Effects of rake angle of chisel plough on soil cutting factors and power requirements: A computer simulation

A computer simulation was conducted to predict the effects of rake angle of a chisel plough and soil bulk density on angle of soil failure plane, rupture distance, width of side crescent, frictional, overburden, cohesion and adhesion soil cutting factors, draft forces and drawbar power requirements. The experimental work was carried out in two locations. Soil of the first location was sandy clay with the soil bulk densities of 1.75 and 1.70 g/cm³ for firm and loose soil conditions, respectively, with an angle of internal friction of 30° and a surface friction angle of 20°, cohesion of 2.5 kN/m² and adhesion of 1.2 kN/m². Soil of the second location was clay loam with the soil bulk densities of 1.65 and 1.50 g/cm³ for firm and loose soil conditions, respectively, with an angle of internal friction of 34° and a surface friction angle of 23°, cohesion of 2.4 kN/m² and adhesion of 1.14 kN/m². The prediction showed that the angle of failure plane found to decrease with the rake angle. The rupture distance decreased with the rake angle from 15° to 55° and then increased as the rake angle increased over 55°. The width of the side crescent increased as the rake angle increased and the maximum value and the minimum value were recorded at 75° and at 15°. Values of frictional and overburden factors decreased as rake angle increased. The maximum and minimum values were recorded at 15° and 75°, respectively. The values of cohesion factor increased as rake angle increased. The maximum value was recorded at rake angle of 75° and the minimum value was recorded at rake angle of 15°. Adhesion factor was found to change inversely with the rake angle from 15° to 55° and then to change directly with the rake angle over 55°. The draft force decreased with the rake angle and reached its minimum value at 45° rake angle. Over 45°, the draft force increased and reached its maximum value at 75° rake angle. The draft increased with soil bulk density. The power required for moving the plough recorded the maximum value at rake angle of 15°, while the minimum value was recorded at 55° rake angle. The values of power increased with decrease of soil bulk density. The predicted values demonstrated some deviations from the experimental values of the draft force and the drawbar power.     

Soil texture affects soil microbial and structural recovery during grassland restoration

Many biotic and abiotic factors influence recovery of soil communities following prolonged disturbance. We investigated the role of soil texture in the recovery of soil microbial community structure and changes in microbial stress, as indexed by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles, using two chronosequences of grasslands restored from 0 to 19 years on silty clay loam and loamy fine sand soils in Nebraska, USA. All restorations were formerly cultivated fields seeded to native warm-season grasses through the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. Increases in many PLFA concentrations occurred across the silty clay loam chronosequence including total PLFA biomass, richness, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and actinomycetes. Ratios of saturated:monounsaturated and iso:anteiso PLFAs decreased across the silty clay loam chronosequence indicating reduction in nutrient stress of the microbial community as grassland established. Multivariate analysis of entire PLFA profiles across the silty clay loam chronosequence showed recovery of microbial community structure on the trajectory toward native prairie. Conversely, no microbial groups exhibited a directional change across the loamy fine sand chronosequence. Changes in soil structure were also only observed across the silty clay loam chronosequence. Aggregate mean weighted diameter (MWD) exhibited an exponential rise to maximum resulting from an exponential rise to maximum in the proportion of large macroaggregates (>2000 μm) and exponential decay in microaggregates (<250 μm and >53 μm) and the silt and clay fraction (<53 μm). Across both chronosequences, MWD was highly correlated with total PLFA biomass and the biomass of many microbial groups. Strong correlations between many PLFA groups and the MWD of aggregates underscore the interdependence between the recovery of soil microbial communities and soil structure that may explain more variation than time for some soils (i.e., loamy fine sand). This study demonstrates that soil microbial responses to grassland restoration are modulated by soil texture with implications for estimating the true capacity of restoration efforts to rehabilitate ecosystem functions.     

New wings on the interaction between conventional subsoiler and paraplow tines with the soil: effects on the draft and the properties of soil

Equipping tines with the wings increases draft and soil loosening. Wing angles affect tine performance, soil aggregation and remained residue. In this research, conventional wing with no bent plus backward and forward bent wings with bend angles of 10 and 20° were attached to both a subsoiler and paraplow tine. The rake angle of all wings was 15°. The effects of tine and wing on draft, soil disturbance area, specific draft, remained residue, and mean weight diameter (MWD) were investigated in a clay loam soil at depth of 40 cm and speed of 1.6 km h^?1. The effect of tine and wing plus interaction of them on all parameters was significant (p < 0.01) with the exception of remained residue. The bent-winged tines required higher draft and caused higher disturbance area, lower specific draft, and lower MWD than the conventional tines and those without wing. The highest draft, disturbed area and remained residue plus the lowest specific draft and MWD were obtained when applying the 10° forward bent-winged tines. In present work, the paraplow equipped with forward bent wings with a bend angle of 10° was suggested as a suitable tool for deep soil loosening under a conservation tillage system.     

A study of some tillage practices for sustainable crop production in India

Soil tilth has been defined in terms of a ‘Physical Index’ based on the product of the ratings of eight physical properties — soil depth, bulk density, available water storage capacity, cumulative infiltration or apparent hydraulic conductivity, aggregation or organic matter, non-capillary pore space, water table depth and slope. The Physical Index and a tillage guide were used to identify the tillage requirements of different soils varying in texture from loamy sand to clay in the semi-arid tropics. The physical index was 0.389 for a loamy sand, 0.518 for a black clay loam and 0.540 for a red sandy loam soil and the cumulative rating indices in summer and winter seasons were 45 and 44 for loamy sand, 52 and 51 for red sandy loam and 54 and 52 for black clay loam soils, respectively. The compaction of the loamy sand by eight passes of a 490 kg tractor-driven roller (0.75 m diameter and 1.00 m length) increased the physical index to 0.658 and chiselling of the red sandy loam and black clay loam increased the physical indices to 0.686 and 0.729, respectively. The grain yields of rainfed pearl millet and guar and irrigated pearl millet, wheat and barley increased significantly over the control (no compaction) yields by compaction.

The chiselling of the soils varying in texture from loamy sand to clay at 50 to 120-cm intervals up to 30–40 cm depth, depending upon the row spacing of seedlines and depth of the high mechanical impedance layer, increased the grain yields of rainfed and irrigated maize on alluvial loamy sand, rainfed maize on alluvial sandy loam and red sandy loam, rainfed sorghum on red sandy loam and black clay loam, irrigated sorghum on black clay loam and rainfed black gram on red sandy loam, pod yield of rainfed groundnut, tuber yield of irrigated tapioca and fresh fruit yield of rainfed tomato on red sandy loam and sugarcane yield on black clay soil, significantly over the yields of no-chiselling systems of tillage such as disc harrow and country plough.     

土壤特性对保水剂持水性能的影响

为研究土壤特性对保水剂持水性能的影响,测试了4种保水剂分别与砂壤土、壤砂土、砂粘壤土1和砂粘壤土2共4种土壤混合后的保水率,混合时土壤为风干土,保水剂与土壤混合的质量百分比为0.5%。结果表明:与单纯保水剂或者保水剂与砂子混合相比,保水剂与土壤混合后可明显降低保水剂的释水速度,提高保水剂的持水能力。土壤特性对保水剂释水速度有明显影响,土壤粘粒含量高,保水剂的释水速度慢,反之,则快。土壤粘粒含量高,土壤含水量高,保水剂表面水势梯度变低,使释水速度变慢;粘粒含量低,水势梯度变大,保水剂释水速率加快。经过7 h的恒温蒸发后,4种保水剂在粘粒含量较高的砂粘壤土(粘粒含量25%)中的保水率比在粘粒含量低的壤砂土(12.5%)中的保水率高43.7%~71.3%,且具有明显的差异。     

Straw incorporation and soil organic matter in macro-aggregates and particle size separates

Two field experiments in which straw has been removed or incorporated for 17 yr (loamy sand) and 10 yr (sandy clay loam) were sampled to examine the effect of straw on the C and N contents in whole soil samples, macro-aggregate fractions and primary particle-size separates. The particle size composition of the aggregate fractions was determined. Aggregates were isolated by dry sieving. Straw incorporation increased the number of 1–20 mm aggregates in the loamy sand but no effect was noted in the sandy clay loam. Straw had no effect on the particle size composition of the various aggregate fractions. After correction for loose sand that accumulated in the aggregate fractions during dry sieving, macro-aggregates appeared to be enriched in clay and silt compared with whole soil samples. Because of the possible detachment of sand particles from the exterior surface of aggregates during sieving operations, it was inferred that the particle size composition of macro-aggregates is similar to that of the bulk soil. The organic matter contents of the aggregate fractions were closely correlated with their clay + silt contents. Differences in the organic matter content of clay isolated from whole soil samples and aggregate fractions were generally small. This was also true for the silt-size separates. In both soils, straw incorporation increased the organic matter content of nearly all clay and silt separates; for silt this was generally twice that observed for clay. The amounts of soil C, derived from straw, left in the loamy sand and sandy clay loam at the time of sampling were 4.4 and 4.5 t ha^?1, corresponding to 12 and 21% of the straw C added. The C/N ratios of the straw-derived soil organic matter were 11 and 12 for the loamy sand and sandy clay loam, respectively.     

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     

Crop yield and SOC responses to biochar application were dependent on soil texture and crop type in southern Quebec,Canada

Changes to soil nutrient availability and increases for crop yield and soil organic C (SOC) concentration on biochar‐amended soil under temperate climate conditions have only been reported in a few publications. The objective of this work was to determine if biochar application rates up to 20 Mg ha^?1 affect nutrient availability in soil, SOC stocks and yield of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) on two coarse‐textured soils (loamy sand, sandy clay loam) in S Quebec, Canada. Data were collected from field experiments for a 3‐y period following application of pine wood biochar at rates of 0, 10, and 20 Mg ha^?1. For corn plots, at harvest 3 y after biochar application, 20 Mg biochar ha^?1 resulted in 41.2% lower soil NH on the loamy sand; the same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. On the loamy sand, 20 Mg biochar ha^?1 increased corn yields by 14.2% compared to the control 3 y after application; the same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. Biochar did not alter yield or nutrient availability in soil on soybean or switchgrass plots on either soil type. After 3 y, SOC concentration was 83 and 258% greater after 10 and 20 Mg ha^?1 biochar applications, respectively, than the control in sandy clay loam soil under switchgrass production. The same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. A 67% higher SOC concentration was noted with biochar application at 20 Mg ha^?1 to sandy clay loam soil under corn.     

Response of soil exchangeable and crop potassium concentrations to variable fertilizer and cropping regimes in long-term field experiments on different soil types

Annual potassium (K) balances have been calculated over a 40‐year period for five field experiments located on varying parent materials (from loamy sand to clay) in south and central Sweden. Each experiment consisted of a number of K fertilizer regimes and was divided into two crop rotations, mixed arable/livestock (I) and arable only (II). Annual calculations were based on data for K inputs through manure and fertilizer, and outputs in crop removal. Plots receiving no K fertilizer showed negative K balances which ranged from 30 to 65 kg ha^?1 year^?1 in rotation I, compared with 10–26 kg ha^?1 year^?1 for rotation II. On sandy loam and clay soils, the K yield of nil K plots (rotation I) increased significantly with time during the experimental period indicating increasing release of K from soil minerals, uptake from deeper soil horizons and/or depletion of exchangeable soil K (K_ex). Significant depletion of K_ex in the topsoil was only found in the loamy sand indicating a K supply from internal sources in the sandy loam and clay soils. On silty clay and clay soils, a grass/clover ley K concentration of ～2% (dry weight) was maintained during the 40‐year study period on the nil K plots, but on the sandy loam, loam and loamy sand, herbage concentrations were generally less than 2% K.     

Decomposability of organic matter in particle size fractions from field soils with straw incorporation

Soils from two field experiments on straw disposal were fractionated according to particle size using ultrasonic dispersion and gravity-sedimentation in water. Samples of whole soils, clay. silt and sand-size fractions were held for 49 days at 20°C and the CO₂ evolution measured on 14 dates by gas chromatography.Recovery of soil solids. C and N was 99, 98 and 93%, respectively. Most of the soil C and N was in the clay (<2μm). (loamy sand, 50% C and 56% N; sandy loam. 65% C and 68% N), the silt (2–20 μm) having smaller proportions (loamy sand, 41% C and 38% N; sandy loam. 29% C and 27% N). The sand fraction (20–6000 μm) accounted for 4–7% of the organic matter, and 1–2% of the C was water soluble. Straw incorporation generally increased the C and N content of whole soils and size fractions.The decomposition rate constants were higher for the sandy loam than for the loamy sand soil. For both soils, the decomposability of the organic matter decreased in the order: sand > clay ⩾ whole soil > silt. Straw incorporation increased the decomposition rate of whole soil and sand organic matter. whereas the effect of straw on clay and silt respiration was small.Between 58 and 73% of the respiration was from clay, 21–25% from silt and 6–19% from the sand size fraction.     

Data transformations between soil texture schemes

Various soil texture schemes are in current use. These differ in the size ranges of their particle fractions. There is a need to establish simple methods to correlate these conventional schemes. Therefore I have defined closed-form exponential and power law functions to fit models to cumulative particle-size distribution data. I have tested the functions for their suitability (i) to represent cumulative particle-size distribution curves and (ii) to transfer data between distributions that differ in the size ranges of the particle fractions. I found that closed-form exponential functions adequately represent the cumulative particle-size distributions of fine-textured soils (clay, silty clay, silty clay loam, clay loam, silt loam and loam texture), whilst closed-form power functions better describe the cumulative particle-size distributions of coarse-textured soils (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, sandy clay and sandy clay loam texture). The functions defined are found to be suitable to transfer data between different texture schemes. The use of this approach is illustrated by examples of data transformations between three widely used soil texture schemes: ISSS, Katschinski's and USDA.     

Determining differential water movement through ion exchange resin for nitrate leaching measurements

Abstract

The fate of fertilizer N applied to agricultural soils is of growing concern due to the potential for groundwater contamination. The recent development of an exchange resin that specifically absorbs NO₃ has led to the potential for a new technique to measure cumulative NO₃ leaching. The main limitation to the application of the resin technique is the matching of water movement through the resin with that of soil. A soil water movement device was developed to compare water movement through the resin to that of soil. A study was initiated to develop a resin/soil pack with water movement characteristics that closely matches those of natural soils. Three different soil types were used in this study: a Cahaba sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludult), a Congaree clay loam (fine loamy, mixed, nonacid, thermic Typic Udifluvent), and a Hiwassee clay (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Rhodudult). Both pure resin and resin mixed with soil were found to have higher water movement characteristics compared to bulk soil. A resin pack method was found which had water movement characteristics that were not significantly different from that of bulk soil for the three different soil types. The resin pack method is described.     

土壤质地和灌水器材料对负压灌溉出水流量及土壤水运移的影响

负压灌溉法是一种新近提出的节水灌溉技术，灌溉时供水水头为“负值”，即灌溉水源高程低于灌水器高程。不同材料灌水器和土壤质地是影响灌溉系统出水流量及土壤水运移的重要因素。该文研究了在高程差H为-0.5 m情况下两种灌水器及两种质地土壤对两者的影响。结果表明：灌水器相同时，累计入渗量、水平和垂直最大湿润距离随时间呈幂函数关系变化；在历时相同时黏壤土较砂壤土大；湿润体近似为六分之一的竖直椭球体，但黏壤土水平与垂直最大湿润距离之比大于砂壤土。土壤质地相同时，纤维灌水器较陶土灌水器出水流量高。试验结果进一步证明了负压灌溉的可行性，并为确定负压灌溉系统应用范围及规划设计过程中灌水器选择提供了依据。     

Maize growth responses to deep tillage, straw mulching and farmyard manure in coarse textured soils of N.W. India

Abstract. The effects of deep tillage, straw mulching and farmyard manure on maize growth in loamy sand and sandy loam soils were studied in experiments lasting three years. Treatments included all combinations of conventional tillage (10 cm deep) and deep tillage (35–40 cm deep), two farmyard manure rates (0 and 15 t/ha) and two mulch rates (0 and 6 t/ha), replicated three times in a randomixed block design.
Deep tillage decreased soil strength and caused deeper and denser rooting. Mulching decreased maximum soil temperature and kept the surface layers wetter resulting in better root growth. Farmyard manure also improved root growth, and the crop then extracted soil water more efficiently. All three treatments increased grain yield in the loamy sand, but in the sandy loam only tillage and farmyard manure increased yields significantly. Deep tillage and straw mulch effects varied with soil type and amount of rainfall in the growing season. In the loamy sand the mean responses to deep tillage and mulching were largest in a dry year. A tillage-mulch interaction was significant in the loamy sand.     

Beryllium phytotoxicity in soybeans

A greenhouse study was conducted to assess the effects of soil-applied beryllium (Be) on the growth and Be content of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], grown on acid southeastern soils under limed and unlimed conditions. This study was conducted using a factorial design, with two soil types varying in clay content (Blanton sand, a loamy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Paleudult; and Orangeburg loamy sand, a loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudult), two soil treatments (limed and unlimed) and five Be concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg Be kg^?1 t soil). Addition of Be to unlimed Blanton soil had the most toxic effects of all treatment combinations; at the 150 mg Be kg^?1 treatment plant biomass was reduced as much as 90% and plant Be concentration was as high as 226 mg Be kg^?1. Beryllium concentrations were greater in plants grown in a soil low in clay (Blanton soil). Liming of soils treated with Be resulted in lowered tissue Be concentrations in plants grown on either soil type.     

Mobility of the herbicide pyrithiobac through intact soil columns

The relative mobility of pyrithiobac [sodium 2-chloro-6-(4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylthio)benzoate], a new herbicide used for postemergence control of broadleaf weeds in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), was evaluated and compared against that of bromide (Br(-)) tracer on four soils representative of cotton-growing regions using intact soil columns under saturated flow conditions. Pyrithiobac breakthrough curves were asymmetrical in shape with significant tailing and displaced to the left of 1 pore volume in the Houston Black clay (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Udic Pellustert), Orelia fine sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ochraqualfs), and Ships silty clay (very-fine, mixed, thermic Udic Chromustert) soils. Breakthrough of pyrithiobac in the Hidalgo sandy loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Calciustoll) was delayed and more symmetrical, with peak pyrithiobac concentration reached after 1.2 pore volumes. The immobile pore water (IPW) fractions estimated from the Br(-) breakthrough curves ranged from 20 to 87% of total pore water. The IPW values demonstrated that soils with the greatest amount of IPW (Ships with IPW = 87.3%) exhibited the most rapid movement of pyrithiobac (peak concentration after 0.04 pore volume). The experimentally determined pyrithiobac breakthrough curves confirmed the high mobility of this herbicide in these alkaline and predominantly smectitic soils. These results indicate that pyrithiobac mobility was influenced by soil type and preferential flow processes when leached through intact soil columns.     

Effects of N placement,carbon distribution and temperature on N2O emissions in clay loam and loamy sand soils

Changes in the profile distribution of soil C stocks for conventional versus no‐tillage can affect N₂O losses. Uncertainty remains whether deep N placement into a wetter layer in humid areas would affect N₂O losses. This study evaluated the effects of soil carbon profile distribution (inverted, normal), depth of nitrogen placement (5 cm, 15 cm), temperature (10, 20 and 30 °C) and soil texture (clay loam, loamy sand) on N₂O emissions from soil cores in a 216‐h incubation after simulated rainfall. N₂O losses were larger from the clay loam than from the loamy sand, and cumulative N₂O emissions from the inverted profile, with greater C levels at depth, were more than those from the profile with more C near the upper surface. Cumulative N₂O losses from the inverted clay loam profile with deep N placement (1.16 mg N per kg dry soil; 0.71% of applied N) on average were almost double those in the loamy sand (0.62 mg N per kg dry soil; 0.42%). The smallest N₂O losses were measured from the profiles with more C close to the upper surface with a shallow placement of N for the clay loam (0.19 mg N per kg dry soil; 0.12%) and loamy sand (0.33 mg N per kg dry soil; 0.23%). An exponential relationship between N₂O fluxes and temperature was measured. We conclude that large N₂O losses may occur under the combination of greater soil C content at deeper layers (ploughed soils) and moist profiles after N application (humid regions). Deep N placement appears to aggravate rather than ameliorate these concerns.     

Leaching of genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens through intact soil microcosms: Influence of soil type

Summary The leaching of a genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens through soil was investigated using intact (undisturbed) soil microcosms over a 2-month period. The microcosms comprised large cylindrical cores of three contrasting soil types (a loamy sand, a sandy loam, and a clay loam) supporting a grass/clover sward. Late log-phase cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens containing lux genes encoding for bioluminescence were applied to the surface of the soil cores. Eighteen hours after application of the inocula, the microcosms were subjected to simulated rain events (9 mm per event) at 3-day intervals and leachates were analysed for the concentration of genetically modified bacteria. The lux-modified pseudomonads were detected immediately in leachate from the clay looam with a steady decline in the concentration of cells with time. Leaching of pseudomonads from the sandy loam and loamy sand only occurred over a few rain events and total recoveries from the leachate were lower than from the clay loam. Leaching patterns are discussed in relation to differences in structure of topsoil and subsoil, which determine the pathways of water flow, and to the matric potential at inoculation, which determines the pore-size classes into which cells were first introduced.     

Correlation of solution and extractable phosphorus with vegetative growth of teff

Abstract

Three soils, Hiwassee loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic, Typic Rhodudults), Vaiden clay (very fine, montmorillonitic, thermic, Vertic Hapludalfs) and Marvyn sand (fine, loamy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Hapludults), were used in this study. Phosphorus sorption and desorption isotherms of the soils were determined in the laboratory. Average P sorption maximum (b) was calculated using the Langmuir isotherm equation. Based on the P sorption capacity, each soil was fertilized with different P rates and teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc)] was grown in the greenhouse. The amount of P sorbed and desorbed increased as the concentration of equilibrating solution P increased. Phosphorus sorption maximum from sorption and desorption isotherms was 278, 251, and 37 mg P/kg for Hiwassee, Vaiden, and Marvyn soils, respectively, and for maximum dry matter yield of teff the soils needed a minimum of 0.029, 0.048, and 0.065 mg/L soil solution P, respectively, which were all below the soil solution P at P adsorption maximum.

Soil P was extracted by the Mehlich I, Mehlich III, modified Mississippi, Bray P‐l and Olsen methods. Plant‐available P extracted by each of the five methods was significantly correlated with teff dry matter yield, and statistically any of the five methods can be used as the basis for predicting teff yield responses.     

Toxicity of brass powder to corn and the relationship to soil fractionation of copper and zinc

Abstract

The relationship of Cu and Zn fractionation in soils to plant growth was investigated on a Sassafras sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, mesic Typic Hapludult) and a Joppa gravelly sandy loam (loamy‐skeletal, siliceous, mesic Typic Hapludult). Pot studies were conducted in the greenhouse exposing corn (Zea mays cv. Silver Queen) to concentrations of 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg brass powder/kg soil. The corn was grown over a two week period, during which time individual plant heights were taken to note differences in plant growth. Data showed that plant height was reduced when the concentration of brass powder in the soil was increased. Total and fractionated Cu and Zn levels in the soils were analyzed and compared to height. Regression equations showed a more explicit relationship between height and exchangeable Cu levels rather than other Cu and Zn levels in the two soils. Additionally, a more pronounced effect was seen in plants grown on the Sassafras sandy loam, which was attributed to differences in soil physicochemical properties.