中国东南地区两土链土壤中土壤性质和水稻产量的空间变异研究

In the light of an increasing demand for staple food, especially rice, in southeast China, investigations on the specific site potential expressed as the relationship between soil and crop yield parameters gain increasing importance. Soil texture and several soil chemical parameters as well as plant properties such as crop height, biomass and grain yield were investigated along two terraced catenas with contrasting soil textures cropped with wet rice. We were aiming at identifying correlative relationships between soil and crop properties. Data were analyzed both statistically and geostatistically on the basis of semivariograms. Statistical analysis indicated a significant influence of the relief position on the spatial distribution of soil texture, total carbon and total nitrogen contents. Significant correlations were found for the catena located in a sandstone area （Catena A） between rice yield and silt as well as total nitrogen content. Corresponding relationships were not detectable for paddy fields that developed from Quaternary clays （Catena B）. As suggested by the nugget to sill ratio, spatial variability of soil texture, total carbon and nitrogen was mainly controlled by intrinsic factors, which might be attributed to the erosional transport of fine soil constituents, indicating the importance of the relief position and slope in soil development even in landscapes that are terraced. The crop parameters exhibited short ranges of influence and about one third of their variability was unexplained. Comparable ranges Of selected crop and soil parameters, found only for Catena A, are indicative of close spatial interactions between rice yield and soil features. Our findings show that especially in sandstone-dominated areas, a site-specific management can contribute to an environmentally safe rice production increase.     

川中丘陵区土壤侵蚀对土壤特性和作物产量的影响

Roles of tillage erosion and water erosion in the development of within-field spatial variation of surface soil properties and soil degradation and their contributions to the reduction of crop yields were studied on three linear slopes in the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China. Tillage erosion was found to be the dominant erosion process at upper slope positions of each linear slope and on the whole short slope (20 m). On the long slope (110 m) and medium slope (40 m), water erosion was the dominant erosion process. Soil organic matter and soil nutrients in the tillage layer were significantly related to slope length and ¹³⁷Cs inventories on the long slope; however, there was no significant correlation among them on the short slope, suggesting that water erosion lowered soil quality by transporting SOM and surface soil nutrients selectively from the upper to lower slope positions, while tillage erosion transported soil materials unselectively. On the medium slope, SOM, total N, and available N in the tillage layer were correlated with slope length and the other properties were distributed evenly on the slope, indicating that water erosion on this slope was still the dominant soil redistribution process. Similar patterns were found for the responses of grain yield, aboveground biomass, and harvest index for slopes. These results indicated that tillage erosion was a major cause for soil degradation and grain yield reduction on the linear slopes because it resulted in displacement of the tillage layer soil required for maintaining soil quality and plant growth.     

菱镁矿区土壤质量退化研究

Fourteen soil properties in 17 sampling sites were analyzed to study the soil degradation in a magnesite mining area in Haicheng City,Northeast China.Such areas have hitherto received little attention.The current practices of magnesite mining in this area resulted in degradation of soil quality and specifically led to an increase in soil pH,the ratio of magnesium to calcium,bulk density,clay dispersibility,total magnesium and equivalent calcium carbonate and a decrease in surface soil porosity and available phosphorous.The soil quality in the areas affected by intensive mining activity was obviously worse than that of areas far away from the mine.Four factors were identified and "magnesium factor","pH factor" and "fertility factor",involving 13 soil properties,explained 82% of the total variance in the entire data set.Discriminant analysis showed that the total magnesium,water-soluble calcium and available phosphorous were the most sensitive indicators for soil quality.     

热带农业生态系统土壤肥力与植物养分综合管理研究进展

The greatest challenge for tropical agriculture is land degradation and reduction in soil fertility for sustainable crop and livestock production.Associated problems include soil erosion,nutrient mining,competition for biomass for multiple uses,limited application of inorganic fertilizers,and limited capacity of farmers to recognize the decline in soil quality and its consequences on productivity.Integrated soil fertility management(ISFM) is an approach to improve crop yields,while preserving sustainable and long-term soil fertility through the combined judicious use of fertilizers,recycled organic resources,responsive crop varieties,and improved agronomic practices,which minimize nutrient losses and improve the nutrient-use efficiency of crops.Soil fertility and nutrient management studies in Ethiopia under on-station and on-farm conditions showed that the combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizers significantly increased crop yields compared to either alone in tropical agro-ecosystems.Yield benefits were more apparent when fertilizer application was accompanied by crop rotation,green manuring,or crop residue management.The combination of manure and NP fertilizer could increase wheat and faba bean grain yields by 50%–100%,whereas crop rotation with grain legumes could increase cereal grain yields by up to 200%.Although organic residues are key inputs for soil fertility management,about 85% of these residues is used for livestock feed and energy;thus,there is a need for increasing crop biomass.The main incentive for farmers to adopt ISFM practices is economic benefits.The success of ISFM also depends on research and development institutions to provide technical support,technology adoption,information dissemination,and creation of market incentives for farmers in tropical agro-ecosystems.     

采用土壤质量指数评估施肥对集约型稻麦轮作系统中土壤物理性质的影响

Soil quality assessment has been suggested as an effective tool for evaluating sustainability of soil and crop management practices.The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive soil quality index(SQI) based on bulk density(BD),water-holding capacity(WHC),water-stable aggregates(WSA),aggregate mean weight diameter(AMWD),total organic C(TOC) and C input to evaluate the important rice-wheat cropping system on an Inceptisol in India.A long-term experiment has been conducted for 18 years at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research,Modipuram,India.The treatments selected for this study were comprised of a no-fertilizer control and N,P and K fertilizers(NPK) combined with Zn and S fertilizers(NPK+ Zn+S),farmyard manure(NPK+FYM),green gram residues(NPK+GR) and cereal residues(NPK+CR),laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.Soil samples were collected and analyzed for BD,WHC,WSA and TOC.Correlation analysis revealed that both rice and wheat yields signi?cantly increased with the increases in AMWD,TOC and C input,but decreased with the increase in BD.The SQI values were then generated based on regression analysis of BD,WSA,AMWD,TOC and C input with rice and wheat yields for the 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers,respectively.Regression analyses between crop yields and SQI values showed a quadratic type of relation with the coeffcient of determination(R~2) varying from 0.78 to 0.89.With regard to soil sustainability,applying crop residues to both rice and wheat could maintain soil quality for a longer period,whereas the highest yields of both the crops were recorded in the NPK+Zn+S treatment.The regression equations developed in this study could be used to monitor soil quality in a subhumid tropical rice-wheat cropping system.     

中国东北农田土壤质量评价的最小数据集选择

Soil quality assessment provides a tool for agriculture managers and policy makers to gain a better understanding of how various agricultural systems afect soil resources.Soil quality of Hailun County,a typical soybean (Glycine max L.Merill) growing area located in Northeast China,was evaluated using soil quality index(SQI)methods.Each SQI was computed using a minimum data set(MDS) selected using principal components analysis(PCA)as a data reduction technique.Eight MDS indicators were selected from 20 physical and chemical soil measurements.The MDS accounted for 74.9% of the total variance in the total data set(TDS).The SQI values for 88 soil samples were evaluated with linear scoring techniques and various weight methods.The results showed that SQI values correlated well with soybean yield (r=0.658**) when indicators in MDS were weighted by the regression coefcient computed for each yield and index.Stepwise regression between yield and principal components (PCs) indicated that available boron(AvB),available phosphorus (AvP),available potassium (AvK),available iron (AvFe) and texture were the main factors limiting soybean yield.The method used to select an MDS could not only appropriately assess soil quality but also be used as a powerful tool for soil nutrient diagnosis at the regional level.     

长期施肥和耕作管理对华北平原土壤肥力的影响

In the North China Plain, fertilizer management and tillage practices have been changing rapidly during the last three decades; however, the influences of long-term fertilizer applications and tillage systems on fertility of salt-affected soils have not been well understood under a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-maize (Zea mays L.) annual double cropping system. A field experiment was established in 1985 on a Cambosol at the Quzhou Experimental Station, China Agricultural University, to investigate the responses of soil fertility to fertilizer and tillage practices. The experiment was established as an orthogonal design with nine treatments of different tillage methods and/or fertilizer applications. In October 2001, composite soil samples were collected from the 0–20 and 20–40 cm layers and analyzed for soil fertility indices. The results showed that after 17 years of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertilizer and straw applications, soil organic matter (SOM) in the top layer was increased significantly from 7.00 to 9.30–13.14 g kg-1 in the 0–20 cm layer and from 4.00 to 5.48–7.75 g kg-1 in the 20–40 cm layer. Soil total N (TN) was increased significantly from 0.37 and 0.22 to 0.79–1.11 and 0.61–0.73 g N kg-1 in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm layers, respectively, with N fertilizer application; however, there was no apparent effect of straw application on TN content. The amounts of soil total P (TP) and rapidly available P (RP) were increased significantly from 0.60 to 0.67–1.31 g kg-1 in the 0–20 cm layer and from 0.52 to 0.60–0.73 g kg-1 in the 20–40 cm layer with P fertilizer application, but were decreased with combined N and P fertilizer applications. The applications of N and P fertilizers significantly increased the crop yields, but decreased the rapidly available potassium (RK) in the soil. Straw return could only meet part of the crop potassium requirements. Our results also suggested that though some soil fertility parameters were maintained or enhanced under the long-term fertilizer and straw applications, careful soil quality monitoring was necessary as other nutrients could be depleted. Spreading straw on soil surface before tillage and leaving straw at soil surface without tillage were two advantageous practices to increase SOM accumulation in the surface layer. Plowing the soil broke aggregates and increased aeration of the soil, which led to enhanced organic matter mineralization.     

Short-Term Effect of Nitrogen Intensification on Aggregate Size Distribution, Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activities in a Semi-Arid Soil Under Different Crop Types

There is a lack of quantitative assessments available on the effect of agricultural intensification on soil aggregate distribution and microbial properties. Here, we investigated how short-term nitrogen(N) intensification induced changes in aggregate size distribution and microbial properties in a soil of a hot moist semi-arid region(Bangalore, India). We hypothesised that N intensification would increase the accumulation of macroaggregates 2 mm and soil microbial biomass and activity, and that the specific crop plant sowed would influence the level of this increase. In November 2016, surface(0–10 cm) and subsurface(10–20 cm) soil samples were taken from three N fertilisation treatments, low N(50 kg N ha~(-1)), medium N(75 and 100 kg N ha~(-1) for finger millet and maize, respectively),and high N(100 and 150 kg N ha~(-1) for finger millet and maize, respectively). Distribution of water-stable aggregate concentrations,carbon(C) and N dynamics within aggregate size class, and soil microbial biomass and activity were evaluated. The high-N treatment significantly increased the concentration of large macroaggregates in the subsurface soil of the maize crop treatment, presumably due to an increased C input from root growth. Different N fertilisation levels did not significantly affect C and N concentrations in different aggregate size classes or the bulk soil. High-N applications significantly increased dehydrogenase activity in both the surface soil and the subsurface soil and urease activity in the surface soil, likely because of increased accumulation of enzymes stabilised by soil colloids in dry soils. Dehydrogenase activity was significantly affected by the type of crop, but urease activity not. Overall, our results showed that high N application rates alter large macroaggregates and enzyme activities in surface and subsurface soils through an increased aboveground and corresponding belowground biomass input in the maize crop.     

不同种植模式和土壤类型条件下土壤健康的定量评价

Soil health assessment is an important step toward understanding the potential effects of agricultural practices on crop yield, quality and human health. The objectives of this study were to select a minimum data set for soil health evaluation from the physical, chemical and biological properties and environmental pollution characteristics of agricultural soil and to develop a soil health diagnosis model for determining the soil health status under different planting patterns and soil types in Chongming Island of Shanghai, China. The results showed that the majority of the farmland soils in Chongming Island were in poor soil health condition, accounting for 48.9% of the survey samples, followed by the medium healthy soil, accounting for 32.2% of the survey samples and mainly distributed in the central and mid-eastern regions of the island. The indicators of pH, total organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and Cd exerted less influence on soil health, while the soil salinization and nitrate accumulation under a greenhouse cropping pattern and phosphate fertilizer shortage in the paddy field had limited the development of soil health. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes, hexachlorocyclohexanes and Hg contributed less to soil health index (SHI) and showed no significant difference among paddy field, greenhouse and open-air vegetable/watermelon fields. The difference of the SHI of the three soil types was significant at P = 0.05. The paddy soil had the highest SHI values, followed by the gray alluvial soil, and the coastal saline soil was in a poor soil health condition, indicating a need to plant some salt-tolerant crops to effectively improve soil quality.     

耕作对土壤有机物和土壤团聚体稳定性的影响

Agricultural sustainability relates directly to maintaining or enhancing soil quality. Soil quality studies in Canada during the 1980‘s showed that loss of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregate stability was standard features of non-sustainable land management in agroecosystems. In this study total soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic matter (POM), POM-C as a percentage of total SOC, and aggregate stability were determined for three cultivated fields and three adjacent grassland fields to assess the impact of conventional agricultural management on soil quality. POM was investigated using solid-state ^13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to determine any qualitative differences that may be attributed to cultivation. Results show a highly significant loss in total SOC, POM and aggregate stability in the cultivated fields as compared to the grassland fields and a significant loss of POM-C as a percentage of total SOC.Integrated results of the NMR spectra of the POM show a loss in carbohydrate-C and an increase in aromatic-C in the cultivated fields, which translates to a loss of biological lability in the organic matter. Conventional cultivation decreased the quantity and quality of SOM and caused a loss in aggregate stability resulting in an overall decline in soil quality.     

Relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and changes in soil gas diffusivity in a field experiment with biochar and lime

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from arable soil while maintaining productivity is a major challenge for agriculture. Biochar is known to reduce N₂O emissions from soil, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study examined the impact of green waste biochar (20 Mg ha^?1) and lime (CaCO₃; 2 Mg ha^?1) application on soil gas transport properties and related changes in these to soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions measured using automated chambers in a field experiment cropped with maize. In situ soil water content monitoring was combined with laboratory measurements of relative soil gas diffusion coefficient (D_p/D₀) at different matric potentials, to determine changes in D_p/D₀ over time. Cumulative N₂O emissions were similar in the control and lime treatment, but much lower in the biochar treatment. Cumulative CO₂ emissions decreased in the order: lime treatment > biochar treatment > control soil. When N₂O emissions were not driven by excess N supply shortly after fertilisation, they were associated with D_p/D₀ changes, whereby decreases in D_p/D₀ corresponded to N₂O emissions peaks. No distinct pattern was observed between CO₂ emissions and D_p/D₀. Cumulative N₂O emissions were positively related to number of days with D_p/D₀ < 0.02, a critical limit for soil aeration. These results indicate that improved soil gas diffusivity, and hence improved soil aeration, may explain the effect of biochar in reducing N₂O emissions. They also suggest that knowledge of D_p/D₀ changes may be key to explaining N₂O emissions.     

Soil Erodibility and Physicochemical Properties of Collapsing Gully Alluvial Fans in Southern China

In southern China, collapsing gully erosion produces massive deposits of sediment on the plough layer of alluvial fan farmland, leading to reduced nutrients, increased erodibility, and even desertification. The aim of this study was to investigate soil erodibility (the factor K in the universal Soil Loss Equation, USLE) and physicochemical properties of the alluvial fans of the most severe collapsing gully erosion areas (Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces) in southern China. The soils of the collapsing gully alluvial fans had a higher bulk density, but a lower total porosity, saturated water content, and silt and clay fractions than the control (CK) soils from the farmland without desertification. Soil quality gradually decreased from fan edge to fanhead. Significant decreases were found in soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and total potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, resulting in a gradual decrease in soil nutrients from the fanedge to the fanhead. Soil erodibility was greatest in the fanhead, and soil erodibility K values of the alluvial fans were 53.71%, 66.28%, 67.53%, and 71.68 % greater than that in those of the CK soils of Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong, respectively, indicating a significant correlation between the soil erodibility K values and physicochemical properties, particularly sand fraction and organic matter content. The results provide new insights into the relationship between soil physicochemical properties and erodibility of alluvial fans, and suggest that improving soil structure might increase soil fertility in the collapsing gully alluvial fan farmland.     

设施栽培下原状土与扰动土水分特性的试验研究

以四川省双流县设施栽培土壤为研究对象,对其原状土与扰动土的土壤水分特征曲线、水分物理性质和比水容量等项目进行了研究。结果表明,扰动土水分特征曲线总体变化趋势与原状土较为一致。在低吸力阶段,相同吸力条件下扰动土含水量高于原状土,在高吸力阶段两者差异较小。扰动土毛管孔隙度、总孔度和凋萎含水量在剖面上的总体变化趋势与原状土较为一致。扰动土不同土层田间持水量和有效水含量差异较小,原状土的田间持水量和有效水含量均随土层加深而减少。在低吸力阶段,相同吸力条件下扰动土比水容量远高于原状土,但随土壤水吸力增加,扰动土比水容量变化趋势逐渐与原状土一致。     

Soil testing in the united states

Abstract

There has been a marked change in the soil testing procedures used in the United States by state soil testing laboratories since the early 1950's. In the Coastal Plain states of the south and east, the Double Acid extraction procedure is used for P, K, Ca, and Mg determinations. Bray P₁ is the most frequently used method for P extraction except for the alkaline soils of the west where the Olsen method is used. Neutral normal ammonium acetate is the most frequently used extractant for K, Ca, and Mg determinations. The Morgan extraction procedures for P, K, Ca, and Mg, commonly used in the 1950's, is used by only a few states in the northeast and west. Although similar extraction reagents are used in many sections of the United States, there is considerable variance among states regarding weighed versus volume sampling, soil to solution ratio, shaking speed and time, and extraction vessel size and shape. For soil water pH, there is little variance in method as most states are using a 1:1 soil to solution ratio. The only exception is in several western states where water pH's are read in a saturated soil paste.

Considerable efforts are underway to standardize the techniques used to test soils primarily for the extractable elements.     

土壤可蚀性研究现状及展望

<正> 土壤可蚀性(soil erodibility)是指土壤是否易受侵蚀破坏的性能,也就是土壤对侵蚀介质剥蚀和搬运的敏感性。与侵蚀营力一样,土壤可蚀性是影响土壤侵蚀量大小的又一个重要因子。在水土保持学科中,我国习惯上把“水”和“土”并列使用,而国际上则用“soil loss”、“soil erosion”、“soil conservation”或“soil and water conservation”等术语。显然,土壤是水土保持学科的重点。另一方面,土壤侵蚀营力等是土壤流失过程中的外部因素,而土壤性质才是内在因素,因此,水土保持学科中核心的也是重要的问题,应该是土壤保护。土壤可蚀性研究在水土保持研究工作中具有重要意义,国际上把土壤可蚀性研究一直作为水土保持学科研究的重要内容之一。     

土壤孔隙结构与土壤微环境和有机碳周转关系的研究进展

土壤结构是土壤功能的基础,不仅影响土壤养分的供应、水分的保持及渗透、气体的交换等过程,还为土壤微生物提供了物理生境,并调控土壤有机碳的周转这一关键过程。土壤的孔隙特征能够直接、真实地反映土壤结构的好坏;用土壤的孔隙特征作为试验指标能更好地反映土壤结构对这些过程的调节作用。在此基础上,将高度异质性的土壤孔隙结构同土壤微环境的变化和土壤有机碳的周转过程进行定量分析,对深入了解土壤结构在土壤生态系统中的功能至关重要。因此,着重从土壤孔隙结构对土壤微环境的影响及其与有机碳的关系两方面展开,剖析土壤孔隙结构调控作用下的土壤微环境响应过程,阐述土壤孔隙结构对土壤有机碳周转产生的直接、间接影响,强调土壤孔隙结构在调节土壤有机碳周转进程中的重要作用,并对土壤孔隙结构在调节土壤有机碳周转、植物残体分解及其与微生物协调作用机制等方面研究提出展望。     

Historical aspects of soil classification in Japan

Historical perspective of soil classification in Japan from Max Fesca's soil classification in 1882 to the “Unified Soil Classification System of Japan (2002)” was outlined, aiming at reviewing the progress in soil classification. The evolution can be divided into the following five aspects: 1) Max Fesca's soil texture survey and soil classification from the agro-geological point of view under the influence of the German school; 2) Introduction of the concept of pedology into the classification under the influence of the Russian school led by Dokchaev; 3) Brief history of the classification of Andosols which has exerted a considerable influence on soil classification worldwide; 4) Soil classifications developed through the implementation of national soil survey projects to independently evaluate land suitability for the cultivation of paddy rice, upland crops, and for forest establishment; 5) Attempts to develop a comprehensive soil classification system in order to unify soil classification systems for the above-mentioned land uses from 1963 to the present.     

渭北旱塬侵蚀退化土壤生产力的恢复与评价

土壤侵蚀会降低生产力,威胁农业生产,因此,对土壤生产力进行恢复和评价具有重要意义。通过人工剥离熟土层,模拟研究不同侵蚀程度下的土壤生产力,选取施肥和覆盖表土2种恢复措施,对其土壤生产力的恢复情况展开研究并进行评价。结果表明:1)土壤侵蚀能够使土壤的理化性状恶化,施肥和覆土均能很好地改善土壤密度和孔隙度等,并能够增加土壤有机质及其他养分的质量分数。2)土壤侵蚀会降低作物产量,在不施肥下,每侵蚀1cm熟土层,玉米产量平均下降1.27%,施肥下每侵蚀1 cm熟土层,玉米产量比对照平均增加0.87%;而每覆盖1cm熟土层,玉米产量平均增加0.91%,但并不能完全补偿侵蚀造成的产量损失。3)利用土壤生产力指数模型(PI模型)计算出了不同措施下的生产力指数,发现:无肥下侵蚀的生产力指数最低,平均每侵蚀1 cm熟土层,生产力指数下降2.17%,施肥下平均每侵蚀1 cm熟土层,生产力指数比无肥增加1.09%,而平均每覆盖1 cm熟土,生产力指数增加1.29%;表明覆土较施肥更易提高土壤生产力。4)对产量和生产力指数进行相关性分析,得出二者具有很好的正相关关系,说明用生产力指数来衡量土壤生产力的高低是可行的。     

低丘侵蚀红壤复垦后土壤微生物特征研究

侵蚀红壤复垦培肥后 ,随着地面覆盖度的增加 ,土壤结构、土壤通气性、土壤养分状况得到改善 ,各侵蚀观测小区的年径流量、侵蚀模数、土壤流失量急剧降低 ,土壤微生物量、土壤呼吸强度、土壤酶活性均有较大幅度的提高 ,并且其在各小区的分布趋势与土壤养分和土壤水稳性团聚体的分布趋势相一致 ,说明侵蚀红壤经耕作培肥后 ,土壤有机残体的分解强度和腐殖质的合成过程得到加强 ,土壤肥力处于不断的恢复和提高过程当中 ,从土壤微生物和土壤酶活性增强的幅度来看 ,林地要优于草地 ,在林地中阔叶林优于混交林优于针叶林 (杉木林 ) ,而且随着复垦年限增加 ,土壤培肥效果更加显著     

金沙江干热峡谷中退化的土壤生态系统生物学特征初探

Distribution characteristics of soil animals,microorganisms and enzymatic activity were studied in the dry red soil and Vertisol ecosystems with different degradation degrees in the Yuanmou dry hot valley of the Jinsha River,China.Results showed that Hymenoptera,Araneae and Collembola were the dominant groups of soil animals in the polts studied.The numbers of groups and individuals and density of soil animals in the dry red soil series were higher than those in the Vertisol series,and the numbers of individuals and density of soil animals decreased with the degree of soil degradation.Bacteria dominated microbiococnosis not only in the dry red soils but also in the Vertisols.Microbial numbers of the dry red soil series were higher than those of Vertisol series,and decreased with the degree of soil degradation.The activities of catalase,invertase,urease and alkaline phosphatase declined with the degradation degree and showed a significant decline with depth in the profiles of both the dry red soils and the Vertisols,but activities of polyphenol oxidase and acid and neutral phosphatase showed the same tendencies only in the Vertisols.It was concluded that the characteristics of soil animals,microorganisms and enzymatic activity could be used as the bio-indicators to show the degradation degree of the dry red soils and Vertisols.Correlation among these soil bio-indicators was highly significant.