Use of langbeinite to reclaim sodic and saline sodic soils

Abstract

Langbeinite is a soluble potassium‐magnesium sulfate mineral (K₂SO₄2MgSO₄) found as an evaporite in many regions of the world. Langbeinite was used as a reclaiming material in a fine textured (clay loam) saline sodic soil (Grabe Series). This amendment can be dissolved and directly into the irrigation water, displacing sodium (Na) quickly with minimal water use. This amendment was superior over gypsum as a reclaiming material for a saline sodic soil in batch, column, and greenhouse studies. Langbeinite required 50% less irrigation water than gypsum to displace and leach exchangeable Na from soils. Langbeinite improved the infiltration rates of saline sodic soils, but not as effectively as gypsum. Significant increases in germination percent dry matter production mass of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) plants were observed when using langbeinite over the gypsum soil amendment.     

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.     

褐煤有机肥与脱硫石膏联合施用对盐碱土改良和向日葵产量的影响

土壤盐碱化是中国西北干旱灌区农业可持续发展的关键制约因素之一。为探讨联合施用褐煤有机肥与脱硫石膏对盐碱土改良的效果,该研究在内蒙古河套灌区开展了连续2 a的田间试验,分析了褐煤有机肥与脱硫石膏联合施用对种植向日葵的盐碱农田土壤理化性质和水肥利用效率的影响。试验设置了6个处理：只施用化肥的对照处理(CK)、只施用2 t/hm²褐煤有机肥的处理(LBF),以及4个褐煤有机肥与脱硫石膏联合施用的处理,即在施用2 t/hm²褐煤有机肥基础之上再分别施用5(LBF+F5)、10(LBF+F10)、15(LBF+F15)、20(LBF+F20)t/hm²脱硫石膏。结果表明：在0～40 cm土层,褐煤有机肥和脱硫石膏联合施用显著改变了土壤盐分组成,增加了土壤中可溶性Ca2+、SO42-和Mg2+的含量,降低了可溶性Na⁺、CO₃^2-和HCO₃^-的含量。与对照处理相比,褐煤有机肥和脱硫石膏联合施用处理使0～20 cm土层土壤pH...     

The effects of flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum) on P fractions in a coastal plain soil

Purpose

In order to explore the possibility of using FGD gypsum in controlling P loss due to agricultural runoff, the effects of FGD gypsum on the P fraction were studied in the Yangtze River Delta coastal plains. The field experiments were conducted to identify (1) different application rates of FGD Gypsum to the P losses and (2) formation of Ca-P complexes in the soil in response to FGD gypsum applications.

Materials and methods

The field experiments consisted four rates of FGD gypsum (0, 15, 30, and 45 t/ha) in triplicate. FGD gypsum was obtained from a coal burning power plant. The “S” multi-point sampling method was used to collect samples of the uppermost soil interval in July and December of 2015. The total phosphorus (TP) in soil and plants was determined using the sulfuric acid-perchloric acid digestion method. The available phosphorus (AP) was determined using the sodium bicarbonate extraction-molybdenum-antimony anti-spectrophotometric method. The soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the soil leachate was determined using the molybdenum-antimony anti-spectrophotometric method. The Visual MINTEQ 3.0 model was used to simulate the forms and distribution of the P fractions in the soil solution.

Results and discussion

The results indicated that the soil P fractions changed with application rats of FGD gypsum while the total soil P showed no significant change. The concentrations of SRP in the leachate also decreased in average of 27.5, 41.9, and 54.5%, respectively, with increasing FGD gypsum rates. The amounts of Ca₂-P, Ca₈-P, and Ca₁₀-P of the calcium phosphates in the soil were significantly increased over the ranges of 44.3–68.6, 34.1–70.1, and 7.4–17.2%, while soil AP concentrations decreased. Visual MINTEQ modeling confirmed the speciation and fractionation of Ca-P compounds under the coastal plain soil conditions. The field experiments also showed that FGD gypsum applications did not affect the absorption of P by the vegetation.

Conclusions

Experiments indicated that FGD gypsum has been shown to react with P in soil, resulting in decrease of AP and SRP and formation of insoluble Ca-P compounds and thereby decreasing the potential of P losses with surface runoff. FGD gypsum appears to be a more viable soil amendment than commercially mined gypsum to potentially achieve reductions in P losses and eutrophication of receiving waters.

     

不同改良剂与石膏配施对滨海盐渍土的改良效果研究

针对江苏省滨海盐渍土的特点,采用4种土壤改良剂,通过改良剂单施和改良剂与石膏配施试验,分析测定了施用这些改良剂后的土壤含盐量和pH值,并测定了作物产量,筛选出适宜于滨海盐渍土的最佳改良剂及组合。试验结果表明,腐殖酸改良滨海盐渍土效果最好,经腐殖酸(300kg/hm2)处理后,0—5,5—20和20—40cm土层盐分含量相对降低量分别为38.2%,24.5%和13.9%。石膏能显著降低土壤盐分含量和提高作物产量,经石膏(300kg/hm2)处理后,0—5,5—20和20—40cm土层盐分含量相对降低量分别为18.8%,13.0%和4.9%,油菜较对照增产6.1%。腐殖酸与石膏配施是滨海盐渍土适宜的改良剂组合,腐殖酸(300kg/hm2)与石膏(300kg/hm2)配施,可使0—5,5—20和20—40cm土层盐分含量相对降低量分别达45.1%,38.9%和25.7%,使油菜较对照增产18.6%。     

The use of gypsum for preventing soil sodification: effect of gypsum particle size and location in the profile

Laboratory studies were conducted on a mixture of surface soils from the Nile Delta (Egypt). Twenty-two soil columns, initially saturated both with respect to their water-holding capacity and to their base exchange capacity with calcium, contained 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 per cent solid gypsum in the total weight of the solid material in the column. Three particle sizes of gypsum (>0.5, 0.5–1 and 1–2 mm) were mixed either with the top layer or with the whole soil column. The result of leaching these columns with saline water (36 meq 1^?1 NaCl+4 meq 1^?1 CaCl₂) at 0.1 cm h^?1 was compared with a mathematical model based on thermodynamic equilibria. The three different particle sizes gave the same experimental results. Applying a given amount of gypsum to the surface soil was more effective in reducing the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) than mixing the same quantity through the soil. The mathematical model adequately predicted the changes in the soil column.     

Effect of gypsum on soil potassium and magnesium status and growth of alfalfa

Abstract

Though surface‐applied gypsum has been shown to be useful in reducing the subsoil acidity syndrome, excessive application could reduce the availability of other essential cations in soil. This study was conducted to determine the effects of surface‐applied gypsum on the availability of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in field soils. Field experiments were conducted on Davidson and Tifton series soils in the southeastern United States with 6 main ameliorant treatments (0, 2, 5, and 10 t gypsum/ha, soil profile mixed to 1 m without lime incorporation and, mixed with lime to 1‐m depth), and 2 levels of Mg (0 and 100 kg Mg/ha) and 4 levels of K (0, 125, 250, and 375 kg K/ha) in a split‐split plot configuration. Alfalfa was grown on the Tifton soil and sorghum on the Davidson soil. Yields of alfalfa and sorghum increased with 2 t gypsum/ha but were adversely affected above 5 t gypsum/ha. Gypsum amendment at 2 t/ha reduced topsoil exchangeable Mg and K in both soils. In the soil profile study, exchangeable Mg was reduced throughout the upper 52.5‐cm depth, while no reduction of K was observed below the 22.5‐cm depth in either soil. The study indicates that Mg is more susceptible to leaching loss than K after surface application of gypsum. It is also suggested that surface‐applied gypsum be used as a soil ameliorant along with proper management of Mg and K fertilizers.     

石膏和腐植酸配施对干旱盐碱区土壤改良及棉花生长影响

针对试验区盐碱土特点，选择石膏和腐殖酸为盐碱土壤改良剂，通过石膏、腐殖酸单施与石膏和腐殖酸不同用量配施试验，分析了改良剂施用后土壤盐分含量和pH值变化、及对棉花株高、茎粗和产量的影响，优选出适宜于该试验区的最佳改良剂。试验结果表明，石膏和腐殖酸9:1组合在200和300 kg/667 m2施用量情况下，0-20 cm土壤降盐效果好于单独施用石膏或腐殖酸处理；而单施腐殖酸处理对棉花增产效果最好，较控制处理棉花产量增加29.8%。综合分析，亩施石膏和腐殖酸9:1组合改良剂200 kg为该地区较优的改良剂用量，可使0-20 cm土壤含盐量较控制处理下降24.3%，棉花增产24%。     

复合改良剂对盐碱土改良及植物生长的影响

为探寻更加高效的复合型改良剂，本研究通过田间试验，对土壤理化性质和植物生长指标进行分析，探讨了脱硫石膏、黄腐酸钾和稻壳三种物料不同配比施用对盐碱土理化性质及植物生长状况的影响，筛选出最佳复合物料添加比例，旨在为盐碱地改良与合理利用提供参考依据。结果表明：与对照组相比，不同处理下0-20和20-40 cm土壤pH均有显著降低，分别降低了4.2%~9.6%和4.5%~9.4%。0-20 cm土层的土壤盐分含量也显著降低，土壤中〖HCO〗_3^-、〖Cl〗^-、〖Na〗^+含量分别降低了6.1~39.4%、18%~43.1%和6.2%~33.2%，其中稻壳、黄腐酸钾和脱硫石膏配比为5-1.2-9 t/hm2和15-0.4-9 t/hm2时对〖HCO〗_3^-、〖Cl〗^-、〖Na〗^+降低效果最为明显。复合改良剂均能提高土壤有机质、碱解氮和有效磷含量与景天植株生物量。与对照组相比，有机质增加了3%~46%、碱解氮增加了16.1%~111.8%、有效磷增加了59.5%~154.8%和景天生物量增加了7.1%~47.6%。效应综合评价的主成分分析结果表明，稻壳、黄腐酸钾和脱硫石膏配比为5-1.2-9 t/hm2时是滨海盐碱土壤最适宜的生物化学复合改良剂组分。     

Remediation of Cadmium Pollution in Soils by Different Amendments: A Column Study

Abstract

A column study was conducted to determine the effect of city compost, lime, gypsum, and phosphate on cadmium (Cd) mobility in three well‐recognized benchmark soils of India [viz., (Islamnagar) Vertisol, (Amarpur) Inceptisol, and (Khala) Alfisol]. Columns made of PVC were filled with soil treated with different treatment doses [viz., 0.5% city compost, 1% city compost, 2% city compost, 2.5 t lime/ha, 5 t lime/ha, 2.5 t lime/ha+0.5% city compost, 2.5 t gypsum/ha, 2.5 t gypsum/ha+0.5% city compost, and 100 kg P₂O₅/ha as potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄). The columns were leached with 100 mg L^?1 Cd under saturated condition. The amount of water moving through the soils was measured as the pore volume. A delayed breakthrough curve (BTC) of Cd in the presence of lime has been observed in all the studied benchmark soil series. Among the treatments, lime application reduced the movement of Cd from surface soil to lower depth of soil to a large extent resulted in 9, 25, and 45% more retention of Cd in surface soil of the Islamnagar, Amarpur, and Khala series respectively. Explanation for reduced Cd mobility in limed soil can be derived from pH changes of soils. In comparison to control soil, phosphate application caused 6, 21, and 30% more retention of Cd in surface soil in the Islamnagar, Amarpur, and Khala series, respectively. Combined application of lime and city compost reduced the movement of Cd in the soil profile. It appears that organic matter controls the sorption of Cd in soils. The amount of Cd sorbed increased with increasing organic carbon content, but gypsum application may leach Cd beyond the root‐zone depth. A rapid breakthrough curve was observed under gypsum‐treated soils. Retardation factor revealed that a somewhat lower degree of Cd retention occurred in the Khala series, which might possibly be attributed to less clay content and low pH. Overall, the column study indicated that total Cd accumulation occurred up to depths of 5–7.5 cm, 7.5–10 cm, and 10–15 cm in soils of Islamnagar, Amarpur, and Khala series, respectively.     

Amendment of drilling fluid-affected soils with calcium salts

Land disposal of waste drilling fluid is an environmental concern because of the high salt content and the presence of potential toxic elements. A water-based drilling fluid was tested in a laboratory column study to determine the feasibility of leaching excessive salt without mobilizing chromium (Cr). The drilling fluid-affected two Alfisols with similar mineralogy, acidity, and texture were treated with gypsum (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), or calcium phosphate (CaHPO₄) (0 to 2% of weight). The electrical conductivity (EC) increased and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) decreased with increasing Ca-salt concentration. The pH did not vary significantly with the changes in the concentrations of gypsum and calcium phosphate. The pH of the mixtures increased in proportion to the concentration of added calcium carbonate. The hydraulic conductivity increased and the mobility of the soil particles decreased with increasing Ca-salt concentration. The Cr mobility decreased by gypsum and CaCO₃ treatments but it increased by calcium phosphate treatment. The soil with a higher content of organic matter and cation exchange capacity (CEC) showed a higher hydraulic conductivity and lower Cr mobility than the other soils at the same levels of the treatment. The results of this study suggest that the amendment of drilling fluid-affected soils with CaCO₃ and gypsum can enhance the leaching of excessive salt and reduce the Cr mobility. Among loamy soil, those with a higher CEC and organic matter content are more suitable for land disposal of drilling fluid.     

脱硫石膏与结构改良剂配合施用对龟裂碱土理化性状和水稻生长的影响

[目的]筛选出最适宜宁夏回族自治区银北灌区盐碱地水稻生长的土壤结构改良剂施用量,为中国同类型地区盐碱地的改良应用提供科学依据。[方法]设置田间定位试验,研究银北灌区龟裂碱土在施用不同剂量土壤结构改良剂(0,150,270,375kg/hm~2)与统一施用定量脱硫石膏(22.5t/hm~2)对土壤基本理化性质及水稻生长的影响。[结果]在施用不同剂量结构改良剂后,0—20cm土层的土层容重、全盐量和pH值呈降低趋势,总孔隙度和水稳性团聚体则呈增加趋势。在0—20cm土层,各处理改良效果均较显著,当深度大于40cm时,所有处理的改良效果不明显。施加改良剂增加了水稻的成活率、株高和产量,且各处理间均差异显著(p0.05)。[结论]脱硫石膏与结构改良剂配合施用能显著改善龟裂碱土理化性状,促进水稻成长。综合考虑经济因素,脱硫石膏(22.5t/hm~2)+土壤结构改良剂(270kg/hm~2)的施用量效果最佳。     

Reclamation of Alkali Soils: Influence of Amendments and Leaching on Transformation and Availability of Phosphorus

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) availability to plants in reclaimed alkali soils was the main objective of this study, which was also focused on P transformations, decrease in Olsen‐P content, and magnitude of P lost in leachate in course of amendment application and leaching. Liquid sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) was added to nonalkali soils to set up four ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) levels (viz., 2.9, 25.0, 50.0, and 75.0), but actual ESP levels obtained were 2.9, 24.6, 51.2, and 75.3. Amendments (viz., gypsum and pyrites) and P treatments (viz., 0 and 50 mg P Kg^?1) were mixed with dry, sieved soil before filling into PVC (polyvinyl chloride) drainage columns, which were then compacted to uniform bulk density and leached with deionized water for 30 days. Results indicated that the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils increased with increase in ESP level of the soil but decreased with amendment application. Phosphorus addition to alkali soils decreased the pH on day 30, but it could not affect the EC of the soils. Successive increase in the ESP level of the soil increased the pH and EC off the leachate. Gypsum‐amended soils exhibited lower pH and EC values than pyrite‐amended soils. The EC of the leachate decreased sharply with time in amended soils, but the pH decreased slowly. Phosphorus addition affected the leachate pH earlier than the soil pH. Cumulative volume of leachate decreased with increasing ESP levels, but it increased with amendment and phosphorus application. Leaching of P increased with increase in ESP levels, and the maximum cumulative loss of P was 11.2 mg Kg^?1 in the 75.3 ESP soil. Cumulative P lost in the pyrite‐amended soils was higher than the gypsum‐amended soils. Phosphorus leaching in the gypsum‐amended soils stopped at day 10 and beyond, but it continued until day 30 in the pyrite‐amended soils. Part of the applied P in alkali soils was also lost along with the native P, whereas it was protected in the nonalkali soils. OlsenP increased with increasing ESP levels, and alkali soils invariably contained higher Olsen P than nonalkali soils. At day 30, alkali soils contained much higher Olsen P (12.6 mg Kg^?1) than nonalkali soils (5.9 mg Kg^?1). In general, there was a decrease in the Olsen P with both of the amendments, but it decreased more with pyrites than with gypsum. Phosphorus added through monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) remained extractable by Olsen's extractant up to day 30. Results also indicated that percent distribution of ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl)‐P, calcium (Ca)‐P, and unknown P increased with rising ESP levels but iron (Fe)‐aluminum (Al)‐bound P and residual P decreased. Percent distribution of Ca‐P and unknown P exhibited an increase with time also. Unamended alkali soils contained more NH₄Cl‐P than amended ones. Iron and Al‐ bound P and residual P increased more with pyrites, whereas formation of Ca‐P and unknown P was enhanced with gypsum. Applied P tended to convert more into NH₄Cl‐P, Ca‐P, and residual P than to Fe‐Al‐bound P or unknown P fractions. Models developed to estimate Olsen P and P concentration in leachate, through pH or EC, have application value for P management in alkali soils that are leached after application of amendments.     

不同措施对河套灌区重度盐渍土改良效果

为了探究不同灌溉模式施加不同改良剂对河套灌区重度盐渍土的改良效果,设置秸秆深埋(SL)、石膏+有机肥(SF)、对照(CK)3个处理,对河套灌区重度盐渍土土壤盐分在0-70 cm剖面上的分布特点进行研究。结果表明:不同灌溉模式,SL和SF处理在0-15 cm土层均有效降低土壤pH,随改良时间延长改良深度增加pH持续降低,有一定的长效性,滴灌SL与SF处理pH较CK分别下降0.35,0.49,黄灌下降0.42,1.33,对30-70 cm土层影响较小。SF处理碱化度第2年下降达43%,SL处理为40%,滴灌更利于碱化度降低。从抑制盐分积累来看,SL与SF处理能有效抑制盐分0-15 cm土层聚集,黄灌SL与SF处理较CK分别下降13.60%,7.70%,滴灌分别下降31.60%,6.90%,SL处理抑盐效果较显著。土壤盐基离子表明,不同灌溉模式,SL与SF处理均显著降低0-15 cm土层Na~+与HCO_3~-的含量,滴灌降低比例高于黄灌,随着改良时间延长效果越显著,15-70 cm土层无明显变化。石膏加有机肥的施入提高0-70 cm土层SO_4~(2-)、Ca~(2+)及Cl~-的含量。通过对比分析,对河套灌区重度盐渍土治理而言,秸秆深埋和石膏+有机肥均能有效抑制重度盐渍土土壤积盐,有效降低pH及碱化度。整体来看,滴灌模式下石膏+有机肥改良效果优于秸秆深埋。     

磁化微咸水及石膏改良对土壤水盐运移的影响

为了探究磁化水和石膏共同作用对水盐运移特征的影响,该研究通过室内一维垂直入渗试验,分析未磁化和磁化微咸水两种类型的灌溉水入渗下,5个石膏施量(0、0.1、0.2、0.4、0.6 kg/m2)对土壤水分和盐分运移特征的影响.结果表明:磁化和未磁化微咸水入渗时,累积入渗量和湿润锋深度均随着石膏施量的增加而减小.不同石膏施量...     

外源稀土和磷素在土柱中的相互作用

Rare earth elements (REEs) increasingly used in agriculture as an amendment for crop growth may help to lessen environmental losses of phosphorus (P) from heavily fertilized soils. The vertical transport characteristics of P and REEs, lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), and cerium (Ce), were investigated with addition of exogenous REEs at various doses to packed soil columns (20 cm deep). Vertical transfers of REEs and P were relatively small, with transport depths less than 6 cm for most REEs and P. Export of applied REEs in leachate accounted for less that 5% of inputs. The addition of Ce, Nd and Sm to soil columns significantly decreased concentrations of extractable soil P up to a depth of 4 cm, with soil P concentrations unaffected at depths > 4 cm. In general, REEs had little effect on the vertical leaching of P in packed soil columns.     

第四纪红粘土发育的红壤在施用石灰和石膏后元素的淋溶特征

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

Efficiency of gypsum application to acid Andosols estimated using aluminum release rates and plant root growth

Abstract

A great deal of information on the efficiency of gypsum or phosphogypsum to ameliorate acidity in highly weathered soils is available, but only limited information is available on the efficiency in acid Andosols, which possess large amounts of active aluminum (Al). We examined the effectiveness of gypsum application to non-allophanic Andosols (one humus-rich A horizon and two B horizons poor in humus) using extractable soil Al analyses (batch and continuous extraction methods) and a cultivation test using burdock (Arctium lappa). With gypsum amendment, pH(H₂O) values of the soil decreased from 4.5–4.7 to 4.2–4.4, whereas the treatment made almost no difference to the values of pH(KCl). Total active Al (acid oxalate-extractable Al) was hardly affected by gypsum for all samples. Potassium chloride-extractable Al definitely decreased with the addition of gypsum in all soils; however, the decrease was small (0.1–1.4 cmol_c kg^?1) and the values still exceeded “the threshold of 2 cmol_c kg^?1” for inducing Al toxicity in sensitive plants (4.4–8.6 cmol_c Al kg^?1). The change in Al solubility with gypsum application represented by Al release rates from soils using continuous extraction methods with a dilute acetate buffer solution (10^?3 mol L^?1, pH 3.5) differed greatly among the soil samples: The release rate of one of the B horizon samples decreased by 71%, certainly showing the insolubilization of Al compounds, whereas the release rates of the A horizon sample showed almost no change. These changes in Al solubility were well correlated with the plant root growth. Root growth was improved with gypsum in the B horizon sample, whereas improvement was not observed in the A horizon soil. The decrease in the rate of Al release of another B horizon soil with gypsum treatment was smaller (by 20–34%), possibly because of lower pH values after gypsum application (pH[H₂O] of 4.2–4.3). In the B horizon soil, root growth improved only slightly. Thus, the effectiveness of gypsum application to acid Andosols appeared to be largely influenced by soil humus contents and slight differences in soil pH values, and corresponded to a decrease in Al release rates using the continuous extraction method.     

Phosphorus fractions in poultry litter as affected by flue‐gas desulphurization gypsum and litter stacking

Previous research has shown that the addition of flue‐gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum to poultry litter decreases water‐soluble P. No information is currently available, however, on extractable P fractions in poultry litter and P availability as affected by gypsum. The first objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of incubation time and rate of gypsum addition to litter alone or litter mixed with soil on total P and inorganic P in sequential extracts of H₂O, 0.5 m NaHCO₃, 0.1 m NaOH and 1 m HCl. Poultry litter was mixed with 25, 50, or 75% gypsum (by weight) and incubated alone or mixed with soil for 63–93 days at 25 °C, with periodic sequential extractions. For litter alone or litter mixed with soil, adding gypsum decreased total P and inorganic P in the H₂O fraction and increased both P forms in the NaHCO₃ fraction. These changes did not affect plant P availability as measured by Mehlich‐1 P. Increasing incubation time decreased total P and inorganic P in the H₂O fraction of litter alone or litter mixed with soil, which was apparently caused by P immobilization by fungi. A second objective of this study was to evaluate P in the H₂O and NaHCO₃ fractions of litter as affected by stacking time and depth. Litter was stacked to a height of 1.2 m with samples taken immediately after stacking and 31 days later to be sequentially extracted for total P and inorganic P. Stacking time did not affect P in the H₂O fraction, but it increased P in the NaHCO₃ fraction by 25%. These results suggest that stacking poultry litter may increase the amount of labile P.     

Potential of Carbon Dioxide Biosequestration of Saline–Sodic Soils during Amelioration under Rice–Wheat Land Use

Potential for carbon dioxide (CO₂) biosequestration was determined during the reclamation of highly saline–sodic soils (Aridisols) after rice (2003) and wheat (2003–2004) crops at two sites in District Faisalabad, Pakistan. Two treatments were assessed: T₁, tube-well brackish water only; and T₂, soil-applied gypsum at 25% soil gypsum requirement?+?tube-well brackish water. The irrigation water used at both sites had different levels of salinity (EC 3.9–4.5 dS m^?1), sodicity (SAR 21.7–28.8), and residual sodium carbonate (14.9 mmol_c L^?1). Composite soil samples were collected from soil depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm at presowing and postharvest stages and analyzed for pH, EC_e, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). After rice harvest, there was no significant effect of gypsum application on EC_e, pH, and SAR at both sites, except pH at 0–15 cm depth decreased significantly with gypsum at site 1. After wheat harvest, EC_e, pH, and SAR decreased significantly with gypsum at site 1, whereas the effect of gypsum on these parameters was not significant at site 2. Compared to initial soil, EC_e and SAR in soil decreased considerably after rice or wheat cultivation, particularly at site 1, whereas pH increased slightly due to cultivation of these crops. For rice, the total CO₂ sequestration was significantly increased with gypsum application at both sites and ranged from 1499 to 2801 kg ha^?1. The total sequestration of CO₂ was also significantly increased with gypsum application in wheat at both sites and ranged from 2230 to 3646 kg ha^?1. The amounts of CO₂ sequestered by crops due to gypsum application were related to seed and straw yield responses of rice and wheat to gypsum, which were greater at site 1 than site 2. Also, the yield response to applied gypsum was greater for rice than wheat at site 1, whereas the opposite was true at site 2. Overall, the combined application of gypsum with brackish water reduced soil EC_e and SAR compared to brackish water alone, particularly at site 1. Our findings also suggest that the reclamation strategies should be site specific, depending on soil type and quality of brackish water used for irrigation of crops. In conclusion, the use of gypsum is recommended on brackish water–irrigated salt-prone soils to improve their quality, and for enhancing C biosequestration and crop production for efficient resource management.