Vermicompost and Gypsum Amendments Improve Aggregate Formation in Bauxite Residue

Improving aggregate formation and stability of bauxite residue is essential for the development of a soil on the residue. Effects of gypsum and vermicompost on related chemical and physical conditions of bauxite residue were studied in a laboratory incubation experiment. The addition of gypsum at 2% and 4% w/w reduced pH and exchangeable sodium percentage while increasing exchangeable calcium content. The addition of vermicompost reduced bulk density while significantly increasing porosity and total organic carbon. Vermicompost had a positive effect on the formation and stabilization of water‐stable aggregates in the residue, while gypsum was more beneficial to silt‐sized microaggregate flocculation. Amendments also enhanced the erosion resistance of bauxite residue. Furthermore, wet sieving using the modified Le Bissonnais' method revealed that in comparison with differential clay swelling and mechanical breakdown, slaking was the major disaggregation mechanism of residue aggregates. The combination of gypsum and vermicompost converted the residue from a sheet‐like structure to a granular macroaggregated structure while converting microaggregates from a grain to a granular or prismatic structure. The findings of this work suggest that application of gypsum and vermicompost to bauxite residue may directly influence aggregate size distribution and its micromorphology, resulting in the improvement of both aggregate stability and structure. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

长期不同施肥方式对华北地区温室和农田土壤团聚体形成特征的影响

土壤的团聚状况是土壤重要的物理性质之一,团聚体数量是衡量和评价土壤肥力的重要指标。施用有机肥是提高土壤有机碳(SOC)含量、促进土壤团聚体形成和改善土壤结构的重要措施。本文以华北地区曲周长期定位试验站的温室土壤和农田土壤为研究对象,运用湿筛法,对比研究施用化肥(NP)、有机肥加少量化肥(NPM)、单施有机肥(OM)3种施肥方式对温室和农田两种利用方式土壤水稳性团聚体含量、分布和稳定性的影响,以提示施肥措施对不同土地利用方式土壤水稳性团聚体特征的影响。结果表明:在温室土壤和农田土壤中,OM处理较NP和NPM处理显著降低了土壤容重,增加了土壤有机质含量(P0.05),且在0~10 cm土层中效果最为明显。其中在温室土壤0~10 cm土层,单施有机肥处理(OM1)的土壤容重为1.17 g·cm~(-3),分别较施用化肥(NP1)和有机肥加少量化肥(NPM1)处理降低12.0%和8.6%,OM1的土壤有机质含量为54.81 g·kg~(-1),较NP1和NPM1增加104.8%和35.7%;在农田土壤0~10 cm土层,单施有机肥处理(OM2)的土壤容重为1.19 g·cm~(-3),较施用化肥(NP2)、有机肥加少量化肥(NPM2)分别降低8.5%和7.0%,OM2的土壤有机质为22.67 g·kg~(-1),较NP2、NPM2分别增加23.1%和15.0%。温室土壤和农田土壤中,0~10 cm、10~20 cm和20~40 cm层土壤团聚体的平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)均为OMNPMNP;OM处理下水稳性团聚体的分形维数(D)值最低,NP处理下最大。OM处理显著降低0~20 cm土层内水稳性团聚体的D值,表层0~10 cm土层效果最为明显,土壤结构明显得到改善;相比农田土壤,温室土壤稳定性指标变化最为明显,团聚体结构改善效果最好。土壤有机质含量与0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量间呈极显著正相关关系(P0.001),说明土壤有机质含量越高,0.25 mm水稳性团聚体的含量就越高,土壤团聚体水稳性越强,土壤结构越稳定。因此有机施肥方式能在补充土壤有机碳库和有效养分含量的同时,显著增加土壤中大团聚体的含量及其水稳性,是提高华北平原农田土壤、尤其是温室土壤结构稳定性和实现土壤可持续发展的有效措施。     

The Effects of Long‐term Fertiliser Applications on Soil Organic Carbon and Hydraulic Properties of a Loess Soil in China

Based on a 28‐year in situ experiment, this paper investigated the impacts of organic and inorganic fertiliser applications on soil organic carbon (SOC) content and soil hydraulic properties of the silt loam (Eumorthic Anthrosols) soils derived from loess soil in the Guanzhong Plain of China. There were two crop (winter wheat and summer maize) rotations with conventional tillage. The treatments included control without fertiliser application, organic manure application (M), chemical fertiliser application (NP), and the application of organic manure with chemical fertiliser (MNP). The results showed that the 28‐year organic manure applications (M and MNP) significantly (p < 0·05) increased SOC content at surface layer (0–10 cm), but the effect of chemical fertilisers alone on SOC was not significant. Organic manure treatments (M and MNP) apparently improved soil hydraulic properties. Compared with control, field capacity and total porosity significantly (p < 0·05) increased while soil bulk density significantly (p < 0·05) decreased for organic manure applications. The M and MNP treatments increased soil water retentions by 3·2–10·8%, which was dependent of suction tensions. However, the NP treatment had no significantly impact on soil water retention compared with control. Neither organic nor inorganic fertiliser applications significantly changed saturated hydraulic conductivity. However, a clear difference was observed for unsaturated hydraulic conductivity between the M and the control at 0–5 cm. Overall, long‐term applications of organic manuring increased SOC content and amended soil hydraulic properties. However, the effects of chemical fertilisers on these soil properties were limited. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in nutrient content,enzymatic activities and microbial properties of lateritic soil due to application of different vermicomposts: a comparative study of ergosterol and chitin to determine fungal biomass in soil

In this experiment, vermicomposts, prepared from five different waste materials, were applied to acid lateritic soil under field conditions and soil samples were collected after 90 days to study the effect of vermicomposts on different chemical and biochemical. Results suggest that vermicompost prepared from paddy straw is most effective to improve nutrient content, enzymatic activities and microbial properties of lateritic soil. Vermicompost application significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the concentration of organic C, mineralizable N, available P and exchangeable K in soil. Amylase, protease, urease and acid phosphatase activities were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in vermicompost treated soils compared with the control. Both basal and substrate‐induced microbial respiration, microbial biomass C and N and fungal population in lateritic soil were increased due to vermicompost application. Ergosterol and chitin content were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in vermicompost treated soils over the control. Application of vermicompost increased the proportion of fungal biomass in total soil microorganisms.     

Aggregate stability in range sandy loam soils Relationships with runoff and erosion

The spatial variability of soil aggregate stability and its relationship to runoff and soil erosion were examined in a catena of soils and vegetation in a semiarid environment at the Rambla Honda field site (Tabernas, Almería, SE Spain) to evaluate the validity of structural stability as a soil erosion indicator in sandy loam range soils. The influence of soil properties and topography on the variability of aggregate stability was also examined. Methods include: 1) aggregate stability assessment at 12 sites (3 repetitions per site) on the hillslope by two methods: a) aggregate size distribution by dry sieving b) water drop test; 2) soil organic carbon content; 3) particle size distribution determination; 4) terrain attributes derived from a digital elevation model (1-m resolution); 5) monitoring runoff and erosion for nearly 3 years in eight (10 × 2 m) plots distributed over the hillslope. Results: 41% of the average soil mass is formed by > 2-mm aggregates. However, wet aggregate stability is poor, with a mean (of a total of 1440 aggregates) of only 26 drop impacts necessary to break up a wet aggregate (pF = 1). Significant relationships were found in the number of water drops required for aggregate breakdown and runoff and erosion rates. However, no significant relationships between the mean weight diameter of aggregates under dry conditions and runoff or erosion rates were observed. The relationships of aggregates with other soil properties, hillslope position and proximity to plants are also analysed. The most significant correlation found was between the number of drop impacts and soil organic matter content. The stability of topsoil aggregates seems to be a valuable indicator of field-assessed runoff and inter-rill erosion of sandy loam range soils under semiarid conditions.     

Zinc Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) as Affected by Zn Application Rate,Zeolite, and Vermicompost

Zinc deficiency in calcareous soils is a serious problem, which may be ameliorated by the application of some soil amendments. A completely randomized factorial experiment was done to investigate the effect of zeolite, vermicompost, zeolite + vermicompost, and Zn application to a calcareous soil on Zn availability, dry weight of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and Zn concen-tration in spinach. Results indicated that zeolite had no effect on soil Zn availability, dry weight, and Zn concentration in spinach. Vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (1.33 g pot^?1) and decreased Zn concentration in spinach (16 mg kg^?1). Application of zeolite + vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (by 2.8 times) and Zn uptake in spinach and it also decreased Zn concentration in spinach less than vermicompost. Zinc application increased Zn concentration in spinach (up to 496 mg kg^?1), but did not affect dry weight except in soils treated with zeolite + vermicompost. Generally, application of zeolite + vermicompost is recommended instead of separate zeolite or vermicompost application for improvement of soil Zn fertility and Zn uptake by spinach.     

不同改良剂对旱地苹果园壤土团聚体和水分的影响

为对比研究植物根际促生菌(枯草芽孢杆菌、胶质芽孢杆菌)和苹果树枝生物炭的施加对黄土丘陵区山地苹果园粉质壤土团聚体含量、稳定性以及土壤水分的影响,采用田间定位试验,设置4个处理:施加65 t/hm2生物炭(BC)、20 t/hm2枯草芽孢杆菌(PGBS)、20 t/hm2胶质芽孢杆菌(PGBM)和对照(CK).湿筛法获得...     

Physical properties of some intensively cultivated soils of Ireland amended with spent mushroom compost

In this paper, spent mushroom compost (SMC), a by‐product of the mushroom industry, is proposed as a suitable organic amendment for soil structure restoration. A 4‐month incubation pot trial was conducted in which fresh and composted SMC was amended at three different rates (50, 100 and 200 t ha⁻¹) to a range of structurally degraded tillage soils (n = 10). Soil OC content and aggregate stability as determined by the three disrupting tests of the Le Bissonnais method (fast‐wetting, slow‐wetting and mechanical breakdown) were investigated. Applications of 50, 100 and 200 t ha⁻¹ fresh SMC increased the OC content by 2·71 per cent, 2·69 per cent and 2·49 per cent respectively, while amendments of composted SMC increased the OC content by 3·28 per cent, 2·94 per cent and 2·87 per cent for each application rate, respectively. The effect of SMC on aggregate stability was generally positive and statistically significant in most soils. However, in soils 3 and 4 an application rate of 200 t ha⁻¹ SMC decreased the aggregate stability, on average, by 15 per cent, in comparison to the control, for the fast‐wetting test. Aggregate stability was strongly controlled by the inherent OC content of the study soils; that is, the OC content prior to SMC addition. A positive correlation coefficient was also evident for the dithionite‐extractable iron, most pronounced for slow‐wetting and mechanical breakdown treatments (r = 0·844 and r = 0·817 respectively). It is clear from this research that SMC amendments have the capacity to improve soil structural stability. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of 47 Years of No Tillage and Stubble Retention on Soil Aggregation and Carbon Distribution in a Vertisol

Aggregation often provides physical protection and stabilisation of soil organic carbon (C). No tillage (NT) coupled with stubble retention (SR) and nitrogen (N) fertiliser application (90 N, 90 kg N ha⁻¹ application) can help improve soil aggregation. However, information is lacking on the effect of long‐term NT, SR and N fertiliser (NT, SR + N) application on soil aggregation and C distribution in different aggregates in vertisols. We analysed the soil samples collected from 0‐ to 30‐cm depth from a long‐term (47 years) experiment for soil aggregation and aggregate‐associated C and N. This long‐term field experiment originally consisted of 12 treatments, having plot size of 61·9 × 6·4 m, and these plots were arranged in a randomised block design with four replications, covering an area of 1·9 ha. Soil organic C concentrations as well as stocks were significantly higher under the treatment of NT, SR + N only in 0–10 cm compared with other treatments such as conventional tillage, stubble burning + 0 N (no N application) and conventional tillage, SR + 0 N. Mineral‐associated organic C (MOC) of <0·053 mm was 5–12 times higher (r  = 0·68, p  < 0·05, n  = 32) compared with particulate organic C (POC) (>0·053 mm) in the 0‐ to 30‐cm layer. We found that NT, SR + N treatment had a positive impact on soil aggregation, as measured by the mean weight diameter (MWD) through wet sieving procedure, but only in the top 0‐ to 10‐cm depth. MWD had significant positive correlation with water stable aggregates (r  = 0·67, p  < 0·05). Unlike MWD, water stable aggregates were not affected by tillage and stubble management. Large macroaggregates (>2 mm) had significantly higher organic C and N concentrations than small macroaggregates (0·25–2 mm) or microaggregates (0·053–0·25 mm). We also found that N application had a significant effect on MWD and soil organic C in vertisols. It is evident that better soil aggregation was recorded under NTSR90N could have a positive influence on soil C sequestration. Our results further highlight the importance of soil aggregation and aggregate‐associated C in relation to C sequestration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen fractions and water‐stable aggregation as affected by cropping and grassland reclamation in an arid sub‐alpine soil

This paper investigates effects of cropping abandonment and perennial grass growing on soil organic C and N pools and aggregate stability, by comparing soils under native grassland, crop cultivation, perennial grass growing and cropping abandonment, in degraded cropland at a sub‐alpine site in north‐western China. The pools of total and particulate organic C (115 and 37 Mg ha⁻¹) in the 0–30 cm soil layer of native grassland were reduced by 31 and 54% after 30 years of crop cultivation. After 4 years of conversion from cropland to perennial grass growing total and particulate organic C pools were increased by 29 and 56%, whereas 4 year cropping abandonment increased particulate organic C by 36%. Rapid increases in total and particulate N were also found in perennial grass growing and cropping abandonment soils. The native grassland soil and soils of cropping abandonment and perennial grass growing had higher carbohydrate C concentrations in the 0–10 cm layer than the cropped soil. The rapid recovery of particulate organic fraction and carbohydrates in the re‐vegetated soils were probably due to higher plant biomass inputs and lower organic matter decomposition compared with those in the cropped soil. Aggregate stability of the 0–30 cm soil layer was significantly decreased by crop cultivation but showed a good recovery after 4 year re‐vegetations. This study suggests that reduction of soil organic matter and aggregate stability under crop cultivation may be remedied by cropping abandonment or perennial grass growing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

生物质炭和秸秆长期还田对红壤团聚体和有机碳的影响

生物质炭和秸秆还田是提高土壤有机碳含量和改良土壤团聚体结构的有效方法,但在长期尺度上生物质炭与秸秆还田改良土壤的效率仍不清楚。本研究针对中亚热带第四纪红黏土发育的红壤,基于等碳量不同碳源投入的5 a田间定位试验,包括对照、单施化肥、秸秆还田、秸秆–猪粪配施和生物质炭还田5个处理,采用干筛和湿筛法分析了不同施肥处理对土壤团聚体组成、稳定性和有机碳分布的影响。研究表明:施用等碳量的不同有机碳源5 a后显著增加了土壤有机碳含量,其增幅顺序为:生物质炭还田秸秆–猪粪配施秸秆还田。干筛法分析结果表明:与单施化肥处理相比,秸秆–猪粪配施和生物质炭还田处理显著增加0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量(R0.25)和平均重量直径(mean weight diameter,MWD);秸秆还田和生物质炭还田处理显著增加了0.25~2 mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率。湿筛法分析结果表明:与单施化肥处理相比,秸秆还田和秸秆–猪粪配施处理显著增加R_(0.25)和MWD,但生物质炭还田处理和单施化肥处理相比差异不显著;秸秆还田和秸秆–猪粪配施处理显著降低团聚体破坏率(PAD),生物质炭还田处理显著增加了PAD;秸秆配施猪粪处理和秸秆还田处理显著增加了2 mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率。总体上,秸秆配施猪粪协同提高团聚体有机碳含量和团聚体稳定性的作用比秸秆还田和生物质炭还田要强。     

Effects of Organic Matter-Rich Amendments on Selenium Mobility in Soils

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays an important role in the Se dynamics in soil. The potential effects of vermicompost and digestate as important sources of SOM on selenium (Se) mobility were assessed in this study. Three soils differing in their physicochemical parameters, fluvisol, chernozem, and luvisol, were chosen, and three types of vermicomposts based on various bio-waste materials as digestate (vermicompost 1), kitchen waste with woodchips (vermicompost 2), and garden bio-waste (vermicompost 3) were used due to their high organic matter content. Additionally, digestate samples alone were applied. To evaluate the potential effect of vermicompost application on sorption characteristics of soils, batch sorption experiments were performed. The results showed a predominant effect on Se species in the soils, where selenite sorbed more intensively compared to selenate, regardless of the soil and ameliorative material applied. In the control, the soil sorption ability of selenite tended to decrease in the order:fluvisol > luvisol > chernozem. However, these differences were not significant. Moreover, the effects of the ameliorative materials depended on both soil and amendment used. In fluvisol, all the amendment applications resulted in a decrease in distribution coefficient (K_d values) of Se, whereas in chernozem, this effect was observed only for the digestate-based vermicompost 1. Increasing K_d levels were reported in luvisol treated with digestate; the application of garden bio-waste-based vermicompost 3 tended to decrease the K_d values. Further studies are required on long-term effects of these amendments on Se mobility in soils and the role of individual organic matter fractions in this context.     

Effects of Vermicompost Tea (Aqueous Extract) on Pak Choi Yield,Quality, and on Soil Biological Properties

This study investigated the effects of vermicompost tea (aqueous extract) on yield and chemical quality of pak choi (Brassica rapa cv Bonsai, Chinensis group) grown in three media (two soils and a peat-perlite medium) under two fertilizer regimes (compost and synthetic fertilizer). The impacts of tea application on the chemical and biological properties of the growth media were also investigated. Vermicompost teas were prepared using various extraction methods (non-aerated, aerated, aerated with additives) with 1:10 (v:v) chicken manure-based vermicompost to water dilution and applied weekly at the rate of 200 mL plant^?1 for 4 weeks. Application of vermicompost tea increased plant production, total carotenoids and total glucosinolates in plant tissue. This effect was most prominent under compost fertilization. Total phenolic was lower in vermicompost tea treated plants compared to those treated with only mineral nutrient solution and the water control. Vermicompost tea improved mineral nutrient status of plants and media, and enhanced the biological activity of the media. Variability in yield and chemical quality of plants across treatments was explained largely by variability in tissue N uptake and dry matter accumulation. Dehydrogenase activity and soil respiration of vermicompost tea-treated growth media were approximately 50% higher than untreated media. This study confirmed that vermicompost tea can positively influence plant yield and quality and increase soil biological activity in multiple soil types.     

The effects of irrigation and cultivation on the quality of desert soil in central Iran

Cultivation of irrigated desert soils in Central Iran is one way of utilizing under‐exploited land to produce more food. This study explores the value of soil quality indicators as measures when converting desert to croplands. Soil samples from unfarmed desert, wheat and alfalfa sites in the Abarkooh Plain (Central Iran) were taken from 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm depths. Soil quality indicators including organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, particulate organic carbon (POC) in aggregate fractions, and aggregate water‐stability were determined. The desert soils contained organic carbon of 0·26–0·56 g kg⁻¹, total nitrogen of 0·05–0·08 g kg⁻¹ and carbohydrate of 0·03–0·11 g kg⁻¹ at 0–30 cm depth. Across this depth, the contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen and carbohydrate in wheat were about 3–7, 2–3 and 6–26‐times higher than those of desert soils, respectively. These values for alfalfa were 5–12, 3–4 and 7–35 times, respectively. The POC (near zero in desert soils) and generally other soil quality indicators showed greater improvement in alfalfa than in wheat fields. The results indicated a significant decrease in proportion of the fraction <0·05 mm in cultivated soils, whereas the proportion of the large aggregate size classes (2–4 and 1–2 mm) was increased by irrigation and cultivation. A significant improvement in aggregate water‐stability was observed in cultivated soils. At all depths, a large portion of the total soil organic carbon was stored in the fractions <0·05 mm for desert and macroaggregates (0·25–2 mm) for cultivated soils. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil‐aggregate formation as influenced by clay content and organic‐matter amendment

Naturally occurring wetting‐and‐drying cycles often enhance aggregation and give rise to a stable soil structure. In comparatively dry regions, such as large areas of Australia, organic‐matter (OM) contents in topsoils of arable land are usually small. Therefore, the effects of wetting and drying are almost solely reliant on the clay content. To investigate the relations between wetting‐and‐drying cycles, aggregation, clay content, and OM in the Australian environment, an experiment was set up to determine the relative influence of both clay content (23%, 31%, 34%, and 38%) and OM amendments of barley straw (equivalent to 3.1 t ha^–1, 6.2 t ha^–1, and 12.4 t ha^–1) on the development of water‐stable aggregates in agricultural soil. The aggregate stability of each of the sixteen composite soils was determined after one, three, and six wet/dry cycles and subsequent fast and slow prewetting and was then compared to the aggregate stabilities of all other composite soils. While a single wet/dry cycle initiated soil structural evolution in all composite soils, enhancing macroaggregation, the incorporation of barley straw was most effective for the development of water‐stable aggregates in those soils with 34% and 38% clay. Repeated wetting‐and‐drying events revealed that soil aggregation is primarily based on the clay content of the soil, but that large straw additions also tend to enhance soil aggregation. Relative to untreated soil, straw additions equivalent to 3.1 t ha^–1 and 12.4 t ha^–1 increased soil aggregation by about 100% and 250%, respectively, after three wet/dry cycles and fast prewetting, but were of less influence with subsequent wet/dry cycles. Straw additions were even more effective in aggregating soil when combined with slow prewetting; after three wet/dry cycles, the mean weight diameters of aggregates were increased by 70% and 140% with the same OM additions and by 160% and 290% after six wet/dry cycles, compared to samples without organic amendments. We suggest that in arable soils poor in OM and with a field texture grade of clay loam or finer, the addition of straw, which is often available from preceding crops, may be useful for improving aggregation. For a satisfactory degree of aggregate stability and an improved soil structural form, we found that straw additions of at least 6.2 t ha^–1 were required. However, rapid wetting of straw‐amended soil will disrupt newly formed aggregates, and straw has only a limited ability to sustain structural improvement.     

蚯蚓粪与土壤复配比例对基质微生物性状及韭菜生长和品质的影响

【目的】蚯蚓粪是蚯蚓消化有机废弃物产生的均匀颗粒,能够提升土壤肥力,改良土壤结构并促进作物生长。本文初探了蚯蚓粪与土壤的不同配比对基质微生物性状及韭菜生长和品质的影响,为蚯蚓粪的开发利用提供依据。 【方法】2015年4—6月在中国农业大学温室内进行盆栽试验,按蚯蚓粪、土壤质量比 (w/w) 设置4个处理,依次为:0/100% (纯土壤不添加蚯蚓粪,CK);20%/80% (T1);60%/40% (T2);100%/0 (T3)。韭菜收获后,测定了基质养分含量、微生物群落变化、韭菜生物量、可溶性蛋白总量、可溶性糖总量和叶绿素含量。 【结果】1) 随着蚯蚓粪添加比例的增加,基质中的全氮、速效钾和有机质的含量均显著提高;2)蚯蚓粪能显著促进韭菜根系生长,并改善韭菜品质。与对照相比,T1、T2和T3处理中韭菜新根比分别提高5.75%、6.39% 和22.23%;韭菜可溶性蛋白总量提升了1.84～5.97倍,可溶性糖总量提升了1.49～1.60倍 (P < 0.05);3)蚯蚓粪能显著提高基质中的细菌和真菌多样性,并显著增加细菌116、118、130、226、297片段 (P < 0.05),但减少了真菌71、91、153、351片段 (P < 0.05)。 【结论】蚯蚓粪改善了基质的微生物群落结构,提高细菌和真菌的多样性,增加养分有效性,进而促进韭菜生长并改善韭菜品质。蚯蚓粪直接用作基质的效果最好,但从经济角度考虑,蚯蚓粪与土壤按质量百分比20%/80%即可基本达到满意的效果。     

Soil macropore characteristics and aggregate stability with poly-γ-glutamic acid amendment under wetting–drying cycles

Soils are typically subjected to multiple wetting–drying (WD) cycles due to irrigation and seasonal climate cycles, which directly impact soil pore structure and soil aggregate stability. Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a polymer used to improve soil water holding capacity and plant growth. However, the impact of γ-PGA on soil pore structure requires further research, particularly under WD cycles. Therefore, we investigated the different amounts of γ-PGA on soil structure, including soil aggregate stability, macropore (>100 μm) structure characteristics and the relationship between macropore characteristics (equivalent pore diameter, pore shape factor, soil porosity, fractal dimension (FD), soil connectivity and the percentage of aggregate content with particle size larger than 0.25 mm) and soil aggregate stability by structural equation modelling (SEM) under WD cycles. A sandy soil and a loam soil were studied, and amended with γ-PGA at three different concentrations: 0 (P0), 0.4% (P4) and 0.8% (P8) (w/w, %). Results showed that γ-PGA amendment increased the mean weight diameter (MWD) and the percentage of aggregate content with particle size larger than 0.25 mm (R_0.25) under WD cycles in both sandy and loam soils, while the MWD between P4 and P8 did not differ significantly. As the number of WD cycles increased, soil porosity (TP) increased due to an increase in pores of 100–500 μm. With γ-PGA added to soil, large microporosity (>1000 μm) increased in sandy soil, but decreased in loam soil. In addition, 8WD cycles also increased the FD (2.6%–4.2%) and pore connectivity (Con) compared with 4WD. Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that soil pore characteristics accounted for 74% and 98% of the variation in sandy and loam soils, respectively. TP, FD, Con and R_0.25 directly contributed to MWD, according to the SEM. These findings improve our understanding of pore characteristics and aggregate stability, which are key factors influencing soil quality when amended with γ-PGA during the seasonal WD period.     

湘东地区典型土壤团聚体稳定性的影响因素

[目的]揭示湘东地区土壤团聚体的分布规律及其影响稳定性因素,为研究南方土壤团聚体胶结机制提供一定的理论依据。[方法]在湘东地区选择3种常见成土母质(第四纪红土、花岗岩风化物、板岩风化物)上发育的典型自然林地、水田与旱地,采集表层土壤(0—20cm)与底层土壤(40—60cm),利用湿筛法测定土壤水稳性团聚体组成。[结果]土地利用方式、母质类型及土层部位显著影响土壤团聚体的组成及稳定性,且它们的交互作用也非常明显。不同利用方式下土壤团聚体稳定性总体表现为:水田林地旱地;但利用方式对团聚体稳定性的影响仅局限于表层土壤,同时在花岗岩风化物发育质地较砂的土壤上表现不明显。不同母质间土壤团聚体稳定性呈现出如下规律:第四纪红土板岩风化物花岗岩风化物,但表层土壤或旱地、林地利用下该规律不甚明显。同时,表层土壤团聚体稳定性一般要显著高于底层土壤,但对于第四纪红土发育质地较为黏重的土壤或水田利用方式下并非如此。[结论]成土母质、利用方式、土层部位通过对土壤质地、有机质、氧化物等的影响间接影响着湘东地区土壤团聚体的分布。     

严重退化红壤植被恢复后有机质富集和团聚体稳定性

Three types of soils： an eroded barren soil under continuous fallow, an eroded soil transplanted with Lespedeza shrubs （Lespedeza bieolor）, and an eroded soil transplanted with camphor tree （Cinnaraomum camphora） were investigated to quantify organic matter pools and aggregates in reforested soils using physical fractionation techniques and to determine aggregate stability in relation to the enrichment of soil organic carbon （SOC）. Soil organic matter （SOM） was physically fractionalized into free particulate organic matter （fPOM）, occluded particulate organic matter （oPOM）, and mineralassociated organic matter （mOM）. The SOM was concentrated on the surface soil （0 5 cm）, with an average C sequestration rate of 20-25 g C m^-2 year^-1 over 14 years. As compared to the eroded barren land, organic C content of fPOM, oPOM, and mOM fractions of the soil under Lespedeza and under camphor tree increased 12-15, 45-54, and 3.1-3.5 times, respectively. A linear relationship was found between aggregate stability and organic C （r^2 = 0.45, P 〈 0.01）, oPOM （r^2 = 0.34, P 〈 0.05）, and roOM （r^2 = 0.46, P 〈 0.01） of aggregates. The enrichment of organic C improved aggregate stability of the soil under Lespedeza but not that under camphor tree. However, further research is needed on the physical and biological processes involved in the interaction of soil aggregation and SOC sequestration in ecosystem.     

引黄灌溉耕作对土壤团聚体有机碳的影响

为研究灌溉耕作影响下土壤团聚体及有机碳的特征情况,以宁夏引黄灌区为研究对象,选取对照土壤与耕作土壤,通过干、湿筛结合的方法,得到大团聚体(2mm)、中间团聚体(2~0.25mm)、微团聚体(0.25~0.053mm)和粉+黏团聚体(0.053mm),并测定团聚体有机碳含量,分析团聚体有机碳与总有机碳之间的关系。结果表明,灌溉耕作对团聚体分布具有极显著影响(P0.01),其中大团聚体和中间团聚体质量分数上升,微团聚体和粉+黏团聚体质量分数下降,灌溉土壤团聚体分布趋势为微团聚体粉+黏团聚体中间团聚体大团聚体。经灌溉耕作后土壤团聚体稳定性大于对照土壤,不同类型的灌溉土壤稳定性基本一致,对照土壤间差异明显。除0.053mm外,团聚体有机碳分布在经过灌溉耕作后有显著性差异(P0.05),团聚体有机碳分布随粒级大小基本呈"V"形分布。团聚体有机碳含量均表现出灌溉土壤高于对照土壤,其中灌溉土壤中灌淤土和潮土团聚体有机碳总量较高。未受人为灌溉耕作影响的自然土壤团聚体有机碳与总有机碳间具有显著的正相关性,土壤总有机碳增加主要依赖0.053mm团聚体有机碳增加。引黄灌溉耕作有利于增加大粒级团聚体的比例,提升团聚体稳定,显著增加有机碳含量。