Zur Geschichte des Mineralnamens “Goethit”

The history of the mineral name Goethite (α-FeOOH) In 1806 the mining official J.H. Engels found in Eisenfeld near Siegen (Westphalia) two excellent pieces of a “ruby coloured iron mica”, already known as “Rubinglimmer”. He and his friend H.A. Achenbach, a parson, teacher and hobby mineralogist, proposed to J.G. Lenz, professor for mineralogy at Jena, to dedicate this mineral with the new name “Goethenit” to the famous poet J.W. von Goethe, who was also a great natural scientist. Lenz altered this name according to a proposal of F.W. Riemer, the secretary of Goethe, to “Goethit” and published it 1806 in his tables of minerals (printed as “Göthit”). However some years before the mineral was already described by J.C. Ullmann, professor for mining at Marburg, as “Pyrrhosiderit”. “Rubinglimmer” and the other mentioned names designated at that time the γ-form of FeOOH. In 1901 F.A. Lacroix reported, in order to avoid confusions, that the name “Goethit” was transferred to the α-form of FeOOH and that the γ-form had got the name “Lepidokrokit”.     

Gefügebildung durch Bodentiere in „konventionell”︁ und „biologisch”︁ bewirtschafteten Ackerböden

Fabric formation by soil animals in “technically farmed” and in “organically farmed” arable land At 4 ecologically different sites in south-western Germany one “organically” and one adjoining “technically” farmed field were investigated. Samples of the Ap horizons of these 4 pairs of comparison were taken before the start of the vegetative period and again after harvest. The fabric formation by earthworms and by Enchytraeid worms (and Collembola) was evaluated on polished blocks by quantitative micromorphologic characteristics. – Significant differences appeared at one pair of comparison only, in part at a second one also. The two pairs of comparison which did not exhibit significant differences were para-brown earthes of loess in somewhat warmer climates. – An increase of Enchytraeid (and Collembola) droppings during the vegetative period was found as a by-result.     

Accumulation soils like “Ockererde”—forgotten soil units in soil‐classification systems

Accumulation soils like those known as “Ockererde” are not yet represented in the German and in international soil‐classification systems, even though they represent important members of catenas found in humid low‐mountain areas influenced by the translocation of interpedon matter. Currently, this soil is referred to as “(Hang‐)Oxigley”, though this does not take into account its water and matter dynamics. Six representative catenas in the Black Forest (SW Germany) will be used to describe the occurrence, extent, and properties of the accumulation‐affected “Ockererde” derived from a variety of parent materials at specific altitudes. On the basis of their morphological, chemical, and physical properties as well as matter dynamics, it is possible to distinguish “Ockererde” clearly from soil units with similar characteristics (“Lockerbraunerde”, Andosols). Finally, suggestions will be given for the classification of “Ockererde”.     

Quartärgeomorphologische untersuchungen im Nordteil der “Tunesischen dorsale”

Seven Quaternary profiles from the Mediterranean region of northern Tunisia are described and their geomorphological significance assessed. Fifteen radiocarbon datings permit the field observations to be arranged in a chronosequence.The results indicate that the Late Pleistocene period witnessed the production and displacement of coarse debris, a process extending down to low altitudes. Until now, however, the only evidence for this has been found in the vicinity of steep slopes or rock walls. The coarse sediments partly overlie slope deposits derived from reddish soils; to some extent they contain fine reddish pedogenic material, and in part they are covered by it.In the Holocene, the displacement of fine alluvial sediments alternated several times with the formation of humic horizons. Anthropogenic influences on landscape evolution must be admitted as a possibility as from at least three thousand years ago.The aeolian sands of the Late Pleistocene and Middle Holocene are correlated with regressions of high sea levels.     

Einfluß von Makrobicyclus „Kryptofix 222”︁ auf die Calcium- und Strontium-Aufnahme von Buschbohnen-Keimpflanzen

Influence of macrobicycle ?Kryptofix 222”? on calcium- and strontium-uptake of bush bean seedlings Macrobicycle ?Kryptofix 222”? (4,7,13,16,21,24-Hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo-8,8,8-hexacosane) is the only known organic compound which chelates Sr (pK = 8.0) stronger than Ca (pK = 4.4). Therefore it was proved in experiments with 10 days old seedlings of bush beans, whether Kryptofix enables plants to discriminate between the physiological important Ca and the undesired Sr in favour of Ca. The following results were obtained: 1. At a constant (equimolar) supply of CaCl2 + SrCl₂ (50 μM/l each) increasing levels of Kryptofix raised the Ca/Sr-ratio of the seedlings from 0.8 (without Kryptofix) to 2.7 (with 150 μM Kryptofix/l) by reducing their Sr-content and increasing their Ca-content correspondingly. 2. Despite of reduced Sr-uptake the translocation of Sr to the primary leaves was promoted by Kryptofix (presumably via preventation of Sr fixation by the xylem vessels and in the surrounding tissue), whereas no influence exists on the movement of Ca. 3. At low CaCl₂ + SrCl₂ supply (5 μM/l each) the bean seedlings showed similar Ca and Sr-contents (Ca/Sr-ratio about 1.07), both in the presence or absence of equimolar Kryptofix concentrations. 4. With increasing CaCl₂ + SrCl₂ supplies (25–125 μM/l each), bean seedlings without Kryptofix increasingly favours Sr- against Ca- uptake (reaching a Ca/Sr-ratio of 0.49). On the contrary, in the presence of equimolar concentrations of Kryptofix (50–250 μM/l) there is an increasing preference of Ca versus Sr-uptake (Ca/Sr = 1.89).     

Ertragssimulation mit “Ceres Wheat” an Grundwasserböden gemäßigter Klimazonen. Teil 2: Verifizierung des geänderten Modelles “Ceres Wheat”

Calibration of the simulation model “Ceres Wheat” under conditions of soils with shallow watertable and temperate climate. Part 2: Verification of the modified model “Ceres Wheat” The Ceres Wheat yield model has been adopted to soils under wet conditions and to humide climate. The basic assumptions of the modified model have been checked. The simulated results of the soil water balance, the plant development and the nitrate losses by drain discharge give fairly well agreements to field data from a Calcaric Fluvisol (Speicherkoog, Schleswig-Holstein). The modification improves the model and leads to the opportunity to simulate special aspects in agronomical and ecological advices.     

Die Bewertung der Pedofunktion „Pflanzliche Produktion”︁ in Schleswig-Holstein

Evaluation of the pedofunction “plant production” in Schleswig-Holstein The actual pedofunction “plant production” could be determined by longrunning yield measurements. If we take into consideration the field crops grain, sugarbeet and potatoes, only grain shows a relation between physiographic units and yield. The grain-yield in Schleswig-Holstein has a range of 40% (of maximum yield), about 20% could be explained by different types of soils, further 20% by the water-saturation-deficit of the air (sum of the May and June averages). Decreasing deficits of about one mm go along with increasing yields of about 5%. From a special exploitation of the Specific Crop Estimation results y = ?3,7x + 98 for the relation between relative grain yield and saturation deficit. For winterrye the results of the general exploitation are verified (see above). In contrast winterwheat shows a clear difference: The relative yield scatters about 50%, the relation between relate yield and saturation deficit is not linear, it depends additional on rainfall in summer and the waterholding capacity of soils. Pseudogleys (=Gleyic Luvisols) show a yield depression if the rainfall is less than 350 mm despite decreasing saturation deficits under 8 mm. For Braunerde-Pseudogley-Lessivés (=Cambisol-Gleyic Luvisol- Orthic luvisol) areas this values are 370 mm rainfall in summer and 10 mm saturation deficit. This investigation shows that the pedofunction “plant production” could be determined by the soil type distribution and some few climatic data.     

“Preferential flow”: Eine Übersicht über den heutigen Kenntnisstand

Preferential flow: A review of current knowledge Despite intensive research neither suitable methods of measurement, nor complete theoretical statements give an adequate account of preferential flow due to the exceptional complexity and variability of the soil system. In particular it is not possible to make predictions of preferential flow for a given soil due to observations and measurements. In this work we describe theoretical and technical problems of preferential flow and initiate ideas for future work in this field.     

Erratum to “Soybean yield as affected by crop rotations, deep tillage and irrigation layout on a hardsetting Alfisol”: [Soil & Tillage Research 44 (1997) 151–164]

The hardsetting surface of many Alfisols in Australia is a limiting factor in crop production. Better soil management systems are required to improve productivity. This study reports the effects of several untested management systems, involving the combined effects of tillage (deep ripping, deep mouldboard ploughing and disc ploughing), irrigation layout (permanent beds, border ditch) and crop rotation treatments (single cropping, double cropping and pasture), on soil structure and the production of irrigated soybeans [Glycine max (L) Merr.] on a hardsetting Alfisol. It was conducted under a system of controlled traffic near Trangie, NSW, Australia. The double cropping and pasture treatments increased total water entry, soil organic carbon and soybean leaf water potential. Consequently, soybean yield was increased by as much as 58%. The retention of cereal and pasture stubble increased total water entry by slowing the rate of irrigation water advance, reducing the potential for slaking and increasing the number of continuous vertical macropores. The increases in soil water were associated with a reduction in soil strength; a key limiting factor in crop growth on hardsetting Alfisols. Deep tillage or the use of permanent beds did not affect soybean yields under the conditions reported in this paper, although the combination of disc ploughing and furrow irrigation was successful.     

Characterization of a Unique “Super Soft” Kernel Trait in Wheat

Kernel texture in wheat (Triticum sp.) is central to end‐use quality and utilization. Here we report the discovery of a novel soft kernel trait in soft white winter wheat (T. aestivum L.). Two heritable kernel phenotypes were selected among F₃‐derived sibs, hereafter designated “normal soft” (wild‐type) and “super soft.” Normal soft lines exhibited single kernel characterization system (SKCS) hardness index (HI) values typical of soft wheat (HI ≈ 20), whereas the super soft lines were unusually soft (HI ≈ 5). Under some environments, individual super soft lines exhibited HI values as low as HI = –4. The super soft trait was manifested in reduced SKCS kernel texture and higher break flour yields, with some increase in sodium carbonate SRC (solvent retention capacity) values and sponge cake volumes. Straight‐grade flour yield, flour ash, milling score, and cookie diameter were largely unaffected. With the possible exception of the sodium carbonate SRC values, we observed no indication that the super soft trait conferred any negative aspects to commercial soft wheat quality. As such, the super soft trait may provide wheat breeders with new opportunities to modify the end‐use quality of wheat.     

Definition of the “Purity Protocol” for Producing Gluten‐Free Oats

Several oat processors in the United States and Canada operate under what is referred to as a Purity Protocol for the provision of gluten‐free oats. This term is derived from a Health Canada position statement that indicated that pure oats, which they defined as oats that are harvested, transported, stored, processed, and manufactured under good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to minimize the presence of gluten, can safely be consumed by some persons with celiac disease. While proprietary definitions of the appropriate GMPs have been used in industry for many years, no independent definition of the requirements to make a Purity Protocol claim has been published. This paper provides a consensus definition of the Purity Protocol requirements based on input from the four largest Purity Protocol oat processors in North America. This definition provides transparency to gluten‐free consumers and allows for auditing of a Purity Protocol claim.