Eutric Cambisol Research Articles

Koncentracija magnezijuma u četinama kanadske duglazije različitih provenijencija

The morphology, anatomy, ecology and physiology of introduced tree species should be tested in order to confirm their autochthonous characteristics and justify their introduction. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga mensiesii Mirb/Franco) is a species with a very wide geographical range of distribution and an extensive altitudinal range. Its natural area of distribution stretches from New Mexico to Canada and from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains. The species should be tested using the model of provenance tests in order to select the most adaptive and promising provenances to be introduced into new ecosystems of Serbia. This paper deals with the content of magnesium in the needles of Douglas-fir in different provenances originating from Canada. Magnesium is the most important mineral for all living organisms and affects a number of biochemical processes in plants.The research was carried out on fourteen different provenances of Douglas-fir originating from Canada on two different soil types - eutric cambisol and vertisol. All the trees of the study provenances were of the same age and grown under the same conditions on two different types of soil. The determined amounts of magnesium in the needles indicate that there are differences in the ability of certain provenances of Douglas-fir to absorb this element of nutrition from the soil.

Utjecaj vremena zriobe na agronomska svojstva introduciranih kultivara predivog lana

The harvest time of fibre flax is influenced by climatic conditions, varieties, stages of maturity and the crop’s final use. In addition, the time of harvesting of fibre flax affects the quality of the fibres. Fibre flax can be harvested in few stages of maturity. So, this paper presents the influence of three stages of maturity (green, yellow and full ripening) on the agronomic traits (stem yield, stem yield after retting, total fibre yield, share of total fibre, long fibre yield, share of long fibre) of five fibre flax varieties. Varieties trials with fibre flax were set up in two years (2010-2011) and in two locations: at the experimental fields of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb on eutric cambisol and of the College of Agriculture at Križevci on pseudogley on level terrain. The trials were carried out according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. According to the results of the two-years research into the agronomic traits of fibre flax, significant differences were established among the varieties and among the stages of maturity under study. The varieties Agatha, Viola and Electra recorded higher values of investigated traits. All varieties achieved higher values of investigated traits at Križevci (production on heavier soil in which some of winter moisture remained available in spring months). The highest values of investigated traits were recorded when the fibre flax were harvested in the green ripening.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN RELATION WITH SOIL PERMEABILITY IN THE AREA OF VELIKA GORICA WELL FIELD

Hydraulic parameters affect the behaviour of various ions in soils. The goal of this paper is to get a better understanding of the relationship between physical and chemical properties and soil permeability at the location of the case study soil profile Velika Gorica, based on physical and chemical data. The soil profile is situated in the Eutric Cambisol of the Zagreb aquifer, Croatia. The Zagreb aquifer represents the only source of potable water for inhabitants of the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb County. Based on the data obtained from particle size analysis, soil hydraulic parameters and measured water content, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were calculated for the estimation of soil profile permeability. Soil water retention curves and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities are very similar for all depths because soil texture does not change significantly through the depth. Determination of major anions and cations on soil samples was performed using the method of ion chromatography. The results showed a decrease of ions concentrations after a depth of 0.6 m. SAR distribution in the soil profile shows that SAR values are not significantly changing in the soil profile. The highest CEC and EC values are determined in the horizon Bw developed at a depth of 0.6 m which is consistent with the highest SAR value and ion concentrations. All results suggest that physical and chemical properties of the investigated profile are related to soil permeability.

Comparative effects of prolonged freshwater and saline flooding on nitrogen cycling in an agricultural soil

Due to climate change, the frequency and duration of flood events are predicted to increase in many regions of the world. This is expected to cause large changes in soil functioning and to a progressive decline in soil quality such as reduced rates of nutrient cycling, enhanced greenhouse gas emissions and loss of soil biodiversity. There is a knowledge gap, however, on how temperate agricultural soils under different management practices (e.g. manure application) respond to prolonged river or coastal flooding. The main objective of this work was to determine the effects of a simulated prolonged flooding with saline and freshwater on soil N cycling, following application of a low C:N organic amendment (broiler litter) at two temperatures, representative of a winter and a spring flood event. Using laboratory mesocosms we simulated prolonged winter (6 °C) and spring (14 °C) flooding of soil amended with broiler litter. We also compared the effects of inundation with either river (freshwater) or coastal (saline) water. An agricultural grassland soil (Eutric Cambisol) was subjected to different combinations of treatments (flood with fresh or saline water, winter vs spring temperatures, with/without poultry manure). The impact of these treatments on soil solution N dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) and microbial community structure (by PLFA analysis) were evaluated over an 11 week simulated flood event followed by an 8 week soil recovery period (without flood). Overall, potential losses of NH4+ and cumulative GHG emissions were increased by flooding and the presence of manure. CH4 emissions were found to dominate under freshwater flooding conditions and N2O under saline flooding. Significant releases of GHG occurred during both flooding and after floodwater removal. Temperature was less influential on regulating GHG under the different treatments. These releases in GHG were associated with disruption in N cycling and changes in soil microbial composition and these changes persisted after floodwater removal. Extreme flooding negatively impacts soil functioning, however, the magnitude of any changes remain critically dependent on flood duration and source of flood water, and management conditions. Further work is required at the field scale to understand the molecular basis of the responses observed in this study.

Multiple exchange processes on mineral surfaces control the transport of dissolved organic matter through soil profiles

Organic topsoil layers are important sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) transported to deeper soil layers. During passage through the mineral soil, both organic matter (OM) quality and quantity change markedly. Whether these alterations are due to sorption processes alone or to additional stepwise exchange processes of OM on mineral surfaces (“cascade model”) is not fully understood. To test the “cascade model”, we conducted a laboratory flow cascade experiment with undisturbed soil columns from three depths of two different soil profiles (Dystric and Eutric Cambisol) using carbon (C) isotope labelling. Each of the connected topsoil and subsoil columns contained a goethite (α-FeOOH) layer either with or without sorbed 13C-labelled OM to assess the importance of OM immobilization/mobilization reactions with reactive soil minerals. By using a multiple method approach including 13C analysis in the solid and solution phases, nanometer scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we quantified organic carbon (OC) adsorption and desorption and net OC exchange at goethite surfaces as well as the associated microbial community patterns at every depth step of the column experiment. The gross OC exchange between OM-coated goethite and the soil solution was in the range of 15–32%. This indicates that a considerable proportion of the mineral associated OM was mobilized and replaced by percolating DOM. We showed that specific groups of bacteria play an important role in processing organic carbon compounds in the mineral micro-environment. Whereas bulk soils were dominated by oligotrophic bacteria such as Acidobacteria, the goethite layers were specifically enriched with copiotrophic bacteria such as Betaproteobacteria. This group of microorganisms made use of labile carbon derived either from direct DOM transport or from OM exchange processes at goethite surfaces. Specific microorganisms appear to contribute to the cascade process of OM transport within soils. Our study confirms the validity of the postulated “cascade model”, featuring the stepwise transport of OM within the soil profile.

Microbial competition for nitrogen and carbon is as intense in the subsoil as in the topsoil

Most studies on plant nutrition tend to focus on the topsoil (plough layer) and frequently neglect subsoil processes. However, cereal roots can potentially acquire nutrients including organic and inorganic nitrogen (N) from deep in the soil profile. Greater knowledge on the interaction of plants and microbes in subsoil environments is required to evaluate whether deep rooting traits in cereals will achieve greater nutrient use efficiency and greater soil carbon (C) storage in cropping systems. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between root distribution, organic and inorganic N availability and potential N supply at the critical growth period during the wheat cropping cycle in a sand textured Eutric Cambisol. Our results provide evidence of significant microbial capacity in the subsoil. The rate of plant residue turnover and the mineralization of organic C and N substrates (glucose, amino acids, peptides, protein) declined slightly with increasing soil depth; however, these rates were not correlated with basal soil respiration, microbial biomass or community structure. This suggests that the microbial population in subsoil is more C limited but that its activity can be readily stimulated upon C substrate addition. A significant potential for organic and inorganic N turnover was also demonstrated at depth with a similar abundance of ammonifiers and ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) throughout the soil profile. Again, N mineralization in subsoils appears to be substrate limited. Root density declined rapidly down the soil profile with few roots present past 50 cm; suggesting that this is the major factor limiting C recharge of soil organic matter and microbial activity in subsoils. Greater root proliferation at depth could allow greater capture of water and the recapture of N lost by leaching; however, our results suggest that plant-microbial competition for C and N is as intense in the subsoil as in the topsoil. We conclude that while deeper rooting may improve nutrient and water use efficiency it may not lead to much greater C sequestration in subsoils, at least in the short term.

Within field cereal yield variability as affected by soil physical properties and weather variations – A case study in east central Sweden

Yield variations within fields can be substantial and soil physical properties are important as explanatory factors. However, correlations between yield and soil physical properties change between years, mainly depending on weather conditions. This study examined yield variations within a field and the explanatory power of interactions with soil physical factors. It also examined whether soil penetration resistance measurements can indicate areas where soil physical properties are potentially yield-limiting. Field measurements and soil sampling were carried out at 20 locations spread across a 7.5ha area on a Eutric Cambisol within a 28ha field at Kvarnbo farm in Uppsala, Sweden (59°50′N, 17°32′E). Yield was monitored in 1996–2000 and 2004. Soil sampling was performed in spring 2004 for measurement of soil texture, organic matter content, saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and water-holding capacity at two matric tensions, 0.5kPa and 10kPa. Penetration resistance was measured on three separate occasions in 2004 and 2005, to cover any changes within and between seasons. “Simple” regression and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to test for significant differences in the data. Texture proved to be the main factor explaining the overall variation between sampling points, but penetration resistance was the most influential factor for yield variations. Yield in 2000 differed from that in other years due to excess water in lower-lying parts of the field (r=−0.70 between yield in 2000 and water-holding capacity in the subsoil, compared with r=0.6 in dry years). Since penetration resistance was correlated to several other measured soil properties it could be suitable as a screening tool to identify areas with poorer soil physical status for further investigations. Soil physical properties and their effects on yield were highly dependent on the weather. In high-yielding years, when water was not the limiting factor, soil physical status mattered less.

Ecological implications of pedogenesis and geochemistry of ultramafic soils in Kinabalu Park (Malaysia)

In Sabah, Malaysia, ultramafic rock outcrops are widespread (totalling 3500km2, one of the main outcrops in the tropical zone), and predominantly of the peridotite type. However, strongly serpentinised peridotite is also locally common, particularly along fault lines in the Mt. Kinabalu area. This study aimed to determine the extent of chemical variation in ultramafic soils in relation to the degree of serpentinisation and the weathering intensity, and consequent potential ecological implications linked to resulting soil chemical fertility. It was hypothesized that young soils and soils derived from bedrock with a significant degree of serpentinisation strongly differ from typical Geric Ferralsols and result in soil chemistries with more adverse properties to plant life (e.g. low availability of the essential nutrients N, P, K and Ca and high concentrations of potentially phytotoxic Mg and Ni). Ultramafic soil diversity linked to the age of the soil or the degree of serpentinisation would thus be a main factor of plant diversity and distribution. The diverse topography of Kinabalu Park (ultramafic soils present between 400 and 2950masl) has given rise to high pedodiversity with the broad overall ultramafic soil types being: (i) deep laterite soils (Geric Ferralsols); (ii) moderately deep montane soils (Dystric Cambisols) with mor humus; (iii) shallow skeletal soils at high altitude (Eutric Cambisols Hypermagnesic); and (iv) bare serpentinite soils (Hypereutric Leptosols Hypermagnesic) at low altitude (200–700masl). Leptosols on serpentinite and Eutric Cambisols have the most extreme chemical properties in the whole Kinabalu Park area both with very high Mg:Ca molar quotients, with either high available Ni (Cambisols) or high pH (Leptosols). These soils host specific and adapted vegetation (high level of endemism) that tolerates geochemical peculiarities, including Ni hyperaccumulators. Geric Ferralsols present far less chemical constraints than Hypermagnesian Cambisols soils to the vegetation and host a tall and very diverse rainforest, not so different than that on non-ultramafic soils. It therefore appears that altitude, soil age and degree of bedrock serpentinisation are the main determining factors of soil properties: the qualifier “ultramafic” alone is not sufficient to define soil geochemical and ecological conditions in the Kinabalu Park area, probably more than in any other ultramafic region in the world.

Methane oxidation in lead-contaminated mineral soils under different moisture levels

Methane (CH4) oxidation in soil reduces the concentration of this greenhouse gas due to the activity of methanotrophic bacteria. This process is influenced by chemical and physical parameters of soil. We tested the methanotrophic activity of selected mineral soils (Mollic Gleysol, Haplic Podzol, Eutric Cambisol) contaminated with lead (Pb) under different soil water potentials (pF 0; 2.2; 3.2). The heavy metal was added as PbCl2 in two doses. Together with the initial content of Pb in soils, the final contents of heavy metal in different soils were 11.6 and 30.8 mg kg−1 in Eutric Cambisol, 7.1 and 26.3 mg kg−1 in Haplic Podzol, and 12.2 and 31.4 mg kg−1 in Mollic Gleysol (dry mass of the soil is specified in all cases). The results showed relatively low sensitivity of methane oxidation to the addition of the heavy metal. The major factor controlling this process was soil water content, which in most cases turned out to be the most optimal at pF = 2.2.

Classification and spatial distribution of soils in the foot and toe slopes of mountain Vukan, East-Central Serbia

This study describes and classifies the soils of the foot and toe slopes of the Vukan Mountain, Central Serbia, the contact point of two distinct geomorphological units, with a focus on their spatial distribution and their main soil-forming processes. The Vukan Mountain is formed of Jurassic limestones and dolomites, whereas the foot and toe slopes are of fluviatile-colluvial origin. A total of 42 soil profiles were examined. Soil profile locations were determined with respect to elevation differences, accounting for a set of six profiles for every 5-m elevation increase between 175 and 210ma.s.l. The area is characterized by the dominance of chernic and mollic topsoil horizons and the major part of the area is covered with Phaeozems. Five Reference Soil Groups were found in a very small area. Eleven soil profiles are Chernic Phaeozems, five are Cambic Phaeozems, and twelve are Rendzic Phaeozems. The central part of the study area is characterized by the accumulation of secondary carbonates and Chernozems were identified. The northern part of the study area is covered with Fluvisols, Calcisols, and Leptic Rendzic Phaeozems, whereas Chernic and Cambic Phaeozems and Eutric Cambisols cover the western part of the study area. The differences in the CaCO3 content in the gravels, the differences in the gravel content, and the different lateral and vertical distribution of CaCO3 are strong evidence of surface processes that occurred in the past. The presence of different geological layers and buried horizons suggests fluviatile processes. The spatial distribution of soils is related mainly to parent material occurrence, and colluvial and alluvial processes that occurred in the past. The soil map created in GIS has Reference Soil Group as central unit following Rule 1 for map legend creation, except in the case of Phaeozems, which are present as Phaeozems (Leptic) and Phaeozems (other) following Rule 5. This soil survey with approximately one soil profile per 4 ha has indicated considerable soil heterogeneity in the study area. Detailed surveys are therefore recommended for areas with pronounced heterogeneity of soil-forming factors.

Ponded infiltration in a grid of permanent single-ring infiltrometers: Spatial versus temporal variability

Abstract Temporal variability of the soil hydraulic properties is still an open issue. The present study deals with results of ponded infiltration experiments performed annually in a grid of permanent measurement points (18 spatial and 14 temporal replicates). Single ring infiltrometers were installed in 2003 at a meadow site in the Bohemian Forest highlands, the Czech Republic. The soil at the plot is coarse sandy loam classified as oligotrophic Eutric Cambisol. Soil water flow below infiltration rings has distinctly preferential character. The results are marked with substantial interannual changes of observed infiltration rates. Considering just the results from the initial four years of the study, the temporal variability did not exceed the spatial variability detected in individual years. In later years, a shift to extremely high infiltration rates was observed. We hypothesize that it is related to structural changes of the soil profile possibly related to combined effect of soil biota activity, climatic conditions and experimental procedure. Interestingly, the temporal changes can partly be described as fluctuations between seemingly stable infiltration modes. This phenomenon was detected in the majority of rings and was found independent of the initial soil moisture conditions.

DMPP is ineffective at mitigating N 2 O emissions from sheep urine patches in a UK grassland under summer conditions

Abstract Nitrification inhibitors are a potential technology to mitigate N 2 O emissions from the urine patches of grazing animals. At present, there is limited information regarding the efficacy of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) in reducing N 2 O emissions from ruminant urine patches, as opposed to the well-studied nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide. In practical terms, urine patches would be deposited to soil at various times following the application of a nitrification inhibitor to soil. We hypothesised that the effectiveness of DMPP in reducing cumulative N 2 O emissions would decrease the longer the time since DMPP application. This study utilised an automated closed chamber technique, to monitor fluxes of N 2 O from sheep urine patches (725 kg N ha −1 ; 150 ml; 300 cm 2 ) deposited to a Eutric Cambisol, where DMPP was applied (1 kg ha −1 ) on the same day, 2 weeks before and 4 weeks before urine application. Fluxes were monitored continuously from 4 weeks before, to 9 weeks after, urine application. DMPP was found to be ineffective at reducing cumulative N 2 O emissions and 9-week urine-N 2 O emission factors when applied at the same time as the sheep urine, although a low number of replicates were used in this study. Some effect of DMPP in delaying the accumulation of soil NO 3 − was observed, with effects being greater the shorter the time since DMPP application. The temporal dynamics of N 2 O fluxes were also altered where DMPP was applied on the same day as the urine. Heterogeneity in soil conditions were deemed responsible for the large spatial variability of N 2 O emissions observed in this study. The use of Rhizon samplers were useful for detecting spatial variability within the soil solution directly beneath the urine patches (within the flux chambers), which may not have been detected within duplicate urine patches (outside the chambers), where soil sampling was conducted. Further work is required to determine the loading rate and duration of efficacy of DMPP to reduce emissions from urine patches under temperate summer conditions.

An assessment of factors controlling N2O and CO2 emissions from crop residues using different measurement approaches

Management of plant residues plays an important role in maintaining soil quality and nutrient availability for plants and microbes. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the factors controlling residue decomposition and their effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil. This uncertainty is created both by the complexity of the processes involved and limitations in the methodologies commonly used to quantify GHG emissions. We therefore investigated the addition of two soil residues (durum wheat and faba bean) with similar C/N ratios but contrasting fibres, lignin and cellulose contents on nutrient dynamics and GHG emission from two contrasting soils: a low-soil organic carbon (SOC), high pH clay soil (Chromic Haploxerert) and a high-SOC, low pH sandy-loam soil (Eutric Cambisol). In addition, we compared the effectiveness of the use of an infrared gas analyser (IRGA) and a photoacoustic gas analyser (PGA) to measure GHG emissions with more conventional gas chromatography (GC). There was a strong correlation between the different measurement techniques which strengthens the case for the use of continuous measurement approaches involving IRGA and PGA analyses in studies of this type. The unamended Cambisol released 286% more CO2 and 30% more N2O than the Haploxerert. Addition of plant residues increased CO2 emissions more in the Haploxerert than Cambisol and N2O emission more in the Cambisol than in the Haploxerert. This may have been a consequence of the high N stabilization efficiency of the Haploxerert resulting from its high pH and the effect of the clay on mineralization of native organic matter. These results have implication management of plant residues in different soil types.

Local soil type variability controls the water budget and stand productivity in a beech forest

Climate change and particularly increasing frequency of drought events during the vegetation period may threaten tree vitality and forest biomass productivity in many temperate regions in the future. In that context, the identification of critical environmental factors and a better understanding of their impact on forests are decisive. The water balance is recognized as one of the most important soil factors for stand productivity in temperate forests. Hence, the consequences of short or long term climate change might vary considerably spatially in function of soil type within a given forest. Our study objective was to assess the impact of contrasting soil types on the water balance and stand growth of a beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest ecosystem of similar age and management during four climatically contrasting years. The experimental forest site of Montiers presents different soils with contrasting physicochemical properties (Dystric Cambisol, Eutric Cambisol and Rendzic Leptosol) monitored to quantify water fluxes and stand biomass increment. Using data collected over the period 2012–2015, including a particularly dry year (−24% precipitations in 2015), we also quantified the impact of water shortage on stand productivity at the annual scale as a function of soil type. We evidenced important differences in soil water holding capacities (SWHC) along the studied soil sequence, ranging between 57mm for the Rendzic Leptosol downhill over limestone and 205mm for the Dystric Cambisol uphill over detrital sediments. The results show that the canopy intercepted the same amount of incident rainfall in the three plots and that there were no significant differences in annual soil moisture dynamics among the studied soils. We evidenced different rooting patterns depending on soil type. Under a same climate and with stand, site exposition and solar radiation equivalency, trees transpiration was the evident primary driver of the stand potential to produce aboveground biomass. Soil water holding capacity, annual trees transpiration and aboveground biomass production increased in that order: Rendzic Leptosol<Eutric Cambisol<Dystric Cambisol. During the drier year 2015, the decrease in aboveground biomass productivity was of similar amplitude on the three soil types.

Accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements in Medicago sativa L. grown along the E75 route section Belgrade-Leskovac

The contents of heavy metals and trace elements and their accumulation in Medicago sativa L., cultivated on Eutric cambisol along the E75 route section Belgrade-Leskovac, were examined in order to assess the health and safety of animal feed. The samples of soil and aerial parts of the plant material were collected from both sides of lanes at 10, 30, 50 and 400 m perpendicular to the direction of the highway. Soil and plant analyses of the metals content were done according to ICP methodology. The results showed that at the locality L 14, a distance of 30 and 50 meters away from the lanes, the content of total forms of Cr, Ni and Pb in soil was above the maximum permissible concentration. In the plant biomass it was determined the following: in a sample from the location L 14 at a distance of 50 meters from the lanes concentrations of Ni and Co were higher than normal values, and concentrations of Fe and Pb were above toxic levels or maximum tolerance levels for animal feed; determined Fe content in the sample of alfalfa at location L 11, 400 m away from the lanes, and Ni in the sample from the site D 12 at a distance of 50 m from the lanes, was above the normal values, while in the sample from D12 location, at a distance of 30 m from the lanes, the content of Pb was above the toxic levels or maximum tolerance levels for animal feed. The results suggest a caution in the use of alfalfa, grown near the highway route, for animal feed because of the potential entry of heavy metals into the food chain.

VARIATION OF EUTRIC CAMBISOLS CHEMICAL PROPERTIES BASED ON ALTITUDINAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGIC ZONING

This study of the variation process of the chemical properties of eutric Cambisols on altitudinal levels, forest station subclasses and geomorphologic units, was based on soil analyses from 847 soil horizons gathered from 379 profiles. These profiles were distributed on Romania s entire forest area. The average values of the eutric Cambisol s chemical properties fit were within the known limits for this type of soil, but there were slight variations based on altitude, forest station subclass and geomorphologic units. As expected, the most chemical properties decrease according to the altitudinal levels, from altitudes of over 900 metres to altitudes of under 300 metres. At the level of the Ao horizon, the pH has a value of 5.78 (the soils are slightly acid) at altitudes lower than 300 m and of 5.03 (the soils are mildly acid) at altitudes higher than 900 m.The saturation degree basis is 72% (the soils are mezobasic towards eubasic) at altitudes lower than 300 m, and 56.7% (the soils are mezobasic towards oligomezobasic) at altitudes higher than 900 m. The exchangeable hydrogen decreases from 16.95 me/100 g soil at altitudes higher than 900 m to 9.01 me/100 g soil at altitudes lower than 300 m.

THE TOTAL AND AVAILABLE CONCENTRATIONS OF ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF EASTERN CROATIA

UDK 631.41:546.4(497.6)&#x0D; The research objective was to determine the influence of basic soil chemical properties on total concentration and available fractions of essential trace elements in the soil. Agrochemical soil analysis were conducted at two localities of different soil properties Berak and Vinogradci in eastern Croatia. The soil at the site Berak was eutric cambisol of neutral reaction (pH average (H2O) 7.20), while the soil in Vinogradci was luvisol of slightly acid reaction (average pH (H2O) 5.87). Both soils were poor in organic matter and well supplied with phosphorus and potassium. As expected, at both analyzed sites the highest average concentrations were determined for total Fe, Mn and Zn followed, and the lowest concentrations were for total Cu. Higher total concentrations of analyzed microelements were recorded at the Berak site. The total concentrations of Zn and Cu in all analyzed soil samples were below the maximum permissible concentrations. The highest average concentration of available microelements fraction by EDTA Extraction, were at the Berak site determined for Mn (50.52 mg/kg), then Fe (21.77 mg/kg), Cu (4.78 mg/kg), and the lowest for Zn (1.47 mg/kg). At the Vinogradci site average concentrations of available fraction of microelements determined by EDTA extraction were the highest for Fe (77.09 mg/kg), then Mn (30.75 mg/kg), Cu (4.36 mg/kg), and the lowest for Zn (1.76 mg/kg). Identical order of average concentrations at both sites was also recorded for extraction with DTPA solution. Comparing available fraction of microelements by localities, higher average concentrations of Mn and Cu were found at the site Berak, while on site Vinogradci higher average concentrations were of Fe and Zn. At both sites the DTPA method extracted more of Fe and Mn, an average of 51.06% and 6.39% more than the EDTA method, but the method EDTA extracted more Zn and Cu, an average of 127.10% and 100.40% than DTPA method. The smallest share of the available fraction of the total concentration was recorded for Fe (0.06% by EDTA -0.09% by DTPA ), followed by Zn (1.20% by DTPA - 2.74% by EDTA) and Mn (5.93% by EDTA – 6.31% by DTPA), while the largest share was observed for Cu (10.92% by DTPA and 21.84% by EDTA).

Sulphur speciation and availability in long-term fertilized soil: evidence from chemical fractionation and SK -edge XANES spectroscopy

Knowledge of sulphur (S) speciation in soil following applications of chemical and organic fertilizers is important for understanding the availability and fate of S in agricultural ecosystems. Sulphur speciation of the soil in three fields, which are part of the National Long-term Monitoring Network of Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Effects of China, was investigated with a combination of a wet-chemical fractionation scheme and S K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Treatments of the soil included no fertilizers (control), regular applications of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (NPK), or of NPK plus organic manures (MNPK) since 1990. Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm) horizons in 2011. Chemical fractionation showed that available sulphate was the predominant inorganic S species in the Eutric Cambisol, whereas HCl-extractable sulphate was the main inorganic S species in the Haplic Phaeozem and Calcaric Cambisol. Organic S accounted for up to 77% of total S in all soil samples. Results from the fractionation (inorganic S plus ester-S) and XANES analysis (oxidized S) were correlated (r = 0.585, P < 0.01), which confirmed the presence of HCl-extractable sulphate and the speciation of residual S in soil. Long-term application of organic manures facilitated significantly the accumulation of intermediate and reduced S species and increased total and organic S in the soil (P < 0.01). In contrast, the application of chemical fertilizers (NPK) had little effect on the distribution of organic S species compared with the control. Atmospheric deposition was identified as an important source of S. The combination of chemical fractionation and XANES spectroscopy provided complementary information on the availability and speciation of S in soil. Highlights Availability and species of S are characterized with chemical fractionation and XANES spectroscopy. Insoluble sulphate is identified as an important form of S in the soil regardless of soil pH. Organic manure facilitates the accumulation of organic S in long-term fertilized soil. Atmospheric deposition contributes importantly to the input and cycling of S in soil.

Impact of climate change on soil thermal and moisture regimes in Serbia: An analysis with data from regional climate simulations under SRES-A1B

We considered temporal and spatial variations to the thermal and moisture regimes of the most common RSGs (Reference Soil Groups) in Serbia under the A1B scenario for the 2021–2050 and 2071–2100 periods, with respect to the 1961–1990 period. We utilized dynamically downscaled global climate simulations from the ECHAM5 model using the coupled regional climate model EBU-POM (Eta Belgrade University-Princeton Ocean Model). We analysed the soil temperature and moisture time series using simple statistics and a Kolmogorov complexity (KC) analysis. The corresponding metrics were calculated for 150 sites. In the future, warmer and drier regimes can be expected for all RSGs in Serbia. The calculated soil temperature and moisture variations include increases in the mean annual soil temperature (up to 3.8°C) and decreases in the mean annual soil moisture (up to 11.3%). Based on the KC values, the soils in Serbia are classified with respect to climate change impacts as (1) less sensitive (Vertisols, Umbrisols and Dystric Cambisols) or (2) more sensitive (Chernozems, Eutric Cambisols and Planosols).

Incipient ferralization and weathering indices along a soil chronosequence in Taiwan

The low hilly topography of Green Island, a volcanic island off southeastern Taiwan, includes an altitudinal sequence of sub‐horizontal benches. We examined eight profiles along this sequence, ranging from pale brown loamy coral sand on the lowest bench that fringes the coast at an elevation of about 10 m to deep, intensely red and acid clay on the highest bench at about 240 m. Chemical analyses, differential Fe extractions, thin sections, X‐ray diffraction of the clay minerals and indices of pedochemical weathering and strain indicated that soil development progressed by weathering of primary and secondary phyllosilicates through argilluviation in the intermediate stages to the generation of increasing quantities of free Fe. The Fe accumulates as free sesquioxides, which crystallize with age. Taxonomically the soil types progress from sandy coral Arenosol, through Eutric Cambisol, Hypereutric Lixisol and Acrisol to incipient Ferralsol (Udipsamment → Eutrudept → Udalf → Udultisol → Udox in Soil Taxonomy). The profiles are interpreted as a chronosequence, although this is complicated by minor and upwardly diminishing contributions of reef coral to the mainly igneous parent materials. There are also variations in the andesitic‐basaltic bedrock, and minor aeolian inputs in the higher and older soil types. Regional eustatic sea‐level correlations, 14C dating of carbonates on the two lowest benches and estimates of local tectonic uplift indicate that the incipient Ferralsols on the upper bench might date from about 150 ka. The transition through argilluvial Acrisols to incipient sesquioxide‐dominated Ferralsols appears, therefore, to develop within 100–200 ka on Green Island, which is faster than usual.HighlightsGreen Island (Taiwan) has been volcanically dormant but tectonically active for 2 million years. The island has a toposequence of bevelled surfaces with relatively uniform andesitic regoliths. The soils of the surfaces form a chronosequence from Arenosols through Acrisols to incipient Ferralsols. The transition from argilluvial to ferralitic pedogenesis, at 100–200 ka, is relatively rapid.