灌溉水盐度对滴灌棉田土壤氨挥发的影响

【目的】氨挥发是农田氮素损失的重要途径之一,咸水灌溉直接或间接影响土壤的理化性质,进而影响土壤氨挥发,但目前对于咸水灌溉下氨挥发的报道还较少。因此通过田间试验研究尿素滴灌施肥条件下,淡水和咸水灌溉对棉田土壤氨挥发的影响。【方法】试验设置淡水和咸水两种灌溉水,其电导率(EC)分别为0.35和8.04d S/m(分别用CK和SW表示),氮肥(N)用量为240 kg/hm2。氨挥发的收集采用密闭室法,用稀硫酸作为氨的吸收液,测定用靛酚蓝比色法。【结果】1)灌溉施肥后,咸水滴灌棉田土壤盐分、脲酶活性和铵态氮含量均显著高于淡水滴灌。SW处理土壤电导率(EC1∶5)较CK平均高出4.53倍。灌溉施肥后SW处理土壤脲酶活性迅速增加,第4天达到最大,随后降低,SW处理脲酶活性较CK处理平均增加了20.6%。SW处理土壤铵态氮含量明显高于CK处理,尤其是灌溉施肥后第2天,SW处理铵态氮含量比CK处理增加了66.1%。2)SW处理棉田土壤p H值低于CK处理,但在灌溉施肥周期内都呈先增加后降低趋势,p H的变化在7.6~8.0之间。3)SW处理抑制了硝化作用,SW处理土壤硝态氮含量较CK处理显著降低。SW处理土壤硝态氮含量平均较CK低7.68%。4)3个灌溉施肥周期的平均温度分别为24.6℃、26.05℃和24.9℃,因此在第2个和第3个灌溉施肥周期氨挥发高,第1个灌溉施肥周期的总降水量最大,分别比第2和3个灌溉施肥周期高3.7 mm和10.2 mm,但降水量远远小于灌溉量,因此对于氨挥发影响不大。5)总体上,土壤氨挥发损失量在灌溉施肥后1~2天最大,占氨挥发总量的45.7%~79.3%,随后呈降低趋势;灌溉施肥后第1天土壤氨挥发最大,在3个灌溉施肥周期,SW处理第1天的氨挥发较CK分别增加70.7%、69.43%和60.8%。SW处理棉田土壤氨挥发显著高于CK处理。在三个连续灌溉施肥周期内,SW处理棉田土壤氨挥发累积总量为10.98 kg/hm2,CK处理为7.57 kg/hm2,SW处理较CK处理增加了45.1%。【结论】咸水灌溉促进了脲酶活性,但抑制了土壤的硝化作用,导致铵态氮含量增加,加剧了氨的挥发。温度升高促进土壤氨挥发,少量降雨对氨挥发影响不大。因此,滴灌施肥条件下,咸水灌溉会增加氨挥发损失。     

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。     

EFFECTS OF SOAKING TEMPERATURE,STRATIFICATION, POTASSIUM NITRATE AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON SEED GERMINATION OF LOQUAT TREES

The present study was carried out to increase loquat seed germination with treatments consisting of two soaking temperatures (24 ± 2°C and 38 ± 2°C), chemical agents [control, 0.5% potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and 250 mgL^?1 gibberellic acid (GA₃) each for 20 h], and different moist chilling (MC) periods (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks under 4–5°C). Compared with 24 ± 2°C, soaking at 38 ± 2°C reduced germination%, mean daily germination (MDG), and mean germination time (MGT), plumule and radicle lengths. Germination percentage, days to 50% emergence, fresh weight and lateral root numbers significantly reduced as MC period increased. KNO₃ and GA₃ had no significant effect on germination percentage, MDG, MGT and lateral root numbers. KNO₃ reduced days to 50% emergence and radicle length, but increased fresh weight compared with control and GA₃. Finally, our results suggest the soaking at 24 ± 2°C followed by 0.5% KNO₃ each for 20 h plus 1 week of MC or soaking at 24 ± 2°C followed by 250 mgL^?1 GA₃ each for 20 h plus 2 week of MC.     

Growth,yield and fruit quality of cherry tomato irrigated with saline water at different developmental stages

Water shortage is a serious environmental and agricultural problem and saline underground water has been widely used to make up the fresh water shortage in northwestern China. An open-field experiment was conducted to establish a proper irrigation scheme with saline water for cherry tomato in the Minqin oasis, where very severe salinization occurs. The experiment had four treatments including fresh or saline irrigation over the crop season (control, C, T3), fresh/saline-water irrigation change on days after thinning 50 (DAT 50, T1) and saline/fresh irrigation change on DAT 50 (T2). Leaf area index (LAI), photosynthesis rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), leaf dry matter (LDM), stem dry matter (StDM), yield, marketable fruit and total soluble solids (TSS) of tomato were measured. Saline irrigation, irrespective of the timing, significantly decreased maximum LAI, LDM and StDM, P_n, T_r and stomatal conductance but significantly stimulated water use efficiency. The reduction in maximum LAI, LDM and StDM was lower in T2 than in T1 and T3. Harvest index (HI) and TSS were higher in T2 and T3 than in T1 and C. Marketable fruit had no significant change in T2 but significantly declined in T1 and T3. Maximum saturated soil conductivity without yield reduction (the salt tolerance threshold) was 3.69?dS m^?1. Total yield of tomato would decrease by 9.85% with one unit increase of soil salinityhigher than the threshold. Final yield significantly reduced by 24.6% and 23.1% in T1 and T3 treatments, respectively. Our results suggest that irrigation with saline water before DAT 50 and fresh water after DAT 50 should be advocated for cherry tomato plantation in water-scarce areas like the Minqin oasis.     

Effect of mercuric chloride on electron transport system (ETS) activity in sediment

The effect of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) on electron transport system (ETS) activity in sediment was studied using the reduction of 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT) to water insoluble iodonitrotetrazolium formazan (INT-formazan) by respiring microorganisms and sediment enzymes. The effect of HgCl₂ on ETS activity was more pronounced in aerobically incubated sediment than in anaerobically incubated sediment. The EC₅₀ value for the inhibition of ETS activity in aerobically incubated sediment at 10 and 20 °C was 40.9 ± 16.2 and 48.8 ± 4.1 μg g^?1 HgCl₂, respectively. The EC₅₀ value for anaerobically incubated sediment in the presence of HgCl, at 4, 10, and 20 °C was 153.0 ± 8.1, 173.1 ± 8.2, and 199.1 ± 15.2 μg g^?1 HgCl₂, respectively.     

Use of nitrogen process inhibitors for reducing gaseous nitrogen losses from land-applied farm effluents

Applications of dairy farm effluents to land may lead to ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Nitrogen (N) transformation process inhibitors, such as urease inhibitors (UIs) and nitrification inhibitors (NIs), have been used to reduce NH₃ and N₂O losses derived from agricultural N sources. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of amending dairy effluents with UI (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBTPT)) and NI (dicyandiamide (DCD)) on NH₃ and N₂O emissions. Treatments included either fresh or stored manure and either fresh or stored farm dairy effluent (FDE), with and without NBTPT (0.25 g kg^?1 N) or DCD (10 kg ha^?1), applied to a pasture on a free-draining volcanic parent material soil. The nutrient loading rate of FDE and manure, which had different dry matter contents (about 2 and 11 %, respectively) was 100 kg N ha^?1. Application of manure and FDE led to NH₃ volatilization (15, 1, 17 and 0.4 % of applied N in fresh manure, fresh FDE, stored manure and stored FDE, respectively). With UI (NBTPT), NH₃ volatilization from fresh manure was significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased to 8 % from 15 % of applied N, but the UI did not significantly reduce NH₃ volatilization from fresh FDE. The N₂O emission factors (amount of N₂O–N emitted as a percentage of applied N) for fresh manure, fresh FDE and stored FDE were 0.13?±?0.02, 0.14?±?0.03 and 0.03?±?0.01 %, respectively. The NI (DCD) was effective in decreasing N₂O emissions from stored FDE, fresh FDE and fresh manure by 90, 51 and 46 % (P?<?0.05), respectively. All types of effluent increased pasture production over the first 21 days after application (P?<?0.05). The addition of DCD resulted in an increase in pasture production at first harvest on day 21 (P?<?0.05). This study illustrates that UIs and NIs can be effective in mitigating NH₃ and N₂O emissions from land-applied dairy effluents.     

Nitrogen Isotope Study on Nitrate-Contaminated Groundwater in the Sichuan Basin, China

We investigated the expansion of NO₃ ^?-contaminated groundwater in the Sichuan Basin, China. Nitrogen concentrations and isotopic ratios of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? were analyzed in groundwater and rain collected from four areas in this basin in order to evaluate the sources of nitrogen pollution. NH₄ ⁺ in rain, for which δ¹⁵N values are strongly negative to slightly positive ?13.4 to + 2.3‰, appears to originate from fertilizers and excretory waste. NO₃ ^? in rain (δ¹⁵N: ?10.2 to ?4.4‰) was attributed to NO _x from automobile exhaust gas. In the studied area, well water sampled from farmyards was found to have the highest δ¹⁵N_NO3 (average: +9.7 ± 4.7‰), indicating contamination by domestic sewage as animal excrement. The lowest δ¹⁵N_NO3 (?0.2 ± 3.7‰), found in spring water, indicates that the studied groundwater samples are widely affected by air contaminants (mainly as nitrogen oxides) resulted from fuel combustions. The δ¹⁵N_NO3 (+3.7 ± 2.1‰) values of well water from farmland are between these levels, suggesting that NO₃ ^? contamination results primarily from cultivation using nitrogen fertilizers, although the contribution from animal excrement cannot be excluded. These results demonstrate that the studied groundwater is widely polluted by locally derived nitrogen sources.     

Sediment denitrification in waterways in a rice-paddy-dominated watershed in eastern China

Purpose

Rice-paddy-dominated watersheds in eastern China are intensively cultivated, and lands with two crops receive as much as 550–600 kg?ha^–1?year^–1 of nitrogen (N), mainly through the addition of N-based fertilizers. However, stream N concentrations have been found to be relatively low. Waterways in the watersheds are assumed to be effective “sinks” for N, minimizing its downstream movement. We directly measured net sediment denitrification rates in three types of waterways (ponds, streams/rivers, and a reservoir) and determined the key factors that control net sediment denitrification. Such information is essential for evaluating the impact of the agricultural N cycle on the quality of surface water.

Materials and methods

The pond–stream–reservoir continuum was sampled every 2 months at nine sites in an agricultural watershed between November 2010 and December 2011. Net sediment N₂ fluxes/net sediment denitrification rates were determined by membrane inlet mass spectrometry and the N₂/Ar technique. A suite of parameters known to influence denitrification were also measured.

Results and discussion

Net denitrification rates ranged between 28.2?±?18.2 and 674.3?±?314.5 μmol N₂–N?m^–2?h^–1 for the streams, 23.7?±?23.9 and 121.2?±?38.7 μmol N₂–N?m^–2?h^–1 for the ponds, and 41.8?±?17.7 and 239.3?±?49.8 μmol N₂–N?m^–2?h^–1 for the reservoir. The mean net denitrification rate of the stream sites (173.2?±?248.4 μmol N₂–N?m^–2?h^–1) was significantly higher (p?<?0.001) than that of the pond sites (48.3?±?44.5 μmol N₂–N?m^–2?h^–1), and the three types of waterways all had significantly higher (p?<?0.01) mean net denitrification rates in summer than in other seasons. Linear regression and linear mixed effect model analysis showed that nitrate (NO₃ ^?–N) concentration in surface water was the primary controlling factor for net sediment denitrification, followed by water temperature. Using monitoring data on NO₃ ^?–N concentrations and temperature of the surface water of waterways and an established linear mixed effect model, total N removed through net sediment denitrification in the pond–stream–reservoir continuum was estimated at 46.8?±?24.0 t?year^–1 from July 2007 to June 2009, which was comparable with earlier estimates based on the mass balance method (34.3?±?12.7 t?year^–1), and accounted for 83.4 % of the total aquatic N. However, the total aquatic N was only 4.4 % of the total N input to the watershed, and thus most of the surplus N in the watershed was likely to be either denitrified or stored in soil.

Conclusions

High doses of N in a rice-paddy-dominated watershed did not lead to high stream N concentrations due to limited input of N into waterways and the high efficiency of waterways in removing N through denitrification.     

Secondary salinity effects on soil microbial biomass

Secondary soil salinilization is a big problem in irrigated agriculture. We have studied the effects of irrigation-induced salinity on microbial biomass of soil under traditional cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) monoculture in Sayhunobod district of the Syr-Darya province of northwest Uzbekistan. Composite samples were randomly collected at 0–30 cm depth from weakly saline (2.3 ± 0.3 dS m⁻¹), moderately saline (5.6 ± 0.6 dS m⁻¹), and strongly saline (7.1 ± 0.6 dS m⁻¹) replicated fields, 2-mm sieved, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, total C, organic C (C_Org), and extractable C, total N and P, and exchangeable ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, and CO₃²⁻), microbial biomass (C_mic). The Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were 36-80% higher in strongly saline compared to weakly saline soil. The C_Org concentration was decreased by 10% and C_Ext by 40% by increasing soil salinity, whereas decrease in C_mic ranged from 18-42% and the percentage of C_Org present as C_mic from 8% to 26%. We conclude that irrigation-induced secondary salinity significantly affects soil chemical properties and the size of soil microflora.     

Evaluating the effectiveness of biofertilizer on salt tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

In the present study, the effectiveness of biofertilizer containing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria was evaluated on growth and physiology of cotton under saline conditions. Cotton plants were exposed to different levels of NPK (50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended levels) along with coating with biofertilizer under saline (15 dS m^?1) and non-saline conditions. It was observed that the biofertilizer seed coating improved growth, physiological (relative water content and chlorophyll content index), and ionic (K⁺/Na⁺) characteristics under saline and non-saline conditions. However, shoot growth (shoot fresh and dry weight) and leaf gas exchange characteristics (CO₂ assimilation rate, A; intercellular CO₂ concentration, C_i; transpiration rate, E; stomatal conductance, g_s) were decreased by biofertilizer coating under saline condition. Increasing levels of NPK fertilizer increased shoot growth, whereas root growth was maximum at 75% NPK level under saline conditions. The results of the study indicate that the biofertilizer application was very effective for cotton plant in non-saline conditions but not very effective in saline conditions.     

Effect of Chloride and Sulfate Salinity on Micronutrients Release and Uptake from Different Composts Applied on Total Phosphorus Basis

Generation of different biowastes is increasing day by day, and ultimate load on agricultural lands has increased. Concerns over increased phosphorus (P) application with nitrogen (N)–based compost application shifted the trend to P‐based applications. But focus on only one or two nutritional elements will not serve the goals of sustainable agriculture. Full insight into nutrient availability from different composts is necessary. The need to understand the nutrient release and uptake from different composts has increased because of the use of saline irrigation water in the recent scenario of fresh water shortage. Therefore, current greenhouse studies were designed to evaluate the bioavailability and leachability of some micronutrients [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn)] from different biocomposts under chloride (Cl^?) and sulfate (SO₄ ^?2) saline environment. In the first pot experiment, soil was amended with livestock compost (AC), poultry compost (PC), and composted sludge (SC) at the rate of 200 kg P ha^?1 equivalent bases. Pots were irrigated with artificial saline water of sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄; 60 mmol_c L^?1), and leachates were collected for Ca and Mg analysis. As composts were applied on total P bases, which left varying amounts of nutrients in each treatment, it was observed that nutrient uptake and release differed greatly regardless of the total amount applied with each compost type. Amount of Ca applied with PC (3.9 g pot^?1) was greater, but Ca concentration in leachate was greater under AC‐amended treatments. Magnesium concentration also varied greatly under compost types. Among the saline irrigation, Ca and Mg concentration in leachate increased under both saline irrigations compared to nonsaline treatment, and SO₄ ^?2 had relatively greater ionic strength to replace cations than Cl^?. Calcium, Mg, and Zn uptake by maize stem and leaves were greater from SC‐amended pots followed by PC, SC, and control. Irrespective of the salt types, Ca and Mg uptake reduced under both saline irrigations, whereas Zn uptake increased as compared to nonsaline treatment. Among the salt types, it was observed that plant growth and nutrient uptake was more influenced by Cl^? than SO₄ ^?2 saline irrigation. In the second experiment, soil was saturated with NaCl and NaSO₄ (75 mmol_c L^?1) and amended with AC. The trend of nutrient uptake under both salt types was similar to first experiment, and the results of AC amendments have been discussed. It can be inferred from the results that regardless of the total amount applied, nutrient uptake greatly varies under different composts and their availability depends upon the source rather than total amount applied. Analogously, sulfate‐dominated irrigation water can increase the leaching of Ca and Mg from root zone more than chloride.     

Pilot-scale counter-current acid leaching process for Cu,Pb, Sb,and Zn from small-arms shooting range soil

Purpose

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of a counter-current leaching process (CCLP) on 14 cycles with leachate treatment at the pilot scale for Pb, Cu, Sb, and Zn removal from the soil of a Canadian small-arms shooting range.

Materials and methods

The metal concentrations in the contaminated soil were 904?±?112 mg Cu kg^–1, 8,550?±?940 mg Pb kg^–1, 370?±?26 mg Sb kg^–1, and 169?±?14 mg Zn kg^–1. The CCLP includes three acid leaching steps (0.125 M H₂SO₄?+?4 M NaCl, pulp density (PD)?=?10 %, t?=?1 h, T?=?20 °C, total volume?=?20 L). The leachate treatment was performed using metal precipitation with a 5-M NaOH solution. The treated effluent was reused for the next metal leaching steps.

Results and discussion

The average metal removal yields were 80.9?±?2.3 % of Cu, 94.5?±?0.7 % of Pb, 51.1?±?4.8 % of Sb, and 43.9?±?3.9 % of Zn. Compared to a conventional leaching process, the CCLP allows a significant economy of water (24,500 L water per ton of soil), sulfuric acid (133 L H₂SO₄ t^–1), NaCl (6,310 kg NaCl t^–1), and NaOH (225 kg NaOH t^–1). This corresponds to 82 %, 65 %, 90 %, and 75 % of reduction, respectively. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure test, which was applied on the remediated soil, demonstrated a large decrease of the lead availability (0.8 mg Pb L^–1) in comparison to the untreated soil (142 mg Pb L^–1). The estimated total cost of this soil remediation process is 267 US$ t^–1.

Conclusions

The CCLP process allows high removal yields for Pb and Cu and a significant reduction in water and chemical consumption. Further work should examine the extraction of Sb from small-arms shooting range.     

Solubility relationships of silica in soils

Abstract

Twenty‐one mineral soils of different physicochemical properties were used in this study. Soil suspensions, 30 grams of soil in 150 ml of distilled water, were shaken for 96 hours at 200 rpm and 25±1°C.

The activity of H₄SiO₄°, maintained in soil suspensions after shaking for 96 hours, was higher than quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite suggesting that comparatively more soluble forms of silica may be present in soils. All the soils, except Soil P and Soil Q, used in this study supported lower activity of Si than amorphous SiO₂. The average activity of H₄SiO₄° was 10^?3.08 M. It may be reasonable, for general purposes, to assume soil Si level as 10^?3.1 M. The activity of H₄SiO₄° found in soil suspensions was independent of soil pH. None of the selected physicochemical properties of soils was significantly correlated (at 5% significance level) to the activity of H₄SiO₄° in soil suspensions.     

Accumulation of acridine from water,food, and sediment by the fathead minnow,Pimephales promelas

Azaarenes are one of several classes of organic compounds which contain mutagenic and carcinogenic substances that are found in synthetic fuels effluents. This study investigated the potential for a mutagenic azaarene, acridine, to accumulate in freshwater fish (Pimephales promelas) via four possible pathways: (1) direct uptake from water, (2) uptake via interaction with contaminated sediments, (3) uptake via ingestion of contaminated zooplankton (Daphnia pulex), and (4) uptake via ingestion of benthic invertebrates (Chironomus tentans) living in contaminated sediments. The results showed that acridine was rapidly accumulated from water by fathead minnows. Equilibrium concentration was attained within 24 h at a concentration factor ([acridine]_{fish, wet wt}/[acridine]_water) of 125±10. Depuration was rapid and appeared to occur in two stages, with a net elimination rate of 0.23 h^?1 [acridine]_fish at equilibrium. Equilibrium concentration factors of 51±5, 30±2, and 874±275 were observed forChironomus, Daphnia, and sediment, respectively. The calculated rates of uptake of acridine via ingestion of contaminated invertebrates (0.02 μg g^?1 h^?1) and ingestion of sediment (0.01 μg g^?1 h^?1) were negligible compared with direct uptake from water (1.40 μg g^?1 h^?1) in a hypothetical system with all compartments in equilibrium.     

The Contribution of Various Components to pH Buffering Capacity of Acrisols in Southeastern Vietnam

This paper examined the contribution of various soil components to pH buffering capacity (pH_BC) of haplic Acrisols in an upland area of Southeastern Vietnam. Sampling was conducted in 2016 in Tan Bien district, Tay Ninh province at seven sites from the surface to 60-cm depth. Soils were very acidic (pH_H2O 4.53 ± 0.05). The pH_BC were very low, 0.46 ± 0.04 and 0.44 ± 0.05 cmol H⁺ kg^?1 pH^?1, respectively, for original samples and those from which soil organic carbon (SOC, 0.52 ± 0.09%) were removed. The contribution of Al³⁺ to pH_BC was remarkable while that of SOC was of little significance. The contribution of clay minerals to pH_BC was unclear due to the low (9.37 ± 0.76%) and kaolinite-dominated clay content. The current soil conditions indicated a potential for further soil acidification. Liming would be one of the measures to remediate soil acidity in the research area.     

Carbon mineralization in saline soils as affected by residue composition and water potential

In saline soils under semi-arid climate, low matric and osmotic potential are the main stressors for microbes. But little is known about the impact of water potential (sum of matric and osmotic potential) and substrate composition on microbial activity and biomass in field collected saline soils. Three sandy loam soils with electrical conductivity of the saturated soil extract (EC_e) 3.8, 11 and 21 dS m^?1 (hereafter referred to EC3.8, EC11 and EC21) were kept at optimal water content for 14 days. After this pre-incubation, the soils were either left at optimal water content or dried to achieve water potentials of ?2.33, ?2.82, ?3.04 and ?4.04 MPa. Then, the soils were amended with 20 g?kg^?1 pea or wheat residue to increase nutrient supply. Carbon dioxide emission was measured over 14 days; microbial biomass C was measured at the end of the experiment. Cumulative respiration decreased with decreasing water potential and was significantly (P?<?0.05) lower in soils at water potential ?4 MPa than in soils at optimal water content. The effect of residue type on the response of cumulative respiration was inconsistent; with residue type having no effect in the saline soils (EC11 and EC21) whereas in the non-saline soil (EC3.8), the decrease in respiration with decreasing water potential was less with wheat than with pea residue. At a given water potential, the absolute and relative (in percentage of optimal water content) cumulative respiration was lower in the saline soils than in the non-saline soil. This can be explained by the lower osmotic potential and the smaller microbial biomass in the saline soils. However, even at a similar osmotic potential, cumulative respiration was higher in the non-saline soil. It can be concluded that high salt concentrations in the soil solution strongly reduce microbial activity even if the water content is relatively high. The stronger relative decrease in microbial activity in the saline soils at a given osmotic potential compared to the non-saline soil suggests that the small biomass in saline soils is less able to tolerate low osmotic potential. Hence, drying of soil will have a stronger negative effect on microbial activity in saline than in non-saline soils.     

Effects of Conventional and Stabilized Urea Fertilizers on Soil Biological Status

Effects of stabilized urea fertilizers [Alzon 46 (A) and UREAstabil (US)] on soil microbiological and chemical parameters and also on grain yield, 1000-grain weight, and oil content were tested in a precise field study on Luvisol in 2010–2012. Winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L. cv. Californium) was fertilized both in autumn [45 kg nitrogen (N) ha^?1] and in spring (155 kg N ha^?1) with A [urea with DCD (dicyandiamide) plus pyrrodiazole (1,2,4-1H-triazole)], US {urea with NBPT [N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric acid triamide]}, and conventional N fertilizers (pure urea, calcium ammonium nitrate). Eleven parameters were used to evaluate the soil status: microbial biomass carbon (C; microwave method [MW]), dehydrogenase activity, arylsulfatase activity, available organic carbon, electroconductivity, C_org (MW method), and pH (in water, H₂O). None of the 11 parameters demonstrated significant difference between control, conventional N fertilizers, and stabilized urea fertilizers. The greatest yield significantly different from the control (zero kg N ha^?1; 2598 ± 881 kg ha^?1) was found for both stabilized urea fertilizers: A (200 kg N ha^?1; 3772 ± 759 kg ha^?1) and US (200 kg N ha^?1; 3764 ± 625 kg ha^?1). The control achieved the greatest oil content (46.0 ± 1.2%), which was significantly different from all N-fertilized variants, and also the greatest 1000-grain weight (5.62 ± 0.62 g).     

Chemical environment of coastal marshes and swamps, Louisiana

Water, sediment and interstitial water in nearshore marshes and swamps along a proposed oil pipeline route in the Louisiana coastal zone were analyzed. The primary objectives were to understand the chemical mechanisms involved and to depict the levels of chemical components in natural environments and in environments altered by man's activities. The brackish and fresh marshes showed the highest organic deposition due to low tidal flushing and runoff rate. High nutrient levels were found in waters of these environments due in part to release from the nutrientladen interstitial water which maintained a dynamic equilibrium with biological activities and organic matter in sediments. Sulfides, expressed as ratio of FeS to organic content was much higher in the saline environment than in the low saline system. Low activities of sulfate reducing microorganisms, limited sulfate and organic-S concentrations in the freshwater environment accounted for the low sulfide level. Impairment of water circulation in the salt marsh resulted in drastic fluctuation in dissolved oxygen and concurrent but inverse changes in sulfide level in sediments and in interstitial NH⁺₄ and PO⁻³₄ in spite of relatively low sediment organic matter. Drainage of fertilizer from agricultural fields and to stagnation in freshwater swamps resulted in persistently lowest dissolved oxygen in swamp water without raising the sulfide level to a great extent in sediment. Detailed discussion on the interrelationships among various factors is presented.     

Chemical and biological characteristics of alkaline saline soils from the former Lake Texcoco as affected by artificial drainage

 Soils from the former Lake Texcoco are alkaline saline and were artificially drained and irrigated with sewage effluents since the late 1980s. Undrained soil and soil drained for 1, 5 and 8 years were sampled, characterized and incubated aerobically for 90 days at 22±1  °C while production of CO₂, available P and concentrations of NH₄ ⁺, NO₂ ^– and NO₃ ^– were monitored. Artificial drainage decreased pH_H2O, water holding capacity, organic C, total N, and Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, B, Cl^– and SO₄ ^2– concentrations, increased inorganic C and Ca²⁺ concentrations more than 5-fold while total P was not affected. Microbial biomass C decreased with increased length of drainage but bacteria, actinomycetes, denitrifiers and cellulose-utilizing bacteria tended to show opposite trends. CO₂ production was less in soils drained ≥5 years compared to undrained soil but more than in soils drained for 1 year. Emission of NH₃ was negligible and concentrations of NH₄ ⁺ remained constant over time in each soil. Nitrification, as witnessed by increases in NO₃ ^– concentrations, occurred in soil drained for 8 years. NO₂ ^– concentrations decreased in soils drained ≤1 year in the first 7 days of the incubation and remained constant thereafter. It was found that artificial drainage of soils from the former Lake Texcoco profoundly affected soil characteristics. Decreases in pH and Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^– and SO₄ ^2– concentrations made conditions more favourable for plant growth, although low concentrations of inorganic N and available P might be limiting factors. Received: 1 December 1999     

Essai de correlation entre proprietes biochimiques d'un sol salsodique et sa biomasse

In order to study the influence of salinity on the biological activity of soils, experiments were performed in a saline alkaline soil from Tunisia (mediterranean semi-arid climate) and compared with results of similar experiments performed in a pelosol from a semi-continental climate (Lorraine, France). Both soils had received ¹⁴C-labelled maize straw.The microbial biomass was estimated by a modified Jenkinson's method and also by measurements of ATP content. The microbial activity was determined by measurements of total and ¹⁴CO₂ evolved.The results have shown an inverse correlation between the salinity determined by electrical conductivity and the biomass estimations and its activity. The higher ATP con tent (141.5 ng · 100 g^?1 soil) was observed in the pelosol and the lower (99.4 ng · 100 g^?1) in the saline soil. Simultaneously and respectively in the pelosol and the saline soil the biological carbon evolved was 114 and 54 mgC 100 g^?1 soil and the average rate of ¹⁴C mineralization was 0.82 and 0.45 mgC · 100 g^?1 soil.Results have also shown that CO₂ evolved after sterilization and reinoculation is not only provided by mineralization of microbial biomass during fumigation but also from interaction between organic-matter and CHCl₃; this interaction is more intense in the saline soil.