐deficient soil (DTPA‐extractable Zn: 0.09 mg kg^‐1) under rainfed and irrigated field conditions. Only minor or no yield reduction occurred in rye as a result of Zn deficiency. The highest reduction in plant growth and grain yield due to Zn deficiency was observed in durum wheats, followed by oat, barley, bread wheat and triticale. These decreases in yield due to Zn deficiency became more pronounced under rainfed conditions. Although highly significant differences in grain yield were found between treatments with and without Zn, no significant difference was obtained between the Zn doses applied (7–21 kg ha^‐1), indicating that 7 kg Zn ha^‐1 would be sufficient to overcome Zn deficiency. Increasing doses of Zn application resulted in significant increases in concentration and content of Zn in shoot and grain. The sensitivity of various cereals to Zn deficiency was different and closely related to Zn content in the shoot but not to Zn amount per unit dry weight. Irrigation was effective in increasing both shoot Zn content and Zn efficiency of cultivars. The results demonstrate the existence of a large genotypic variation in Zn efficiency among and within cereals and suggest that plants become more sensitive to Zn deficiency under rainfed than irrigated conditions.     

Soil test modifiers for coarse‐textured calcareous soils

Abstract

Calcareous soils vary considerably in their characteristics which need to be considered in soil test interpretation. Yield data from 22 corn and 13 wheat field experiments were used to relate yield response, expressed in relative terms (Y%), to phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) soil test results based on NaHCO₃, NH₄OAc, and DTPA extraction procedures, respectively. The experiments were conducted for three years on newly reclaimed desert soils in Egypt. Relative infuence of different soil components was evaluated as modifiers of the critical levels (CL) based on 95% of maximum yield. The CL values obtained for corn were close to those for wheat. Therefore, results presented here were based on the combined data of the 35 corn plus wheat experiments. With Olsen P, a backward elimination regression procedure indicated that the variance in Y% that was accounted for increased in significance from 21 to 52% by including the CaCO₃ content of the soil. The CL increased from 9 to 17 mg P/kg as CaCO₃ increased from 1 to 30%. Coarser textured soils had lower CLs for K than finer textured ones. The critical exchangeable K levels were 200 and 500 mg K/kg for soils having more than 85% and 85 to 45% sand, respectively. With an increase in organic matter content, the response to applied Zn was observed at higher levels of extracted Zn. The DTPA‐critical levels for Zn were found to be 0.5 and 0.8 mg Zn/kg for soils containing less than 1% and 1.7% organic matter, respectively.     

Differences in shoot growth and zinc concentration of 164 bread wheat genotypes in a zinc‐deficient calcareous soil

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to study severity of the zinc (Zn) deficiency symptoms on leaves, shoot dry weight and shoot content and concentration of Zn in 164 winter type bread wheat genotypes (Triticunt aestivum L.) grown in a Zn‐deficient calcareous soil with (+Zn=10 mg Zn kg^?1 soil) and without (‐Zn) Zn supply for 45 days. Tolerance of the genotypes to Zn deficiency was ranked based on the relative shoot growth (Zn efficiency ratio), calculated as the ratio of the shoot dry weight produced under Zn deficiency to that produced under adequate Zn supply. There was a substantial difference in genotypic tolerance to Zn deficiency. Among the 164 genotypes, 108 genotypes had severe visible symptoms of Zn deficiency (whitish‐brown necrotic patches) on leaves, while in 25 genotypes Zn deficiency symptoms were slight or absent, and the remaining genotypes (e.g., 31 genotypes) showed mild deficiency symptoms. Generally, the genotypes with higher tolerance to Zn deficiency originated from Balkan countries and Turkey, while genotypes originating from the breeding programs in the Great Plains of the United States were mostly sensitive to Zn deficiency. Among the 164 wheat genotypes, Zn efficiency ratio varied from 0.33 to 0.77. The differences in tolerance to Zn deficiency were totally independent of shoot Zn concentrations, but showed a close relationship to the total amount (content) of Zn per shoot. The absolute shoot growth of the genotypes under Zn deficiency corresponded very well with the differences in tolerance to Zn deficiency. Under adequate Zn supply, the 10 most Zn‐ inefficient genotypes and the 10 most Zn‐efficient genotypes were very similar in their shoot dry weight. However, under Zn deficiency, shoot dry weight of the Zn‐efficient genotypes was, on average, 1.6‐fold higher compared to the Zn‐inefficient genotypes. The results of this study show large, exploitable genotypic variation for tolerance to Zn deficiency in bread wheat. Based on this data, total amount of Zn per shoot, absolute shoot growth under Zn deficiency, and relative shoot growth can be used as reliable plant parameters for assessing genotypic variation in tolerance to Zn deficiency in bread wheat.     

Influence of air drying and soil gas‐phase carbon dioxide on DTPA‐extractable iron in calcareous soils

Abstract

The extraction of a field‐moist soil with DTPA will result in a level of extractable iron (Fe) lower than that of the air‐dried soil. Soil gas‐phase carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels may be considerably higher than ambient atmospheric levels, especially in wet soils in the field. This study was undertaken to determine whether gas‐phase CO₂ level influences the quantity of Fe extracted by DTPA. Three moist calcareous soils were incubated for 21 days, each at three different partial pressures of CO₂, after which the moist soils were extracted with DTPA. A sample of each soil was also air dried, and was subsequently extracted with DTPA. In each case, DTPA‐extractable Fe from the moist sample was lower than that from the air‐dried sample; however, DTPA‐extractable Fe increased with increasing CO₂ partial pressure of in the moist soils. DTPA‐extractable Fe concentration for a given soil following air drying was not significantly influenced by the CO₂ partial pressure during incubation of the originally field‐moist soil. DTPA‐extract pH of the moist soils followed the same trend as soil‐solution pH (i.e., as CO₂ concentration of the soil gas‐phase increased, soil solution pH and DTPA extract pH both decreased); however, the slope of the pH versus log P_CO2 curve was less pronounced in the DTPA extract due to the buffering capacity of the triethanolamine. From this study, it is concluded that elevated soil gas‐phase CO₂ partial pressure does not contribute to the lower level of DTPA‐extractable Fe observed when the extraction is performed on a field‐moist versus an air‐dried soil; increased CO₂ partial pressure actually resulted in a slight increase in concentration of DTPA‐extractable Fe obtained from a field‐moist soil.     

Manganese‐iron relationship in soybean grown in calcareous soils 1

Although a positive response to iron (Fe) is, usually, expected in calcareous soils; this has not been always the case; and in some instances a depressing effect has been observed. An induced micronutrient imbalance is suspected. This experiment was designed to study the effect of Fe fertilizer on the plant micronutrients. Twenty three highly calcareous soils (18–46% calcium carbonate equivalent; pH 7.7–8.4; and a wide range of extractable Fe) from southern Iran were used in an eight‐week greenhouse experiment to study the effect of Fe fertilizers on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and chemical composition. The statistical design was a 23 × 3 factorial arranged in a completely randomized block with three replications. Treatments consisted of 23 soils and three levels of applied Fe (0, 10, and 20 mg Fe/kg as FeEDDHA). Uniform doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were applied to all pots. Dry matter (DM) and micronutrients concentrations and uptakes of plant tops were determined and used as the plant responses. Application of Fe either had no significant effect on DM or even decreased it. The plant concentration and uptake of Fe increased significantly in all soils. The concentrations and uptakes of Cu and Zn did not change but those of Mn decreased significantly. The negative effect of Fe application was, therefore, attributed to the interference of Fe with Mn nutrition. The mechanism involved appears to be the restriction in Mn translocation from soil to root and/or from root to the plant tops.     

Effect of seed zinc content on grain yield and zinc concentration of wheat grown in zinc‐deficient calcareous soils

Field experiments were carried out to study the effect of different seed‐zinc (Zn) content on grain yield and grain Zn concentration in a bread wheat cultivar Atay 85 grown in a severely Zn‐deficient soil under rainfed and irrigated conditions for two years. Three groups of seeds with Zn contents of 355, 800, and 1,465 ng Zn seed^‐1 were obtained through different number of foliar applications of ZnSO₄.7H₂O in the previous crop year. Experiments were carried out with 23 kg Zn ha^‐1 (as ZnSO₄.7H₂O) and without Zn fertilization to the soil. Grain yield from seeds with 800 and 1,465 ng Zn seed^‐1 content was significantly higher than that from low seed‐Zn, especially under rainfed conditions. In the first year, under rainfed and Zn‐deficient conditions, yield of plants grown from the highest seed‐Zn content was 116% higher than the yield of plants grown from the low seed‐Zn content. However, in the first year soil‐Zn application combined with low‐Zn seed resulted in a yield increase of 466% compared to nill Zn treatment with low‐Zn seed, indicating that higher seed‐Zn contents could not compensate for the effects of soil Zn application. Soil Zn application significantly increased Zn concentrations in shoot and grain. However, the effect of different seed Zn contents on Zn concentrations of plants was not significant, probably due to the dilution of Zn in tissues resulting from enhanced dry matter production. The results presented show that wheat plants grown from seed with high Zn content can achieve higher grain yields than those grown from the low‐Zn seed when Zn was not applied to the soil. Therefore, sowing seeds with higher Zn contents can be considered a practical solution to alleviate Zn deficiency problem, especially under rainfed conditions in spite of it being insufficient to completely overcome the problem.     

Studies of nitrogen immobilization and mineralization in calcareous soils—IV. Changes in the organic nitrogen of light and heavy subfractions of silt- and fine clay-size particles during nitrogen turnover

A calcareous clay nd a calcareous sand, were fractionated densimetrically by dispersion in organic liquids of sp. gr. 1.59–2.06. The N contents of the light fractions decreased with increasing densities of the suspending liquids and were up to 18–23 times higher than those of the whole soils. Light fraction organic-N of both the sandy and clay soils was obtained mainly from silt-size components. However, the efficiency, with which light fraction material was obtained from the two whole soils, varied. With the clay soil, the total yield of light fraction organic-N was increased markedly by applying the densimetric technique to particle size components, rather than to the whole soil.Silt-size and fine clay-size particles from soils, sampled during rapid metabolism of microbial organic-[¹⁵N], were further fractionated densimetrically in “Nemagon”, sp. gr. 2.06. The organic-[¹⁵N] of the light and heavy subtractions changed markedly (P < 0.05) during periods of net ¹⁵N immobilization and mineralization, including a period after soil fumigation when extensive decomposition of [¹⁵N]-labelled microbial biomass occurred. Changes in the ¹⁵N of complementary light and heavy subfractions followed similar trends. Light subtraction organic-[¹⁵N] usually showed the greater relative change but the differences between the subtractions were not statistically significant. It is concluded that when small proportions only of soil organic-N are associated with macroorganic debris, as in these two soils amended wth glucose and ¹⁵NO^?₃, densimetric fractionation at a sp. gr. as high as 2.06 will yield light and heavy fractions, whose nitrogenous components are similarly available to biological attack. Enhanced metabolism of light fraction material is more likely to be demonstrated when such material consists mainly of obvious plant residues, and this may be more easily achieved by fractionation in liquids of sp. gr. <2.     

Behavior of iron‐supplying materials in incubated calcareous soils 1

Two Fe chlorosis‐inducing calcareous soils were incubated for up to 5 months, at room temperature and field capacity, with Fe‐EDDHA, Fe‐DTPA, FeSO₄, an amino acid chelate “Fe‐Metalosate”;, an oxide “Micronized‐Iron”;, and a precipitated Fe‐S compound “Iron‐Sul”;. Other treatments included DTPA chelate alone, elemental S and H₂SO₄ at comparable rates. Both water‐soluble, and DTPA‐extractable Fe fractions were measured periodically from each sample. All water‐soluble sources decreased with time. Soluble Fe was highest after Fe‐EDDHA addition but was not detectable after “Fe‐Metalosate”; and FeSO₄. Acidification to neutralize CaCO₃ significantly increased DTPA‐extractable Fe, which remained high with increasing incubation time. “Micronized‐Iron”; and S had only a slight effect on DTPA‐ extractable Fe. Though Fe‐EDDHA is the most efficient Fe material, pelleted acidified Fe sources, i.e., “Iron‐Sul”;, may be more economical for some crops in the long term.     

Determination of total cadmium in calcareous soils by extraction using aliquat‐336 and 3‐heptan‐one after aqua regia digestion

Abstract

Measurement of total soil cadmium (Cd) is difficult due to calcium (Ca) and other chemicals which cause high background absorbance when trace levels of Cd are to be determined. When soil Cd is low, even use of deuterium background correction with flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) cannot provide accurate Cd results. Use of furnace atomic absorption with method of standard additions can circumvent these interferences, but the cost and time required are substantial. We desired a more rapid, convenient, and reliable alternative to extraction using dithizone and back‐extraction into acid, or to ammonium pyrollidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) which does not require close pH adjustment nor have many sources of potantial contamination. We evaluated analysis of these complex soil extracts with the method of Viets (1978) which extracts metals from 1N acid solutions using Aliquat‐336 in methylisobutyl‐ketone (MIBK). We tested the use of the less toxic and less water soluble 3‐heptanone as an organic solvent alternative to MIBK which can be directly analyzed by flame atomic absorption. A series of extraction experiments were conducted to determine if Cd was extracted from standard solutions and from total metal digests of calcareous soils into an Aliquat‐336/3‐heptanone solution, and under what conditions extraction was optimum. In the optimum method, Cd was extracted from aqua regia soil digests by 10% Aliquat‐336 in 3‐heptanone without addition of ascorbic acid or potassium iodide (KI) used by Viets. Excellent recovery of Cd was obtained for both standard reference soils and low Cd highly calcareous soils from North Dakota and Minnesota. Addition of ascorbic acid and KI did not increase the efficiency of extraction indicating that the extraction system used was free of ferric‐iron [Fe(III)] interference. The ion‐association complex of Cd remained stable for at least 24 hr after extraction, providing a very convenient method to analyze low levels of total Cd in soils and other geologic materials.     

Extractability of previously‐applied zinc as influenced by properties of calcareous soils

Abstract

The recovery of applied zinc (Zn) by plants is relatively small. Coupled with lack of leaching, this leads to accumulation of Zn in topsoil which may result in unfavorable growth conditions for the subsequent plants. Different extractants may be used for assessing the Zn status of soils previously treated with Zn sources. The extractability of retained Zn is influenced by soil properties. This experiment was conducted to study the influence of selected properties of calcareous soils on extractability of Zn by three popular Zn soil tests. Twenty samples from surface horizons (0–20 cm) of highly calcareous soils of southern Iran (pH 7.9 to 8.5; calcium carbonate equivalent 16 to 58%) previously treated with three levels of Zn (0, 10, and 20 mg Zn kg^‐1 soil as ZnSO₄#lb7H₂O) in triplicate and under one crop of corn (Zea mays L.) were extracted with DTPA, EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃ and Na₂‐EDTA. Extractability (EXT) in a particular extractant was defined as the slope of the regression line, relating extractable Zn of each soil to the rate of applied Zn, multiplied by 100. The EXT values of soils ranged from 24.9 to 73.0% for DTPA, 47.2 to 84.4% for EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃, and 28.2 to 56.7% for Na₂‐EDTA. Stepwise regression equations showed that cation exchange capacity (CEC) and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) followed by clay content were the most influential soil properties in EXT of retained Zn of highly calcareous soils. The EXT values decreased with increase in CEC, and CCE but increased with increase in clay.     

Effect of different zinc application methods on grain yield and zinc concentration in wheat cultivars grown on zinc‐deficient calcareous soils

The effect of six different zinc (Zn) application methods on grain yield and concentrations of Zn in whole shoots and grain was studied in wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum, L. cvs. Gerek‐79, Dagdas‐94 and Bezostaja‐1 and Triticum durum, Desf. cv. Kunduru‐1149) grown on severely Zn‐deficient calcareous soils (DTPA‐extractable Zn: 0.12 mg‐kg^‐1 soil) of Central Anatolia which is the major wheat growing area of Turkey. Zinc application methods tested were: a) control (no Zn application), b) soil, c) seed, d) leaf, e) soil+leaf, and f) seed+leaf applications. Irrespective of the method, application of Zn significantly increased grain yield in all cultivars. Compared to the control, increases in grain yield were about 260% with soil, soil+leaf, and seed+leaf, 204% with seed and 124% with leaf application of Zn. In a similar manner, biomass production (dry weight of above‐ground parts) was increased by Zn treatments. The highest increase (109%) was obtained with the soil application and the lowest increase (40%) with the leaf application. Significant effects of Zn application methods were also found on the yield components, i.e., spike number.m^‐2, grain number‐spike^‐1, and thousand kernel weight. Spike number.m^‐2 was affected most by Zn applications, particularly by soil and soil+leaf applications. Concentrations of Zn in whole shoots and grain were greatly affected by different Zn treatments. In plants without added Zn, concentrations of Zn were about 10 mg‐kg^‐1 both in shoots and grain and increased to 18 mg‐kg^‐1 dry weight (DW) by soil application of Zn, but not affected by seed application of Zn. Soil+leaf application of Zn had the highest increase in concentration of Zn in shoot (82 mg‐kg^‐1 DW) and grain (38 mg‐kg^‐1 DW). Soil application of Zn was economical and had long‐term effects for enhancing grain yield of wheat grown on Zn deficient soils. When high grain yield and high Zn concentration in grains are desired, soil+leaf application of Zn was most effective method of Zn application.     

Studies of nitrogen immobilization and mineralization in calcareous soils—V. Formation and distribution of isotope-labelled biomass during decomposition of 14C- and 15N-labelled plant material

Medicago littoralis leaf material, labelled with ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N, and of C:N ratio 8.7:1, decomposed rapidly in a calcareous soil. One half of the plant-C and two thirds of the plant-N remained in the soil as organic residues after 34 days. The rates of decomposition and the changes in the distribution of organic-¹⁴C and -¹⁵N residues followed similar patterns.Incorporation of ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N into microbial cells, formed during plant breakdown, reached a maximum after 62 days. At this time the microbial biomass accounted for 21.9 and 23.3%, respectively, of residual organic-¹⁴C and -¹⁵N. Thereafter, the amounts of isotope-labelled biomass decreased with the percentage decrease slightly exceeding that of the total labelled soil residues.During plant decomposition, changes occurred in the concentrations of organic-¹⁴C and -¹⁵N in some of the soil components, these having been fractionated according to density and particle size. Especially evident was the rapid and extensive decrease of labelled material from the fine clay-size components. This was partly due to the decrease in the biomass-¹⁴C of this fraction. Changes in biomass-¹⁴C of some physical fractions were approximately reflected by changes in their numbers of viable microorganisms.     

Agrophysical assessment of alluvial calcareous soils of the Çumra region of Central Anatolia in Turkey

Some physical (density, coefficient of filtration, particle-size composition, etc.) and chemical (contents of carbonates, organic carbon, nitrogen, etc.) properties of an alluvial calcareous soil were studied in Central Anatolia (Konya province, Çumra region). These heavy-textured (medium clay) soils with a low content of organic carbon (less than 1%) have favorable agrophysical properties due to the stable structure of the pore space. The studies of the water regime of soils under drop irrigation confirm the favorable hydrological properties of these soils. The use of the known agrophysical estimates (after Medvedev, the index of the optimal water regime, etc.) has revealed the high dispersal of the data related to the low humus content in these heavy-textured soils. The favorable structure of the pore space is suggested to be stipulated by the active activity of the numerous and diverse representatives of soil biota. Four phyla predominate in the microbio-logical composition of the soils studied; among them, Actinobacteria is the dominant. The composition of this phylum is dominated by the elevated number of both higher (Streptomyces) and lower (three species of Rhodococcus) actinobacteria. The high biodiversity of bacteria against the background of their great total number and the developed trophic interactions in the microbial community promote the well-balanced production of specific metabolites, including gaseous ones (CO₂, H₂). This circumstance allows this clayey soil to function rather actively while protecting the pore space against compaction and maintaining the optimal density, porosity, and hydrological properties.     

Study on Soil and Pine-Seedling Zn and Mn and Predicting-Model Design

Soils were collected from 2-year (2-y) and 3-year (3-y) old red-pine seedling plots in two tree nurseries, Hayward in the north and Wilson in the southwestern part of Wisconsin State respectively, and equilibrated with 0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂ for soil solution Zn and Mn (solu-Zn and Mn), and with 0.01 M Ca(NO₃)2+0.005 M EDTA for soil adsorbed Zn and Mn (ad-Zn and Mn). Buffering capacity of soil Zn and Mn (b-Zn and Mn) was obtained from the ratio of ad-Zn and Mn to the solu-Zn and Mn. The concerned traces in pine seedling needles (ndls), stems(sts) and roots (rts) were simultaneously measured.     

Mycorrhizal colonization and nutrition of wheat and sweet corn grown in manure‐treated and untreated topsoil and subsoil

Dry bean yields (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were raised to similar levels as the topsoil by manure application to eroded or leveled Portneuf silt loam soil (coarse‐silty mixed mesic Durixerollic Calciorthid). Only soil organic matter and zinc (Zn) content of leaf tissue were correlated with improved yields. Manure application increased mycorrhizal colonization and Zn uptake in pot experiments with dry bean which would explain the increased yields in the field. A field study was conducted to see if similar effects of manure and mycorrhizal colonization could be observed in field grown spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L.). This study was conducted on existing experiments established in the spring of 1991 at the USDA‐ARS farm in Kimberly, Idaho, to study crop rotation/organic matter amendment treatments on exposed subsoils and focused on mycorrhizal colonization as related to topsoils and subsoils treated with conventional fertilizer (untreated) or dairy manure. Mycorrhizal root colonization was higher with untreated than with manure‐treated wheat and sweet corn. Root colonization was also higher in subsoil than in topsoil for wheat, but there were no differences between soils for sweet corn. Shoot Zn and manganese (Mn) concentrations generally increased with increased root colonization for both species (except between soils with corn Mn contents). Wheat shoot potassium (K) concentration was increased by manure application, but the affect declined with time, was the opposite of colonization and was not observed with sweet com. Phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) concentrations either were not influenced or were erratically affected by mycorrhizal colonization. Yields of wheat were highest for manure‐treated subsoil and topsoil compared to untreated soils. Mycorrhizal colonization was different between conventional and manure‐treated soils and between topsoil and subsoil and these differences increased Zn and Mn uptake, but they did not explain the improvement in wheat yields obtained with manure application.