The relative-intensity method of x-ray fluorescence analysis and its application to soils and rocks

The relative-intensity X-ray fluorescence method of analysis of rock and soil samples has been investigated and compared with the net-intensity method. Strong, coherently scattered radiation originating from the X-ray tube is shown to be preferable to background radiation as an internal standard, and scattered radiation measured at one wavelength can usefully be applied in the determination of several elements. When the concentrations of an element in two soil samples of different composition (for example concretions and the soil adjacent to them) are compared, the ratio of the relative intensities may be different from the ratio of net intensities by a factor of about two. The concentrations of manganese in thirteen standard rock samples determined by the relative-intensity method are within or very close to the ranges of values reported previously.     

Thermal decomposition of protein in soil organic matter

Infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen analyses suggest that secondary amide groups in protein-like components of soil clay-organic complexes and extracted organic matter decompose above 100°C to yield ammonia which is retained as NH₄⁺ by acid-washed clay-organic complexes. Above about 400°C, other volatile nitrogenous decomposition products are released. Clay surfaces in the clay-organic complexes may catalyse the decomposition.     

Calculation of hydraulic conductivities of horizons in some major soils in Wisconsin

Hydraulic conductivity between saturation and a tension of 100 cm water was calculated with moisture-retention data for nine soil horizons and compared with results from in situ measurements with the crust test. Agreement was good for sandy, apedal soil horizons with simple packing voids but only if matching factors were used. Results were unreliable in clayey, pedal soil horizons in which a few relatively large planar and tubular pores determine K in the measured tension range, whereas the greatest fraction of total porosity is composed of fine pores inside peds that hardly contribute to flow. Varying the number of pore classes (n) and the water-filled porosity at saturation made no significant difference in the calculations for the apedal soils, but drastically changed the shape of the calculated curves for the pedal soils. Matching factors based on K_sat measurement had to be used for all studied soil horizons, indicating that Marshall's pore-interaction model never predicted K_sat accurately.     

Electrofocusing: A new method for characterization of soil humic matter

Electrofocusing in polyacrylamide gel was carried out on humic substances extracted by 0.1 n NaOH, 0.1m Na₄P₂O₇, and by the method of Burns, El Sayed and McLaren (1972) from the upper and lower organic horizons of an alpine podsol. The electrophoretic patterns were characteristic of both humus origin and extractions procedure. The best resolution of the isoelectric bands for the humus were obtained by the Burns-McLaren procedure. The ionic component does not have much influence on the distribution of humus constituents within the electrophoretic pattern, but the presence of phosphate appears to be essential to obtain good separations.     

The penetration of soil by mycelial strands of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Soil factors affecting growth of mycelial strands from ectomycorrhizas into surrounding soil were studied experimentally. Treated soil cores were inserted into root boxes for 4–6 weeks, then infiltrated with gelatin, sectioned, and mycelial strands harvested. Very large differences in mycelial strand growth (measured by weight) occurred between different soils, some soils completely inhibiting growth of strands of the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon luteolus. Compaction of soil reduced mycelial strand penetration greatly e.g. by 80 per cent in one experiment. Soil sterilization ameliorated compaction effects. High soil phosphorus tended to increase strand growth but nitrogen level and Pseudomonas fluorescens. a common soil bacterium, had small or inconsistent effects.     

THE EFFECT OF AUTUMN MANAGEMENT ON WINTER DAMAGE AND SUBSEQUENT SPRING PRODUCTION OF SIX VARIETIES OF LOLIUM PERENNE GROWN AT CAMBRIDGE

Six perennial ryegrass varieties which were known to differ in winter hardiness were subjected to ten managements comprising two N rates and fire autumn cutting treatments. Autumn yields and soluble carbohydrate contents were measured, also the amount of winter damage in February and subsequent spring yields. The winter was mild, herbage damage was slight and no plant deaths were recorded, but significant differences were found between cutting treatments and varieties. The amount of winter damage increased with the length of the autumn rest period and with the degree of winter dormancy of individual varieties, indicating that natural senescence was a more important causative agent than frost action. Spring yields were affected by the amount of winter damage but there were considerable interactions between varieties and environments. The results are discussed in relation to autumn management practices, choice of variety for different locations and measurements of winter hardiness. The induction of winter dormancy by day length or low temperature reactions is considered in the breeding of varieties for maximum production in different parts of the country.