Rendzina Soil Research Articles

Influence of oxygen on denitrification and aerobic respiration in soil

The influence of the partial pressure of oxygen on denitrification and aerobic respiration was investigated at defined P02 values in a mull rendzina soil. The highest denitrification and respiration rates obtained in remoistened, glucose- and nitrate-amended soil were 43 μ1 N20 h−1g−1 soil and 130 μ1 O2 h−1g−1 soil, respectively. At -55 kPa matric water potential, corresponding to 40% water saturation, N20 was produced only below P02 40 hPa. The Km, for O2 was 3.0 x 10−6 M. Formation of N2O and consumption of O2 occurred simultaneously with half maximum rates at P02 6.7–13.3 hPa. Nitrite accumulated in soil below 40 hPa and increased with decreasing pO2. The upper threshold for N20 formation in amended soil was P02 33–40 hPa (39-47 μM O2).

William Cobbett: Politician and Soil Scientist

In his book Rural Rides, William Cobbett often described the soils of the districts he visited. His writings show that his knowledge of soils, their behaviour and cropping potential was considerable; many of his statements still hold true today. He was particularly perceptive with respect to soils of the chalklands. Cobbett clearly understood that soil type is determined by factors of geology, relief, vegetation and man's actions; modern soil mapping bears out most of his observations on soil distribution and land quality. AS A FORTHRIGHT POLITICAL VOICE in nineteenth-century Britain, William Cobbett's main aim in undertaking his 'Rural Rides' was to observe the state of the countryman and to talk politics with him (Sambrook, 1973). Indeed, the material contained in the book (Cobbett, 1830, 1853) first appeared in the Political Register, Cobbett's own periodical and mouthpiece. But Rural Rides is also a penetrating description of early nineteenth-century agricultural history in England, the more so because Cobbett visited many parts of the country (Figure 1); only Defoe's (1724) journal, published over 100 years earlier, is comparable in its description. As well as a politician and essayist, Cobbett was, for almost all his life, a farmer in the south of England. It is none the less surprising that an overtly political book such as Rural Rides should include more than 100 references to the land and its soils. They indicate that Cobbett had an extensive knowledge of, and often considerable insight into, the properties of soils and their distribution. This paper reviews some of Cobbett's writing in the light of modern soil science, and knowledge about the distribution of soil types contained in the National Soil Map and the accompanying Bulletins (Findlay et al., 1984; Hodge et al, 1984; Jarvis et al., 1984). Cobbett's descriptions of the country he passed through show that he often took the trouble to investigate soil type and properties, and their influence on land use. He was aware of earlier writers on British soils such as Arthur Young, but Cobbett made much more detailed comments on individual soils than did Young. Cobbett clearly recognized the relationship between geology and soil, and the occurrence of horizons and lithological discontinuities within soil profiles. This can be seen, for example, in his description of rendzina and brown calcareous soils of the Sherborne association (Findlay et al., 1984) on Jurassic limestone around Cirencester: All along here the land is a whitish stiff loam upon a bed of soft stone, which is found at various distances from

Performance of grasses on cultivated hill country in North Canterbury

Abstract On a cultivated rendzina soil on sunny aspect steep hill country in North Canterbury, either ‘Grasslands Nui’ ryegrass, ‘Grasslands Maru’ phalaris, ‘Grasslands Matua’ prairie grass, or a mixture of the 3 grasses was sown with lucerne and white clover in 15 cm drills. The resulting swards were mostly grass because the legumes didn't establish well in a dry autumn. The objective was to determine effects of grazing management of pasture into and out of the summer drought period. Swards were closed to grazings at the onset of summer drought or 2–6 weeks later. After the summer spelling, there were 2 timings of resumption of grazing (mid-late March after autumn rains, and a month later). The third year's results were influenced by a wet spring precluding different closing times, and by a dry autumn. Highest herbage yield was 11.66 t dry matter/ha in the first year, 11.24 in the second year, and 5.74 in the third year. Matua was usually the highest-yielding species. Maru gave a similar yield to Nui in the second and third years. Matua eventually dominated in the mixed species swards. The timing of closing treatments did not usually influence the succeeding resumption treatments and vice versa. Delay in closing or in resumption of grazing gave higher yield for Matua which grows well into dry and cool weather conditions.

Wild wachsende Leguminosen und das Vorkommen der durch Rhizobium-Bakterien gebildeten Wurzelknöllchen in Wald- und Wiesenökosystemen

We know very little about the symbiosis of wild grown leguminous plants and rhizobia. Our aim was to ascertain the extent and spread of this symbiosis on oecosystems significally different in growing area conditions. In all oecosystems the necessary sample area was indicated where the quantitative and qualitative plant stock was identified. From all the 3 trial areas the root nodules of at least 30 plants were examined. On the growing are of forest and meadow oecosystems compared to all the other plant species leguminous plants can be found in a proportion of 13 per cent equally with the same frequency. Root nodules were found on all leguminous plants of brown forest soil. Root nodules were not found on 15 per cent of the leguminous plants of rendzina soil and on 50 per cent of the leguminous plants of meadow oecosystem. It is probably due to the difference in water and heat-management of the soils, and these are strongly effected in the forest and meadow oecosystems. Wir wählten für unsere Untersuchungen zwei Waldökosysteme und ein Wiesenökosystem aus. Der Boden eines der beiden Waldökosysteme, ein brauner Waldboden, entstand auf einem Glimmerschiefer und Gneis-Grundgestein mit einem submontanen Klima und einem Querceto petraea-Carpinetum melicetosum-Bestand. Der Boden des zweiten Waldökosystems, eine auf Leitha-Kalkstein entstandene humusreiche Rendzina, befindet sich in einem Quercetum petraea cerris-Waldbestand. Das Wiesenökosystem liegt in einer Festucetum rupicolae-Steppe, deren Klima dem letzteren ähnelt, der Boden ist ein skelettreicher Humuskarbonatboden. In jedem Ökosystem wurden Musterflächen ausgewählt und deren Pflanzen-Assoziation qualitativ und quantitativ bestimmt. In allen drei Ökosystemen wurden bei je 30 Leguminosen Wurzelwaschungen durchgeführt und anschließend die durch die Rhizobien gebildeten Wurzelknöllchen untersucht. Im Rasenhorizont aller drei Ökosysteme kommen die Leguminosen mit 13% aller Pflanzenarten vor, und zwar im großen und ganzen mit der gleichen Häufigkeit. An allen Leguminosen des braunen Waldbodens fanden wir Wurzelknöllchen. An 15% der Pflanzen des Waldökosystems auf Rendzina und an 50 % der von der Wiese stammenden Pflanzen fanden wir keine Knöllchen. Der Grund liegt in der Verschiedenheit der Standorte. Die Pflanzen-Assoziationen mit ihren verschiedenen Horizonten bieten den dort angesiedelten höheren und niederen Pflanzen unterschiedliche Feuchtigkeits- und Temperaturverhältnisse und damit auch eine unterschiedliche Versorgung mit Makro- und Mikroelementen.

The Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Using a Bioassay‐type Test

AbstractExperiments to establish a bioassay‐type pot test for the evaluation of iron deficiency in soils were performed. Peanut plants cv. Shulamit were grown in small pots (500 g of soil) for 5 weeks in six soils varying in CaCO3 content from 3.6 to 63.0%. Control and FeEDDHA (ethylenediamine di‐o‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid) treatments were employed. Chlorophyll content of the leaves was measured at the end of the growth period. A significant linear correlation was found between the relative chlorophyll content of leaves (FeEDDHA = 100) and the total CaCO3 or active lime content (r = 0.892 and 0.940, respectively). Chlorosis was completely remediable with the addition of FeEDDHA. A mountain rendzina soil containing 63% CaCO3 caused the most severe chlorosis. An experiment was conducted in which the chlorophyll content of FeEDDHA‐treated and untreated peanut plants grown on this soil was compared. This experiment was repeated at three different times of the year. Some variability was found in chlorophyll content of either treated or untreated plants when absolute numbers were compared. However, when chlorophyll content of the untreated plants was expressed as percent of that of FeEDDHA‐treated ones, the resulting relative values for the three growth periods were as close as 46.8, 41.7, and 45.0%. The same soil was used for further experimentation with the screening test. Three genotypes of peanuts were tested for Fe‐sensitivity: Congo Red, Virginia Bunch Improved, and Shulamit. Congo Red was found to be the most sensitive cultivar as known from former field studies. Iron‐enriched peat was prepared in our laboratories and tested as a possible remedy for iron deficiency of Shulamit peanuts grown on the rendzina soil. A positive response curve of plant chlorophyll to iron‐enriched peat dosage was obtained reaching levels comparable to FeEDDHA.The growth chamber pot test described provides a simple and efficient tool for the following purposes: (i) screening soils for potential chlorosis problems in peanuts and possibly other plants; (ii) screening peanut cultivars for iron efficiency; and (iii) screening iron‐containing fertilizers, and roughly estimating their efficiency and application rates. The iron‐enriched peat which was first tested in this work exhibited positive and promising effects.

Remedy of lime‐induced chlorosis with iron‐enriched muck

Abstract Muck from the Huleh Valley, Israel (drained peat containing about 35% inorganic material) was enriched with inorganic iron salt and tested as an iron source with peanuts as indicator plants. In a pot experiment conducted with a mountain rendzina soil, containing 63% CaCO3, control plants exhibited severe chlorosis and stunted growth, which were completely avoided by the application of FeEDtHA. Iron‐enriched muck increased chlorophyl content threefold over the control up to a level equal to that of FeEDDHA. Dry matter yield was doubled. Levels of Na4P2O7‐ and DTPA‐ extractable iron after three months of growth, were found to be 2–3 times higher than those of the control and FeEDDHA treatments. A field experiment was conducted in the Bet‐Shean Valley on a rendzina soil containing 42% CaCO3. During the growth period, the Fe‐muck and FeEDDHA. treatments exhibited clear advantage over the untreated plots. Pod and hay yields of the Fe‐muck treatments were about 175% of those of the control and about 80% of those of the FeEDDHA. Since the Fe‐muck developed from very inexpensive components proved effective on extremely calcareous soils, prospects for economically solving problems of iron deficiency seem good.

The influence of lithology, relief and exposure on the soil and vegetation of the arid region of eastern Samaria.

A small complex area in the Samarian Desert was investigated. The rainfall reaches about 250 mm. The area consists of a hill where limestone, chalks, marls and nari crust are exposed. Various young sediments are also present. Mediterranean batha vegetation characterizes the Terra rossa and dark Rendzina soils that cover hard rocks on northern and western slopes. Irano-Turanian vegetation (mainly Noaea mucronata ) covers the Rendzinic Desert Lithosol that has developed from hard chalk on the southern slopes. At the same exposure Saharo-Arabian vegetation (mainly Fagonia mollis and Blepharis ciliaris ) characterizes the soft chalk that is covered by calcareous desert Lithosols. Almost no vegetation was found on marl with a marly desert Lithosol soil cover; only toward the margins is there some cover of Salsola vermiculata. The vegetation on natric Grumic Serozems that developed from clay sediments is restricted to favored spots, like hollows, cracks etc., that receive higher amounts of water. These spots are also relatively leached. A close relationship was found between vegetation characteristics and degree of soil leaching: vegetation diversity and density decrease with the increase of the Exchangeable Sodium Percentage, Sodium Adsorption Ratio and salinity (Electrical Conductivity) values. The same is true with respect to lime content of soils on hard rocks. The reason for these relationships is attributed to different moisture regimes.

The response ofHelianthemum chamaecistus Mill. to mycorrhizal infection in two different types of soil

The yield of mycorrhizal Helianthemum plants as affected by Cenococcum were assessed in two types of soils. 7–8 fold greater yield of mycorrhizal plants occurred in rendzina soil as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The increas ed yield of mycorrhizal plants in agricultural soils was not comparable to those grown in rendzina soil because of its high fertility status.

IODINE IN SOIL PROFILES IN RELATION TO IRON AND ALUMINIUM OXIDES AND ORGANIC MATTER

SummaryThe iodine content in successive 10 cm horizons of eighteen soil profiles from England and Wales was determined and correlated with contents of‘free’ aluminium and iron oxides (oxalate‐soluble) and organic matter.The pattern of change in iodine content with depth varied considerably with soil type. In the rendzina soils, the content was relatively high in the surface 10 cm but declined markedly with depth. In the podsols, iodine was low at the surface but increased in the B horizon: in one of these soils an iron pan of about 1 cm thickness had an iodine content as high as 37.6 mg/kg. In two soils derived from Ordovician, and one from igneous, rock material, the iodine content was relatively high (up to 25 mg/kg) with maximum values at intermediate depths. In contrast, soils derived from river alluvium and from lowland clays generally had low iodine contents (< 6 mg/kg) which showed little variation with depth in the profile. In a peat soil the iodine content was relatively high in the horizons above 60 cm but was low (1. 3 mg/kg) in the underlying clay.In all 154 samples from the eighteen sites, iodine content was closely correlated with oxalate‐soluble aluminium (r= 0.834***) but not with oxalate‐soluble iron (r= 0. 35) or organic matter (r= 0.37). However, in the five most acidic soils, with pH below 4. 8, the iodine content was more closely correlated with iron than with aluminium.

RENDZINA FORMATION ON BATHURST ISLAND11

SummaryThe identification of a Rendzina soil on Bathurst Island at 75° G45′ N, 99°30′ W, is believed to mark its northernmost known occurrence. The Rendzina soil is quite shallow, usually no more than 5 to 10 cm on for‐like limestone structures, but on the debris apron surrounding the base of the tor, the soil may be as much as 30 cm or more in depth.

Dynamics of organic matter in soils of temperate regions: Its action on pedogenesis

The author studies the reciprocal action of the organic and inorganic components during the process of humification in temperate climates. In an Atlantic climate, three main types of organo-mineral complexes occur: humus—CaCO 3 in rendzina soils, humus-allophane in andosols and humus-iron in brown acid soils. These complexes differ in their properties, both biologically (ability to withstand biodegradation) and chemically (ability to withstand extractants). The humus-swelling clay complex, occurring in fluctuating pedoclimates, shows a high degree of polymerization of organic matter (maturation). The temperate humus forms are classified with regard to the kind and degree of transformation of the fresh organic matter: (1) little-transformed humus (e.g., calcic mull and moder); (2) strongly transformed humified humus (e.g., acid mull, andosol); (3) very much transformed, mature humus type (e.g., Vertisol, chernozem).

Adsorption and desorption of Cd on humic acid fraction of soils

The adsorption of ionic Cd has been investigated on three humic acids isolated from podzol, rendzina and brown Mediterranean soils of Tuscany. The adsorption isotherms have been determined at 5 and 25°C. Cadmium adsorption was described by the Langmuir adsorption equation. Langmuir parameters were related to the functional groups content of humic acids and decreased in the following order: rendzina>brown Mediterranean soil>podzol. Adsorption was independent on temperature and increased with pH. Desorption experiments with 0.1 N NH4OAc and 0.25 M Cu (OAc)2 proved that Cd is adsorbed on humic acid about 50% in an exchangeable form and 50% in coordination complexes.

Classification des sols par une méthode multivariable. Application à une séquence bioclimatique méditerranéo-alpine sur roches-mères calcaires

The sequence extends from an elevation of 10 m to 2200 m. All told, 220 soil profiles were studied. These soil profiles were grouped in the French classification system.The morphology of the profiles permitted definition of eight “referencelrd horizons. For these horizons, 58 pedogenetic variables were defined from the results of physical and chemical analyses.For each profile the following environmental variables were defined: vegetation level, vegetation formation and lithological type of calcareous parent material.The pedogenetic difference between two profiles was measured by a taxonomic distance based on the presence or absence of the “reference” horizons and on the differences between common horizons. The distance between every pair of profiles are summarized by a phenogram with a fitness which commonly is higher than 80%. The groups of the phenogram are in turn summarized and discussed at five levels of synthesis, each grouping explained by the discriminant power of the pedogenetic variables and by the discriminant power of the environmental characteristics. Furthermore, the agreement between the numerical classification and the French classification is measured by the discriminant powers of French classification groups and subgroups.The first and second level of synthesis show three large groups: 1.(1) Soils that are very weakly developed. These soils are very shallow. In this subdivision fall all the rendzina soils, part of the humic carbonates soils (sols humiques carbonatés) and part of the litho-calcic humiferous soils (sols lithocalciques humifères) of the French classification.2.(2) The soils without a calcareous reserve. Three subdivisions are present: 2.1.(a) The soils of the first group are in complete agreement with the fersiallitic soils without calcareous reserves, formerly called Mediterranean red soils (sols fersiallitiques sans réserve calcique) in the French classification. Their exchange complex is slightly to moderately unsaturated, their pH is neutral and they all are leached.2.2.(b) The second subdivision also consists of leached soils, but these have an acid reaction and their exchange complex is mainly desaturated. This subdivision is made up podzolized; it includes the largest share of the modal leached soils (sols lessivés modaux) of the French classification. The other subgroup includes soils that are slightly leached but more podzolized.2.3.(c) The third subdivision consists also of acid soils with an exchange complex very desaturated but they are not leached. This subdivision coincides with the modal brown (sols bruns modaux) and the acid brown (sols bruns acides) soils of the French classification.3.(3) The soils with calcareous reserve. This group has three subdivisions: 3.1.(a) The first one is made up of very organic soils of the humid mountain Subalpine and Alpine vegetation levels. These soils are subdivided in two subgroups which differ in the nature of organic matter.3.2.(b) The organic matter content of the second subdivision is lower. All of these soils are saturated and have a neutral pH in the A1 horizon. They correspond mainly to calcic brown soils (sols bruns calciques) of the French classification. The two further subdivisions of this group are one including soils with a calcareous (B) horizon and another with a calcic (B) horizon.3.3.(c) The last great subdivision coincides with the fersiallitic soils with calcareous reserve (sols fersiallitiques à réserve calcique) of the French classification (formerly red Mediterranean soils) found on hard limestone under Mediterranean conditions. All these soils are saturated to slightly calcareous and have an A1 horizon with alkaline pH. They are subdivided into typical fersiallitic soils and fersiallitic soils with a BCa horizon.Leaching (lessivage) of clays and of sesquioxydes occurs under very different conditions, and four are identified. Moreover, the environmental conditions on which the fersiallitic soils are found are indicated.

Effect of Trace Elements and Phosphate Fertilizer on Microbial Activities of Semi-humid Soils

Nitrification, evolution of cabon dioxide, and the total number of bacteria were studied in chernozem and rendzina soils, as affected by different levels of trace elements and phosphate fertilizers. While the nitrifying power was stimulated by all of the used levels of trace elements solution in both soils, evolution of carbon dioxide and bacterial numbers were inhibited. The microbial processes of chernozem were — somewhat — favoured at 4 meq. phosphate fertilizer/100 g. soil, while higher concentrations had a depressing effect. The nitrification rate of rendzina was reduced at all of the used levels of phosphate, while the evolution of carbon dioxide and the bacterial numbers were promoted. By decreasing the moisture content from 80 to 50% W.H.C., the phosphate fertilizer at 15 meq./ 100 g. soil showed a lesser inhibiting effect on the nitrification. Evolved carbon dioxide and bacterial numbers were highest at a moisture of 70 % W.H.C. in the phosphate-treated soils. Alle verwendeten Konzentrationen der Mikronährstofflösungen führten zur Stimulierung der Nitrifikation in den beiden untersuchten Böden. Dagegen hemmten diese Lösungen die CO 2 -Entwicklung und die Gesamtkeimzahl. Die Konzentration von 4 meq. eines Phosphatdüngers/100 g Boden wirkte im Tschernozem fördernd, während höhere Konzentrationen hemmend wirkten. Dagegen nahm in Rendzina die Nitrifikationsrate bei allen Phosphatkonzentrationen ab, während die CO 2 -Entwicklung und die Gesamtkeimzahl erhöht wurden. Mit der Abnahme des Wassergehalts des Bodens von 80 auf 50 % der maximalen Wasserkapazität nahm die hemmende Wirkung von 15 meq. Phosphat/100 g Boden auf die Nitrifikation ab. Bei dem mit Phosphat behandelten Boden wurden die relativ höchsten Werte der CO 2 -Entwicklung und der Gesamtkeimzahl bei einem Wassergehalt von 70 % der maximalen Wasserkapazität erhalten.

EFFECT OF SOIL CLAY TYPE ON THE ‘AVAILABILITY’ OF ZINC IN SOME MEDITERRANEAN RENDZINA SOILS

SummaryThe influence of soil clay type on the ‘availability’ of zinc was studied in six rendzina soils from Israel. The quantities of zinc extracted by EDTA—(NH4)2CO3, were higher in the soils with a lower total of zinc content. Values of extracted zinc calculated on the basis of soil minus CaCO3 were higher in soils with attapulgite than in soils with montmorillonite as the predominant mineral. Thus, it appears that zinc is more strongly bound to montmorillonite. This was confirmed by a greenhouse experiment in which total zinc uptake after zinc fertilization was higher from rendzinas containing attapulgite than from montmorillonitic rendzinas.

Clay Mineralogy of Mediterranean Brown Forest Soil

AbstractThe mineralogical composition of the clay fraction and the non‐carbonate residue in the parent rocks of 9 Mediterranean brown forest soils was determined, using X‐ray diffraction DTA, Integral Thermal Analysis, electron microscopy and precise chemical analytical technique. The percentage ratio magnified image in the clay fraction of the soil and in the non‐carbonate residue of the corresponding parent material was analyzed statistically and found low correlation. This is to be expected because of the great variability in the parent rock and the difficulty of collecting representative samples of the rocks. The genesis of these soils was compared to that of terra‐rossa and rendzina soils (for which there is a very high correlation between rock and clay). The dominant clay mineral present was montmorillonite. In some soils fairly high amounts of kaolin were found. The basis for considering this soil type as a bridge between terra‐rossa and rendzina is discussed.

The effect of sodium chloride and sulphate on sulphur oxidation in soil

The effect of sodium chloride on sulphur oxidation in Terra Rossa and Rendzina soils was studied by incubation and perfusion techniques. Sulphur oxidation was observed at concentrations up to 8 per cent NaCl, but was completely arrested at 10 per cent sodium chloride. Sodium chloride caused a delay in the onset of sulphur oxidation, its rate being only slightly affected. A relationship between sulphate appearance and decrease in pH was observed only in sulphur-amended Terra Rossa soil. Under optimal conditions, 53 and 54 per cent of added sulphur (5000 ppm) was recovered as SO4-S from the Terra Rossa and Rendzina soils, respectively. This maximal level of sulphate production was only slightly affected by the addition of sulphate up to 3000 ppm S.

Melanism and associated symptoms in wheat grown on copper‐responsive chalkland soils

AbstractCopper applications increased yields and reduced ‘blackening’ symptoms of wheat grown on chalk rendzina soils (Icknield Series—organic phase) in southern England. The ‘blackening’ syndrome is recognised by an overall dark olive‐green colour of the plant and internodal melanism after ear emergence followed by ‘rat‐tailing’ of ears due to pinched or absent grains.The symptoms, which are aggravated by nitrogen applications, wet warm summers, and prior cropping with kale, have not previously been associated with inadequate copper nutrition. When Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo and Zn were applied to spring wheat grown in pots the only significant effects were from Cu and to a much smaller extent Mo. Soils where blackening occurred contained 3‐7 ppm total Cu and 0.4‐1.5 ppm extractable Cu (0.5 M‐EDTA). Yield increases of up to 200% were obtained both by foliar sprays of copper oxychloride (1 lb Cu/acre) or copper sulphate (0.2 lb Cu/acre) and by soil applications of copper sulphate (14 lb Cu/acre). Attempts to induce melanism in wheat plants grown in sand and water cultures with inadequate copper supply, high nitrogen levels, and small quantities of three amino‐acid melanin precursors were unsuccessful, although roots developed a dark pigmentation in certain of the treatments.

Trace elements in some South Australian terra rossa and rendzina soils: A correction.

Trace elements in some South Australian terra rossa and rendzina soils: A correction.

Trace elements in some South Australian terra rossa and rendzina soils

The concentrations of cobalt, zirconium, nickel, copper, vanadium, molybdenrun, manganese, and zinc have been determined in 10 profiles of terra rossas and 9 of rendzinas from South Australia. The soils from the lower south-eastern part of the State contain lower concentrations of all these elements than do those near Adelaide, particularly for cobalt, copper, and zinc. This difference is reflected in the concentrations found in the underlying calcareous material, and can account for the widespread deficiencies in cobalt and copper which occur ill the South-East.