High Potential Soil Research Articles

Vine spacing of <i>Vitis vinifera</i> cv. Shiraz/101-14 Mgt. III. Grape and wine quality

Vine spacing effects of Shiraz/101-14 Mgt on a relatively high potential soil in the Breede River Valley, Robertson, South Africa, on grape composition and wine quality, were investigated. Canopies were VSP trellised and orientated approximately NNE-SSW. Spacing between rows was fixed at 2.2 m. In-row vine spacing changed from 0.3 – 4.5 m with increments of 30 cm (from 15151 – 1010 vines/ha). Grape composition and wine quality were monitored over six seasons and two grape ripeness levels. Decreasing trends of soluble solids (°B) and pH and increasing titratable acidity from narrow to wide spacing were observed. Sugar accumulation of wider spacings seemed delayed. Berry skin total anthocyanin index and phenol content showed virtually no change. Malvidin mono-glucoside and its p-coumaroyl and acetyl derivatives were present in the highest concentrations, followed by peonidin-, petunidin-, delphinidin- and cyanidin mono-glucosides and derivatives, each vine spacing treatment displaying a unique grape anthocyanin profile. The narrower spacing of vines seemed to favour skin anthocyanin accumulation compared to wider spacing. Decreasing trends in wine total anthocyanin intensity, anthocyanin density, and phenols were observed from narrow to wide spacing; all had higher levels in wines from riper grapes. Individual wine anthocyanin concentrations also showed qualitative profile changes. The first regression join points for all anthocyanins occurred around 1.8 – 2.4 m vine spacing; those for malvidin and derivatives consistently appeared at 1.8 m spacing. Although volatile compounds only seemed to respond to ripeness level and not to vine spacing, wine sensory quality generally decreased with wider vine spacing at both grape ripeness levels. Given the changes in biotic and abiotic growth conditions with wider vine spacing, the results likely displayed adaptation to the combined impact of increasing light exposure, berry temperature, physiological functioning, vegetative and reproductive growth ratios, and plant stress. The study showed the prominent role of plant spacing in sustainable grape growing and wine outcomes and thus the importance of judicious decision-making during the establishment and management of vines under any growth conditions and in any terroir.

Vine spacing of <i>Vitis vinifera</i> cv. Shiraz/101-14 Mgt II. Establishment, and vegetative and reproductive growth

Knowledge of vine growth reaction to plant spacing under relatively high potential soil conditions is limited. This study aimed to determine the effects of vine spacing (with fixed row spacing) of Shiraz (clone SH 9C)/101-14 Mgt on a relatively high potential soil in the Breede River Valley, Robertson, South Africa on establishment and training labour, aboveground growth, and yield. The vineyard was planted in 2008 to a Vertical Shoot Positioning trellis, a fixed row spacing of 2.2 m and row orientation of approximately NNE-SSW (30 °). The 15 in-row vine spacing treatments changed from 0.3 - 4.5 m with increments of 30 cm (from 15151 – 1010 vines/ha). Results were generated over six seasons after cordon development was completed. Grapes were harvested at two ripeness levels. Clear groupings were evident for establishment and further training management. Total costs showed trends with an optimal of around 1.8 m vine spacing, but were markedly higher for closer spacing. Canopies developed uniformly with cordon extension. General vegetative growth (over treatments) varied according to seasonal conditions. Individual leaf size was higher for more closely spaced vines. Total vegetative growth parameters mostly showed increasing and decreasing trends on a /vine and /ha basis, respectively, with an increase in spacing. Yields showed a general increase with wider spacing on a /vine and /ha basis. Yield:cane mass ratios displayed an increasing trend from narrow to wide vine spacing, as did fertility and bunch mass. The bunches from the narrowly spaced treatments seemed more compact. Growth and yield parameters showed very clear trends reaching an optimal at around 1.8 m vine spacing. The results of this study can be applied in vine spacing selection and sustainability strategies for different terroirs. Comprehensive guidelines for extrapolation to different growth conditions and terroirs are provided.

Vine spacing of <i>Vitis vinifera</i> cv. Shiraz/101-14 Mgt. I. root growth and physiological activity

Knowledge of vine reaction to plant spacing under relatively high potential soil conditions is limited. This study comprised effects of vine spacing (with fixed row spacing) of Shiraz (clone SH 9C)/101-14 Mgt on a high potential soil in the Breede River Valley, Robertson, South Africa, on soil conditions, root system distribution, and vine physiological reaction. The vineyard was planted in 2008 to a VSP trellis, with a fixed row spacing of 2.2 m and a row orientation of approximately NNE–SSW (30°). In-row vine spacing changed from 0.3–4.5 m with increments of 30 cm (from 15151–1010 vines/ha), totalling 15 treatments. After the completion of cordon development, results were generated over six seasons. Soil conditions seemed generally uniform and showed no obvious characteristics that could have affected treatments differentially. An increase in density occurred in fine, extension and permanent root categories with closer spacing, increasing the total number of roots/ha. Roots penetrated deeper with closer vine spacing. Vine spacing impacted physiological parameters and revealed a complex interplay between root distribution, vine structure expansion, canopy microclimate, water relations, photosynthetic output, berry temperature, carbon distribution, and day/night recovery that would affect grape composition and wine quality. Optimum vine spacing appeared to be 1.8 m, both closer and wider spacing leading to limitations in physiological activity. Interactions amongst below- and aboveground growth and physiological parameters are comprehensively discussed with a focus on sustainability.

Analisis Potensi dan Status Kerusakan Tanah pada Lahan Kering Berbasis Sistem Informasi Geografis di Kecamatan Baturiti, Kabupaten Tabanan, Provinsi Bali

Analysis of Soil Degradation Potential and Status in Agricultural Dry Land Based on Geographic Information Systems in Baturiti Sub-District. Biomass production activities that do not pay attention to conservation principles can cause soil degradation. This will reduce the productivity of natural resources, forestry and agriculture. The purpose of this research are to determine the potential, status, and distribution of soil degradation on dry land farming in Baturiti Sub-district. The method used on this research is a comparative descriptive method. Based on overlay of land use map, slope map, and soil type map using geographic information system, 9 homogenous land units were obtained. The land use observed was mixed gardens and dry fields with field observations of surface rocks and solum depth. Samples were analyzed in the laboratory to determine bulk density, total porosity, texture, permeability, pH, DHL, and microbial count. Determination of degradation status based on standard criteria of soil degradation. The results showed three classes of potential soil degradation, namely the potential for mild soil degradation at Perean Tengah, medium soil degradation potential at Baturiti, Antapan, Luwus, Bangli, Angseri, Candikuning, and the high potential soil degradation at Antapan. The soil degradation status was found lightly damaged status with permeability limiting factors at Baturiti and partially Antapan, with limiting factors for permeability and composition of fractions at Candikuning and partially Antapan, limiting factors for permeability and porosity total at Perean Tengah.

Predicting the Impact of Future Land Use and Climate Change on Potential Soil Erosion Risk in an Urban District of the Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

Monitoring urban area expansion through multispectral remotely sensed data and other geomatics techniques is fundamental for sustainable urban planning. Forecasting of future land use land cover (LULC) change for the years 2034 and 2050 was performed using the Cellular Automata Markov model for the current fast-growing Epworth district of the Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe. The stochastic CA–Markov modelling procedure validation yielded kappa statistics above 80%, ascertaining good agreement. The spatial distribution of the LULC classes CBD/Industrial area, water and irrigated croplands as projected for 2034 and 2050 show slight notable changes. For projected scenarios in 2034 and 2050, low–medium-density residential areas are predicted to increase from 11.1 km2 to 12.3 km2 between 2018 and 2050. Similarly, high-density residential areas are predicted to increase from 18.6 km2 to 22.4 km2 between 2018 and 2050. Assessment of the effects of future climate change on potential soil erosion risk for Epworth district were undertaken by applying the representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) climate scenarios, and model ensemble averages from multiple general circulation models (GCMs) were used to derive the rainfall erosivity factor for the RUSLE model. Average soil loss rates for both climate scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, were predicted to be high in 2034 due to the large spatial area extent of croplands and disturbed green spaces exposed to soil erosion processes, therefore increasing potential soil erosion risk, with RCP4.5 having more impact than RCP8.5 due to a higher applied rainfall erosivity. For 2050, the predicted wide area average soil loss rates declined for both climate scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, following the predicted decline in rainfall erosivity and vulnerable areas that are erodible. Overall, high potential soil erosion risk was predicted along the flanks of the drainage network for both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios in 2050.

Influence of vermicompost aftereffect on the efficiency of spring barley cultivation in arid conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine

Barley is a crop, requires the availability of available nutrients in the soil, especially at the be-ginning of the growing season. The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of the aftereffect of using vermicompost when growing spring barley on different backgrounds in the Donetsk region. The studies were carried out according to the methodology of the field experiment of B. A. Dospehova. Research methods: field, supplemented by analytical studies, measurements, calculations and observations. The studies were conducted in 2017–2019 by laboratory-field method in field crop rotation in the experimental sections of the Donetsk SSES NAAS. The repetition in the experiments is 3-fold. The location of the plots is systematic. The soil is alkaline-chernozemic carbonate, having an average supply of mineral nitrogen and mobile phosphorus, low – potassium. The humus content of 4,2 % indicates a high potential soil fertility, but to realize the potential of the culture, additional application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers is necessary. The technology for growing crops is generally accepted for the farms of the region, with the ex- ception of the factors studied. Variety of barley spring Avers. The experience scheme provides for: control (without fertilizers); background – saturation of crop rotation with vermicompost granular 2 t/ha; background + N30P30K30; background + N60P60K60; N30P30K30. The use of organic fertilizers under the predecessor in crop rotation provided improve nutriti-on conditions for plants, which positively affected the growth and development of spring barley plants. So, on the variants with the use of mineral fertilizers, the highest indices of the number of productive stems and the structure of the crop were noted in the background. The variant where N60P60K60 was added in the background produced the largest mass of 1000 grains – 49,8 g, which is 4,6 % higher than the control. Analysis of the study indicates the positive effect of the aftereffect of organic fertilizer (ver-micompost) on the yield of spring barley. The maximum yield of spring barley was obtained against the background of aftereffect of vermicompost 2 t/ha and the application of mineral fertilizers N60P60K60 – 5,05 t/ha, but due to high production costs, the profitability level is 114,9 %. The application of organic fertilizers under the background provides a yield of 3,67 t/ha and the highest level of profitability of 140,6 %. The optimal technological option provides for the introduction of mineral fertilizers in the norm N30P30K30 amid predecessor saturation with vermicompost. This allows increasing the yield up to 4,90 t/ha (by 1,46 t/ha or 42,4 % to the control) and obtaining a profitability level of 136,1 %. The use only of mineral fertilizer N30P30K30 in severely arid weather conditions of the steppe zone allows increasing the yield by 0,70 t/ha compared to the control but, due to the high cost of pro-duction, leads to a low production profitability of 99,6 %. Key words: spring barley, background, vermicompost, mineral fertilizers, yield, economic effici-ency.

Análise de parâmetros físicos, químicos e microbiológicos de poços de monitoramento em área aplicada com vinhaça

A vinhaça é um subproduto no processo de produção de açúcar e álcool e é comumente aplicada nos canaviais como fertilizante mineral, contudo apresenta alto potencial de contaminação para o solo, a água superficial e subterrânea. Este trabalho visa avaliar a qualidade da água subterrânea através do monitoramento de alguns parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos em poços de monitoramento existentes em áreas de cana-de-açúcar irrigadas com vinhaça. Para isto foram analisados 14 parâmetros de qualidade da água em 17 poços de monitoramento distribuídos em área de 10.138,23ha de aplicação de vinhaça de uma usina de açúcar e álcool no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Os parâmetros analisados foram: condutividade, cor aparente, DBO520, fostato total, nitrato, nitrito, nitrogênio amoniacal total, nitrogênio total Kjeldahl, OD, pH, sólidos totais, turbidez e coliformes totais. As análises ocorreram semestralmente no período de 2009 a 2012. Através da Análise de Componentes Principais, aplicada separadamente às amostragens nos períodos seco e chuvoso, foi constatado que os poços se diferenciam pelo tempo de aplicação de vinhaça, sugerindo que os parâmetros avaliados de qualidade da água estão sendo influenciados pela aplicação de vinhaça. Os poços de monitoramento podem ser fontes de contaminação de água subterrânea, porém no presente estudo não foram observados valores que alterassem a qualidade da água subterrânea possivelmente pela capacidade de depuração do solo, pela aplicação de vinhaça adequadamente e correta construção dos poços seguindo a NBR n° 15495-1:2007.

The Influence of Rootstock on the Rooting Pattern of the Grapevine

The rooting pattern of rootstocks grafted with Chenin blanc, on an Oakleaf soil with minimwn restrictions to root penetration, was investigated. Both root density and distribution were affected by rootstock. Under conditions of intensive irrigation and high potential soil, the best colonisation and utilisation of the available soil volume was obtained with Berlandieri 13/5, 101-14 Mgt and 1103 Paulsen while 140 Ruggeri and US 12-6-8 performed poorly as regards their subterranean growth. This was also reflected in the above ground performance.

The Effect of Various Supplementary Irrigation Treatments on Plant and Soil Moisture Relationships in a Vineyard (Vitis Vinif era var. Chenin Blanc)

In a field plot trial with grape vines planted on a high potential soil, the soil moisture status on different irrigation treatment plots was compared with that of a dryland control. Soil moisture budgeting was based on physical soil properties and root distribution patterns before treatments commenced. A maximum concentration of roots occurred at the 300-450 mm depth zone, while approximately 90 per cent of the total number of roots was found above 900 mm. Tensiometric readings of soil moisture potential, supplemented by electrometric resistance readings from gypsum blocks, indicated complete depletion between veraison and harvesting of the total available moisture on dryland plots. Despite this severe moisture stress as illustrated by chrono-isopletes, a reasonably good grape yield was still produced by the dryland vines, indicating either exceptional drought resistance or the uptake of water from extraneous sources. Supplementary irrigations greatly improved soil moisture conditions during the important growth stages of (a) flowering and fruit set, (b) green berry stage and (c) veraison. Moisture depletion patterns changed markedly as the season progressed from November to January, and as naturally stored rain water became depleted. In contrast to the absorption pattern in November, the fastest rate of water loss occurred in the deepest root zones during January, because of unsaturated moisture flow into the dry partly decomposed parent material. The apparently unproductive subsoil might act as a large natural reservoir for superfluous winter rain, which in summer becomes available to the vines through unsaturated upward flow into the root zone. Determination of leaf water potential showed unexpectedly high values at night (minima of -283kPa) in plants growing in soil of which the major part was dried below wilting point. Vines were thus able to regain turgidity at night. Crop factors for use with the American Class A-pan for scheduling irrigations were calculated. Crop factors were low (November to February = 0,20-0,30), and again emphasised the ability of vines to use water frugally. Crop factors were strongly dependent upon soil moisture conditions. Empirical coefficients for use in the Blaney-Criddle formula are also presented.

Risk assessment of soil erosion in semi-arid mountainous watershed in Saudi Arabia by RUSLE model coupled with remote sensing and GIS

Soil erosion is the most important factor in land degradation and influences desertification in semi-arid areas. A comprehensive methodology that integrates revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model and GIS was adopted to determine the soil erosion risk (SER) in semi-arid Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Geoenvironmental factors viz. rainfall (R), soil erodibility (K), slope (LS), cover management and practice factors were computed to determine their effects on average annual soil loss. The high potential soil erosion, resulting from high denuded slope, devoid of vegetation cover and high intensity rainfall, is located towards the north western part of the study area. The analysis is investigated that the SER over the vegetation cover including dense vegetation, sparse vegetation and bushes increases with the higher altitude and higher slope angle. The erosion maps generated with RUSLE integrated with GIS can serve as effective inputs in deriving strategies for land planning/management in the environmentally sensitive mountainous areas.

Enhancing farming system water productivity through alternative land use and water management in vertisol areas of Ethiopian Blue Nile Basin (Abay)

Until recently, the Ethiopian government's investment did not systematically target high potential areas for agricultural intensification, limiting the potential productivity gains. Waterlogged vertisols, which cover about 2.7 million hectares in the Ethiopian part of the Blue Nile Basin, are among the high potential soils where management interventions could result in positive impacts. This study utilized soil, climate, crop and livestock productivity data and models to demonstrate intensification strategies which can increase crop-livestock system productivity. To understand the effects of alternative land use and water management interventions on water productivity, the areas have been classified into three drainage status depending on slope classes. Accordingly, non-drainable (0–2%), drainable (2–5%) and naturally drained (>5%) respectively, represented areas where artificial drainage is not feasible, where drainage using broad bed and furrows (BBF) is recommended, and areas where waterlogging is not a problem and no intervention is needed. Early planting of wheat (Triticum spp.) on BBF instead of the traditional late planting on flat beds in drainable areas and rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation instead of the traditional extensive grazing or growing grass-pea (Lathyrus sativus) on the flat areas provide viable alternative cropping options. Yield data of the crops and biomass of the native grass were obtained from research stations in the area while the effective rainfall and crop water requirement were estimated using CROPWAT Model. The value of the native grass and crop straw as livestock feed was estimated based on previous works. With respect to effective rainfall, the water productivity increase due to BBF over the control ranged from 5% to 200%, with an average increase of 57%. Despite higher water consumption of rice, feeding its residues to livestock enhanced the overall economic water productivity of the system as compared to the natural grazing or grass-pea cultivation. This can be accounted for by higher rice biomass productivity and the greater demand for its grain. The study demonstrated that draining the excess water when the slope allows, growing suitable high value crops on non-drainable areas, and integration of livestock into improved land and water management enhance overall agricultural system water productivity.

Daya Dukung Lingkungan Tambak di Kecamatan Pulau Derawan dan Sambaliung, Kabupaten Berau, Provinsi Kalimantan Timur <br><i>[Carrying Capacity for Brackishwater Pond in The Derawan Islands and Sambaliung Sub-Districts, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province]<i>

Abstract Carrying capacity for brackishwater pond is the main concept to be developed for the management of natural resources and the environment in a sustainable manner, it also should be applicated in Berau Regency. A study had been conducted to determine the carrying capacity of brackishwater ponds in the Derawan Islands and Sambaliung sub-districts, Berau. Considered factors in the analysis of environmental carrying capacity is the topography and hydrology, soil conditions, water quality and climate condition. Weighting system had been used as analysis of the carrying capacity which refers to the modification of Poernomo (1992). The study showed that the carrying capacity in those two sub-districts was similar, which was 62.52% respectively, so the ponds’ area that can be supported were : 2,915.62 and 304.90 ha. The main factors that cause low carrying capacity for brackishwater pond in study area were the high potential soil acidity, high content of toxic elements, low nutrient and high rainfall.

Modelling the impact of land-cover change on potential soil loss in the Taita Hills, Kenya, between 1987 and 2003 using remote-sensing and geospatial data *

In sub-Saharan Africa, natural vegetation is being transformed into agricultural lands at a fast rate, endangering ecosystem services and increasing soil-loss potential, which may trigger land degradation. For the Taita Hills study area in Kenya, multi-temporal land-cover models of 1987, 1999 and 2003, derived from Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) imagery using a multi-scale segmentation/object relationship modelling (MSS/ORM) methodology and a rainfall layer, a digital elevation model (DEM) and a digital soil map were applied to model potential soil loss. Population growth in the area has led to a shortage of agricultural land and movement of people to the lowlands, evidenced by a 39% (9.3 km2) increase in croplands from 30% to 41% of the study area during the research time frame. Expansion took place mostly in surrounding foothills and lowlands, at the expense of natural shrubland and grassland, but also occurred in the hills. Universal soil-loss equation (USLE) model results showed a 60% (4 km2) increase in the area of very high potential soil loss, from 7% of the study area in 1987 to 12% in 2003, due mainly to very high soil-loss potential in croplands. Whilst the area of croplands as a whole increased, the relative proportion of very high soil-loss potential in croplands remained 20%, both in 1987 and in 2003, indicating that newly cleared agricultural lands with vulnerable soils are the most at-risk areas.

Effect of different methods of land preparation on runoff, soil and nutrient losses from a Vertisol in the Ethiopian highlands

Abstract. Vertisols are among the most common, high-potential soils in the central highlands of Ethiopia, where over 88% of human and 77% of the livestock population are located. Productivity from these soils is constrained by severe waterlogging due to their physical properties and intensive rainfall in summer. Traditionally, farmers plant late in the season to avoid the waterlogging, which results in harvest yields that are far below optimal. To bridge this yield gap, the broad-bed and furrow system for surface drainage has been introduced. Despite reported yields of various crops, little is known of the on-site and off-site impacts of this system. Consequently, four land preparation methods viz. (i) broad-bed and furrow (BBF), (ii) green manure (GM), (iii) the traditional system of ridge and furrow (RF) and (iv) reduced tillage (RT) were compared on standard runoff plots for 5 years (1998–2002) at Caffee Doonsaa in the central Highlands of Ethiopia. Runoff, sediment, organic carbon and nutrient (organic nitrogen and available phosphorus) losses were determined during the last two years (2001 and 2002). Over 50% of the seasonal rainfall was lost as runoff, regardless of the treatment, with significantly more of the excess water running off BBF and RT treatments in both years. The BBF system drained 67% and 54% of rainfall as runoff in 2001 and 2002, respectively, compared with 61% and 53% from the RT system during the measurement period. Although not statistically significant, the largest sediment and total nutrient losses tended to be from the BBF. The effect of the treatments on total nutrient loss and enrichment ratio was inconsistent. The nutrient concentration in the eroded sediment was greater than that of the originating surface soil but was strongly correlated. The effect of the land preparation methods was significant and varied with crops. Recommended options for best crop productivity are BBF for lentil and RT for wheat and tef.

Land capability and topographic data as a surrogate for the mapping and classification of wetlands: a case example from the Daly basin, Northern Territory, Australia

The Daly River (catchment 53,000 km2) has the largest flow of all rivers in the Northern Territory and, due to the vast underground aquifers supplying the river, reliable flows of water and areas of high potential soils, is the centre of a region where water resource and agricultural development is being given serious consideration. As part of a larger assessment of environmental flow requirements, an inventory and risk assessment of water dependent ecosystems (wetlands) was undertaken for the Daly basin, a limestone dominated region, 19,382 km2 in size, located in the centre of the catchment. The assessment utilized geographic information system technology to collate, interrogate and analyse soil and topographic data that had been collected previously for the purpose of land capability analysis. The aggregated data were used as a surrogate for mapping the distribution of wetlands in the Daly basin. The land units mapped were composed of individual areas within which the soil, vegetation and landform exhibited a uniform pattern on aerial photographs. The wetland features mapped were classified using landform and hydroperiod as a basis and, to assist in the classification process, a ground-truthing exercise and a basin-wide low-level aerial survey were conducted.

Maintaining the nutritive value ofpennisetum clandestinumfor milk production

Abstract The amount of milk which can be produced by cows grazing Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyu) is dependant on several management factors. These factors relate to the nutritive value and intake of the herbage on offer and include palatability, TDN, protein and moisture content. On kikuyu pastures at Cedara in the Natal mistbelt (bioclimatic gp. 3), grown on high potential soils, daily milk yields without supplementation of 45 l per hectare can be attained over a 195 day summer grazing period. The milk yield can be increased to 66 l per hectare with an energy supplement such as maize meal. Similar results have been reported for cows grazing kikuyu pastures grown on high potential soils at Eston, near Pietermaritzburg, (bioclimatic gp. 2) in the coast hinterland region.