Response Of Soil Chemical Properties Research Articles

Response of Soil Chemical Properties under Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) Field to Integrated Application of Lantana camara L. Weed Vermicompost and NPS Mineral Fertilizer

Recently, the beauty of the environment, native forest plants, and crops were encroached with invasive weeds, and thus scientific community was concerned with searching for optional management of these horrible weeds. Accordingly, vermicomposting of invasive weeds with the purpose of utilization management was evaluated as an alternative option and cost-effective management. Utilization management included keeping the environment safe from expanding invasive weeds by using these weeds as vermicomposting materials. Consequently, vermicompost was produced from L. camara invasive weed and this produced vermicompost was interactively used with chemical fertilizer to appraise its effect on soil chemical properties after the tef crop was harvested. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial combination with three replications. Four levels of L. camara vermicompost amendment (0, 2, 4, and 6 t·ha−1) and four levels of NPS fertilizer (0, 100, 150, and 200 kg·ha−1) were used in the combination of the treatments. Disturbed composite soil sampling at a depth of 20 cm was carried out, one sample before planting and 48 samples after harvesting of the tef crop. The results showed that the combined addition of vermicompost and NPS fertilizers at the rate of 6 t·ha−1 and 200 kg·ha−1, respectively, significantly increased plant-available phosphorus (Av. P). Reversely, the pH of the soil remained unchanged when the soil was treated with the integration of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer or at their separate individual application. Most of the soil chemical properties, i.e. soil organic carbon (SOC), electrical conductivity (EC), Av. P, total nitrogen (TN), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C : N), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were found to be improved when the soil was amended with the highest dose of sole L. camara vermicompost fertilizer. The two-year consecutive organic fertilizer fertilization rate increased SOC from 63.64% to 107.56%, EC from 8.70% to 22.22%, Av. P from 40.87% to 143.13%, TN from 50% to 100%, C : N ratio from 8.14% to 11.58%, and CEC from 42.11% to 63.67% versus untreated plot. Single-application NPS chemical fertilizer has only an encouraging effect on Av. P and CEC of soil. The principal driving factor for any change in soil chemical properties was the L. camara vermicompost amendment. Therefore, using L. camara weed as a vermicompost can enhance soil fertility. This study offers the opportunity to convert the large biomass of L. camara weed into vermicompost through vermicomposting.

Soil Chemical Properties and Microbial Biomass Respond during Land Use Change

In Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia, pine-based agroforestry was mostly converted to sengon-based agroforestry before partly converted to monoculture. Land-use changes during the process affect soil properties. There is few information about the effects of land-use changes from pine-based agroforestry systems to sengon-based agroforestry systems and monocultures on soil chemical properties and microbial biomass. The aims of this study were to analyze the response of soil chemical properties and microbial biomass to land use changes in latosol Indonesian. Samples from three land-use changes, i.e. pine-based agroforestry, sengon-based agroforestry and monoculture were analyzed. Soil samples were taken at 2 depths, i. e. 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm. As the results, it was found that the land-use change affected the chemical properties and microbial biomass of the soil. Land-used change from pine-based agroforestry to sengon-based agroforestry have no significant effect on pH, organic carbon, available P, and microbial biomass in 0-30 cm depth. Meanwhile, in 30-60 cmdepth, microbial biomass in sengon-based agroforetry was higher than that in pine-based agroforestry. The pine-based agroforestry which was converted into monoculture, reduced the soil organic carbon and available P concentration, contrast with the soil microbial biomass which was increased in 0-30 cm depth. The highest soil microbial biomass was found in sengon-based agroforestry in 30-60 cm depth. The conclusion of this study implicated that land use in monoculture decreased soil fertility. Therefore, conversion of pine-based agroforestry to monoculture is full of risks.

Response of soil chemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial communities to biochar application and climate change in a Mediterranean agroecosystem

Changing climatic conditions (warming and decreasing precipitation) have been found to be a threat to the agricultural sustainability of Mediterranean croplands. From the climate change perspective, biochar amendment may interact with the effects of warming and drought stresses on soil ecosystems. However, the responses of soil microbial communities to the joint effects of climate change and biochar in Mediterranean croplands are not sufficiently known. To help fill this knowledge gap, in this work we used a field experiment to determine the effects of partial rain exclusion alone or combined with a soil temperature increase in biochar-amended (20 t ha−1) and unamended plots under crop rotation on soil chemical properties, enzyme activities, and the microbial community activity, structure, composition, abundance, and functions. The biomass, composition, and activity of the soil bacterial and fungal communities were more responsive to biochar addition than to climate manipulation. Thus, soil chemical parameters, enzyme activities and the relative abundances of bacterial populations were not responsive to the interaction of biochar and climate manipulation, while the predicted functionality of the bacterial community was modified by both factors. Soil β-glucosidase activity significantly decreased in response to biochar addition and climate manipulation, while urease activity was significantly increased by biochar, and protease activity was significantly decreased by climate manipulation. Gram negative and fungal biomasses were significantly affected by the interaction of biochar with climate manipulation. Climate manipulation produced changes in the composition of the soil fungal community without loss of diversity. This study illustrates how the interactions between biochar amendment and future climate change scenarios influence microbially-driven ecosystem services related to the maintenance of nutrient cycles and biodiversity in a Mediterranean agroecosystem.

Response of Soil Chemical Properties to Rhizobium and Rock Phosphate Fertilizer Application under Green - Grams in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Soil fertility decline is one of the major constraints in agricultural productivity. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in legumes can offer a cost-effective and sustainable means towards soil fertility management. There is limited information on green-gram BNF enhancement through Rhizobium inoculation with rock phosphate fertilizer. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Rhizobium and rock phosphate fertilizer application on soil chemical properties under green-gram varieties. The study was carried out at Chuka university horticultural research farm in two seasons (November 2019 - January 2020 and February - April 2020). A factorial experiment of 2 x 2 x 2 was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were three factors; varieties (N26 and KS20), rock phosphate (0 and 30 kg P ha-1) and Rhizobium inoculation (0 and 100 g ha-1) making a total of eight treatments which were replicated three times. Soil sampling and analyses were done for soil pH, fixed-N, total nitrogen (TN), exchangeable cations (EC), available Phosphorous (P), total organic carbon (TOC), and exchangeable potassium (K) before planting and after harvesting of green-grams for the two seasons. Data was analysed using GENSTAT 15th edition (P≤0.05). Results from both seasons indicated that combined application of rock phosphate at 30 kg P ha-1 and Rhizobium inoculation at 100 kg ha-1 showed significant (P≤0.05) higher increase in soil chemical properties over other treatments. However, treatment R1P1KS20 recorded significantly higher results in soil pH (7.54), TN (0.58%), TOC (3.45%), P (68.20 ppm) and EC (0.95 CmolKg-1), fixed-N (0.50%) and K (1.75 CmolKg-1). On the other hand treatment R0P0N26 recorded significant (P≤0.05) lower results in soil pH (5.23), TN (0.04%), TOC (1.86%), P (8.76 ppm), EC (0.21 CmolKg-1) and K (0.58 CmolKg-1). Therefore, Rhizobium inoculation in green-grams in combination with rock phosphate is an important legume nitrogen fixation enhancement method. This method is cost effective for farmers in sustainably supplementing nitrogen and phosphorous in their farms for improved soil fertility management. Based on the findings, combining Rhizobium 100g ha-1 and rock phosphate 30 kg P ha-1 with variety KS20 were recommended for a sustainable soil fertility management in Tharaka Nithi County.

Response of soil chemical properties and enzyme activity of four species in the Three Gorges Reservoir area to simulated acid rain

The chemical composition in the precipitation is constantly changing, thus acid rain type is gradually changing from sulfuric type to mixed type and then nitric type. The influence of the changing acid rain type on the rhizosphere soil of tree species remains unclear. A pot experiment was performed with two-year-old Pinus massoniana, Cunninghamia lanceolate, Cyclobalanpsis glauca and Phyllostachys edulis seedlings with similar growth condition. Simulated acid rain consists of sulfuric(S/N = 5), mixed(S/N = 1) and nitric(S/N = 0.2) acid rain, and each type acid rain diluted to three acid rain intensity: pH = 2.5, 3.5, 4.5. Soil pH, soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity, the exchangeable Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and enzyme activity were inhibited by acid rain intensity, while exchangeable Al3+ and H+ were promoted. Mg2+ was most relevant index to the tolerance to acid rain and the correlation degree of soil chemical index was higher than that of enzyme activity. Response of soil chemical properties differed in tree species under different acid rain types. Soil enzyme activity of Pinus massoniana, Cunninghamia lanceolate, and Phyllostachys edulis reached lowest under nitric acid rain, and that of Cyclobalanpsis glauca reached highest. Rhizosphere soil of Cunninghamia lanceolate is tolerant to sulfuric and nitric acid rain, and that of Cyclobalanpsis glauca is tolerant to mixed acid rain.

Response of Soil Chemical Properties to Application of Organic Manures of Diverse Sources Integrated in Different Ratios with Urea

The present research trail was carried out after harvest of maize crop on calcareous soil (19% lime on w/w basis) of Pakistan, District Nowshera soil series [Piedmont alluvium, silty clay loam, Ustochrept] to study its chemical properties as affected by application of organic manures of different sources integrated with urea. The treatments of the present study were divided into 3 groups based on the combination ratios such as 1:1, 3:1 and 1:0. Total 13 treatments such as: T1=alone Urea (control), T2 [Urea+SSB (1:1)], T3 [Urea+SCB (1:1)], T4 [Urea+PL (1:1)], T5 [Urea+FYM (1:1)], T6 [Urea+SSB (3:1)], T7 [Urea+SCB (3:1)], T8 [Urea+PL (3:1)], T9 [Urea+FYM (3:1)], T10=alone SSB, T11=alone SCB, T12=alone PL, T13=alone FYM were used and each treatment was replicated thrice. The combination ratios of the treatments were based on %N (required amount of N is 120 kg/ha) received from Urea and organic manures. Results of the experiment revealed that all the treatments have significantly affected (P>0.05) the soil chemical properties such as pH, E. C, total nitrogen content and organic matter content while bulk density was non-significant. By comparing various treatments groups, treatments having 1:1 combination ratio (T2, T3, T4 and T5) have shown best results in case of pH, E. C and nitrogen content of post-harvest soil. They have mediated the pH and E. C to levels favorable for plant growth and N uptake. While in case of organic matter content maximum results were obtained for treatments having combination ratio of 1:0 i-e (T10, T11, T12 and T13). From the present study it was concluded that all the treatments except control have altered the chemical status of soil to a favorable soil enviro responsive microbial activity and plant growth. Such studies on different soil series under different climatic conditions is advised for wide spread application and authorization of results.

Plant production decreases whereas nutrients concentration increases in response to the decrease of mowing stubble height

Mowing is a common practice in grassland management. It removes the majority of current year's aboveground plant biomass and thus substantial amounts of nutrients residing in plant tissues. The responses of plant aboveground biomass and nutrients to mowing stubble height is of great importance for developing sustainable mowing regimes, however, they are not well understood. We studied the effects of 4-year annual mowing at different height on plant aboveground biomass, plant N, P and N:P ratio, and soil nutrients in an Inner Mongolian steppe. Six stubble heights were set respectively at 14 cm (M14), 12 cm (M12), 10 cm (M10), 8 cm (M8), 6 cm (M6) and less than 0.3 cm (M0) height to ground surface. A no-mowing treatment (CK) was also included, making seven treatments. The results show that plant biomass production increased under light mowing (stubble height > 12 cm) but decreased under heavy mowing (stubble height < 6 cm), and the optimal stubble height for sustainable mowing was 6–12 cm. Plant N and P concentrations increased with mowing intensity (i.e. with the decrease of mowing stubble height). Plant N:P ratio decreased for some species, but no a directional change was detected in plant N:P ratio at the community level, nor in soil organic carbon and nutrient concentrations across the stubble height treatments. Our results indicate that plant biomass and N & P respond quickly to mowing height, whereas the response of soil chemical properties is insignificant over the 4-year period. To elucidate variation of species compensatory growth along mowing intensity gradient and the mutual feedback mechanism of soil-plant in mowing grassland, long-term study at permanent sites with changing stubble heights should be strengthened.

MgO Fertilizer Sole and Combined with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers: Effect on Soil Chemical Properties, Turmeric Performance, and Quality in a Tropical Alfisol.

For soil fertility maintenance, secondary nutrient such as Magnesium (Mg) is always being neglected. However, its role is critical in the growth, yield, and quality of crops. Therefore, two field experiments were initiated in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the response of soil chemical properties, performance, and qualities of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) to Mg fertilizer alone and in combination with poultry manure (PM) and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (NPK). The treatments applied were the following: (i) PM alone at 8 t ha−1, (ii) NPK alone at 200 kg ha−1, (iii) Mg fertilizer alone (in form of MgO) at 20 kg ha−1, (iv) PM at 8 t ha−1 with MgO at 20 kg ha−1 (PM + Mg), (v) NPK at 200 kg ha−1 with MgO at 20kgha−1 (NPK + Mg), and (vi) control (no amendment of any kind). PM, NPK, and Mg fertilizers alone or NPK + Mg and PM + Mg increased soil chemical properties, performance (plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, number of rhizomes, and fresh rhizome weight), and minerals and vitamins C and A contents of turmeric rhizome compared with the control. By averaging 2017 and 2018, Mg fertilizer alone increased the yield of turmeric by 10.8% compared with the control. For this experiment, NPK + Mg increased growth and yield of turmeric compared with other treatments. Also, averaging 2017 and 2018, NPK + Mg increased rhizome yield of turmeric by 13.6% and 10.6% compared with PM + Mg and NPK alone, respectively. Similarly, PM + Mg significantly improved mineral and vitamins contents compared with other treatments. Therefore, for those that desire turmeric rhizome for its nutritive value, PM + Mg is recommended. For those that want quantity, NPK + Mg is recommended.

Response of Soil Chemical Properties, Performance and Quality of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas L.) to Different Levels of K Fertilizer on a Tropical Alfisol

Background:The optimum rate of nutrient must be defined with reference to soil properties for individual crops and soil.Objective:Field experiments were carried out in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to determine the various levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1) of potassium fertilizer (muriate of potash , KCl), on soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient contents, performance and proximate quality of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatasL.).Method:The five treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates.Results:Studies showed that K fertilizer in both the years significantly influenced N, P and K concentrations compared with the control and also increased the soil concentrations of these nutrients from 0 - 160 kg ha-1K fertilizer. However, soil K only increased up to 80 kg ha-1fertilizer after which there was a decrease. There was a reduction in the values of Ca and Mg in the soil as the levels of K increased. Leaf nutrient concentration of the sweet potato was consistent with the values of soil chemical properties recorded. 80 kg ha-1K fertilizer was observed to be the highest value of sweet potato growth and tuber yield after which there was a reduction. The yield decrease was adduced to excessive K application leading to imbalanced sweet potato plant nutrition compared with N, P, Ca and Mg. K fertilizer significantly influenced moisture, vitamin C and carbohydrate compared with the control. The highest values of fibre and protein were obtained at 80 and 40 kg ha-1K fertilizer, respectively. Dry matter and fat contents of the sweet potato reduced by K application from 0 - 160 kg ha-1application rate.Conclusion:For best tuber yield, quality and economic response of K fertilizer to the sweet potato in the agro-ecological zone or in other similar soil conditions elsewhere in the tropics could be achieved by applying 80 kg ha-1K fertilizer.

Response of Soil Chemical Properties to Irrigation with Winery Wastewater on a Well-drained Sandy Soil

Most wineries in South Africa dispose of their wastewater through land application. This is carried out by irrigating small areas of cultivated pasture with the wastewater or ponding, with the former being the more general practice. Land application of winery wastewater results in the accumulation of potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) in the soil and leaching of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+).This could lead to long term instability of soil structure. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of irrigation with winery wastewater on chemical soil properties and potential environmental impacts. Therefore, an existing grazing paddock at a winery near Rawsonville was selected where wastewater had been applied for many years. Due to the high volumes of wastewater irrigation plus rainfall, the inevitable over-irrigation leached large amounts of cations, particular K+ and Na+, beyond 90 cm soil depth at the selected study site. These leached elements are likely to end up in natural water resources in the long run. Irrigation with winery wastewater did not have a pronounced effect on soil pH(KCl). This was probably due to the decomposition of organic matter, and the fact that the applied salts were leached beyond 90 cm depth. The study confirmed that disposal of winery wastewater through land application can only be recommended where wastewater application will not exceed the water requirement of the crop as well as the water holding capacity of the soil which is being irrigated.

Effects of repeated whole-tree harvesting on soil properties and tree growth in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stand

Increased demand for forest-derived biomass has resulted in changes in harvest intensities in Finland. Conventional stem-only harvest (SOH) has to some extent been replaced with whole-tree harvest (WTH). The latter involves a greater removal of nutrients from the forest ecosystem, as all the above ground biomass is exported from the site. This has raised concerns that WTH could result in large changes in the nutrient dynamics of a forest stand and could eventually lower its site productivity.The objective of this study was to assess the effects of repeated SOH and WTH on surface soil properties and stand growth in a fertile Norway spruce (Picea abies (L) Karst.) stand. The studied stand is part of a series of whole-tree thinning experiments established in Southern Finland.Ten years after the final harvest it was evident that repeated WTH had a decreasing effect on total C and N pools in the combined organic+mineral soil layer compared to the SOH treatment. The response of soil chemical properties to the treatments was more apparent in the mineral soil layer than in the organic layer. Treatment did not have a significant effect on pH or on the C/N-ratio of the soil. The results suggest that although the stand possesses significant pools of nutrients at present, WTH, if continued, could have long-term effects on site productivity.Harvesting intensity and fertilization had no effect on Norway spruce volume increment during 20years before clear-felling. Ten years after final felling, no evidence was found that WTH had affected the growth of the new generation of planted Norway spruce seedlings.

Study on the response of soil chemical properties and corn (Zea mays L.) to the land application with sugar beet rinse water

A controlled study was conducted to test the effect of land application with oxidation pond treatment sugar beet rinse water (SBRW) on soil chemical properties and on corn (Zea mays L.) growth and yield. Samples were collected from each plot: pre-irrigation (provided reference “background” values), well water (WW) irrigation (served as the control) site and SBRW irrigation site. Soil chemical properties at different soil depths were measured. Compared with WW irrigation and pre-irrigation, the pH decreased at SBRW irrigation site and it resulted in an improvement of the contents of available nutrients in the soil layer (0–20cm) due to SBRW with lower pH and a great quantity of nutrients. SBRW, characterized by high salinity, had little effect on soil salinity and sodicity. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the impact of SBRW irrigation on chemical properties of the whole soil profile and the results showed that exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) changed not more obviously than available nutrients and cation exchange capacity (CEC). SBRW irrigation would make positive effect on corn growth and it could significantly improve corn's yield and dry matter. As silty clay's low potential for leaching and hydraulic conductivity, leachates did not cause any pollution in terms of nutrient and salinity release to groundwater. These results confirmed that besides its role as irrigant, SBRW might also serve as a “liquid fertilizer” for soil and corn.

The effects of defoliation on plant community, root biomass and nutrient allocation and soil chemical properties on semi-arid steppes in northern China

Semi-arid steppes in northern China have severely deteriorated over the past 50 years, mostly due to improper grazing management. A defoliation experiment was conducted on a Leymus chinensis-dominated semi-arid steppe to provide guidelines of grazing management and favor long-term restoration of degraded grasslands. There were five defoliation treatments: non-defoliation (no cutting during growing season) as control; light defoliation (cut 15 cm above ground level); medium defoliation (10 cm); hard defoliation (5 cm) and severe defoliation (2 cm). Results showed that hard and severe defoliation significantly reduced the concentrations of soluble carbohydrates in rhizomes and fibrous roots and decreased the belowground biomass and the ratio of below/aboveground biomass. Defoliation increased plant species diversity, but decreased biomass of L. chinensis significantly. The biomass of L. chinensis under light defoliation was lower than that in control, indicating L. chinensis was highly sensitive to defoliation. Defoliation intensity in general had no significant effect on soil chemical properties during the experimental period, suggesting that soil chemical properties might have a greater tolerance to short-term heavy defoliation compared to plant community. However, prolonged intensive defoliation would result in severe ecological consequences. Further studies are required to investigate the response of soil chemical properties to long-term defoliation.

Soil chemical properties in abandoned Mediterranean cropland after succession and oak reforestation

Large extents of cropland have been abandoned in recent decades and more may be abandoned in the near future. These may undergo secondary succession or reforestation. We experimentally tested the response of soil chemical properties to secondary succession (old field) and to Quercus ilex plantation (reforested cropland) in a Mediterranean cropland that was abandoned 13 years ago. We also evaluated the relevance of previous reforestation management (four combinations of presence and absence of irrigation and shading) in addition to current environmental conditions (herbaceous community and cover of oak canopy) on soil chemistry in the reforested cropland. Carbon and NH 4 +–N concentrations and availability of mineral N were higher in the reforested cropland than in the old field. However, soil pH, total N, P, K and NO 3 −–N concentrations, mineralization rates, and available PO 4 3−–P were similar in the reforested cropland as well as in the old field. Previous reforestation management practices, particularly irrigation, and current environmental conditions, mostly biomass and composition of the herbaceous community, affected soil chemistry. Irrigation increased K and P concentrations and NH 4 +–N availability. This study highlights the overall slow dynamics of soil chemistry in Mediterranean ecosystems, which has resulted in little variation of soil properties in reforested cropland after more than a decade. Reforestation can accelerate the recovery of some soil properties of abandoned cropland in comparison with secondary succession, but these effects will be more noticeable in longer time periods.