Soil Nutrient Balance Research Articles

The weed seed bank assessment in two soil depths under various mineral fertilising

The field trial at the experimental station of Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra - Kolíňany (Slovak Republic, maize growing region, Haplic Luvisol and Stagni-Haplic Luvisol) in 1997 year was established. Experiments were based on 14 ha area (424 x 432.2 m) by long strips method. The impact of different mineral fertilisers on six model crops was observed: winter wheat, spring barley, sunflower, winter oilseed rape, maize and sugar beet. Weed infestation of winter wheat, spring barley, maize and sugar beet as well as weed seed bank composition since 2000 year till 2002 year were detected. Three variants of mineral fertilisation were applied: variant 1 – without fertilisers, variant 2 – N-P-K fertilisation, steady state soil nutrients balance, variant 3 – high doses of N-P-K fertilisers (positive soil nutrients balance). Soil weed seed bank was analysed once per year before crop germination (on February) from depths 0–0.05 m and 0.20–0.25 m in five replicates. From the depth 0–0.05 m 26 weed species were found, from the depth 0.20–0.25 m 23 weed species, from late spring group mainly. Chenopodium album, Stellaria media and Amaranthus spp. (77.57 % from intact seeds in total) were the most occurred weeds in both depths. The year, depth of soil sampling and fertilisation did not have statistically significant impact on weed seeds number in the soil.

Temporal changes of soil physic‐chemical properties at different soil depths during larch afforestation by multivariate analysis of covariance

Soil physic-chemical properties differ at different depths; however, differences in afforestation-induced temporal changes at different soil depths are seldom reported. By examining 19 parameters, the temporal changes and their interactions with soil depth in a large chronosequence dataset (159 plots; 636 profiles; 2544 samples) of larch plantations were checked by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). No linear temporal changes were found in 9 parameters (N, K, N:P, available forms of N, P, K and ratios of N: available N, P: available P and K: available K), while marked linear changes were found in the rest 10 parameters. Four of them showed divergent temporal changes between surface and deep soils. At surface soils, changing rates were 262.1 g·kg−1·year−1 for SOM, 438.9 mg·g−1·year−1 for C:P, 5.3 mg·g−1·year−1 for C:K, and −3.23 mg·cm−3·year−1 for bulk density, while contrary tendencies were found in deeper soils. These divergences resulted in much moderated or no changes in the overall 80-cm soil profile. The other six parameters showed significant temporal changes for overall 0–80-cm soil profile (P: −4.10 mg·kg−1·year−1; pH: −0.0061 unit·year−1; C:N: 167.1 mg·g−1·year−1; K:P: 371.5 mg·g−1 year−1; N:K: −0.242 mg·g−1·year−1; EC: 0.169 μS·cm−1·year−1), but without significant differences at different soil depths (P > 0.05). Our findings highlight the importance of deep soils in studying physic-chemical changes of soil properties, and the temporal changes occurred in both surface and deep soils should be fully considered for forest management and soil nutrient balance.

Effects of Farmyard Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer Application on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Nutrient Balance in Rain-Fed Lowland Rice Ecosystem

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of combined application of farm yard manure (FYM) and inorganic NP fertilizers on soil physico-chemical properties and nutrient balance in a rain-fed lowland rice production system in Fogera plain, northwestern Ethiopia. The study was carried out during the main cropping seasons of 2010 and 2011. Twenty-seven treatments comprising a factorial combination of three rates of FYM (0, 7.5, and 15 t·ha-1), three rates of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 kg·N·ha-1) and three rates of phosphorus (0, 50 and 100 kg·P2O5·ha-1) were tested. The experiments were laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Bulk density, organic matter content, and available water holding capacity, total N, and available P of the soil were measured just after harvesting the rice crop. Results showed that application of 15 t·FYM·ha-1 significantly increased soil organic matter and available water holding capacity but decreased the soil bulk density, creating a good soil condition for enhanced growth of the rice crop. Application of 15 tFYM·ha-1 increased the level of soil total nitrogen from 0.203% to 0.349%. Combined application of 15 t·ha-1·FYM and 100 kg·P2O5·ha-1 increased the available phosphorous from 11.9 ppm to 38.1 ppm. Positive balances of soil N and P resulted from combined application of FYM and inorganic N and P sources. Application of 15·t ha-1·FYM and 120 kg·N·ha-1resulted in 214.8 kg·ha-1·N positive balance while application of 15 t·ha-1·FYM and 100 kg·P2O5·ha-1 resulted in a positive balance of 69.3 kg·P2O5·ha-1 available P. From the results of this experiment, it could be concluded that combined application of FYM and inorganic N and P fertilizers improved the chemical and physical properties, which may lead to enhanced and sustainable production of rice in the study area.

Future challenges of representing land-processes in studies on land-atmosphere interactions

Abstract. Over recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that climate change and air pollution need to be considered jointly for improved attribution and projections of human-caused changes in the Earth system. Exchange processes at the land surface come into play in this context, because many compounds that either act as greenhouse gases, as pollutant precursors, or both, have not only anthropogenic but also terrestrial sources and sinks. And since the fluxes of multiple gases and particulate matter between the terrestrial biota and the atmosphere are directly or indirectly coupled to vegetation and soil carbon, nutrient and water balances, quantification of their geographic patterns or changes over time requires due consideration of the underlying biological processes. In this review we highlight a number of critical aspects and recent progress in this respect, identifying in particular a number of areas where studies have shown that accounting for ecological process understanding can alter global model projections of land-atmosphere interactions substantially. Specifically, this concerns the improved quantification of uncertainties and dynamic system responses, including acclimation, and the incorporation of exchange processes that so far have been missing from global models even though they are proposed to be of relevance for our understanding of terrestrial biota-climate feedbacks. Progress has also been made regarding studies on the impacts of land use/land cover change on climate change, but the absence of a mechanistically based representation of human response-processes in ecosystem models that are coupled to climate models limits our ability to analyse how climate change or air pollution in turn might affect human land use. A more integrated perspective is necessary and should become an active area of research that bridges the socio-economic and biophysical communities.

패화석이 보리생육과 토양 미생물상에 미치는 영향

산성토양을 개량하기 위한 목적으로 패화석을 시용하여 보리의 생육, 수량과 품질 및 토양 미생물상을 조사하였다. 패화석 처리로 석회고토나 무처리에 비해 <TEX>$m^2$</TEX>당 수수와 천립 중이 높아져 보리의 수량은 석회소요량 처리구인 패화석 <TEX>$3.09Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> 시용에서 <TEX>$5.53Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>로 가장 많았으며 석회고토 동량의 패화석 처리구도 <TEX>$5.23Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>로 석회고토 <TEX>$5.20Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> 보다 증대되었다. 패화석 처리구는 석회고토 처리구 보다 보리 단백질 함량은 0.5~0.7% 낮아져 농산물의 품질향상에 미치는 영향은 석회고토보다 양호한 것으로 판단되었다. 토양 pH는 패화석과 석회고토 시용으로 무처리 보다 0.5~0.6 정도 상승되었고 치환성 Ca 함량은 패화석 <TEX>$3.09Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> 처리구에서 <TEX>$7.5cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$</TEX>으로 가장 높았으며 석회고토 처리구는 치환성 Mg 함량이 <TEX>$2.5cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$</TEX>으로 가장 높게 나타났다. 패화석 <TEX>$3.09Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> 및 <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> 처리구는 석회고토 <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> 처리구에 비해 토양의 세균 밀도는 각각 60.9 및 <TEX>$69.7{\times}10^6CFU\;g^{-1}$</TEX>로서 높은 반면 방선균 밀도는 각각 32.4, <TEX>$45.4{\times}10^5CFU\;g^{-1}$</TEX>로서 낮았다. Oyster shell has a high content of <TEX>$CaCO_3$</TEX> to be used as a acidic soil amendment. To enhance productivity of barley and soil microbe in an upland soil, oyster shell and calcium-magnesium carbonate were selected as a soil amendments in this study. A field experiment was treated no treatment (hereafter, control), oyster shell lime <TEX>$3.09Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> and <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>, and calcium-magnesium carbonate <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> as amount of lime requirement in silt loam soil. The yield of barley from the oyster shell lime treatment was the highest. The protein content of barley was the highest of 11.1% in the calcium-magnesium carbonate, followed by 10.7% for the control, 10.6% for the oyster shell lime <TEX>$3.09Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>, and 10.4% for the oyster shell lime <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>. Soil pH value was higher than that of control in harvesting stage. In addition, the population of soil bacteria was highest in oyster shell lime <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>, actinomycetes was highest in calcium-magnesium <TEX>$2.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>. We concluded that the oyster shell lime can be effective to restore soil nutrient and microbe balance in an upland soil.

Soil nutrient content and nutrient balances in newly-built solar greenhouses in northern China

Soil nutrient content and nutrient balances in newly-built solar greenhouses in the southern part of China’s Loess Plateau were investigated over two consecutive years. Farmers applied manure and inorganic fertilizers at average annual rates of 1,907 kg N ha−1, 1,601 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 1,742 kg K2O ha−1. Manure accounted for 65 % of the total N input, 57 % of the total P input and 55 % of the total K input. The average annual nutrient surpluses were 1,374 kg N ha−1, 1,468 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 881 kg K2O ha−1. Soil organic matter, total N, available P, available K and electrical conductivity (EC) increased significantly across time in the topsoil (0–20 cm depth), but not in the subsoil (20–100 cm depth). The nitrate–N concentrations (mg N kg−1) of the 0–100 cm depth increased by 163–336 % over 2 years. The average accumulation of nitrate–N (kg N ha−1) of the 0–100 cm depth increased by 241 % and leveled out at 511 kg N ha−1; and it was 1,015 kg N ha−1 in the 0–200 cm depth. In conclusion, over-fertilization led to large nutrient surpluses in the soil of newly-built greenhouses.

Capacity of Biochar Application to Maintain Energy Crop Productivity: Soil Chemistry, Sorghum Growth, and Runoff Water Quality Effects

Pyrolysis of crop biomass generates a by-product, biochar, which can be recycled to sustain nutrient and organic C concentrations in biomass production fields. We evaluated effects of biochar rate and application method on soil properties, nutrient balance, biomass production, and water quality. Three replications of eight sorghum [ (L.) Moench] treatments were installed in box lysimeters under greenhouse conditions. Treatments comprised increasing rates (0, 1.5, and 3.0 Mg ha) of topdressed or incorporated biochar supplemented with N fertilizer or N, P, and K fertilizer. Simulated rain was applied at 21 and 34 d after planting, and mass runoff loss of N, P, and K was measured. A mass balance of total N, P, and K was performed after 45 d. Returning 3.0 Mg ha of biochar did not affect sorghum biomass, soil total, or Mehlich-3-extractable nutrients compared to control soil. Yet, biochar contributed to increased concentration of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) and mass loss of total phosphorus (TP) in simulated runoff, especially if topdressed. It was estimated that up to 20% of TP in topdressed biochar was lost in surface runoff after two rain events. Poor recovery of nutrients during pyrolysis and excessive runoff loss of nutrients for topdressed biochar, especially K, resulted in negative nutrient balances. Efforts to conserve nutrients during pyrolysis and incorporation of biochar at rates derived from annual biomass yields will be necessary for biochar use in sustainable energy crop production.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on baby corn–rice cropping system: economic yield, system productivity, nutrient-use efficiency andsoil nutrient balance

The study was conducted to estimate the nutrient-use efficiency and soil nutrient balance of integrated nutrient management, five combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. Both partial factor productivity and agronomic- use efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was recorded maximum in F3 (70% RD of NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 30% N through FYM), F2 (70% RD of NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 30% N through vermicompost) and F1 (recommended dose (RD) of NPK (150:26:33) through fertilizers), respectively. Apparently recovery efficiency for N and K was highest in F1, whereas P in F3. Physiological-use efficiency (PFP) was highest in F3, followed by F1 and F2 treatment. INM showed actual N gain but apparent N losses. Maximum actual N gain was recorded where nutrients were applied through equal proportion (50:50) of organic and inorganic sources. Similar trend was recorded for actual and apparent P loss/gain as recorded for N. Results showed losses in actual K but gain in apparent K for all the treatments.

County Soil Fertility Information Management System Based on Embedded GIS

Almost all existing soil fertility management information systems run on PC with a poor mobility, which can not be used directly in the fields. This paper proposed a method using the embedded GIS technology, embedded database technology and soil nutrient balance model, to develop soil fertility management information system of Jianshui County in Yunnan Province, China. This system could run on Windows mobile 6.5 phones, PDA and other smart terminal devices. Functions of the system included viewing soil fertility information, getting fertilization formula, etc. The application of the system was good, which could guide farmers to fertilize more rationally and also help governor to develop agricultural policy.

Impact of global climate change and fire on the occurrence and function of understorey legumes in forest ecosystems

IntroductionThe objective of this review was to provide a better understanding of how global climate change and fire influence the occurrence of understorey legumes and thereby biological nitrogen (N) fixation rates in forest ecosystems. Legumes are interesting models since they represent an interface between the soil, plant, and microbial compartments, and are directly linked to nutrient cycles through their ability to fix N. As such, they are likely to be affected by environmental changes.Result and discussionBiological N fixation has been shown to increase under enriched CO2 conditions, but is constrained by the availability of phosphorus and water. Climate change can also influence the species composition of legumes and their symbionts through warming, altered rainfall patterns, or changes in soil physicochemistry, which could modify the effectiveness of the symbiosis. Additionally, global climate change may increase the occurrence and intensity of forest wildfires thereby further influencing the distribution of legumes. The establishment of leguminous species is generally favored by fire, as is N2 fixation. This fixed N could therefore replenish the N lost through volatilization during the fire. However, fire may also generate shifts in the associated microbial community which could affect the outcome of the symbiosis.ConclusionUnderstorey legumes are important functional species, and even when they cannot reasonably be expected to reestablish the nutrient balance in forest soils, they may be used as indicators to monitor nutrient fluxes and the response of forest ecosystems to changing environmental conditions. This would be helpful to accurately model ecosystem N budgets, and since N is often a limiting factor to plant growth and a major constraint on C storage in ecosystems, would allow us to assess more precisely the potential of these forests for C sequestration.

Yield and nutrient balance of lettuce as influenced by reduced and optimized nitrogen application

采用田间小区试验, 研究了氮肥减施20%(80%N)与施肥优化[施缓释尿素并减氮20%(80%N+CRU)、氮肥减施20%并添加脲酶抑制剂/硝化抑制剂(80%N+QD)、氮肥减施20%并添加土壤调理剂(80%N+SC)]对土壤-莴苣系统氮磷平衡以及产量效益的影响。结果表明: 3 种优化减氮处理均在一定程度上降低了菜地土壤NO₃^--N(硝态氮)、Olsen-P(有效磷)含量及硝化率水平, 从而降低了氮磷流失进入环境的风险; 同时减氮处理还提高了土壤氮素的利用效率, 增加了蔬菜鲜样产量及菜农实际收入, 效益明显。其中, 80%N+CRU 处理降低土壤NO₃^--N 和Olsen-P 含量最为明显, 但该处理植株可食部分容易累积硝酸盐, 收获时莴苣茎硝酸盐含量显著高于常规施肥处理(CF)和《农产品安全质量无公害蔬菜安全要求》(GB18406.1—2001)(<em>P</em><0.05); 80%N+QD 处理对各时期土壤Olsen-P 及蔬菜可食部分硝酸盐含量影响较小, 却显著降低了菜地土壤的硝化率水平(<em>P</em><0.05),从而提高了养分利用效率, 同时与CF 处理相比, 该处理较大幅度增加了莴苣鲜样产量(茎21.7%, 叶7.6%)、总收入(13.0%)、实际收入(14.0%)和产投比(14.2%), 是最佳减氮优化处理。试验地80%N+SC 处理效果不稳定,与常规施肥差异不显著。兼顾经济、食用风险、生态环境等效益, 建议在高肥力菜地土壤中, 氮肥减量与脲酶抑制剂、硝化抑制剂配合施用。

Comparative Analysis of Soil Nutrient Balance at Farm Level: A Case Study in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Comparative Analysis of Soil Nutrient Balance at Farm Level: A Case Study in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Effect of vegetation coverage on aeolian dust accumulation in a semiarid steppe of northern China

Wind erosion and sand storms are common phenomena in semiarid steppes of northern China and could have important impact on soil nutrient balances. Vegetation coverage is one of the key factors influencing wind erosion and aeolian dust accumulation. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of vegetation coverage on airborne dust accumulation and evaluated effects of dust input on the contribution of nutrients to vegetation-mulched fields. Five vegetation coverage treatments (15%, 35%, 55%, 75% and 95%) were constructed, with 0% coverage as a control. Vegetation coverage significantly affected dust accumulation in degenerated semiarid grasslands. The amounts of dust trapped by the increasing coverages were 1.7, 1.8, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.1 times of that by the control plot, respectively. The total accumulations reached a maximum of 2.5 g m−2 day−1 at 75% coverage and remained stable with further increasing vegetation coverage. The particles in the dust trapped by treatment without vegetation coverage were significantly coarser than those by treatments with vegetation. In addition, the dust trapped by treatments with vegetation contained more organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content than that by the control plot. This finding indicates that areas with higher vegetation coverage can obtain more nutrients by trapping airborne dust in semiarid steppes.

Erratum to: Modelling sustainability: what are the factors that influence sustainability of organic fruit production systems in New Zealand?

Although many believe that organic systems are sustainable as compared to conventional systems, there is a need to study the sustainability of organic systems per se. In this paper, sustainability of organic kiwifruit and apple production systems is modelled based on the concept of strong sustainability which gives utmost importance to environmental sustainability. Sustainability assessment is undertaken through analyses of key energy and material flows of the orchard system and their impacts on the environment. The proposed approach is based on two high level criteria for sustainability: energy efficiency and non-degradation of the environment. Five indicators which address the two criteria for sustainability are the energy ratio, carbon ratio, change in soil carbon level, soil nutrient balances and leaching of nitrogen. Sustainability indicators are estimated over one production year using two computer modelling tools, Overseer® and Stella®. Sustainability assessment indicates that the organic kiwifruit and apple systems are efficient in energy use and are a net carbon sink over a typical production year. The apple systems mined potassium from the soil which may be a threat to future yield and sustainability. Transition to sustainable farming systems implies reliance to a lesser extent on non-renewable energies and recognising the environmental bottom line.

ChemInform Abstract: Applications of Composted Solid Wastes for Farmland Amendment and Nutrient Balance in Soils

AbstractReview: 85 refs.

Tree influence on carbon stock and C:N ratio of soil organic layer in boreal Scots pine forests

Observed small-scale spatial variation of forest soil is suggested to be produced by tree influence. We examined spatial variation of the tree influences by modelling tree influence potential that accounts for location and size of trees. Thereafter, we tested significance of the correlations between the tree influence potential and soil properties (carbon stock and C:N ratio of the organic layer) with Monte Carlo permutation tests. The methods were applied to five Scots pine stands located in the boreal vegetation zone in Finland. We found statistically significant tree influence on soil C:N ratio in all studied stands, but the tree influence on soil carbon stock was significant only in three of five stands. This indicates that location of trees has a relatively steady and remarkable influence on spatial variation of a soil parameter that reflects soil fertility and nutrient balance, but variation of soil carbon stock is not that clearly affected by current tree stand. The correlations between C:N ratios and tree influences were positive in four of the five stands, indicating that soil was less fertile near the trees. The methods described here produce statistically reliable information pertaining to the influence of trees on soil properties.

Modeling the soil nutrient balance of integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

This study quantifies soil nutrient bal- ances of Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture Systems in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Eleven farms were monitored to collect data on farm activities and nutrient inputs and outputs to compute these balances of the rice-based and high input fish system in O Mon district (R-HF); the rice-based and medium input fish system in Tam Binh district (R-MF); and the orchard- based and low input fish system in Cai Be district (O-LF). For the estimation, the Nutmon model has been adapted to the specific conditions in these integrated systems in Asia (Nutmon-Asia). New regression models of leaching and gaseous losses of nitrogen were applied to fields used for upland crops and paddy rice. Reference values were used for the assessment of nitrogen fixation in paddy soils, wet atmospheric deposition, and irrigation water. The results showed that farms in all three systems have nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium surpluses (84 kg N, 73 kg P, and 69 kg K ha -1 year -1 ). The O-LF system had the smallest nitrogen surplus while the smallest surplus of phosphorus and potassium was seen in the R-HF system. High surpluses of phos- phorus and potassium were found in vegetable fields, whereas a negative potassium balance was found in the rice fields of all three systems. The positive farm nutrient balances indicate that it is likely that soil fertility will be maintained although there is a risk for environmental contamination.

Heterogeneity in farmers’ production decisions and its impact on soil nutrient use: Results and implications from northern Nigeria

Sustainable use (in terms of nutrients) of soil resources by farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa is constrained by institutions and markets. This paper explores the case of northern Nigeria, by using a combination of multi-attribute utility theory and bio-economic modelling. This approach allowed us to identify heterogeneity in production strategies and to quantify its effect on the use of soil nutrient resources. We find that farmers with larger land holdings place more emphasis on gross margins in their utility function, while those with larger holdings of fertile fadama fields place more emphasis on sustainability. Risk aversion, operationalised through variance minimization, appears an important attribute in the utility function of many farm households that are more dependent on agriculture for their overall income. A regression analysis shows that differences in production strategies significantly affect nutrient balances, but also shows that such effects are heterogeneous across locations. We find more favourable nutrient balances for some of the more market-oriented farm households who place more emphasis on sustainability. In farm plans of the most risk-averse households, the production of cereals for subsistence consumption dominates and leads to negative soil nutrient balances, especially for potassium. Farmers who place a large importance on gross margins are likely to benefit most from policies aimed at enhancing profitability through improving functioning of markets. The large group of risk-averse farmers will have the largest immediate gain in utility from policies and technologies aimed at reducing production risk in high-value crops. Additional policies aimed at creating a stronger market-oriented production by the least-endowed farm households could play a role in reducing intensity of soil fertility mining. Under these conditions, the efficient cropping pattern shifts partially from cereal cropping to high-value crops, associated with higher input use. The main results are similar to those in other studies, although some of the nutrient balances are less negative. The results do appear to be sensitive to the type of cropping activities included in the analysis, and additional methodological research is required. Extensions of the used method should further account for temporal and spatial differences in soil fertility, leading to differences in nutrient uptake and production, as well as potential temporal heterogeneity in production strategies.

Effect of steel-making slag as a soil amendment on arsenic uptake by radish (Raphanus sativa L.) in an upland soil

The steel-making slag (SMS), a by-product of steel manufacturing process with an alkaline pH (11–12) and high amount of iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) oxides, was used to reduce arsenic (As) phytoextractability. The by-product was selected as an alternative to commercial Fe oxides, which can decrease plant uptake, but they are expensive if used as amendments of contaminated arable soils. SMS was applied at rates 0, 2, 4, and 8 Mg ha−1 to an As (1 N HCl-extractable As 25 mg kg−1) contaminated soil prepared by mixing non-contaminated soil and mine tailings and cropped to radish (Raphanus sativa L.) seeding. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), a common liming material in Korea, was applied at the same rates for comparison. Steel-making slag more effectively suppressed radish As uptake and increased yield than Ca(OH)2 due to stronger As immobilization because it significantly increased extractable Fe concentration and decreased extractable As. The SMS-treated soil showed an apparent increase in As chemisorbed by Fe and Al oxides and hydroxides of surface soil, As associated at the Fe and Al oxides and hydroxides of internal surfaces of soil aggregates, and Ca-associated As. The steel-making slag can be a good soil amendment to suppress As phytoextractability and improve nutrient balance in As-contaminated soil.

Yield Performance and Soil Nutrient Balance under Integrated Fertilization in Rice-Wheat Cropping System in a Calcareous Floodplain Soil of Bangladesh

Yield Performance and Soil Nutrient Balance under Integrated Fertilization in Rice-Wheat Cropping System in a Calcareous Floodplain Soil of Bangladesh