Plain Soils Research Articles

Mineralogy of Alluvial Soils Developed in Narmada River Basin in West Coast of Gujarat

Clay minerals have played a significant role for the plant nutrient management for crop production. Soils of recent and old alluvial plains deposited by Narmada river in Jhagadia block were investigated for their mineralogical makeup. The soils on recent alluvial plains (P1) (Fluventic Haplustepts) are very deep, moderately well drained, very dark grayish brown to very dark brown, silt loam to silt clay loam on level to nearly level slope with clay loam surface and slight erosion. The soils of old alluvial plain (P2) (Vertic Haplustepts) are similar to recent alluvial plain with clayey texture and moderate erosion. The pedons were sampled at one km (recent alluvial plain) and at two km (old alluvial plain) distance from Narmada river stream. The soils of recent alluvial plain are slightly alkaline (pH 7.5-8.5), slightly calcareous (<5% CaCO3) with moderate cation exchange capacity (CEC) and high in base saturation (>90%). The soils of old alluvial plain have high CEC and CaCO3 in sub-surface horizons. This paper presents a detailed study on clay minerals in surface and sub-surface sediments deposited by the Narmada river drainage basin. Clay content was ranged from 30-50% in recent alluvia and 50-60% in old alluvia. The soils of recent alluvia were high in silt fraction (40-47%) which plays an active role in potassium nutrition. The smectite content was significantly higher (weighted mean 64.9%) in old alluvial plain compared with recent plain (weighted mean 37.8%). A reverse pattern of mica distribution was observed in clay fraction of both the plains. The distribution of quartz and K/Na feldspars showed similar trends in sand fraction but wide variability was observed in the case of hydralsite, kenyaite, and boehmite content with depth. The mineralogical study indicated that the clay mineral assemblage of both sites varied in smectites and mica, which imparts heterogeneity to soil properties.

Characteristics of soils of lower Indo-Gangetic plains of West Bengal under rice cultivation

Five typical pedons developed from alluvium on lower Indo-Gangetic plain under major land use system of rice from Murshidabad district, West Bengal were studied for their morphological, physical and chemical characteristics. Soils were very deep with varying texture and drainage classes and have some common characters during pedogenesis under impeded drainage condition. Soils were characterized by the redoximorphic features viz., mottle in the form of segregation of Fe-Mn depletion or gleying, mostly in the sub-surface to sub-soil. Soils were strongly acidic (pH 5.1) to slightly alkaline in the surface and neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.5) in the sub-surface to sub-soil, low to high in soil organic carbon (SOC) content (0.40 to 9.60 g kg−1), low to medium in cation exchange capacity (CEC) [4.0 to 42.0 cmol(p+)kg−1] with high base saturation (61 to 90%). Among the exchangeable bases, Ca2+ is the dominant cation followed by Mg2+, Na+ and K+. Low to medium CEC of soil indicates the mineralogy of the soil as kaolinite and illite (mica). However, clay CEC value indicates the presence of smectite along with hydroxyl-interlayered vermiculite. The high clay CEC value with neutral soil reaction and high content of Ca2+ indicates the dominance of smectite in the soils of pedons 2 and 3. The SOC stock suggested implementation of appropriate conservation measures to the soils of young alluvial plains to improve the quality of soil. The soils of old alluvial plains are generally more fertile in comparison to that of the young alluvial plains. The study indicates that land use has got significant effect on soil characteristics, influencing the soil fertility.

Soil-landform relationship and pedogenesis of flood plain soils of Mahananda sub-basin, Bihar

Alluvial flood plain soils are one of the major soil groups in northern Bihar and are highly heterogeneous as a result of the hydromorphic environment in which they are formed. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to understand the soil-landform relationship in Katihar district of Bihar. Five major landforms like old alluvial plains (1.97%), young alluvial plains (35.64%), meander plains (30.85%), flood plains (25.35%) and, char land and point (4.5%) were identified after visual interpretation of Sentinel-2 data in conjunction with survey of India toposheet and digital elevation model (SRT DEM). The detailed soil survey was carried out to understand the variability in the study area and 200 soil profiles were studied in different identified landforms. The soils of active alluvial plain (flood plain, char land and point bar) showed wide range of soil morphological properties with lithological discontinuities. Low chroma and value in soils of meander plain due to poor drainage conditions and high groundwater table showed gleying characteristics. The soils of young alluvial plain and active alluvial plain showed irregular distribution of clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic carbon (OC). This study indicates that the soil-landform relationship in alluvial floodplains of Mahananda sub-basin partially followed due to mass movement of sediments from Himalayas, periodic flooding and deposition of alluvium during different fluvial cycles of Mahananda river and its tributaries. This was further confirmed by study on pedogenic indices of different landforms. The study on pedogenic indices in two selected sites (window area) away from the Mahananda river like fine sand/total sand, very fine sand/total sand, sand/silt, silt/clay, index of weathering and CEC/clay in the study area doesn't follow the trend in the flood plain as compared to nearly stable land. This may be due to the effect of shifting of river course and their tributaries in the selected two window areas across the different landforms. To overcome the above mentioned problems in soil-landform relationship in the study area, the identified landforms were further sub-divided based on the local factors like percentage of crop cover and moisture content. In revised landforms soil types present in each landform showed soil-landform relationship. Thus, the knowledge on soils in relation to landforms vis-a-vis soil properties and their pedogenesis is useful in understanding their potentials and problems for sustainable land use planning.

Bituminous substances in soils of Baikal Rift zone

Parameters of hydrocarbon complex of the soils of lacustrine-alluvial plain and sandy uplands of the Baikal rift zone within the Barguzin Depression have been studied. Data were obtained on organic (non-carbonate) carbon, chloroform and hexane bitumoids, as well as on individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The content, composition and properties of bitumoids vary depending on the intensity of endogenous activity. In soils located in the zone of active unload of hydrothermal waters and hydrocarbon fluids, atypical accumulation of organic carbon was noted; the concentrations of bitumoids do not correlate with its content. High values of the bitumoid coefficient, significant level of polycyclic aromatic compounds and their diversity, in combination with salts accumulation, indicate an additional influx of hydrocarbons and instability of the soil hydrocarbon system. The level of the indicators shifts towards background values in the soils of sandy hills with a complex combination of exogenous and endogenous factors of soil forming. Studied parameters of the soil hydrocarbon system in aggregate can serve as markers of the intensity of endogenous processes.

Boron Fractions and its Extractable Forms in Soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Boron Fractions and its Extractable Forms in Soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Characteristics and Mineralogy of Some Clay Rich Soils of the Lower Indo-Gangetic Plains of Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Characteristics and Mineralogy of Some Clay Rich Soils of the Lower Indo-Gangetic Plains of Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Assessment of soil quality and spatial variability of soil properties using geo-spatial techniques in sub-humid southern plain of Rajasthan, India

Soil quality and spatial variability of soil properties and their impact on the growth and yield of crops are important concerns for sustainable and site-specific nutrient management. The present study was conducted in soils of sub-humid southern plains of Rajasthan to understand the soil quality and spatial variability of soil properties using geospatial techniques. Among the different tehsils, Rashmi tehsil had the highest (0.674) soil quality index (SQI) whereas, the highest deterioration was observed in soil quality of Begun (0.557) tehsil of Chittorgarh district of southern Rajasthan. Soil pH ranged from 5.70 to 8.50 and moderately saline to highly saline soils were found in 2–5% area. Soil organic carbon (SOC), KMnO4-N, Olsen-P, NH4OAc-K, available Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were determined. Coefficient of variation (CV) indicated that EC, DTPA extractable Fe, Cu and Mn were high in heterogeneity (CV > 35%) whereas, SOC, Olsen-P and NH4OAc-K showed moderate heterogeneity (CV 15–35%). The spatial variability maps of soil properties indicated that SOC was deficient in 47.0% area whereas, KMnO4-N, Olsen-P and NH4OAc-K were low in 14.8, 7.56 and 26.5% area, respectively. DTPA extractable Zn and Mn were found low in 16–20% area while, DTPA-Fe was low in 47.7% area. Principal component analysis (PCA) representing 56.4% of the total variance, first PC explained 19.3% of the total variation while, PCs second, third and fourth explained 13.8, 12.6 and 10.4, respectively. The SOC was significant and positive correlation with available K, DTPA-Fe and Cu while it had significant negative correlation with soil reaction (soil pH).

Impacts of winter grazing on soil health in southeastern cropping systems

AbstractCoastal Plain soils are often characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) as a result of natural and anthropogenic factors. A rotation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under conventional tillage is typical in this region, but an opportunity to increase SOC and improve soil health by incorporating winter grazing of cover crops exists for producers with row crop and livestock operations. A study to assess winter grazing impacts on soil health was established in the U.S. Coastal Plain. Three cattle removal dates and an ungrazed control were evaluated for impacts on selected soil health indicators: SOC, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), water stable aggregates (WSA), penetration resistance (PR), microbial biomass C (MBC), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization rates. After two years, MBC was highest in the control treatments, likely due to greater cover crop biomass on the soil surface at termination. No differences were observed between treatments for SOC, POXC, WSA, PR, or AMF. Increased cotton lint yield was observed in control and mid‐February treatments in 2019, likely due to greater cover crop residues on the soil surface following grazing, which may have conserved soil moisture during the growing season. Peanut yields were unaffected by treatments in 2020. Lack of differences in soil health indicators suggests that integrating winter‐grazing livestock does not negatively nor positively impact selected dynamic soil properties in the short‐term, but more time under grazing treatments is needed to thoroughly evaluate how winter‐grazing livestock impacts soil health and crop yield.

Fluorescent Properties of Water-Extractable Organic Matter in Low-Gradient, Clay Plain Soils Illustrate Efficacy and Scale of Agricultural Management

Fluorescent Properties of Water-Extractable Organic Matter in Low-Gradient, Clay Plain Soils Illustrate Efficacy and Scale of Agricultural Management

Differential pedogenesis of some pseudo-andic and non-andic soils in a toposequence of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A large scale soil survey with high resolution image data and classification has been conducted to understand soil genesis of North and Middle Andaman district soils with emphasis of some pseudo-Andic and non-Andic nature in a topographical sequence for the first time. The study of soils showed sandy loam to silty clay loam texture, low in bulk density (0.96–1.22 Mg m−3) very strongly acidic (pH 4.6) to strongly alkaline (pH 9.0) with medium to high (7.4–9.8 g kg−1) organic carbon. Bulk density has a significant negative correlation with Feo (r = -0.74**), Feo/Fed (r = -0.77**) and Alo+0.5Feo (r = -0.73**), indicating the direct influence of amorphous Fe and Al on lowering bulk density of soils. Cation exchange capacity (CEC)/clay has also significant negative correlation with Feo (r = -0.53**), Feo/Fed (r = -0.60) and Alo+0.5Feo (r = -0.52**). Bulk density, acid oxalate extractable Fe (Feo) and Al (Alo), citrate-bicabonate-dithionate extractable Fe (Fed), percentage of Alo plus half the Feo and Feo/Fed ratio were proven to be the appropriate indicators of Pseudo-Andic properties in soils. Pseudo-Andic soils were classified as Aquandic Fluvaquents in interspersed valleys, Aquandic Endoaquepts in coastal plains and Aquandic Endoaqualfs in volcanic mudflats. Non-Andic soils were formed in uplands (Typic Hapluudalfs) and alluvial plains (Typic Endoaqualfs). The study inferred that effect of volcanic ejections was very much prominent in coastal plains, mangroves and swamps and has been spread up to the interspersed valleys. Soils on uplands and alluvial plains did not experience little or no influence of volcanic eruptions and found matured profiles. Soils on coastal region were environmentally most vulnerable and needs appropriate conservation measures. Vulnerability of coastal plain soils and typical pseudo-Andic soils observed require a special soil and land management to protect and maintain soil health and productivity. Criteria used to characterize the nature and vulnerability risk helps to manage similar kind of soils elsewhere for land use plan.

Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Coastal Plain Soils Under Three Land-Use Types

Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Coastal Plain Soils Under Three Land-Use Types

Experimental study on mechanical properties and microstructure of metakaolin based geopolymer stabilized silty clay

Geopolymer is an environmentally friendly green building material with fast hardening, high strength, low shrinkage, low cost, and low carbon dioxide emission. Based on the above characteristics of geopolymer, this study aims to explore the feasibility of taking geopolymer as a new choice for silty clay foundation treatment. In this study, unconfined compressive strength tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) experiments were carried out on silty clay stabilized by metakaolin based geopolymer (MKG). The influences of metakaolin content, modulus, and concentration of alkali activator on the mechanical properties of geopolymer stabilized soil were discussed. The mechanism of MKG improving the soil strength was also discussed from the microscopic point of view. The result showed that when the modulus of alkali activator is 1.3, the concentration is 40%, and the mixed mass of metakaolin is 1.2 times that of alkali activator, MKG stabilized soil showed higher unconfined compressive strength (UCS). Through comparative tests with untreated plain soil, lime stabilized soil and ordinary Portland cement stabilized soil, the strength performance and stabilizing effect of MKG stabilized soil were further studied. MKG has an obvious effect on improving the UCS of soil, and its mechanical indexes including UCS, Young's modulus, failure strain were also enhanced compared with samples stabilized with lime and ordinary Portland cement. SEM observation confirmed the formation of cementitious materials in the stabilized soil sample, the soil showed a more uniform and denser microstructure after treatment with MKG. Through EDS energy dispersion spectroscopy analysis, it is not easy to cause salt swelling damage with no large amount of calcium ions in the sample. This experimental study indicated that MKG can be an effective soil solidification agent for silty soil.

Compaction quality evaluation of subgrade based on soil characteristics assessment using machine learning

The reliable correlation model for intelligent compaction (IC) is to be developed by integrating characteristics of the filling material and control parameters of the vibratory roller. Key characteristics of the backfill soil from the construction site of Rongwu Highway are tested through the modified Proctor test and the direct shear test. A well-documented dataset is built by summarizing 4000 shear strengths from open literature and 246 data from laboratory tests in this study. The PSO-BP-NN model is developed based on this dataset to predict the shear strength and compactness of the subgrade soil in the scope of mechanical properties and compaction powers. The importance analysis of the input variables is performed with the Random Forest algorithm. The influence mechanism is analyzed in sequence. The plain soil and the lime soil demonstrate typical compaction curves, and the lime soil is less sensitive to the influence factors. An optimal compaction power exists for determining the optimal moisture content utilizing the shear strength, tending to be less conservative. The moisture content is the most important factor for the compactness, followed by the compaction power; the particle size is suggested to be considered for real-time evaluations. The compaction mechanism is mainly attributed to the water film theory and the electrochemical property of the filling soil. This study aims to provide a reliable model to estimate the compactness in the aspect of material properties so as to enhance the accuracy of the IC model.

Changes by use and management in alluvial plain soils in southern Brazil

Agricultural land use causes changes in physical and chemical attributes of the soil, due to the management practices employed the productive capacity of the soil can be compromised under different agricultural systems. The soils of Porto Alegre are quite diverse reflecting the geology, topography and drainage network of the region, and include lowland soils, like the alluvial plain of the Arroio Dilúvio. This study was carried out in four landscape units (Native Forest, Agroforestry System, Horse Farm and Agricultural Crops), to assess changes in soil characteristics after different types of land use and management on the plain of the Dilúvio Arroio. We sampled disturbed and undisturbed soil samples for chemical (pH, EC, V, SOM, CEC, Al3+, H+Al) and physical analysis (porosity, microporosity and macroporosity). These chemical and physical attributes of the soils, especially pH, V%, SOM, CEC and Al3+, underwent changes under the different types of land use and management, with significant differences. Most changes were detected in the cropland soils. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the influence of the different types of land use, at the surface, land use and management had the greatest influence, while at depth, the proximity of the areas was the predominant factor.

Researches on soil degradation in the Crişurilor plain

The present paper aims to study complex degradation processes and an assessment of these processes by presenting the soils affected by degradation as well as quantifying the intensity. The surveys on the identification and mapping of degraded soils have been carried out between 2012 and 2017. Following the correlation of field data with laboratory analyzes and previously existing scientific information, the soils of the Crişurilor Plain soils with low fertility potential due to the degradation processes were identified and mapping of surface areas was developed in order to elaborate the complex of meliorative measures to improve the trophic characteristics, in order to increase the fertility potential and establish the assortment of cultivated plants.

Focused Microbiome Shifts in Reconstructed Wetlands Correlated with Elevated Copper Concentrations Originating from Micronized Copper Azole-Treated Wood.

Micronized copper (Cu) azole (MCA) wood preservative formulations include Cu in nano form, and relatively little is known about longer term effects of Cu leached from MCA into wetland ecosystems. We tested the hypothesis that changes in soil microbiomes within reconstructed freshwater wetlands will be associated with exposure to elevated Cu concentrations originating from immersed MCA-treated wood stakes. Eight replicate communities were assembled with Willamette Valley (OR, USA) flood plain soil and clonally propagated wetland plants within mesocosms. Inundated communities were equilibrated for 5 months before installation of MCA or control southern yellow pine stakes (n = 4 communities/experimental group). Soil samples were collected for 16S and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing to quantify responses in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, respectively, at 15 time points, spanning two simulated seasonal dry downs, for up to 678 days. Physiochemical properties of water and soil were monitored at 20 and 12 time points respectively, over the same period. For both taxonomic groups of organisms, phylogenetic diversity increased and was positively correlated with elapsed days. Furthermore, there was significant divergence among eukaryotes during the second year based on experimental group. Although the composition of taxa underwent succession over time, there was significantly reduced relative abundance of sequence variants from Gomphonema diatoms and Scutellinia fungi in communities where MCA wood stakes were present compared with the controls. These focused microbiome shifts were positively correlated with surface water Cu and soil Cu concentrations, which were significantly elevated in treated communities. The reconstructed communities were effective systems for assessing potential impacts to wetland microbiomes after exposure to released copper. The results further inform postcommercialization risk assessments on MCA-treated wood. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3351-3368.Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Fertility Status of Some Selected Floodplain Soils and the Management Recommendations on the Maximun Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicum Esculentum) in Kebbi State, Nigeria

The study was under taken to assess the fertility status of the flood plain soils of some selected local government areas of Kebbi State and recommend management practices to be provided for the maximum yield of tomatoes in Kebbi State. Soil samples were analyzed for the various physical and chemical properties following the standard procedures. The study revealed that the soils were predominantly sandy loam in texture with the mean particles composition of 715.71 gkg-1, 87.42 kg-1 and 196.87 kg-1 for sand, silt and clay, respectively. The soils contained low organic carbon of 6.0 gkg-1 and high concentration of nitrogen (0.8 gkg-1) which might be due to frequent addition of nitrogenous fertilizers on the soil. The low available phosphorus of 0.64 mgkg-1 was observed which might be due to acidity level of the soils (pH 5.6). On the basis of exchangeable bases, the soils were discovered to be low in Ca (1.51cmolkg-1), but high in Mg content (1.78 cmolkg-1). The soils contained high Na value of 0.59cmolkg-1 an indication ofsodicity hazard. The K content of 0.64 cmolkg-1 was also high in the soils of the study area. Based on the obtained values of the above parameters, the soils could be considered as medium in fertility. Based on the concentration of EC (0.55 dsm-1) ESP (6.04%) and pH 5.6, the soils could be considered to be free from salinity and sodicity at least for now, but has

Improving the flame retardancy and accelerating the degradation of poly (lactic acid) in soil by introducing fully bio-based additives

In this study, a novel bio-based flame retardant LC-PA is prepared by the Mannich reaction between phytic acid (PA) and L-citrulline (LC). LC-PA is combined with tannic acid (TA) and introduced into PLA to improve fire performance and accelerate biodegradability. Compared with control PLA, the PLA composite containing 10% LC-PA/TA increases the LOI value to 26.9%, reaches a V-0 rating in the UL-94 test, and reduces the peak heat release rate and total heat release by 24.5% and 21.1%, respectively. More importantly, the introduction of LC-PA/TA accelerates the degradation rate of PLA in soil, which is of significance for biodegradable materials. The addition of LC-PA/TA can attract water and provide a suitable energy source for microbial proliferation, accelerating the hydrolysis and microbial degradation of PLA. This work provides a practical approach for high flame retardancy and rapid biodegradability in the soil to the bio-based polymer.

Influence of grazing on the structure and biological activity of dry steppe soils of the southern Russian Plain

AbstractA comparative analysis of physicochemical and biological properties of Kastanozems and Solonetzes, the two most common soil types in the Caspian region of the post‐Soviet territory was carried out. The carbonate, salt, Corg, mineral N (NH4+ and NO3−) contents, microbial biomass (measured by ds‐DNA and phospholipids), and activity of 17 hydrolases involved in the C, N, P, and S cycles were measured along the grazing attenuation gradient near a typical sheep farm with year‐round grazing. Heavy grazing increases the number of Solonetz areas, they occupy up to 70% of the soil cover. Further away from the farm the areas decrease, and Kastanozems dominate there instead. Both in Kastanozems and Solonetzes, heavy grazing leads to soil salinisation, accumulation of carbonates and nitrates, decrease in ammonia and Corg content, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activity. At moderate grazing, a significant increase in microbial biomass and enzymatic activity throughout the soil profile, particularly in the 0–10 cm layer was found; at light grazing, it was observed mainly in deeper soil layers, not in the upper 0–10 cm. The microbial biomass and enzymatic activity of soils did not directly follow grazing load and was maximal at moderate grazing, where negative effect of reducing phytomass is compensated by large inputs of animal excreta, stimulating development of soil microbial community. Compared to Kastanozems, Solonetzes were more resistant to pasture load, and under heavy grazing, their properties changed to a lesser extent.

Effects of white-rot fungal pretreatment of corn straw return on greenhouse gas emissions from the North China Plain soil

Straw-return with fungal treatment is a potential method for reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions through carbon (C) sequestration and N2O mitigation. However, there is little information on the effects of different fungal treatments of crop straw return on soil CO2 and N2O emissions. To explore to what extent decomposed corn straw and its components controls soil CO2 and N2O emissions, we set up three sequential incubation experiments using soil collected from the North China Plain, an intensive agricultural area. Interactions between the different C contents of corn straw (CS), CS pretreated with Irpex lacteus (ICS), CS pretreated with Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PCS) and different NO3−-N concentrations on the effect of soil CO2 and N2O emissions were conducted, and the kinetics of CO2 and N2O as influenced by changes in soil biochemical factors were analyzed. The effects of different lignocellulose components (lignin, cellulose, and xylan) on soil CO2 and N2O emissions were further studied.The results showed that straw pretreatment did not affect CO2 emissions. Both CO2 and N2O emissions increased when the C and N contents increased. However, applying PCS to 70% water-filled pore space soil effectively decreased the soil N2O emissions, by 41.8%–76.3% compared with adding the same level of CS. Moreover, extracellular enzyme activities related to C and N cycling were triggered, and the nosZI and nosZII abundances were significantly stimulated by the PCS application. These effects are closely related to the initial soluble C content of this treatment. Furthermore, adding xylan can significantly reduce N2O emissions.Overall, our data suggest that the environmentally beneficial effects of returning straw can be greatly enhanced by applying the straw-degrading white-rot fungi of P. chrysosporium in the North China Plain soil. Future studies are needed in the field to upscale this technology.