Nutrient availability in the initial stages of surface mine spoil reclamation — Impact on plant growth

The aim of this study was to characterise nutrient availability in the initial stages of reclamation and its impact on the growth of Secale multicaule L., the typical cover crop in newly established Pinus silvestris L. stands. A field experiment testing different levels of nutrient supply (N, P, K) was conducted on a carboniferous and a non-carboniferous sandy mine spoil representing typical mine spoils in the open-cast lignite mining district of Lower Lusatia. On both types of mine spoils, primarily N and P limited plant growth. On non-carboniferous mine spoil, low P availability to plants was alleviated by mineral fertiliser application while on carboniferous mine spoil, due to P immobilisation, P availability was still limiting plant growth after similar levels of P fertilisation. The elevated N_min content in carboniferous mine spoil compared to non-carboniferous mine spoil is probably the result of less N leaching as the dominant N form in carboniferous mine spoil is NH₄⁺ while the highly mobile NO₃^— is prevailing in the non-carboniferous mine spoil. N release from geogenic organic matter in carboniferous mine spoil as suggested by comparable N_t contents in pedogenetically formed soil organic matter is less likely.     

Wood biochar produces different rates of root growth and transpiration in two maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) under drought stress

This study investigated the effects of wood-derived biochar (BC) applied at 1% to a C-poor silty-loam soil in the drought-tolerant (D24) and in the drought-sensitive (P1921) Pioneer Hi-Bred maize hybrids in pot and field trials (NE Italy). D24 had better growth than P1921 under rain-fed conditions without irrigation and soil amendment. The addition of biochar increased root growth in D24 (+38% root area) and decreases it in P1921 (?9%) at the silking stage, while the fraction of finer roots (<250 µm diam.) was reduced in D24 and increased in P1921. This led both hybrids to maintain the maximum transpiration at a lower fraction of transpirable soil water (from 82% to 45% in D24, and from 46% to 22% in P1921). There were no significant variations in plant nutrient contents, productivity and in the protein and starch contents of the grains, whereas the lipid content was reduced by biochar, particularly in P1921 (2.6% vs. 3% DW, ?13%).

We conclude that biochar can be profitably used to enhance drought tolerance in maize, possibly due to improvements in the physicochemical characteristics and the water content of treated soils, although maximum benefits are expected in drought-tolerant hybrids through increased root elongation and transpiration.     

Biochar and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer effects on maize (Zea mays L.) nitrogen use and yield in moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major nitrogen consuming crop, as nitrogen is considered as an important determinant of its grain yield. Though inorganic fertilizer is widely recommended, the problem of high cost and inaccessibility limit its usage by resource poor farmers. Biochar application provides a new technology for both soil fertility and crop productivity improvement. With limited research on the suitability of biochar for soil improvement practices in Ghana, our objective was to determine the synergistic effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer on the nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency, and yield of maize. Field experiment was conducted in Ghana, KNUST, in the major and minor raining seasons. Biochar was applied at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha^?1 and fertilizer N applied at 0, 45, and 90?kg ha^?1. The results showed significantly (p??1 supplemented with 45?kg N ha^?1 increased N uptake by 200%, and grain yield by 213% and 160% relative to the control in the minor and major rainy seasons, respectively. The greater yield of maize recorded on biochar-amended soils was attributed to the improved N uptake and nitrogen use efficiency. In conclusion, our finding suggests that the application of combined biochar and inorganic N fertilizer is not only ecologically prudent, but economically viable and a practicable alternative to current farmers’ practice of cultivating maize in Ghana.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect the growth,nutrient uptake and water status of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in two types of coal mine spoils under drought stress

Drought stress greatly affects the growth and development of plants in coal mine spoils located in the Inner Mongolia grassland ecosystem. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase plant tolerance to drought. However, little is known regarding the contribution of AMF to plants that are grown in different types of coal mine spoils under drought stress. To evaluate the mycorrhizal effects on the drought tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in weathered (S1) and spontaneously combusted (S2) coal mine spoils, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of inoculation with Rhizophagus intraradices on the growth, nutrient uptake, carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry and water status of maize under well-watered, moderate and severe drought stress conditions. The results indicated that drought stress increased mycorrhizal colonization and decreased plant dry weights, nutrient contents, leaf moisture percentage of fresh weight (LMP), water use efficiency (WUE) and rehydration rate. A high level of AMF colonization ranging from 65 to 90% was observed, and the mean root colonization rates in S1 were lower than those in S2. In both substrates, inoculation with R. intraradices significantly improved the plant growth, P contents, LMP and WUE and decreased the C:P and N:P ratios of plants under drought stress. In addition, maize grown in S1 and S2 exhibited different wilting properties in response to AMF inoculation, and plant rehydration after drought stress occurred faster in mycorrhizal plants. The results suggested that inoculation with R. intraradices played a more positive role in improving the drought stress resistance of plants grown in S2 than those grown in S1. AMF inoculation has a beneficial effect on plant tolerance to drought and effectively facilitates the development of plants in different coal mine spoils.     

Soil temperature,growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by wheat straw mulch

Maize crop is grown mostly in tropical/subtropical environments where drought adversely affects its production. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four years (1999 – 2002) to study the effect of wheat straw mulch (0 and 6 t ha^?1) and planting methods (flat and channel) on maize sown on different dates. Maximum soil temperature without mulch ranged from 32.2 – 44.4°C in channel and 31.6 – 46.4°C in flat planting method. Mulching, however, lowered soil temperature by 0.8 – 7.0°C in channel and 0 – 9.8°C in flat planting. Mulching, on an average, improved leaf area index by 0.42, plant height by 14 cm, grain yield by 0.24 t ha^?1 and biomass by 1.57 t ha^?1, respectively. Mulching improved grain yield only in flat sowing. Interaction between sowing date and planting method was significant. Seasonal variation in biomass were significantly correlated (p = 0.05) with mean air temperature during 0 – 45 days after planting (DAP) (r = ?0.95), pan evaporation during 0 – 15 DAP (r = 0.79) and negative correlation with rainfall in entire cropping season (r = ?0.89), whereas biomass increase with mulch in different cropping seasons had negative relation (r = ?0.74) with amount of rain during 0 – 15 DAP.     

生物炭和AM真菌提高矿区土壤养分有效性的机理

【目的】矿区土壤贫瘠、有效养分含量低,而生物炭和丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal, AM)真菌能够改善土壤养分,提高植物对环境胁迫的抗性和养分的利用。因此探究生物炭和AM真菌对矿区土壤的改良效果,可为矿区污染土壤生态恢复和新型肥料的开发提供参考。【方法】温室盆栽试验的土壤采自河南省洛阳市新安县江春矿区,以玉米"弘单897"为试验材料。试验设计4个处理,分别为原状土壤对照(CK)、添加生物炭(B)、接种AM真菌(M)、添加生物炭和接种AM真菌(BM),每处理重复8次,完全随机区组设计,玉米于矿区土壤中培育2个月后收获,测定根系生长、生理特性和土壤养分含量。【结果】施用生物炭和接种AM真菌均能够促进玉米生长,提高玉米叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、叶色值(SPAD值)和抗氧化酶活性,提高土壤养分含量。接种AM真菌对促进玉米生长、改善生理特性和磷吸收的效果优于生物炭,而生物炭提高土壤pH值和玉米对钾吸收的效果较好。生物炭和AM真菌联合处理玉米的总根长、根部和地上部干重分别较CK增加了84.22%、176.67%和45.84%,玉米叶片的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度分别较对照提高35.42%、56.44%和88.31%,叶色值比CK提高了22.77%,菌根侵染率较CK提高234.20%,菌丝密度可达到4.37 m/g,总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素分别达到4.32 g/kg和1.60 g/kg,有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量分别较对照提高24.23%、43.26%、98.63%和33.93%。【结论】生物炭和AM真菌单独或复合处理均能够促进玉米生长和提高土壤养分有效性,生物炭和AM真菌联合处理可促进玉米生长、改善生理特性、促进养分吸收、提高土壤养分效果,可作为退化土壤生态修复和农业生产安全的一项有效措施。     

黄土区大型露天煤矿复垦24a土壤碳氮组分特征

研究大型露天煤矿典型植被恢复模式下土壤碳、氮组分特征,为深入理解露天煤矿高压实复垦土壤碳、氮固持过程及复垦土壤成土过程提供依据。以黄土区典型露天煤矿-平朔露天煤矿的复垦24a的刺槐-油松混交林（RP）、刺槐纯林（RM）、白杆-青杆-沙棘混交林（PPH）、沙棘纯林（HM）4种典型植被恢复模式样地及未复垦样地（UR）、原地貌样地（UD）为研究对象,采集0～20 cm表层土壤样品,分析土壤碳、氮组分特征。结果表明：1）经过24a演替,复垦土壤理化性质得到明显提高,但各样地间土壤理化性质明显显著。2）同UR样地相比,RP、RM和PPH样地的土壤有机碳含量分别提高594.03%、158.66%、99.25%;RP和PPH样地的微生物生物量碳则分别提高174.68%、209.34%;RP和HM样地的水溶性碳分别提高110.13%、82.99%;RP、RM样地的易氧化碳含量则分别为UR样地的35.55倍和7倍。3) 与UR样地相比,RP、RM、PPH、HM样地的土壤全氮含量分别提高413.24%、250.00%、100%和82.35%;RP、PPH、HM样地的水溶性氮含量分别提高206.33%、153.02%、99.95%;PPH样地的微生物生物量氮含量提高368.07%。4）复垦土壤碳、氮组分之间呈现正相关关系,但与全钾呈现显著负相关（P<0.05）。上述结果表明,土地复垦显著提高了土壤碳、氮组分含量,尤以刺槐-油松混交林效果较好,但复垦24a后,矿区土壤可能存在钾限制的现象。     

Impact of lignite washery sludge on mine soil quality and poplar trees growth

This paper outlines research on the use of lignite washery sludge as the amendment for reclamation of lignite mine soil and stimulating poplar trees growth. Sludge is characterized by high total C content (∼34%) and high C/N ratio (68:1). The sludge was introduced by ploughing in, down to 20–25 cm depth, in the quantities: 0, 28, 56 and 112 t ha⁻¹. We have established that the N percentage in poplar leaves decreases with introducing increasing quantities of sludge into the mine soil. On the other hand, the content of B and Cd increased with increasing sludge quantities. The As content in poplar leaves did not correlate with the applied quantities of sludge, but it did with the P, Fe and Zn content in the leaves. Introducing this sludge can have a positive effect on annual tree trunk increment, but only in the subsequent phases of growth. In the first few years an increase of total C content by introducing lignite washery sludge is not sufficient to provide the conditions for faster growth of trees. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response of maize (Zea mays) to Azotobacter inoculation under fertilized and unfertilized conditions

Summary Inoculated seeds of maize (Zea mays) with 11 Azotobacter strains, sown in the fields receiving no fertilizer and fertilizers (N and P at the rate of 125 and 40 kg ha^–1 respectively) increased the grain yield by 19.63% and 15.89% respectively over the corresponding control. The effect was greater in unfertilized than in fertilized soil. The increase in yield due to fertilizers was 21.2% without inoculation and 37.09% with inoculation. The correlations between total yield, and N, P and K uptake were highly significant and comparable among themselves. This indicated that increase in yield due to inoculation was not due to N₂ fixation but that some other mechanisms like production of growth hormones by this bacterium may be responsible.     

Comparative effect of human urine and ammonium nitrate application on maize (Zea mays L.) grown under various salt (NaCl) concentrations

The present study investigates the effect of urine and ammonium nitrate on maize (Zea mays L.) vegetative growth, leaf nutrient concentration, soil electrical conductivity, and exchangeable‐cations contents under various concentrations of NaCl in a soil substrate. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design with eight replications under greenhouse conditions. The experimental soil substrate was made from a 1 : 1 : 1 volume‐ratio mixture of compost, quartz sand, and silty‐loam soil. Salinity was induced by adding 0, 15, and 30 mL of 1 M NaCl solution per kg of substrate to achieve an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.3 (S0), 4.6 (S1), and 7.6 (S2) dS m^–1. Nitrogen sources were urine and ammonium nitrate applied at 180 and 360 mg N (kg soil substrate)^–1. Basal P and K were added as mono potassium phosphate in amounts equivalent to 39 mg P and 47 mg K (kg substrate)^–1, respectively. In the S0 treatment, a 3‐fold increase in EC was measured after urine application compared to an insignificant change in ammonium nitrate–fertilized substrates 62 d after sowing. Under saline conditions, application of 360 mg N (kg soil)^–1 as urine significantly decreased soil pH and maize shoot dry weight. At the highest salt and N dose (S2, N360) 50% of urine‐fertilized plants died. Regardless of salinity there was no significant difference between the two fertilizers for investigated growth factors when N was supplied at 180 mg (kg soil)^–1. Leaf N and Ca contents were higher after urine application than in ammonium nitrate–fertilized plants. At an application rate of 180 mg N (kg soil)^–1, urine was a suitable fertilizer for maize under saline conditions. Higher urine‐N dosages and/or soil salinity exceeding 7.6 dS m^–1 may have a deleterious effect on maize growth.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) grown in rare earth elements of mine tailings

Rare earth elements (REE) of mine tailings have caused various ecological and environmental problems. Revegetation is one of the most cost-effective ways to overcome these problems, but it is difficult for plants to survive in polluted tailings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can provide biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to its host plant and has widely adopted for the revegetation of degraded ecosystems. However, little is known about whether AMF plays role in facilitating the revegetation of REE of mine tailings. The objective was to investigate the uptake of nutrients and REE when plants are inoculated with AMF. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted on the effects of Glomus mosseae and Glomus versiforme for the growth, nutritional status, and uptake of REE and heavy metals by maize (Zea mays L.) or sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) grown in REE of mine tailings. The results indicated that symbiotic associations were successfully established between AMF and the two plant species. G. versiforme was more effective than G. mosseae at promoting plant growth by significantly increasing the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and decreasing carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry. The shoot and root dry weights of the two plant species were increased by 211–387% with G. versiforme inoculation. Maize and sorghum exhibited significant differences in the REE concentrations in response to the colonization by AMF. The shoot and root lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), and neodymium (Nd) concentrations of the maize inoculated with G. versiforme were decreased by approximately 70%, whereas those in the roots of sorghum were increased by approximately 70%. G. mosseae only significantly decreased the La, Ce, Pr, and Nd concentrations in the maize shoots. Inoculation with AMF also significantly decreased the concentration of certain heavy metals in the shoots and roots of maize and sorghum. These findings indicate that AMF can alleviate the effects of REE and heavy metal toxicity on plants and enhance the ability of plants to adapt to the composite adversity of REE in mine tailings.     

Characterization of Pterocarpus macrocarpus (pradoo wood) biochar and its effect on the retention properties of sandy soils in Northeast Thailand

Pradoo wood biochar has been tested in order to explore sustainable solutions to the development of agriculture on poor sandy soils in marginal areas in Northeast Thailand. Some basic physicochemical properties of biochar, for example pore size distribution, cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (SSA), and water and nutrient adsorption, were determined and compared to soil properties in order to determine appropriate biochar application to soil. Pradoo wood biochar showed important adsorption properties with high SSA, CEC and nutrient adsorption. The water retention properties were also improved on the dry end of the water retention curve. Phosphorous and ammonium adsorption–desorption isotherms were established and their respective affinity for the biochar surface was quantified, by the means of a retention index and thermodynamical parameters. We found that despite excellent retention properties, biochar needs to be added in large amounts (between 10 and 70 kg m⁻²) to soil to be able to modify noticeably the resulting soil properties.     

基于CT分析露天煤矿复垦年限对土壤有效孔隙数量和孔隙度的影响

露天煤矿排土场由于排土过程中大型机械压实等作用会对土壤的孔隙结构产生影响,重构适合于植被生长的土壤孔隙结构是排土场土地复垦的重要工作。为对排土场重构土壤孔隙结构进行定量分析,该文采用高精度无损计算机断层扫描技术（CT）对山西平朔矿区安太堡露天煤矿排土场平台全黄土母质覆盖的不同复垦年限（0、20、23 a）以及原地貌的土壤进行分层扫描成像,并利用Photoshop和Arcgis软件对扫描图像进行处理和统计分析,探讨了排土和复垦对土壤孔隙数量和孔隙度的影响,分析了排土场重构土壤大、中和小孔隙的变化。结果表明：原地貌土壤孔隙数量和孔隙度最大,其次是复垦23和20 a的土壤,排土后未复垦土壤孔隙数量和孔隙度最小。采矿和排土等活动由于大型机械压实作用降低了土壤孔隙数量和孔隙度,尤其是大孔隙数量和大孔隙度;土地复垦对增加土壤孔隙数量和孔隙度有一定的作用,但是过程比较缓慢。采矿和排土等活动对表层土壤孔隙数量和孔隙度的影响要高于底层土壤。该研究可为黄土区大型露天煤矿排土场重构土壤结构的优化与土地复垦措施选择提供依据。     

Prediction of maize (Zea mays L.) population using normalized-difference vegetative index (NDVI) and coefficient of variation (CV)

The process of improving crop management inputs by use of remote sensing devices is a new technology. This study presents the use of the normalized-difference vegetative index (NDVI) combined with the coefficient of variation (CV) to predict plant populations in corn (Zea mays L.) over different growth stages and different locations. About 76 plots were selected from the two sites to conduct this research. The results showed that we were not able to reliably predict plant population at lately growth stages because the canopy covered the soil with overlapping leaves. However, at early growth stages, the results suggest that as the corn plant emerged from the soil, the biomass per unit area was small and the sensor technology application for prediction of plant population was possible. Further studies may be designed based on this observation to investigate the possibility at early growth stages such as V2 and V3.     

Residual effects of poultry litter on silage maize (Zea mays L.) growth and soil properties derived from volcanic ash

Abstract

Poultry litter (PL) is a cheap alternative to conventional fertilizers. The use of PL in this way also reduces the environmental problems normally associated with its disposal. The residual effect of PL may reduce the amount of fertilizer (especially N fertilizer) required by subsequent crops. This study examines the residual effects of PL (with and without additional mineral fertilizer) on the properties of a volcanic ash soil and on silage maize (Zea mays) yields in central Chile. Poultry litter and mineral fertilizer were applied in 2002–2003 and their residual effects were determined in 2004–2006. The dry matter (DM) yield, nutrient balance and apparent nitrogen recovery efficiency (ANRE) of the silage maize were determined for each season, and the soil properties were analyzed at three depths (0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm) at the end of the third season. Crop yield showed a positive response to all fertilizer treatments. The residual effect, the nutrient balance, N uptake and ANRE also improved with fertilizer treatment, especially with the PL treatments. The average DM yield for the PL treatments was higher than that observed using mineral fertilizer by 2.8 and 1.2 Mg ha^?1 in the third and fourth years, respectively. The ANRE was generally higher in the PL treatments, although it decreased over time (12.4 and 1.7% for the last 2 years, respectively). The mean ANREs for the mineral fertilizer treatment were 4.1 and 1.6% for the same years. The results suggest that the PL treatments had an important positive residual effect in terms of N supply. This should be taken into account when planning the next crop. After two annual applications of PL, slight increases were observed in soil NO₃-N at a depth of 0–20 cm, and extractable P at depths of 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm. No other soil variables were significantly affected by any of the treatments. An additional source of K was found to be necessary to maintain an adequate soil K level.     

High biochar rates may suppress rice (Oryza sativa) growth by altering the ratios of C to N and available N to P in paddy soils

Although most studies have indicated that biochar can boost rice (Oryza sativa) growth, the material may also suppress it, depending on ratios of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) and available N to available phosphorous (P). The current study sought to examine the impacts of biochar on rice growth and to identify underlying mechanisms. A pot experiment was conducted using two soils of high (3.05%) and low (0.54%) organic carbon (OC) content, mixed with 0, 1.5, 3, 6, and 12% biochar and planted with rice. Rice growth components, five rice tissue nutrients, and nine soil properties were measured. The results showed that the response of rice growth to biochar rates could be described using an exponential-growth function in high-OC soil but an inverted U-shaped curve in low-OC soil. In high-OC soil, the 12% biochar rate led to the greatest total biomass, increased by 47%, whereas in low-OC soil, the 3 and 6% rates exhibited the highest total biomass, increased by 44%, compared to the no-biochar added soils. Biochar elevated the C:N ratio from 11.5 to 39.1, with an optimal range of 20–30 corresponding to the highest rice growth. Biochar declined the ratio of NH₄-N to Mehlich-1 P, causing N deficiency. In brief, high biochar rates may suppress rice growth when the soil C:N ratio exceeds 30. The applied biochar rate should be considered based on soil properties typically OC and N content to obtain the C:N ratio between 20 and 30 for optimal rice growth.     

Silicon alleviates the toxicity of cadmium and zinc for maize (Zea mays L.) grown on a contaminated soil

Although silicon (Si) is not an essential element, it presents a close relationship with the alleviation of heavy‐metal toxicity to plants. This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of Si application to soil on the amelioration of metal stress to maize grown on a contaminated soil amended with Si (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg^–1) as calcium silicate (CaSiO₃). Additionally, the cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) bioavailability as well as their distribution into soil fractions was also studied. The results showed that adding Si to a Cd‐ and Zn‐contaminated soil effectively diminished the metal stress and resulted in biomass increase in comparison to metal‐contaminated soil not treated with Si. This relied on Cd and Zn immobilization in soil rather than on the increase of soil pH driven by calcium silicate application. Silicon altered the Cd and Zn distribution in soil fractions, decreasing the most bioavailable pools and increasing the allocation of metals into more stable fractions such as organic matter and crystalline iron oxides.     

东露天煤矿区采矿对土地利用和土壤侵蚀的影响预测

黄土区大型露天矿区是一种剧烈的人工扰动区域,采矿活动对土地资源和生态与环境破坏非常严重,正确预测人工开采引发的人为加速土壤侵蚀与土地利用变化,可为生态脆弱煤矿区的生态恢复和重建提供依据。该文采用RS、GIS技术、统计分析、类比和趋势外推相结合的方法,对东露天矿区2005～2080年的土地利用变化和水土流失进行了预测性研究。结果表明：75年间,在没有采取生态重建的措施下,农用地减少3666.07 hm²,未利用地减少1402.13 hm²,居民点用地减少121.80 hm²,全部变为独立工矿用地。土地利用结构和类型由多样性向单一类型的裸露的独立工矿用地发展,水土流失量由54.50万t/a变为77.85万t/a。