Critical pH and exchangeable Al of four acidic soils derived from different parent materials for maize crops

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the critical soil pH, exchangeable aluminum (Al), and Al saturation of the soils derived from different parent materials for maize.

Materials and methods

An Alfisol derived from loess deposit and three Ultisols derived from Quaternary red earth, granite, and Tertiary red sandstone were used for pot experiment in greenhouse. Ca(OH)₂ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ were used to adjust soil pH to target values. The critical soil pH was obtained by two intersected linear lines of maize height, chlorophyll content, and yield of shoot and root dry matter changing with soil pH.

Results and discussion

In low soil pH, Al toxicity significantly decreased plant height, chlorophyll content, and shoot and root dry matter yields of maize crops. The critical values of soil pH, exchangeable Al, and Al saturation varied with soil types. Critical soil pH was 4.46, 4.73, 4.77, and 5.07 for the Alfisol derived from loess deposit and the Ultisol derived from Quaternary red earth, granite, and Tertiary red sandstone, respectively. Critical soil exchangeable Al was 2.74, 1.99, 1.93, and 1.04 cmol_ckg^?1 for the corresponding soils, respectively. Critical Al saturation was 5.63, 12.51, 14.84, and 15.16% for the corresponding soils.

Conclusions

Greater soil cation exchange capacity and exchangeable base cations led to lower critical soil pH and higher critical soil exchangeable Al and Al saturation for maize.

     

Potential N mineralization and availability to maize in black soils in response to soil fertility improvement in Northeast China

Purpose

Understanding the soil nitrogen (N) mineralization potential (N₀) and crop N availability during the growing season is essential for improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and preventing over-fertilization, which lead to negative environmental impacts.

Methods

Five black soils with different levels of fertility were selected in Northeast China. The N₀ and kinetics of these soils were estimated through laboratory experiments at different incubation temperatures (15, 25, and 35 °C). N mineralization dynamics were simulated using field soil temperature according to the incubation results. Moreover, the N uptake dynamics of maize were simulated according to the literature.

Results

Compared with the very low-fertility soils, the cumulative mineralized nitrogen increased under all incubation temperatures (15, 25, and 35 °C), by 48–136%, 8–61%, and 24–59%, respectively, in the medium- and high-fertility soils. The highest N₀ values (96.90, 115.31, and 121.33 mg/kg at the three different temperatures) were recorded in the very high-fertility soils. The soil N mineralization dynamics and N uptake of maize in the growing season were highly consistent over time, although the soil N supply could not meet the maize growth requirements. The higher the soil fertility, the lower the N fertilizer requirement.

Conclusions

Different fertilizer strategies were developed based on the cumulative mineralized N, N uptake by maize, and NUE in soils with different fertility levels. We suggested a reduction of 50–65 kg N/ha in N fertilizer in the two highest fertility soils. This study provided basic data to reduce chemical N fertilizer to improve NUE and reduce negative environmental impacts.

     

不同质地土壤上烤烟氮素积累、分配及利用率的研究

【目的】土壤质地能概括反映土壤内在的肥力特征,对土壤养分供应具有调控作用,是影响农田中土壤氮素供应和氮肥利用的重要因素。本试验通过在皖南烟区3种质地(壤土、黏壤、砂壤)土壤上施用等量氮肥来研究其对烤烟不同生育期的氮素吸收、积累及利用特征的影响,旨在为烟田土壤改良及烤烟合理施肥提供理论依据。【方法】在皖南烟区现代农业科技园的典型壤土、黏壤和砂壤土上分别建立田间试验,采用15N田间微区试验和室内分析相结合的研究方法,在烤烟的团棵期(移栽后38 d)、现蕾期(移栽后53 d)、平顶期(移栽后64d)和成熟期(移栽后103 d),采集长势一致的烟株样品,测定烟株各部位的生物量,并采用凯氏定氮法检测其全氮含量,采用ZHTO2型同位素质谱仪测定其15N丰度。【结果】皖南烟区壤土和黏壤土上烤烟总氮和肥料氮积累均随生育期呈单峰变化,在烤烟平顶期达最大,总氮积累量分别为4.25 g/plant和3.96 g/plant,肥料氮积累量分别为2.34 g/plant和2.54 g/plant,而砂壤土上烤烟到成熟期其总氮和肥料氮的积累量达到最大,分别是5.64 g/plant和2.73 g/plant,均显著高于同时期的壤土和黏壤;壤土、黏壤和砂壤土上烤烟均以叶部肥料氮占总氮比例及氮素分配率较高,茎部次之,根部最低;不同质地土壤上烤烟氮肥利用率与肥料氮的积累动态具有一致的变化趋势,其中壤土和黏壤在平顶期最大,分别为34.5%和40.7%,之后壤土利用率缓慢下降,黏壤下降幅度较大,而砂壤土上烤烟氮肥利用率在生育期内呈上升趋势,至成熟期最大,为43.7%。【结论】不同质地土壤上烟株对氮素的吸收利用顺序为砂壤壤土黏壤,黏壤土在烤烟生育期内供氮能力较弱,应合理调控土壤氮的矿化及增加肥料氮的供应;砂壤土氮肥利用率较高,应严格控制氮肥的施用量。     

Catch Crop and Animal Slurry in Spring Barley Grown with Straw Incorporation

Abstract

Four rates of straw (0, 4, 8 and 12 t ha^?1 yr^?1) were incorporated in a field experiment with continuous spring barley. The experiment was conducted on a sandy soil (5.5% clay) and a sandy loam soil (11.2% clay). After eight years, the straw incorporation was combined with catch-crop growing with and without winter application of animal slurry and also spring fertilization with mineral fertilizer (0, 50, 100 or 125 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1). The combined experiment was conducted for three lyears on the sandy soil and for four years on the sandy loam soil. The effects on barley dry matter yield and N uptake are presented together with the long-term effects of the straw incorporations on crop growth and soil C and N. Grain yield on the sandy loam was unaffected by straw incorporation. On the sandy soil the highest straw application rates reduced grain yield in the unfertilized barley. When the barley received mineral fertilizer at recommended levels (100 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1), grain yield on this soil was also unaffected by the high straw rates. Including a catch crop had a positive effect on the grain yield of barley on both soils. The total N uptake in grain and straw generally increased with straw application up to 8 t ha^?1 yr^?1. With the highest straw application rate (12 t ha^?1 yr^?1), the total N uptake decreased but still exceeded N uptake in barley grown with straw removal. The barley accumulated higher amounts of N when a catch crop was included. The total N uptake in the barley was significantly higher after animal slurry application. The extra N uptake, however, was much lower than the amounts of N applied with the slurry. Incorporation of straw had only a small influence on N uptake after slurry application. The straw, therefore, was not able to store the applied N during winter. In the two four-year periods before the combined experiment, grain yield on the sandy loam was generally negatively affected by straw incorporations. In the second period, N uptake began to show a positive effect of the straw. On the sandy soil, grain yield and N uptake during the whole period were generally positively affected by the straw incorporations except for the highest straw rate (12 t ha^?1 yr^?1). The sandy loam soil showed higher increases in C and N content after the repeated straw incorporations and catch-crop growing than the sandy soil. When application of animal slurry was combined with the catch crop, no further increases in soil C and N were found relative to soil where a catch crop was grown without slurry application. Large amounts of the N applied with the slurry may therefore have been lost by denitrification or nitrate leaching.     

Clay Addition to Sandy Soil Reduces Nutrient Leaching—Effect of Clay Concentration and Ped Size

Leaching of nutrients, particularly in sandy soil with low nutrient and water holding capacity (WHC), is a major threat to marine and fresh water pollution. Addition of clay soil to sandy soil could be an option to increase water and nutrient holding capacity of sandy soils, but the effect of clay soil addition may depend on the form in which the clay soil is added and the addition rate. Clay soil was added to sandy soil at rate of 10 or 20% (w/w) finely ground (<2 mm) or 2 and 5 mm peds with and without nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer equivalent to 60 kg N ha^?1 and 15 kg P ha^?1. The clay sand mixture for each treatment was weighed (30 g) in cores with nylon mesh at the bottom. The soils were incubated at 80% WHC for 7 weeks. To obtain leachate, 20 mL reverse osmosis (RO) water was added every week to each core. Leachate was analysed for inorganic N, P, and pH. Soil was analyzed for N, P, and pH before and after the leaching. Clay addition significantly reduced the leaching of N and P compared to sandy soil alone, with greatest reduction by finely ground clay soil and least with 5 mm peds. Compared to sandy soil alone, 83% more N was retained in clay-amended soil and P retention was doubled. This study showed that addition of finely ground clay soil can substantially reduce N and P leaching and thereby increase fertilizer retention compared to sandy soil alone.     

Recovery of 15N‐Labeled Nitrate Injected into Deep Subsoil by Maize in a Calcareous Alluvial Soil on the North China Plain

Abstract

Recovery of residual nitrogen (N) from the subsoil by maize (Zea mays L.) was studied by injecting ¹⁵N‐labeled nitrate at 110 cm for treatments with and without N fertilizer in a calcareous soil on the North China Plain. The results show that the recovery of ¹⁵N‐labeled nitrate diffusing in the 90‐ to 130‐cm soil horizon was 11.9% with N fertilizer application and 6.7% without N application in maize. Nitrogen fertilizer applied to topsoil stimulated growth of maize roots in the subsoil, thus increasing the recovery of ¹⁵N‐labeled nitrate. In the relatively dry growing season in this experiment, the ¹⁵N‐labeled nitrate did not move downward because there was no downward water flow at 110 cm. Hence, under dry weather conditions, the maize crop can re‐utilize a small part of the residual soil nitrate in deep soil layers. Most of the nitrogen uptake was in the 0‐ to 80‐cm layer during the experiment.     

不同质地土壤上玉米养分吸收和分配特征

采用池栽试验在4种质地土壤和2种施肥水平下,研究了玉米植株氮、磷、钾的吸收和分配特征。结果表明,不同质地土壤上玉米植株养分累积量为氮钾磷;不同处理玉米氮、磷、钾的累积量表现为中壤轻壤粘壤砂壤,且各处理间差异达显著水平。不同处理叶片和茎鞘中三元素累积量的变化与单株一致,氮、磷、钾分配以叶片中的比例略高于茎鞘。从后期氮、磷、钾的转移率看,不同质地土壤表现为砂壤轻壤中壤粘壤;不同处理中子粒中氮、磷、钾的含量与产量变化一致,且处理间达显著水平。施肥增加了各种质地土壤上玉米植株及器官氮、磷、钾的累积量和子粒产量,其中砂壤增加幅度最大,轻壤和中壤次之,粘壤最小。同时施肥使得叶片和茎鞘中的氮、磷、钾转移率略有降低。     

Effect of Incorporation of Crop Residues on a Maize–Groundnut Sequence in the Humid Tropics. II. Soil Physical and Chemical Properties

Abstract

A two‐year study (1997–1999) was conducted on a sandy clay loam (Typic Paleudult) at the experimental farm of the Universiti Putra to determine the effects of application of crop residues on changes of some soil properties in a maize (Zea mays L.)–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) crop rotation system. Five crops of a rotation of sweet corn–groundnut–sweet corn–groundnut–sweet corn were sown with three treatments: recommended inorganic fertilizer [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)] with crop residue (T1), recommended inorganic fertilizer without crop residues (T2) or one‐half of the recommended inorganic fertilizer with crop residues combined with 10 t ha^?1 of chicken manure (T3). Soil organic carbon (OC), soil water content and soil bulk density were not significantly changed. Application of crop residues for two years increased cation exchange capacity (CEC) whereas supplementing crop residues with CM had significantly increased soil pH of the topsoil. Phosphorous in manure treatment had moved down the soil profile, which might cause eutriphication of under ground water, particularly during the rainy season. Based on this work, incorporation of crop residues could be a beneficial practice for improving the fertility of acid soils.     

Effects of fertilizer type and rate on summer maize grain yield and ammonia volatilization loss in northern China

Purpose

In this study, we analyzed the effects of different maize varieties with nitrogen utilization efficiency, fertilizer type, and rate on the ammonia volatilization emission of farmland. Aimed to seek the best matching method to improve grain yield and fertilizer utilization efficiency of summer maize simultaneously.

Materials and methods

In field experiments, we choose two maize varieties with different nitrogen utilization efficiency (Zhengdan958, Z and Lainong14, L) as material. Set four different fertilizer treatments (200 kg N hm^?2 inorganic fertilizer (U1), 100 kg N hm^?2 inorganic fertilizer (U2), 200 kg N hm^?2 organic fertilizer (M1), and 100 kg N hm^?2 organic fertilizer (M2) to study their effect on NH₃ emission and loss, maize grain yield, and nitrogen accumulation.

Results and discussion

Ammonia volatilization accounted for 8.61–21.68% of applied N. Under the same variety, ammonia volatilization accumulation after fertilization was as follows: U1 > U2 > M1 > M2. Ammonia volatilization rates increased first and then gradually decreased after the fertilization. The ammonia volatilization loss and cumulative loss increased due to increased nitrogen fertilizer application rate. The average nitrogen accumulation and harvest index of 200 kg N hm^?2 N treatments were higher than 100 kg N hm^?2 N treatments, and the difference between the inorganic fertilizer and organic fertilizer was not significant. In 2016 and 2017, the average yield of Zhengdan958 was 11,758.79 kg hm^?2, which was 15.78% higher than that of Lainong14, and the difference between the two fertilizer types was not significant. The average yield of 200 kg N hm^?2 N treatment was 11,959.42 kg hm^?2, which was 20.13% higher than those of 100 kg N hm^?2 N treatment.

Conclusions

By changing the type of fertilizer, replacing chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizer can reduce the loss of ammonia volatilization and promote the synergistic improvement to yield and resource utilization efficiency. Among them, using nitrogen-efficient varieties and using organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer was beneficial to reduce the loss of ammonia volatilization, increase the accumulation of nitrogen, and promote the growth of maize to obtain high yield.

     

Effect of exogenous proline application on maize yield and the optimum rate of mineral nitrogen under salinity stress

Abstract

Salinity is a negative abiotic stress that produces drastic disorders on soils and plants causing a critical reduction in plant growth and yield parameters, particularly maize plant, which considers a moderately sensitive plant to soil and water salinity. Although proline and nitrogen are well known to protect plants and improve their tolerance against various abiotic stresses including salinity, the interaction between proline and nitrogen fertilizer under saline conditions remained unclear. Two field experiments were conducted, on a clay saline soil in a split-plot design with four replicates. The main plots were arranged to study the effect of exogenous of proline applications at 0, 50 and 100?mM during seedling and vegetative stages, and mineral of nitrogen fertilization rates were 0, 140, 280, and 420?kg N ha^?1 occupied the subplots. A significant response to fertilizer N was observed at 420?kg ha^?1, while the optimum N rate of 50?mM of proline was 410.3?kg ha^?1 and the economic optimum dose was 403.43?kg ha^?1. Therefore, we recommend using 403.43?kg N ha^?1 to get an optimum economic yield of maize, especially in saline soil, when used 50?mM exogenous of proline at seedling and vegetative stages.     

Effect of long-term fertilization on 15N uptake and retention in soil

We did a pot experiment with three different fertilized soils (no fertilizer (No-F), inorganic fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), manure plus inorganic fertilizer (MNPK)) from a 19-year fertilizer trial. Three N treatments, (1) no N, (2) 100 mg/kg urea-¹⁵N (N), (3) 50 mg/kg urea-¹⁵N + 50 mg/kg corn straw-N (1/2N + 1/2S), were applied to each soil. The residual soil from the same treatments was used to grow second wheat crop. The MNPK soil had significantly higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in the first growing season, and lower N loss than the NPK, and No-F soils. The 1/2N + 1/2S treatment decreased NUE on each soil, even though the MNPK soil still had highest NUE and lowest N loss. The residual ¹⁵N use efficiency (RNUE) in 1/2N + 1/2S treatment of MNPK soil was higher than NPK and No-F soils. We concluded that long-term application of manure plus inorganic fertilizer increased NUE and decreased N loss.     

Nitrification and utilization of fertilizer nitrogen by highbush blueberry

Nitrification rates and nitrogen (N) recovery by 3 year‐old highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Bluecrop) were compared following applications of ammonium sulfate with or without the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on a sandy loam soil with pH 4.8. Ammonium sulfate solutions containing 7.9 grams N (10.2 atom % ¹⁵N), with or without 0.6 g DCD, were applied to the soil surface beneath bushes. Concentrations of fertilizer derived nitrate were significantly lower in DCD treated soils 2 weeks following application, but DCD had no effect on total nitrate levels or fertilizer derived nitrate later in the season. Uptake of fertilizer‐N by blueberry plants was observed by collecting fruit during the growing season and assessing N partitioning within whole plants at the end of the season using ¹⁵N as a label for fertilizer N. The DCD had no effect on fertilizer derived or total N levels in plants. Plants recovered an average of 3% of applied N by the end of the season.     

Effects of cattle manure on selected soil physical properties of smallholder farms on two soils of Murewa,Zimbabwe

The effects of cattle manure and inorganic N‐fertilizer application on soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were determined on clay and sandy soils of the Murewa smallholder farming area, Zimbabwe. Maize was grown in four fields termed homefields (HFs) and outfields (OFs) because of spatial variability induced by management practices and with the following fertility treatments: control (no fertility amelioration), 5, 15 and 25 t/ha cattle manure + 100 kg/ha N applied annually for seven consecutive years. The addition of cattle manure resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increases in SOC, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon in clay soils from at least the 5 t/ha cattle manure rate and was comparable between HFs and OFs on clay soils. Aggregate protected carbon in clay soils was significantly higher from the 15 and 25 t/ha cattle manure rates compared to the 5 t/ha cattle manure treatment. In contrast, only SOC was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the addition of cattle manure on the sandy soils, while bulk density, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were not significantly changed. Bulk density was also not significantly (P > 0.05) different on the clay soils. A significant and positive linear relationship (r² = 0.85) was found between SOC and macro‐aggregate stability, while an r² value of 0.82 was obtained between SOC and aggregate protected carbon on the clay soils. However, no regressions were performed on data from the sandy soils because of the lack of significant changes in soil physical properties. Application of cattle manure and inorganic N‐fertilizer significantly increased (P < 0.05) maize grain yield on both soil types. Results show that inorganic N‐fertilizer combined with cattle manure at 5–15 t/ha per yr is necessary to increase maize yields and SOC on sandy soils in Murewa, while at least 15 t/ha per yr cattle manure is required on the clay soils to improve physical properties in addition to maize yields and SOC.     

Nitrogen availability to grain sorghum from organic and inorganic sources on sandy and clayey soil surfaces in a greenhouse pot study

In a greenhouse pot study, we examined the availability of N to grain sorghum from organic and inorganic N sources. The treatments were¹⁵N-labeled clover residues, wheat residues, and fertilizer placed on a sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil surface for an 8-week period. Soil aggregates formed under each soil texture were measured after 8 weeks for each treatment. Significantly greater ¹⁵N was taken up and recovered by grain sorghum in sandy clay loam pots compared with loamy sand pots. Greater ¹⁵N recovery was consistently observed with the inorganic source than the organic sources regardless of soil texture or time. Microbial biomass C and N were significantly greater for sandy clay loam soil compared with the loamy sand. Microbial biomass ¹⁵N was also significantly greater in the sandy clay loam treatment compared to the loamy sand. The fertilizer treatment initially had the greatest pool of microbial biomass ¹⁵N but decreased with time. The crop residue treatments generally had less microbial biomass ¹⁵N with time. The crop residues and soil texture had a significant effect on the water-stable aggregates formed after 8 weeks of treatments. Significantly greater water-stable aggregates were formed in the sandy clay loam than the loamy sand. Approximately 20% greater water-stable aggregates were formed under the crop residue treatments compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Soil texture seemed to be one of the most important factors affecting the availability of N from organic or inorganic N sources in these soils.Contribution from the MissouriAgricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No.12131     

Dicyandiamide application improved nitrogen use efficiency and decreased nitrogen losses in wheat-maize crop rotation in Loess Plateau

Inhibition of nitrification as a mitigation tool to abate nitrogen (N) losses and improve N use efficiency (NUE) is a promising technology. Nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide, DCD) was evaluated in two consecutive wheat-maize rotations (2015–2017), with two different N fertilizer levels applied in wheat (160, 220 kg N ha^?1) and maize (180, 280 kg N ha^?1). More NH₄⁺-N contents (101% and 102% in wheat and 74% and 73% in maize) and less NO₃^–-N contents (37% and 43% in wheat and 46% and 57% in maize) were observed at both N levels treated with DCD compared to without DCD. Higher pH, lower EC and reduced NO₃^–-N accumulation were the other benefits of DCD. The NO₃^–-N accumulation within the 0–200 cm soil profile was significantly less at both N levels with DCD (66 mg kg^?1 and 121 mg kg^?1) compared to without DCD (96 mg kg^?1 and 169 mg kg^?1). Application of DCD also improved the growth and yield in both crops. Increase in NUE from 38% to 49% in wheat and 27% to 33% in maize with DCD at higher N level was also observed. Overall, the effectiveness of DCD in retarding the nitrification process was higher in wheat than maize.     

Changes in chemical properties of an Ultisol as affected by palm oil mill effluent application

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of palm oil mill effluent (POME) application on soil chemical properties. The POME was incorporated into the top 0–30 cm of Batang Merbau soil, an Ultisol. POME was applied at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 t ha^‐1, both in the presence and absence of 2 t ground magnesian limestone (GML). A succeeding crops of maize and groundnut were planted. The results of the experiment showed that POME application up to the rate of 40 t ha^‐1 did not significantly change the topsoil pH and exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and aluminum (Al). The addition of POME improved the soil fertility, which resulted in an increase of maize yield. The Ca and Mg from the POME accumulated in the topsoil, being held by the negative charge present on the exchange complex. The beneficial effects of POME and/or GML application lasted for about 3 years. The study indicated that application of POME together with GML is a good agronomic option to alleviate soil acidity in Ultisol for maize production.     

Restoring Properties of Artificially Degraded Ultisols and Oxisols and the Effect on Crop Yields under Tropical Conditions

Upland agriculture in Indonesia mainly relies on Ultisols and Oxisols, which have serious problems resulting from severe erosion and low organic‐matter content. The objectives of the study were (i) to assess the effect of long‐term rehabilitation techniques on soil organic carbon (SOC) and maize yields of a desurfaced Ultisol and (ii) to assess the effect of short‐term rehabilitation techniques on desurfaced Oxisol properties and soybean yields. A 7‐year field experiment was conducted on artificially desurfaced Ultisol grown with maize (Zea mays L.). The results showed that rehabilitation techniques using cattle manure, rice straw mulch or Mucuna sp. mulch were successful in restoring SOC content of degraded Ultisol to its initial natural state. All sources of organic‐matter rehabilitations significantly increased maize yields on an Ultisol. Rehabilitations of degraded Oxisol under glasshouse conditions using phosphorus (P) fertilizer, organic matter, basic slag, and lime could increase cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient availability and suppress Al toxicity. At the same time, soybean yields increased 11–14, 2–10, 1–5, and 1–3 times, respectively.     

Comparison of the surface chemical properties of four soils derived from Quaternary red earth as related to soil evolution

The surface chemical properties of soil samples i.e., surface charge and zeta potential, and the mineralogy of soil clay fraction were investigated with reference to soil weathering extent for four different soils derived from Quaternary red earth using the ion adsorption method, a micro-electrophoresis method and the X-ray diffraction analysis. Results indicated that all these soil samples contained kaolinite and gibbsite. The Ultisols from Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi possessed the 2:1 type clay minerals of mica and vermiculite. Hematite and magnetite were found in the Ultisols from Guangxi, Hunan and Jiangxi. Goethite was found in the Ultisols from Jiangxi, Hunan and Guizhou. The positive surface charge for these soils decreased with the order: the Ultisol from Guangxi ≅ the Ultisol from Guizhou > the Ultisols from Hunan and Jiangxi from south to north when pH < 5.0. This is consistent with the content of free Fe/Al oxides present in these soils. On the other hand, the value of negative surface charge on the Ultisol from Guangxi was found much lower than the other soils perhaps because of the intensive weathering of the soil. Both permanent and variable negative charges for the former were also lower than the latter, whereas the point of zero salt effect (PZSE) for the former was greater than that of the latter. The variability of soil negative surface charge followed the order: the Ultisol from Guangxi > the Ultisol from Guizhou > the Ultisol from Jiangxi ≅ the Ultisol from Hunan. The zeta potential and isoelectric point (IEP) of soil colloids and soil net surface charge followed the same order: the Ultisol from Guangxi > the Ultisol from Guizhou > the Ultisols from Hunan and Jiangxi. A good correlation between zeta potential and net surface charge of these soils was observed. Therefore, the magnitudes of the PZSE, IEP and zeta potential of these soils were in agreement with the weathering extent of the soils and can be employed as reference criteria for classification and evolution of soils.     

Turf Response to Superferrite Fertilizer in Contrasting Soil Types

Abstract

Superferrite is marketed as a turf fertilizer in the United States, but there is limited information on its effectiveness or potential risks due to high zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) contents. A greenhouse study was conducted where hybrid bermudagrass and tall fescue, growing in a calcareous clay or acid sandy soil, and creeping bentgrass, growing in a putting green root zone mix, were fertilized with 0, 50, 100, and 150% the recommended rate of Superferrite fertilizer (73.4 g m^?2). Bermudagrass and tall fescue clipping weights increased with Superferrite rate but root mass was not affected. Tissue iron (Fe) concentrations were mostly unaffected by Superferrite, but total Fe uptake, tissue Zn, and total Zn uptake increased with Superferrite rate. Increased yields were probably due to increasing nitrogen (N) applications rather than Fe or Zn. Small increases in Pb uptake with Superferrite applications suggest that Superferrite Pb had low bioavailability to turf.