Comparative evaluation of Ca chloride and Ca phosphate for extractable sulfur in soils with a wide range in pH

Deficiency of sulfur (S) is becoming widespread in the rainfed systems of India, and there is increasing need for diagnosing the deficiency. Calcium chloride and Ca phosphate are commonly used for extracting available S in soils. Because of cost and the ease of availability locally, we prefer using Ca chloride as an extractant over Ca phosphate, for extracting available S. However, there is paucity of data on the comparative evaluation of the two extractants to extract available S, especially in soils having a wide range in natural pH (from acidic to alkaline range). It is recognized that soil pH plays a dominant role in the adsorption–desorption and extractability of sulfate‐S in soils. We compared the extraction of S by Ca chloride and Ca phosphate in 86 Indian soils having a wide range in pH (4.5 to 10.6). Sulfur in the extracts was determined by ICP‐AES. Considering all the 86 soil samples tested, there was an excellent agreement between the values of extractable S determined by using the two extractants (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). However, the correlation coefficient (r) between the values of extractable S by the two reagents, although highly significant, varied among the groups of soil samples according to the range in soil pH. The highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001, n = 17) was found for soils with pH in the alkaline range (8.5–10.6), and the lowest correlation coefficient (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001, n = 58) was obtained with a set of soil samples with pH in the acidic range (4.5–6.5). For soil samples having pH in the near‐neutral range (6.7–7.3), an excellent agreement was observed (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001, n =11) between the extractable‐S values obtained by the two extractants. While Ca phosphate extracted higher amount of S compared to Ca chloride in soil samples with pH in the acidic range, the two extractants were equally effective for soil samples with pH in the neutral or alkaline range. Our results suggest that for most of the soils in the semiarid tropical regions, which have pH in the neutral to alkaline range, Ca chloride can replace Ca phosphate as an extractant for removing available S in such soils.     

Utilization of Sparingly Soluble Phosphate by Red Clover in Association with Glomus mosseae and Bacillus megaterium

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the mobilization of sparingly soluble inorganic and organic sources of phosphorus (P) by red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) whose roots were colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae and in association with the phosphate-solubilizing (PS) bacterium Bacillus megaterium ACCC10010. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and rock phosphate had a synergistic effect on the colonization of plant roots by the AM fungus. There was a positive interaction between the PS bacterium and the AM fungus in mobilization of rock phosphate, leading to improved plant P nutrition. In dual inoculation with the AM fungus and the PS bacterium, the main contribution to plant P nutrition was made by the AM fungus. Application of P to the low P soil increased phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly promoted by inoculation with either the PS bacterium or the AM fungus.     

Dynamics of arsenic-containing compounds sorption on sediments

Background  River and lake sediments constitute complex and difficult analytical samples. On the other hand, sediments play a fundamental role in the distribution of toxic compounds in aquatic systems and in the evaluation of the current state and the course of changes taking place in the environment. Among elements present in the environment in trace concentrations, but having well-elaborated toxic properties, one of most dangerous is arsenic. The element occurs in the environment in several chemical forms, predominant are inorganic forms of As(V) and As(III), and methylated forms such as monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA). Objectives  Reported herein are experiments, which were undertaken with the aim of examining the dynamics of arsenic sorption in sediments and its dependence on speciation of the element and the pH in the environment. Simultaneously, influence of organic matter content and chemical composition of the sediments on As sorption, were investigated. Methods  Sediment samples (upper 10 cm layer) were collected from three sites located in the vicinity of Cracow:

Role of beneficial microbial gene pool in mitigating salt/nutrient stress of plants in saline soils through underground phytostimulating signalling molecules

Soil salinity diminishes soil health and reduces crop yield, which is becoming a major global concern. Salinity stress is one of the primary stresses, leading to several other secondary stresses that restrict plant growth and soil fertility. The major secondary stresses induced in plants under saline-alkaline conditions include osmotic stress, nutrient limitation, and ionic stress, all of which negatively impact overall plant growth. Under stressed conditions, certain beneficial soil microflora ...     

有机无机肥配施对滨海脱盐土栽培菊芋及其养分吸收的影响

以蚯蚓粪和无机复合肥为材料,设置CK(不施肥)、T1(无机复合肥300kg/hm²)、T2(无机复合肥600kg/hm²)、T3(蚯蚓粪7.5 t/hm²)、T4(蚯蚓粪7.5 t/hm²、无机复合肥300 kg/hm²)、T5(蚯蚓粪7.5 t/hm²、无机复合肥600 kg/hm²)、T6(蚯蚓粪15 t/hm²)、T7(蚯蚓粪15 t/hm²、无机复合肥300 kg/hm²)、T8(蚯蚓粪15 t/hm²、无机复合肥600 kg/hm²)共计9个处理,研究了蚯蚓粪和无机复合肥配施下滨海脱盐土土壤性质的变化,栽培菊芋生长特性及养分吸收规律,以确立滨海脱盐土菊芋高效栽培最适有机无机肥配施方案。结果表明：随菊芋生育进程推进,土壤可溶性盐含量下降,T6处理幼苗期和开花期的可溶性盐含量均最低,分别为0.28和0.29 g/kg,较...     

Wheat and Rye Differ in Drymatter Partitioning,Shoot-Root Ratio and Water Use Efficiency Under Organic and Inorganic Soils

Shoot-root ratio (S:R), dry matter partitioning (DMP), and water use efficiency (WUE) response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) vs. rye (Secale cereale L.) was investigated under organic [organic compost (OC), Miracle Grow (MG), sunshine peat moss (SPM), and Garden Basic peat humus (GBPM)], and inorganic soils [canyon soil (CS) and amarillo soil (AS)] in pot experiment at Dryland Agriculture Institute, West Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA, during winter 2009–2010. The experiment was performed in completely randomized design (CRD) with three repeats. The objective of this experiment was whether S:R, DMP, and WUE of wheat versus rye differ under organic and inorganic soils. The results revealed that both crops responded differently in terms of S:R, DMP, and WUE under different organic and inorganic soils. Wheat had higher WUE than rye at different growth stages. Among the soil types, the three organic soils (MG, SPM, and GBPS) had higher WUE than the two inorganic (CS and AS) soils. The higher WUE of both crops when grown in organic soils such as MG, SPM, and GBPS was due to the higher dry matter partitioning to shoots and roots. The total dry weight plant^?1 showed positive relationship with WUE.     

Inorganic N analysis of soil extracts by automated and distillation procedures

Abstract

A comparison was made of automated procedures and steam distillation for analysis of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ in KCl extracts of soils. Automated analysis of NH₄ ⁺ utilized the phenate‐hypochlorite reaction. Nitrate was analyzed by E. coli reduction of NO₃ ^‐ to NO₂‐which was then determined colorimetrically by reaction with sulfanilamide and napthylethylenediamine diHCl. Soil extracts were made with 1 M and 2 M KCl. Extracting with 1 M KCl was as effective as 2 M KCl. Extracts in 1 M KCl did not interfere with E. coli reduction of NO₃‐, but 2 M KCl did. The automated procedures when compared to distillation gave similar if not better precision and reduced variation particularly at low N concentrations. The automated procedure tended to give higher values at higher NO₃‐concentrations. Reduced time required for the analyses provided an additional advantage for the automated procedures.     

Maize Inbreds' Response to Riecito Phosphate Rock and Triple Superphosphate on an Acidic Soil

Abstract

Tropical acidic soils require large inputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers to sustain crop production. Attempts to use phosphate rock (PR) as a cheaper P source have shown limited success because of low rock solubility. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and P nutrition of aluminum (Al)‐tolerant maize inbreds fertilized with PR. Twelve Al‐tolerant inbreds from CIMMYT were planted in 2‐kg pots filled with an acidic soil very low in available P and fertilized with 0, 40, or 100 mg kg^?1 of Riecito PR or triple superphosphate (SP). Plant shoots were harvested 35 days after planting, and biomass, root length, P uptake, and soil residual P were determined. Inbreds were able to sustain growth when fertilized with PR. There was indication that various mechanisms were involved in the responses to PR fertilization. Cultivars combining high uptake and conversion efficiencies should improve maize utilization of PR.     

The Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for the Evaluation of Soil Profiles (8 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   Contamination of soils does not only occur on their surface over large areas, but also in depth. Therefore a characterization of soil state after pollution demands a three-dimensional soil sampling, by what a large number of samples has to be analyzed. Analytical results could be evaluated by multivariate statistical methods, which have already been used for the evaluation of data sets containing results from soil sampling of two dimensions like areas or single profiles. In this case study, multivariate statistical methods were applied to investigate structure and interactions between features in a data set containing results of three-dimensional soil sampling. The investigated soil profiles were contaminated by emissions of a former cement and phosphate fertilizer plant. The aim of this study was to determine the remaining extent of contamination and to analyze whether pollutants are mobilized and vertically transported within the profiles. Materials and Methods: Three soil profiles were sampled in the surroundings of the plant. Grain size, organic and carbonatic bonded carbon, pH value, and the total contents of Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, F, Fe, K, Mn, Mg, Na, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn were determined. The resulting data set was evaluated by cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and principal components analysis. The sequential extraction procedure according to Zeien and Brümmer was applied to analyze the binding properties of Ca, Cd, Cu, Na, Pb, and Zn from selected samples. Results: Cd was identified as contaminant of the top soils. The pH values of the bottom soils were determined to be in alkaline range, which is unnaturally high. Variables were clustered according to enrichment of variables in top soils. The samples were classified regarding their pollution state and their substrate by cluster analysis, which was confirmed by linear discriminant analysis. Geogenic and anthropogenic sources of variables as well as relationships between variables like the binding of heavy metals at organic matter were detected by using principal components analysis. The binding of heavy metals at organic matter in the top soils was confirmed by the results of the applied sequential extraction. A vertically altered distribution of Na binding was determined. Discussion: According to the current soil conditions, the uptake of heavy metals had probably occurred by the over ground part of plants during the deposition. The distribution of Na should likely result from the vertical transport of Na, which would also explain the high pH values of the bottom soils by ion exchange. Altogether, the main amount of deposited Ca, F, Na, P, and heavy metals is likely nearly insoluble bound in the top soils. Conclusions: Ten years after the end of production, the pollution of top soils in the surroundings of the former plant is still high. However, regarding the ecotoxicological relevance the now explored interactions between several soil features and elements strongly indicate that there is no short-term to medium-term risk of a mobilization of the deposited elements with the exception of Na. Recommendations and Perspectives: The results of this case study prove that multivariate statistical methods are powerful tools to explore interactions of variables and relationships in a data set derived from three dimensional soil sampling. The methods applied in this work can be highly recommended for evaluations of large data sets resulting from two- or three-dimensional samplings. Multivariate statistical methods enable the characterization of soils and their pollution state in a simple and economic way.     

黄河口生态恢复工程对湿地土壤不同形态无机硫动态变化的影响

选择黄河口生态恢复前后的未恢复区（R₀）、2007年恢复区（R₂₀₀₇）和2002年恢复区（R₂₀₀₂）的芦苇湿地为研究对象,探讨了生态恢复工程对生长季湿地土壤无机硫形态变化的影响。结果表明,生态恢复工程不同程度地改变了湿地土壤中各形态无机硫含量。相对于R₀,R₂₀₀₂和R₂₀₀₇土壤中的水溶性硫（H₂O—S）含量分别降低46.7%和44.7%,吸附性硫（Adsorbed—S）和盐酸可溶性硫（HCl—Soluble—S）含量分别增加0.4%,116.0%和50.1%,29.1%,而盐酸挥发性硫（HCl—Volatile—S）含量在R₂₀₀₂下降8.0%,在R₂₀₀₇增加19.7%。不同恢复阶段湿地土壤中各形态无机硫含量在生长季呈不同的变化特征,这一方面与不同湿地植物生长节律以及地上与地下之间的硫养分供给关系密切相关;另一方面则与不同生态补水方式导致的环境因子,尤其是pH、EC和氮养分的变化有关。随着恢复年限的增加,湿地土壤的总无机硫（TIS）含量以及其占全硫（TS）含量的比例均呈降低趋势。湿地土壤的TIS储量整体随恢复年限的增加而降低,而这种降低主要取决于H₂O—S、Adsorbed—S和HCl—Soluble—S的贡献,且以H₂O—S占优（78%~80%）。研究发现,随着黄河口湿地的逐渐恢复以及每年冬季芦苇收割活动的进行,恢复湿地土壤中的无机硫养分逐渐趋于缺乏状态,长期来看将不利于维持湿地的稳定与健康。