Soil Exchangeable Calcium Research Articles

Soil carbon, nitrogen, and base cation cycling 17 years after whole-tree harvesting in a low-elevation red spruce ( Picea rubens)-balsam fir ( Abies balsamea) forested watershed in central Maine, USA

Forest harvesting and regeneration may cause changes in soil and solution chemistry that adversely affect forest productivity and environmental quality. The objective of this study was to assess soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and base cation cycling 17 years following whole-tree harvesting in a low-elevation red spruce ( Picea rubens)-balsam fir ( Abies balsamea) watershed (regenerating watershed) in central Maine, USA. Results for forest floor and mineral soil nutrient concentrations and pools were compared to an adjacent non-harvested 77–85-year-old spruce-fir watershed (reference watershed) and to preharvest conditions obtained 17 years earlier. The total soil (forest floor + mineral soil) exchangeable magnesium (Mg) pool was 32% and 44% lower ( P ≤ 0.05), respectively, in the regenerating and reference watersheds compared to the preharvest condition. Nitrogen and exchangeable potassium (K) contents in the forest floor, however, were 26% and 65% lower ( P ≤ 0.05), respectively, for the preharvest condition compared to the reference watershed; no differences ( P > 0.05) occurred between the reference and regenerating watersheds. Mineral soil exchangeable calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) concentrations and contents, effective cation exchange capacity (CEC e), and base saturation were at least twice as high ( P ≤ 0.05) in the regenerating compared to the reference watershed or preharvest conditions. Changes in the N and Mg pools indicate that atmospheric deposition may be a concern for Mg depletion and N saturation at this site. However, Ca depletion does not appear to be occurring at this site as a result of either acid deposition or whole-tree harvesting, although there are indications that the reference watershed may be in the initial stages of altered Ca cycling, which may lead to depletion. Soil solution and stream nutrients were compared between the regenerating and reference watersheds. The soil solution base cation and inorganic anion concentrations were two to four times higher ( P ≤ 0.05) in the reference compared to the regenerating watershed. In addition, bicarbonate (HCO 3 −) accounted for 63% of the cation:anion balance in soil solution of the regenerating watershed, but less than 1% in the reference watershed ( P ≤ 0.05). Soil solution Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations at 50-cm depth in the regenerating watershed showed a linear decrease ( P ≤ 0.05) 10–17 years after regeneration, whereas the stream Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations showed a linear increase ( P ≤ 0.05) during that timeframe. No consistent temporal trends ( P > 0.05) in stream Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ occurred in the reference watershed. Higher concentrations ( P ≤ 0.05) of soil air carbon dioxide (CO 2), soil solution dissolved inorganic C (DIC), and soil exchangeable Na, at or below 20 cm in the regenerating watershed suggest that these contrasting results were due to higher mineral weathering rates in the regenerating watershed. The soil elemental and exchangeable cation pools indicate that whole-tree harvesting may be a sustainable practice for at least one rotation. However, the soil solution and stream chemistry indicate that the regenerating watershed has not yet reached equilibrium for nutrient cycling.

Parameters Affecting Extraction of Selected Fungicides from Vineyard Soils

This paper describes a sensitive method for the simultaneous quantification of eight commonly used grapevine fungicides in vineyard soils: cyprodinil, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, penconazole, pyrimethanil, procymidone, tebuconazole, and vinclozolin. The fungicides are extracted from the soil sample by sonication with water followed by shaking with ethyl acetate and are quantified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Average extraction efficiencies in a sample of seven spiked, previously fungicide-free soils were > or =79% for all of the analytes, method precisions were > or =17%, and quantification limits were < or =50 microg/kg. However, because recoveries varied considerably from soil to soil, there is a need to control for soil matrix differences (mainly soil pH and exchangeable calcium content); as a consequence, soil fungicide contents must be quantified by the standard additions method. When the method was applied in this way to soil samples from vineyards belonging to the specified wine-growing region of Rias Baixas (Galicia, northwestern Spain) taken at the beginning of October (1 month after the crop's final treatment), levels of fludioxonil as high as 991 microg/kg were found, but at the start of the season (9 months after the previous crop's final treatment) only fludioxonil was detected at levels higher than its limit of quantification (45 and 52 microg/kg).

Reduction of resting spore density of Plasmodiophora brassicae and clubroot disease severity by liming

Relationships between the disease severity of clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, the soil pH value and the concentration of exchangeable calcium associated with liming were investigated under controlled density of resting spores. Disease indices were lower in the plots treated with lime than in the control plots without lime application. The disease index was significantly lower when lime materials were mixed two weeks before sowing compared with four weeks before sowing. The reduction rate of the disease index was larger for a concentration of 2.0 g kg−1 than 1.0 g kg−1 of lime in soil. The density of the resting spores in soil at the time of sowing was significantly reduced by liming. The reduction rate was 17–31 % for calcium cyanamide, 12–29% for dolomite, and 20–39% for calcium carbonate compared with the control plot. It was suggested that the disease severity was influenced by both the soil pH and the content of exchangeable calcium in soil based on the analysis of covariance.

SOIL AMELIORATION EFFECTS ON NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GROUNDNUT ON ACID SANDY SOILS OF ZIMBABWE

The effects of four calcium-containing materials on soil pH, nutrient availability and productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) on acid soils were studied in field experiments conducted at the Horticulture Research Centre and the Makoholi Experiment Station in Zimbabwe. The materials were calcitic limestone, dolomitic limestone, gypsum and single super phosphate.Application of dolomitic or calcitic limestone significantly increased soil pH and exchangeable calcium and magnesium levels, whereas gypsum and single super phosphate did not. Application of 4000 kg ha−1 calcitic limestone increased calcium levels by up to 125% at the Horticulture Research Centre and 872% at Makoholi Experiment Station, while dolomitic limestone increased magnesium levels by 183% and 473% at the Horticulture Research Centre and Makoholi Experiment Station respectively. Combining gypsum and single super phosphate with 2000 kg ha−1 calcitic or dolomitic limestone did not affect soil pH differently than the limes alone. Furthermore, gypsum and single super phosphate applications on their own had no effect on pH, calcium and magnesium levels. The phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen levels were not significantly affected by the calcium-containing materials.Application of either dolomitic or calcitic limestone significantly improved productivity of groundnut, with 4000 kg ha−1 calcitic limestone producing the largest increases in kernel yields at both sites. Yield responses to gypsum were not significantly different from the control treatment. Despite the notable changes in soil chemical properties observed at both sites, deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, coupled with low pH per se, remained the primary reasons for poor growth on the acid sandy soils at both sites.

Tree seedling growth and mortality responses to manipulations of calcium and aluminum in a northern hardwood forest

To assess potential forest compositional responses to exchangeable soil calcium (Caexch) and aluminum (Alexch), we characterized light-dependent growth and mortality of tree seedlings under amendments of CaCl2 and AlCl3 at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), New Hampshire, U.S.A. Seedlings of Acer saccharum Marsh., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Betula alleghaniensis Britton, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., and Picea rubens Sarg. were transplanted into field plots, which were randomly assigned to control, CaCl2, or AlCl3 treatments and stratified across &lt;1 to 35% full sun. Acer saccharum and P. rubens exhibited significantly higher mortality in Al-amended than Ca-amended or control plots. Acer saccharum showed significant increases in relative diameter growth in Ca-amended plots versus controls; all other species showed nonsignificantly higher relative diameter growth under Ca amendments. We incorporated significant seedling responses into a model of forest dynamics (SORTIE) to assess potential changes in species composition under Alexch increases and Caexch losses. SORTIE predicts that further increases in Alexch would have negligible effects on canopy composition within 200 years but that the estimated Caexch depleted from HBEF between 1968 and 1995 and its influence on seedling dynamics could lead to substantial decreases in A. saccharum canopy dominance within a single forest generation (&lt;125 years).

Quantitative assessment of radiocaesium bioavailability in forest soils

A method for quantitative characterisation of the radiocaesium availability to plants in forest ecosystems has been developed. For this purpose an expression has been proposed to calculate the radiocaesium availability factor in soils, which is a combination of key soil characteristics: radiocaesium exchangeability, exchangeable calcium in soil and effective selectivity coefficient. The experimental dependencies of the radiocaesium soil to plant concentration factors for fern and bilberry, on the availability factor calculated by the above equation were satisfactory described by linear function. The advantage of this method to characterise bioavailability of radiocaesium and to estimate site-specific values of concentration factor is that the necessary soil characteristics may be taken from the reference literature, evaluated by experts or determined with a simple experimental procedure. The method can be used in development of a radioecological Geographic Information Systems.

The potential for calcium depletion in forest ecosystems of southeastern United States: Review and analysis

Biogeochemical mass balance assessments of calcium status in southeastern forests indicate that losses through harvesting and soil leaching often exceed inputs from atmospheric deposition and weathering. Many forest soils of the southeastern United States are particularly sensitive because these soils and the underlying saprolite from which these soils are derived are largely depleted of weatherable calcium. At most of the intensively studied sites in the southeastern United States, it is estimated that calcium depletion has already reduced or will likely reduce exchangeable soil calcium reserves to less than the estimated requirement for a merchantable forest stand in 150 years or less. At most sites, calcium uptake into merchantable wood equals or exceeds soil leaching losses. Chronic atmospheric deposition of sulfate and nitrate and declining atmospheric deposition of calcium are likely to accelerate calcium depletion. The southeastern U.S. regional distribution of soil calcium pools and calcium fluxes (deposition and uptake in merchantable wood) indicates that the depletion status of the intensively studied sites is representative of a substantially larger area. Where weathering inputs are insufficient to replace leaching and uptake losses, there is a potential for a regional problem in forest nutrition over the long term.

Effect of liming and cadmium application in an acid soil on cadmium availability to sudangrass

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted, using an acid sandy loam Dystric Cambisol derived from schist, in order to evaluate the effect of liming and cadmium (Cd) application on Cd availability to sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense cv.Tama). The soil was incubated with four levels of lime and three levels of Cd. After soil incubation, sudangrass was then sown. During the experiment the pots were maintained at 70% of field moisture capacity. After harvest, the air‐dried soil samples were analyzed for extractable Cd using 0.01 mol L‐1 CaCl2, 0.43 mol L‐1 HNO3, and 1 mol L1 AcNH, pH 7 reagents. Although liming increased soil pH from 4.3 to 6.6, the effect of liming on soil pH was dependent on Cd level (p=0.05). Soil exchangeable calcium (Ca) increased due, not only to CaCO3 addition, but also to the exchange sites created by Al3+ desorption. However, a significant decrease of exchangeable Ca with added Cd was observed mainly for the first CaCO3 level. Liming significantly lowered exchangeable magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K), the latest being dependent on Cd application level. Cadmium sorption increased with the rate of Ca. Therefore, sorption was directly related to the pH and soil mineralogy. Liming induced significantly higher values of DM yield, although depending on Cd application level. The plant Cd concentration decreased significantly (p=0.05) with the application of 4.5 g kg‐1 of CaCO3 at 1.0 mg kg‐1 of Cd, reaching values of plant Cd within the range of critical concentrations. The decreasing of Cd uptake was only observed with rates of CaCO3 higher than 1.5 g kg‐1. Soil pH of 5.1 is probably the critical value on Cd uptake.

Relationship of ryegrass growth to extractable phosphorus in acidic soil amended with phosphate rock, coal combustion by‐product, limestone, and cellulose

An improved management of phosphorus (P) is crucial for increasing crop production and improving environmental quality of acid infertile soils. Laboratory analyses and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of phosphate rock (PR), coal combustion by‐product (BP), limestone, and cellulose application on the relationship between soil test P and crop growth in acidic soil. Application of PR, BP, limestone, and cellulose increased soil pH, exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and extractable P, and decreased free aluminum (Al) ion in the acid soil. Addition of BP or limestone increased P availability efficiency [PAE, mg dry matter yield (DMY) of plant per mg soil extractable P by Olsen‐P procedure] and P utilization efficiency (PUE, mg DMY of plant per mg P in the plant). There was significant positive correlation between the PAE and BP rates applied alone (r2=O.979, p<0.01) or with either PR (r2=0.972, p<0.01) or PR plus cellulose (r2=0.985, p<0.01). The PUE of ryegrass was significantly correlated with BP rates alone (r2=O.957, p<0.01) or with either PR (r2=0.906, p<0.01) or PR plus limestone (r2=O.699). The increase in PAE and PUE of ryegrass caused by BP and limestone reflected more plant root growth from increased availability of Ca and Mg and higher soil pH.

Do acid rain and calcium supply limit eggshell formation for blue tits (Parus caeruleus) in the U.K.?

AbstractThe normal diet of most small passerines contains insufficient calcium for effective eggshell formation and birds must often forage specifically for calcium‐rich items in the environment. It has been demonstrated that anthropogenic acid precipitation can significantly reduce levels of available calcium in soil and the abundance of calcareous items such as snail shells. Recent research in areas adversely affected by acid precipitation on Continental Europe has suggested that reduced calcium availability has resulted in an increased incidence of eggshell defects in small birds. In this paper we present data from one of the areas of the U.K. most severely affected by acid precipitation and where snail abundance (0.36 snails per m2) and exchangeable soil calcium levels (0.02 mg g−2) were very low: lower than values at sites in the Netherlands where severe eggshell defects occurred. The provision of supplementary calcium and the examination of eggshells, however, provided no evidence that blue tits Parus caeruleus were constrained in their ability to form effective eggshells as a result of calcium deficiency. We suggest that other factors, besides low calcium availability, may be contributory to the high incidence of eggshell defects seen in other areas.

Do acid rain and calcium supply limit eggshell formation for blue tits (Parus caeruleus) in the U.K.?

The normal diet of most small passerines contains insufficient calcium for effective eggshell formation and birds must often forage specifically for calcium-rich items in the environment. It has been demonstrated that anthropogenic acid precipitation can significantly reduce levels of available calcium in soil and the abundance of calcareous items such as snail shells. Recent research in areas adversely affected by acid precipitation on Continental Europe has suggested that reduced calcium availability has resulted in an increased incidence of eggshell defects in small birds. In this paper we present data from one of the areas of the U.K. most severely affected by acid precipitation and where snail abundance (0.36 snails per m2) and exchangeable soil calcium levels (0.02 mg g−2) were very low: lower than values at sites in the Netherlands where severe eggshell defects occurred. The provision of supplementary calcium and the examination of eggshells, however, provided no evidence that blue tits Parus caeruleus were constrained in their ability to form effective eggshells as a result of calcium deficiency. We suggest that other factors, besides low calcium availability, may be contributory to the high incidence of eggshell defects seen in other areas.

Lime loss rates from arable and grassland soils

Lime loss rates were determined for 11 agricultural soils across England (1987–92) under arable cropping (six sites) and grassland management (five sites), receiving commercial rates of fertilizer inputs. Lime additions in the range 0–1500 kg ha−1 CaCO3 (250 kg ha−1 CaCO3 increments) were made annually to the sites. Soil pH (water and 0·01 m CaCl2) and exchangeable calcium concentrations were measured annually. The annual lime loss rates were calculated as the amount of lime needed to maintain the initial site pH or exchangeable Ca concentrations.Lime loss rates based on soil water pH varied between 40 and 1270 kg ha−1 CaCO3, on the basis of CaCl2 pH between 0 and 1370 kg ha−1 CaCO3, and exchangeable Ca between 0 and 1540 kg ha−1 CaCO3. There was a positive relationship between the lime loss rate (based on water pH) and initial soil pH value (r=0·75; P&lt;0·01), and a negative relationship with soil organic matter content (r=0·63; P&lt;0·05) was based on soil pH, organic matter content and nitrogen (N) fertilizer input. Lime loss rates were approximately double those predicted by previous models developed in the 1970s, reflecting the greater quantities of inorganic N fertilizer now being applied to agricultural land.

Prediction of available potassium in Ontario soils by electro-ultrafiltration and chemical extraction

The extractions of soil K by electroultrafiltration (EUF) and by chemical methods were compared as predictors of plant-available K for greenhouse-grown alfalfa on 38 Ontario soils. The relation of soil properties to the amount of K extracted by EUF fractions was also examined. The contents of silt and clay were negatively correlated with EUF-K at 50 V and 22 °C and positively correlated with EUF-K at 400 V and 80 °C. Soil pH and organic matter were not significantly correlated with the amounts of K extracted in the EUF-K fractions. The EUF extraction of K was influenced by the presence of carbonate or high exchangeable calcium in soils. Similar correlations were obtained between K uptake and K extracted by chemical methods and the sum of EUF-K fractions. When used along with other soil properties, EUF-K fractions and K extracted by chemical methods predicted availability of soil K with roughly equal ability. The model using the sum of K extracted by EUF at 50, 200 and 400 V is the simplest one and contains three variables, K, K2 and Ca2. The use of EUF is limited due to cost of equipment and time required for analysis, unless a number of nutrients can be accurately determined on one extract. Among the chemical methods, equations developed using three nonacidic extradants, NaCl, ABDTPA and NH4OAc explained more variation in K uptake than two acidic extractants, Mehlich 3 and 0.1 M HNO3. The NaCl model, ABDTPA model and NH4OAc model contained the same variables and had similar R2 values (0.88–0.91). Key words: Available K, chemical methods, electro-ultrafiltration, EUF-K fractions, K uptake

Physical and nutrient status of soils under rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis) of different ages in south-western Nigeria

The physical and chemical properties of soils under rubber plots of 1, 7, 11, 14 and 18 years of age were analysed and compared in order to examine the trend of change in the properties of soils under rubber over time. Changes in soil bulk density and total porosity during the first 18 years of rubber plantation establishment were slight. There was no significant increase in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents over time. Soil exchangeable calcium and magnesium declined in the 0–10 cm and 10–30 cm layers of the soils with increasing age of rubber plantation. Decline in the levels of exchangeable potassium was, however, confined to the top 10 cm of the soil profiles. Most of the observed decline in soil mineral-nutrients occurred during the first 11 years following rubber plantation establishment.

Relationships Between Soil pH, Available Calcium and Prevalence of Potato Scab

Studies were carried out on the interaction between potato scab, soil pH and exchangeable calcium in two different fields, one consisting of volcanic ash soil and the other, of red-yellow soil. Severity of potato scab in the field with red-yellow soil was correlated with the soil pH, unlike in the field with volcanic ash soil. The amount of exchangeable calcium in both soils was positively correlated with the scab index of potato tuber, when the content of exchangeable calcium in soil exceeded 150 mg per 100 g soil. From these results, it was concluded that the content of exchangeable calcium is as a more reliable parameter than the soil pH to evaluate the severity of potato scab.

Organic Matter Relationship to Soil Nutrient Status and Aluminum Toxicity in Alfalfa1

AbstractThe objective of this investigation was to evaluate in unaltered soils the relationship of organic matter (OM) to soil nutrient levels and aluminum (Al) toxicity to alfalfa. The Apand B21horizons from 12 agricultural soils were collected from throughout New Hampshire. The pH range of the soils was 4.91 to 6.60, exchangeable Al was 0.01 to 0.89 cmol (p+) kg−1, organic matter was 6.6 to 81.6 g/kg, and textures ranged from sandy to silt loams. Four kilograms of each soil were potted and seeded to alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) in a greenhouse experiment. The level of soil OM was highly correlated with top dry weights of 3‐week old alfalfa and top and root dry weights of 9‐week old alfalfa. Increases in OM levels also resulted in corresponding increases in exchangeable soil calcium, magnesium, potassium, extractable phosphorus (Bray 1), total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). A significant amount of variation in the top dry weights of 3‐week old plants and in the top and root dryweights of 9‐week old plants was accounted for by taking into consideration the interaction of Al and organic matter. With the use of three‐dimensional computer plotting programs, the critical Al level of alfalfa was correlated with soil OM levels (r=0.883). An incremental increase of 1% in soil OM on a dry‐weight basis (starting from about zero) increased critical Al levels by 0.3 cmol (p+) kg−1

Calcium requirements of Virginia Bunch peanuts in the Mareeba-Dimbulah area of North Queensland

Data from 3 years of field experiments involving 16 sites were used to determine rates and forms of calcium required to correct poor yields and shelling percentages of Virginia Bunch peanuts in North Queensland. The application of 250 kg calcium/ha as lime or 125 kg/ha as gypsum was sufficient for maximum pod and kernel yield in separate experiments over two seasons. Relative pod yield and relative shelling percentage were regressed against soil calcium using five models. Cate-Nelson separations gave the best separation of responsive and non-responsive sites. This model was therefore used to derive, for extension purposes, a critical soil exchangeable calcium concentration (prior to sowing) of 1.4 m.e./100 g. The coefficients of determination were 0.53 and 0.60 for relative pod yield and relative shelling percentage respectively.

Rapid Determination of Exchangeable Calcium in Soil by Spectrophotometric Method Using Orthocresolphthalein Complexone

Rapid Determination of Exchangeable Calcium in Soil by Spectrophotometric Method Using Orthocresolphthalein Complexone

Occurrence of calcium oxalate in karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) forest ecosystems of south western Australia.

The amount of calcium in Eucalyptus diversicolor (karri) ecosystems is high in comparison with other eucalypt forest ecosystems in Australia. A large proportion of this calcium is present as crystalline Ca oxalate. Whewellite (CaC2O4·H2O) accumulates in leaf tissue of the over- and understorey species. Up to 70% of the calcium in the leaves of karri is stored as whewellite, the highest concentrations occurring in the oldest leaves. Synthesis of Ca oxalate by karri may be related in part to the high levels of exchangeable soil calcium. Oxalate of plant origin is rapidly metabolized on the forest floor during decomposition of leaf litter. About 70% of the whewellite in fresh karri leaf litter is degraded during the first wet season following leaf fall. However, additional oxalate is formed in the soil and litter layer from microbial production of oxalic acid. These crystals are of the dihydrate calcium salt, weddelite (CaC2CO4· 2H2O). Microbial production of oxalate, particularly by ectomycorrhizal fungi, may be an important mechanism for mobilizing of phosphate from the strongly phosphateadsorbing soils on which these forests grow.

Spectrophotometric determination of exchangeable calcium in soils by chlorophosphonazo-mA

Spectrophotometric determination of exchangeable calcium in soils by chlorophosphonazo-mA