A method of capability evaluation for upland soils

Utilizing the data and materials accumulated in the project “Observations on Soil Fertility Changes” organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and executed by 16 Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Stations throughout Japan, an attempt was made to derive a prediction equation for soil loss due to erosion.

Five Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Stations provided us with rainfall records from which monthly rainfalls by three intensity grades, under 2 mm/10 min (LE2R), 2-4 mm 10 min (MEDRi) and over 4 mm/10 min (GT4R), were read. Multiple regression of log-transformed soil loss upon these rainfall data gave the following regression equation

Log soil loss = -0.783 0.0185**GT4R+0.00597**LE2R -0.00763**MEDR for which multiple correlation coefficient (R) was 0.74. The units of measurement were kg are for soil loss mm/month for LE2R, MEDR, and GT4R.

In order to account for the contribution of slope and soil factors to soil loss, Hayashi's theory of quantification No. I was applied after coding the relevant data. R of log-transformed soil loss on GT4R, MEDR, LE2R, slope, bulk density (BD), and texture (TEXT), reached 0.80. GT4R had the highest partial correlation coefficient, followed successively by MEDR, slope, and LE2R. Bulk density (BD) and texture (TEXT) were taken from among the data available to represent characters relevant to erosion, but they had onlv low partial correlations with soil loss in this Particular study.

The method developed in this study appears to be promising only if properly collected data are available. Conditions that should be satisfied in the planning of experiments for the purpose derivation of a prediction equation have been put forward.     

Formation of humus profile in upland soils

It has generally been accepted that humus and its C/N ratio decrease with the depth of soil profile.     

Clay migration in upland soils of Malaysia

Clay movement was studied in a large number of well-drained soils from Peninsular Malaysia, with a kaolinite mineralogy and an udic or perudic moisture regime. Dispersion in subsoils was found to be related to the net charge on the clay, while in topsoils it was virtually independent of charge or weathering status, and all but one topsoil dispersed well. Accumulation of the dispersed clay is thought to be mainly through flocculation, and as such accounts for the absence of clay coatings in many subsoil horizons. A number of criteria are proposed to distinguish between highly weathered Ultisols and Oxisols, in an effort to improve on the currently used inconclusive properties, such as fine clay to total clay ratio.     

几种典型酸性旱地土壤磷吸附的关键影响因素

以几种典型的酸性旱地土壤为研究对象,测定了土壤磷的等温吸附曲线,描述土壤磷的吸附特征,分析土壤最大吸磷量与土壤理化性质之间的关系,通过通径分析等方法明确了影响磷吸附的关键土壤因素。结果表明:土壤粘粒、游离态氧化铝(Al_d)、非晶质氧化铝(Al_o)及有机络合态铝(Al_p)的含量均与最大吸磷量(X_m)呈极显著正相关(P0.01),土壤pH值与X_m呈极显著负相关(P0.01);非晶质铁铝氧化物含量(Feo+Al_o)与X_m有显著的正相关关系(r=0.62,P=0.01);而土壤有机质、游离态氧化铁(Fe_d)、非晶质氧化铁(Fe_o)及有机络合态铁(Fe_p)的含量对X_m均无显著影响(P0.05)。即在本研究区域内,pH值越低,粘粒含量越高的土壤,其铝氧化物、非晶质铁铝氧化物(Fe_o+Al_o)含量越高,土壤的固磷能力越强。粘粒含量可能是影响土壤吸磷能力的一个最关键因素,其次为游离态氧化铝Al_d、非晶质氧化铝Al_o、有机络合态铝Al_p及土壤pH值等,其中各形态氧化铝对X_m的影响效应主要是通过与粘粒的间接作用来实现。     

Evaluation of the Mehlich 3 soil extractant for upland Malawi soils

Abstract

The Mehlich 3 (M3) universal soil extraction method was compared with the ammonium acetate (AA), Bray 1, and DPTA extraction procedures for the analysis of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Upland Malawi soils from 112 smallholder farmers’ fields of the Alfisol, Ultisol, and Oxisol soil orders were analyzed by the four procedures. Calcium, Mg, and K extracted by the M3 and AA procedures were highly correlated (r² = 0.98, 0.98, and 0.99 for the respective elements). The M3 extractant also correlated well with the DPTA procedure for Zn and Cu (r² = 0.88 for both elements) and the Bray 1 method for P (r² = 0.80). Amounts of Mn and Fe extracted by M3 and DPTA were poorly correlated (r² = 0.28 and 0.47, respectively), with both elements testing high in all soils. The high levels suggest that Mn and Fe deficiencies are likely to be rare, and that analysis for these elements is not generally necessary. Special precautions for Zn and Cu analyses are advised due to the low conentrations of these elements in the M3 extract and various laboratory sources of Zn contamination. The use of soil pH along with M3‐extractable Zn is recommended in the identification of potentially Zn‐deficient soils. The preference for expressing analytical results on a volume rather than weight basis is discussed. Based on a review of literature relating to the M3 extractant, the following critical M3 soil test values are tentatively recommended for maize on upland Malawi soils: Ca, 50 mg/dm³; Mg, 75 mg/dm³ and Mg:Ca ratio >0.067; K, 70 mg/dm³; P, 20 mg/dm³; Zn, 1.0 mg/dm³; and Cu, 0.5 mg/dm³. These suggested values should not preclude in‐country correlation studies. Because the M3 procedure is well correlated with the AA, DPTA, and Bray 1 methods, and because it is a rapid procedure, the M3 method can be highly recommended as a replacement for the three current procedures for Malawi upland soils. Caution is advised in extending the results to Malawi lowland soils, which are characterized by higher pH values.     

Transformation of humus in upland soils,Japan

In the previous reports¹⁾²⁾, we published the significant relationship between methoxyl content and other properties of humus. In order to prove that methoxyl content decreased with the progress of humification and that this amount might be used as an index of the degree of humification, we investigated the deformation of humic acid by acid treatment.     

A decision support framework for identifying soil constraints to the agricultural productivity of tropical upland soils

Sustainable agricultural systems are based on managing soils according to their capabilities and constraints. To facilitate the identification of constraints and appropriate management strategies for upland soils, a decision support framework ‘Soil Constraints and Management Package’ (SCAMP) has been developed. Basic soil data (both field and laboratory) are entered into an Access database and are processed to output reports that identify soil constraints to productivity and that tabulate appropriate management strategies. Where spatially referenced soil data are available, maps of constraints can be readily produced in a Geographic Information System. To demonstrate the ability of SCAMP to identify soil constraints at plot scale, it was applied to soil data sets from the two major soil types (Ferralsols and Acrisols) of Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. Phosphorus (P) fixation, aluminium toxicity and low cation exchange capacity (CEC) were identified as common constraints to productivity on Ferralsols, and low plant available water capacity, compaction and low K status as common constraints to productivity on Acrisols. Field experiments were undertaken on a Ferralsol and an Acrisol to assess management strategies for minimizing these constraints in the presence of adequate N, P and K. Maize (Zea mays) yields from the Ferralsol were increased by applying a plant amendment (Tithonia diversifolia) (selected to increase soil pH and decrease P fixation) and high activity clay (selected to increase CEC). Water‐soluble P fertiliser recovery was increased in this high P‐fixing soil by placing the fertiliser in a sub‐surface band. For the Acrisol, maize was grown in mounded rows and yields were maximized by applying a super‐absorbent material (selected to increase soil water holding capacity) or a high activity clay (selected to increase the low CEC of this soil). To demonstrate the usefulness of SCAMP on a catchment/regional scale, spatially referenced soil survey data of the Herbert River catchment, Queensland, Australia, were used to produce a map identifying areas of low pH, high acidification hazard and low CEC. These applications demonstrate the usefulness of SCAMP for linking soil data to management strategies for sustainable productivity at both plot and catchment scale.     

Long-term rates of acidification of UK upland acidic soils

Abstract. The approximate time-scales for serious lowering of the base status of acidic upland soils in northeast Scotland have been based on assessments of geochemical weathering rates in two upland catchments. Periods of 1100 and 12000 years are obtained for soils evolved primarily from granite and quartz-biotite-norite respectively. Factors regulating the rate of removal of base cations in drainage water are discussed, to elucidate those which significantly influence long-term rates of soil acidification. The relationship between base cation leaching and river water acidity is briefly considered.     

华中地区旱地氮素矿化的能力

Nitrogen mineralization potentials of 15 soil samples were studied by the methods of soil aerobic incubation, and the correlation between the potentials and the amounts of nitrogen taken up by rye grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in pot culture was calculated. The soils were collected from Hubei Province in Central China. Soil nitrogen mineralization potentials (N_O) were calculated and optimized by a quick-BASIC program. N_O ranged from 60 mg kg^-1 to 340 mg kg^-1, which accounted for 9.1% to 34.6% of the total nitrogen content. Among the examined soils, yellow-brown soil collected from Wuhan had the largest N_O and brown-red soil from Xianning had the smallest one. The mineralization rate constants (k) ranged from 0.00556 d^-1 to 0.01280 d^-1, in average 0.00882 d^-1. Chao soil from Wuhan had the greatest k while yellow-cinnamon soil from Zhaoyang had the smallest one. There were apparent differences between mineralization parameters (N_O and k) optimized and non-optimized ones. Optimized N_O had a better correlation than non-optimized N_O with the amount of nitrogen accumulated in the aerial parts of rye grass. N_O, N_O × k and N_t(accumulated mineralized nitrogen within time t) could be used as indexes of soil nitrogen supply. Among them N_t was the best, which was significantly correlated with the amounts of nitrogen accumulated in the aerial parts of rye grass harvested at three different times.     

华北旱地土壤硫施用量指标

Fifteen upland soils collected from the major arable areas in North China were used to assess the availability of soil sulfur (S) to plants in a pot experiment. Soils were extracted with various reagents and the extractable S was determined using turbidimetric method or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), respectively. In addition, mineralizable organic S, organic S, N/S ratio, sulfur availability index (SAI) and available sulfur correction value (ASC) in soils were also determined. The S amount extracted by 1.5 g L^-1 CaCl₂ was nearly equivalent to that by 0.25 mol L^-1 KCl (40 ℃), and both of them were slightly smaller than that by 0.01 mol L^-1 Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ solution, as measured by turbidimetric method or ICP-AES. The extractable S measured by turbidimetric method was consistently smaller than that by ICP-AES. All methods tested except that for organic S and N/S ratio produced satisfactory results in the regression analyses of the relationships between the amounts of S extracted and plant dry matter weight and S uptake in the pot experiment. In general, 0.01 mol L^-1 Ca(H₂PO₄)₂-extracted S determined by ICP-AES or turbidimetric method and 0.25 mol L^-1 KCl (40 ℃)-extracted S determined by ICP-AES appeared to be the best indicators for evaluation of soil available S.     

Kinetics of nitrification under upland and flooded soils of varying texture

Abstract

Higher rates of nitrification often reported in fine than in coarse textured soils may not be a direct effect of soil texture because in most of the earlier studies, soil water content has been usually expressed as gravimetric, volumetric or soil's water‐holding capacity without consideration of differences in density/ porosity for soils of varying texture. The same water content in texturally different soils could provide very different conditions of soil aeration and associated nitrifying activity. Effects of soil texture on nitrification was studied by incubating three semiarid subtropical soils having sandy loam, loam, and silty clay textures at 35°C for 30 days using water‐filled pore space (WFPS) as the criterion of soil aeration. Upland or aerobic soil conditions, simulated by incubating soil at 60% WFPS, exhibited very fast nitrification of added fertilizer nitrogen (N) and most of the applied 100 mg of ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄+‐N/kg soil) was nitrified within 10 days of incubation in all three soils irrespective of the differences in texture. Under flooded soil conditions (120% WFPS), nitrification was slow and only 84 to 92% of the applied NH₄+‐N was nitrified even after 30 days. Nitrification could be described by first‐order kinetics for both the upland and flooded moisture regimes, thus nitrification rate depended upon NH₄+ concentration. At similar gravimetric water contents, rates of nitrification differed greatly in soils of varying texture, but when varying water‐holding capacity and bulk density were accounted for using WFPS, all the soils behaved similarly at 60% WFPS. Under impeded aeration (flooded conditions), however, substantial differences were observed in nitrification in soils of varying texture, the largest in fine‐textured Chamror silty clay followed by Habowal loam and the smallest in Tolewal sandy loam soil. These results illustrate the utility of WFPS, compared with soil water content, and its reliability as an indicator of aeration dependent nitrification for soils of varying texture.     

土壤中有效结合态氨的一种测定方法

Dynamics of fixed NH₄⁺ in NH₄⁺-treated soils incubated with glucose at 37±2 ℃ during the course of incubation and factors affecting it were studied. Results showed that content of fixed NH₄⁺ in soil reached a minimum on day 7 after incubation and then increased gradually regardless of the amount of glucose added and the kind of soil tested. However, the amount of fixed NH₄⁺ released from the soil at the given time varied with both the amount of glucose added and the kind of soil examined. In cases glucose was added at a rate of 10.0g C/kg soil, the amount of fixed NH₄⁺ retained in soil after 7 days of incubation was almost identical to that found by Neubauer test. Addition of K⁺ depressed the release of fixed NH₄⁺ significantly. Based on the results obtained a method for determining the content of available fixed NH₄⁺ in soils was proposed and the amount of N as available fixed NH₄⁺ in two soils measured by this method on an area profile-depth basis was presented.     

旱作褐土中铁氧化物的厌氧还原动力学特征

异化铁还原是厌氧环境中有机物降解的重要微生物过程,不仅影响Cr、U等无机污染物在环境中的迁移,还与CH4、N2O、H2S等温室气体的释放关系密切.本文选择7个旱作褐土样品,采用泥浆厌氧恒温培养的方法,研究了旱作褐土中氧化铁的厌氧还原特征,结果表明旱作褐土在淹水条件下可以发生铁氧化物的异化还原,其还原潜势介于4.47～5.95 mg g-1之间,还原速率常数介于0.15 ～0.27 d-1之间.褐土中部分晶态铁氧化物可在这一过程中被还原,游离铁的平均还原率为41.95％.经过40 d厌氧培养后,99.26％的NO3-和88.82％的SO42-被还原.还原过程的速率常数κ、Vmax、Tmax随着土壤有机碳含量增加而增加,还原潜势与土壤SO42-含量呈显著负相关关系.     

A simple method for detection of lipolytic microorganisms in soils

Media selective for the isolation of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were amended with 0.1% sunflower oil emulsified with 0.01% Tween 80. Lipase-producing microorganisms produced clear zones on these media. When lipase-producing bacteria were cultured on a polycarbonate membrane laid on the selective medium for bacteria, clear zones were produced on the medium when the membrane along with bacteria was removed. The agar disc cut from the clear zone also produced a clear zone when placed on the fresh medium, indicating that clear zone formation is the result of the activity of extracellular lipases. The largest population of lipase-producing microorganisms in an agricultural soil was actinomycetes followed by bacteria and fungi. Ranging from 12 to 75% of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi isolates from soils collected from three different locations were capable of producing lipases. In general, relatively small percentages of soil bacteria were lipase producers, and lipase producers were more common among soil actinomycetes and fungi. These three groups of microorganisms appear to be all important in decomposition of oils in organic matters in soils.     

Total elemental analysis digestion method evaluation on soils and clays

Abstract

The standard digestion method for total elemental analysis of soil material by the Soil Survey Laboratory (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) uses a 2‐mL clay suspension with hydrofluoric acid (HF) in a closed Teflon digestion vessel (method HF‐SUS). The accuracy and efficiency of elemental recovery by method HF‐SUS was compared to: (a) modification of HF‐SUS by use of a dried sample (method HF‐DRI); (b) modification of HF‐SUS by use of a dried sample and HF+aqua regia (method HF+AR); (c) sample digestion by Li metaborate fusion (method FUS); and (d) microwave digestion of samples with HF+aqua regia in Teflon bombs (method MICRO). Three replications of three standard reference materials (SRMs), fine‐earth (<2 mm) from 12 soils, and the clay (<2 urn) from 10 of those soils were analyzed. Method HF+AR shows the most consistent statistical agreement with the certified SRM values. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates significant effects (α=0.05) for method of digestion, nonsignificant effects for method times SRM and method times clay, but significant effects for method times fine‐earth. Composition and/or variability of material are significant factors in the method of digestion. Method HF+AR yields significantly higher experimental means of A1₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and K₂O contents and oxide recovery (summation of experimental means for oxides of all reported elements) than all other methods.     

Differentiation of upland soils on the Palawan ophiolitic complex, Philippines

The morphological and chemical features of upland soils derived from ophiolitic parent materials in Palawan, Philippines, are summarised from soil survey data, and compared with those on geosynclinal sedimentary rocks. Although the ophiolitic crystalline rocks are lithologically heterogeneous, the soils have similar morphologies, with reddish colours, clay textures, and friable crumb structures. However, their chemical characteristics differ considerably, with a pH range of over one unit, and exchangeable base status ranging from 95% dominance by Mg in soils derived from ultramafic rocks to 75% dominance by extractable Al in soils from felsic rocks. There are also differences in the total contents of most heavy metals, but less for the extractable forms of Mn and Cu. The soils on nearby geosynclinal sedimentary parent materials are also finely textured but are morphologically distinct, with more yellowish subsoil colours, blockier structures, some clayskins and ‘corned beef’ saprolite. They are also more acid and base-deficient, with Al occupying up to 95% of their exchange complexes. In view of the morphological similarities, chemical criteria are needed to separate the edaphically different groups of ophiolitic soils. Exchangeable Mg/ECEC is the best simple criterion. Soil Taxonomy and the FAO World Reference Base fail to distinguish between the mafic and ultramafic ophiolitic soils at subgroup level. Interactions between droughtiness, cation imbalances, phosphate immobilisation, and heavy metal toxicities may determine the stunted vegetation characteristic of some of the ultramafic soils.     

华北某些旱地硫库的组成

Soil sulfur fractions,including monocalcium phosphate-extractable S,slowly soluble inorganic S,C-O-S,C-bonded S and unidentified organic S,were analyzed for 48 soils,as representatives of 6 major groups of upland soils,fluvisol,cinnamon soil,loessial soil,chestnut soil,black soil and brown soil,in North china,The contents of total S and monocalcium phosphate-extractalble S in the above 48 soils ranged from 234 to 860 and 5.1to 220.3mg kg^-1,respectively and each of 6 soil groups contained the samples with a low level of phosphate-extractable S.Great differences in the average contents of each fraction of S were observed among the above 6 soil groups.Expressed as average percentage of the total S in soils,fluvisols,cinnamon soils,loessial soils,chestnut soils,black soils and brown soils contained 6.1%,9.5%,5.7%,13.2%,3.5%and 6.8% monocalcium phosphate-extractable S,5.7%,3.0%,9.3%,10.4%,3.2%and 3.1% slowly soluble inorganic S,51.6%,26.7%,17.4%,31.2%,28.9%and 22.7% C-O-S,11.0%,9.1%,6.6%,6.8%,9.7%and 9.4% in C-bonded S,and 25.6%,51.7%,60.8%,38.4%,54.7%and 53.0% unidentifed organic S,respectively,FOr the above 6 groups of soils,the mean C/N ratios were remarkably similar,ranging from 9.7 to 10.7,while the mean N/S ratios ranged from 1.16 to 3.12,The highest ratios of C/N,C/C-O-S and C/C-bonded S were found in black soils.averaging 30.4,104.9and 314.7,respectively,while the lowest ratios arose in chestnut soil,averaging 12.4,39.7 and 183.3,respectively.     

A new method for determining free iron in paddy soils

For pedological or edaphological study, it is very important to find a suitable method for determining free iron in soils. The removal of free iron also facilitates the identification and determination of minerals present in soils and clays by X-ray and thermal analysis and microscopic observation. Up to the presnt time many methods have been proposed for the removal or the determination of free iron in soils and clays. With some exceptions these methods are all based on the principle that the free iron compounds existing mainly as ferric iron in soils are reduced to ferrous iron and extracted with suitable reagents. A short historical review is as follows.     

A new method for determining ferrous iron in paddy soils

Introduction

To make clear the chemical behavior of free iron compounds in paddy soils, it is necessary to find an accurate and rapid method for determining ferrous iron in waterlogged paddy soils. Several methods^1,2,3) have been proposed for this purpose, most of which use dilute acids, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, as extracting reagents. According to the writers' experience, however, these methods seem to be inadequate. The reason is that the acid solutions extract not only ferrous iron, but also ferric iron and reducing substances from soils, and the latter two react immediately in the extract to produce ferrous iron, thus we obtain larger value for ferrous iron than the one actually existing in soils. The writers have found that acetate buffer of pH 2.8 is a very suitable extractant for ferrous iron, and they have been able to establish a new method for the determination of ferrous iron in soils using this buffer. The experimental details will be given in this paper.     

A new method for determining mineral weathering rates in soils

Abstract

A new procedure based on measuring the amounts of H⁺ consumed when a pulse of acidic artificial soil solution is passed through a soil column was used to determine mineral weathering rates of a soil (Humo‐Ferric Podzol) from Roundtop Mountain near Sutton, Quebec. The method allows for quantification of H⁺ consumption due to weathering and H⁺ consumption due to cation exchange. Initial experiments yield a soil mineral weathering rate of 0.263 kmol ha^‐1 yr^‐1. This value is well within the range of results obtained by other workers in similar ecosystems. Multiple soil samples can be analysed in a relatively short time, allowing for better quantification of vertical and horizontal variation of H⁺ consumption within a site.