Improving the fertility of sandy soils in the temperate region by combined biochar and microbial inoculant treatments

Achieving a sustainable increase in the fertility of sandy soils is a major problem. The application of biochar (BC) is a relatively new method, but results for a temperate climate are scarce. This work investigates various combined doses of BC and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria inoculants on the fertility of acidic and calcareous sandy soils, hypothesising that joint application could have a synergistic impact. The effects were followed by measuring chemical (pH, organic matter, nutrient availability) and microbiological properties of the soil and maize biomass. 30 t ha^?1 BC increased both pH (by 1 unit) and nitrification in acidic soil (causing a 60% drop in NH₄-N concentration), and the phosphorus and potassium availability (by 53 and 80%, respectively) in both soils. Substrate-induced respiration increased by up to 100% and 50% in acidic and calcareous soil, respectively, in treatments involving both BC and inoculant. In acidic soil a BC dose of 3 t ha^?1 resulted in a 70% decrease in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal infection. Changes in maize grain yield were not significant, but the increase in above-ground biomass indicated that the combined application of BC and inoculant is more beneficial than separate application of these yield-increasing agents, primarily on acidic sand.     

Influence of sulfur and nitrogen fertilzer on the uptake of iron,manganese, and zinc by corn plants grown in calcareous soil

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted with a coarse‐textured calcareous soil (pH‐H₂O 8.3) to study the effect of single and combined application of N and S fertilizers on soil pH, Fe, Mn, Zn, and P mobilization, and on growth and micronutrient uptake by com (Zea mays L.). Increasing amounts of elemental sulfur were mixed with the soil. To stimulate S oxidation, the treated soils were incubated for six weeks at field capacity. Nitrogen was applied as NH₄NO₃ (100, 200, and 400 mg N/kg). After six weeks, dry matter yields were recorded and shoots were analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, and P. At the end of the experiment, soil pH and the DTPA‐extractable micronutrients were determined. The results showed that: a. Soil pH was decreased by 0.2, 0.5, and 0.9 unit as a result of increasing S applications.

b. Applied sulfur and N fertilizer had increased the availability of micronutrients to following crops.

c. Application of N and/or S resulted in increased dry matter yields.

d. Manganese uptake tended to be higher as amounts of N applied increased; this was most evident at the higher S application rates. This effect was, however, reversed for Fe, Zn, and P uptake.

e. Under our experimental conditions, promising results were achieved on improving micronutrient availability and uptake when 400 mg N/kg was combined with 3 g S/kg.

     

土壤主要理化性质对湘粤污染农田镉稳定效果的影响

利用盆栽试验研究了稳定剂(石灰、海泡石联合施用)对湖南、广东两省区不同性质土壤上生长的小青菜(Brassica chinensis L.)生物量、重金属吸收以及土壤pH和重金属提取态含量的影响,探讨了影响镉(Cd)稳定修复效果的土壤性质参数。结果表明:施加稳定剂对增加酸性土壤上小青菜生物量效果显著,土壤pH、有机质(OM)、全量Cd和黏粒是影响小青菜生物量变化的主要因素;土壤pH、阳离子交换量(CEC)、OM、黏粒是影响小青菜Cd含量变化的主要因素;土壤pH、CEC、全量Cd和黏粒是影响土壤提取态Cd含量变化的主要因素。     

Influence of nitrogen and elemental‐sulfur fertilization on sulfur oxidation and mineralization in relation to soil moisture on a calcareous soil of the Inner Mongolia steppe of China

Grassland‐livestock farming is the main agricultural activity in the Inner Mongolia steppe of China. It has been estimated that more than 80% of the grasslands suffer from sulfur (S) deficiency in this region. In an incubation study and a greenhouse experiment with alfalfa, the influence of soil moisture (40% and 70% water‐holding capacity, WHC), nitrogen (0 and 200 mg N (kg soil)^–1 as NH₄NO₃), and elemental sulfur (eS; 0 and 300 mg S (kg soil)^–1) amendments on the apparent eS oxidation, eS‐oxidation rate, net S‐mineralization rate, and S uptake of alfalfa were studied. After 28 d of incubation, the eS‐oxidation rate was four times higher at 70% than at 40% WHC if no N was applied. With N application, soil moisture had only minor effects on eS oxidation during the whole incubation period. In the greenhouse experiment, lower values for eS‐oxidation rate and net S‐mineralization rate were found if no N was applied. Application of N and eS significantly increased alfalfa growth and S uptake. The results of both experiments suggest that combined N and eS applications are the best way to alleviate S deficiency on these calcareous soils.     

Effect of Pyrite Application on Wheat-Maize Growth and Nutrient Uptake Under Diverse Soil Conditions

Zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) deficiency is a common nutritional problem for the production of many crops in semi-arid Mediterranean region of Turkey. This problem results in the application of increasing amounts of fertilizers. Minerals (such as pyrite) including iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) can decrease soil pH may be a critical factor in crop production under low supply of Zn and P in calcareous and clay soils. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of pyrite application on wheat-maize-wheat growth, P and Zn concentration with three successive pot experiments. Bread (Seri-82) (Triticum durum L.) durum (Kunduru) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) RX 788 hybrid was grown in Zn and P-deficient calcareous soils from Central Anatolian Sultanönü and Çukurova Karaburun. Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions at five rates of pyrite (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g pyrite kg^?1 soil) in three consecutive experiments. Pyrite application increased shoot dry matter production of wheat and maize. With time effect of pyrite on plant growth and nutrient uptake was more. In accordance with growth data, pyrite application enhanced P and Zn concentration of plants, especially under Zn deficient Sultanönü soil then Karaburun soil. Plants grown in Karaburun soil had more P and Zn concentration than grown in Sultanönü soil. The results obtained indicate that pyrite can be used as a zinc fertilizer sources for gramine plants such as wheat and maize.     

Adaptation of some introduced eragrostis species to calcareous soil and acid mine spoil

Abstract

Plant growth is frequently limited by Fe‐related chlorosis on calcareous soils and by mineral toxicities on strongly acid soils and mine spoils. Better adapted varieties are needed for both soil situations, which are not always economically correctable. In a search for such geraplasm, 4 species (20 accessions) of Eragrostis were grown in greenhouse pots of a calcareous soil at pH 7.3. Two species were also compared on acid mine spoil at pH 3.5 and 4.7.

Species, and accessions within species, differed significantly in tolerance to the calcareous soil, as measured by susceptibility to chlorosis and yield of plant tops. The range in top yield was 11‐fold for accessions of Eragrostis capensis, 3‐fold for Eragrostis lehmanniana, and 1.7‐fold for Eragrostis superba. Eragrostis plana (P.I. 364340) was more tolerant to acid mine spoil (pH 3.5) but less tolerant to calcareous soil (pH 7.3) than Eragrostis superba (P.I. 364833).

Chlorosis and poor growth of certain accessions on calcareous soil (pH 7.3) were not explained by specific mineral deficiencies or toxicities. However, the tops of chlorosis‐susceptible accessions had lower ratios of Fe/Mn, Fe/Zn, and Fe/Cu than those of chlorosis‐resistant accessions. This imbalance is believed to interfere with Fe metabolism in plant tops.

Results suggested that superior strains of Eragrostis species can be selected for adaptation to calcareous or acid soils and that certain accessions characterized in these studies can be useful in studying the physiological mechanisms of mineral stress resistance in plants.     

生物质炭添加对不同pH紫色土硝化作用及N2O排放的影响

生物质炭施用可能对土壤中氮素硝化过程和N₂O排放产生影响。本研究通过室内培养试验,研究铵态氮肥与玉米秸秆生物质炭施用量(0、1%、2%、5%、10%,m/m)对酸性(pH 5.10)和石灰性(pH 8.15)紫色土氮素硝化率、净硝化速率及N₂O排放特征的影响。结果表明:①酸性和石灰性紫色土生物质炭处理平均净硝化速率相比对照分别降低了33.7%～93.7%和7.5%～40.9%,生物质炭添加抑制了酸性和石灰性紫色土硝化作用,在酸性紫色土中生物质炭对硝化作用的抑制作用随施用量的增加而增强,在石灰性紫色土中无明显规律。②与对照相比,酸性紫色土N₂O累计排放量在1%生物质炭和2%生物质炭处理下降幅分别为15.9%和27.7%,在5%和10%生物质炭处理下增幅分别为60.1%和93.2%;石灰性紫色土生物质炭各处理N₂O累积排放量均显著高于对照。③综合考虑,在酸性紫色土中1%、2%生物质炭施用对硝化作用抑制和N₂O减排综合效果最好,但在石灰性紫色土中无明显抑制和减排效果。     

Benefits of Biochars and NPK Fertilizers for Soil Quality and Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in an Acid Arenosol

Fertilization is required for optimum plant growth, particularly in unfertile soils, while optimizing nutrient use efficiency is an alternative to reduce inorganic fertilizer needs and reduce environmental problems caused by nutrient leaching. This study investigated soil properties and cowpea yield responses to biochars (BCs) made from different feedstocks, baby corn peel biochar (BC1), branches of mango tree biochar (BC2), and rice husk biochar (BC3), applied in combination with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using an acid sandy soil (Arenosol) that was submitted for 70 d to the following eight treatments:i) control; ii) full dose of NPK (a commercial compound fertilizer (12-24-12 of N-P₂O₅-K₂O) + urea (46% N)); iii) BC1 + half dose of NPK; iv) BC1 + full dose of NPK; v) BC2 + half dose of NPK; vi) BC2 + full dose of NPK; vii) BC3 + half dose of NPK; and viii) BC3 + full dose of NPK. All biochars were applied at a rate of 0.9% (weight/weight), and each type of biochar was combined with half and full doses of NPK fertilizers. Soil pH increased significantly (P < 0.05) in treatments with BC1 and BC2, while cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available P were higher in the treatments with BC1; BC1 and BC2 also induced higher activity of enzymes related to the P cycle and higher cowpea yield. Similar soil properties and cowpea yield parameters were obtained with the full and half doses of NPK fertilizers for each type of biochar used. In conclusion, biochars in the combination with NPK fertilizers improved soil chemistry and enzymatic activities, allowing reduced fertilizer application and food production costs in the acid soil studied.     

Long‐term phosphorus solubility in soils receiving poultry litter treated with aluminum,calcium, and iron amendments

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) runoff from poultry litter applied to fields can adversely impact water quality. The majority of P in runoff from poultry litter is soluble, so decreasing the solubility of P could lessen the impact of poultry litter on water quality. The objective of this study was to determine long‐term P solubility in soils receiving poultry litter treated with aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe) amendments at various soil pHs. Soil pH was adjusted to 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 using elemental sulfur (S) or CaCO₃ with some soil left at its native pH. The pH‐adjusted soil was then incubated with either no litter (control), litter alone (litter control), or litter amended with alum, A1₂(SO₄)₃.16H₂O, (100 or 200 g/kg), Ca(OH)₂ (25 or 50 g/kg), or FeSO₄ .7H₂O (100 or 200 g/kg). The soil was then allowed to equilibrate in the dark at room temperature for 0, 7, 49, 98, and 294 days. After equilibration, soils were extracted with deionized water and soluble reactive P levels were determined. Water‐soluble P levels decreased with time in all treatments, including the control and litter control treatments. Soil pH also affected soluble reactive P levels, with the lowest levels generally observed at pH 8.0. Addition of both unamended and chemically‐amended litter to soil significantly increased P concentrations at all combinations of pH and sampling time. Addition of chemically‐amended litter to soil significantly reduced soluble reactive P compared to unamended litter. With all treatments, an apparent equilibrium was reached at 98 d after treatment. Amendment of litter with either FeSO₄ .7H₂O or alum resulted in the lowest soluble reactive P levels after 294 days. Use of chemical amendments to limit P solubility has potential and should be pursued as a means of reducing eutrophication of sensitive surface waters where poultry litter is applied as a fertilizer.     

Plant and Soil Responses to the Combined Application of Organic Amendments and Inorganic Fertilizers in Degraded Sodic Soils of Indo-Gangetic Plains

ABSTRACT

Soil degradation due to salinization and sodication is the paramount threat in Indo-Gangetic plains. The studies on reclamation and management of such soils can provide a pragmatic solution for improving fertility and productivity of these soils. Lack of organic matter and poor availability of nutrients are the major factors for low productivity of sodic soils. Rice-wheat is a major cropping system in Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain region even in reclaimed sodic soils and farmers used inorganic fertilizers only to get higher yields. In this study, we used different organic sources of amendments in conjunction with different nitrogen (N) doses supplied through inorganic fertilizers to investigate the combined effect of organic and inorganic amendments on soil fertility and the productivity of rice- wheat system in sodic soils. Salt tolerant varieties of rice and wheat were grown in sodic soil (pH: 9.30, EC: 1.12 dSm^?1 and exchangeable sodium percentage, ESP: 52) during 2014–15 to 2016–17 in a field experiment with 13 treatment combinations of organic and inorganic amendments (T₁- (control) 100% of recommended dose of N (RDN), T₂-municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) @10 t ha^?1 + 50%RDN, T₃- MSWC @10 t ha^?1 + 75% RDN,T₄- MSWC @10 t ha^?1 + 100%RDN, T₅-Vermicompost (VC) @10 t ha^?1 + 50% RDN, T₆- VC @10 t ha^?1 + 75% RDN, T₇-VC@10 t ha^?1 + 100% RDN, T₈- Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 10 t ha^?1 + 50% RDN,T₉- FYM@10 t ha^?1 + 75%RDN, T₁₀- FYM@10 t ha^?1 + 100% RDN, T₁₁-Pressmud (PM) @10 t ha^?1 + 50% RDN, T₁₂-PM@10 t ha^?1 + 75%RDN, and T₁₃- PM @ 10 t ha^?1 + 100% RDN). Use of organic amendments supplemented with reduced dose of N through inorganic fertilizer has significantly improved soil bio-physical and chemical properties. Application of VC@10 t ha^?1 + 100% RDN (T₇) decreased soil bulk density, pH, EC, ESP and Na content to 2.0, 4.2, 26.5, 42.8, and 56.6% respectively and increased soil organic carbon by 34.6% over control (T₁). Soil fertility in terms of available N, P, K, Ca, and Mg increased by 20.5, 33.0, 36.4, and 44%, respectively, over control (T₁). Soil microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus also improved significantly due to combined use of organic amendments and inorganic fertilizers over the only use of inorganic fertilizers. Decreasing in soil sodicity and increasing soil fertility showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in crop growth, growth indices, and grain yields of rice and wheat. The study revealed that combined use of VC or MSW compost @10 t ha^?1 in conjunction with 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizers in sodic soils proved sustainable technology for restoration of degraded sodic soils and improving crop productivity.     

长期定位试验中氮肥与磷肥有机肥联合施用通过刺激根的生长增加玉米产量和养分吸收

Imbalanced application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers can result in reduced crop yield, low nutrient use efficiency, and high loss of nutrients and soil nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N) accumulation decreases when N is applied with P and/or manure; however, the effect of applications of N with P and/or manure on root growth and distribution in the soil profile is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of different N and P fertilizer application rates with or without manure on maize (Zea mays L.) yield, N uptake, root growth, apparent N surplus, Olsen-P concentration, and mineral N (Nmin) accumulation in a fluvo-aquic calcareous soil from a long-term (28-year) experiment. The experiment comprised twelve combinations of chemical N and P fertilizers, either with or without chicken manure, as treatments in four replicates. The yield of maize grain was 82% higher, the N uptake 100% higher, and the Nmin accumulation 39% lower in the treatments with combined N and P in comparison to N fertilizer only. The maize root length density in the 30--60 cm layer was three times greater in the treatments with N and P fertilizers than with N fertilizer only. Manure addition increased maize yield by 50% and N uptake by 43%, and reduced Nmin (mostly NO₃^--N) accumulation in the soil by 46%. The long-term application of manure and P fertilizer resulted in significant increases in soil Olsen-P concentration when no N fertilizer was applied. Manure application reduced the apparent N surplus for all treatments. These results suggest that combined N and P fertilizer applications could enhance maize grain yield and nutrient uptake via stimulating root growth, leading to reduced accumulation of potentially leachable NO₃^--N in soil, and manure application was a practical way to improve degraded soils in China and the rest of the world.     

Integrative Soil Application of Humic Acid and Sulfur Improves Saline Calcareous Soil Properties and Barley Plant Performance

ABSTRACT

During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, two field experiments were conducted on newly reclaimed saline calcareous soil (7.13 dS m^?1, 16.9% CaCO₃) in the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Demo, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The current work aimed at identifying the potential positive effects of applied humic acid (HA) and elemental sulfur (S) on some soil properties and barley plant performance. The results showed that the application of HA and/or S at different rates ameliorated the adverse effects of saline calcareous soil conditions and significantly reduced some chemical properties of the soil (e.g., pH, ECe, and CaCO₃%), while soil organic matter (OM%) and some nutrients (e.g., P, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) contents were significantly increased. In addition, the contents of nutrients (e.g., P, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) in barley plant and yielded grain, grain content of N and protein (%), and the performance (e.g., plant height, spike length, grain and straw yields, and weight of 1000-grain) of barley plant were significantly increased with the application of HA and/or S. The best results were obtained through the integrative application of 100 kg HA + 400 kg S ha^?1 to the tested saline calcareous soil. Therefore, the integrative soil application of 100 kg HA + 400 kg S ha^?1 can be recommended for the cultivation and sustainability of crop production in saline calcareous soil, in addition to rationalize the use of mineral fertilizers, which represent a surplus point for the sustainable agriculture system.     

Difference in the pH values of hydromorphic soils in field and laboratory analyses

There are marked differences in the pH values determined in water suspension under laboratory conditions and in soil solution under field conditions in hydromorphic soils (gleysols and stagnosols). The value δpH = pH_susp–pH_sol can be either positive or negative. Among the main factors that affect the value of δpH are the laboratory preparation of soil samples and the suspension effect. The sign of the pH effect (value of δpH) depends on the participation of humus, carbonate, and exchange bases in the formation of aggregates destructed in the laboratory. The value of δpH is negative in noncalcareous soils with low content of exchangeable bases and fulvate composition of humus and positive in calcareous soils or soils enriched with exchangeable bases and humate composition of humus. In cases of a significant δpH effect, the value of pH_susp cannot be regarded as an adequate measure of soil acidity.     

Effect of sewage sludge and its biochar on chemical properties of two calcareous soils and maize shoot yield

Little information is available regarding the effect of sewage sludge biochar on soil properties and crop yield. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge (S) and its biochar (B) on maize shoot yield, nutrients and heavy metals uptake in two calcareous soils. The amendments were applied at the rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 Mg ha^?1. Moreover, NK treatment was included to compare the effects of S and B with conventional fertilization. At harvest time, plant shoots and soil samples were collected for yield, nutrients uptake and chemical analyses. The highest shoot dry matter was obtained in the S treatment. The B application in the clay loam and loam soils resulted in 5.2% increment and 17.7% decrement of shoot dry matter relative to the control, respectively. Shoot dry matter in the NK treatment was significantly higher than in the control. B application decreased Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb uptake by maize shoot. DTPA-extractable Pb in B-amended soils was lower than in control, while an inverse trend was obtained for available Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. Biochar application at the rate of 7.3 Mg ha^?1 might be suggested for maize cultivation in clay loam soils.     

Effects of spent mushroom substrates and inorganic fertilizer on the characteristics of a calcareous clayey‐loam soil and lettuce production

We evaluated the effects of the addition of two types of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), SMS from an Agaricus bisporus crop (SMS1) and a mixture of SMSs from an A. bisporus crop and a Pleurotus crop (50% v/v each) (SMS2), on the characteristics of a calcareous clayey‐loam soil and the yield and nutritional status of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), relative to crops receiving mineral fertilizer (M) and a control (C) without amendment. The application of SMS, especially SMS1, improved soil fertility compared with C and M soils. Moreover, the use of these organic substrates as soil amendments did not harm the plants and gave yields similar to that obtained with mineral fertilizer. The nutritional contents of the lettuce plants were greater than or similar to those of the plants from treatment C or M, except for the plant tissue concentrations of K, Fe and Zn, which were significantly reduced by SMS application. However, this latter fact did not reduce the lettuce yield in the amended soils. Therefore, the use of SMSs as organic amendments contributes to residue utilization, in an environmentally friendly way, and to improved soil fertility and crop yield.     

Integrated use of organic and inorganic inputs in wheat-fodder maize cropping sequence to improve crop yields and soil properties

A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two organics, farmyard manure and vermicompost, each at three rates (0, 5, 10 t ha^?1 and 0, 1, 2 t ha^?1, respectively), along with two levels of mineral fertilizer (75% and 100% of recommended dose), on crops yields and soil properties under a wheat–fodder maize cropping sequence. Individual addition of organics at a higher level increased yields of wheat and subsequent maize. Soil microbial biomass carbon was enhanced as both a direct and residual effect with the addition of farmyard manure followed by vermicompost and fertilizer treatments, and also by combined addition of manure with either vermicompost or mineral fertilizer. Farmyard manure increased the availability of soil macro- and micronutrients, whereas vermicompost influenced only the availability of micronutrients at wheat harvest. A residual effect of farmyard manure and mineral fertilizers was found for available N. Meanwhile, the residual status of micronutrients in the soil was either maintained or significantly improved due to organic amendments (Mn and Zn with farmyard manure; Fe and Zn with vermicompost). Interaction of farmyard manure and vermicompost at a higher level benefited the next crop by increasing the yield of fodder maize and improving the availability of P and metals in soil.     

Mycorrhizal (Rhizophagus Intraradices) Symbiosis and Fe and Zn Availability in Calcareous Soil

Greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) fractionation patterns in soils of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus-inoculated and uninoculated maize plants fertilized with varying levels of Fe and Zn. Soil samples were collected for Fe and Zn fractions and available Fe, Zn and phosphorus (P) contents besides organic and biomass carbon (BMC), soil enzymes and glomalin. Major portion of Fe and Zn fractionations was found to occur in the residual form. Mycorrhizal symbiosis increased the organically bound forms of Fe and Zn while reducing the crystalline oxide, residual Fe and Zn fractions, indicating the transformation of unavailable forms into available forms. Soil enzymes, viz. dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities in M+ soils, were significantly higher than M? soil consistently. Overall, the data suggest that mycorrhizal symbiosis enhanced the availability of Fe and Zn as a result of preferential fractionation and biochemical changes that may alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in calcareous soil.

Abbreviations: AM: arbuscular mycorrhiza; Fe: Iron; Zn: Zinc; P: Phosphorous; Amox-Zn: amorphous oxide bound zinc; Cryox-Zn: crystalline oxide bound zinc; DAS: days after sowing; DTPA: diethylene Triamine Penta Acetic Acid; MnO₂-Zn: manganese oxide bound zinc; OC-Zn: organically bound zinc; WSEX: water soluble plus exchangeable zinc; MnO₂ Fe: manganese oxide bound iron; OC-Fe: Organically bound iron; WSEX Fe: water soluble plus exchangeable iron.     

SULFUR APPLICATION EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN A CALCAREOUS SOIL AND ON SUGARCANE GROWTH AND YIELD

High pH soils limit availability of pH sensitive nutrients including phosphorus (P), even though abundant levels are present. Application of such nutrients to the soil is ineffective because they quickly get tied up in unavailable forms. Elemental sulfur (S) application in a narrow band to lower root zone pH and increase nutrient availability to the crop is a possible economically feasible solution. A four year field study was conducted in which S was applied to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) at rates up to 1120 kg S ha^?1 each of the 1st three years in a band using different application methods. Sulfur application effects on soil pH were gradual, causing only a slight reduction in the application zone after one year; but was long lasting, resulting in continuing substantial declines in soil pH in an adjacent zone four years after the first S application. Soil available P, sulfate (SO₄)-S, and salinity levels increased with increasing S applied. Sugarcane plant growth, as indicated by leaf area index during the grand growth period responded to moderate S application levels. Sugarcane yields increased linearly in the plant crop, but showed quadratic responses to S applications in the 1st through 3rd ratoon crops. Initial soil available P levels prior to the first treatment application were at the critical level considered adequate for crop requirements, yet growth and yield increases in response to S application suggest that the critical available soil P levels for sugarcane may be higher than previously established. Sulfur application at rates beyond those necessary to produce maximum yields resulted in salinity problems which probably reduced yields. The ‘stool splitter’ application method, which slices the plant stool using a coulter and places the fertilizer directly in the middle of the furrow caused crop damage and stand loss which persisted for the remainder of the sugarcane crops. Based on the results of this study, a single application of elemental S at up to 1120 kg S ha^?1 directly below the seed cane at planting is recommend for sugarcane on a calcareous soil, with no additional applications in later crops.     

长期施肥棕壤有机硫矿化特征及其驱动力

[目的]探究长期不同施肥对土壤有机硫矿化量、动力学特征和酶活性的影响,揭示玉米–大豆轮作体系中棕壤有机硫矿化特征及其主要驱动因子.[方法]沈阳农业大学长期定位试验于1979年建立,为玉米–玉米–大豆(一年一熟)轮作模式.试验设置15个处理,本研究选取了其中7个处理,分别为:CK(不施肥)、N1(低量化学氮肥)、N2(高...     

Micronutrient status of crops in selected areas is Egypt

Abstract

Reclamation of sandy and calcareous desert lands in. Egypt for intensive cropping has considerable effect on the fertilizer requirement for most crops. The yield records, together with frequent visual appearances of micronutrient deficiency symptoms on economically important crops were the main reasons for investigating the status of micronutrients in these areas by means of leaf and soil analyses. Sites were selected to represent sandy and calcareous soils in newly reclaimed areas as well as loamy alluvial ones in the Nile‐Valley and Delta. Over 10000 soil and leaf samples were collectes in the last 5 years to evaluate the soil/plant fertility status within the area. The major deficiencies were found to be of Fe Mn and Zn revealed in both soil and plant analyses. Regarding soil type effects, Fe‐deficiency dominated on calcareous soil, Zn‐deficit on the sandy soils and Mn‐deficiency mostly on alluvial soils. Leguminous crops were most sensitive to Fe‐deflciency whereas cereals; especially maize and rice were most sensitive to Zn‐deficiency. It is problem that using Zn, Mn, Fe fertilizer will become a common practice in Egypt for different crops in the near future.

In some west‐Delta calcareous areas, high B was found in both soils and plants. Also, Cu accumulation accurred due to the heavy use of Cu‐fungicides which may eventually become a major pollution problem.