Effect of plantain on nitrous oxide emissions and soil nitrification rate in pasture soil under a simulated urine patch in Canterbury,New Zealand

Purpose

The aim of this research was to quantify the effect of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) on soil nitrification rate, functional gene abundance of soil ammonia oxidisers, and the concomitant effect on nitrous oxide emissions from urine patches in a shallow, free-draining soil in Canterbury during late autumn/winter season.

Materials and methods

Urine was collected from dairy cows grazing either ryegrass/white clover (RGWC), 30% plantain (P30) mixed in with RGWC or 100% plantain (P100) pasture, and applied at two rates (700 or 450 kg N ha^?1) to intact soil blocks growing either RGWC, P30 or P100 pasture.

Results and discussion

Results showed that increased plantain content reduced N-concentration in urine from 7.2 in RGWC urine to 4.5 and 3.7 g N L^?1 in P30 and P100 urine, respectively. Total N₂O emissions and emission factors (EF₃) from urine-treated pastures were low, <?2 kg N ha^?1 and <?0.22%, respectively. Urine application at the lower urine N-loading rate of 450 kg N ha^?1 (i.e. representative of that in a P30 urine patch) resulted in 30% lower N₂O emissions (P?<?0.01) and 35% lower soil nitrate concentrations (P?<?0.001) compared to those at the higher urine loading rate of 700 kg N ha^?1 (i.e. representative of that in a RGWC urine patch). Increasing plantain content in the pasture sward from 0 to 30% and 100% with urine N applied at the same loading rate did not reduce N₂O emissions or nitrification compared to the standard ryegrass-white clover pasture. Cow urine derived from the different pasture diets had no effect on N₂O emissions, N transformation or ammonia-oxidiser abundance in soil compared to the RGWC urine applied at the same rate.

Conclusions

The main effect of plantain in this study appears to be related to the reduction in urine N-loading rate, rather than factors related to urine properties or plantain-soil interactions.

     

Additional application of aluminum sulfate with different fertilizers ameliorates saline-sodic soil of Songnen Plain in Northeast China

Purpose

Serious soil salinization, including excessive exchangeable sodium and high pH, significantly decreases land productivity. Reducing salinity and preventing alkalization in saline-sodic soils by comprehensive improvement practices are urgently required. The combinations of aluminum sulfate with different types of fertilizer at different rates were applied on rice paddy with saline-sodic soils of the Songnen Plain in Northeast China to improve soil quality and its future utilization.

Materials and methods

Experiments were carried out in a completely randomized block design. Twelve treatments with aluminum sulfate at the rates of 0, 250, 500, and 750 kg hm^?2 with inorganic, bio-organic, and organic-inorganic compound fertilizers were performed. Soil pH, electronic conductivity (EC), cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), total alkalinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrients, soluble ions, rice growth, and yield in the saline-sodic soils were measured across all treatments. The relationships among the measured soil attributes were determined using one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and systematic cluster analysis.

Results and discussion

The pH, EC, ESP, total alkalinity, SAR, Na⁺, CO₃^2?, and HCO₃^? in saline-sodic soil were significantly decreased, while CEC, SOC, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), K⁺, and SO₄^2? were significantly increased due to the combined application of aluminum sulfate with fertilizer compared with the fertilizer alone. The most effective treatment in reducing salinity and preventing alkalization was aluminum sulfate at a rate of 500 kg hm^?2 with organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. This treatment significantly decreased the soil pH, EC, ESP, total alkalinity, SAR, Na⁺, and HCO₃^? by 5.3%, 28.9%, 41.1%, 39.3%, 22.4%, 23.5%, and 35.9%, but increased CEC, SOC, AN, AP, AK, K⁺, SO₄^2?, rice height, seed setting rate, 1000-grain weight, and yield by 77.5%, 115.5%, 106.3%, 47.1%, 43.3%, 200%, 40%, 6.2%, 43.9%, 20.3%, and 42.2%, respectively, compared with CK treatment in the leaching layer.

Conclusions

The combined application by aluminum sulfate at a rate of 500 kg hm^?2 with organic-inorganic compound fertilizer is an effective amendment of saline-sodic soils in Songnen Plain, Northeast China. These results are likely related to the leaching of Na⁺ from the soil leaching layer to the salt accumulation layer and desalination in the surface soil, and the increase of SOC improved the colloidal properties and increased fertilizer retention in soil. In addition, the environmental impact of aluminum sulfate applied to soil needs to be further studied.

     

Foliage application of nitrogen has less influence on soil microbial biomass and community composition than soil application of nitrogen

Purpose

Many studies have shown the simulated effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on soil microbial community composition by adding N directly to the forest floor but have ignored the N retention process by the canopy. This study was conducted to compare the responses of soil microbial biomass and community composition between soil application of N (SAN) and foliage application of N (FAN).

Materials and methods

A pot experiment was designed with (1) two N application methods (SAN and FAN), (2) three N application levels (5.6, 15.6 and 20.6 g N m^?2 year^?1), and (3) two tree species (Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. and Pinus massoniana Lamb.) following a nested factorial design. Soil microbial biomass and community composition were determined using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) techniques after 1 and 1.5 years of treatments.

Results and discussion

Nitrogen addition increased (P?<?0.05) soil NH₄⁺-N content and soil NO₃^?-N content and decreased (P?<?0.05) soil pH and soil microbial (bacterial, fungal, and actinomycete) biomass for both N application methods. Compared with the SAN treatment, the FAN treatment had higher (P?<?0.05) pH and lower (P?<?0.05) contents of soil NH₄⁺-N and soil NO₃^?-N. Soil microbial biomass and community composition were significantly different between the different N addition levels under the SAN treatment, but they showed no significant difference (P?<?0.05) between the different N addition levels under the FAN treatment. The soil microbial biomass in the S. superba soil was higher (P?<?0.05) than that in the P. massoniana soil for the FAN treatment, with the opposite trend observed under the SAN treatment. Moreover, redundancy analysis showed that soil microorganisms were significantly correlated with soil pH, soil water content, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^?-N.

Conclusions

The results showed that N addition affected soil properties, microbial biomass, and the composition of microbial communities; however, the FAN treatment had less influence on soil properties and soil microorganisms than did the SAN treatment over short time scales, and the extent of this effect was different between coniferous and broadleaf trees.

     

Decreased glomalin-related soil protein with nitrogen deposition in a 3-year-old Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation

Purpose

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is an essential component of soil organic C for maintaining soil quality and structure and plays a critical role in soil carbon (C) sequestration. However, how GRSP changes under nitrogen (N) deposition remains poorly understood.

Materials and methods

We assessed total GRSP (T-GRSP) and easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) under a control (no N input), low N addition (LN, 40 kg N ha^?1 year^?1), and high N addition (HN, 80 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) treatments in 2015 and 2016 in a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation in the subtropical China. We also analyzed soil properties contents and explored the stoichiometric ratios of soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) with GRSPs.

Results

Compared to the control, both T-GRSP and EE-GRSP were significantly reduced under the HN treatment, but had no significant difference under the LN treatment. The ratio of T-GRSP and EE-GRSP was reduced by the N addition. Soil organic C (SOC) and dissolved organic C (DOC) were significantly affected by N addition treatments. The ratios of GRSP-C to SOC and of EEGRSP-C to SOC ranged from 6.29 to 16.07% and 1.34 to 3.52%, respectively. T-GRSP and EE-GRSP were positively correlated with SOC/TN ratio, but negatively correlated with soil TN/TP and SOC/TP ratios.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that the GRSP reductions under N deposition in soil are mediated by soil C, N, and P stoichiometry, and particularly, the reduction of EE-GRSP by DOC. This study improved our mechanistic understanding of dynamics of GRSPs under increasing N enrichment in subtropical plantation ecosystems.

     

Short-term effects of aglime on inorganic- and organic-derived CO2 emissions from two acid soils amended with an ammonium-based fertiliser

Purpose

Aglime application can promote carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from acid soils. However, the controlling mechanisms are still poorly understood, particularly the role of fertiliser-ammonium oxidation. This study therefore assessed the effects of aglime on soil inorganic C (SIC)– and soil organic C (SOC)–derived CO₂ emissions from acid soils amended with ammonium.

Materials and methods

Ammonium at three N rates [0% (A0), 0.005% (A1), and 0.2% (A2) w/w] and labelled aglime (Ca¹³CO_3,¹³C 5.94% aa) at three rates [0% (L1), 0.067% (L1), and 0.392% (L2) w/w] were applied to two contrasting acid soils (Nariva series, Mollic Fluvaquents; and Piarco series, Typic Kanhaplaquults) and incubated in 1-l media bottles for 23 days. A calcareous soil (Princes Town series, Aquentic Eutrudepts, carbonate δ¹³C of ??4.79‰) was included as a control that only received ammonium at the three rates.

Results and discussion

The application of ammonium at the A2 rate significantly (p?<?0.05) increased cumulative SIC-CO₂ emissions by 15.8 and 27.1% in comparison to the A0 rate for the Nariva and Piarco soils, respectively, when they were limed at the L2 rate. The lower rate of ammonium (A1), however, had no effect on these emissions, which suggests that enough acidity may not have been generated at this rate to significantly enhance the release of SIC-CO₂. Furthermore, no effect of ammonium rates was observed on SIC-CO₂ emissions from the calcareous soil, which refutes the hypothesis that this amendment plays a greater role in regulating these emissions from calcareous soils compared with acid soils. Also, in contradiction to another hypothesis, the aglime-induced priming effect on SOC decomposition was more apparent in the low-C Piarco soil. This effect was also significantly (p?<?0.05) greater at the L2 rate (above the lime requirement for Piarco), which demonstrates the negative impact that over-liming could have on the sequestration of C in this soil. Our results also showed that ammonium addition may also help to reduce the magnitude of the aglime-induced priming effect in the Piarco soil when it is not over-limed.

Conclusions

Overall, the findings of this study suggest that ammonium fertiliser broadcast at conventional rates may not serve as a significant regulator of SIC-CO₂ emissions from highly to moderately acidic soils amended with aglime. Our findings also indicate a need to consider nitrogen management as an important factor regulating the effects of aglime on SOC-CO₂ emissions.

     

Effects of cobalt oxide nanomaterial on plants and soil invertebrates at different levels of biological organization

Purpose

Metallic nanomaterials (MNM) like cobalt oxide (nano-Co₃O₄) are currently attracting enormous interest owing to their unique size and shape-dependent properties and potential applications in various sectors. The aims of this study were to assess the toxicity of nano-Co₃O₄ and to propose a risk limit through the estimation of a Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) for this MNM to soil biota.

Materials and methods

For this purpose, a battery of sub-lethal ecotoxicological tests was performed to assess the influence of this MNM on four plant species (endpoints: germination and growth) and two invertebrate species (endpoints: avoidance and reproduction) following standard protocols. Further, biochemical endpoints (acetylcholinesterase [AChE], catalase [CAT], glutathione-S-transferase [GST] activity, and lipid peroxidation [LPO]) were also assessed in Eisenia andrei, one of the invertebrate species tested, in order to contribute for refining the PNEC value.

Results and discussion

The recorded data showed a significant inhibition in the germination of L. lycopersicum and in the growth of Z. mays, even at the lowest concentration tested (269.3 mg kg^?1 soil_dw of nano-Co₃O₄). Concerning the soil invertebrates, the results showed only significant avoidance (p?<?0.05) by E. andrei in the soil contaminated with the highest concentration tested (1000 mg kg^?1 soil_dw of nano-Co₃O₄), while no significant ecotoxicological effect on reproductive outputs of both species was recorded. However, the data reported for AChE, CAT, GST, and LPO showed significant effects at the range of concentrations tested in E. andrei. Thus, we recorded, the occurrence of oxidative stress and the enhancement of lipid peroxidation, on this invertebrate species.

Conclusions

The data obtained in this study supports the proposal of a PNEC value of 9.1 mg kg^?1 soil_dw for nano-Co₃O₄ in soil. The integration of data from biochemical endpoints allowed the refinement of the PNEC value and to obtain a more protective threshold.

     

Forms and buffering potential of aluminum in tropical and subtropical acid soils cultivated with Pinus taeda L

Purpose

Several interactions between Al and the solid phase of soil influence Al buffering in soil solution. This work evaluated soils cultivated with Pinus taeda L. to determine Al forms in organic and mineral horizons using various extraction methods and to relate acidity with clay mineralogy.

Materials and methods

Organic and mineral horizons of 10 soil profiles (up to 2.1 m deep) in southern Brazil were sampled. Organic horizons were separated into fresh, aged, and fermented/humified litter. The following Al extraction methods were utilized: 0.5 mol L^?1 pH 2.8 CuCl₂–Al complexed in organic matter; 1.0 mol L^?1 KCl–exchangeable Al; water–Al soluble in soil solution; HF concentrated?+?HNO₃ concentrated?+?H₂O₂ 30% (v/v)–total Al. Six sequential extractions were carried out to isolate different forms of amorphous minerals that can buffer Al on soil solution: 0.05 and 0.1 mol L^?1 sodium pyrophosphate; 0.1 and 0.2 mol L^?1 ammonium oxalate; 0.25 and 0.5 mol L^?1 NaOH. Samples of clay were also analyzed by XRD.

Results and discussion

There was a clear effect of litter age on increasing total Al concentration. In the aged litter and fermented and/or humified litter, levels of total Al were 1.4 to 3.8 and 1.5 to 7.8 times greater than in fresh litter, respectively. The CuCl₂ method had higher Al extraction capacity than the KCl method for litter. The lowest Al–pyrophosphate values were observed in the Oxisol, which also had a predominance of gibbsite and the lowest levels of Al–KCl and Al–CuCl₂. There was an inverse relationship between degree of soil weathering and soluble and exchangeable Al in soils. Available Al increased with higher Si proportion in minerals of the clay fraction (2:1?>?1:1?>?0:1).

Conclusions

The worst scenario was soils with the combination of high soluble and exchangeable Al levels and high concentrations of amorphous forms of Al minerals. The best predictors of Al accumulation in the youngest litter horizon were extractions of amorphous minerals with pyrophosphate and NaOH. These extractors are normally used to predict the level of Al buffering in soils. Organic matter had less influence on Al dynamics in soils.

     

Generation,sink, and emission of greenhouse gases by urban soils at different stages of the floodplain development in Moscow

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to study the generation, sink, and emission of greenhouse gases by soils on technogenic parent materials, created at different stages of the Moskva River floodplain development (1—construction and 2—landscaping of residential areas).

Materials and methods

Field surveys revealed the spatial trends of concentration and emission of the greenhouse gases in following groups of soils: Retisols (RT-ab-ct) and Fluvisols (FL-hu, FL-hi.gl) before land engineering preparation for the construction, Urbic Technosols Transportic (TC-ub-ar.tn and TC-ub-hu.tn) at stage 1 and Urbic Technosols Folic (TC-ub-fo) at stage 2. CO₂ and CH₄ concentration in soils and their emission were determined using subsurface soil air equilibration tubes and the closed chamber method, respectively. Bacterial methane generation rate (MGR) and methane oxidation rate (MOR) were measured by kinetic methods.

Results and discussion

In natural soils MOR is caused only by intra-aggregate methanogenesis. The imbalance of methane generation and oxidation was observed in FL-hi.gl. It caused CH₄ accumulation in the profile (7.5 ppm) and its emission to the atmosphere (0.11 mg CH₄ m^?2 h^?1). RT-ab-ct acted as the sink of atmospheric methane. CO₂ emission was 265.1?±?24.0 and 151.9?±?37.2 mg CO₂ m^?2 h^?1 from RT-ab-ct and FL-hi.gl, respectively. In Technosols CH₄ concentration was predominantly low (median was 2.7, 2.9, and 3.0 ppm, in TC-ub-ar.tn, TC-ub-hu.tn, and TC-ub-fo, respectively), but due to the occurrence of peat sediments under technogenic material, it increased to 1–2%. Methane emission was not observed due to functioning of biogeochemical barriers with high MOR. In TC-ub-ar.tn and TC-ub-hu.tn, the barriers were formed at 60-cm depth. In TC-ub-fo, the system of barriers was formed in Folic and Technic horizons (at 10- and 60-cm depth). CO₂ emission was 2 times lower from TC-ub-ar.tn and TC-ub-hu.tn and 1.5 times higher from TC-ub-fo than from natural soils.

Conclusions

Greenhouse gas generation, sink, and emission by natural soils and Technosols in floodplain were estimated. CO₂ and CH₄ content in Technosols varied depending on the properties of parent materials. Technosols at stage 1 did not emit CH₄ due to formation of biogeochemical barriers—soil layers of high CH₄ utilization rates. Urbic Technosols (Folic) at stage 2 performed as a source of significant CO₂ emission.

     

Residue retention mitigated short-term adverse effect of clear-cutting on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in subtropical Australia

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the benefits of retaining harvest residues on the dynamics of soil C and N pools following clear-cut harvesting of a slash pine plantation in South East Queensland of subtropical Australia.

Materials and methods

Immediately following clear-cut harvesting, macro-plots (10?×?10 m) were established on a section of the plantation in a randomised complete block design with four blocks and three treatments: (1) residue removal (RR₀), (2) single level of residue retention (RR₁) and (3) double level of residue retention (RR₂). Soils were sampled at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months following clear-cutting and analysed for total C and N, microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), hot water–extractable organic C (HWEOC), hot water–extractable organic N (HWEON), NH₄⁺–N and NO_x^?–N.

Results and discussion

The study showed that although soil total C decreased in the first 12 months following clear-cutting, harvest residue retention increased soil total C and N by 45% (p?<?0.001) and 32% (p?<?0.001), respectively, over the 12–24 months. NH₄⁺–N, HWEOC, HWEON and MBC showed initial surges in the first 6 months irrespective of residue management, which declined after the 6th month. However, residue retention significantly increased HWEOC and HWEON over the 12–24 months (p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that harvest residue retention during the inter-rotation period can minimise large changes in C and nutrient pools, and can even increase soil C and nutrient pools for the next plantation rotation.

     

Supplementary Potassium Nitrate Improves Salt Tolerance in Bell Pepper Plants

Abstract

The effect of supplementary potassium nitrate (KNO₃) on growth and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annum cv. 11B 14) plants grown in containers under high root‐zone salinity was investigated. Treatments were (1) control, soil only and (2) high salt treatment, as for control plus 3.5 g NaCl kg^?1 soil. Above treatments were combined with or without either 0.5 or 1 g supplementary KNO₃ kg^?1 soil. Plants grown at high NaCl had significantly less dry matter, fruit yield, and chlorophyll than those in the control treatment. Supplementing the high salt soil with 0.5 and 1 g KNO₃ kg^?1 increased plant dry matter, fruit yield, and chlorophyll concentrations as compared to high salt treatment. Membrane permeability increased significantly with high NaCl application, but less so when supplementary KNO₃ was applied. High NaCl resulted in plants with very leaky root systems as measured by high K efflux; rate of leakage was reduced by supplementary KNO₃. These data suggest that NaCl status affect root membrane integrity. Sodium (Na) concentration in plant tissues increased in leaves and roots in the elevated NaCl treatment as compared to control treatment. Concentrations of K and N in leaves were significantly lower in the high salt treatment than in the control. For the high salt treatment, supplementing the soil with KNO₃ at 1 g kg^?1 resulted in K and N levels similar to those of the control. These results support the view that supplementary KNO₃ can overcome the effects of high salinity on fruit yield and whole plant biomass in pepper plants.     

Toxicity of imidacloprid to the earthworm Eisenia andrei and collembolan Folsomia candida in three contrasting tropical soils

Purpose

Imidacloprid is a widely used seed dressing insecticide in Brazil. However, the effects of this pesticide on non-target organisms such as soil fauna still present some knowledge gaps in tropical soils. This study aimed to assess the toxicity and risk of imidacloprid to earthworms Eisenia andrei and collembolans Folsomia candida in three contrasting Brazilian tropical soils.

Materials and methods

Acute and chronic toxicity assays were performed in the laboratory with both species in a tropical artificial soil (TAS) and in two natural soils (Oxisol and Entisol), at room temperature of 25 °C. The ecological risk was calculated for each species and soil by using the toxicity exposure ratio (TER) and hazard quotient (HQ) approaches.

Results and discussion

Acute toxicity for collembolans and earthworms was higher in Entisol (LC₅₀?=?4.68 and 0.55 mg kg^?1, respectively) when compared with TAS (LC₅₀?=?10.8 and 9.18 mg kg^?1, respectively) and Oxisol (LC_{50collembolans}?=?25.1 mg kg^?1). Chronic toxicity for collembolans was similar in TAS and Oxisol (EC_{50 TAS}?=?0.80 mg kg^?1; EC_{50 OXISOL}?=?0.83 mg kg^?1), whereas higher toxicity was observed in Entisol (EC₅₀?=?0.09 mg kg^?1). In chronic assays with earthworms, imidacloprid was also more toxic in Entisol (EC₅₀?=?0.21 mg kg^?1) when compared to TAS (EC₅₀?=?1.89 mg kg^?1). TER and HQ values indicated a significant risk of exposure of the species to imidacloprid in all soils tested, and the risk in Entisol was at least six times higher than in Oxisol or TAS.

Conclusions

The toxicity and risk of imidacloprid varied significantly between tropical soils, being the species exposure to this pesticide particularly hazardous in very sandy natural soils such as Entisol.

     

Distribution characteristics of iron,carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the surface soils of different land use types near Xingkai Lake

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to research the differences in iron, phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter contents at two soil depths in areas with different land use types in the Xingkai Lake National Nature Reserve and to determine the causes of those differences. Additionally, this study sought to analyse the correlations between the contents of different nutrients and to determine the reasons for those correlations.

Materials and methods

Five typical land use types, namely, lakeshore sandy land, grassland, forestland, dryland and wetland, were selected in the Xingkai Lake National Nature Reserve. The contents of amorphous iron (Fe_o), complexed iron (Fe_p), dithionite-extractable iron (Fe_d), total iron (TFe), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and organic matter (OM) were measured in these soils at two depths: 0–5 cm (soil depth 1) and 5–10 cm (soil depth 2).

Results and discussion

For soil depth 1 and soil depth 2, the land use type had no significant effect on the element contents. For the entire soil depth range (0–10 cm), the land use type had the most significant impact on the TP content (p?<?0.01). Furthermore, soil depth had a significant effect on the contents of Fe_o (p?<?0.01), TP (p?<?0.01) and OM (p?<?0.05). Overall, the element content at soil depth 2 was higher than that at soil depth 1. The interaction between land use type and soil depth significantly influenced the contents of TN and OM (p?<?0.05). The contents of TN and OM in the lakeshore sandy land and dryland were high, and the contents of TN and OM were highly positively correlated (r?=?0.90652, p?<?0.01).

Conclusions

Different land use types caused different degrees of disturbance in the soil, resulting in differences in the element contents in the soils. The differences in the distribution of soil element contents in the topsoil were the result of important natural and human factors.

     

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Biochar has the potential to decrease salinity and nutrient loss of saline soil. We investigated the effects of biochar amendment (0–10 g kg⁻¹) on salinity of saline soil (2.8‰ salt) in NaCl leaching and nutrient retention by conducting column leaching experiments. The biochar was produced in situ from Salix fragilis L. via a fire-water coupled process. The soil columns irrigated with 15 cm of water showed that biochar amendment (4 g kg⁻¹) decreased the concentration Na⁺ by 25.55% in the first irrigation and to 60.30% for the second irrigation in sandy loam layer over the corresponding control (CK). Meanwhile, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of soil after the first and second irrigation was 1.62 and 0.54, respectively, which were 15.2% and 49.5% lower than CK. The marked increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) from 0.15 × 10^–5 cm s⁻¹ for CK to 0.39 × 10^–5 cm s⁻¹, following 4 g kg⁻¹ of biochar addition, was conducive to salt leaching. Besides, biochar use (4 g kg⁻¹) increased NH₄⁺-N and Olsen-P by 63.63% and 62.50% over the CK, but accelerated NO₃^–-N leaching. Since 15 cm hydrostatic pressure would result in salt accumulation of root zone, we would recommend using 4 g kg⁻¹ of biochar, 30 cm of water to ease the problem of salt leaching from the surface horizon to the subsoil. This study would provide a guidance to remediate the saline soil in the Yellow River Delta by judicious application of biochar and irrigation.     

Soil and nutrients losses under different crop covers in vertisols of Central India

Purpose

Accelerated erosion removes fertile top soil along with nutrients through runoff and sediments, eventually affecting crop productivity and land degradation. However, scanty information is available on soil and nutrient losses under different crop covers in a vertisol of Central India. Thus, a field experiment was conducted for 4 years (2010–2013) to study the effect of different crop cover combinations on soil and nutrient losses through runoff in a vertisol.

Materials and methods

Very limited information is available on runoff, soil, and nutrient losses under different vegetative covers in a rainfed vertisol. Thus, the hypothesis of the study was to evaluate if different crop cover combinations would have greater impact on reducing soil and nutrient losses compared to control plots in a vertisol.

This experiment consisted of seven treatment combinations of crop covers namely soybean (Glycine max) (CC₁), maize (Zea mays) (CC₂), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) (CC₃), soybean (Glycine max)?+?maize (Zea mays) ??1:1 (CC₄), soybean (Glycine ma x))?+?pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) ?2:1 (CC₅), maize (Zea mays)?+?pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) ??1:1 (CC₆), and cultivated fallow (CC₇). The plot size was 10?×?5 m with 1% slope, and runoff and soil loss were measured using multi-slot devisor. All treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications.

Results and discussion

Results demonstrated that the runoff and soil loss were significantly (p?<?0.05) higher (289 mm and 3.92 Mg ha^?1) under cultivated fallow than those in cropped plots. Among various crop covers, sole pigeon pea (CC₃) recorded significantly higher runoff and soil loss (257 mm and 3.16 Mg ha^?1) followed by that under sole maize (CC₂) (235 mm and 2.85 Mg ha^?1) and the intercrops were in the order of maize?+?pigeon pea (211 mm and 2.47 Mg ha^?1) followed by soybean?+?maize (202 mm and 2.38 Mg ha^?1), and soybean?+?pigeon pea (195 mm and 2.15 Mg ha^?1). The lowest runoff and soil loss were recorded under soybean sole crop (194 mm and 2.27 Mg ha^?1). The data on nutrient losses indicated that the highest losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) (25.83 kg ha^?1), total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) (7.76, 0.96, 32.5 kg ha^?1) were recorded in cultivated fallow (CC₇) as compared to those from sole and intercrop treatments. However, sole soybean and its intercrops recorded the minimum losses of SOC and total N, P, and K, whereas the maximum losses of nutrients were recorded under pigeon pea (CC₃). The system productivity in terms of soybean grain equivalent yield (SGEY) was higher (p?<?0.05) from maize?+?pigeon pea (3358 kg ha^?1) followed by that for soybean?+?pigeon pea (2191 kg ha^?1) as compared to sole soybean. Therefore, maize?+?pigeon pea (1:1) intercropping is the promising option in reducing runoff, soil-nutrient losses, and enhancing crop productivity in the hot sub-humid eco-region.

Conclusions

Study results highlight the need for maintenance of suitable vegetative cover as of great significance to diffusing the erosive energy of heavy rains and also safe guarding the soil resource from degradation by water erosion in vertisols.

     

Heavy metals in the soil–plant system of the Don River estuarine region and the Taganrog Bay coast

Purpose

The aim of this work was to study the level and degree of mobility of heavy metals in the soil–plant system and to perform bioindication observations in the Don River estuarine region and the Russian sector of the Taganrog Bay coast.

Materials and methods

The objects of the study included samples of zonal soils (chernozem) and intrazonal soils (alluvial meadow and alluvial-stratified soils, Solonchak, sandy primitive soil) from monitoring stations of the Don river estuarine region and the Taganrog Bay coast, as well as their higher plants: Phragmites australis Cav., Typha angustifolia L., Carex riparia Curtis, Cichorium intybus L., Bolboschoenus maritimus L. Palla, and Rumex confertus Willd. The total concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr in the soils were determined by X-ray fluorescent scanning spectrometer. The concentration of heavy metal mobile forms exchangeable, complex compounds, and acid-soluble metal were extracted using the following reagents: 1 N NH₄Ac, pH 4.8; 1 % EDTA in NH₄Ac, pH 4.8; 1 N HCl, respectively. Heavy metals in plants were prepared for analysis by dry combustion at 450 °C. The heavy metal concentration in extracts from plants and soils was determined by AAS.

Results and discussion

The total contents of heavy metals in the soil may be described with a successively decreasing series: Mn?>?Cr?>?Zn?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd. The total concentrations of As, Cd, and Zn in the soil exceed the maximum permissible concentrations levels. Contamination of alluvial soils in the estuarine zone with mobile Сu, Zn, Pb, and Cd has been revealed, which is confirmed by the high bioavailability of Cu and Zn and, to a lesser degree, Cd and Pb accumulating in the tissues of macrophytic plants. Data on the translocation of elements to plant organs have showed their predominant accumulation in the roots. Bioindication by the morphofunctional parameters of macrophytic plants (with a Typha L. species as an example) can be used for revealing the existence of impact zones with elevated contents of metals in aquatic ecosystems.

Conclusions

The results revealed that increased content of Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, and As in soil have anthropogenic sources. The high content of Cr in the soils is related to the lithogenic factor and, hence, has a natural source.

     

Phytoavailability of lead altered by two Pelargonium cultivars grown on contrasting lead-spiked soils

Purpose

This study assesses the potential of two contrasted fragrant Pelargonium cultivars to induce pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) changes in the soil solution, Pb speciation, and their subsequent effects on rhizosphere phytoavailable Pb.

Materials and methods

Rooted plantlets were grown in special devices, floating on aerated nutrient solution in PVC tanks. This setup allows roots to be physically separated, through a mesh, from a 3-mm soil matrix layer that can be considered as rhizosphere soil. Two contrasted soils, each spiked with Pb-rich particles, emitted from a battery recycling industry, were used at total burdens of 500 and 1500 mg Pb kg^?1 in addition to a control unspiked soil. Soil solution pH, phytoavailable Pb, DOC, Pb adsorption, precipitation on roots, and Pb phases in soil and plant were investigated.

Results and discussion

Attar of Roses (Attar) cultivar acidified its rhizosphere by 0.4 pH units in both spiked soils. Concolor Lace (Concolor) was unable to change soil solution pH on soil-1 and increased it by 0.7 units on soil 2. Concentrations of Pb in soil solution from Attar plants were always higher than those of Concolor ones. DOC contents of both unspiked soil-1 and soil-2 without plants were not significantly different. In the case of spiked samples, DOC contents in the rhizosphere soil were increased by three and two times for Attar and Concolor, respectively, compared to the unspiked soil without plant. Both cultivars were able to increase DOC contents, independent of soil type and level of contamination. Accumulation of Pb in shoots and roots was higher in Attar as compared to Concolor due to enhanced available Pb as a result of pH and DOC modifications of the rhizosphere soil. Significant amounts of Pb were adsorbed on roots of both cultivars. X-ray elemental analysis of precipitates on roots revealed the association of Pb with P in cylinder-like structures. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed that Pb was present, to a major extent in the inorganic form, mainly as PbSO₄ in the soil, whereas it was complexed with organic species within plant tissues. The conversion of Pb into organic species could decrease toxicity, may enhance plant tolerance, and could increase translocation.

Conclusions

Plant-induced changes were responsible for the modification of lead phases within the soil. Immobile forms present in the source leaded particles as well as in the soils were converted into soluble species, ultimately improving the phytoavailable or soil solubilized Pb.

     

Effects of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on the abundance of ammonia oxidizers and denitrifiers in two different intensive vegetable cultivation soils

Purpose

Nitrification and denitrification in the N cycle are affected by various ammonia oxidizers and denitrifying microbes in intensive vegetable cultivation soils, but our current understanding of the effect these microbes have on N₂O emissions is limited. The nitrification inhibitor, 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), acts by slowing nitrification and is used to improve fertilizer use efficiency and reduce N losses from agricultural systems; however, its effects on nitrifier and denitrifier activities in intensive vegetable cultivation soils are unknown.

Materials and methods

In this study, we measured the impacts of DMPP on N₂O emissions, ammonia oxidizers, and denitrifying microbes in two intensive vegetable cultivation soils: one that had been cultivated for a short term (1 year) and one that had been cultivated over a longer term (29 years). The quantitative PCR technique was used in this study. Three treatments, including control (no fertilizer), urea alone, and urea with DMPP, were included for each soil. The application rates of urea and DMPP were 1800 kg ha^?1 and 0.5% of the urea-N application rate.

Results and discussion

The application of N significantly increased N₂O emissions in both soils. The abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) increased significantly with high rate of N fertilizer application in both soils. Conversely, there was no change in the growth rate of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in response to the applied urea despite the presence of larger numbers of AOA in these soils. This suggests AOB may play a greater role than AOA in the nitrification process, and N₂O emission in intensive vegetable cultivation soils. The application of DMPP significantly reduced soil NO₃^?-N content and N₂O emission, and delayed ammonia oxidation. It greatly reduced AOB abundance, but not AOA abundance. Moreover, the presence of DMPP was correlated with a significant decrease in the abundance of nitrite reductase (nirS and nirK) genes.

Conclusions

Long-term intensive vegetable cultivation with heavy N fertilization altered AOB and nirS abundance. In vegetable cultivation soils with high N levels, DMPP can be effective in mitigating N₂O emissions by directly inhibiting both ammonia oxidizing and denitrifying microbes.

     

Biochar amendment of chromium-polluted paddy soil suppresses greenhouse gas emissions and decreases chromium uptake by rice grain

Purpose

Soil chromium (Cr) pollution has received substantial attention owing to related food chain health risks and possible promotion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The aim of the present study was to develop a promising remediation technology to alleviate Cr bioavailability and decrease GHG emissions in Cr-polluted paddy soil.

Materials and methods

We investigated the potential role of biochar amendment in decreasing soil CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions, as well in reducing Cr uptake by rice grains at application rates of 0 t ha^?1 (CK), 20 t ha^?1 (BC20), and 40 t ha^?1 (BC40) in Cr-polluted paddy soil in southeastern China. In addition, the soil aggregate size distribution, soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration of soil aggregates, soil available Cr concentration, and rice yield were analyzed after harvesting.

Results and discussion

Biochar amendment significantly reduced CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emission fluxes. Compared to CK, total C emissions in the BC20 and BC40 treatments decreased by 9.94% and 17.13% for CO₂-C, by 30.46% and 37.10% for CH₄-C, and by 34.24% and 37.49% for N₂O-N, respectively. Biochar amendment increased the proportion of both the 2000–200 μm and 200–20 μm size fractions in the soil aggregate distribution. Accordingly, the organic carbon concentration of these fractions increased, which increased the total SOC. Moreover, biochar amendment significantly decreased soil available Cr concentration and total Cr content of the rice grains by 33.6% and 14.81% in BC20 and 48.1% and 33.33% in BC40, respectively. Rice yield did not differ significantly between biochar amendment treatment and that of CK.

Conclusions

Biochar application reduced GHG emissions in paddy soil, which was attributed to its comprehensive effect on the soil properties, soil microbial community, and soil aggregates, as well as on the mobility of Cr. Overall, the present study demonstrates that biochar has a great potential to enhance soil carbon sequestration while reducing Cr accumulation in rice grains from Cr-polluted rice paddies.

     

Application of VNIR and machine learning technologies to predict heavy metals in soil and pollution indices in mining areas

Purpose

Soil pollution indices are an effective tool in the computation of metal contamination in soil. They monitor soil quality and ensure future sustainability in agricultural systems. However, calculating a soil pollution index requires laboratory measurements of multiple soil heavy metals, which increases the cost and complexity of evaluating soil heavy metal pollution. Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VNIR, 350–2500 nm) has been widely used in predicting soil properties due to its advantages of a rapid analysis, non-destructiveness, and a low cost.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the ability of the VNIR to predict soil heavy metals (As, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr) and two commonly used soil pollution indices (Nemerow integrated pollution index, NIPI; potential ecological risk index, RI). Three nonlinear machine learning techniques, including cubist regression tree (Cubist), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and support vector machine (SVM), were compared with partial least squares regression (PLSR) to determine the most suitable model for predicting the soil heavy metals and pollution indices.

Results

The results showed that the nonlinear machine learning models performed significantly better than the PLSR model in most cases. Overall, the SVM model showed a higher prediction accuracy and a stronger generalization for Zn (R²_V?=?0.95, RMSE_V?=?6.75 mg kg^?1), Cu (R²_V?=?0.95, RMSE_V?=?8.04 mg kg^?1), Cr (R²_V?=?0.90, RMSE_V?=?6.57 mg kg^?1), Pb (R²_V?=?0.86, RMSE_V?=?4.14 mg kg^?1), NIPI (R²_V?=?0.93, RMSE_V?=?0.31), and RI (R²_V?=?0.90, RMSE_V 3.88). In addition, the research results proved that the high prediction accuracy of the three heavy metal elements Cu, Pb, and Zn and their significant positive correlations with the soil pollution indices were the reason for the accurate prediction of NIPI and RI.

Conclusion

Using VNIR to obtain soil pollution indices quickly and accurately is of great significance for the comprehensive evaluation, prevention, and control of soil heavy metal pollution.

     

The occurrence and spatial distribution of typical antibiotics in soils along the Fenhe River in Shanxi Province

Purpose

Antibiotics are emerging contaminants of increasing concern in recent years. A total of 71 representative farmland soils along the Fenhe River in Shanxi Province were collected to investigate the occurrence of tetracyclines (TCs), sulfonamides (SAs), and quinolones (QLs). Additionally, the effects of population, livestock and poultry density, and soil properties on antibiotic distribution were also evaluated.

Materials and methods

Farmland topsoil samples along the Fenhe River were collected and freeze-dried at ??20 °C. The antibiotics in soils were extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile, EDTA-SPB, and Mg(NO₃)₂-NH₃·H₂O at the ratio of 2:1:1 (v/v/v). The extracted antibiotics were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Results and discussion

The antibiotics were universally detected. The detection frequencies of sulfaclozine, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin reached 100%. Norfloxacin was the most abundant antibiotic in soils (27.21 μg kg^?1). The distribution of antibiotics in soils along Fenhe River varied as midstream (8.62 μg kg^?1) > downstream (4.58 μg kg^?1) > upstream (3.49 μg kg^?1). Oxytetracycline along the upstream and midstream was mainly caused by the emission of livestock and poultry and the overuse of human. The main sources of antibiotics along the downstream were livestock and poultry farms. Antibiotics were generally negatively correlated with sand content, pH, and organic matter, while cation exchange capacity had positive correlation with most of antibiotics such as tetracycline, sulfamonomethoxine, enrofloxacin, sulfameter, and sulfachinoxalin. SAs and TCs had little ecological risk, while QLs posed low or medium ecological risks.

Conclusions

This study provided a scientific basis for antibiotic pollution control and agricultural safety supervision along the Fenhe River. Although no high risk of antibiotics was observed in soil samples based on the calculation, the widespread distribution of antibiotics in farmland soil along Fenhe River should be addressed.