Determination of “normal” levels and upper limit values of trace elements in soils

To determine “normal” levels of trace elements in soils, soil samples taken all over Belgium were analysed. The selection of the sampling places was based on the geological substrata, from which the soils originate and on the texture class to which they belong. The elements As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, V and Zn were determined using an extraction method with strong acids. The found concentrations were called “total acid extraction concentrations”, although this extraction does not extract all the elements which are incorporated into the minerals. This has been done, however, by arc emission spectrography which was applied to determine the elements Ag, B, Co, Cr, Ga, Mo, Ni, Sn, Sr and V. The greatest difference between the “overall total” concentrations and the “total extractable concentrations” were found for chromium. Based on the obtained results, an upper limit for normal levels of trace elements was fixed. For Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb and Sb, this upper limit value is almost the same for all the investigated soils irrelevant of their texture. The same conclusion could not be made for the other elements. For these elements, the soil texture and also the geological parent material, on which the soil was formed, have an influence on the upper limit value.     

钙镁缺乏对不同甘薯品种的生长及矿质元素吸收的影响

为了探索钙、镁元素缺乏对不同甘薯品种的生长及矿质元素吸收的影响,采用砂培的方法,以苏16和苏11为材料,在钙、镁缺乏条件下,对其外观症状、叶绿素含量、光合作用、地上与地下部分生物量及其根部和叶部矿质元素含量进行了研究。结果表明:钙、镁缺乏时苏16和苏11的叶绿素含量、净光合速率、地上和地下生物量均显著下降,苏11的下降幅度比苏16大,缺钙条件下,苏16的显著症状为烂根,并且只有根部和叶部的钙含量显著下降(P0.05),苏11的典型症状为老叶坏死的斑块沿着靠近叶柄的叶边缘不规则向外扩散,逐渐衰老枯落,并且根部钙含量显著降低伴随铁的显著降低(P0.05),可能伴有缺铁并发症,缺镁条件下,苏16和苏11的典型症状相同,叶片均失绿,老叶逐渐枯萎脱落,并且根部和叶部的镁含量显著降低伴随着硫含量的显著降低(P0.05),可能伴有缺硫并发症。     

两种枣树矿质营养元素累积特性研究

为探明枣树矿质营养元素的累积分配特征,以3年生骏枣树和灰枣树为试材,采用彻底刨根、分解取样的方法,研究了生物量的构成特点、各器官矿质元素含量和累积分配特性。结果表明,骏枣树总干质量为2694.3 g/plant,其中营养器官占68.0%,分别比灰枣高27.6%和21.9%。其N、P、K、Ca、Mg总累积量为33.91、3.43、22.20、31.25和5.53 g/plant,分别比灰枣树高50.1%、22.5%、24.7%、51.0%和88.7%。其中,N主要分配到叶片和果实,P、K主要分配到果实和叶片,Ca、Mg主要分配到叶片和主干;新生营养器官N、P、K的吸收比例为1: 0.063～0.083: 0.41～0.46,果实N、P、K的吸收比例为1: 0.19～0.20: 1.34～1.48。每生产1000 kg干质量骏枣需吸收N 32.83、P 3.41、K 23.14、Ca 29.06、Mg 5.32 kg;灰枣需吸收N 20.53、P 2.66、K 17.71、Ca 18.01、Mg 2.49 kg。骏枣生产单位干质量果实需吸收的养分比灰枣多,养分利用效率比灰枣低。骏枣树养分在叶片中的分配率显著高于灰枣树,在果实中的分配率则显著低于灰枣树。     

Characterization of a Unique “Super Soft” Kernel Trait in Wheat

Kernel texture in wheat (Triticum sp.) is central to end‐use quality and utilization. Here we report the discovery of a novel soft kernel trait in soft white winter wheat (T. aestivum L.). Two heritable kernel phenotypes were selected among F₃‐derived sibs, hereafter designated “normal soft” (wild‐type) and “super soft.” Normal soft lines exhibited single kernel characterization system (SKCS) hardness index (HI) values typical of soft wheat (HI ≈ 20), whereas the super soft lines were unusually soft (HI ≈ 5). Under some environments, individual super soft lines exhibited HI values as low as HI = –4. The super soft trait was manifested in reduced SKCS kernel texture and higher break flour yields, with some increase in sodium carbonate SRC (solvent retention capacity) values and sponge cake volumes. Straight‐grade flour yield, flour ash, milling score, and cookie diameter were largely unaffected. With the possible exception of the sodium carbonate SRC values, we observed no indication that the super soft trait conferred any negative aspects to commercial soft wheat quality. As such, the super soft trait may provide wheat breeders with new opportunities to modify the end‐use quality of wheat.     

铁及其它矿质元素在苹果树不同器官中的分布

成龄苹果树果实采收期整株分析结果表明，单株总铁含量4915.78mg，叶、果、根、枝干的铁含量分布为1165.36mg、300.72mg、1500.38mg和1950.43mg，分别占单株总铁量的23.70%、6.12%、30.52%和39.66%。铁浓度以幼嫩根中最高，直径＜0.5cm根中达257.51mg／kg；其次为叶片，达214.09mg/kg；果实中最低，为18.27mg/kg。微量元素在叶中以铁浓度最高，在果实中以硼浓度最高，为29.26mg/kg；大量元素在叶中以氮浓度最高达18300mg/kg，在果实中以钾浓度最高，为6200mg/kg。     

Accumulation soils like “Ockererde”—forgotten soil units in soil‐classification systems

Accumulation soils like those known as “Ockererde” are not yet represented in the German and in international soil‐classification systems, even though they represent important members of catenas found in humid low‐mountain areas influenced by the translocation of interpedon matter. Currently, this soil is referred to as “(Hang‐)Oxigley”, though this does not take into account its water and matter dynamics. Six representative catenas in the Black Forest (SW Germany) will be used to describe the occurrence, extent, and properties of the accumulation‐affected “Ockererde” derived from a variety of parent materials at specific altitudes. On the basis of their morphological, chemical, and physical properties as well as matter dynamics, it is possible to distinguish “Ockererde” clearly from soil units with similar characteristics (“Lockerbraunerde”, Andosols). Finally, suggestions will be given for the classification of “Ockererde”.     

外源硒矿粉对玉米硒累积及矿质元素吸收的影响

【目的】通过生物强化的方法获得生物安全形态的有机硒,是实现人体科学补硒的重要途径。研究外源硒矿粉在生产中的合理施用量及其对作物的影响,可为富硒农产品生产提供理论与技术指导。【方法】以玉米为试材,以湖北恩施的富硒矿粉(总硒含量为180 mg/kg)为硒源进行田间试验,研究了玉米对外源硒的吸收与转化及施硒对玉米矿质元素吸收的影响。设5个施硒处理: Se 0 (CK)、 750 (Se1)、 1500 (Se2)、 2250 (Se3) 和3000 g/hm2 (Se4)。于玉米大喇叭口期和成熟期取样,测定玉米不同部位总硒含量以及玉米籽粒中总硒、 有机硒及矿质元素含量。【结果】土壤施用富硒矿粉对玉米籽粒产量和总生物量没有显著影响,但可显著增加玉米籽粒及各器官硒含量。随硒施用量由0增加到3000 g/hm2,玉米籽粒中硒含量由14.2 μg/kg 增加到350.3 μg/kg。除Se2处理外,玉米根系中的硒含量在收获期高于抽穗期,而玉米茎和叶中的硒含量在收获期低于抽穗期。玉米不同器官对硒的富集能力依次为根叶籽粒茎,而玉米对硒的转移系数大小顺序亦为叶籽粒茎。与对照相比,施硒使玉米籽粒中有机硒含量显著增加,不同施硒处理玉米籽粒中有机硒含量范围为12.9~302.6 μg/kg,随土壤施硒量增加,有机硒占总硒的比例从86.87%增加到90.84%,不同处理之间有机硒所占比例差异不显著。玉米籽粒总硒、 有机硒与各器官硒含量之间均表现出显著的相关性,其中籽粒中有机硒与不同生育期根中硒含量达到极显著相关水平。施硒可显著抑制玉米籽粒对Na的吸收,对K、 Ca、 Mg、 Fe 的吸收无显著影响,一定的施硒水平下,可促进玉米籽粒对Mn、 Cu、 Zn的吸收。【结论】施用外源硒矿粉对玉米生物量与籽粒产量无显著影响。随施硒量增加,玉米籽粒中总硒含量和有机硒含量与对照相比显著增加,但对玉米籽粒中的有机硒与总硒的比例没有显著影响。一定施硒水平下,可促进玉米籽粒对Mn、 Cu、 Zn的吸收。以纯硒施用量为750~1500 g/hm2作为硒矿粉在富硒玉米生产中的推荐施硒量。     

Micromorphology of a “welded” Sangamonian to Wisconsinan age paleosol in southwestern Wisconsin

Micromorphological characteristics indicate that in southwestern Wisconsin pedogenesis transgressed the Sangamonian-Wisconsinan chronostratigraphic boundary in conjunction with colluvial and eolian sedimentation. The use of micromorphology helps to distinguish between pedological, colluvial, and eolian components in the paleosol horizon sequence, which can be difficult to resolve and interpret solely from field investigations and from other laboratory analyses. Results show that a basal loess “mixed zone” within the welded paleosol profile contains features that are the products of colluvial reworking processes. We present micromorphology data which support stratigraphic relationships suggesting that colluvial processes were important in the formation of basal loess “mixed zones” in addition to other possible mixing processes such as pedoturbation and bioturbation.     

Note on the genesis and ecology of “White Pulp Soils” in NE- China

“White Pulp Soils” are eutric Planosols, their permeability profile being caused more by stratification than by lessivage and most likely not by ferrolysis. For climatic reasons their water/air regime differs very much from many other surface water soils, dry periods being more typical for the early and wet ones for the late summer. This may influence the diagnostic weight of the profile morphology and the transferability of ecological threshold values from stagnosols of other regions.     

Communication of the results of the “Primary Production in the Sahel (PPS)” research project

The main conclusions of the Malian-Dutch “Primary Production in the Sahel (PPS)” research project, which was carried out during 1976–1981 (Penning de Vries and Djitèye, 1982), may be summarized as follows: (1) poor soil quality is just as great a barrier to rural development as water shortage; (2) animal production is high per unit area, compared with similar ecological zones in the U.S.A. and Australia; (3) attempts to increase production without due attention to the shortage of soil nutrients are bound to fail; (4) socio-economic conditions determine the feasibility of productive investments in agriculture in the Sahel. This article presents the PPS approach to publicizing these results and promoting a badly needed revision of development policy in the Sahel.     

Mineralization of “non‐metabolizable” glucose analogues in soil: potential chemosensory mimics of glucose

Glucose is widely used to study the dynamics of easily available organics in soil. Pure culture studies have revealed that many microorganisms can sense and respond to glucose through chemosensory mechanisms that are not directly reliant on energy catabolism. However, the rapid mineralization of glucose by microorganisms makes it difficult to disentangle its energy effects from such non‐catabolic interactions. “Non‐metabolizable” glucose analogues have proven useful in mechanistic studies of glucose in pure culture, but have never been applied to complex microbial communities in soil. We sought to determine how their mineralization in soil differs from that of glucose, and whether they have potential as a new approach for investigating chemosensory mechanisms in soil microbiology. We incubated soil from an agricultural Haplic Luvisol under controlled conditions for 24 d and monitored CO₂ efflux after addition of (1) glucose, and three “non‐metabolizable” glucose analogues: (2) 2‐deoxyglucose (DG), (3) α‐methylglucoside (αMG), and (4) 3‐O‐methyl‐glucose (OMG), at three concentration levels, along with a control. All three analogues did in fact produce a large increase in soil CO₂ efflux, but the dynamics of their mineralization differed from the rapid degradation seen for glucose. At medium and high concentrations, CO₂ efflux peaked between 2.5 and 4 d after amendment with DG and αMG, and was delayed by about one week for OMG. The markedly different patterns of mineralization between glucose and OMG offer a new tool for investigating the behavior of glucose in soil. By using OMG as a glucose model, chemosensory mechanisms could be studied with limited interference from energy catabolism.     

The role of “effective microorganisms” in the composting of banana (Musa ssp.) residues

“Effective microorganisms” (EM) are a poorly defined mixture of supposedly beneficial microorganisms that are claimed to enhance microbial turnover in compost and soil. In Costa Rica, EM are used to produce organic compost (bokashi) from banana residues (Musa ssp.). Given the scarcity of scientific data about the effects of EM on the mineralization of plant residues, this study aimed at investigating the effects of EM addition on the decomposition of banana residues during Bokashi production. To this end, the following non‐EM treatments were compared to EM Bokashi: Bokashi produced with water (W), with molasses (M) as an EM additive, and with sterilized EM (EMst). Subsequently, the effects of the resulting Bokashi treatments on the growth of young banana plants were evaluated. Compared with non‐EM controls, the effect of EM on the mineralization of banana material was negligible. Dry‐matter losses of the composts with different EM treatments were similar, with about 78% over 5 weeks. Ergosterol concentration was highest in EM Bokashi (77 µg (g dry soil)^–1) and lowest in EMst Bokashi (29 µg (g dry soil)^–1). Microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and microbial biomass nitrogen (N_mic) were both lowest in EM (C_mic = 3121 µg g^–1; N_mic = 449 µg g^–1), while C_mic was highest in Bokashi produced with molasses (3892 µg g^–1) and N_mic was highest in EMst (615 µg g^–1). Treatment effects on adenylate concentrations and adenylate energy charge were negligible. Application of all Bokashi variants to young banana plants significantly increased shoot growth under greenhouse conditions compared to plants grown in a control soil without amendments. However, these effects were similar for all Bokashi treatments, even if EM Bokashi increased the K concentrations in banana leaves significantly compared to Bokashi produced with EMst and the control. Bokashi produced with only molasses and EM Bokashi decreased the number of root nematodes under greenhouse conditions compared to the control. Overall, the results confirmed the expected influence of composting on the degradation of organic material and the effect of compost application on plant growth. Hower, under the conditions of this study, EM showed no special effects in this, except for increasing the K concentrations in the leaves of young banana plants.     

Quantitation of Amines in Cereal Products: Thermal Processes Are Able to Generate “Biogenic” Amines

On the basis of a derivatization with dansyl chloride prior to LC‐MS/MS measurement, a new quantitation method by means of stable isotope dilution analysis was developed for different amines, such as 2‐ and 3‐methylbutylamine, methylpropylamine, and 2‐phenylethylamine. The method was applied both to different cereal products and to a model system, revealing that the amines stemming from the parent amino acids l ‐isoleucine, l ‐leucine, l ‐valine, and l ‐phenylalanine can also be generated by a “thermogenic” pathway besides the well‐established enzymatic formation. A model system simulating the Strecker reaction by heating single amino acids with an α‐dicarbonyl compound (2‐oxopropanal) showed besides the formation of the well‐known desired aroma‐active Strecker aldehydes also the generation of the corresponding Strecker amines, which are undesired in food due to their negative physiological impacts on human health. Thus, a thermal formation of “biogenic” amines was shown, both in cereal‐based foods and in a model system. A contribution of these amines to the overall food aroma is also possible. With this knowledge at hand, mitigation strategies for the formation of amines undesired for health reasons in parallel with a favored generation of the corresponding aroma‐active aldehydes, depending on the processing parameters, can be suggested to food manufacturers.     

The “soil microbial loop” is not always needed to explain protozoan stimulation of plants

Protozoa stimulate plant growth, but we do not completely understand the underlying mechanisms, and different hypotheses seek to explain this phenomenon. To test these hypotheses, we grew the grass Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) in pots with soil, which contained either (1) no organisms but bacteria – or (2) bacteria and protozoa. Half of the pots received a glucose treatment so as to mimic an additional root exudation. We measured plant growth and plant nitrogen uptake, along with various microbial pools and processes that support plant growth. Protozoan presence significantly enhanced soil nitrogen mineralization, plant nitrogen uptake from organic nitrogen sources, plant nitrogen content, and plant growth. By contrast, we found no evidence that glucose addition, mimicking root exudation, increased soil nitrogen availability and plant nitrogen uptake. Moreover, although protozoan presence affected bacterial community structure, it did not affect the proportion of IAA-producing bacteria in the community or plant root morphology. These results refute the “soil microbial loop” hypotheses, which suggest that protozoan stimulation of plant growth results from complex interactions between plant roots, bacteria and protozoa. Our experiment thus favours the simple explanation that increased nitrogen availability is the key factor behind the positive protozoan effect on plant growth. To exploit natural resources in an efficient and environmentally friendly way, we need to understand in detail the functioning of ecosystems. This study stresses that to achieve this, it is still urgent, besides investigating intricate food-web and signal compound interactions, also to focus on the basic stoichiometric and energetic aspects of organisms.     

Adsorption of “real” dissolved organic matter on the clay and fine silt fractions of a forested Stagnic Gleysol

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils is partially adsorbed when passing through a soil profile. In most adsorption studies, water soluble organic matter extracted by water or dilute salt solutions is used instead of real DOM gained in situ by lysimeters or ceramic suction cups. We investigated the adsorption of DOM gained in situ from three compartments (forest floor leachate and soil solution from 20 cm (Bg horizon) and 60 cm depth (2Bg horizon)) on the corresponding clay and fine silt fractions (< 6.3 μm, separated together from the bulk soil) of the horizons Ah, Bg, and 2Bg of a forested Stagnic Gleysol by batch experiments. An aliquot of each clay and fine silt fraction was treated with H₂O₂ to destroy soil organic matter. Before and after the experiments, the solutions were characterized by ultra‐violet and fluorescence spectroscopy and analyzed for sulfate, chloride, nitrate, and fluoride. The highest affinity for DOM was found for the Ah samples, and the affinity decreased in the sequence Ah > Bg > 2Bg. Dissolved organic matter in the 2Bg horizon can be regarded as slightly reactive, because adsorption was low. Desorption of DOM from the subsoil samples was reflected more realistically with a non‐linear regression approach than with initial mass isotherms. The results show that the extent of DOM adsorption especially in subsoils is controlled by the composition and by the origin of the DOM used as adsorptive rather than by the mineralogical composition of the soil or by contents of soil organic matter. We recommend to use DOM gained in situ when investigating the fate of DOM in subsoils.     

Constructing China's Roads as Works of Art: A Case Study of “Esthetic Greenway” Construction in the Shennongjia Region of China

Sustainable development based on economic growth that is environmentally sound is increasingly essential. To achieve both ecological and social progress without detracting from China's primary economic objectives, China's Ministry of Communications has promoted the strategy of harmonious road systems, for which artistic principles are incorporated in the road's design to balance the needs of the environment with those of socioeconomic development without neglecting human esthetic needs. To illustrate the new strategy's impact, we examined a project that has been conducted following this approach in the Shennongjia region of China's Hubei Province since 2004. As in the use of ecological corridors, the new strategy emphasizes the need to decrease the impact of road construction on plant and animal habitats by emphasizing the protection of existing natural habitats and the use of local species for revegetation of the land surrounding the roads. However, it also emphasizes the need to improve traffic safety, promote local tourism and economic growth, and provide a demonstration to citizens (including bureaucrats) of the need for environmental protection both during and after road construction. After 6 years of monitoring, we found that the new strategy both satisfies the human desire for beauty and improves the road's harmony with nature and the surrounding visual landscape while promoting environmental conservation, ecotourism, traffic safety, socioeconomic development, and cultural values. This approach will help to guide future landscape design, planning, and management. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An archaeopedological and phytolitarian study of the “Dark Earth” on the site of Rue de Dinant (Brussels, Belgium)

During the excavations of the site of Rue de Dinant in the historic centre of Brussels (Belgium), remains of the first city wall dating from the 13th century have been discovered. Intra muros thick dark sediment units predating this wall are observed. These dark units are among the oldest occupation traces so far encountered in this higher, eastern, part of the historic centre of Brussels. In order to characterise them, and to understand the human activities and natural processes behind their formation, an interdisciplinary research, integrating archaeopedology and phytolith study, has been undertaken. This approach permitted us to identify a range of natural and cultural processes leading to the formation of these dark layers, and to characterise different activities. Remains of a hearth, old plough land (cropfields) and grassland have been identified, all activities referring to a rural landscape organisation. Later on, the area changes into an enormous silt extraction area, whereby Dark Earth is thrown into the dug pits. Finally, the construction of the first city wall marks the area as becoming part of the city. The study of Dark Earth shows to be a potentially valuable tool to shed light on the development and spatial organisation of pre-urban Brussels, a historically very poorly documented period.     

Use of GIS and remote sensing for soil mapping and for locating new sites for permanent cropland — A case study in the “highlands” of northern Thailand

Until a few decades ago, the highlands of northern Thailand were predominantly under forest. Since then, a growing pressure on the land, partly from hill tribes living in the highlands, has led to rapid deforestation and land degradation. To counteract these problems, the Royal Thai Government started a “Highland Development Project” in 1990. Activities of this project include soil inventories and the use of soil and other data to locate new sites for cropland and settlements for hill tribes. In this paper, a case study is described in which the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and digital remote sensing methods is compared with the methods currently used in these activities. The GIS is used for the preparation of a terrain mapping unit (TMU) map which integrates data from existing maps and data interpreted from satellite images. The GIS is also used (i) to derive relevant information from the TMU/soil map (e.g. land suitability and estimated erosion rates) and (ii) to integrate this information with land cover/use and accessibility information. This integrated information is used to locate physically suitable, accessible and not yet used areas that could become potential new cropland sites for highland people after resettlement.

A comparison between the currently used methods and the GIS methods shows that apart from considerable time savings, also improvements in data quality are achieved, e.g. by the preparation of a slope map based on a digital terrain model and by up-dating of existing land use information with satellite imagery. The spatial and attribute data base in the GIS makes it possible to use the original, non-aggregated data and, in addition, facilitates the integration of the various data for the analysis of potential sites for resettlement according to various criteria and objectives.     

Channel incision, gravel mining and bedload transport in the Rhône river upstream of Lyon, France (“canal de Miribel”)

The Miribel canal is a former arm of the Rhône embanked between 1848 and 1857 over a length of 18 km to improve navigation at low discharges. The impact of this was a hydraulic tilting of the long profile characterised by 4 m of degradation upstream and 4-6 m of aggradation of bedload downstream. This phenomenon increased downstream flooding. Since 1937 a diversion dam has controlled upstream water input, thus reducing the transit of the pebble bedload. However, excessive harvesting of sands and gravels occurred between 1970 and 1980, resulting in a general lowering of the river bed and the accompanying water table with ecological consequences in the alluvial plain and for water supply. This development made it all the more necessary to obtain knowledge about the bedload discharges passing through the Miribel canal, and more broadly about the hydraulic conditions as functions of the varying discharge. Calculation of shear stresses and grain size measurements on the lateral bars after several floods in 1989-90 show that movement of bed-material is initiated at a discharge of 440 m³ · s⁻¹ (equalled or exceeded 40 days · year⁻¹), and becomes general at 550 m³ · s⁻¹ (equalled or exceeded 30 days · year⁻¹). Transport discharge is thus relatively frequent and involves distal fluvio-glacial deposits composed of fine-grained materials. Potential transport calculated by the Meyer-Peter formula is around 60,000 t · year⁻¹ for the range of discharges between 440 and 850 m³ · s⁻¹. For these discharge values, the canal experiences a loss of materials without replacement from upstream; for higher rates of discharge, the floodgates let through an unknown quantity of materials which partially make up the loss. Gravel harvesting ceased in 1991 but the diversion dam will have to be operated in a different way in order to increase the input of bedload into the canal.