Soil micronutrient contents and relation to other soil properties in Ethiopia

Abstract

Alfisols, Vertisols, Inceptisols, Aridisols, Mollisols, and Entisols were sampled (0–30 cm) from 32 locations across Ethiopia. The soils were analyzed for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) contents using 0.005 M diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), 0.05 M hydrochloric acid (HC1), and 0.02 M ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) extractants. EDTA extracted more of each micronutrient than DTPA, which extracted greater amounts than HC1. The quantities of EDTA and DTPA‐extractable micronutrients were significantly correlated, and were in the order: Mn>Fe>Cu>Zn. The order of HCl‐extractable micronutrients was Mn>Fe>Zn>Cu. Micronutrient contents of Mollisols, Vertisols, and Alfisols were usually greater than those of the other soils, and Entisols usually had the lowest micronutrient contents. The contents were mostly positively correlated with clay and Fe₂O₃ contents, but negatively correlated with soil pH and A1₂O₃contents. While comparison of DTPA‐ and EDTA‐extractable micronutrients with critical levels showed that most soils had adequate amounts of the micronutrients for crops, the amounts extracted by HC1 were below critical levels in most soils. Since the critical levels that were used in the comparisons were not established in Ethiopia, calibration of the soil contents of these micronutrients with crops grown in Ethiopia is required to identify the most suitable extractant(s).     

我国主要类型土壤的有效态硒及其与某些土壤性质的关系

Forty-eight soil profiles were sampled from different ecological and pedogeochemical areas of China and their available selenium (Av-Se) contents were determined. Results showed that the content of Av-Se in the profiles of soils in China ranged within 2.49~18.10 μg kg^-1, with a mean value of 10.01 μg kg^-1, and was in the sequence of Ferralisols > Luvisols > Isohumisols > Aridisols. The correlation analysis between Av-Se and the soil physical-chemical properties revealed that the correlations between Av-Se and O.M., CEC, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, ignition loss, Co and Zn were positive at a highly significant level, but those between Av-Se and pH, base saturation, CaO, Ba and Sr were all negative at a highly significant level. The reason of some diseases related to the Se deficiency might be the leaching loss of selenium in some soils.     

东北地区黑土硫的分布特征及其与土壤性质的关系

在兼顾土壤样点空间分布相对均匀的前提下,采集了中国东北地区具有代表性的黑龙江省北安市、海伦市和吉林省公主岭市的黑土样,对这些地区的黑土中硫素含量进行了分析。结果看出,不同地区黑土中全硫含量存在明显差异,其全硫含量依次为北安(北部黑土)海伦(中北部黑土)公主岭(南部黑土)。随剖面的加深,自上而下土壤全硫都呈下降的趋势,但在145cm深处升高。全硫在开垦前期呈下降趋势,随着开垦年限的增加,土壤全硫含量下降逐渐趋于平稳。相关分析表明,土壤全硫与土壤有机质等指标都达到了显著或极显著相关水平。黑土中三种形态有机硫含量占全硫含量的78％。     

Micronutrients distribution in salt-affected soils of the Punjab in relation to soil properties

Salt-affected soils in arid and semi-arid tracts of the Indian Punjab are prone to deficiency of micronutrients. Nine profiles from alluvial terraces, sand dunes and palaeochannels in the southwestern Punjab were investigated for total and diethylenetriamine-penta-acetic acid (DTPA) extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe. Soil physiography exerted significant influence on the spatial distribution of micronutrients. Total contents varied from 20–78 for Zn, 8–32 for Cu, and 88–466 mg kg^?1 for Mn and 0.82–2.53% for Fe. DTPA-extractable contents varied from 0.10–0.98 for Zn, 0.14–1.02 for Cu, 0.54–13.02 for Fe and 0.82–9.4 mg kg^?1 for Mn. Total contents were higher in fine-textured soil than in coarse-textured soils. Concentration of micronutrients in the surface layer was low and there occurred more accumulation in the Cambic horizon. Organic carbon, pH, clay, silt and calcium carbonate exerted strong influence on the distribution of micronutrients. DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe increased with increasing organic carbon but decreased with increase in pH and calcium carbonate content. Total micronutrient contents increased with increase in clay, silt and calcium carbonate contents and decreased with increase in sand content.     

Spatial stability of a plant-feeding nematode community in relation to macro-scale soil properties

Understanding the spatial stability of the plant-feeding nematode (PFN) community in agrosystems represents a fundamental step in the integrated control of some damaging species because modifications of soil properties in intensively managed agrosystems may allow growers to manipulate the balance between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species.In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a community of four PFN species (Criconemella onoensis, Helicotylenchus erythrinae, Hemicriconemoides cocophillus, and Pratylenchus zeae) in a sugarcane agrosystem is spatially structured according to macro-scale soil properties. This hypothesis was studied by using a sugarcane field in Martinique in which soil properties had been heavily modified by hillock-leveling in the 1970s, resulting in a great variation in soil properties over a small area (20.8 × 16.0 m). The goal of the study was to measure the temporal stability of the PFN community spatial structure and to identify the soil parameters associated with differences in nematode abundance. A systematic sampling design was used to collect data in the field that were analyzed using co-inertia and STATIS-Coa. The field study was complemented by a greenhouse experiment.The field study documented the existence of a stable spatial pattern of the PFN community, a pattern that was structured in relation to macro-scale soil factors such as soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content and soil texture. The constant spatial pattern of the PFN community results from the differences in distributions among C. onoensis and the three other PFN species. C. onoensis was consistently more abundant in the deeply-leveled areas of the field, while the other PFN species were more abundant in the non-leveled areas. H. erythrinae was consistently more abundant in those parts of the field with higher soil pH and sodium content. These results suggested that soil properties can affect permanently the competitive balance among PFN species.The observed relationships between PFN and these macro-scale factors were validated in a greenhouse experiment with different ratios of soil from the leveled and non-leveled areas of the field site.Modification of some major soil properties (pH, Na⁺ content, soil organic content) by cultural practices such as hillock-leveling, fertilization, and liming, could greatly affect the balance among PFN species in agricultural fields.     

Boron adsorption characteristics of some acidic alluvial soils in relation to soil properties

Abstract

We investigated boron (B) adsorption characteristics for 16 acid alluvial soils as a function of equilibrium B concentration (0–80 μg/mL) and the effect of soil properties on such adsorption. The adsorption data for the soils could be described by Freundlich, Temkin, and BET isotherm equations over the entire concentration ranges studied, and by Langmuir and Eadie‐Hofstee equations only over a limited range. In general, the B adsorption capacity and the energy of retention of the soils calculated from different equations are low, the average Langmuir adsorption maxima and bonding energy constant being 21.47 μg/g and 0.113 mL/μg, respectively, making B susceptible to leaching losses. Simple and multiple regression analysis show that the adsorption capacities are significantly influenced by organic carbon (C), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and different forms of aluminium (Al) content in soils. The energy related constants are also influenced by the forms of Al in soils. Existence of significant correlations between constants obtained from different equations confirmed the adsorption characteristics of the soils.     

Comments on the regulatory gate hypothesis and implications for C-cycling in soil

The paper by Kemmitt et al. [2008. Mineralization of native soil organic matter is not regulated by the size, activity or composition of the soil microbial biomass - a new perspective. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40, 61-73] proposing the existence of an abiotic regulatory gate that controls the rate-limiting step of stabilised soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization, has initiated a fundamental and far-reaching debate. In this contribution the implications of a functioning abiotic regulatory gate are considered in the context of microbial community diversity and soil carbon cycling. I argue that although the evidence presented in support of the regulatory gate is strong, abiotic routes for SOM-mineralization function in parallel with biologically mediated mechanisms. Evidence is now accumulating that, in the presence of plant-inputs to soil, enhanced microbial mobilisation of SOM into biomass is a quantitatively important and ubiquitous process. I argue that this mineralization of SOM is fuelled by energy-rich substrates and is driven by microbial nutrient-demand. This implies that the mineralization of stabilised SOM and the turnover of C-inputs from current vegetation are intimately linked through the functioning of microbial communities associated with plants. This suggests that the microbial ‘eye of the needle’ is a crucial control-point in determining the carbon balance of soils. Fortunately, there are now excellent methods that allow quantification of SOM- and plant-derived C-fluxes through the members of soil microbial communities, and will also allow quantification of the relative importance of the abiotic and biotic routes of SOM-mineralization.     

Changes of soil organic carbon and its fractions in relation to soil physical properties in a long-term fertilized paddy

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has an important role in improving soil quality and sustainable production. A long-term fertilization study was conducted to investigate changes in SOC and its relation to soil physical properties in a rice paddy soil. The paddy soils analyzed were subjected to different fertilization practices: continuous application of inorganic fertilizers (NPK, N–P–K = 120–34.9–66.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ during 1967–1972 and 150–43.7–83.3 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ from 1973 to 2007), straw based compost (Compost, 10 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), a combination of NPK + Compost, and no fertilization (control). Soil physical properties were investigated at rice harvesting stage in the 41st year for analyzing the relationship with SOC fraction. Continuous compost application increased the total SOC concentration in plough layers and improved soil physical properties. In contrast, inorganic or no fertilization markedly decreased SOC concentration resulting to a deterioration of soil physical health. Most of the SOC was the organo-mineral fraction (<0.053 mm size), accounting for over 70% of total SOC. Macro-aggregate SOC fraction (2–0.25 mm size), which is used as an indicator of soil quality rather than total SOC, covered 8–17% of total SOC. These two SOC fractions accumulated with the same tendency as the total SOC changes. Comparatively, micro-aggregate SOC (0.25–0.053 mm size), which has high correlation with physical properties, significantly decreased with time, irrespective of the inorganic fertilizers or compost application, but the mechanism of decrease is not clear. Conclusively, compost increased total SOC content and effective SOC fraction, thereby improving soil physical properties and sustaining production.     

Shrinkage and Atterberg limits in relation to other properties of principal soil types in Israel

Soil samples collected from 32 sites across Israel representing major types were analyzed for their pedological characteristics and mechanical properties. Correlative relationships between shrinkage (measured by the coefficient of linear extensibility, COLE), Atterberg limits (liquid and plastic) and the physical and chemical properties were established and indicate possibilities of estimating mechanical properties from known pedological data. Strong correlations were noted between mechanical properties and the pedological characteristics reflecting clay mineralogy and texture, e.g. cation-exchange capacity, specific surface area, hygroscopic moisture and clay content. These relationships are useful inasmuch as clay mineralogy is usually evident from soil classification. Sodicity and salinity, common in dry soils of semi-arid regions, may introduce complicating factors such as raising or lowering Atterberg limits, respectively. Shrinkage is similarly affected being accentuated at high-sodium, low-salt levels and reduced in highly saline-sodic soils. Organic matter was correlated with liquid and plastic limits, but no relationship with shrinkage was noted. Calcium carbonate also had little influence on Atterberg limits.The relationships presented may serve as first approximations. Mechanical properties of the soil groups illustrate the range of values encountered among regions with differing environmental conditions.     

Influence of long-term residue management on soil enzyme activities in relation to soil chemical properties of a wheat-fallow system

Summary Soil enzyme activities (acid and alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, -glucosidase, urease and amidase) were determined (0- to 20-cm depth) after 55 years of crop-residue and N-fertilization treatment in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow system on semiarid soils of the Pacific Northwest. All residues were incorporated and the treatments were: straw (N₀), straw with fall burn (N₀FB), straw with spring burn (N₀SB), straw plus 45 kg N ha^–1 (N₄₅), straw plus 90 kg N ha^–1 (N₉₀), straw burned in spring plus 45 kg N ha^–1 (N₄₅SB), straw burned in spring plus 90 kg N ha^–1 (N₉₀SB), straw plus 2.24 T ha^–1 pea-vine residue and straw plus 22.4 T ha^–1 of straw-manure. Enzyme activities were significantly (P<0.001) affected by residue management. The highest activities were observed in the manure treated soil, ranging from 36% (acid phosphatase) to 190% increase in activity over the control (N₀). The lowest activities occurred in the N₀FB (acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase and -glucosidase) and N₉₀ treated soils (alkaline phosphatase, amidase and urease). Straw-burning had a significant effect only on acid phosphatase activity, which decreased in spring burn treated soil when inorganic N was applied. Urease and amidase activity decreased with long-term addition of inorganic N whereas the pea vine and the manure additions increased urease and amidase activity. There was a highly significant effect from the residue treatments on soil pH. Arylsulfatase, urease, amidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were positively correlated and acid phosphatase activity was negatively correlated with soil pH. Enzyme activities were strongly correlated with soil organic C and total N content. Except for acid phosphatase, there was no significant relationship between enzyme activity and grain yield.Journal Paper No. 8072 of the Agricultural Experimental Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA     

Transformation kinetics of inorganic P forms in relation to calcareous soil properties of western Iran

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of time on chemical forms of P in 10 calcareous soils of western Iran. Phosphorus was added to soils at the rate of 200 mg kg^?1 as KH₂PO₄. The samples were incubated for 1, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days at 25°C and constant moisture. After incubation, P was fractionated by the sequential extraction procedure: soluble and exchangeable P (NaHCO₃-P) Al + Fe-P (NaOH-P), Ca-P (HCl-P) and residual P (Res-P). The distribution of added P into different fractions consisted of two phases involving initial rapid retention followed by a slow continuous retention. In general, the majority of the P applied entered mostly in the HCl-P and Res-P fractions. After 120 days incubation, the HCl-P fraction remained the most dominant in all soils. A combination of silt and sand content of the soils together explained between 88.5 and 83.3% of the variance inNaHCO₃-P and HCl-P transformation rates, respectively, 76.6 and 72.8% of which is explained by silt alone. CaCl₂-P and electrical conductivity (EC) together accounted for 66.3% of the variation in the rate constant of NaOH-P. The release rate of Res-P was not significantly related to soil properties.     

Micro-scale variation of solid-phase properties and soil solution chemistry in a forest podzol and its relation to soil horizons

In order to evaluate micro-scale heterogeneities 55 micro suction cups were placed in an array at 15 mm intervals in a profile face of a cambic podzol. The chemistry of soil solution (mineral anions, pH, UV absorption as a measure for DOC) was compared with solid-phase properties from soil samples (2 cm³ volume), which had surrounded the suction cups. Sequential extraction techniques (water, NF₄Cl, hydroxylamin-hydrochloride, citrate-bicarbonate, oxalate, dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate) and base titrations were applied to characterize the solid phase. Although the average soil solution concentrations between horizons often differed significantly, the spatial distributions of pH and SO₄^2? did not correlate with soil horizon borders. Even if concentration isolines and soil horizon borders were parallel, marked concentration gradients could be observed within individual soil horizons. The less intense the interaction between solute ion and soil matrix, the greater was the variation in solution concentration within a soil horizon. For the soil solid phase only a weak correlation of slow buffer reactions to soil horizons was found. The distribution of extractable Fe and Al was typical for a podzol profile, however, with very steep gradients within single soil horizons. Except for pH, which was related mainly to citrate-bicarbonate extractable aluminium, no solid-phase characteristic showed a clear correlation with soil solution chemistry.     

Selection of soil physical quality indicators in relation to soil erodibility

Soil quality indices based on soil characteristics can be used to assess the sustainability of soil and to assist in soil management decisions. Principal component analysis (PCA) technique was used to identify dominant soil characteristics in relation to soil erodibility in watersheds of submontane Punjab (India). Soil physical and chemical characteristics were evaluated for four locations with four land uses at each location whereas runoff, soil loss and soil erodibility were determined at two locations under natural rainfall conditions and at four locations under simulated rainfall conditions. PCA was performed on 22 physical and chemical soil characteristics, which grouped these soil characteristics into five distinct principal components (PCs). These five PCs namely soil hydraulic factor, density factor, structural factor, sand factor and cation factor, explained 86% variability in data. These PCs also explained 86, 96 and 93% variability under natural rainfall conditions and 75, 76 and 77% variability under simulated rainfall conditions in relation to runoff, soil loss and soil erodibility, respectively. Soil total organic carbon content can be considered as dynamic soil physical quality indicator and can be used to monitor temporal and spatial changes in soil quality.     

红壤腐殖质组成变化特点及其与肥力演变的关系

本文根据面上采样分析和田间定位试验结果,研究红壤腐殖质组成性质变化特点及其与红壤肥力演变的关系。结果表明,旱地红壤腐殖质的H/F比值主要分布在0.1 ~ 0.4,红壤水稻土主要分布在0.3 ~ 0.7,且有从南到北升高,从东到西降低的变化趋势;红壤腐殖质的H/F比值与土壤有机碳含量呈正相关,但在停止外源碳进入8年后,土壤腐殖质的H/F比值和E4值有升高的趋势,侵蚀降低红壤腐殖质的H/F比;土地利用方式的变更由于改变了系统的物质循环状况,对土壤腐殖质的H/F比有明显影响,荒草地和次生林地改为园地,明显提高土壤有机碳含量和腐殖质的H/F比值。     

土壤磷有效性及其与土壤性质关系的研究

选取我国14个不同地点土样,测定理化性质、全磷、速效磷、水溶性磷含量,采用通径分析研究土壤磷有效性与土壤性质的关系。结果表明,土壤磷有效性是各个土壤性质综合作用的结果。土壤CEC、有机碳、粘粒、砂粒、碳酸钙含量对土壤速效磷比例影响显著,土壤CEC、粘粒、砂粒含量对土壤速效磷比例贡献为正值,而土壤有机碳对土壤速效磷比例贡献为负值;土壤pH和CEC含量对土壤水溶性磷含量影响显著,土壤pH对水溶性磷比例贡献为正值,土壤CEC对土壤水溶性磷比例贡献为负值。本文所选土样基本符合土壤磷有效性与土壤性质之间通径分析的结果。     

Fractionation of soil arsenic compounds

The schemes for fractionation of soil microelement compounds were analyzed. A scheme of extracting As compounds that are sorbed specifically and nonspecifically and bound with oxides (hydroxides) of Fe, Al, Mn, organic matter, carbonates, and soil minerals is proposed. The scheme differs from the existing ones in the higher selectivity of extracting the fractions due to changes in the combination of the extractants and the sequence of their use.