Effect of vegetation changes on soil erosion on the loess plateau

Vegetation is one of the key factors affecting soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. The effects of vegetation destruction and vegetation restoration on soil erosion were quantified using data from long-term field runoff plots established on the eastern slope of the Ziwuling secondary forest region, China and a field survey. The results showed that before the secondary vegetation restoration period （before about 1866-1872）, soil erosion in the Ziwuling region of the Loess Plateau was similar to the current erosion conditions in neighboring regions, where the soil erosion rate now is 8 000 to 10 000 t km^-2 year^-1. After the secondary vegetation restoration, soil erosion was very low; influences of rainfall and slope gradient on soil erosion were small; the vegetation effect on soil erosion was predominant; shallow gully and gully erosion ceased; and sediment deposition occurred in shallow gully and gully channels. In modern times when human activities destroyed secondary forests, soil erosion increased markedly, and erosion rates in the deforested lands reached 10 000 to 24000 t km^-2 year^-1, which was 797 to 1682 times greater than those in the forested land prior to deforestation. Rainfall intensity and landform greatly affected the soil erosion process after deforestation. These results showed that accelerated erosion caused by vegetation destruction played a key role in soil degradation and eco-environmental deterioration in deforested regions.     

Effect of soil amendments on fractionation of Selenium‐enriched soil

Abstract

This study was to determine the effect of soil amendments on the fractionation of selenium (Se) using incubation experiments under simulated upland and flooded conditions. The treatments were as follows: 1) control [soil + sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) (1 mg Se kg^‐1)]; 2) control + calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) (5 g kg^‐1); 3) control + alfalfa (40 g kg^‐1); and 4) control + CaCO₃ (5 g kg^‐1) + alfalfa (40 g kg^‐1). After a 90‐day incubation, soil was sampled and fractionated into five fractions: 1) potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄)‐soluble fraction (available to plants); 2) potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄)‐exchangeable fraction (potentially available); 3) ammonium hydroxide (NH₃H₂O)‐soluble fraction (potentially available); 4) hydrochloric acid (HCl)‐extractable fraction (unavailable); and 5) residual fraction (unavailable). Compared with the control, CaCO₃ increased the K₂SO₄ fraction at the expense of the NH₃H₂O fraction. Alfalfa increased both the K₂SO₄ and residual fractions but reduced the KH₂PO₄ and NH₃H₂O fractions. The CaCO₃‐alfalfa treatment had a similar effect to the alfalfa treatment alone. The comparison between the upland and flooded conditions showed that the flooded condition generally increased the residual fraction and decreased the potentially‐available fractions. In general, CaCO₃ was a better amendment because it not only increased the available fraction but also maintained the potentially available fractions at a high level. The application of Na₂SeO₃ and use of appropriate soil amendments can improve Se availability in soil.     

Effect of extraction techniques on soil pore‐water chemistry

Abstract

The retention of contaminants in soil and overburden is often estimated using a solid/liquid partition coefficient, Kd, which lumps all the processes into an empirical value. Determination of this value in unsaturated porous media requires the separation of the pore water from the solid phase. Soil pore‐water recovery and composition were investigated in three chemically and texturally different mineral soils and one organic soil. The removal of pore water was achieved through centrifugation at low (1000 to 2500 rpm) and ultra (10,000 to 20,000 rpm) speeds, ceramic plate extraction and immiscible displacement. Pore‐water recovery was highest using ceramic plate extraction and lowest with displacement. Pore‐water quality was not affected by centrifugation time. However, the pore‐water concentrations of F, Cl, NO₃, Fe, and Na suggest that the effect of centrifuge speed on the element or ion of interest should be determined prior to extraction. Ceramic plates retained both cations and anions, and the immiscible displacent depressed the pH of the soil slurry affecting the pore‐water composition. Comparisons between distilled water extracts, standardized to field capacity moisture, and the centrifugate for a sand and an organic soil indicated that with low solid/liquid ratios, pore‐water concentrations are influenced by dissolution or desorption. Therefore, Kd values based on centrifuged pore water will be lower than those based on extraction/ desorption.     

The properties and genesis of “Tora-Han” (tiger-like) soil on the high terrace,North of Akashi City

On the high terrace to the north of Akashi City, Sanyo District. th ere is a heavy text ured soil which is charac te rized by the presence of altern ate red and gray bands in lower hor izons (photo.) . This soil is called "Tora-han" Soil as a local name by reason of its morph ological resemblance to “tora” (tiger^*). Heavy textured soils which have tiger-like (or zebra-like) mot tlings in lower hor izons are also found in other parts of Japan alm ost excl usively on high ter races , and hav e long attracted th e attent ion of Japanese pedologists.     

Application of the “standard cell” concept in research on soil formation

The concept of the “standard cell” of a rock, which compares numbers of cations associated with 160 oxygen ions (Barth, 1948) can be applied to the solid material of soils and saprolites as a means of tracing changes in element content at different depths in soil profiles weathered from igneous rocks. The “standard cells” can be derived readily from total silicate analyses of rock and soil materials and can be expressed as chemical formulae or in tables to facilitate comparisons. Standard cells for several layers from each of three profiles from southeast Queensland illustrate the type of information obtained. Standard cells of solum and weathered rock layers of a profile previously studied by mineralogical techniques permit a comparison of inferences about weathering which have been drawn by the two approaches.     

Effect of peat moss‐shrimp wastes compost on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on a loamy sand soil

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of peat moss‐shrimp wastes compost on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on a limed loamy sand soil. A control, four rates of compost applied alone and in combination with three rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) chemical fertilizer were evaluated. Applications of compost to limed soil substantially enhanced the growth of barley over the control. When considering all treatments, the main effect of compost rates on straw yield, numbers of tillers, plant height, and number of ears was more important than that of fertilizer. A significant interaction on barley growth parameter values was obtained with compost and fertilizer rates. A combination of moderate application of compost and fertilizer gave in some instances, more yield than compost or fertilizer applied alone. Nutrient content of barley increased with rate of compost applied to soil over the control. A significant relationship was found between soil organic carbon (C) and straw yield, number of tillers, plant height and number of ears whereas grain yield was correlated with soil total N. Results from this study indicate that peat moss‐shrimp wastes compost could represent a potential means of renovating low fertility sand soils.     

Effect of gypsum on exchangeable sodium percentage and electrical conductivity in the Daeho reclaimed tidal land soil in Korea—a field scale study

Purpose

A reclaimed tidal land along the shore has poor soil properties such as high exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and electrical conductivity (EC) due to excess sodium (Na) content. Therefore, Na content should be decreased to improve the land productivity, and for this, gypsum has been widely used. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in ESP and EC of the gypsum-treated reclaimed tidal soil in a field scale.

Materials and methods

For this, gypsum was applied to Daeho reclaimed tidal land (500 ha) in Korea for 5 years (2006 to 2010). The Daeho reclaimed tidal land has been used as reclaimed paddy fields since 1993. The application rate of gypsum was calculated based on exchangeable calcium (Ca) contents and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) to maintain 60 % exchangeable calcium percentage (ECP) of CEC in soil and the average amount treated was 1570 kg ha^?1 year^?1. The changes in ESP and EC were monitored from 2006 to 2010, and 2013.

Results and discussion

The ESP dropped from 80 % in 2006 to 34 % in 2013. The EC of the soil was decreased by 73 %, from 11.5 dS m^?1 in 2006 to 3.1 dS m^?1 in 2013. Eventually, it was estimated that the ESP will be lowered below 15 % in 2023 with continuous treatment of gypsum according to ECP calculation, and EC will be declined to reach at 0.5 dS m^?1 in 2035, the average EC level of Korean rice paddy.

Conclusions

This field scale study evidenced that gypsum application effectively improves the soil properties of reclaimed tidal soil by decreasing ESP and EC.

     

Effect of dicyandiamide on the form and recovery of 15N‐labeled urea in the delayed flood soil system

Abstract

Dicyandiamide (DCD) is a nitrification inhibitor that has been proposed for use in drill‐seeded rice. Immobilization of fertilizer NH₄ ⁺‐N by soil microorganisms under aerobic conditions has been found to be significantly enhanced in the presence of a nitrification inhibitor. The objective of this laboratory study was to determine if DCD significantly delayed nitrification of urea‐derived N, and if this enhanced immobilization of the fertilizer N in the delayed‐flood soil system inherent to dry‐seeded rice culture. Nitrogen‐15‐labeled urea solution, with and without DCD (1: 9 w/w N basis), was applied to a Crowley silt loam (Typic Albaqualf) and the soil was incubated for 10 weeks in the laboratory. The soil was maintained under nonflooded conditions for the first four weeks and then a flood was applied and maintained for the remaining six weeks of incubation. The use of DCD significantly slowed the nitrification of the fertilizer N during the four weeks of nonflooded incubation to cause the (urea + DCD)‐amended soil to have a 2.5 times higher fertilizer‐derived exchangeable NH₄+‐N concentration by the end of the fourth week. However, the higher exchangeable NH₄+‐N concentration had no significant effect on the amount of fertilizer N immobilized during this period. Immobilization of the fertilizer N appeared to level off during the nonflood period about the second week after application. After flooding, immobilization of fertilizer N resumed and was much greater in the (urea + DCD)‐amended soil that had the much higher fertilizer‐derived exchangeable NH₄ ⁺‐N concentration. Immobilization of fertilizer N appeared to obtain a maximum in the urea‐amended soil (18%) about two weeks after flooding and for the (urea + DCD)‐amended soil (28%) about four weeks after flooding.     

Effect of herbicide used with years (8 + 1) on soil enzymic activity and microbial population diversity

Purpose

Soil microbes play important roles in plant nutrition and soil conservation, and the diversity and population of soil microbe are influenced by abiotic and biotic factors associated with different soil managements. However, the information concerning soil microbe diversity and population structure and its relation with soil fertility and enzyme activities are scarce in crop rotation under different soil management system.

Materials and methods

This paper reports the effects of three weeding managements (herbicide (2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl) acetomide, C1₄H₂₀ClNO₂), manual weeding, and no weeding (CK)), on soil microbial diversity, population structure, and its relationship with soil active organic matter (AOM) and pH, and the activity of soil enzymes like sucrase, catalase, and urease activities from long-term test area in red soil upland field in southeast China, which was set up since 2006. Soil samples at 0–20-cm depths were collected before (8 years) and after (8 + 1 years) weeding management in April 2014.

Results and discussion

Soil enzymes (sucrase, catalase, and urease activity) and soil microbial populations had no significant difference (P > 0.05) under the three weeding treatments. Based on richness of microbial population up to 0.10%, the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria highly dominated the three soil treatments, averagely accounting for 21.76 and 21.44%. Chloroflexi was the next phylum, about accounting for 6.84%. Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, and Planctomycetes phylum accounted for 4.98, 4.78, and 4.23%, respectively. The percentage of Gemmatimonadetes was 2.76%, and that of Bacteroidetes was about 1.45%. Armatimonade and Nitrospira were the lowest, with 0.69 and 0.26%, respectively. Among the 20 phyla, only 5 had significant correlation with some of the soil properties. Twenty-one in 46 classes had significant correlation with some of the soil properties. Armatimonadetes and Fusobacteria had positive correlation with moisture. Acidobacteria_Gp3, Deltaproteobacteria, Chthonomonadetes, Armatimonadetes_gp4, and Euryarchaeota also were positively correlated with moisture. Negative correlation between Armatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, Chthonomonadetes, and Armatimonadetes_gp5 and AOM exists, and Armatimonadetes, Chthonomonadetes, Clostridia, Armatimonadetes, and pH were negatively correlated. Fusobacteria was positively correlated with catalase. Acidobacteria_Gp10 and Armatimonadia were positively correlated with catalase. Chthonomonadetes, Clostridia, and Armatimonadetes_gp5 were correlated with urease. Gammaproteobacteria and Flavobacteria were correlated with sucrase.

Conclusions

For long-term herbicide experiment conducted on the Dongxiang upland site, no significant effect of herbicide on soil microbial community composition and enzyme activities was found. Further work is needed to relate microbial community structure and function in different herbicide systems or season sampling, even to detect herbicide effect on community structure during the growing season.

     

Effect of fused magnesium phosphate on paddy grown on “akiochi” soil with particular reference to phosphorus and silicon

In order to increase the p:tady prodution of our country, a better fertilizer practice is needed Particularly in the low productive areas known as “akiochi” fields which are now said to occupy about one fifth of the whole paddy areas in Japan.     

Studies on microörganisms and their activities in soil Part. 1. Change of microflora induced by soil treatment,with special reference to the method of study

Introduction

Joffell described in his book “Pedology” that in the process of weathering, autotrophic organisms grow on the bare surface of rocks and their metabolic products contribute much to the weathering. Treub²⁾ observed also that the surface of volcanic ash was covered by the vigorous growth of algae in less than three years after the eruption of Krakatoa. From these statements it appears evident that microorganisms play an important part through the production of organic matter at the early period of soil formation. As soil-forming-process advances, however, microBrganisms are replaced by the higher chlorophyllbearing plants with regards to organic matter production in land, and they become more important in the decomposition of than in the production of organic matter.     

Effect of 2(N‐morpholino)ethane)sulfonic acid (MES) on the growth and tissue composition of cucumber

The effect of 2(N‐morpholino)ethane)sulfonic acid (MES) on the growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativa L. var. Marketer) in hydroponic culture was determined at 0, 1, 5, and 10 mM concentrations. The effect of adding the MES to the solution at the time of transfer to hydroponic culture or waiting one week was also determined. MES was observed to strongly affect plant growth with increasing concentration in nutrient solution. Tissue and nutrient solution analysis determined that MES affects manganese (Mn) uptake. MES appears to be reduced by Mn, precipitating the Mn out of solution. The suitability of MES as a pH buffer in hydroponic culture is discussed in terms of this effect.     

Effect of freeze–thaw cycles on carbon stocks of saline–alkali paddy soil

This study aims to provide basic data to support accurate estimation of carbon stocks and reveal the physicochemical factors that influence the carbon cycle in saline–alkali soils. Soil samples were collected during initial freezing, complete freezing, initial thawing and complete thawing stages. Levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil inorganic carbon (SIC), moisture, salinity, pH and available nitrogen were determined, and variations were observed during the freezing and thawing periods. Correlation analysis and regression analysis of carbon contents and physicochemical properties were performed. The results showed that freeze–thaw cycles have significant effects on carbon contents. The SOC content initially decreased in the freezing stage and then increased in the thawing stage. However, the SIC content initially increased in the freezing stage, decreased in the initial thawing stage and finally increased in the complete thawing stage. The migration and transformation of SOC and SIC were observed both temporally and spatially. SOC was positively correlated with available nitrogen, moisture and salinity and negatively correlated with pH; while SIC was negatively correlated with available nitrogen, moisture and salinity and positively correlated with pH. Among the factors evaluated, available nitrogen and salinity exerted the greatest effects on SOC and SIC contents, respectively.     

Effect of α-casein on DNA adsorption by Andosols and by soil components

Andosols and the soil components (allophanes, humic acids, and goethite) had been autoclaved to destroy the nuclease activity of soil microflora. DNA adsorption by allophanes and Andosols was decreased by increasing the amount of α-casein added to the allophanes and to soils up to casein concentration of 5 mg ml^?1. DNA adsorption by humic acids was significantly increased by increasing the amount of α-casein up to 1.0 mg ml^?1, whereas the addition of 20 mg α-casein ml^?1 completely blocked DNA adsorption. These results can explain why the addition of excess skim milk is operationally needed for effective DNA extraction from Andosols. The amount of DNA adsorbed by Andosols treated with dephosphorylated α-casein was significantly higher than that of not treated Andosols (p?相似文献   

Effect of SDBS–Tween 80 mixed surfactants on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil–water system

Purpose

Enhancing desorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants from soils is a promising approach for the effective remediation of soils contaminated with organic compounds. The desorption efficiency of chemical reagent, such as surfactant, should be evaluated. In this study, the effect of mixed anionic–nonionic surfactants sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)–Tween 80 on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil–water system was evaluated.

Materials and methods

Batch desorption experiments were employed to evaluate the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and surfactants in soil–water system. PAHs and SDBS were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, Tween 80 by spectrophotometry, and total organic carbon with a carbon analyzer.

Results and discussion

Sorption of PAHs to soil was increased at low surfactant concentration due to the effective partition phase on soil formed by sorbed surfactants. The mixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants decreased the sorption of surfactants to soil, increasing the effective surfactant concentration in solution and thus decreasing the sorption of PAHs on soil. Anionic–nonionic mixed surfactant showed better performance on desorption of PAHs from soil than single surfactant. The greatest desorption efficiency was achieved with low proportions of SDBS (SDBS/Tween80?=?1:9).

Conclusions

SDBS–Tween 80 mixed surfactant showed the highest desorption rate with low proportion of SDBS, which indicated that the addition of relative low amount of anionic surfactant could significantly promote the desorption efficiency of PAHs by nonionic surfactants. Results obtained from this study did provide useful information in surfactant-enhanced remediation of soil and subsurface contaminated by hydrophobic organic compounds.     

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on ‘delicious’ apple trees grown in caliche soil in the greenhouse

Abstract

In a greenhouse study, mono‐ammonium phosphate applications to ‘Delicious’ (Oregon spur cv) apple trees, Malus domestica Borkh., improved a low‐vigor condition associated with a caliche soil. The moderate rate of mono‐ammonium phosphate (6 grams per tree) resulted in trees with greater shoot extension, leaf numbers, a higher percent leaf phosphorus, and less purple leaf margins or spots than other soil treatments or the control. By September, trees treated with the highest rate of mono‐ammonia phosphate (12 grams per tree) had the highest level of leaf phosphorus and significantly higher levels of leaf phosphorus than all forms of nitrogen‐only fertilizer (ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate, and urea). In most cases, applications of the nitrogen‐only fertilizers, reduced leaf phosphorus levels throughout the experiment.     

Soybean expansion impacts on soil organic matter in the eastern region of the Maranhão State (Northeastern Brazil)

Recently, the eastern region of the Maranhão state (Northeastern Brazil) became a hotspot of land-use change (LUC) directly from native vegetation to soybean cultivation, but due to the soil characteristics, LUC has caused substantial soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen depletion. Therefore, we quantified these impacts arising from two factors: (i) different timeframes after LUC and (ii) contrasting soil management practices. For the first study, soil samples (0–30 cm; six replicates) were taken on soybean fields year one, year eight and 15 years after LUC. It the second study, another area was sampled, of which part was managed under no-tillage (NT) and the other using a mouldboard plough (MP). For both studies, native vegetation (NV) was sampled as the control. NV stored about 50 Mg of carbon (C) ha⁻¹; but LUC reduced C stocks by 35% (after 8 and 15 years); moreover, labile-C decreased between 20% and 45%, while, microbial-C decreased between 20% and 60%, considering the interval between year one and 15 years. Regarding soil management, the MP did not cause differences on C stock (24 Mg C ha⁻¹) in comparison to NT; however, both labile-C and microbial-C decreased by 15% to NT, while, decreased by 40% to MP. These results lead us to believe that, since LUC is inevitable, we suggested the adoption of the best agricultural management practices, in order to preserve/increase the SOC, reducing the impacts on GHG emissions and, thus, achieving sustainability and profitability.     

Method of studying the degradation of soil macroaggregates based on the self-absorption of 137Cs β radiation

A method was proposed for studying the degradation of soil aggregates in time from the absorption of ¹³⁷Cs β-radiation by a soil sample. The method is based on the difference in the recorded β radiation intensities depending on the distribution of ¹³⁷Cs between the surface of the aggregates and the nonaggregated soil material. At the localization of the radionuclide on the surface of the soil aggregates, the counting rate will significantly exceed that for the samples containing a similar amount of the radionuclide uniformly distributed throughout the soil volume. This effect is due to the insignificant range of the mild β radiation in the soil (less than 1 mm depending on the radiation energy). Relatively clear calibration graphs under the selected conditions of the radiometric measurements were obtained for the aggregates whose sizes were in the range of 3–10 mm. Under natural conditions, the 7- to 10-mm aggregates of a dark gray clay loamy soil under a forest belt decomposed by 50–65% at a depth of 10 cm and by 23–32% at a depth of 30 cm. The more intense degradation of the soil aggregates of the same size was observed under the conditions of a pot experiment.     

Effect of conservation agriculture on soil organic and inorganic carbon sequestration and lability: A study from a rice–wheat cropping system on a calcareous soil of the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains

Increasing soil carbon (C) in arable soils is an important strategy to achieve sustainable yields and mitigate climate change. We investigated changes in soil organic and inorganic carbon (SOC and SIC) under conservation agriculture (CA) in a calcareous soil of the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. The treatments were as follows: conventional-till rice and wheat (CT-CT), CT rice and zero-till wheat (CT-ZT), ZT direct seeded rice (DSR) and CT wheat (ZT-CT), ZTDSR and ZT wheat without crop residue retention (ZT-ZT), ZT-ZT with residue (ZT-ZT+R), and DSR and wheat both on permanent beds with residue (PB-PB+R). The ZT-ZT+R had the highest total SOC in both 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers (20% and 40% higher (p < .05) than CT-CT, respectively), whereas total SIC decreased by 11% and 15% in the respective layers under ZT-ZT+R compared with CT-CT. Non-labile SOC was the largest pool, followed by very labile, labile and less labile SOC. The benefits of ZT and residue retention were greatest for very labile SOC, which showed a significant (p < .05) increase (~50%) under ZT-ZT+R compared with CT-CT. The ZT-ZT+R sequestered ~2 Mg ha⁻¹ total SOC in the 0–15 cm soil layer in 6 years, where CT registered significant losses. Thus, the adoption of CA should be recommended in calcareous soils, for C sequestration, and also as a reclamation technique.