AGEING OF HYDROLYSED IRON (III) SOLUTIONS1

Three 0.01m Fe(ClO₄)₃ Solutions of R= 0, 1, and 2, respectively, were studied over a period of 8 months, where R is referred to the HCO₃^?/Fe³⁺ mole ratio in preparation. The R= 0 solution was initially light yellow and clear but rapidly changed to a dense cloudy Suspension after a 9-day induction period. Hydrolysed species rapidly grew from <10 nm to >650 nm. Particles of intermediate size were not observed during the entire period of study. Settleable FeOOH precipi-tate was first observed in 5 weeks with 23 per cent of its iron noted as precipitate at the end of 5 months. The R= 1 and R= 2 Solutions were reddish-brown of low turbidity. Rapid hydrolysis and polymerization were observed immediately after preparation. The hydrolysed species gradually grew in size during ageing and no settleable FeOOH precipitate was observed for at least two years. A hypo-thesis based on Lamb and Jacques's model of Fe³⁺ hydrolysis is proposed to interpret the reactions taking place in these three Solutions. In the R= 0 solution, the initial number of nuclei for condensation is low, whereas the poten-tial supply of Fe(OH)₃ is abundant. In the R= 1 and R= 2 Solutions the number of nuclei initially formed is high, whereas a limited amount of mono-meric Fe(OH)₃ is available for condensation. The initial number of nuclei relative to the concentration of monomeric species is the key factor that governs the appearance and properties of these Solutions.     

AGRONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF REINTRODUCING HERB- AND LEGUME-RICH MULTISPECIES LEYS INTO ARABLE ROTATIONS: A REVIEW

● Arable-ley rotations can alleviate soil degradation and erosion. ● Multispecies leys can improve livestock health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ● Ley botanical composition is crucial for determining benefits. ● Lack of livestock infrastructure in arable areas may prevent arable-ley uptake. ● Long-term (10–25 years) research is needed to facilitate evidence-based decisions. Agricultural intensification and the subsequent decline of mixed farming systems has led to an increase in continuous cropping with only a few fallow or break years, undermining global soil health. Arable-ley rotations incorporating temporary pastures (leys) lasting 1–4 years may alleviate soil degradation by building soil fertility and improving soil structure. However, the majority of previous research on arable-ley rotations has utilized either grass or grass-clover leys within ungrazed systems. Multispecies leys, containing a mix of grasses, legumes, and herbs, are rapidly gaining popularity due to their promotion in agri-environment schemes and potential to deliver greater ecosystem services than conventional grass or grass-clover leys. Livestock grazing in arable-ley rotations may increase the economic resilience of these systems, despite limited research of the effects of multispecies leys on ruminant health and greenhouse gas emissions. This review aims to evaluate previous research on multispecies leys, highlighting areas for future research and the potential benefits and disbenefits on soil quality and livestock productivity. The botanical composition of multispecies leys is crucial, as legumes, deep rooted perennial plants (e.g., Onobrychis viciifolia and Cichorium intybus) and herbs (e.g., Plantago lanceolata) can increase soil carbon, improve soil structure, reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirements, and promote the recovery of soil fauna (e.g., earthworms) in degraded arable soils while delivering additional environmental benefits (e.g., biological nitrification inhibition and enteric methane reduction). Multispecies leys have the potential to deliver biologically driven regenerative agriculture, but more long-term research is needed to underpin evidence-based policy and farmer guidance.     

Functional trait differences between native bunchgrasses and the invasive grass Bromus tectorum

We conducted 30- and 60-d greenhouse experiments to compare functional traits of Bromus tectorum (invasive annual grass) and four perennial bunchgrasses under well-watered or drought conditions. Even under drought, B. tectorum experienced significantly less stress (i.e., higher xylem pressure potential and greater shoot water content, water use per day and water-use efficiency) and biomass production than the perennial grasses after 30 d. However, after 60 d, its superiority was reduced under infrequent watering. Differences among perennial grasses were more pronounced for physiological traits under infrequent watering and for morphological traits under frequent watering. Elymus multisetus (fast-growing species) had a higher transpiration rate, lower leaf temperature, and lower water-use efficiency than the other grasses after 30 d. In contrast, Pseudoroegneria spicata (slow-growing) had lower xylem pressure potential and higher leaf temperature than all other grasses under infrequent watering. Under frequent watering, shoot dry mass and specific leaf area of B. tectorum was matched by Elymus wawawaiensis (moderate-growing species). Our results indicate that multiple-species plantings or seedings are necessary to foster greater weed resistance against B. tectorum. We also emphasize that when choosing plant material for restoration, performance during both pulse (resource-rich) and inter-pulse (resource-poor) periods should be considered.     

FLUORIDE ADSORPTION BY ILLINOIS SOILS

Fourteen surface and 6 subsurface horizons of Illinois soils adsorbed significant amounts of F^? with release of OH^?. At low concentrations, adsorption was described by both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The calculated Langmuir adsorption capacities were related to pH, clay, organic carbon, and amorphous aluminum contents. Two soils with different gross chemical properties behaved in essentially the same manner, with adsorption maxima occuring between pH 5.5 and 6.5. The similarity between adsorption at different pH values for the soils and those for bauxite, allophane and synthesized ‘soil chlorite’, and the lack of adsorption maxima between pH 5.5 and 6.5 for pure kaolinite and montmorillonite, suggest that F^? adsorption in the soils is due primarily to the presence of amorphous aluminum oxyhydroxides which are common weathering products in these soils.     

Sward maintenance of Lolium multiflorum by slurry seeding

A field investigation into the effect of slurry seeding on the dry-matter yield and persistence of an Italian ryegrass sward was assessed over a 3-year period (1984–86) under a regime of three cuts per season combined with sheep grazing in early spring and late autumn. Results showed that slurry plus seed treatments produced up to 30% more herbage dry matter and a significantly higher tiller density than where no slurry or seed were used. Slurry application with and without seed also reduced the proportion of weed grasses ( mainly Poa spp.) in the sward. It is concluded that slurry seeding is a useful technique for extending the productive life of an Italian ryegrass sward.     

Frequency of stocking rate adjustments required on contrasting upland perennial ryegrass pastures continuously grazed to a sward height criterion from May to July

The use of sward height as a criterion for determining the time and extent of stocking-rate changes on continuously grazed swards was investigated over a 2-year period (1985–86) in a sheep production experiment. Swards of three contrasting perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) varieties were established with and without Aberystwyth S184 small-leaved white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) at an upland site (310–363 m) in mid-Wales. From spring (late April) until weaning (mid-July) the pastures were continuously stocked with Beulah Speckled Face ewes and Suffolk cross lambs. During this period sward heights of 4 ± 0.5 cm were obtained and maintained by regular adjustment of animal number on individual paddocks. Grass-only swards received 160 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ and the grass clover swards were given 80 and 75 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1985 and 1986 respectively.
Differences were observed between the treatments in sward height profiles over the season necessitating contrasting adjustments to stocking rates. Mean stocking rate necessary on early flowering Aurora (22 6 ewes ha⁻¹) was respectively 27% and 17% higher than on late-flowering Aberystwyth S23 and Meltra (tetraploid) ryegrasses; mean stocking rate on grass-only swards was 19% higher than on the grass-clover pastures.
It is concluded that sward height is a useful criterion on which to make adjustments to stocking rates to compare the potential performance of contrasting swards, under continuous grazing. The infrequent adjustments required to maintain a constant sward height, especially on the late flowering diploid perennial ryegrass variety on which many upland pastures are based, suggest that the criterion of sward height could be successfully employed on farms as an aid to efficient grazing management.     

Mycoparasite-like behaviour of the plant pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum in vitro

Pythium aphanidermatum antagonized several other fungi after hyphal contact on films of water agar, recorded by video microscopy. It sometimes coiled round, penetrated and caused cytoplasmic coagulation of hyphae of the mycoparasites P. oligandrum, P. acanthophoron, P. mycoparasiticum and P. periplocum , but was not affected by them. It also coiled round, penetrated and coagulated P. ultimum, P. vexans, P. catenulatum, P. dissotocum and (infrequently) P. graminicola. It caused cytoplasmic coagulation of Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma aureoviride after contact, but without coiling. Six isolates of P. aphanidermatum behaved similarly, with a mode of action like that of the mycoparasite P. oligandrum but less rapid and consistent than this species. The results are discussed in relation to possible ecological roles of P. aphanidermatum.     

Factors affecting tests for differential pathogenicity in populations of Plasmodiophora brassicae

Factors affecting the use of the European Clubroot Differential (ECD) series for determining the differential pathogenicity of Plasmodiophora brassicae were studied. Replicate tests made with one collection of P. brassicae did not give consistent results. Collections were shown to be heterogeneous for differential pathogenicity. Selection of components of a collection occurred during passage through a range of differential host cultivars. ECD host 06 was shown not to be uniform. There was a linear relationship between the logarithm of spore concentration in the inoculum used in tests and the incidence of disease, and some ECD hosts required a higher concentration of spores than others to give the same incidence of disease. The implications of these findings for the future use of the ECD series are discussed.