Increase Base Saturation Research Articles

Experiences with liming in European countries - results of long-term experiments

Liming was and still is carried out in many European forests since the beginning of the 1980s. Main objectives of compensation liming is to neutralize actual acidic deposition in order to prevent further soil acidification, to increase base saturation and acid buffering capacity of the soil. This paper evaluates results from long-term liming experiments throughout Europe using different amounts and forms of liming materials. Differences in forest ecosystem reaction to liming can be caused by amount, form and frequency of the application, and by the solubility, reaction kinetics, contents and composition of the material used. Furthermore, other factors like climate, site history, management, environmental conditions (e.g. actual and historical deposition rates), humus form, C/N ratio, nitrogen stores, and the soil chemical properties (e.g. pH, base saturation, CEC) may strongly influence the effects of liming treatments. Element budgets of forested ecosystems on a plot or watershed scale provide a very useful tool to integrate the various effects of additional Mg inputs via liming/fertilization.

Calagem na nutrição de cálcio e no desenvolvimento do sistema radicular da goiabeira

A aplicação de calcário em solos ácidos promove maior desenvolvimento do sistema radicular das plantas e consequentemente, melhora a absorção de água e nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de calcário no solo, no desenvolvimento do sistema radicular e na nutrição de cálcio de goiabeiras cultivadas em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico ácido. Analisaram-se amostras de solo coletadas em quatro pontos eqüidistantes, a 75 cm do tronco, nas camadas de 0-20 e 20-40 cm de profundidade, de parcelas que receberam 0, 3,7 e 7,4 t ha-1 de calcário. O calcário foi aplicado em pré-plantio, incorporado com arado de aivecas e grade aradora, na camada de 0-30 cm de profundidade. Durante o segundo e o terceiro ano de cultivo da goiabeira, avaliaram-se os efeitos da calagem nas propriedades químicas do solo. Aos 42 meses após a incorporação do calcário (terceiro ano de cultivo da goiabeira), realizou-se a amostragem das raízes com trado cilíndrico serrilhado para a avaliação da matéria seca e do teor de cálcio radicular e e também realizou-se a amostragem de folhas. A calagem promoveu a correção da acidez do solo, aumentando a saturação por bases, com conseqüente incremento da disponibilidade e absorção de cálcio pela planta, proporcionando maior desenvolvimento do sistema radicular da goiabeira. Concentrações de cálcio próximas de 30 mmol c dm-3 no solo e teor desse nutriente de 7,5 g kg-1 nas raízes, estiveram associados ao maior crescimento radicular da goiabeira.

Variability in the quality and potential decomposability of Pinus sylvestris litter from sites with different soil characteristics: acid detergent fibre (ADF) and carbohydrate signatures

We investigated variations in the biochemical composition and biodegradation of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris) needles and litter on four soils with different cation exchange characteristics, ranging from 7 to 92% base saturation. Trends in cellulose, non-crystalline holocellulose concentrations (as measured by a trifluoracetic acid (TFA) hydrolysis technique) and ratios of lignin-to-cellulose and lignin-to-N in needles and litters varied significantly between sampling sites and reflected trends in soil base status under P. sylvestris stands. Although these relationships need to be tested rigorously on a more extensive sample set, clearly the biochemical quality of needles and litter within the same tree species is not uniform. Detailed analysis of the carbohydrate composition of TFA extracts from plant tissues showed that the ratios of selected hexoses (predominantly of microbial origin) to pentoses (mainly from plant cell wall constituents) were between 1 and 15 times lower in decomposing litter than needles. The hexose-to-pentose ratios also increased from 0.117:1 to 0.136:1 (as rhamnose+fucose-to-arabinose+xylose) and from 1.32:1 to 1.67:1 (as galactose+mannose-to-arabinose+xylose) with increasing base saturation of soils. It is concluded that the former ratio most clearly differentiated between the contrasting sites, whereas the latter ratio was more diagnostic of biotransformations during litter decomposition and associated development of microbial biomass. The study highlights a need to further clarify intraspecific differences in tree leaf and litter biochemistry in relation to soil characteristics and challenges the conventional definition of litter quality in terms of C-to-N or lignin-to-N ratio without consideration for the biochemical quality and spatial patterns of a “holocellulose” fraction. The determination of constituent carbohydrates in TFA extracts may provide a useful diagnostic for the potential decomposition of litter and the depolymerisation of structural carbohydrates.

Atrazine movement in a dark red latosol of the tropics

Atrazine displacement was studied in a soil profile as a function of water movement and time after herbicide application, taking into account possible influence of preferential flow on leaching. The experiment consisted of two 7 x 7m plots of a dark red latosol (Kanduidalfic Eutrudox), located at Piracicaba, SP, Brazil (22º 43'S and 47º 25'W), 250km inside continent, at an altitude of 580m. One plot was previously treated with 1,000 kg/ha of lime, in order to increase base saturation to 88%, and 500kg/ha of gypsum. Each plot was instrumented with tensiometers, neutron probe access tubes and soil solution extractors, in order to monitor water and atrazine flows. Atrazine was applied at the high rate of 6 kg/ha of active principle. Results showed intensive leaching of atrazine in the whole soil profile, up to the instrumented depth of 150cm, already ate the first sampling, seven days after herbicide application. The limed plot showed much higher atrazine leaching losses than the other plot. The atrazine adsorption capacity of the soil is very low, its maximum value being of the order of 10%, for the 0-15cm surface layer.

Levels of Cd and Some other Trace Elements in Soils and Crops as Influenced by Lime and Fertilizer Level

Abstract Plant material and soil samples from seven long-term field experiments with different liming rates and fertilizer levels were analysed for Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and As. Liming consistently decreased the plant levels of Mn, Zn and Ni, whereas Pb, Cr and As did not seem to be influenced. Cu was only slightly influenced and the influence on Cd levels varied inconsistently in grain/seeds. In straw/ley the expected decrease in Cd level with increasing base saturation and pH was found. Liming consistently decreased easily soluble fractions of Zn, Ni and Pb in soils. Only Cd was influenced by the level of fertilizer, with an obvious tendency towards increasing Cd levels in plants and soils at increasing rates of fertilizer application.

Phosphate adsorption mechanisms in oxidic soils: Implications for P-availability to plants

Factors affecting P solubility were studied for four Hawaiian soils: the Waialua, Wahiawa, Halii and Honokaa series, classified, respectively, as: Haplustoll, Eutrustox, Gibbsihumox and Hydrandept. Phosphate solubility in the oxidic soils depended mainly on salt concentration and cation valency. It was decreased by the accompanying cation according to: K < Mg </ Ca. This cation effect on P solubility decreasedwith increasing contents of layer silicate clay minerals and/or increasing base saturation of the soil. Consequently, it was almost absent in the Haplustoll which contains montmorillonite and kaolinite. The P solubility in all four soils increased greatly when the pH was raised with NaOH. When Ca (OH) 2 was used, however, this effect was almost completely eliminated due to the action of Ca ions. This result explains why in many fertility studies of oxidic soils even moderate liming rates were not found to increase the P availability. In a subsequent pot experiment evidence was obtained on the negative effect of the Ca ion on P uptake by Sudangrass from the Gibbsihumox and Eutrustox.

The influence of meatworks effluents on soil and plant composition

Abstract Effluent irrigation schemes operated by three meatworks have been investigated both for changes induced in soils and for effects on plant composition. The effluents contained significant amounts of nitrogen, chlorine, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulphur. Irrigation of pasture with organic-rich effluents for 15 years raised nitrogen levels and increased base saturation of the topsoils. Potassium and sodium accounted for the main increases in exchangeable bases. Analysis of white clover leaves for 23 elements showed that irrigation with effluent raised the levels of nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, and phosphorus, but lowered levels of manganese, copper, and strontium. In ryegrass, effluent irrigation raised the levels of nitrogen and potassium, but lowered levels of boron, manganese, and strontium.

Nutrient Uptake by Plants from Representative South Indian Soils in Relation to Root Cation Exchange Capacity I. Soil Properties and Neubauer Test

The subject of uptake of nutrients by crops has received intensive and extensive treatment in recent years. Analysis of soils, before and after the growth of crops, may give information regarding the uptake of nutrients by these crops as influenced by their root cation exchange capacities and soil properties. An attempt was made to study the role of root cation exchange capacity and soil properties on the removal of nutrients, with special reference to phosphorus, by two crops viz., ragi and daincha from two major types of South Indian soils, namely red and black soils, and also the availability of different phosphatic fertilisers in these soils as indicated by Neubauer test. The results of this study are reported in this paper. The availability of nutrients particularly phosphorus, both native and applied is known to be influenced by soil properties. Chapman (1936) indicated that acid nitrogenous fertilisers increased availability of phosphorus in calcareous soils. Joos and Black (.950) stated that the availability of rock phosphate was increased by highly acid nature of the soil. Bircm (1951) found that with increasing base saturation of the soil, the availability of phosphorus became poor.

Effect of Liming and Potassium Fertilization on the Yield and Composition of an Alfalfa‐Orchardgrass Association1

SynopsisLiming increased the dry matter yields of oats and of an alfalfa‐orchardgrass mixture. Response to K increased with increased base saturation of the soil, and survival of alfalfa plants on soil limed to pH 5.5 or higher was largely dependent on K supply. Alfalfa was the dominant species where there was sufficient K for both components and orchardgrass dominated where K was limited. Total available carbohydrates in the storage organs of each species increased with K fertilization.

Properties and Genesis of Soils Developed in Very Firm Till in Northeastern Iowa

AbstractThe Cresco and closely associated soil series in northeastern Iowa are known to be less productive than soils formed from similar but less firm parent materials. Lack of information on the properties and genesis of these soils has been an obstacle to assessment of production potential and formulation of management recommendations. Principal soil genesis questions are the nature, origin, and age of the components of a two‐storied parent material and the degree to which each of two kinds of vegetation—trees and grass—have influenced morphology.This paper presents mainly basic morphological, physical, and chemical data on these soils as an aid to a better understanding of the soils themselves. Two profiles each of five soil series were studied, representing a moderately well‐drained biosequence, part of a prairie toposequence, and part of a transition forest‐prairie toposequence. In the prairie toposequence increasing wetness is associated with increasing base saturation. Base saturation relationships suggest that trees probably have occupied all but the poorly drained sites at some time during soil formation. The degree of textural B horizon development increases with increasing evidence of tree occupancy.

THE INFLUENCE OF BASE SATURATION AND FERTILITY TREATMENTS ON YIELD AND CATION COMPOSITION OF CROPS GROWN ON TWO BRITISH COLUMBIA SOILS HIGH IN ORGANIC MATTER

The influence of base saturation and fertility treatments on yield and cation composition of oats grown on two British Columbia soils high in organic matter was studied in the greenhouse. Increased base saturation significantly increased: the yield of oat forage on the Alouette soil (an organic soil), calcium uptake on both soils, magnesium content of oats grown on the Pitt soil, and tissue potassium with the Alouette soil.The yield decreased significantly when nitrogen was added to the Alouette soil. Nitrogen significantly increased tissue calcium on the Pitt soil. The magnesium and potassium content of oats was not influenced by nitrogen.With the Pitt soil there was a consistent (but not significant) trend showing that phosphorus increased yields. For the Alouette soil the interaction between phosphorus and base saturation significantly increased calcium absorption. Phosphorus tended to increase calcium uptake from both soils. Tissue magnesium increased significantly when phosphorus was added to the Pitt soil.There was a tendency (not significant) with both soils for yield to decrease as potassium was applied. When potassium was added to the Pitt soil there was a marked tendency for tissue magnesium to increase. A reverse trend occurred with the Alouette soil. Potassium fertilization of both soils significantly increased potassium absorption.

A fixação do nitrogênio do ar pelas bactérias que vivem associadas com as leguminosas crotalária e mucuna

Com a finalidade de conhecer a quantidade de nitrogênio fixado simbiòticamente por crotalária (Crotalaria juncea, L.) e mucuna anã (Stizolobium deeringianum, Bart.) e a influência de alguns fatôres sôbre o fenômeno, instalou-se uma experiência em vasos de Mitscherlich contendo solo tipo terra roxa misturada. Os tratamentos empregados foram os seguintes : 1) testemunha ; 2) NPK ; 3) NPK + calcário ; 4) NPK + inoculante ; 5) NPK + calcário + inoculante; 6) PK + calcário; 7) PK + calcário + inoculante. Dois meses após a germinação das sementes colheu-se o material para análise, dosando-se o N nas raízes e nas partes vegetativas das plantas. Nessa ocasião foram tiradas diversas fotografias, para documentação comparativa da nodulação das raízes nos diversos tratamentos.