Andosol Soil Research Articles

A qualitative study on the chemical composition of ester-bound moieties in an acidic andosolic forest soil

Solvent insoluble ester-bound moieties, released after base treatment from an acidic andosolic forest soil A-horizon from Madeira, were sequentially extracted and analysed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The separation of all moieties released into several pH “subfractions” allowed the various products released to be studied in detail. The distributions obtained for 2-alkanols, diols, n-alkanols, n-alkanoic acids, ω-hydroxy acids, trihydroxy acids, dihydroxy diacids and phenolic acids indicate a suberin dominated origin of ester-related moieties in this andosolic soil A-horizon. However, a small contribution from plant cutins can not be ruled out completely. Besides plant biopolyesters, the detection of iso and anteiso alkanoic acids, together with short-chain di and ω-hydroxy acids suggests an additional bacterial-derived contribution. In addition to being attached to intact biopolyesters or molecules trapped in the insoluble organic macromolecular network present in soils, we suggest that hydroxy, n-alkanoic, aromatic and diacid moieties released upon base treatment of andosolic soils may occur as Al/Fe organic complexes.

Soil-Root Interface Water Potential in Sweet Corn as Affected by Organic Fertilizer and a Microbial Inoculant

Summary Effects of organic fertilization and application of a mi-crobial inoculant (with EM as commercial name) on soil-root interface water potential (ψ s-r) of sweet corn (Zea mays L. cv. Honey-Bantam) were examined. The microbial inoculant includes about 80 species of microbes, such as Lactobacillus, Rhodopseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Aspergillus. The contributions to ψ s-r from root amount and root activity were analyzed using the Ohm's law. Plants were potted with an Andosol soil fertilized using anaerobically- or aerobically-fermented organic materials with or without EM application, and with chemical fertilizers as control. One month after sowing, as soil matric water potential decreased, ψ s-r was higher in plants with organic fertilizer than those with chemical fertilizer and was also higher in plants treated with EM than in those without EM. The higher ψ s-r was attributed to the larger root volume and higher root activity shown by root respiration rate. Consequently, photosynthetic rates under...

Crop establishment of legumes in rainfed lowland rice-based cropping systems

Poor crop establishment is one of the major limitations to the production of grain legumes after rice ( Oryza sativa L.) in rainfed lowland rice-based cropping systems. The success of germination and emergence of mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilzek), soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr) and peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) planted in zero tilled (ZT), zero tilled combined with mulch application (ZTM) and tilled soils (T) were investigated in a crop establishment trial as a function of sowing delay. Sowing delay was used as a surrogate for soil-water content. This experiment was conducted under a rain-shelter to ensure continuous and progressive drying conditions. A dibbling trial using the same legumes was conducted concurrently and subjected to the prevailing climatic conditions. Germination and emergence success rate of the traditional dibbling method was compared to dibbling incorporating depth control and seed cover. Both experiments were conducted towards the end of the 1994 rainy season in a Vertisol soil at Ngale and an Andosol soil at Jambegede, in East Java, Indonesia where the season gradually changes from wet to dry season. Mungbean emergence was 93–94% at Ngale and soybean emergence was 84–95% at Jambegede, both in the presence and absence of rain. Peanut emergence was low (50–69%) at both sites. In all three species at both sites, the percentage of seeds that failed to germinate was greater than seeds that failed to emerge, indicating that germination rather than emergence was limiting. Seed rot caused by fungal attack and poor imbibition associated with poor seed–soil contact (observed as intact seeds) were the main constraints for the success of germination of mungbean, soybean and peanut. The failure to emerge was mainly caused by seedling rot and the failure of hypocotyl and radicle to penetrate the hard soil, observed as a curling of the hypocotyl. Cultivation at Ngale on a Vertisol resulted in excessively cloddy soil, which in turn resulted in a significant decrease in germination and emergence. The application of straw mulch had little effect on the emergence of legumes on this soil. The use of depth control and application of seed–soil cover did not have a significant effect. Hence the traditional dibbling method where depth of planting ranged from 4 to 7 cm without seed cover was found to be appropriate for planting mungbean and soybean. Germination and emergence of peanut was improved with the application of soil cover and the dibbling stick had a spike added to the tip to assist the root to penetrate the hard compacted soil.

N2O and NO emissions from soils after the application of different chemical fertilizers

Three nitrogen chemical fertilizers were applied to soil – controlled-release urea (CU), a mixture of ammonium sulfate and urea with nitrification inhibitor (AM), and a mixture of ammonium sulfate and urea with no nitrification inhibitor (UA). N2O and NO fluxes from an Andosol soil in Japan were measured six times a day for three months with an automated flux monitoring system in lysimeters. The total amount of nitrogen applied was 20 g N m−2. The total N2O emissions from CU, AM and UA were 1.90, 12.7, and 16.4 mg N m−2, respectively. The total NO emissions from CU, AM and UA were 231, 152, and 238 mg N m−2, respectively. The total NO emission was 12–15 times higher than the total N2O emission. High peaks in N2O and NO emissions from UA occurred for one month after the basal fertilizer application. The N2O emissions from CU and AM during the peak period were 50% of those from UA, and the NO emissions were less than 50% of those from UA. After the peak period, the N2O and NO emissions from CU were the highest for two months. A negative correlation was found between the flux ratio of NO–N to N2O–N and the water-filled pore space. A diel pattern with increased N2O and NO fluxes during the day and with decreased fluxes during the night was observed.

Influences of application of sewage sludge compost on N2O production in soils

Laboratory incubation was conducted to determine the controlling factors affecting the production of N2O in soil taken from short- and long-term experimental sites continuously amended with SS in three types of soil samples. Soil types and sludge application rates significantly affected the production of N2O from soil amended with sludge compost. The yellow soil, with low organic matter content, resulted in higher production of N2O with sewage sludge application probably due to ammonium oxidation in the soil. While andosol soil, with high organic matter content and heavy metal (Zn), resulted in lower N2O production when amended with SS. Uncultivated brown forest soil amended with sewage sludge plus sawdust compost (SSS) at the rate of 20 ton ha−1 showed a peak of N2O production, while no N2O was observed in the same soil at 10 ton ha−1 application rate. These results help us to explain that N2O production from soil amended with SS is greatly affected by soil types, types and application rate of the composts. It should be considered carefully to reduce N2O emission from the recycling of nutrient between soil/agriculture and urban/water treatments in future.

Effects of the depth of NO and N2O productions in soil on their emission rates to the atmosphere: analysis by a simulation model

Many factors are concerned in the changing forms of nitrogen compounds in soil, so it is not easy to make precise models to simulate the concentration profiles of soil nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and their emission rates under various soil conditions. We prepared a simple mathematical simulation model based on soil concentration profiles of NO and N2O. The profiles were measured at lysimeters filled with Andosol soil and fertilized with ammonium sulfate at rate of 200 kgNha-1, incorporating to plow layer (Hirose & Tsuruta, 1996). In this model, diffusion of gases in soil followed Fick's law and the diffusion coefficient was adopted from Sallam et al. (1984). The gas production rate was set up at constant value in the site of gas production, and the gaseous consumption followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. By changing only the depth of NO and N2O production in soil in this model, we obtained the following results.

Transfer of technetium from paddy soil to rice seedling

Tracer experiments on the chemical transformation of technetium in paddy soil and the transfer to rice seedlings have been carried out using 95mTc as a tracer. Two common Japanese soils, Andosol and Gray lowland soil were used in the soil incubation experiments. The chemical form of soluble Tc in soil water was a mixture of Tc-organic matter complex, Tc-iron complex and pertechnetate. An uptake experiment with rice seedlings using nutrient solution showed that the Tc-organic matter complex was less available than pertechnetate or the Tc-iron complex. These chemical forms of Tc were also observed in the root bleeding sap of rice seedlings when introduced to the nutrient solution containing soluble Tc. These results suggested that the transfer of technetium from soil to rice would depend on the chemical form of Tc and they would transport from the root to the leaf without chemical transformation.

Pengaruh Kadar Air Tanah Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Dua Tipe Kapolaga Sabrang

Research of effect of soil moisture content on growth and production of cardamom was done in Lembang. Manoko research garden, from on November 1994 to July 1995. The aim of this research was to identify of the effect of soil moisture content growth and production of two types cardamom, were Mysore type and Malabar type. A factorial randomized block design with two factors, three replication was used, and each replication on one treatment contain three plants, and each plant planted in one polybag. The first factor was soil moisture content consisted five treatments at 30% AW, 45% AW, 60% AW, 75% AW, and 90% AW. The second factor was cardamom type is Mysore and Malabar type. Andosol soil type mixed animal manure with 2 : 1 ratio was used for plant media. NPK fertilizer application with 120 gram/polybag/year was used as basic fertilizer was given in three time. The first application as fertilizer given two week after planting (WAP). The second was given on February 1995 and June 1995. Soils were irrigated to varied water content, and all polybag moved to roof house. The third was on values of the tiller at Malabar type 4 WAP was found on 60% AW, shoot at 16 MST and 30 WAP. The highest values of rimpang was found on 15% AT, in Malabar type. Key word : Cardamon, Soil, Moisture content

Effect of exudate released from seeds and seedling roots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on proliferation of Rhizobium sp. (Phaseolus)

Effects of seed and root exudates obtained from common bean on the proliferation of Rhizobium sp. (Phaseolus) were examined in a combination of three plant cultivars with three Rhizobium strains. In the first experiment, seed or root exudate was mixed with an Andosol soil extract, and bacterial proliferation in the mixture was traced. Seed exudate was prepared from hydroponic solution used in seed imbibition for 24 h, and a series of root exudates was prepared from a hydroponic solution collected every 24 h from the initiation of rooting up to 96 h after rooting. Regardless of the common bean cultivars and Rhizobium strains used, Rhizobium population markedly increased of the 24 h of culture in the mixture containing seed exudates, whereas a negligible increase was detected in the mixture with root exudates. The mixture containing root exudates collected within a period of 72–96 h after initial rooting (96–120 h after seed imbibition) exerted an inhibitory effect on Rhizobium proliferation. The seed exudates contained large amounts of sugars, amino acids, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium compared to any root exudates. In the second experiment, Rhizobium was inoculated directly to common bean seeds sowed in a vermiculite bed which was sterilized and moistened with a plant nutrient solution. Compared with the control (without seed), a remarkable increase in the number of bacterial cells was observed in all the combinations of plant cultivars and Rhizobium strains 24 h after sowing. These results reveal that seed exudates of common bean have a substantial potential to promote Rhizobium proliferation, and that root exudates in a particular period of culture contain some inhibitory factors.

Role of the dwarf bamboo (Sasa) community in retaining basic cations in soil and preventing soil acidification in mountainous areas of Japan

Adjacent plots (1 m2) with and without communities of dwarf bamboo (Sasa), i.e. Sasa- and ref-plots, were selected in mountainous areas, which were relatively low in soil buffer capacity. The following parameters were studied: chemical properties of surface (0-30 cm) soil (at 6 sites), elemental abundances in the soil-Sasa ecosystem (at 6 sites), effect of artificial acid rain on the above two parameters (at 1 site), and chemical properties of throughfall and stemflow of Sasa (at 2 sites including one on a plain). Average values of pH(H2O), base saturation and the ratio of exchangeable (K+Mg+Ca)/exchangeable Al in surface soil were 4.35±0. 53, 25.2±14.3% and 0.41±0.28, respectively, in Sasa-plots and 4.26±0.63, 20.0±9.6%, and 0.28±0.13, respectively, in ref-plots. Though not significant, all soil parameters had higher values in Sasa-plots, i.e. Δx = ca. 0.1 unit, 5% and 0.13, respectively. When the abundance of elements (exchangeable cations in soil of 30 cm depth plus elements in litter and Sasa biomass) in the ecosystem was compared between the two plots, K (and often other basic cations) was higher in Sasa-plots than in ref-plots, whereas Al was lower. Artificial acid rain (1.5 L of 0.05 M H2SO4 applied monthly for 10 months) induced a reduction of Na, K, Mg and Ca in a ref-plot, but in a Sasa-plot only Na and K were reduced whereas Mg and Ca were completely retained. The composite samples of throughfall and stemflow of Sasa were ca. 0.5 higher in pH and richer in K, Mg and Ca than the ambient precipitation. The amounts (equivalents) of elements released by Sasa were in the order K > Ca > Mg. It was determined that about 87% and 98% of K, 76% and 87% of Ca, and 39% and 93% of Mg were of Sasa origin in the composite samples at a mountainous site (cambisol soil type) and a plain site (andosol soil type), respectively. Sasa communities may have a significant role in retention of basic cations in surface soil and prevention of soil acidification because of recycling elements in the soil-Sasa ecosystem.

Transfer of technetium in the soil-rice plant system

In order to assess the behavior of Tc in flooded soil-plant systems, laboratory experiments have been done using95mTc as a tracer. Two common soil types in Japan, Andosol and Gray lowland soils, were used. Soil-plant transfer factors of Tc in rice grain were very low, i.e. 5×10−5 for Andosol and 6×10−4 for Gray lowland soil. It was found that the Tc concentrations in rice plants were influenced by those in soil solutions. Concentrations of95mTc in both soil solutions decreased rapidly in the early period of cultivation. It was observed that redox-potential (Eh) also decreased markedly following flooding. A relationship was found between the decrease of the95mTc concentrations in soil solutions and the drop of Eh in the soils. The Tc (VII) added to soil was transformed to insoluble Tc (IV) under the reduced conditions existing in flooded soil.

Characteristic responses of three tropical legumesto the inoculation of two species of VAM fungi in Andosol soils with different fertilities

Characteristic responses of three tropical legumesto the inoculation of two species of VAM fungi in Andosol soils with different fertilities

Characteristic responses of three tropical legumes to the inoculation of two species of VAM fungi in Andosol soils with different fertilities

The growth and mineral nutrition responses were evaluated of three tropical legumes, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. cv Kuromame), pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan L. (Millsp.) cv ICPL 86009] and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea cv Nakateyutaka) inoculated with two different species of VAM fungi, Glomus sp. (Glomus etunicatum-like species) and Gigaspora margarita, and grown in Andosols with different fertilities [Bray II-P: topsoil (72 ppm), subsoil (<0.1 ppm)]. Percent fungal root colonization was high in cowpea and groundnut but relatively low in pigeonpea in both soil types. Despite the low rate of root infection, significant growth responses were produced, especially in the inoculated pigeonpea plant. In all legumes, shoot dry matter production was favoured by the inoculations. Increases in shoot biomass due to mycorrhizae were greater in the subsoil than in the topsoil. Mycorrhization raised shoot concentrations of P and Ca (in cowpea and groundnut) and P and K (in pigeonpea) in the topsoil. Whereas the P concentration in shoots in the subsoil was not positively affected by VAM fungi, particularly in cowpea and pigeonpea, the concentration of K in such plants was significantly increased by VAM treatment. The results also showed that mycorrhizal enhancement of shoot micronutrient concentrations was very rare in all plants, with negative effects observed in certain cases. Cu concentration, in particular, was not affected by VAM formation in any of the plants, and Mn and Fe in pigeonpea and groundnut, respectively, remained the same whether plants were mycorrhizal or not. In both soils the three legumes responded to Glomus sp. better than to Gigaspora margarita, and the effects of the VAM fungi on each of the crops relative to the controls were greater in the subsoil than in the topsoil. However, shoot growth of groundnut was not affected as much as cowpea and pigeonpea by the type of soil used. In spite of the relatively low infection of its root, pigeonpea was generally the most responsive of the three legume species in terms of mycorrhizal/nonmycorrhizal ratios.

Behaviour of Iodine-129 in Rice Paddy Fields

AbstractTransfer factors of iodine from soil to rice were obtained by laboratory experiments using125I tracer. Two typical soil types in Japan, Andosol and Gray lowland soil, were used. The transfer factor (TF) is defined as ’concentration of the nuclide in a plant organ at harvest’ divided by ’concentration of the nuclide in dry soil’. The TFs for brown (hulled) rice were 0.006 for Andosol and 0.002 for Gray lowland soil. The TFs for different organs of rice plants decreased in the order of blade &gt; stem &gt; rachis &gt; unhulled rice &gt;&gt; brown rice.The concentration of iodine in soil solution under flooded conditions varied with time during cultivation. The iodine concentration in rice plants seemed to be influenced by the soil solution.The effect of removal of 1–129 from paddy fields by harvesting rice plants was also modelled. Even assuming continuous deposition of 1–129 onto the field, annual harvesting of the blades and stems of rice plants could effectively reduce the amount of the nuclide in the root zone.

Root-uptake of radioiodine by rice plants.

Root-uptake of iodine by rice plants from two different soil types was studied using an 125I tracer. At harvest, the 125I concentration was lowest in brown rice (hulled rice) followed by the rachis, stem and leaves. The transfer factors of iodine for brown rice grown on Andosol and Gray lowland soil (fine texture) respectively were 0.007 and 0.002. The ratio of the radioiodine concentrations between flag leaf (first leaf blade) and brown rice was about 400. Transfer factors in plants grown on Andosol were higher than those grown on Gray lowland soil. This may be related to the high 125I concentration in the Andosol soil solutions, particularly after the flowering period. The adsorption and desorption of iodine in the soil was effected by flooding with water and also by the cultivation of rice plants. The radioiodine concentration in the soil solutions first increased in the upper soil layer than in the lower layer. The desorption pattern of iodine was influenced by the soil types.

Nitrogen accumulation in sole and mixed stands of sweet-blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), ryegrass and oats

Nitrogen fixation was measured in monocropped sweet-blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), lupin intercropped with two ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) cultivars or with oats (Avena sativa) on an Andosol soil, using the 15N isotope dilution method. At 117 days after planting and at a mean temperature below 10°C, monocropped lupin derived an average of 92% or 195 kg N ha−1 of its N from N2 fixation. Intercropping lupin with cereals increased (p<0.05) the percentage of N derived from atmospheric N2 (% Ndfa) to a mean of 96%. Compared to the monocropped, total N fixed per hectare in intercropped lupin declined approximately 50%, in line with the decrease in seeding rate and dry matter yield. With these high values of N2 fixation, selection of the reference crop was not a problem; all the cereals, intercropped or grown singly produced similar estimates of N2 fixed in lupin. It was deduced from the 15N data that significant N transfer occurred from lupin to intercropped Italian ryegrass but not to intercropped Westerwoldian ryegrass or to oats. Doubling the 15N fertilizer rate from 30 to 60 kg N ha−1 decreased % Ndfa to 86% (p<0.05), but total N fixed was unaltered. These results indicate that lupin has a high potential for N2 fixation at low temperatures, and can maintain higher rates of N2 fixation in soils of high N than many other forage and pasture legumes.

容器内土壌接種による線虫捕食菌の線虫密度抑制効果の評価

The survival of Meloidogyne incognita second stage juveniles (J2) and free living nematodes (F1) in soil infested with the nematophagous fungi Arthrobotrvs dactvloides (constricting rings) and Dactylella haptotvla (sticky knobs) was evaluated under various conditions. The system for testing survival consisted of 109 of an Andosol soil in 4.5cm diam petri dishes infested with a standard inoculum of 0.05g wet weight fungi/10 g soil. Nematodes were added in a 0. 5ml suspension of water. J2 survival was 8% of control when D. haptotvla was added to soil 2 days prior to adding nematodes but it was 85% in A. dactvloides infested soil under the same conditions. J2 numbers declined rapidly in D. haptotvla infested soil with 10% survival after 24 hours whereas J2 survival in A. dactvloides soil was 50% after 6 days. F1 nematode survival was affected in a similar way by both fungi. Steam sterilization did not appear to affect the trapping of J2 or F1 by either fungi under these experimental conditions.

Effect of Biological Clogging on Infiltration Rate in Soil Treatment Systems

Effect of biomass on the soil hydraulic conductivity was clarified on andosol soil. The approximate value of the maximum allowable density of biomass was determined, which corresponds to the minimum hydraulic conductivity of the clogged andosol soil. On the basis of these values and the mass balance of the substrate, the relation among substrate concentration, thickness of clogged zone and the percolation rate was discussed. In addition, a numerical model was constructed, and the biomass growth and the change of permeability were simulated. Calculated results were compared with the results of two-dimensional infiltration flow experiments. By using the model, the conditions to avoid infiltration failure were determined.

Fate of Nitrogen in Soils Planted to Soybean Crops

Investigations on the fate of fertilizer nitrogen in the soil-plant ecosystem were carried out. Soybean plants (Glycine max, nodulating A62-1 and non-noduating A62-2 varieties) were grown under greenhouse conditions in two kinds of soils, Light Colored Andosol and Yellow Soil. Tagged ammonium sulfate, enriched to 20.6 atom % 15N was applied as N fertilizer to pots, with and without plants, at the rate of 100 mg N/pot (100 kg N/ha). The percentage of fertilizer N recovered by the plants was as follows: 67.4% for the nodulating cultivars and 62.4% for the non-nodulating cultivars in the Andosol; while 50.5% for the nodulating soybeans and 49.4% for non-nodulating soybeans in the Yellow Soil. As for the unaccounted portion in the soil-plant system, the nodulating and the non-nodulating isoline showed a percentage of 18.6 and 22.8% respectively in the Andosol and 26.5% in the unplanted soil. In the Yellow Soil, 30.2 and 31.1% were not recovered in the nodulating and non-nodulating isolines respectively, while...

Calorimetric Studies of Soil Microbes: Quantitative Relation between Heat Evolution during Microbial Degradation of Glucose and Changes in Microbial Activity in Soil

Summary: Heat evolution during the microbial degradation of glucose in a brown arid andosol soil was studied in a conduction-type calorimeter at 30°C. Reproducibilities of the degradation thermograms in terms of the peak time of thermograms, their peak heights, and the total heat evolution, were within ±0.17%, ±1.1% and ±0·51%, respectively (percentage errors). Changes in the number of viable microbial cells and in the amount of glucose degraded revealed linear relationships both between heat evolution and the amount of glucose degraded, and between heat evolution and the viable cell counts, with correlation factors of 0·987 and 0·968, respectively. The heat evolution per unit glucose was α = 1287 ± 52 kJ (mol glucose)−1. The average heat effect per unit cell was q = 6.7 pW per cell, consistent with values determined for bacterial cells in pure culture. On the basis of these results, we propose a method to evaluate the rate of microbial degradation of organic substances in soil. The apparent rate constant (k d) for microbial degradation of glucose in the soil studied was 0·302 ± 0·002 h−1 at 30°C.