Major Soil Series Research Articles

Fixed ammonium in some Bangladesh soils

Y Nitrogen is the most deficient element and the most limiting factor for crop production in Bangladesh. The total N content in Bangladesh soils ranges between 0.02 and 0.12% (Ahsan and Karim 1988). The low N content indicates the presence of a small organic N pool and suggests that inorganic N plays an important role as a N source for crops. Contribution of “fixed” or “nonexchangeable” NH4 + to the N economy of soil has been reported for many tropical soils (Rodrigues 1954; Moore and Ayeke 1965; Dalal 1977; Sahrawat 1995). However, there are few reports on fixed NH4 + status in Bangladesh. In the present study, therefore, attempts were made to collect data on fixed NH4 + of some major soil series from the important physiographic units of Bangladesh.

INFILTRATION AND HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF TEN MAJOR SOIL SERIES OF TAMIL NADU

A study conducted to characterise the major soil series of Tamil Nadu for infiltration rate (IR) and hydraulic conductivity (HC) indicated that the soils coming under the Vertisol order possessed lowest IR followed by Alfisol, Inceptisol and Entisol. The hydraulic conductivity of the soils had shown the presence of hardpan in the sub surface of the soils coming under Alfisols. Among the soil physical properties, there was a positive and significant correlation between the sand content and HC and negative correlation with the silt and clay content. Peelamedu, Perianaickenpalayam. Palathurai, Madukkur and Pattukkottai soil series have moderate IR with moderate to rapid HC. Tulkkanur, Palladam and Vyalogam soil series have moderately rapid IR with rapid to very rapid HC. Irugur soil series showed rapid IR with moderately rapid HC, while Kalathur soil series recorded moderately poor IR and moderate HC.

Interpreting Differences among Hydraulic Parameters for Different Soil Series by Functional Characterization

AbstractUsing soil survey data for simulation modeling of water regimes and crop growth requires characteristic expressions for hydraulic characteristics of major soil horizons and soil series. It is unclear at present whether: (i) hydraulic functions based on parameter estimation techniques are adequate for simulations in macroporous soils, and (ii) to what extent different soil horizons and series can be pooled to reduce input data in simulation models. These questions were examined using two methods of expressing measured hydraulic conductivity data in computer simulations with previously validated crop models. Both hydraulic conductivity expressions used parameterized equations derived from one‐step outflow data for the −5.0 to −60.0 kPa pressure range. For the 0 to −5.0 kPa range, one method used hydraulic conductivities estimated by extrapolating the parameterized functions, whereas the second method used actual crust test data to account for macropore flow. Differences between the two methods were functionally tested by simulating maize (Zea mays L.) yields and fluxes below the root zone in three Costa Rican soil series, using the SWACROP model. Yields were significantly higher when considering structural porosity (Method 2), while fluxes were significantly lower. Thus, extrapolation of one‐step outflow data to conditions near saturation seems to be questionable. Using Method 2, maize yields and fluxes below the root zone were compared for three representative soil series to test whether they could be considered as one functional group of soils. Yield data indicated that two rather than one functional group should be distinguished. Flux data were similar for all three series, indicating that only one functional group was necessary.

DISTRIBUTION OF COPPER IN SOIL

The distribution of total and available copper and their relationship to different soil properties were studied in twenty three soil profiles representing seven major soil series of Namakkal Taluk in Tamil Nadu. The total copper content varied from 12.6 to 105.5 ppm and increased with depth. Laterite soils contained more of total copper than black, alluvial and red soils and the total copper was closely related to available copper, clay, silt, calcium carbonate, fine and coarse sand. The available copper content varied from 0.20 to 1.13 ppm and the content showed an irregular distribution with reference to depth. Alluvial soils contained more of available copper than others.

FORMS OF IRON AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN SOME SOIL PROFILES OF TAMIL NADU

The distribution pattern of total and available iron and their relationship with different soil properties were studied in twenty three soil profiles representing seven major soil series covering four major soil types of Namakkal Taluk in Tamil Nadu. Total iron content varied from 2.90 to 13.60 per cent and the content increased with depth in all the soils. The available iron content varied from 2.01 to 12.66 ppm and the content decreased with depth in laterite and alluvial soils while irregular pattern was observed in black and red soils. Total available iron had a positive association with organic matter and clay content.

Cationic interferences on zinc adsorption

The effects of bivalent cations such as Mg2+, MN2+, FE2+ and Cu2+ on zinc adsorption in 16 surface soil samples (0-25 cm depth), representing major soil series of Tamil Nadu (India), and of the soil orders Vertisol and lnceptisol were studied. The study revealed that the interference of the four bivalent cations on zinc adsorption was in the order Cu2+ > Mn2+ > Me2 + > Mg2+. The effects of these ions on zinc adsorption could be explained on the basis of chemical properties such as magnetic moment value, kinetic classification, crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) and kinetics of substitution. The variations in soil properties, particularly soil texture, also influenced zinc adsorption in these soils.

Phosphorus Release in Sodium Ion Dominated Soils

AbstractCalcareous sodic soils having high sodicity and high pH often maintain high solution P concentration. The effect of high exchangeable Na, high pH, and alkali anions and carbonates on the release of inorganic P was investigated in soils representing the three major benchmark sodic soil series found in the Indo‐Gangetic plains of India. Sodium saturation of the exchange complex, high pH, carbonate ions, and low electrolyte level shifted the solid P‐solution P equilibrium in favor of maintenance of high P concentrations in aqueous solutions. In the sodic soil environment, release of P can be accounted for by the dissolution of various forms of Ca‐P compounds at high alkalinity and pH. Cultivation of alkali soils improves the organically bound P forms. Together or in combination, high sodicity, high pH, and the presence of carbonate ions at low salinity markedly increased P desorption and P availability in sodic soils.

Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland .VIII. Available nitrogen indexes and their relationships to crop yield and N uptake

Six major soil series of southern Queensland were studied for the changes in the levels of available N indices (determined by both biological and chemical methods) and nitrate-N, with continuous cultivation and cereal cropping for up to 70 years. The biological N indices, measured in soil collected at planting of winter cereals, were anaerobic mineralizable N, aerobic mineralizable N and nitrate-N down to 1.2 m depth. The chemical indices were autoclave N and oven N. The predictive capabilities of various available N indices, and total N and organic C, were assessed from dry matter and N uptake of winter cereals in the field in 1983 as well as in the glasshouse. Anaerobic mineralizable N levels increased with mean annual rainfall but decreased with mean annual temperatures of the sampling sites of the six soil series. Therefore, it was possible to predict closely anaerobic mineralizable N from soil total N, and mean annual rainfall and temperature. Autoclave N showed no such trends. Anaerobic mineralizable N declined with period of cultivation, exponentially in Waco, Langlands-Logie and Cecilvale soils (0.112, 0.111 and 0.247 year-1, respectively) and linearly in the other three soil series. No consistent trends were discerned in autoclave N and oven N in four of the soil series with period of cultivation. Generally, nitrate-N (measured at planting) declined with period of cultivation. However, in Billa Billa soil, it increased in the soil profile (0-1.2 m) during the initial 7 years of cultivation and declined rapidly after 12 years. Although a number of available N indices, including total N and organic C, were significantly correlated with crop dry matter yield and N uptake, the best prediction of crop performance was provided by a combination of anaerobic mineralizable N (0-0.3 m) and nitrate-N (0-0 6 m) in the six soil series.

DISTRIBUTION OF MANGANESE IN SOIL

The distribution of total and available manganese (exchangable + water soluble forms) and their relationship to different soil properties were studied in twenty three soil profiles, representing seven major soil series of Namakkal taluk in Tamil Nadu. The total manganese content varied from 206 to 792 ppm. The content increased with depth in black and red soil series, while irregular pattern of distribution was observed in alluvial and laterite soil series. Black soils contained more of total manganese than alluvial, red and laterite soils. Total manganese content was closely related to clay, calcium carbonate, fine sand and coarse sand. The available manganese content varied from 0.63 to 26.64 ppm and the content decreased with depth in alluvial and laterite soil series while irregular pattern of distribution was observed in black and red soil series. Laterite soils contained more of available manganese thanalluvial, black and red soils. Available manganese was positively related to clay and organic matter and negatively with finer and coarser fractions of the soil.

Relations Between Mineral Nutrient Availability and Fine Root Biomass in Two Costa Rican Tropical Wet Forests: A Hypothesis

Relations Between Mineral Nutrient Availability and Fine Root Biomass in Two Costa Rican Tropical Wet Forests: A Hypothesis

Aluminum Toxicity and Calcium Deficiency in Acid Subsoil Horizons of Two Coastal Plains Soil Series

AbstractInadequate root proliferation in acid subsoil horizons of the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States limits yields of many crops. The recognized root‐limiting chemical factors in these soils are Al toxicity and Ca deficiency, but it is not known if these properties can be predicted from soil series descriptions. In an effort to delineate Al toxicity and Ca deficiency by horizon and by soil series, six representative profiles from each of two major soil series of Alabama's Coastal Plain were sampled by horizon to a depth of 1 m. Three profiles from each of two major soil series were obtained from cultivated fields; the other three were obtained from adjacent woodlands. Horizon samples were subdivided and treated with one of the following: (i) check, or no treatment, (ii) CaSO4, (iii) MgO, and (iv) Ca(OH)2. Growth rate of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) taproots into each treated soil material was measured, and visual symptoms of Al toxicity and Ca deficiency on roots were noted. Six of seven Bt horizons in the Orangeburg series were Al toxic; four of 12 in the Dothan series were Al toxic. None of the five BE horizons were Al toxic. Seven Dothan horizons and four Orangeburg horizons were Ca deficient. No Ca‐deficient horizon occurred in cultivated fields and no Al‐toxic horizon occurred in woodlands. Aluminum toxicity occurred in some Bt horizons (but not all) of cultivated fields when soil‐solution Al was only 0.4µM, but not in BE horizons of woodlands where solution Al ranged up to 11.5µM by the 8‐hydroxyquinoline method. Neither was Al saturation a satisfactory predictor of Al toxicity. Nondeficient Ca levels (both soil solution and exchangeable) were lower in cultivated fields than in woodlands. There was no apparent difference between soil series relative to Ca deficiency and Al toxicity, making it seem unlikely that soil classification will be helpful in predicting Ca deficiency and Al toxicity in subsoil horizons.

Causes of Acidification of Four Streams on Laurel Hill in Southwestern Pennsylvania

AbstractAtmospheric deposition, soils developed from bedrock, a natural bog, gas wells, and a ski area were all investigated as possible sources of water quality degradation for four streams on Laurel Hill in southwestern Pennsylvania where fish kills have been reported since 1960. An intensive study of the chemistry of atmospheric deposition, soil leachate, and stream water and fish populations was conducted on these basins during 1980–1981 with emphasis on dormant season periods with runoff from snowmelt and rain. Although bedrock geology was found to control the natural buffering capacity of these streams, only acid precipitation could be linked to sharp drops in pH and increases in total Al concentrations observed during stormflows in the poorly buffered streams. Three poorly buffered streams exhibited drops to pH 4.4 to 4.5 and increases in total Al concentrations up to 1.5 mg/L during observed peak flows. Mineral soil leachate from the three major soil series on the basins during this time exhibited a low pH of 4.3 and mean total Al concentrations of 3.6 mg/L, indicating stream response during storms was closely linked to chemistry of soil leachate. Poorly buffered streams did not support reproducing populations of trout (Salmonidae sp.) or other fishes. In contrast, one well‐buffered stream (20 mg/L CaCO3) exhibited drops to pH 5.5 during peak flow and supported reproducing trout and sculpin (Cottus bairdi) populations. The acidification of the four streams studied was attributed to atmospheric deposition.

Mineralogy of the Major Soils of the Gezira Scheme (Sudan)

AbstractThe major soil series comprising the Gezira scheme are Hosh, Suleimi, and Laota. These soils are calcareous, dark brown to grayish brown clays with low organic matter contents (< 1%). The mineralogical properties of these soils were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), dissolution, and Ca/Mg and K/NH4 cation exchange capacities. Some complementary data were obtained using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results of the study reveal that these soils have similar sand, silt, and clay mineralogy. The sand fractions are composed of quartz, plagioclase, K feldspars, anatase, and amphiboles. The silt fractions contain, in addition to the above minerals, kaolinite, mica, and chlorite. The coarse clay is composed of chlorite, kaolinite, smectite, plagioclase and K‐feldspars, quartz, and mica. The fine clay is predominantly smectite (a mixture of montmorillonite and beidellite), kaolinite, and mica. Calcite is the dominant mineral in the gray hard nodules. The uniform physiographic position and similar mineralogy of these soils suggest that they have a common origin. The similarity in mineralogical composition to that of the recent sediments of the Blue Nile and its tributaries, supports the contention that the Gezira soils have inherited their mineralogical properties from the source area of the sediments in Ethiopia.

Soil moisture influence on micronutrient cation availability under aerobic conditions

The three major soil series comprising the Gezira scheme (Sudan) are Hosh, Suleimi, and Laota. Surface soil samples from each soil series were employed to study the effect of soil moisture on the DTPA-extractable micronutrient cation under aerobic conditions. The study continued for 8 weeks using an incubation technique at two levels of soil moisture (continuously moist and moist/dry cycles). The DTPA-extractable Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn from air-dry soil samples were much higher compared to values from their incubated counterparts. For the three soils the CO2 production (microbial activity) reached the maximum in 5 weeks and then levelled off while the lowest values of micronutrient cation from the incubated soils were obtained between 2 to 8 weeks.

Chemical Factors Affecting Root Growth in Subsoil Horizons of Coastal Plain Soils

AbstractLack of root growth into the acid subsoils of the Coastal Plain of the southeastern U.S. is a recognized yield‐limiting problem for many crops, but little has been done to identify root‐limiting factors by soil horizon. In an effort to delineate Al toxicity and Ca deficiency by horizon, representative profiles of six major soil series of Alabama's Coastal Plain were sampled by horizon to a depth of 1 m. Horizon samples were subdivided and treated with one of the following: (i) check, (ii) CaSO4, (iii) MgO, and (iv) Ca(OH)2. Growth rate of primary roots of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) into each soil material was measured, and visual symptoms of Ca deficiency and Al toxicity on roots were noted. Five untreated soil horizons grew roots showing only symptoms of Al toxicity (all were Bt horizons, previously designated as B2t); five grew roots showing only Ca‐deficiency symptoms (all were E, EB, BE horizons, previously designated as A2, A3, and B1, respectively); three grew roots showing both Al toxicity and Ca deficiency (all were Bt horizons); five horizons grew normal‐appearing roots (E, BE, and Bt horizons). Calcium deficiency occurred when soil‐solution Ca activity was 0.27 mM or less and Ca saturation was 17% or less. Aluminum toxicity occurred in some Bt horizons with soil‐solution Al at <0.4 µM but not in E, EB, and BE horizons with Al ranging between 9 and 134 µM. This apparent contradiction in toxic levels of Al was probably the result of solution Al being chelated in eluviated horizons but not in illuviated horizons.

Nutrient Testing of Soils to Determine Fertilizer Needs on Central Sierra Nevada Deer-Cattle Ranges

Nutrient Testing of Soils to Determine Fertilizer Needs on Central Sierra Nevada Deer-Cattle Ranges

Fixed ammonium and potassium release from two soils

Abstract Release of native and added K+ and NH+ 4 from two soils was monitored during a 166 day incubation/leaching experiment. One soil (Brookston) represented a major soil series In Ontario whereas the other (Harriston) was suspected having a relatively large fixation capacity. Treatments were imposed involving addition of 50 μM g‐1 soil of K+(KCl) or NH+ 4 (NH4Cl) only or one added after the other on successive days. The addition of either K+ or NH+ 4 on day 2 tended to inhibit the release of the other added on day I. Also the addition of either K+ or NH+ 4 on day 1 tended to inhibit the sorption or fixation of the other on day 2. The release rate of K+ during the 10 to 166 day period was almost constant and not affected by the addition of NH+ 4. Alternatively, the addition of K+ on day 2 slowed the release rate of NH+ 4 measured by NO− 3 appearance from day 10 to 40 but had no effect thereafter. At the end of the experiment considerably more K+ than NH+ 4 was retained suggesting that K+ was more firml...

Influence of soil aggregation on slope stability in the Oregon Coast Ranges

Two major cohesionless soil series of the central Coast Ranges of Oregon were examined for soil and hydrologic properties. Although derived from different parent material, the Bohannon and Klickitat series exhibited nearly identical values of soil and hydrologic properties. Aggregation in both soils was found to be the most important property, for it influences shear strength and subsurface water movement, prime components of slope stability. The unusually high angle of internal friction of both cohesionless soils was 40° to 41°. The angle of internal friction was affected significantly by the mode of wetting. Subsurface water movement was predominantly by unsaturated flow. The influence of soil aggregation on pore-size distribution and arrangement created conditions where unsaturated flow was an effective means for water dispersal in both soils during most observed storm events. Considering the large area covered by these two soil series, aggregation appears to be an important slope-stability property with regional significance.

Morphology, Chemistry and Classification of Two Red Soil Series

Two major soil series of Coimbatore District viz.. Irugur series and raiature series were studied in detail for their morphology, physicochemical characteristics and clay minerolony. The parameters of the profiles revealed in-Situ development of the soil series from weathered gneissic rocks. The clay minerology was found to be dominated with kaolinite clay mineral. The calcareous nature of the Palathurai series was found to be due to the influence of parent material.

The Red Latosols of Sri Lanka: I. Macromorphological, Physical and Chemical Properties, Genesis, and Classification

AbstractThe Red Latosols of Sri Lanka have developed on the Quaternary Red Earth Formation into very deep, excessively drained soils with weak horizon differentiation. The three major soil series of this subgroup, the Gambura, Mullaitivu and Wilpattu series, were studied from the point of view of their morphological properties, particle size distribution, bulk density, 1/3 and 15 bar moisture, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, CEC, exchangeable cations and free Fe and Al oxides by means of representative pedons for purposes of characterization and determination of the genetic processes.The Red Latosols all show some clay illuviation with the vertical distribution of the illuviated clay inversely related to the clay content. Free iron oxides are present largely as discrete particles and have themselves migrated downward, though to a lesser extent than the clay. The CEC values are low and consistent with clay fractions dominated by the kaolinite group. The CEC's also indicate a high proportion of pH‐dependent exchange sites. The exchange acidity appears to result largely from the presence of Al‐hydroxy compounds in the exchange complex. The dominant basic cation is Ca. The free iron oxides are almost entirely crystalline and seem to have moved principally by physical translocation of the particles, although another mechanism has also been postulated. Differences in the properties of the three series of the Red Latosols mainly reflect differences in clay and iron oxide contents.According to the USDA Soil Taxonomy the Gambura series is a fineclayey kaolinitic isohyperthermic Rhodic Oxic Paleustalf, whereas the other two series are fine‐loamy siliceous isohyperthermic Rhodic Oxic Paleustalfs.