Relative Neutralizing Value as an Indicator of Actual Liming Ability of Limestone and Byproduct Materials

Methods used to compare the effectiveness of liming materials (e.g., relative neutralizing value, RNV; effective calcium carbonate equivalent, ECCE) were developed for ground limestone. This method is relatively untested on industrial byproducts that could be used when limestone is expensive or unavailable. The objective was to determine if RNV applies to both ground limestones and industrial byproducts. A 42-d incubation study was performed on three acid soils with 11 ground limestones and 9 different byproducts at four rates based on titration and the modified Adams-Evans buffer method. Overall effectiveness, assessed as RNV compared to Ca(OH)₂, averaged 101.5 ± 0.9% for all the evaluated liming materials, except the paper sludge and dolomitic marble. Thus, RNV was a good estimate of neutralizing ability when particle size was accurate. Addition of RNV to packaging would facilitate the commercial use of byproducts as liming materials allowing consumers to compare products by price and properties.     

Effect of Sulfur and Boron Nutrition on Yield and Quality of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Grown in an Acid Soil

Soybean (Glycine max L.), being a leguminous oilseed crop, requires relatively higher amount of sulfur (S) and boron (B) for optimum yield and quality. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of S and B application on growth, yield, and quality of soybean, and to find out their optimum doses for the best crop performance in acidic soils of northeast India. The treatments comprised four levels of S (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg/ha) and four levels of B (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ha) in factorial combination. In general, application of S and B, either alone or in combination, significantly increased the growth, yield, and quality of soybean. When applied alone, S resulted in best yield (1767 kg/ha) at S₄₀, which was 21.2% higher than the yield at control (1458 kg/ha), while B produced maximum yield (1578 kg/ha) at B_1.5 (8.23% higher than control). Interestingly, 57.4% yield improvement over control was recorded with combined application of S₄₀ and B_1.5, which shows their synergistic effect on crop performance. Similarly, with concurrent application of S₄₀ and B_1.5, a 28% increase in protein and 33% increase in oil content of soybean were recorded relative to control. In general, S₄₀ + B_1.5 also resulted in the highest nutrient nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium sulfur, and boron (NPKSB) uptake by soybean. Based on these results, we recommend the conjunctive use of 40 kg S and 1.5 kg B/ha for the best yield and quality of soybean on acidic soils of northeast India and other regions with similar soils.     

Distribution of Boron Forms in Relation to Soil Characteristics,Chemical Fertilizers,and Amendments in an Acid Alfisol of Northwestern Himalayas

Different forms of boron (B) were studied under long-term effect of chemical fertilizers and amendments in an acidic Alfisol of northwestern Himalayas. Residual B was dominant, comprising 71.5% of total B. Different B fractions correlated among themselves, showing interdependency of pools of B. On an average, all pools except for organically bound B exhibited depletion. Application of recommended doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) with farmyard manure (FYM) in general showed less depletion in comparison to other treatments with the exception of liming treatment in oxide-bound B. Soil reaction (pH) had a significant positive relationship with most fractions. Except for residual and total B, significant positive relationships with other fractions of B with cation exchange capacity (CEC) were observed. Available B had a significant positive relationship with nonspecifically and specifically adsorbed B, indicating their importance in replenishing available B in soil. Imbalanced use of fertilizers had the most deleterious effects on soil properties.     

施用白云石对酸性黄红壤作物产量及化学性质的影响

白云石改良酸性黄红壤三年定位试验结果表明:酸性黄红壤施用白云石可以降低土壤交换性铝的含量,提高土壤pH值和交换性钙、镁的含量,显著提高作物产量,且有明显的后效。第1—6季作物分别增产10.8%~13.4%、21.5%~48.6%、9.4%~16.2%、10.9%~44.6%、7.9%~22.0%和6.6%~29.8%。白云石施用量为600kg hm-2时,降酸作用可维持3季作物以上;白云石施用量为2500 kg hm-2时,降酸作用可维持6季作物以上。     

Soil pH Change and Crop Responses with Long-Term Liming Applications in Tilled and Untilled Systems

An 8-year field study measured soil pH changes annually at various depth increments. Limestone was applied to tilled and untilled field strips annually for 8 years at either a 2.0 Mg/ha rate (100% calcium carbonate efficiency) and once every 4 years at the 8.0 Mg/ha rate (100% calcium carbonate efficiency), or as a water-treatment-plant limestone by-product in two replicated field trials. Liming materials increased soil pH in the 0- to 5-cm and 5- to 10-cm depths with time in untilled soils. Incorporated liming materials increased soil pH faster at the 5- to 10-cm depth and increased soil pH at the 10- to 15-cm depth. Mean maize and soybean grain yields increased for all liming materials, and maize ear leaf P and soybean shoot P and Ca increased after liming at the last year of the study. Consistent surface applications of liming materials without incorporation can mitigate acidification and improve crop yields in highly buffered soils.     

天然沸石和石灰混用对酸性黄红壤改良及增产效应的研究

安徽南部地区处在高温高湿的条件下 ,土壤母质强烈风化 ,盐基损失严重 ,阳离子交换量仅为 8～ 10cmdkg- 1土 ,土壤酸性或强酸性 ,pH为 4.3～ 5.4。研究结果表明 :施用石灰 ,土壤pH提高两个单位 ,土壤活性铝含量降低 1/ 3— 2 /3 ,沸石和石灰配合施用可以显著提高土壤速效养分含量 ,促进作物生长 ,增加作物产量。     

农业废弃物制备的生物质炭对红壤酸度和油菜产量的影响

利用自行研制的生物质炭化炉在田间条件下制备花生秸秆炭和油菜秸秆炭,采集秸秆气化站产生的稻壳炭,研究了这3种生物质炭对酸性土壤的改良效果和对油菜产量的影响。结果表明:施用稻壳炭、花生秸秆炭和油菜秸秆炭均可提高土壤p H,降低土壤交换性酸含量,效果随施用量的增加而增强。生物质炭对酸性土壤的改良效果主要决定于其本身的含碱量,施用花生秸秆炭和油菜秸秆炭显著增加土壤交换性盐基阳离子、有效磷、有效阳离子交换量和盐基饱和度,并提高油菜籽产量。田间条件下施用花生秸秆炭和油菜秸秆炭3年后土壤p H仍明显高于对照处理,说明生物质炭对土壤酸度的改良具有持续性。因此,花生秸秆炭和油菜秸秆炭是优良的酸性土壤改良剂。     

Soil Boron Fractions and Response of Green Gram in Calcareous Soils

A greenhouse experiment with green gram on boron (B) deficient calcareous soils was conducted for two years at Ludhiana (Punjab), India to study soil B fractions and response of green gram to B application. Three soils with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content 0.8 (Soil I), 2.1 (Soil II) and 4.6 (Soil III) percent were collected from different sites of Ludhiana and Bhatinda districts, Punjab, India. The treatments comprised of five levels of soil applied B (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 mg B kg^?1). The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) factorial design with three replications. Readily soluble B comprised 0.39 to 0.76 percent in Soil I, 0.32 to 0.54 percent in Soil II, and 0.21 to 0.34 percent in Soil III of the total B, taking into account of all the levels of B applied at both stages of crop growth. Readily soluble B increased with increasing application rates of B and decreased from grand growth stage (40 days after sowing) to maturity of the crop. Specifically adsorbed, oxide bound, residual, and total B was higher in Soil III as compared to Soil II or Soil I. At maturity, specifically adsorbed B converted into other fractions to maintain equilibrium in soil solution. Organically bound B was greater than oxide bound B. Among all fractions, the residual fraction accounted for the major fraction of the total B. Soil application of lowest level of B was adequate to cause significant increase in dry matter yield and seed yield of green gram regardless of type of soil.     

Critical Ratio of Calcium and Boron in Maize Shoot for Optimum Growth

Boron (B) deficiency is widely reported in alkaline calcareous soils of the world, including Pakistan. High calcium (Ca) content in such soils can affect the availability and utilization of B by plants. Effect of applied B at different levels of Ca addition on maize was studied in hydroponics. Four maize cultivars (‘EV-5089’, ‘SWL-2000’, ‘EV-6089’, and ‘Sultan’) were grown at three levels of Ca (0.25 mM, 1 mM, and 2 mM) and two levels of B (0 and 25 μ M). Application of both the nutrients increased shoot dry matter production. However, application of Ca antagonized the B concentration in shoot of four maize cultivars. A curvilinear relationship existed between Ca/B ratio in shoot and relative shoot dry matter of maize cultivars. Implication of using of Ca/B ratio for managing commonly occurring B deficiency in calcareous soils is suggested.     

土壤酸化及其调控研究进展

本文综述了近30年来国内外在土壤酸化及其调控方面的研究进展。重点介绍了土壤自然酸化过程及其酸沉降、铵态氮肥、作物生长和土地利用等对土壤酸化的加速作用;土壤酸化对土壤肥力、养分循环和土壤生物的负面影响;土壤酸化的预测和控制及酸化土壤的改良和修复。本文可为我国南方酸化红壤的改良、利用和管理提供参考。     

Aluminum,Ca, and Mn Concentrations in Macadamia Seedlings as Affected by Soil Acidity and Liming

Abstract

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) is increasingly becoming an important tree crop in many parts of the world. However, knowledge about the plant's nutritional behavior, especially under adverse soil conditions, has been deficient. To address this deficiency, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of Al, Mn and Ca (soil acidity and liming) on macadamia seedlings. Three soils having different mineralogy and fertility were used; soil pH was adjusted based on lime requirement curves so that several pH levels ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 were obtained for each soil. Chemical composition of the soil solution and of recently fully mature leaves was monitored periodically to assess the growth response.

Results suggested that Al was detrimental to physiological processes of macadamia seedlings when leaf Al was greater than 275 mg kg and soil‐solution Al exceeded 1.2 mg L^‐1. Furthermore, Al seemed to have reduced Mn uptake by the plant, although macadamia could accumulate as much as 1200 mg Mn kg^‐1 in leaves without apparent toxic symptoms. The internal Ca requirement of the plant was not clearly defined; however, maximum growth could be expected when soil solutions contained 160 mg Ca L^‐1 , which corresponded to 0.9 cmol(+)kg^‐1 of exchangeable Ca (or 10% of CEC) in a highly weathered Oxisol.     

Risks of Boron Toxicity in Canola and Lupin by Forms of Boron Application in Acid Sands of South-Western Australia

Boron (B) deficiency frequently occurs on soils that are low in organic carbon (C) (<1.0% organic C), pH (soil pH_Ca <5.0), and clay content (<5% clay). Acid sands with these soil properties are common in south-western Australia (SWA). Moreover, hot calcium chloride (CaCl₂) extractable B levels are commonly marginal in the acid sands of SWA. This study examined the effects of soluble and slow release soil-applied B fertilizer and foliar B sprays on crops most likely to respond to B fertilizer on these soils, canola (oil-seed rape, Brassica napus L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.).

At 25 sites over three years, canola was grown with (0.34 kg ha-¹) or without B applied as borax [sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O) 11% B], and this was followed by nine experiments with B rates [0, 0.55, 1.1 kg ha^?1, applied as borax or calcium borate (ulexite, NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·5(H₂O), 13% B] and foliar sprays (0.1% solution of solubor, 23% B) in 2000–2001. A further five sites of B rates and sources experiments were carried out with lupin in 2000–2001. Finally, foliar B sprays (5% B w/v as a phenolic complex) at flowering were tested on seven sites in farmers’ canola crops for seed yield increases. No seed yield increases to soil-applied B were found while foliar B application at flowering increased canola seed yield in only one season across seven locations. By contrast, borax fertilizer drilled with the seed at sowing decreased canola seed yield in nine of 34-farm sites, and decreased lupin yield in two of five trials. Toxicity from drilled boron fertilizer decreased yield could be explained by decreases in plant density (by 22–40%) to values lower than required for optimum seed yield. Seedling emergence was decreased by borax applied at sowing but less so by calcium borate. Foliar B spray application never reduced seed yield due to toxicity effects.

Boron fertilizer drilled with the seed increased the B concentration in plant dry matter at early to mid-flowering. Boron application decreased the oil concentration of grain of canola at four sites. The oil yield of canola was significantly decreased at seven sites.

Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha^?1(3-10 kg borax ha^?1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl₂ soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.     

Bioavailability and Accumulation of Cadmium and Zinc by Sedum plumbizincicola after Liming of an Agricultural Soil Subjected to Acid Mine Drainage

A glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of liming on plant growth and zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation by Sedum plumbizincicola in a heavy-metal-contaminated acidified paddy soil. Lime application significantly increased the soil pH, which reached a maximum of 5.53 after addition of 4.0 g kg^?1 lime to soil, about 1.4 units more than that of the control. Sedum plumbizincicola grew larger after lime application but aboveground biomass did not increase significantly with increasing soil pH. Liming significantly reduced shoot Zn and Cd concentrations and uptake except at the lowest lime application rate (0.5 g kg^?1 lime to soil). This indicates that S. plumbizincicola can grow well in acidic soil at a soil pH of 4.15, and application of lime did not increase plant heavy-metal extraction. Consequently, it is promising to use this plant for Cd and Zn phytoextraction from agricultural soils polluted with acid and metals.     

改良剂对土壤酸碱度和烤烟生长及烟叶中重金属含量的影响

为筛选出高效安全的酸性植烟土壤改良剂,采用盆栽试验研究了不同改良剂(生石灰、白云石粉和熟石灰,用量为0.66 g/kg风干土)对酸性土壤p H、烟株生长和烟叶重金属吸收的影响。结果表明,施用石灰和白云石粉均能提高土壤p H,其中生石灰提高的幅度达到0.52单位;改良剂能够促进根系的生长,增加烟株干物质的积累,生石灰、白云石粉、熟石灰处理旺长期烟株总干重分别增加了13%、9%和17%;白云石粉处理增加了烟叶总糖、还原糖含量和糖碱比,石灰处理则降低了总糖和还原糖含量;白云石粉处理显著增加了烟叶的Cd含量,而石灰处理则降低了烟叶的Cd含量,但各处理烟叶中重金属含量均较低。综合考虑改良剂的效果和烟叶的安全性,石灰是烟区酸性土壤改良、提高烟叶产量和安全性的有效技术措施。     

Soil and Rice Responses to Phosphate Fertilizer in Two Contrasting Seasons on Acid Sulfate Soil

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are characterized by low pH, aluminum (Al), and iron (Fe) toxicity and are typically deficient in phosphate (PO₄). The application of phosphorus (P) fertilizer could help reduce the level of exchangeable Al and Fe, thereby improving the rice growth and yield. Five levels of P (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅)/ha) were tested with rice varieties MTL560 in the wet season and MTL480 in the dry season. The optimum rate of P was 60 kg P₂O₅/ha for rice in the dry season and 80 kg P₂O₅/ha in the wet season. Soil testing showed at the start of the season that there was sufficient P in the soil. At the end of the season there was a reduction in soil Al and Fe in plots that had P rates above 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. It is therefore likely that P application reduced Al and Fe toxicity through precipitation and formation of Al-P and Fe-P compounds, which boasted yield, rather amending a soil P deficiency.     

Production and Emission of Nitrous Oxide and Responsible Microorganisms in Upland Acid Soil in Indonesia

Incubation and field experiments were conducted to determine emission and production of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and responsible microorganisms in an upland acid soil of Indonesia. The results showed that N₂O productions in the soil samples were affected by ammonium and urea amendments compared with control. N₂O production reached the highest peak at the first week then decreased until 4 weeks incubation in the potato and tea soil samples. However, more N₂O production was found in tea soil than potato soil. Pine forest soil produced N₂O more at second week incubation than first week, then decreased until 4 weeks. These results further confirmed that the N₂O emitted in the field, which was higher in tea garden than other fields. The both ammonium and nitrate contents in the tea soil were higher than potato and pine soils. The number of ammonium oxidizers in the pine and potato soils was not significantly different, but it was lower in the tea soil. Number of nitrite oxidizers was almost the same in the potato and tea soils, however it was lower in the pine soil. The number of denitrifiers was 1–3 orders magnitude higher in the tea soil than the potato and pine soils.     

中国酸性土壤利用的科学问题与策略

中国土壤酸化呈现出全国普遍发生的趋势,对作物产量、农产品品质和生物多样性造成不利影响。自20世纪50年代以来,我国在酸性土壤方面开展了大量工作,取得显著成效,但因我国酸性土壤分布详情不明、土壤酸化机制存在争议、耐逆作物品种缺乏、作物酸害阈值不清、改良产品及技术落地性差等问题,酸性土壤利用仍受到极大限制。针对上述问题,绘制了新的中国土壤酸碱度图,明确了我国酸性土壤的分布详情,讨论了土壤酸化机制特别是氮肥与土壤酸化之间的关系,论述了土壤酸化的危害,解析了植物和微生物对酸性土壤的响应和适应机制,提出了分区分级分类改良、酸度改良和肥力提高并重、有机无机肥配施、发展特色农业等酸性土壤改良和利用策略,建议进一步加强酸性土壤新型改良剂、作物酸害阈值、氮肥高效利用、中微量元素、耐逆作物育种和土壤酸化模型等方面研究,以期为酸性土壤可持续利用提供支撑。     

Soil Properties and Selected Aluminium Forms in Acid Forest Soils as Influenced by the Type of Stand Factors

Massive forest damage has been observed in certain mountainous regions affected by acidification. Declining of trees is ascribed to direct effect of SO₂ and also increasing concentration of mobile forms of Al in soils. The aim of this paper is to describe the influence of stand factors to distribution of Al forms in the Jizera Mountains region, Czech Republic. A set of 251 samples from 98 sites was collected. Basic soil characteristics and the content of different Al forms were determined. The amount and relative share of these Al forms under different types of vegetation was evaluated, with emphasis on the surface organic horizons. The results showed that phytotoxic mobile Al forms are the most influenced by altitude and organically bound Al forms by forest type. Non-toxic forms of Al are more abundant in broadleaved forest. Soils under coniferous forest are more affected by acidification.     

Developing a Technique to Quantify Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Nitrification in Acidic Pasture Soils

Abstract

A series of laboratory incubation experiments were conducted on soils from Maindample and Ruffy in northeast Victoria and from Whittlesea in the Plenty Valley, north of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, to develop a technique for quantifying both autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrification in acidic pasture soils. The use of a specific inhibitor of the autotrophic ammonium oxidizers (N‐serve) did not completely inhibit autotrophic nitrification in its commonly recommended concentrations (10 and 20 µg g^?1 soil) in these soils. The N‐serve concentration, which completely inhibited autotrophic nitrification, was found to be 60–80 µg g^?1. Varying soil types, pHs, and organic‐matter contents affected the optimum dose of N‐serve required for complete inhibition of autotrophic nitrification. Mixing the inhibitor with the soil after application was also important for immediate inhibition of autotrophic nitrification. Using N‐serve in combination with ¹⁵N‐labeled glycine in the Maindample soil showed that heterotrophic organisms were using the organic route for nitrification, and N‐serve did not affect heterotrophic nitrification. A lag of 12 to 24 h in complete inhibition of autotrophic nitrification by N‐serve may have occurred suggesting nitrification studies using N‐serve should include pre‐incubation of the soils with N‐serve for at least 1 day.     

Phosphorus Uptake from Green Manures and Phosphate Fertilizers Applied in an Acid Tropical Soil

Abstract

Quantifying the relative contribution of different phosphorus (P) sources to P uptake can lead to greater understanding of the mechanisms that increase available P in integrated P management systems. The ³²P–³³P double isotope labeling technique was used to determine the relative contribution of green manures (GMs) and P fertilizers to P uptake by Setaria grass (Setaria sphacelata) grown in an amended tropical acid soil (Bungor series) in a glasshouse study. The amendments were factorial combinations of GMs (Calopogonium caeruleum, Gliricidia sepium and Imperata cylindrica) and P fertilizers [phosphate rocks (PRs) from North Carolina (NCPR), China (CPR) and Algeria (APR), and triple superphosphate (TSP)]. Dry matter yield, P uptake, and P utilization from the amendments were monitored at 4, 8, and 15 weeks after establishment (WAE). The GMs alone or in combination with P fertilizers contributed less than 5% to total P uptake in this soil, but total P uptake into Setaria plants in the GM treatments was three to four times that of the P fertilizers because the GMs mobilized more soil P. Also, the GMs markedly increased fertilizer P utilization in the combined treatments, from 3% to 39% with CPR, from 6–9% to 19–48% with reactive PRs, and from 6% to 37% with TSP in this soil. Both P_GM and the other decomposition products were probably involved in reducing soil P‐retention capacity. Mobilization of soil P was most likely the result of the action of the other decomposition products. These results demonstrate the high potential of integrating GMs and PRs for managing P in tropical soils and the importance of the soil P mobilization capacity of the organic components. Even the low‐quality Imperata GM enhanced the effectiveness of the reactive APR more than fourfold.