The rice soils of Cambodia. II. Statistical discrimination of soil properties by the Cambodian Agronomic Soil Classification system (CASC)

Abstract. A novel agronomic system of soil classification for managing rice soils in Cambodia (CASC) was developed recently. It integrates local knowledge about the soil with its conceptual and taxonomic understanding by soil scientists. Using quantitative soil survey data we evaluated the agronomic efficacy of the classification system. Although the CASC is based on simple field criteria it explained 25 to 44% of the variation in soil prop-erties relevant for agronomic decision making. It failed, however, to differentiate soil types based on pH (6% of variances explained). Despite its simplicity it performed as well or better than the most widely used soil map in Cambodia (Crocker, 1962), and unlike this small-scale soil map it allows classification on a field-specific basis. The average values of soil properties were often significantly different between groups. Organic carbon, clay content and plant available magnesium and calcium contributed most to the discrimination of CASC soil groups. The predictive accuracy when allocating new samples on the basis of quantitative survey data to soil groups of the CASC was 50% to 100%, except for soil groups Kein Svay (0%) and Kampong Siem (20%). The CASC is valuable for managing Cambodian rice soils and may also be used for up-scaling and mapping of soil information.     

MAGPIE: A modelling framework for evaluating nitrate losses at national and catchment scales

Abstract. A national agri-environmental database and nitrate modelling system has been developed to support the UK government's nitrate policy development. The framework, 'MAGPIE', consists of a database and models linked within a Geographical Information System and provides a user interface which allows detailed spatial and statistical investigation of the current state (data and model output) and the impact of changes in conditions or agricultural practice. Data on crops and livestock numbers taken from the annual agricultural census were modified in relation to land cover data derived from remote sensing, and other sources. These data and data on climate, soils and altitude were interpolated to a 1 km grid. The models of nitrate loss were adapted to work with this data set while retaining as far as possible the salient features of the more detailed models and data from which they were derived. The resulting Policy Decision Support System was found to give estimates of mean annual flow and nitrate load for agricultural catchments which matched measured data closely. The system has contributed to work on a number of policy issues both within the UK and in the UK's contribution to international policy development on pollution derived from agriculture.     

潜土逆转旋耕刀数学模型及参数优化

该文对潜土逆转旋耕机刀片的切削过程进行了受力分析,建立了同时含有两种设计参数(刀片的几何参数和旋耕机的基本速度参数)的功耗模型。并以功耗最小为目标,运用遗传算法对所建模型的参数进行了优化,确定了最佳参数组合。优化结果与实验数据相吻合     

Soil organic‐C accumulation and N availability under improved pastures established in Mediterranean oak woodlands

Long‐term effects of improved pasture establishment (with high proportion of legumes) on soil organic‐C status and N availability in Mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woodlands were assessed. Soils were sampled beneath scattered crowns and in open areas, considering two systems: unmanaged and managed woodlands where improved pastures were installed 26 and 32 years ago. Total and labile C and N pools were measured and C and N mineralization were determined over 24 weeks laboratory incubation. Soils under improved pastures showed higher organic‐C, total‐N and net N mineralization than those under unmanaged pasture, mainly when established beneath trees. Potentially mineralizable C, C mineralization rate and microbial C were not statistically different between the unmanaged and improved pasture sites, but were higher closer to the tree than in the open area (1.8, 1.2 and 1.2 times, respectively). The qCO₂ was higher in improved pastures (1.7 times). Labile pool of C and N extracted with hot water increased under improved pasture (3.4 and 1.7 times, respectively). Results indicate that soil quality amelioration by improved pastures is stronger in the presence of oak trees. Management systems that favour oak tree maintenance and regeneration should be taken into account to reverse soil degradation.     

Organic Matter and Mineralizable Nitrogen Relationships in Wetland Rice Soils

Abstract

Soil nitrogen (N) supply plays a dominant role in the N nutrition of wetland rice. Organic matter has been proposed as an index of soil N availability to wetland rice. This is based on the finding that mineralizable N produced under waterlogged conditions is related to soil organic carbon (C) and total N. The relationship between organic matter and mineralizable N is a prerequisite for determining the N requirement of wetland rice. However, no critical analysis of recent literature on organic matter–mineralizable N relationships has been made. This article evaluates current literature on the relationships of mineralizable N or ammonium N production with soil organic C in wetland rice soils. A number of studies with diverse wetland rice soils demonstrate a close relationship of N mineralized (ammonium‐N) under anaerobic conditions with organic C or total N. However, a few recent studies made on sites under long‐term intensive wetland rice cropping showed that strong positive relationships of mineralizable N with organic C or total N do not hold. Clearly, both quantity and quality of organic matter affect N mineralization in wetland rice soils. Future research is needed to clarify the role of quality of organic matter, especially its chemistry, as modified by the chemical environment of submerged soils, on the mineralization of organic N in wetland rice soils.     

Relationship between Oil Palm Yield and Soil Fertility as Affected by Topography in an Indonesian Plantation

Abstract

Typically, Indonesian oil palm plantations rest on rolling topography. There is limited information on how topography affects soil fertility and oil palm yields. A study was conducted to evaluate these relationships in a commercial oil palm plantation located in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Two sites with differing past management history and fertility regimes were each partitioned into three topographic positions. At each topographic position, yields were recorded at 10‐day intervals over a period of 2 years. Leaf and soil samples were collected from corresponding points spaced at 36.4 m (x direction) and 8.7 m (y direction) using a systematic scheme. Leaf analysis was performed to quantify nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), and soil analysis was carried out to determine pH, organic carbon (C), extractable P, exchangeable K, Mg, and Ca, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), and texture. The collected data were subjected to exploratory, univariate, and bivariate analyses, as well as analysis of variance. Empirical production functions based on measured variables were defined for each topographic position. Results showed that average yields at both study sites varied with topographic position. At site 1 (Sungai Pelepah Estate), the sideslope and the summit consistently gave higher yields than the toeslope. At site 2 (Sri Gunung Estate), a yield gradient was observed with the highest yield occurring at the toeslope and the lowest yield from the summit. Soil fertility varied across topographic positions at both sites. The measured leaf/soil variables showed varying levels of optimality/sufficiency across topographic positions. In most cases, leaf and soil variables showed comparable performance as yield predictors. Validation of the calibrated models showed reasonable accuracy for the toeslope of site 1 and all three positions at site 2.     

Distribution of Chromium,Nickel, and Cobalt in Different Parts of Plant Species and Soil in Mining Area of Keban,Turkey

Abstract

The distribution of chromium, nickel, and cobalt in the plant species and soil of the Zn‐Pb‐Ag sulfide deposits of the Keban area in Turkey have been studied to determine both biogeochemical indicators and biomonitoring of environmental pollution. Plants, including Euphorbia, Verbascum, and Astragalus, and their associated soil samples were collected, and the roots and shoots of these plants together with soils were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The three metal concentrations in the shoots of Euphorbia samples were found to be lower than in their roots, whereas the metal concentrations in shoots of Verbascum are higher than in their roots. Although the metal concentrations in soils were found to be lower than the permissible limits for agricultural purposes, the concentrations of these metals in different parts of some plants were observed at excessive/toxic levels. As a result, the roots of Euphorbia and the shoots of Verbascum and Astragalus can be used to biomonitor environmental contamination and as biogeochemical indicators.     

Phosphorus Fertility Assessment of Intensively Farmed Areas of Catchments Draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area; 1: Soil Phosphorus Status

Abstract

Australia's reef water quality protection plan has a key objective: “reduce the load of pollutants from diffuse sources in the water entering the Reef.” This article reports on a survey to assess the contemporary phosphorus (P) status of fertilized cropping soils across 21 catchments in coastal Queensland, Australia. The survey focused on surface soils from cane farms, vegetable and subtropical/tropical fruit tree sites. There were sampling depth effects on P levels in sugar and fruit tree sites (lower with depth). Importantly, 84% of 105 sugarcane sites were excessively fertile and only 3% rated low (P deficient). Some 75% of 16 vegetable sites and 38% of 8 fruit tree sites had excess ratings for extractable soil P fertility. Highest total P levels (0–10 cm) occurred in fruit tree sites, followed by vegetable and sugarcane soils. There are regional differences in P soil fertility, and the recycling of mill by‐products needs attention. Part 2 (Bloesch and Rayment 2006 Bloesch, P. M. and Rayment, G. E. 2006. “Phosphorus fertility assessment of intensively farmed areas of catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, 2: Potential of soils to release soluble phosphorus”. In Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 37 [Google Scholar]) examines the potential of these soils to release soluble P in a nutrient‐sensitive area.     

闲置开发平土区水土流失特性及其治理途径研究

城市化水土流失及其治理仍是个新的课题。通过对深圳地区的花岗岩风化物土壤的开发平土区水土流失特性分析和侵蚀调查 ,提出了适合城市开发平土区的侵蚀等级划分和侵蚀模数。在此基础上 ,治理实践从水土流失和城市景观双重视角开展了三边优先治理。在治理途径方面探索出“理顺水系、周边控制、绿化固坡”的治理模式。     

国内外降雨侵蚀力简易计算方法的比较

降雨是引起土壤侵蚀的主要动力 ,用 EI30 指标度量。计算 EI30 时 ,需要降雨过程资料 ,而且计算繁琐和费时 ,为此 ,很多学者采用常规降雨资料计算降雨侵蚀力的简易算法。它们往往利用区域资料经验拟合求得 ,如要推广使用 ,需要进行验证。利用我国 10个气象站降雨过程和常规降雨资料 ,通过对国内外 9种比较有代表性的多年平均年降雨侵蚀力简易计算方法的比较 ,建议采用年雨量的指数函数形式作为估算我国多年平均年降雨侵蚀力的简易计算方法。为保证计算结果的区域稳定性 ,应分不同区域进行拟合。