Light-textured Soils Research Articles

Single and competitive adsorption isotherms of some heavy metals onto a light textured calcareous soil amended with agricultural wastes-biochars

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the adsorption behavior of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cu, and Ni) under single and multi-metal conditions by a light textured calcareous soil amended with plant residue biochars (corn straw, wheat straw, rice husk and licorice root pulp each at 3% w/w). The Freundlich isotherm best described the heavy metal adsorption suggesting multilayer adsorption. For all treatments under both adsorption conditions, the heavy metal adsorption capacity followed the order of Pb > Cu > Ni, which was associated with the hydrolysis constant, ionic radius, and electronegativity of these metals. Simultaneous presence of multiple metals decreased the adsorption capacity for each metal and the sequence was in the order of Ni > Pb > Cu. The corn straw biochar (CSB) had the highest adsorption capacity (Freundlich Kf (mg g−1) for Ni = 0.23, Cu = 1.41 and Pb = 2.73) and medium distribution coefficient (Kd medium(L kg−1) for Ni = 59.30, Cu = 1961.00 and Pb = 2602.00), indicating the CSB is the best treatment for stabilization of heavy metals in the soil. This was associated with the chemical characteristics of the CSB (high amounts of CaCO3 and P) and the greatest increase in soil pH value.

Effects of Different Spatial Precipitation Input Data on Crop Model Outputs under a Central European Climate

Crop simulation models, which are mainly being utilized as tools to assess the consequences of a changing climate and different management strategies on crop production at the field scale, are increasingly being used in a distributed model at the regional scale. Spatial data analysis and modelling in combination with geographic information systems (GIS) integrates information from soil, climate, and topography data into a larger area, providing a basis for spatial and temporal analysis. In the current study, the crop growth model Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) was used to evaluate five gridded precipitation input data at three locations in Austria. The precipitation data sets consist of the INtegrated Calibration and Application Tool (INCA) from the Meteorological Service Austria, two satellite precipitation data sources—Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) and Climate Prediction Center MORPHing (CMORPH)—and two rainfall estimates based on satellite soil moisture data. The latter were obtained through the application of the SM2RAIN algorithm (SM2RASC) and a regression analysis (RAASC) applied to the Metop-A/B Advanced SCATtermonter (ASCAT) soil moisture product during a 9-year period from 2007–2015. For the evaluation, the effect on winter wheat and spring barley yield, caused by different precipitation inputs, at a spatial resolution of around 25 km was used. The highest variance was obtained for the driest area with light-textured soils; TMPA and two soil moisture-based products show very good results in the more humid areas. The poorest performances at all three locations and for both crops were found with the CMORPH input data.

The impact of environmental policy on soil quality: Organic carbon and phosphorus levels in croplands and grasslands of the European Natura 2000 network

In this study, the Natura 2000 nature protection network of the European Union is assessed in the context of soil quality management. We explore the hypothesis that the soil quality of croplands and grasslands — as indicated by soil organic carbon and phosphorus levels — is better in terms of environmental parameters within the Natura 2000 network than outside it.The soil organic carbon and phosphorus content of 479 cropland and 450 grassland sites within Natura 2000 were compared with their nearest neighbours outside the network. The comparisons were repeated for pairs of both cropland and grassland sites by soil texture groups.The study revealed that organic carbon content was significantly higher in Natura 2000 sites than in non-protected areas for both croplands and grasslands. For croplands, this was true only for those with signs of ploughing, whereas for croplands without signs of ploughing there were no significant differences between Natura 2000 and non-protected areas.Areas with sand and loamy sand soils had significantly higher soil organic carbon content within the Natura 2000 network than outside it, for both croplands and grasslands. This was the only texture class that showed a significant difference in the case of croplands, whereas three further texture groups had higher soil organic carbon content in Natura 2000 grassland sites than on grassland sites outside this network.There was no significant difference in soil phosphorus content between areas within the Natura 2000 network and non-protected areas, except for grasslands with light textured soils, where soil phosphorus levels were significantly lower within Natura 2000 sites than outside them.The results suggest that the management of croplands and grasslands of Natura 2000 sites tends to perform better than that of adjacent areas with similar land cover in terms of soil carbon conservation. The difference is more evident for sites with certain soil characteristics. On the other hand, the nutrient input - as determined by phosphorus levels - of Natura 2000 croplands and grasslands generally does not appear to be less intensive than that of surrounding areas outside the network.

Modeling water and salinity risks to viticulture under prolonged sustained deficit and saline water irrigation

AbstractA numerical model (HYDRUS-1D) was used to evaluate the impacts of the long-term (2004–2015) use of sustained deficit irrigation (10% (D10%) and 20% (D20%) less than full), irrigations with increased water salinity (ECiw of 0.5 and 0.8 dS/m), 50% deficit irrigation during a drought period (DD50%), and DD50% coupled with an increased salinity of water (ECiw of 0.5 and 0.8 dS/m) on the water balance and salinity dynamics under grapevine in two soils at two locations with different climatic conditions. The results showed that D20% and DD50% significantly reduced water uptake and seasonal drainage (Dr) by the vines as compared to full irrigation. Vineyards established in light-textured soils showed two to five times larger drainage losses as compared to heavy-textured soils. The results revealed that the slight increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECiw = 0.5 and 0.8 dS/m) increased the risks in terms of the amount of salts deposited in the soil and transport of large quantities of irrigation-induced salts beyond the root zone. Hence, it is imperative to monitor all of the important water, soil, and salinity drivers of agro-hydro-geological systems to understand the hydro-salinity dynamics and to ensure the long-term sustainability of irrigated viticulture.

Nutrient uptake, growth and yield of pomegranate as influenced by irrigation frequencies under light textured soils

Nutrient uptake, growth and yield of pomegranate as influenced by irrigation frequencies under light textured soils

Status of different varieties and fertilizer use in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in sri muktsar Sahib District of Punjab

A survey was conducted in different blocks of Sri Muktsar Sahib District of Punjab, to assess the area under recommended varieties, to generate information of fertilizer use and yield of wheat. A total of 198 farmers were interviewed personally. It was found that between 90 to 96 per cent of total wheat area was under recommended varieties, while 10 per cent under un-recommended varieties. The maximum area 62–82 per cent was under HD 2967, with average productivity 5.2 t/ha followed by 4.0–17.6 per cent area under HD 3086 variety. Among un-recommended wheat varieties, Barbet was the most popular variety in the district. It was observed that area under un-recommended varieties decreased by 20 per cent during the year 201516 compared to 2013–14. It was further revealed 18 per cent of the farmers were applying fertilizer-N at recommended rate, while 82 per cent were applying at higher rate. On the other hand, only 2 per cent of the farmers were applying fertilizer-P higher than recommended by the Punjab Agricultural University. About 93 per cent of the farmers did not applied potash to wheat, because of high available K content in the soils. Similarly, 90 per cent of the farmers did not apply zinc (Zn) to wheat, because famers are applying Zn to rice grown in rice-wheat cropping system. In areas where, wheat was sown on light textured soils under rice-wheat cropping system, about 50 per cent of the farmers were applying manganese (Mn) to wheat.

Determination of water-yield basil function under deficit irrigation conditions and use of nano fertilizer

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the important aromatic plants belonging to the family Lamiaceae, which is used as an herb, spice as well as fresh vegetable.The present study was performed to determine the irrigation depth index under different management conditions with evaluating the effect of deficit irrigation, soil texture and nano fertilization on basil. The experiment was performed as a factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 18 treatments and three replications at weather station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Deficit irrigation treatments consisted of three levels of irrigation (I1=100% ETc), (I2=75% ETc), (I3=50%ETc) and three levels of nano fertilizers, containing nano fertilizer with full concentration (F1), 70% (F2), and nonusing of nano fertilizer (F3) were implemented in two light soil texture (S1) and medium soil texture (S2). The results showed that the average actual evapotranspiration estimation by REC-P55 device has been equal to 3.38 mm at the beginning of the growing period of basil, which amount has increased to 8.60 mm during basil development in the middle of growth period. The results of crop coefficient analysis showed that the maximum kc of basil (1.42) was detected in July. The results also indicated that the highest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained in terms of fresh and dry herb yield as 2.06 and 0.37 kg/m3 in S2I3F3 treatment, respectively, while the maximum water use efficiency in terms of seed yield (0.37 kg/m3) was obtained in S1I2F2 treatment. Using the research results, according to different levels of water use of functions of yield Y(w), cost C(w), and benefit B(w) for basil based on mathematical and economic analysis of these functions, irrigation index and optimal irrigation depths were evaluated. It was found that with deficit irrigation under water restriction conditions, with the aim of maximum use of water volume unit, the optimal water consumption depth will be reduced by 20% compared to maximum irrigation mode. Also, with this amount of deficit irrigation, the maximum Rial return per cubic meter of water consumption would be as 1849 Rials.

Seasonal toxicity variation in light-textured soil amended with urban sewage sludge: interaction effect on cadmium, nickel, and phytotoxicity.

Sewage sludge is increasingly used as an organic amendment to agricultural soils, especially to soils containing little organic matter. However, little is known on the impact of this biowaste on seasonal changes of nickel and cadmium toxicity in a sandy loam soil. Accordingly, the aim of this field-scale study was to evaluate the seasonal phytotoxicity according to Cd, Ni, and dehydrogenase variation in an agricultural soil during two successive annual amendments with increasing amounts of urban sludge (0, 40, 80, and 120t ha-1year-1). Sampling was carried out at the end of dry season (EDS) and at the end of wet season (EWS) during 2years 2012/2013. Sludge application significantly increased the amount of organic matter and dehydrogenase activity in the soil. In order to explain the seasonal variation of Cd and Ni, pH and electrical conductivity were also monitored in this study. The increased rate of sewage sludge addition slightly reduced the pH but soil remained above neutrality. The electrical conductivity which reflects soil salinity was strongly correlated with Cd and Ni content that increased with sludge dose. Salinity and heavy metals were highest at EDS 2013. In addition, soil phytotoxicity testing was performed by the evaluation of lettuce seed germination for 120h. Although heavy metal content did not generally exceed Tunisian thresholds (3 and 75mg kg-1 for Cd and Ni, respectively), the seed germination index decreased with sewage sludge dose at all seasons. In general, we observed a significant effect of seasonal variation for all studied parameters. Sewage sludge reuse could be a feasible way to improve soil organic matter but toxicity risks consistently increased with time.

Scaling-up of boron sources for yield and quality of large seeded peanut cultivars under varied agro-ecological conditions in India

ABSTRACTBoron (B) deficiency is a common factor in light-textured soils causing poor pod filling and yield in large seeded peanut. Field trials were conducted in soils having 0.20–0.45 mg kg−1 available B to find out the effectiveness of commercial-grade B sources in large seeded peanuts. B application induced early flowering, increased pods, yield and yield attributes, shelling and 100-seed weight. Soil application of 2.0 kg B ha−1 as commercial-grade Agricol, Solubor and Borosol increased these parameters to a similar degree as obtained by borax, but were superior over their foliar applications. Similarly, the responses of foliar applications of 1.0 kg B ha−1 as Chemiebor, Solubor and Borosol were more effective in humid areas. However, foliar applications led to scorching of peanut leaves during dry weather. Thus, soil application of 2.0 kg B ha−1 is essential to enhance productivity and pod filling in large seeded peanut.

Lignin and ethylcellulose in controlled release formulations to reduce leaching of chloridazon and metribuzin in light-textured soils

In this research, controlled release formulations (CRFs) of the herbicides chloridazon and metribuzin, identified as potential leachers, have been evaluated in soils with different texture. To prepare the CRFs, ethylcellulose (EC) and dibutylsebacate (DBS) have been used as coating agents in lignin-polyethylene glycol based formulations.Mobility experiments have been carried out in two light textured soils (sandy and sandy-loam). Breakthrough curves have shown that the use of CRFs reduces the presence of chloridazon and metribuzin in the leachate compared to technical and commercial products, being the lignin CRF coated with EC and DBS the most efficient to diminish the herbicide leaching.Mass balance study has shown a higher amount of chloridazon and metribuzin recovered in soils when these herbicides were tested as CRFs compared to technical and commercial products. The gradual release of herbicides from the CRFs resulting in a rather available levels of chloridazon and metribuzin in soil for a longer time. A good correlation between percentages of herbicide recovered in leachates and T50 values (time corresponding to 50% release of herbicide in water) was obtained, which allows to select the most appropriate CRF in each agro-environmental practice to reduce the potential pollution of groundwater by chloridazon and metribuzin.

Nanoparticles and modified clays influenced distribution of heavy metals fractions in a light-textured soil amended with sewage sludges

We comparatively assessed the effect of modified clays (MCs) (zeolite and bentonite) and nanoparticles (NPs) (ZnO and MgO) on the distribution of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) fractions in a light-textured soil amended with five sewage sludges (SSs) differed in chemical properties during a 92-day incubation experiment in the laboratory. Results indicated that presence of adsorbents and incubation time were critical parameters in stabilizing metals in SS-amended soil. The adsorbents that significantly decreased the easily soluble and exchangeable of metals in SS-amended soil (rate 2%) were bentonite, ZnO and MgO for Cd and Cu, ZnO and MgO for Ni, and bentonite and MgO for Zn. The calculated mobility factor of the metals at five incubation times (5, 15, 29, 57 and 92days) was found in the range of 34.7–51.8 for Cd, 16.7–20.0 for Cu, 15.0–27.7 for Ni, and 35.3–40.7 for Zn indicating a higher mobility of Cd. The addition of MCs and NPs decreased the available fraction of metals, and among them, we suggest bentonite and MgO as novel, promising and feasible adsorbents with the unique characteristics in ameliorating the toxic effects of metals by converting their form from labile to non-labile phases in the SS-amended soil.

Agronomic effects of bovine manure: A review of long-term European field experiments

To evaluate the agronomic value of animal manure, we quantified the effects of pedo-climatic, crop and management factors on crop productivity, N use efficiency, and soil organic matter, described with simple indicators that compare manures with mineral fertilizers. We selected 80 European long-term field experiments that used bovine farmyard manure or bovine liquid slurry, alone (FYM and SLU) or combined with mineral fertilizers (FYMm and SLUm), and compared them to mineral fertilizer only reference treatments. We collected 5570 measurements from 107 papers. FYM produced slightly lower crop yields (−9.5%) when used alone and higher (+11.3%) yields when used in combination with N fertilizer (FYMm), compared to those obtained using mineral fertilizers only. Conditions promoting manure-N mineralization (lighter soil texture, warmer temperature, longer growing season, and shallower incorporation depth) significantly increased the effect of FYM/FYMm on crop yield and yield N. The production efficiency of FYM (yield:N applied ratio) was slightly lower than that of mineral fertilizers (-1.6%). The apparent N recoveries of FYM and FYMm were 59.3% and 78.7%, respectively, of mineral fertilizers. Manured soils had significantly higher C (+32.9% on average for FYM and FYMm) and N (+21.5%) concentrations. Compared to mineral fertilizers, yield was reduced by 9.1% with SLU, but not with SLUm. Influencing factors were similar to those of FYM/FYMm. Efficiency indicators indicated SLU (but not SLUm) was less effective than mineral fertilizers. Slurry significantly increased SOC (on average for SLU and SLUm by +17.4%) and soil N (+15.7%) concentrations. In conclusion, compared to mineral N fertilizers, bovine farmyard manure and slurry were slightly less effective on the crop, but determined marked increases to SOC and soil N, and thus, to long-term soil fertility maintenance.

Impact of Salinity on Respiration and Organic Matter Dynamics in Soils is More Closely Related to Osmotic Potential than to Electrical Conductivity

AbstractOsmotic potential (OP) of soil solution may be a more appropriate parameter than electrical conductivity (EC) to evaluate the effect of salts on plant growth and soil biomass. However, this has not been examined in detail with respect to microbial activity and dissolved organic matter in soils with different texture. This study evaluated the effect of salinity and sodicity on respiration and dissolved organic matter dynamics in salt-affected soils with different texture. Four non-saline and non-sodic soils differing in texture (S-4, S-13, S-24 and S-40 with 4%, 13%, 24% and 40% clay, respectively) were leached using combinations of 1 mol L−1 NaCl and 1 mol L−1 CaCl2 stock solutions, resulting in EC (1:5 soil:water ratio) between 0.4 and 5.0 dS m−1 with two levels of sodicity (sodium absorption ratio (SAR) < 3 (non-sodic) and 20 (sodic), 1:5 soil:water ratio). Adjusting the water content to levels optimal for microbial activity, which differed among the soils, resulted in four ranges of OP in all the soils: from −0.06 to −0.24 (controls, without salt added), −0.55 to −0.92, −1.25 to −1.62 and −2.77 to −3.00 Mpa. Finely ground mature wheat straw (20 g kg−1) was added to stimulate microbial activity. At a given EC, cumulative soil respiration was lower in the lighter-textured soils (S-4 and S-13) than in the heavier-textured soils (S-24 and S-40). Cumulative soil respiration decreased with decreasing OP to a similar extent in all the soils, with a greater decrease on Day 40 than on Day 10. Cumulative soil respiration was greater at SAR = 20 than at SAR < 3 only at the OP levels between − 0.62 and − 1.62 MPa on Day 40. In all the soils and at both sampling times, concentrations of dissolved organic C and N were higher at the lowest OP levels (from − 2.74 to − 3.0 MPa) than in the controls (from − 0.06 to − 0.24 MPa). Thus, OP is a better parameter than EC to evaluate the effect of salinity on dissolved organic matter and microbial activity in different textured soils.

Effect of soil pore size distribution on plant-available water and least limiting water range as soil physical quality indicators

Soil pore size distribution (SPSD) is one of the most important soil physical properties. This research investigated the relationships of location and shape parameters of the SPSD curves with plant-available water (PAW) and least limiting water range (LLWR) of the light-textured soils at the Torogh Agricultural Research Station in north-eastern Iran. Soil moisture release curve (SMRC), PAW and LLWR in matric heads of 100 and 330 hPa for the field capacity and location and shape parameters of the SPSD curves of 30 soils with different texture and organic carbon contents were determined, and the variable relationships were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the median equivalent pore diameter (de), mean de, standard deviation (SD*), and skewness of the SPSD curves were significantly correlated with PAW (PAW330) and LLWR (LLWR330) measured in a matric head of 330 hPa. Decrease in de and increase in the diversity of soil pore size (SD*) increased PAW330 and LLWR330. The SD* values of all the soil samples were lower than the optimal ranges suggested in literature. Neither PAW nor LLWR values were significantly different in the soils with the optimal modal de and those with non-optimal modal de. Optimal values of median and mean equivalent pore diameters and kurtosis of SPSD curves led to a significant improvement of PAW330 and LLWR330 as soil physical quality indicators. It was recommended to revise the optimal ranges for SD* and modal de for future studies.

Effect of different modules on yield and yield attributes of cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] grown on light textured soil of Kachchh region

Effect of different modules on yield and yield attributes of cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] grown on light textured soil of Kachchh region

Effect of different modules on yield and yield attributes of greengram (Vigna radiata L.) grown on light textured soil of Kachchh region

Effect of different modules on yield and yield attributes of greengram (Vigna radiata L.) grown on light textured soil of Kachchh region

Effect of sulphur and zinc with and without FYM on yield and soil physical property after harvest of mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern &amp; Coss] grown on light textured soil of Kachchh

Effect of sulphur and zinc with and without FYM on yield and soil physical property after harvest of mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern &amp; Coss] grown on light textured soil of Kachchh

Evaluation of different modules on yield and yield attributes of mothbean (Vigna aconitifolia Jacq. ) marchel grown on light textured soil of Kachchh region

Evaluation of different modules on yield and yield attributes of mothbean (Vigna aconitifolia Jacq. ) marchel grown on light textured soil of Kachchh region

The effect of wheat straw quality on the rate of its mineralisation in soil

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of straw of two spring wheat cultivars, Tybalt – with the culm filled with pith, and Ostka Smolicka – with the hollow culm, added to light textured soil, on the mineralisation rate of organic matter. The incubation experiment was established under laboratory conditions and comprised three experimental combinations: K1 was soil with an addition of pith-filled culms, K2 – soil with an addition of straw with hollow culms, and K0 – the control with no straw added. In all the combinations, mineral fertilisation was applied in the form of urea. Incubation lasted for 14 months. At specific dates the amounts of CO2 released within 24 h and pH values were recorded. The rate of organic matter mineralisation was expressed in mg CO2·d−1. Analyses showed that the addition of straw, both with pith-filled and hollow culms, significantly influenced the mineralisation of organic matter in the first months of incubation. Mineralisation was most intensive in the soil incubated with straw with hollow culms. The large amount of released carbon dioxide in the first days of incubation caused a decrease in pH both in the control soil and in soils with the addition of straw. The change in the soil reaction to its initial value was recorded at day 222 for the soil combination K0 and at day 250 of incubation in soils fertilised with straw.

Diallel analysis of acid soil tolerant and susceptible maize inbred lines for grain yield under acid and non-acid soil conditions

Maize is not inherently tolerant to soil acidity but due to the ever increasing demand for the crop in the developing world, production of maize on acid soils continues to expand. Breeding for maize acid soil tolerance is the best strategy to improve yield under these conditions. Therefore, the current study was done to determine the general combining ability (GCA) of eight acid-soil tolerant and susceptible inbred lines and the specific combining ability (SCA) of cross combinations of these lines for grain yield under acid and non-acid soils. The eight lines were crossed using a diallel mating design to produce 28 single cross hybrids for evaluation under acid and non-acid soils at four sites for two seasons. Line C2 was the best general combiner under both soil environments while A2/C1 and A1/C2 had the highest desirable SCA effects under optimal conditions. Loss in grain yield and sensitivity to low pH stress was higher among genotypes in light textured soils than heavy soils. Non-additive gene action was more important than additive gene action in conditioning grain yield under both environments. Results revealed that it was feasible to improve grain yield under low pH and optimum soils from the set of genotypes used in the current study.