Changes in organic carbon content and its physical and chemical distribution in paddy soils cultivated under different fertilisation practices

Purpose

Chemical protection facilitates soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and stabilisation due to a strong chemical binding with mineral surfaces and metal ions (e.g. iron [Fe], aluminium [Al] and calcium [Ca]). However, there is not much information regarding the role of chemical protection in SOC stabilisation in paddy soils, particularly in terms of the specific forms of organo-mineral complexes such as Fe-, Al- and Ca-bonded OC.

Materials and methods

We sampled paddy soils at the 0–20 cm soil layer from a long-term field experiment (initiated in 1981) conducted under humid subtropical conditions in China, which has five fertilisation treatments (i.e. control treatment without fertiliser [CK], chemical fertiliser only [CF], green manure [GM], Straw and Manure) with equivalent nutrient inputs (i.e. N, P₂O₅ and K₂O at the rates of 135–67.5–135 kg ha^?1, respectively, for both early and late rice) except CK. We determined the chemical binding forms of SOC and the associated soil properties in the particulate fraction (PF, >53 μm) and the mineral-associated fraction (MAF, <53 μm), which were obtained using a low-energy ultrasonic dispersion procedure, of a paddy soil in the long-term fertilisation experiment.

Results and discussion

Iron- and Al-bonded OC (Fe/Al-OC) was the dominant fraction and made up 55–70% of the total SOC in the paddy soil, while Ca-bonded OC (Ca-OC) was only a minor fraction (<4%). The Fe/Al-OC was mainly allocated in the MAF (52–67%), indicating that the chemical protection of SOC occurred mostly in the finer particle fractions. Long-term application of organic amendments increased the contents of bulk SOC by 27–34% (P < 0.05), of Fe/Al-OC by 9–16% and of Ca-OC by 35–83% (P < 0.05), whereas the sole application of chemical fertiliser had no significant effects on SOC contents of the paddy soil compared with the treatment without fertiliser inputs. Both amorphous Fe and Al extracted by ammonium oxalate (Fe_ox and Al_ox) showed significant correlations with Fe/Al-OC (r = 0.52 and 0.78, respectively), but Al_ox appeared to have a greater influence on C stabilisation in the paddy soil.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that the dominant chemical binding forms of SOC in the paddy soils were Fe/Al-OC and amorphous Fe/Al oxyhydrates, especially amorphous Al, contributed mostly to the chemical stabilisation of SOC.

     

Characteristics of Nitrogen Loss through Surface-Subsurface Flow on Red Soil Slopes of Southeast China

Soil nitrogen (N) loss related to surface flow and subsurface flow (including interflow and groundwater flow) from slope lands is a global issue. A lysimetric experiment with three types of land cover (grass cover, GC; litter cover, LC; and bare land, BL) were carried out on a red soil slope land in southeast China. Total Nitrogen (TN) loss through surface flow, interflow and groundwater flow was observed under 28 natural precipitation events from 2015 to 2016. TN concentrations from subsurface flow on BL and LC plots were, on average, 2.7–8.2 and 1.5–4.4 times greater than TN concentrations from surface flow, respectively; the average concentration of TN from subsurface flow on GC was about 36–56% of that recorded from surface flow. Surface flow, interflow and groundwater flow contributed 0–15, 2–9 and 76–96%, respectively, of loss load of TN. Compared with BL, GC and LC intercepted 83–86% of TN loss through surface runoff; GC intercepted 95% of TN loss through subsurface flow while TN loss through subsurface flow on LC is 2.3 times larger than that on BL. In conclusion, subsurface flow especially groundwater flow is the dominant hydrological rout for N loss that is usually underestimated. Grass cover has the high retention of N runoff loss while litter mulch will increase N leaching loss. These findings provide scientific support to control N runoff loss from the red soil slope lands by using suitable vegetation cover and mulching techniques.     

砒砂岩对毛乌素沙地风沙土储水能力影响的研究

为探析砒砂岩对于风沙土储水能力的影响,在毛乌素沙地设置不同比例砒砂岩与沙复配成土试验小区(砒砂岩与沙的体积比分别为1∶1,1∶2,1∶5),进行单季玉米种植,并分别于2013—2015年连续3年对0—120cm深度内土壤水分进行动态监测。结果表明:从2013—2015年,适量砒砂岩的加入将风沙土储水量从100mm左右提升至200mm以上,并可逐步调节土壤水分至不亏缺状态,显著提升土壤的保水蓄水能力,有利于作物生长需求;土壤储水以40cm以下中深层土壤储水能力改善作用最为明显,且经多年种植,0—40cm和80—120cm土层逐步成为土壤水分较为稳定的土层,利于作物根系对水分的吸收利用;砒砂岩与沙1∶1~1∶5范围内,随砒砂岩所占比例提高,复配土储水特征的改善作用有增强趋势,但趋势不显著。     

4种水生植物深度净化村镇生活污水厂尾水效果研究

通过设置动态模拟试验,持续进水、出水条件下分析比较了漂浮植物凤眼莲和水浮莲、沉水植物轮叶黑藻和挺水植物黄菖蒲对村镇生活污水厂(一级A标准)尾水深度净化效果,筛选出具有去污效果优势的水生植物,为优化水生植物生态修复工程技术在尾水深度净化中的应用提供依据。结果表明:经水生植物深度净化后,尾水水质得到明显改善,漂浮植物凤眼莲和水浮莲对尾水氮、磷的净化效果优于挺水植物黄菖蒲和沉水植物轮叶黑藻。试验周期内,污水厂尾水总氮、总磷和高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)平均浓度为12.22 mg?L-1、0.38mg?L-1和3.88 mg?L-1,凤眼莲、水浮莲、轮叶黑藻、黄菖蒲和对照各系统的总氮平均去除率分别为46.25%、45.74%、43.41%、38.39%和29.22%,总磷去除率分别为36.84%、34.21%、31.58%、28.95%和26.32%,CODMn去除率分别为42.27%、30.93%、32.47%、32.47%和37.89%。凤眼莲、水浮莲、黄菖蒲和轮叶黑藻生物量净增长率分别为550.5%、418.8%、210.6%和80.3%,凤眼莲生物量净增率最大。各处理系统内凤眼莲、水浮莲、黄菖蒲和轮叶黑藻对尾水氮富集量分别为7.36 g、2.33 g、5.12 g和4.46 g,对磷的富集量分别为0.60 g、0.19 g、0.33 g和0.78 g,凤眼莲富集氮能力优于另外3种水生植物,轮叶黑藻磷富集量高于另外3种水生植物。凤眼莲、水浮莲、黄菖蒲和轮叶黑藻植株吸收作用对尾水总氮去除的表观贡献率分别为15.29%、4.90%、11.17%和11.34%,对尾水总磷去除的表观贡献率分别为50.34%、17.17%、35.24%和76.34%。因此,可利用漂浮植物凤眼莲和沉水植物轮叶黑藻立体复合种养的方式深度净化生活污水厂尾水。     

Zirconium-Modified Activated Sludge as a Low-Cost Adsorbent for Phosphate Removal in Aqueous Solution

A highly effective zirconium-modified activated sludge (Zr(IV)-AS) adsorbent was prepared from activated sludge and applied to remove phosphate from aqueous solutions by batch and column experiments. Characterized results revealed that zirconium was successfully loaded onto the activated sludge (AS), and the specific surface area and pore volume were substantially improved after zirconium loading on the AS. Zr(IV)-AS exhibited a high adsorption affinity for phosphate and the maximum adsorption amount was 27.55 mg P·g^?1 at 25 °C. Adsorption isotherms of phosphate could be described by the Langmuir model, and the adsorption kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order model. Phosphate adsorption on Zr(IV)-AS increased monotonically with decreasing solution pH. The presence of SO₄^2? in water resulted in slightly decreased phosphate adsorption on the adsorbent even at a high concentration (25 mmol/L), and a greater influence of HCO₃^? on adsorption could be ascribed to the increased solution pH with the addition of the HCO₃^?. Column adsorption experimental results showed that the adsorbent has excellent phosphate adsorption properties and that the effluent can meet the requirement of phosphorus in the national wastewater discharge standard of China. Phosphate-saturated Zr(IV)-AS can be effectively desorbed in 0.1 mol L^?1 NaOH solution, and the regenerated adsorbent still possessed the high capacity. The adsorption between the adsorbent and the phosphate is due to the electrostatic interaction and anionic exchange at the surface of the Zr(IV)-AS. Furthermore, this approach provides a possibility of treating wastewater with waste and has the potential for industrial applications for the removal of phosphate from wastewater.     

Evaluation of palygorskite for remediation of Cd-polluted soil with different water conditions

Purpose

The study aimed at comparing the effects of different water managements on soil Cd immobilization using palygorskite, which was significant for the selection of reasonable water condition.

Materials and methods

Field experiment was taken to discuss the in situ remediation effects of palygorskite on Cd-polluted paddy soils, under different water managements, using a series of variables, including pH and extractable Cd in soils, plant Cd, enzyme activity, and microorganism number in soils.

Results and discussion

In control group, the pH in continuous flooding was the highest under three water conditions, and compared to conventional irrigation, continuous flooding reduced brown rice Cd by 37.9%, and brown rice Cd in wetting irrigation increased by 31.0%. In palygorskite treated soils, at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 g kg^?1, brown rice Cd reduced by 16.7, 44.4, and 55.6%; 13.8, 34.5, and 44.8%; and 13.1, 36.8, and 47.3% under continuous flooding, conventional irrigation, and wetting irrigation (p < 0.05), respectively. The enzyme activity and microbial number increased after applying palygorskite to paddy soils.

Conclusions

Continuous flooding was a good candidate as water management for soil Cd stabilization using palygorskite. Rise in soil enzyme activity and microbial number proved that ecological function regained after palygorskite application.

     

几种模型在玉米区域试验的适用性与品种评价中的差异研究

为了综合评价玉米区域试验的结果,采用Shukla模型、Finlay-Wilkinson模型、Eberhart-Russell模型和加性主效乘式互作模型(AMMI)等4种常用模型对中国5个类型的玉米品种区域试验资料进行了拟合与分析。结果表明,没有一个模型对所有试验资料的拟合效果都最佳,Finlay-Wilkinson模型对5个试验拟合效果均最差,AMMI模型对3个试验的数据拟合效果最佳,Shukla模型和Eberhart-Russell模型则分别对一个试验拟合效果最佳。各个模型在玉米品种产量差异显著性检验和稳定性排序等方面存在较大的差异。因此,在玉米区域试验的实际分析中应采用AMMI模型或者利用模型拟合信息量准则选用最佳的模型进行分析,以提高玉米区域试验对品种高产与稳产评价的准确性。     

Analysis on the Effect of Moisture Migration through Walls on Heat Transfer

A dynamic mathematical model for simulating the coupled heat and moisture transfer through walls was proposed with variable material properties. Relative humidity and temperature were chosen as the driving potentials. The temperature and relative humidity and heat flux of wall surface were calculated under varying boundary conditions and compared with those without taking moisture transfer into account. The results show that without and with absorption and desorption processes, the wall interior surface temperature amplitude of the former case is lager than that of the latter, and the average difference temperature of two cases is 0.9℃. The phase change latent heat caused by absorption and desorption of wall surface takes up 27.5% of the total heat transfer quantity, which cant be neglected.     

枣树小冠疏层形空间产量分布及果实品质比较

为了探究枣树小冠疏层形的结构特点、各冠层产量分布及果实品质状况,为枣树造形提供理论支撑,以‘鲁枣2号’枣为试材,研究枣树小冠疏层形的个体结构、生长特性、产量分布及果实品质差异。结果表明：小冠疏层形中间冠层为产量主要分布层,枣果数与枣吊数最多,但是果枝比较其他2个冠层要低,下层平均单果重最大,上层叶绿素SPAD值、叶面积、枣吊长度和果实可溶性固形物含量均比下层高。因此,在对枣树小冠疏层形进行整形修剪时,要严格控制树冠上层的营养生长,适当控制中间冠层侧枝长度,缩放下部冠层侧枝,这样有利于提高果实的品质和产量。     

Capturing genetic variability and selection of traits for heat tolerance in a chickpea recombinant inbred line (RIL) population under field conditions

Chickpea is the most important pulse crop globally after dry beans. Climate change and increased cropping intensity are forcing chickpea cultivation to relatively higher temperature environments. To assess the genetic variability and identify heat responsive traits, a set of 296 F_8–9 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the cross ICC 4567 (heat sensitive) × ICC 15614 (heat tolerant) was evaluated under field conditions at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. The experiment was conducted in an alpha lattice design with three replications during the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 (heat stress environments, average temperature 35 °C and above), and post-rainy season of 2013 (non-stress environment, max. temperature below 30 °C). A two-fold variation for number of filled pods (FPod), total number of seeds (TS), harvest index (HI), percent pod setting (%PodSet) and grain yield (GY) was observed in the RILs under stress environments compared to non-stress environment. A yield penalty ranging from 22.26% (summer 2013) to 33.30% (summer 2014) was recorded in stress environments. Seed mass measured as 100-seed weight (HSW) was the least affected (6 and 7% reduction) trait, while %PodSet was the most affected (45.86 and 44.31% reduction) trait by high temperatures. Mixed model analysis of variance revealed a high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (23.29–30.22%), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) (25.69–32.44%) along with high heritability (80.89–86.89%) for FPod, TS, %PodSet and GY across the heat stress environments. Correlation studies (r = 0.61–0.97) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a strong positive association among the traits GY, FPod, VS and %PodSet under stress environments. Path analysis results showed that TS was the major direct and FPod was the major indirect contributors to GY under heat stress environments. Therefore, the traits that are good indicators of high grain yield under heat stress can be used in indirect selection for developing heat tolerant chickpea cultivars. Moreover, the presence of large genetic variation for heat tolerance in the population may provide an opportunity to use the RILs in future-heat tolerance breeding programme in chickpea.