Nutrient distribution across wheat rhizosphere with oxamide and ammonium sulfate as N source

Analysis of the behavior of slow releasing nitrogen fertilizers in the rhizosphere soil of agricultural crops is essential for their effective use. This work presents a comparative study of the effects of oxamide and ammonium sulfate as different N sources on the relative mobility of some nutritionally important anions and cations and their relevance to plant growth, root development, and pH distribution pattern in the rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Nourin No. 61). Experiment was conducted on a Japanese upland alluvial soil through a rhizobox approach. In the central compartment (CC) of the oxamide and ammonium sulfate treated rhizoboxes, four uncontaminated and homogeneous wheat seedlings germinated on a sterile petridish were grown for nearly two months. During the growing period plant height was recorded weekly. After the growing period, rhizoboxes were dismantled for soil sampling and photography of roots. Soil samples from each compartment of the two rhizoboxes were used for the analysis of CI^-, N0₃ ^-, SO₄ ^2-, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺-N, N0₃ ^--N and measurement of pH. Compared with ammonium sulfate, the distribution of anions and cations from the distant compartments to the central ones over a distance of 3–5 mm along with a better plant growth, high rooting density, and high pH confirmed that oxamide was an efficient nitrogen fertilizer.     

Effect of crop growth on the distribution and mineralization of soil sulfur fractions in the rhizosphere

The effect of plant growth on the mineralization of organic matter and distribution of soil S fractions (plant available SO₄^2—, adsorbed SO₄^2—, carbon‐bonded S, ester‐bonded S, and residual‐S) in the rhizosphere was studied in a greenhouse experiment using a rhizobag technique. In this study wheat, oilseed rape and radish were grown on two soils, a Haplic Acrisol and a Hortic Anthrosol. Significant differences between S fractions in the rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere were determined in dependence on soil type and crop species. In all cropped treatments lower amounts of ester‐bonded S and higher levels of residual‐S were found in the rhizosphere than in the non‐rhizosphere, while the amount of carbon‐bonded S fractions was similar. These results indicate firstly, that the arylsulfatase activity was higher in the rhizosphere than in the non‐rhizosphere and secondly, that mass flow of SO₄^2—‐S to the rhizosphere increased after mineralization of residual‐S. Compared to the non‐vegetated soil, the ester‐bonded S fraction of wheat and oilseed rape decreased in the rhizosphere revealing that the mineralization of organic S in the rhizosphere is related to the crop type.     

电解质对酸性土壤铝的溶解及铝形态在土壤溶液中的分布的影响

KCl, CaCl₂, NH₄Cl, NaCl, K₂SO₄ and KF solutions were used for studying the effects of cations and anions on the dissolution of aluminum and the distribution of aluminum forms respectively. Power of exchanging and releasing aluminum of four kinds of cations was in the decreasing order Ca²⁺ >K⁺ >NH₄⁺ >Na⁺. The dissolution of aluminum increased with the cation concentration. The adsorption affinity of various soils for aluminum was different. The aluminum in the soil with a stronger adsorption affinity was difficult to be exchanged and released by cations. The Al-F complexes were main species of inorganic aluminum at a low concentration of cations, while Al³⁺ became major species of inorganic aluminum at a high concentration of cations. The results on the effect of anions indicated that the concentrations of total aluminum, three kinds of inorganic aluminum (Al³⁺, Al-F and Al-OH complexes) and organic aluminum complexes (Al-OM) when SO₄^2- was added into soil suspension were lower than those when Cl^- was added. The dissolution of aluminum from soils and the distribution of aluminum forms in solution were affected by the adsorption of F^- on the soil. For soils with strong affinity for F^-, the concentrations of the three inorganic aluminum species in soil solution after addition of F^- were lower than those after addition of Cl^-; but for soils with weak affinity for F^-, the concentrations of Al³⁺ and Al-OM were lower and the concentrations of Al-F complexes and total inorganic aluminum after addition of F^- were higher than those after addition of Cl^-. The increase of F^- concentration in soil solution accelerated the dissolution of aluminum from soils.     

Effects of enhanced supplies of nitrogen and sulphur on rhizosphere and soil chemistry in a Norway spruce stand in SW Sweden

Rhizophere and bulk soil chemistry were investigated in a Norway spruce stand in SW Sweden. The rhizosphere and bulk soil chemistry in water extracts in control plots (C) and plots repeatedly treated with ammonium sulphate (NS) were compared. Treatment regime was started in 1988. Cylindrical core samples of the LFH-layer and mineral soil layers were collected in 1992 and used for water extract analyses. Samples of soil from LFH-layer and mineral soil layers were taken in 1991 and 1993 for determination of CEC and base saturation. Soil pH and NH₄-N, NO₃-N and SO₄-S, Al, Ca, K and Mg concentrations in water extracts were measured for rhizosphere and bulk soils. The pH-values of bulk and rhizosphere soils in NS plots decreased compared with those in control plots, whereas concentrations of NH₄-N, NO₃-N, SO₄-S, base cations and Al in water extract increased. In both bulk and rhizosphere soils the concentration of NH₄-N was much higher than that of NO₃-N. A significant difference in the pH and Mg concentration of bulk and rhizosphere soil between the treated and control plots was found only in the 0–10 cm layer. For all layers, there was a significant difference in NH₄-N concentrations in the bulk and rhizosphere soil between the NS treatment and control plots. Concentrations of exchangeable base cations and the base saturation level in the LFH-layer decreased in the NS plots. The concentration of extractable SO₄-S increased in the NS plots. The NS treatment enhanced the amount of litter in L-layer, owing to increases in needle biomass and litterfall but led to losses of base cations, mainly K and Mg, from LFH-layer. It was concluded that the NS treatment displaced cations from exchangeable sites in the LFH-layer leading to higher concentrations of these elements in both rhizosphere and bulk soil.     

Soil chronosequence and biosequence on old lake sediments of the Burdur Lake in Turkey

The Burdur Lake is located in the southwest of Turkey, and its area has decreased by 40% from 211 km² in 1975 to 126 km² in 2019. In this study, we investigated how the soil has changed in the lacustrine material. Three soil profiles were sampled from the former lakebed (chronosequence profiles: P1, 2007; P2, 1994; and P3, 1975), and three soil profiles under different land use types (biosequence profiles: P4, native forest vegetation; P5, agriculture; and P6, lakebed) were sampled. The chronosequence and biosequence soil profiles represented various distances from the Burdur Lake and showed different stages of lacustrine evolution. Soil electrical conductivity (EC; 18.1 to 0.4 dS m_-1), exchangeable Na⁺ (34.7 to 1.4 cmol kg^-1) and K⁺ (0.61 to 0.56 cmol kg^-1), and water-soluble Cl^- (70.3 to 2.1 cmol L^-1) and SO₄^2- (275.9 to 25.0 cmol L^-1) decreased with increasing distance from the Burdur Lake, whereas the A horizon thickness (10 to 48 cm), structure formation (0 to 48 cm), gleization-oxidation depth (0 to 79 cm), and montmorillonite and organic matter (OM; 25.9 to 46.0 g kg^-1) contents increased in the chronosequence soil profiles. The formation of P3 in the chronosequence and P5 in the biosequence soil profiles increased due to longer exposure to pedogenic processes (time, land use, vegetation, etc.). Changes in EC, exchangeable cation (Na⁺ and K⁺) and water-soluble anion (Cl^- and SO₄^2-) concentrations of the salt-enriched horizon, OM, gleization-oxidation depth, A horizon thickness, and structure formation of the chronosequence and biosequence soil profiles (especially the topsoil horizon) were highly related to the distance from the Burdur Lake, time, and land use.     

咸水结冰灌溉结合改良剂对滨海盐土的改良作用

冬季咸水结冰灌溉是将冬季自然冷资源与滨海盐碱地区丰富的咸水资源相结合, 通过自然结冰使咸淡分离, 再利用结冰融化时咸水先流出淡水后流出会对土壤起到一定的洗盐作用的原理, 对盐碱地进行改良。本文通过大田试验, 研究了冬季咸水结冰灌溉及改良剂对天津滨海盐碱地水盐运移的影响。结果表明, 通过咸水结冰灌溉能降低根层土壤含盐量, 且灌溉水量与土壤含水量呈正相关。冬季咸水结冰灌溉初期可能会引起土壤碱化, 但随着冰层融化及时间的推移, 各处理的碱化趋势会逐渐消弱。在滨海盐土施用磷石膏能够降低HCO₃^-含量, 增加SO₄^2-、Ca²⁺含量, 有效降低Cl^-、Na⁺在总盐分中的比例, 且磷石膏施用量越大, 根层土壤的pH 越低、保水能力越强(7 500 kg·hm^-2 磷石膏>4 500 kg·hm^-2 磷石膏); 施用磷石膏和大水量的咸水结冰灌溉都能很好地促进柽柳生长,且咸水冬季结冰灌溉和施用磷石膏配合(1 350 m³·hm^-2 结冰灌溉+7 500 kg·hm^-2 磷石膏)效果最好。因此, 咸水结冰灌溉配合改良剂应用可有效改良滨海盐土, 改善因咸水结冰灌溉而带来的土壤碱化问题, 为早期植物萌发生长提供有利条件。     

胀果甘草原生境土壤盐分特征分析

 通过野外调查采样和土样化学测定,分析胀果甘草原生境下土壤盐分的特征。结果表明:研究区土壤盐分普遍较高且表聚作用明显,土壤表层0～10 cm土层盐分均值高达32+.08g/kg,属典型的强度盐渍化土;土壤盐分组成中,含阳离子Ca2+、Na+、Mg2+、K+和阴离子Cl-、SO24、HCO-3,不含CO2-3,土壤盐分的特征因子为Ca2+、C1-、SO2-4、NaCa+,其盐渍类型主要为硫酸盐-氯化物型,重碳酸盐是土壤盐分的次要成分;该生境土壤中在整个垂直剖面上Ca2+的含量丰富,属典型钙质土。     

Acidification of Freshwater Wetlands: Combined Effects of Non-Airborne Sulfur Pollution and Desiccation

In recent decades, SO₄ ^2- concentrations have increased in groundwater and surface water of freshwater wetlands. For many minerotrophic peatlands, S originating from SO₄ ^2--polluted groundwater and surface water is a more significant source of SO₄ ^2- than the actual atmospheric deposition of S compounds. Lowered groundwater tables in wetlands, as a result of either natural or anthropogenic desiccation, may cause acidification because of concomitant geochemical oxidation processes. The impact of the enhanced availability of reduced S compounds, due to preceding SO₄ ^2- pollution, on these processes was tested in a mesocosm experiment, using soil cores including vegetation from a mesotrophic wet meadow. The soils had been maintained in waterlogged condition for seven months, using two environmentally relevant SO₄ ^2- concentrations (2 and 4 mmol L^-1). The groundwater table was reduced in two successive steps: 10 cm below soil surface, and complete desiccation. Control pretreated soils did not show a decrease in soil pH during desiccation, due to adequate buffering by bicarbonate. However, both SO₄ ^2--pretreated groups showed a significant drop in pH (from 6.5 to 4.5) caused by additional sulfide oxidation, leading to high SO₄ ^2- concentrations (10 and 16 mmol L^-1, respectively). Cation exchange and acidification-related solubilization processes induced the mobiliztation of base cations and potentially phytotoxic metals like Al. Nutrient concentrations in soil moisture were influenced strongly by SO₄ ^2- pretreatment, showing distinct patterns for P, N and K. Therefore, S polluted groundwater and surface water may severely increase the sensitivity of wetlands to desiccation. The results are discussed in relation to wetland management.     

内蒙古腰坝绿洲的土壤盐渍化特征

[目的]研究内蒙古阿拉善左旗腰坝绿洲土壤盐渍化特征及土壤盐分离子分布规律,为研究区农业生产发展及生态环境保护计策提出合理依据。[方法]通过在野外考察、GPS定点、样品采集和处理并借助Excel和SPSS软件,运用统计学方法研究了该区土壤盐离子含量、总碱度与土壤离子含量之间的关系、土壤含盐量以及盐离子间的相关性。[结果]灌区土壤pH值平均值为8.13,为碱性土,土壤盐分含量较高,其中0—10cm土壤盐离子含量最高,平均值达到4.49%。阳离子主要是Ca2+和K++Na+,阴离子主要是SO2-4Cl-HCO-3,CO2-3含量微小。0—10cm土层和10—60cm土层中SO2-4与Ca2+均有极显著正相关,相关性均大于0.95,因子分析中SO2-4与Ca2+,Cl-和K++Na+发生"聚类"现象。[结论]灌区盐渍化土主要为硫酸盐渍土,其次为氯化盐渍土,该盐渍土危害植被生长。     

SO42-和Cl-对稻田土壤养分及其吸附解吸特性的影响

利用长期定位试验 ,比较了长期施用含SO₄^2-和Cl^- 化肥 22年后稻田土壤的 pH值、养分状况及其吸附解吸特性。结果表明 ,长期施用含SO₄^2-化肥 ,土壤有机质、速效氮和速效钾的含量较高 ,但全量氮磷钾的含量较低 ;长期施用含Cl^- 化肥 ,土壤全量氮磷钾和速效磷的含量较高 ,但pH值相对较低。长期施用含上述二种阴离子的化肥后 ,土壤对H₂PO₄^-的最大吸附量均较大 ,且在Cl^- 处理下土壤对H₂PO₄^-吸附的结合能较大 ,而SO₄^2-处理下土壤在同等吸附量时对H₂PO₄^-的解吸量相应较多。长期施用含SO₄^2-的化肥亦使土壤对钾素的供应强度较大 (ΔK0的绝对值较大 )、缓冲能力增强 (AR0值较高 ) ,而长期施用含Cl^- 的化肥时则与SO₄^2-相反     

SILVER-INDUCED CHANGES IN THE NUTRIENT AND TRACE ELEMENT UPTAKE BY WHEAT AND AMOUNT OF THE RHIZOSPHERE PROTEINS

The information on biogeochemistry of silver (Ag) is scarce and mechanisms of Ag uptake by plants are still unclear. We studied the impact of silver sulfate (Ag₂SO₄) and silver nitrate (AgNO₃) on biomass of wheat seedlings, the rhizosphere proteins and uptake of nutrients and trace elements. Most part of Ag was accumulated in roots. Concentrations of Ag in leaves remained the same as in control plants. Both treatments (Ag₂SO₄ and AgNO₃) affected biomass of the seedlings. Plant biomass was decreased more after treatment with AgNO₃. Both Ag₂SO₄ and AgNO₃ reduced leaf concentrations of sodium and barium and root concentrations of calcium. Over time (three days), protein concentration in the rhizosphere of control plants and plants treated with AgNO₃ increased, whereas treatment with Ag₂SO₄ reduced concentration of the rhizosphere proteins. In soil treated with Ag₂SO₄ only low-molecular-weight proteins were found. In the control soil and in soil treated with AgNO₃ we also observed polydisperse fraction.     

设施土壤盐分的累积、迁移及离子组成变化特征

通过对我国不同地区设施栽培现状的野外调查和取样分析,研究了设施栽培条件下土壤盐分的累积、迁移及离子组成变化特点。结果表明:1)设施栽培条件下,土壤含盐量的变化幅度大,且均明显高于露地土壤,各研究区域内已有40%8～9%的土壤含盐量超过了作物正常生长的临界浓度。2)设施栽培的可持续利用周期较短,连续种植到4年左右的设施土壤,其耕层盐分的累积量可达到作物的生长障碍临界点,之后因设施使用率的下降以及采取的措施而有所降低,但仍高于露地土壤。设施连续使用会导致土壤环境质量的不断恶化。3)设施土壤剖面(0100.cm)盐分含量均高于相邻露地,盐分含量随土层深度增加而降低,其中耕层(020.cm)的盐分含量显著高于其下各层;盐分离子在土壤剖面的运移同时存在着明显的向底层迁移和向表层聚集两种方式,但以表聚为主;此外,盐分离子的大量累积和向底层迁移,特别是NO3-的淋溶已严重影响到部分地区的地下水水质。4)设施栽培后,土壤中的NO3-、SO42-、Cl-、Ca2+、Mg2+、K+、Na+均有不同程度的累积,阴离子以NO3-和SO42-为主,阳离子以Ca2+为主。盐分的大量累积以及某些离子的相对富集在一定程度上引起了作物养分的供需失衡、土壤酸化、棚室内CO2供应不足等生产问题。     

Effect of controlled-release urea on heavy metal mobility in a multimetal-contaminated soil

Controlled-release N fertilizers can affect the availability of heavy metals in the contaminated paddy soil.A soil incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of prilled urea(PU),S-coated urea(SCU),and polymer-coated urea(PCU)on the solubility and availability of heavy metals Cd,Pb,Cu,and Zn in a multimetal-contaminated soil.The results showed that the application of different coated urea significantly affected the solubility and availability of heavy metals.At 5 d of incubation,the application of PU,SCU,and PCU had significantly decreased the concentrations of water-soluble and available Cd,Pb,Cu,and Zn,when compared with the control.At 60 d of incubation,the depletory effects of PU on water-soluble and available heavy metals had reduced,and the initial decrease in the concentrations of water-soluble Cd,Pb,Cu,and Zn caused by SCU had changed to an increase.The concentrations of water-soluble Pb,Cu,and Zn in the SCU-treated soil were higher than those in the control.Application with PCU led to a higher water-soluble Cu than that in the control,while the available Cd,Pb,and Zn were lower than those in the control.The effect of different coated urea was much stronger on the water solubility of the heavy metals than on their availability.The effects of controlled-release urea on the transformation of heavy metals resulted in changes in the concentrations of NH4^+,water-soluble SO4^2-,and soil p H.The results further suggested that PCU could be used in dry farming operations in multimetal-contaminated acid soils.     

基于BP神经网络的不同人为干扰强度下盐渍土SO42-定量分析

SO_4~(2-)是盐渍土阴离子中的主要离子,但目前针对不同人为干扰区域土壤中SO_4~(2-)反演研究却鲜有报道。土壤高光谱与土壤某元素间的关系表现为非线性,传统线性偏最小二乘模型(PLSR)对土壤元素的反演精度有限。本文以新疆昌吉回族自治州境内不同人为干扰区域的盐渍化土壤为研究对象,以土壤的野外高光谱和SO_4~(2-)含量为数据源,对原始(R)和对数(LogR)变换后的高光谱分别进行0阶、一阶和二阶微分预处理,选择通过0.05显著性水平的波段为敏感波段,将敏感波段对应的高光谱反射率作为非线性BP神经网络模型的输入变量,并设定BP的隐藏节点为300,学习速率为0.01,最大迭代次数为1 000,训练函数为trainscg。从SO_4~(2-)的真实值与预测值的散点图、拟合效果图和BP训练过程3个方面,定量分析无人为干扰(A区)和有人为干扰(B区)土壤SO_4~(2-)含量,并与PLSR对比预测精度。仿真显示, A区二阶微分后的BP预测精度优于一阶微分,而B区一阶微分后的BP预测精度优于二阶微分。且不论在A区还是B区, LogR光谱变换的反演精度均优于R。最佳BP模型的相对预测性能(RPD)、决定系数(R2)、均方根误差(RMSE)和迭代次数,在A区分别为3.309、0.906、0.253和8次,在B区分别为2.234、0.844、0.786和45次,表明BP对A区SO_4~(2-)的预测能力非常强(RPD2.5),对B区SO_4~(2-)的预测能力较强(RPD为2.0～2.5)。而在A区和B区两种光谱变换的一阶和二阶微分中, PLSR的RPD值均在1.4与1.8之间,其预测性能一般;在B区的0阶微分中, PLSR的RPD值均小于1.0,其不能对SO_4~(2-)进行预测。因此, BP模型能对不同人为干扰区域的SO_4~(2-)进行有效的定量分析。     

Rhizodeposition: Its contribution to microbial growth and carbon and nitrogen turnover within the rhizosphere

A greenhouse rhizobox experiment was carried out to investigate the fate and turnover of ¹³C‐ and ¹⁵N‐labeled rhizodeposits within a rhizosphere gradient from 0–8 mm distance to the roots of wheat. Rhizosphere soil layers from 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, 4–6, and 6–8 mm distance to separated roots were investigated in an incubation experiment (42 d, 15°C) for changes in total C and N and that derived from rhizodeposition in total soil, in soil microbial biomass, and in the 0.05 M K₂SO₄–extractable soil fraction. CO₂‐C respiration in total and that derived from rhizodeposition were measured from the incubated rhizosphere soil samples. Rhizodeposition C was detected in rhizosphere soil up to 4–6 mm distance from the separated roots. Rhizodeposition N was only detected in the rhizosphere soils up to 3–4 mm distance from the roots. Microbial biomass C and N was increased with increasing proximity to the separated roots. Beside ¹³C and ¹⁵N derived from rhizodeposits, unlabeled soil C and N (native SOM) were incorporated into the growing microbial biomass towards the roots, indicating a distinct acceleration of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and N immobilization into the growing microbial biomass, even under the competition of plant growth. During the soil incubation, microbial biomass C and N decreased in all samples. Any decrease in microbial biomass C and N in the incubated rhizosphere soil layers is attributed mainly to a decrease of unlabeled (native) C and N, whereas the main portion of previously incorporated rhizodeposition C and N during the plant growth period remained immobilized in the microbial biomass during the incubation. Mineralization of native SOM C and N was enhanced within the entire investigated rhizosphere gradient. The results indicate complex interactions between substrate input derived from rhizodeposition, microbial growth, and accelerated C and N turnover, including the decomposition of native SOM (i.e., rhizosphere priming effects) at a high spatial resolution from the roots.     

Effects of soil flooding and organic matter addition on plant accessible phosphorus in a tropical paddy soil: an isotope dilution study

Plant growth experiments were conducted to reveal the mechanism by which organic matter (OM) and soil flooding enhance phosphorus (P) bioavailability for rice. It was postulated that reductive dissolution of iron‐(III) [Fe(III)] oxyhydroxides in soil releases occluded phosphate ions (PO₄), i.e., PO₄ that is not isotopically exchangeable in the original soil prior to flooding. Rice was grown in P‐deficient soil treated with factorial combinations of addition of mineral P (0, 50 mg P kg^?1), OM (0, ≈ 20.5 g OM kg^?1 as cattle manure +/– rice straw) and water treatments (flooded vs. non‐flooded). The OM was either freshly added just before flooding or incubated moist in soil for 6 months prior to flooding; nitrogen and potassium were added in all treatments. The soil exchangeable P was labeled with ³³PO₄ prior to flooding. The plant accessible P in soil, the so‐called L‐value, was determined from the ³³P/³¹P ratio in the plants. The L‐values were inconsistently affected by flooding in contrast with the starting hypothesis. The OM and P addition to soil clearly increased the L‐value and, surprisingly, the increase due to OM application was larger than the total P addition to soil. An additional isotope exchange study in a soil extract (E‐value) at the end of the experiment showed that the E‐value increased less than the total P addition with OM. This suggests that plants preferentially take up unlabeled P from the OM in the rhizosphere compared to labeled labile inorganic P. The effects of soil flooding on P bioavailability is unlikely related to an increase of the quantity of bio‐accessible P in soil (L‐value) but is likely explained by differences in P mobility in soil.     

Fate of nitrogen and sulphur as affected by the rhizosphere of oilseed rape and barley

Abstract

Within plants, sulphur (S), and nitrogen (N) equilibrium is a requisite for their normal development. Pot experiments with oilseed rape and barley fertilized at different N to S ratios were carried out under glasshouse conditions by using the “rhizobag”; technique. The objective was to compare the induced‐influence of rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil on N and S nutrition of the studied plants. Thus, SO₄ ²‐S, NC₃ ^‐‐N and NH₄ ⁺‐N concentrations, and total N and S taken up by the plants were examined. Barley increased the pH of rhizosphere soil whereas no real change of pH was observed with oilseed rape. Both plants took up all the NO₃ ^‐ present in the soil solution, but rapeseed took up greater quantities of NH₄ ⁺‐N and SO₄ ^2‐ ‐S than barley. Moreover, the ratio values of N to S of the aerial parts of the rapeseed were significantly and positively correlated to those of soil available‐N to ‐S ratios while this correlation was significant but negative with barley. This indicated a clear‐cut different influence between the two rhizospheres which oppositely induce the N and S nutrition of the two plant species.     

Lysimeter study of effects of acid deposition on properties and leaching of gleyed dystric brunisolic soil in Norway

The effects of artificial rain of various acidities were studied in a lysimeter experiment. Lysimeters, 29 cm in diameter, and 40 cm deep contained a Gleyed Dystric Brunisol. Natural structure, stratification and original vegetation were maintained. Artificial rain was produced from groundwater with “high” concentrations of neutral salts and from rainwater with lower concentrations. pH levels of 6, 4, 3 and 2 were established by adding H₂SO₄. Effects of dilution with given amounts of acid were examined by comparing the effects of 50 mm “rain” month^?1 of pH 3 and pH 2 with 500 mm “rain” month^?1 of pH 4 and pH 3, respectively. The study continued for 5 yr. Totals of 1250 or 12500 mm “rain” were applied in addition to a natural input of 2773 mm. Increased input of SO₄ ^2? increased the output of SO₄ ^2? but, as concentration increased, sorption of SO₄ ^2? in the soil also increased. Concentrations of base cations in the leachate increased parallel to the output of SO₄ ^2?. However, significant effects on leaching of base cations and on the content of exchangeable cations in the soil, was only found in the pH 2 treatment with 1250 mm of “rain” and in the pH 4 and pH 3 treatment with 12500 mm of “rain”.     

Acid deposition and ion leaching from a podzolic soil under hardwood forest

The contribution of atmospheric acids to cation leaching from a podzolic soil under mature maple-birch forest in central Ontario was examined during 1983. The movement of base cations was associated largely with NO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2? and organic acid anions in surface soil horizons, with SO₄ ^2? and NO₃ ^? below the effective rooting zone, and SO₄ ^2? and HCO₃ ^? in streamflow. Mineral soil horizons could adsorb little additional SO₄ ^2? or associated cations at current soil solution SO₄ ^2? concentrations. Therefore it is concluded that the soil in situ lacks a strong affinity for SO₄ ^2?. Current annual inputs to the forest of SO₄ ^2? and NO₃ ^? in bulk precipitation (26.4 and 18.2 kg ha^?1, equivalent to 8.8 kg S and 4.1 kg N ha^?1 , respectively) contributed significantly to cation leaching from the soil. In order to maintain exchangeable cations in soil at current levels, a rate of weathering yielding 29.6, 5.0, 4.4 and 2.2 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 of Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺, respectively, would be required.     

Combined application of a straw layer and flue gas desulphurization gypsum to reduce soil salinity and alkalinity

Burying a straw layer and applying flue gas desulphurization(FGD)gypsum are effective practices to ameliorate soil salinization or alkalization and to increase crop yield;however,little information exists on the effects of such integration in saline-alkali soils.A soil column experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a straw layer plus FGD gypsum on soil salinity and alkalinity.We placed a straw layer(5 cm thick)at a depth of 30 cm and mixed FGD gypsum into the 0–20 cm soil layer at application rates of 7.5,15.0,22.5,and 30.0 t ha^-1,with no straw layer and FGD gypsum as a control(CK).The soil water content in the 0–30 cm soil layer was significantly higher(>7.8%)in the treated soil profiles after infiltration than in the CK,but decreased after evaporation.The electrical conductivity(EC)of the 10–30 cm soil layer was 230.2%and 104.9%higher in the treated soil profiles than in the CK after infiltration and evaporation,respectively,and increased with increasing rates of FGD gypsum application,with Ca^2+and SO4^2-being the main dissolved salts.Compared to those in the CK,the concentrations of Na^+,Cl^-,and HCO3-decreased in the treated soil profiles at depths above 55 cm,but the other soluble ions increased,after infiltration.A similar trend occurred after evaporation for all soluble ions except for HCO3-.The p H and exchangeable sodium percentage in the treated soil profiles were significantly lower than those in the CK over the entire profile,and decreased with increasing FGD gypsum application rates.Therefore,the incorporation of a straw layer plus FGD gypsum can reduce salinity and alkalinity,but the quantity of FGD gypsum should be controlled in saline-alkali soils.