Methane production and its fate in paddy fields

Abstract

Oxidation of methane and total water soluble organic carbon (TOC) in the subsoil, which percolated from the plow layer, was investigated in a column experiment. The amounts of both methane and TOC in the leachate decreased by percolation in the subsoil.

Fe²⁺ percolated from the plow layer was nearly completely retained in the subsoil. The decomposition of methane and TOC in the subsoil was considered to result in the coupling with the formation of Fe²⁺. Methane was estimated to contribute ca. 19–21% to the total amount of Fe²⁺ formed in the subsoil by the organic materials in the leachate.     

Nutrient leaching from the plow layer by water percolation and accumulation in the subsoil in an irrigated paddy field

To estimate the impact of water percolation on the nutrient status in paddy fields, the seasonal variations of the concentrations of cations, anions, inorganic carbon (IC), and of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in percolating water that was collected from just below the plow layer (PW-13) and from drainage pipes at the 40 em depth (PW-40), as well as in irrigation water were measured in an irrigated paddy field. Total amounts of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn leached from PW-13 during the period of rice cultivation were estimated to range from about 390 to 770, 65 to 130, 33 to 66, 340 to 680, and 44 to 87 kg ha^-1, respectively. Amounts of losses that were estimated from the differences between the input by irrigation water and the output by percolation water from the plow layer corresponded to 11 to 26, 22 to 47,5.9 to 12, and 13 to 26% of exchangeable Ca and Mg, amorphous Fe, and easily reducible Mn in the plow layer, respectively. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn in PW13 were higher than those in PW-40. The amounts of these nutrients that were retained in the subsoil between the 13 em and 40 em soil depth corresponded to 83, 86, 61, 99, and 89% of the amounts that percolated from the plow layer, respectively. Total amounts of IC and DOC that percolated from the plow layer ranged from 750 to 1,500 and 85 to 170 kg-C ha^-1, which corresponded to 5.0 to 10.0% and 0.6 to 1.1% of the total carbon content in the plow layer, respectively. Eighty eight % of IC in the percolating water from the plow layer was also retained in the subsoil.     

Bacterial numbers and biomass in leachate and in subsoil of a submerged paddy field

By a leaching experiment with glass columns packed with submerged paddy soils, the relationships among numbers of total bacteria, total Gram-positive bacteria, culturare aerobic bacteria and a amount of bacterial biomass both in the leachate, and in the subsoil after leaching incubation were studied. The leachate from soil columns was collected every 3 d during the 30-d incubation period. The soil columns were packed with plow layer soil samples with and without rice straw (RS) amendment, and the subsoil column was connected to the plow layer soil column without RS. Numbers of total bacteria, culturable aerobic bacteria, and a amount of bacterial biomass in the leachate decreased with the incubation time. There was no correlation between the number of total bacteria in the leachate and the concentration of total organic carbon in the leachate. Bacteria less than 0.1 µsm³ in size predominated in the leachate, especially in that from the plow layer soil column with RS. Percentages of the number of Gram-positive bacteria in the leachate were very low (less than 7% of the total bacterial number), while the percentage in the subsoil after the leaching experiment was in the range of 21–82%. The sum of the number of bacteria percolated from the plow layer soil column with RS during the 30-d period of incubation and the sum of the amount of biomass C were 39 and 77% less than the corresponding values for the bacteria percolated from the plow layer soil column without RS. Percentages of culturable aerobic bacteria among the total bacteria ranged between 2.8 and 37% in the leachate, while less than 0.6% in the subsoil after the leaching experiment.     

Water-soluble organic materials in paddy soil ecosystem

Abstract

A column experiment was conducted to analyse the composition of organic materials in the leachate from the plow layer and their fate in the subsoil. Water-soluble organic materials in the leachate were fractionated by insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and ion exchange resins. The content of total organic carbon (TOC) in the leachate increased by the addition of rice straw (RS) to the plow layer soil sample. The leachate contained a constant amount of PVP-adsorbed Fraction, while that of the PVP-non-adsorbed Fraction changed during the 45 day incubation period. In the fractionation using ion exchange resins, the fraction adsorbed onto the anion exchange resin was the major one.

By the connection of a subsoil column to the plow layer soil column with RS, the TOC content in the leachate decreased by percolation into the subsoil sample. In the Anjo soil sample (Yellow Soil), the decrease occurred throughout the incubation period, and about 90% of the PVP-adsorbed Fraction in the leachate decreased by percolation into the subsoil sample. In the Fukushima soil sample (Gray Lowland Soil), the TOC content decreased in the early and middle periods of incubation, while in the late period the decrease was negligible. This decrease of the TOC content by percolation into the subsoil sample was mainly due to retention in the subsoil sample of the Anjo soil, while in the Fukushima soil sample it was due to decomposition and retention. It was considered that easily decomposable organic materials like organic acids were decomposed in the early to middle periods of incubation, while in the late period the contents of such substances in the leachate from the plow layer soil sample with RS were small and the decrease of TOC was negligible.     

Vertical Changes in Bacterial Communities in Percolating Water of a Japanese Paddy Field as Revealed by PCR-DGGE

Percolating water was sampled from the plow layer and subsoil layer in a Japanese paddy field, and the bacterial communities were compared together with floodwater by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) targeting a partial 16S rRNA gene and subsequent sequencing. The number of DGGE bands ranged from 16 to 28 with no significant differences among the sampling sites and times. Only 2 bands were common for the three sources of water samples. DGGE bands specific for the floodwater samples and percolating water samples from the plow layer were identified, while percolating water samples from the subsoil layer did not show specific bands but displayed common bands to those of the floodwater samples (7 bands) and percolating water samples from the plow layer (1 band). Cluster analysis of the DGGE banding patterns showed a distinct clustering in the samples of percolating water from the plow layer and a closer relationship between the others. These results suggest that the bacterial communities in percolating water changed during downward movement through the plow layer and subsoil layer. Sequences of the DGGE bands specific for the samples of percolating water from the plow layer showed a close relationship with anaerobic bacteria such as iron-reducers or uncultured bacterial DNA isolated from environments that are considered to be less oxic. On the other hand, the sequences of the bands specific for the samples of floodwater and percolating water from the subsoil layer showed a close relationship with uncultured bacterial DNA isolated from freshwater environments.     

第四纪红粘土发育的红壤在施用石灰和石膏后元素的淋溶特征

本文利用模拟土柱试验研究了施用石灰和石膏对第四纪红粘土发育的红壤中元素淋溶过程的影响。结果表明,施用石灰后１０ｃｍ土层中除Ｃａ＾２＋以外的阳离子元素的淋失量减少,而ＳＯ４＾２－和ＨＣＯ３＾－的淋失量增加;施用石膏后１０ｃｍ土层中所有阳离子元素,特别是ＡＩ＾３＋的淋失量增加。红壤中Ｃａ＾２＋的淋失以自由态为主,施用石膏后与ＳＯ４＾２－结合的比例增加,不同处理中３０ｃｍ土层处铝的淋失以自由态为离,１０     

Influence of surface‐applied poultry manure on topsoil and subsoil acidity and salinity: A leaching column study

It has been suggested that surface applications of animal manure can ameliorate both top and subsoil acidity. For that reason, the effects of surface incorporation (0–5 cm) of a high rate of poultry manure to an acid soil on pH and exchangeable and soluble Al in the top‐ and subsoil were investigated in a leaching column study. During the experimental period of 108 d, columns received a total of 875 mm with leaching events occurring after 9, 37, 58, and 86 d. Incorporation of poultry manure into the surface 5 cm resulted in a large rise in pH measured in both 1M KCl and in soil solution. This liming effect was attributed primarily to the substantial CaCO₃ content of poultry manure. In the 15–45 cm layer, pH_KCl was not significantly different between poultry manure and control treatments but surprisingly, soil‐solution pH was substantially less in the poultry‐manure treatments. Exchangeable Al was significantly less in poultry manure than in control in all soil layers although the effect was most marked in the 0–5 cm layer. However, although concentrations and activities of monomeric Al (Al_mono), and the proportion of total Al present as Al_mono, in soil solution were lower under poultry manure than in control in the 0–5 cm layer, the reverse was, in fact, the case in lower soil horizons. This was attributed to a soluble‐salt effect, originating from the large cation content of poultry manure, displacing exchangeable Al³⁺ and H⁺ back into soil solution. Indeed, electrical conductivity and concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺_, K⁺, and Na⁺ in soil solution were substantially higher in the poultry‐manure than in the control treatments at all soil depths. Poultry‐manure applications also resulted in substantial increases in the concentrations of Ca²⁺_, Mg²⁺_, K⁺, Na⁺, Al_mono, NH , and NO in leachates, particularly at the fourth leaching. It was concluded that although surface application of poultry manure can raise soil pH in the topsoil, increases in soluble‐salt concentrations in soil solution can greatly modify this effect in the subsoil.     

The effect of potassium chloride on ion dynamics and – budget in a slightly acidic forest soil

In a laboratory study, KCI- a neutral salt - equivalent to 300kg K/ha and 272 kg CI/ha was applied to the surface of undisturbed columns of a forest soil (Terra Fusca Rendzina) under steady state unsaturated flow conditions (1.0 cm/day). The effluent of the five soil columns was collected daily, and pH, cation- and anion concentrations were measured. Most of the applied K ions were retained in the top 10cm of the soil and moved in decreasing amounts further down the column. Among the cations studied Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, and Na⁺ were lost from the system, K⁺, NH₄, Fe⁺⁺⁺, Mn⁺⁺, H⁺, and Al⁺⁺⁺ were retained. Nitrate and sulfate concentrations in the leachates showed a temporary decrease when CI passed through the columns. This decrease was accompanied with a decrease in pH. CI^?, NO₃^?, and SO₄^? exhibited leaching losses. Besides these anions, HCO₃^? played an important role.     

Phospholipid fatty acid composition of microbiota in the percolating water from a rice paddy microcosm

The microbiota in the percolating water from the plow layer soil in paddy fields was studied based on the composition of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in a pot experiment. The mean concentrations of PLFAs in the percolating water were 17±5 and 11±4 µg L^-1 in the planted and non-planted pots, respectively. The dominant PLFAs in the percolating water were 16: 0, 16: 1ω7c, 18: 1ω7, 18: 1ω9, il5: 0, and ail5: 0 PLFAs in both the planted and non-planted pots. The dominance percentage of 18: 3ω6c and 17: 1ω8 PLFAs increased at the late stage of rice growth in the planted pots. The percolating water from the planted pots contained in a higher percentage of straight mono-unsaturated PLFAs and a lower percentage of branched-chain PLFAs than that from the non-planted pots. Considerable differences in the PLFA composition in the percolating water were observed between the planted and non-planted treatments and with the duration of the growth period. Principal component analysis indicated that the microbiota in the percolating water was derived from the microbiota in the floodwater and in the plow layer soil. Cluster analysis showed that the similarity of the PLFA composition in the percolating water to the PLFA composition in the plow layer soil was higher than that in the floodwater. The stress factor that was estimated from the trans/cis ratio of 16: 1ω7 PLFA was 0.08±0.04 and 0.14±0.05 in the percolating water from the planted and non-planted pots, respectively, which indicated that the degree of stress on the microbiota in the percolating water from the planted pots was low in a similar way to the degree of stress on the microbiota in the floodwater, while the degree in the percolating water from the non-planted pots was similar to that in the plow layer soil, respectively.     

Carbon cycling in rice field ecosystems in the context of input, decomposition and translocation of organic materials and the fates of their end products (CO2 and CH4)

Rice fields are intensively managed, unique agroecosystems, where soil flooding is general performance for rice cultivation. Flooding the field results in reductive soil conditions, under which decomposition of organic materials proceeds during the period of rice cultivation. A large variety of organic materials are incorporated into rice soils according to field management. In this review, the kind and abundance of organic materials entering carbon cycling in the rice field ecosystem are evaluated first. Then, decomposition of plant residues and soil organic matter in rice fields is reviewed quantitatively. Decomposition of plant residues is shown to be the active process in carbon cycling in rice fields. Rice releases photosynthates into the rhizosphere (rhizodeposition), and they follow a different avenue of decomposition in soil from that of plant residues. Incorporation of rhizodeposition into microbial biomass and soil organic matter during the period of rice cultivation, and their fates after harvesting are evaluated quantitatively from ¹³C pulse labeled experiments. Percolating water transports inorganic and organic carbon from the plow layer to the subsoil layer. The amounts of their transport and accumulation in the subsoil layer are evaluated in relation to the amounts of soil organic C in the plow layer. Not only CO₂ but also CH₄ are produced in the decomposition process of organic materials in flooded rice fields. CH₄ evolution from rice fields is of global concern from the viewpoint of global warming. Origins of CH₄ evolved from rice fields are estimated first, followed by the fates of CH₄ in rice field ecosystems. Rhizodeposition is shown to be the main origin of CH₄ evolved from rice fields. Evolution to the atmosphere is not the sole pathway of CH₄ produced in rice fields. The amounts of CH₄ retained in soil, percolated to the subsoil layer and decomposed in soil are evaluated in the context of the amounts of CH₄ efflux. Thus, this review focuses on carbon cycling in the rice field ecosystem from the viewpoints of input, decomposition, and translocation of organic materials and the fates of their end products (CO₂ and CH₄).     

The effects of feeding byOniscus asellus (Isopoda) on nutrient cycling in an incubated hardwood forest soil

Summary Oniscus asellus produced changes in the nutrients leached from Oie and Oa horizons of a hardwood forest soil. Soil with isopods lost more K⁺ (54%) from the Oie horizon and more Ca²⁺ (25%), Mg²⁺ (40%), and water-extractable S (23%) from the Oa horizon than soil without isopods. In contrast, soils with isopods lost less Ca²⁺ (39076) from the Oie horizon and less dissolved C-bonded S (33%) from the Oa horizon than soil without isopods. In addition, the Oia and Oa horizons exhibited different nutrient dynamics. When isopods were present, the Oa horizon leachates accumulated more Na⁺ K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, NO₃ ^– , water-soluble SO₄ ^2–, and dissolved C-bonded S, and the Oie horizon retained more of these nutrients. The type of leaching solution also had a major effect on nutrients. Leaching with a simulated soil solution resulted in smaller nutrient losses for K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in both horizons and for Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and NO₃ ^– in the Oa horizon than leaching with distilled water.     

Water-soluble cations in shoot dry weight of common bean and balance of ions in the soil in response to the magnesium application

The increased magnesium (Mg) concentration in vegetables may be reduced due to inter-ionic inhibition caused by the concentration of other water-soluble cations that are mainly associated to low molecular weight organic anions. However, it is not known whether the levels of these compounds in crop residues are modified by increasing the Mg soil application. This study aimed to assess the effects of the Mg application on the contents of water soluble cations [potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), cooper (Cu²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺), and zinc (Zn²⁺)] on common bean plant residues. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with Ustoxix Quatzipsamment in completely randomized design in 4×5 factorial scheme, with three replicates. The treatments consisted of four rates of Mg [0, 50, 100 and 200 mg kg^?1, source magnesium chloride (MgCl₂)] and five varieties of common bean of the carioca group [BRS Estilo, BRS Ametista, IPR Campos Gerais (CG), IPR Tangará and IAPAR 81]. The Mg rates affected the contents of water soluble Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ in the extracts of bean residue. The soluble Mg²⁺ showed a significant correlation with foliar Mg content, indicating the need for further research on the method used to assess nutrient availability in vegetables. The bean varieties showed different responses regarding balance of ions in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and in the Ca/Mg, Ca/K and Mg/K ratios in the soil.     

Long-term development of element budgets in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest of the German solling area

To evaluate ecosystem response to changing atmospheric deposition, element budgets were established over the period from 1973 to 1991 for a Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) site. Budgets for Na⁺, Cl^?, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, N, S and H⁺ were based on total deposition and seepage water fluxes. The deposition of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, particularly, of S and H⁺ decreased with time, while calculated N deposition remained constant at a high level. The decrease in Ca²⁺ deposition led to a reduction of Ca²⁺ fluxes with seepage water. The decrease of Mg²⁺ deposition did not have an effect on the output fluxes of Mg²⁺. The reversibility of soil and seepage water acidification by reduced S deposition was delayed by the release of previously accumulated soil SO ₄ ^2? . The highest NO ₃ ^? fluxes were observed during the period of 1986 to 1988; NO ₃ ^? fluxes in general demonstrated a considerable annual and periodic variation. Total N accumulation in the ecosystem amounted to nearly 590 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 during the observation period. The major sink of N in the spruce site is the aggrading humus layer. The results emphasize the need for measurements over several years to make conclusions regarding the function of ecosystems in response to atmospheric deposition.     

Interaction between an acidic mine water and an agricultural soil material

A column filtering experiment was conducted to investigate interaction between an acidic mine water and an agricultural soil material during percolation of the mine water through the soil column. The results show that the mine water-borne mineral acid, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd was markedly held by the soil during the earlier stage of the experiment. Approximately 1/3 of the retained acid was only physically held by the soil while the remaining 2/3 of the retained acid was either physiochemically or chemically bound to soil colloids. There was a tendency that the retained acid decreased with increasing depth of the soil column. Except for Cd, the capacity of soil to remove these heavy metals from the mine water persisted longer, compared to mineral acid. In contrast with mineral acid, the concentration of retained heavy metals increased with increasing depth, suggesting that these metal ions are less competitive than major acidic cations such as Al³⁺, H⁺ and Fe³⁺ for available adsorption sites in the upper soil layers. Mine water-borne Cu, Cd and Pb were immobilized predominantly in exchangeable and oxide-bound forms while mine water-borne Zn was immobilized mainly in carbonate- and organic-bound forms. During mine water infiltration, some soil-borne metals were mobilized and leached out of the soil under acidic conditions during the latter stage of filtration operations. Unlike Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd, mine water-borne Fe was transformed into colloidal Fe oxides/hydroxides which were carried by the downflowing water. A large proportion of mine water-borne Mn was only physically held, probably not necessarily in soluble forms but in colloidal forms.     

不同植稻年限土壤剖面基本性质与水-氮分布的关系

在江汉平原典型农业区选定不同水稻种植年限(2、18、100a)的稻田,采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,量化不同稻田土壤剖面基本性质和水–氮分布特征,以揭示内在原因,探讨适宜不同水稻种植年限稻田的水–氮管理方式,为提高稻田水–氮利用率和减少稻田面源污染提供科学依据。结果表明:对于不同水稻种植年限农田,土壤剖面基本性质差异明显。耕作层和犁底层厚度随水稻种植年限的延长而增加;土壤有机质在耕作层富集,且随水稻种植年限的延长含量增加;耕作层土壤容重随水稻种植年限的延长而减小,犁底层土壤容重则增大;受耕作和淋溶条件的影响,犁底层和心土层的黏粒含量随水稻种植年限的延长而增加;饱和导水率(Ks)随水稻种植年限的延长而降低,犁底层Ks差异较大,2、18、100a稻田犁底层Ks分别为37.02、8.45、3.11cm/d。土壤剖面基本性质的差异影响水–氮的剖面分布特征。土壤水分和硝态氮含量随水稻种植年限的延长而增加,2、18、100 a稻田土壤剖面(0～100 cm)平均含水量分别为0.39、0.46、0.54cm3/cm3,硝态氮含量分别为3.75、6.27、9.85mg/kg。铵态氮储量远低于硝态氮储量,且受水稻种植年限影响较小;2、18、100 a稻田土壤剖面铵态氮与硝态氮储量比值分别为0.61、0.39和0.30。在灌溉和施肥方式上,水稻种植年限短的稻田适合少量多次的管理方式以减少渗漏损失;而年限长的稻田可适当提高单次灌溉量以减少灌溉次数,进而减少劳力消耗。     

Predicting cation exchange equilibria in soil containing three heterovalent cations

Theoretical cation exchange equilibria relationships in a soil for a ternary system containing Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are presented. The solid phase activity coefficients of cations for the three binary systems (i. e., Na⁺ – Ca²⁺, Na⁺ – Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ – Mg²⁺) were used to calculate the Wilson parameters. Adsorbed phase activity coefficients of Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ corresponding to their equivalent fractions on the adsorbed phase of A horizon of a Camborthid for the ternary system (i. e., Na⁺ – Ca²⁺ – Mg²⁺) were evaluated, using these Wilson parameters. Using the values of activity coefficients of adsorbed Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in a ternary soil system and of thermodynamic equilibrium constants for the binary systems, the multiple linear regression relationships between the equivalent fractions of Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on the adsorbed phase and their mole fractions in the equilibrium solution were obtained. The amounts of adsorbed phase cations so predicted showed a fair agreement with those observed experimentally in a ternary system.     

Soil hydraulic and physico-chemical properties of Ultisols and Inceptisols in south-eastern Nigeria

Understanding soil water dynamics and storage is important to avoid crop failure on highly weathered, porous and leached soils. The aim of the study was to relate soil moisture characteristics to particle-size distributions and chemical properties. On average, Atterberg limits were below 25% in the A-horizon and not more than26.56% in the B-horizon, whereas soil bulk density was between 1.27 and 1.66Mgm^?3. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) was generally between 0.20 and 5.43 cm h^?1 in the top soil and <1.31 cm h^?1 in the subsoil. The higher K_sat values for the A-horizons were attributed to the influence soil microorganisms operating more in that horizon. The amount of water retained at field capacity or at permanent wilting point was greater in the B-horizons than in the A-horizons, suggesting that clay accumulation in the B-horizon and evapotranspiration effects in the A-horizon may have influenced water retention in the soils. Soil moisture parameters were positively related to clay content, silt content, exchangeable Mg²⁺, Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃, and negatively related to sand content, SiO₂, sodium absorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage and bulk density. The low clay content may explain why drainage was so rapid in the soils.     

日光温室番茄缺镁与土壤盐分组成及离子活度的关系

研究了石灰性土壤日光温室不同栽培年限及番茄不同程度缺镁的土壤水溶盐分中离子组成、比例及Mg2+、Ca2+、K+离子活度等的变化及关系.结果表明:随着栽培年限的增加,温室土壤水溶盐分中Ca2+、K+、NO3-含量显著增加;水溶性盐分中阳离子以Ca2+为主,栽培5 a后NO3-成为阴离子主要成分;土壤中NO3-含量的增加是导致土壤盐分累积的主要因素.随番茄缺镁程度的加剧,土壤水溶性盐中Ca2+、K+、NO3-、全盐量及Ca2+/Mg2+、K+/Mg2+摩尔比均呈增加趋势,番茄出现缺镁的土壤含盐量达到盐渍化水平.随着土壤盐分含量增加,Ca2+、Mg2+活度均呈指数下降趋势,番茄缺镁的土壤溶液中Mg2+和Ca2+活度显著低于不缺镁土壤,(K+)/(Mg2+)、(Ca2+)/(Mg2+)活度比显著高于不缺镁土壤,(K+)/(Mg2+)活度比随缺镁程度加剧达显著差异,番茄缺镁的土壤溶液(K+)/(Mg2+)活度比大于1.盐分累积使Mg2+活度大幅降低以及K+富集对植物吸收Mg2+的拮抗作用是石灰性土壤上番茄缺镁的主要诱因.     

Simulated effects of acid deposition on podzolic soils: Consequences of process and parameter aggregation

Solution cation concentrations and base cation leaching were simulated for a homogenous soil block and a soil showing five horizons of a podzolic forest soil. The dynamic model ACIDIC simulated water flow, nutrient uptake for tree growth, and cation exchange between H⁺, Al³⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ in forest soil. In the multi-layer simulations exchangeable base cation concentrations changed most in the O horizon. The subsoil had a decisive effect on the pH of the runoff and base cation leaching from the soil. The one-layer model underestimated Ca and Mg leaching and overestimated H⁺ and Al concentrations in the runoff. In the eluvial and the top of illuvial horizon the solution Al / (Ca + Mg) ratio exceeded that in one-layer structure more than 10-fold. Cases with the horizon-specific cation exchange coefficient values and mean coefficient values for all layers showed only minor differences in Al / (Ca + Mg) ratio. The vertical variation in the soil chemical properties should be accounted for even if some details of processes and parameters were unavailable.     

Enhancing the productivity of high‐magnesium soil and water resources in Central Asia through the application of phosphogypsum

Recent evidences from some irrigated areas worldwide, such as Central Asia, suggest that water used for irrigation contains magnesium (Mg²⁺) at levels higher than calcium (Ca²⁺). Excess levels of Mg²⁺ in irrigation water and/or in soil, in combination with sodium (Na⁺) or alone, result in soil degradation because of Mg²⁺ effects on the soil's physical properties. More than 30 per cent of irrigated lands in Southern Kazakhstan having excess levels of Mg²⁺ are characterized by low infiltration rates and hydraulic conductivities. The consequence has been a gradual decline in the yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), which is commonly grown in the region. These soils require adequate quantities of Ca²⁺ to mitigate the effects of excess Mg²⁺. As a source of Ca²⁺, phosphogypsum—a byproduct of the phosphorous fertilizer industry—is available in some parts of Central Asia. In participation with the local farming community, we carried out a 4‐year field experiment in Southern Kazakhstan to evaluate the effects of soil application of phosphogypsum—0, 4·5, and 8·0 metric ton per hectare (t ha⁻¹)—on chemical changes in a soil containing excess levels of Mg²⁺, and on cotton yield and economics. The canal water had Mg²⁺ to Ca²⁺ ratio ranging from 1·30 to 1·66 during irrigation period. The application of phosphogypsum increased Ca²⁺ concentration in the soil and triggered the replacement of excess Mg²⁺ from the cation exchange complex. After harvesting the first crop, there was 18 per cent decrease in exchangeable magnesium percentage (EMP) of the surface 0·2 m soil over the pre‐experiment EMP level in the plots where phosphogypsum was applied at 4·5 t ha⁻¹, and a 31 per cent decrease in EMP in plots treated with phosphogypsum at 8 t ha⁻¹. Additional beneficial effect of the amendment was an increase in the soil phosphorus content. The 4‐year average cotton yields were 2·6 t ha⁻¹ with 8 t ha⁻¹ phosphogypsum, 2·4 t ha⁻¹ with 4·5 t ha⁻¹ phosphogypsum, and 1·4 t ha⁻¹ with the control. Since the amendment was applied once at the beginning, exchangeable Mg²⁺ levels tended to increase 4 years after its application, particularly in the treatment with 4·5 t ha⁻¹ phosphogypsum. Thus, there would be a need for phosphogypsum application to such soils after every 4–5 years to optimize the ionic balance and sustain higher levels of cotton production. The economic benefits from the phosphogypsum treatments were almost twice those from the control. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.