Silt Clay Loam Research Articles

Calculating the Total Costs of the Tractor and the Chisel Plow under Variable Speeds and Depth of Tillage

Factorial experiments were conducted in a silt clay loam soil with a randomized complete block design with three replications for each treatment. This study aimed to calculate machinery unit costs and some indicators during primary tillage, under variable tractor speeds of 1.8, 3.5 and 5.7 km.h-1 and depth of plowing 20, 30 and 40 cm. A higher speed of 5.7 km.h-1 is associated with higher practical productivity of 0.9696 ha.h-1; specific productivity of tillage 4309 m.h-1; a volume of soil disturbed 2884 m3. h-1. The best fixed, management, total tractor, total plow and total machinery unit costs were 2.27, 0.80, 9.02,1.01 and 10.04 $.ha-1 respectively. Additionally, lower fuel consumption was 8.56 l.ha-1, and the actual time for plowing one hectare was 1.02 h. The depth of tillage 20 cm recorded a higher productivity of 0.6412 ha.h-1, the specific productivity of tillage was 2849 m.h-1, less fuel consumption of 7.74 l.ha-1, less actual time of plowing one hectare of 1.95 hThe least fixed, variable, management, total tractor, total plow and total machinery unit costs were 4.32, 4.71, 0.89, 9.94,1.94 and 11.89 $.ha-1 respectively. All interactions among the treatments were significant. The experiment concluded that the plowing depth has a greater effect than speed on all operating costs of the tractor and chisel plow and performance indicators. The correlations among the indicators studied were direct (positive) and inverse (negative) significantly and were also non-significant.

Investigation on Field Performance of Plowing and Harvesting Potatoes in Southern Baghdad

This field experiment, was conducted to investigate a comparison of two methods for harvesting potatoes: mechanical and handy when using moldboard and chisel plow for primary tillage and three different distances for planting tubers in the rows 15, 25, and 35 cm in silt clay loam soil south of Baghdad. The factorial experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications using L.S.D. 5 % and 1 %. Mechanical harvest recorded the best valid potato tubers at 88.78 %, marketable yield of 31.74 ton. ha-1, efficiency lifted 95.68 %, tubers damage index 28.41, speeding up the harvesting process and reducing time and effort. Handy harvest gave the least damage to potato tubers, 6.02 %, and unlifted potato tubers, 4.32 %. However, this method requires effort and more specialized labor, whether from men or young women, and leaded to delays in the harvesting process. Regarding planting distance of 15 cm between one tuber and another gave the highest total productivity, 46.92 ton. ha-1 and the greatest number of plants, but most of the tubers were small in size. A planting distance 25 cm produced good quality in size of potatoes with yield of 36.19 ton. ha-1, 90.99 % best valid tubers, 5.43 % least total damage tubers, 3.57 % least unlifted potato, 96.42 % best efficiency lifting, and least tuber damage index 22.39. Most interaction among the treatments was significant. The most influential factor in the experiment traits was the planting distances of potatoes in the rows. The shape of the potatoes was Spheroid. Mechanical potato harvesting saves effort saves effort, time, harvest speed, reduce the labors and increasing efficiency.

Calculating some Powers and Traction Force for Two Plows in Primary Tillage

Traction force and power requirement when performing primary tillage occupy the minds of almost farmers, this field research had aim to determine and calculate the pulling force of the most commonly used moldboard and chisel plows, the research conducted in silt clay loam for chisel and moldboard plows as the main factor, two depths of tillage 18 and 25 cm as a second factor and three speeds of tractor 2.55, 4.30 and 6.15 km.h-1 as a third factor. Moldboard plow recorded least traction force 7.550 kN, drawbar power 11.583 hp, power losses due to slippage 1.088 hp, power on the rear axle of the tractor 15.770 hp and brake horse power 17.495 hp. Chisel plow recorded best traction efficiency 76.217 % and total traction efficiency 68.659 %. Depth of tillage 18 cm recorded least traction force 7.837 kN, drawbar power 12.190 hp, power losses due to slippage 0.986 hp. Speed tractor 2.55 km.h-1 recorded least traction force 8.246 kN, drawbar power 7.329 hp, power losses due to slippage 0.618 hp, resistance power losses due to motion 1.775 hp and power on the rear axle of tractor 9.723 hp. Correlation among performance indicators were positive and negative correlation significantly, also were insignificant correlation.

سطارة جديدة لزراعة البسلة على مصاطب

Until now, the traditional method for planting pea seeds in Egypt is manual because of the scarcity of planting machines. Therefore, this study aims to provide and evaluate a new seed drill for planting pea seeds on a raised bed in silt-clay loam soil. This seed drill consists of the frame, seeds hopper, seed metering device, transmission system, and covering unit. Laboratory tests on pea seeds were conducted to determine the seeds’ physical and mechanical properties. Field trials were carried out under the following parameters; four forward speeds (‎‎0.79, 0.98, 1.28, and 1.64 m s–1), ‎three disc cell capacities (1, 2, and ‎‎3 seeds per cell), two different cells shapes (circular, and a rectangle with semicircle end), and three distances between rows (‎7.5, 10, and 15 cm) to assess the performance of the seed drill on fuel consumption, specific energy, slip ratio, seeds damaged‎, germination ratio, plants number per hill, longitudinal scattering, and pea pods yield. The results revealed that the optimum performance of the seed drill was achieved at a forward speed ranging from 0.79 to 0.98 m s–1, using a disc cell capacity of ‎‎2 seeds, a circular cell shape, and a distance between rows of 10 cm.

Impact of Nanoscale Zinc Oxide Particle on the Growth, Yield and Soil Properties under Agency Area of Andhra Pradesh

Field experiment was carried out on silt clay loam soils at Regional Agricultural Research station, Chintapalle, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh during 2018-2020 to study the yield of response of rainfed groundnut with different levels of Nano particulate zinc oxide application along with NPK Fertilizers. The experiment consisting of eight treatments, three replications with RDF design. Results of nano particulate zinc oxide on pod yield showed that (24.36 Q/ha) in the RDF+ nano scale zinc oxide level @ 200 ppm at 25 and 45 DAS was increased over to that of normal recommended dose of N,P,K fertilizers (100% RDF) which recorded pod yield of 17.14 Q/ha only. Application of ZnSO4 through soil along with RDF showed good results (17.24 Q/ha) than RDF + Foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 2g/lit at 25 and 45 DAS (20.66 Q/ha). Application of micronutrient (ZnO) had helped in further increase in grain yields at both levels of ZnO (150% and 200% ZnO at 25 and 45 DAS). Among different treatments, significantly higher yield (24.36 Q/ha) was recorded with application of RDF + Foliar application of ZnO @ 200 ppm at 25 and 45 DAS than the only with RDF (17.4 Q/ha). With respect to method of application of ZnSO4 through soil and foliar application ZnSo4 @ 2g/lit at 25 and 45 DAS was found to be higher both levels of RDF (Pod yield of 14.6 Q/ha at RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 and 17.24 Q/ha at RDF+ foliar application of ZnSO4@ 2g/lit at 25 and 45 DAS). With respect to other plant characteristics, comparatively more plant height (43.53 cm) at RDF + foliar application of ZnO @ 200 ppm at 25 and 45 DAS. Regarding yield attributes significantly higher test weight (30.9 g) were recorded at RDF + 200 ppm ZnO at 25 and 45 DAS. Post –harvest soil sample analysis showed highest availability of nutrients in respect of soil, the results revealed that there was no significance difference among the treatments regarding Avail. N, Available K and pH. The lowest Phosphorus (17.20 kg ha-1) was recorded with RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 200 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS and highest (24.46 kg ha-1) was recorded in T9 (RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 100 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS). 
 An investigation was initiated at Department of Soil science, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Chintapalle to examine the effects of nano zinc oxide on Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) growth, yield and Zn content in Leaves, stem and roots. A field experiment consisted of nine treatments comprised of T1: control, T2: RDF, T3: RDF+ Soil application ZnSO4@ 50 Kg/ha, T4: RDF+ Foliar application ZnSO4 2 g/L at 25 & 45DAS, T5: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 150 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T6: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 200 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T7: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 400 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T8: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 50 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T9: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 100 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS.

Modelling maize yield, soil nitrogen balance and organic carbon changes under long-term fertilization in Northeast China

Optimized fertilization is an effective strategy for improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency and maintaining high crop yield, but its long-term impacts on soil organic carbon (C) and inorganic N dynamics remain unclear. The objectives of this study were to 1) explore the economic optimum N rate and evaluate the DSSAT CERES-Maize model using the measurements from three 3-year maize (Zea mays L.) field experiments, in Gongzhuling and Yushu County, Northeast China, and 2) assess the long-term impacts of farmers' N rate (N250), optimum N rate (N180) and organic-inorganic combined N rate (MN180) on maize yields, soil N and C changes from 1985 to 2020. Results showed that similar maize yields of 8000–11,000 kg ha−1 were achieved under the average economic optimum N rate of 170 kg N ha−1 relative to N250 in both counties. Good agreements were observed between the simulated and measured maize yield, above-ground biomass, N uptake and soil nitrate (NO3−-N). Long-term simulation confirmed that N180 and MN180 can achieve the same yield as N250 in both counties. The lowest annual soil inorganic N balance, NO3−-N leaching, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) emissions were achieved under MN180, followed by N180 in both sites. Higher NO3−-N leaching was found in sandy clay loam soil than silt clay loam and clay loam soils. Average soil organic C (SOC, 0–0.2 m) increased from 1.3 to 2.4% in Gongzhuling and from 2.2 to 2.4% in Yushu under MN180 during the 35-year period, but it showed declining trends under N180 and N250. We concluded that the economic optimum N rate could be an option to replace current farmers’ N rate for the continuous maize. Substitution of inorganic fertilizer by 20–30% manure under the optimum N rate showed advantage on maintaining high yield, reducing soil inorganic N losses as well as increasing SOC stock for sustainable agriculture.

Evaluating Ecological Risk Associated with Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam

Heavy metal pollution in soil has received more attention in recent years because of an increase in human activities and its potential effects on ecology and human health. This study assessed the occurrence of heavy metals (As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd) in different cultivated land and their ecological risk in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. Seventeen samples collected in paddy, vegetable, perennials, and ornamental soils were measured for heavy metal concentrations and soil structure. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), Nemerow pollution index (PIN), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI). The results revealed that the soil structure was clay loam and silt clay loam. Heavy metal concentrations were within the national limits with the order of Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Cd. Pearson correlation and PCA indicated that heavy metals were strongly correlated, and agriculture and soil formation were responsible for their presence in soil. The sampling sites were divided into four groups using CA, in which paddy and crop soils had the highest content of heavy metals. Based on PIN values (0.82-2.92), the heavy metal pollution ranged from warning to moderate level. As had the highest accumulation potential in the soil, with the Igeo values ranging from 0.12-2.05. The risk of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soil to ecology was low to moderate. Despite that, it is recommended to annually monitor the occurrence of heavy metals in agricultural soils to have proper solutions to protect public health.

Effect of biochar on soil properties and infiltration in a light salinized soil: Experiments and simulations

AbstractThe sustainable development of agriculture in Xinjiang Province, China has been threatened by soil salinization. Biochar can be an effective amendment to improve salt‐affected soils. An appropriate amount of biochar application and incorporation depth are key factors for amending performance. However, few studies have investigated the effects of differing biochar application amounts on saline soil properties, including soil water infiltration, using a combination of experiments and simulations. In this study, acidulated biochar was applied at rates of 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 t ha−1 to a farmland topsoil to investigate the impacts of biochar on Xinjiang saline soil's physical and chemical properties and infiltration characteristics. The soil's physical and chemical properties that were investigated included soil pH, soil organic carbon content, soil salt content, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil water retention curves, and infiltration characteristics including cumulative infiltration (CI) and wetting front (Zf). HYDRUS‐1D was applied to predict soil water movement under different biochar incorporation depths. Results showed that the rate of change of soil pH, soil organic carbon content, soil salt content and Ks were −0.009, 0.102 g kg−1, 0.045 g kg−1 and 0.035 cm day−1, respectively, per ton of biochar applied. Soil water retention curves showed that biochar enhanced soil water retention capacity and available soil water content (AWC) in the silt clay loam soil. The Philip model was a good (R2 > 0.80) fit to soil water infiltration and indicated that biochar amendment promoted infiltration rates. The van Genuchten model was good for describing soil hydraulic parameters (R2 > 0.99) and could be used for HYDRUS‐1D simulations (R2 > 0.99, RRMSE <6.8% and NSE >0.98). The optimum biochar application amount for the light salinised soil in Xinjiang was recommended as 25 t ha−1 incorporated to 30 cm depth based on the AWC, soil salt content and incorporation depths. The study provides a reference for future field experiment design.Highlights Effects of biochar on salt‐affected soil studied using a combination of experiments and simulations. Acidulated biochar amendment of saline soils can reduce pH and increase SOC. Biochar incorporation depth was considered to affect soil water infiltration. The biochar application amount at 25 t ha−1 incorporated to 30 cm depth was recommended

Effects of soil surface electrochemical properties on soil detachment regulated by soil types and plants

Soil surface electrochemical properties play an important role in soil detachment. However, the effects of soil surface electrochemical properties on soil detachment have received little attention. This study selected three typical soil types (sandy loam, silt loam and silt clay loam) and two typical herbaceous plants (Stipa bungeana Trin. and Artemisia gmelinii Web. ex Stechm., with an abandoned cropland) to quantify the effects of varied soil surface electrochemical properties caused by soil types and plants on soil detachment on the Loess Plateau, China. A hydraulic flume test was conducted under five flow discharges (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6 L s−1) on a 15° slope. The results showed that large differences in soil surface electrochemical properties occurred among different soil types and plant species. The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (S), surface charge density (σ0), surface potential (φ0) and surface electric field strength (E0) ranged from 1.02% to 2.26%, from 7.26 to 24.34 cmolc kg−1, from 8.32 to 147.38 m2 g−1, from 0.09 to 2.02C m−2, from −81.33 to −149.92 mV and from 1.23 × 108 to 28.46 × 108 V m−1, respectively. The soil detachment capacity (Dc) was significantly correlated with ESP (P < 0.01), E0 (P < 0.01) and |φ0| (the absolute value) (P < 0.05). Moreover, Dc exponentially increased with |φ0| (R2 = 0.99) and linearly increased with ESP (R2 = 0.85) and E0 (R2 = 0.95). Therefore, soil surface electrochemical properties greatly varied with soil types and plants and had a significant effect on soil detachment.

Manufacture and Testing an Automatic Sprinkler Riser in the Fixed Sprinkler Irrigation System Using Smart Irrigation and its Impact on the Performance of the System and Zea Maize Yield

A field experiment was carried out with the aim of designing and manufacturing an automatic sprinkler riser for fixed sprinkler irrigation system and evaluated its impact on the system performance and the growth and production of Zea maize at Al-Raad Research Station located in the Akerkov area, 1 km north of the highway (Baghdad - Anbar) in silt clay loam soil for the agricultural season of 2021. Riser type included a regular straw, and a self-propelled riser with an inner tube, and a self-propelled riser with an external tube, and operating pressure included 1, 1.5 and 2 bar. Were used in this experiment., sprinkler discharge, sprinkler service area, plant height and plant yield. Were studied in this research Nested deign with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, were used the least significant difference was used under the probability level of 0.05 (LSD0.05) for comparison in the averages of the coefficients of the experiment, the results showed the following an automatic sprinkler riser with the outer tube was significantly superior in obtaining the highest the highest moisture content of 37.29% and the highest value of the sprinkler service area amounted to 247.98 m2 and the highest yield of the crop was 6.38 tons.ha-1, while the self-propelled riser with inner tube outperformed in obtaining the highest value of plant height amounted to 189.67 cm, and it was noted that there was no significant difference between the risers used in the value of sprinkler discharge .The superiority of the operating pressure of 2 bar in obtaining the highest value of the highest value of the moisture content was 37.97, and the highest value of the sprinkler discharge was 33.07 liters. Min-1 and the highest value of the sprinkler service area was 367.71 m2, the highest plant height was 190.11 cm and the highest yield of the crop was 6.46 ton. ha-1 compared with other pressure. The interaction between the self-propelled riser with inner tube and the operating pressure of 2 bar was superior to obtaining the highest moisture content of 38.13%, and the highest discharge of the sprinkler was 33.40 liters.min-1 while the bilateral interaction between the self-propelled riser with an external tube and the operating pressure of 2 bar exceeded the highest value of the highest value of the sprinkler service area amounted to 377.69 m2, the highest height of the plant was 194.67 cm, and the highest yield of the crop was 6.89 ton. ha-1. The success of using the locally designed and manufactured an automatic sprinkler "self-rising" riser according to the plant's height and used in the fixed sprinkler irrigation system to irrigate the maize crop.

Comparison of specific and universal linear regression models for predicting soil water retention in eastern Croatia

We analyzed 96 samples from 48 soil profiles (Gleysols, Chernozems, Anthrosols) on arable land in eastern Croatia (Europe) in order to develop specific pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for the local-scale prediction of soil water retention at field capacity (FC) and wilting point (WP). Our easy-to-use multiple linear regression models performed very well (RMSEs 2.7% and 1.8%, MAEs 2.1% and 1.5%; for FC and WP, respectively), in spite relying only on the contents of clay, silt, and organic C as predictors. These three are routinely measured, fundamental soil properties for which the data is widely-available. Because these PTFs were developed for the soils on the most common groups of parent materials in continental Croatia (loess derivates and fluvial deposits with mostly silt loam, silt clay loam, and silt clay textures), they should have wide applicability. We have also tested the prediction performance of the universal regression-based PTFs (EU-PTFs), created by Toth et al. (2015) to predict FC and WP at the European scale. Although the soils of Croatia are not included in the EU-HYDI database, which was used for the development of the EU-PTFs, we found that the continental model predicts the FC of our soils almost equally well (RMSE = 3.3%, MAE = 2.7%) as our local model. However, for predicting the WP of our soils, the continental model is not as accurate, overestimating this parameter notably more (RMSE = 4.9%, MAE = 4.4%) than the local model. Given that the WP values of our (and many other European) soils are relatively low, the obtained prediction errors may be even more problematic. However, our results suggest that the use of EU-PTFs can partially compensate for the development of specific (local) PTFs, at least in the European regions with soilscapes similar to those in our study. To help increase the reliability of the EU-PTFs, the soil database used for their development should be expanded to include new countries and regions of Europe.

Response of broadleaf and grass cover crop species to soil residues of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA)

AbstractGlyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States; however, concern is escalating about increasing residues of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in soil. There is a lack of scientific literature examining the response of cover crops to soil residues of glyphosate or AMPA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of glyphosate or AMPA residues in silty clay loam soil on emergence, growth, and biomass of cover crops, including cereal rye, crimson clover, field pea, hairy vetch, and winter wheat, as well as their germination in a 0.07% (0.7 g L–1) solution of AMPA or glyphosate. Greenhouse studies were conducted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to determine the dose response of broadleaf and grass cover crops to soil-applied glyphosate or AMPA. The results indicated that soil treated with glyphosate or AMPA up to 105 mg ae kg–1 of soil had no effect on the emergence, growth, above-ground biomass, and root biomass of any of the cover crop species tested. To evaluate the impact of AMPA or glyphosate on the seed germination of cover crop species, seeds were soaked in Petri plates filled with a 0.7 g L–1 solution of AMPA or glyphosate. There was no effect of AMPA on seed germination of any of the cover crop species tested. Seed germination of crimson clover and field pea in a 0.7 g L–1 solution of glyphosate was comparable to the nontreated control; however, the germination of cereal rye, hairy vetch, and winter wheat was reduced by 48%, 75%, and 66%, respectively, compared to the nontreated control. The results suggested that glyphosate or AMPA up to 105 mg ae kg–1 in silt clay loam soil is unlikely to cause any negative effect on the evaluated cover crop species.

Floristic Composition and Soil Characteristics in Muara Kaman Sedulang Nature Reserve, East Kalimantan

Muara Kaman Sedulang Nature Reserve in East Kalimantan has been damaged due to anthropogenic activities and natural fires. The study aims to explore the floristic composition and soil characteristics in the rehabilitation and protection block to provide plant species information for the restoration activity. Vegetation data were collected in each block with a purposive random sampling method, in a total of 0,36 ha plot sample in rehabilitation block and 0,32 ha in protection block. Soil characteristics samples for physical and chemical measurement were collected in each plot with a composite technique at the soil surface (0 – 30 cm). There are 15 species recorded in rehabilitation block and 30 species in the protection block. The diameter distribution indicated that there are differences in the regeneration process after periods of destruction on each block. The diversity index in the rehabilitation block is low, while in the protection block is low to middle. Mallotus sumatranus is a dominant species in the rehabilitation block, whereas in the protection block is Lagerstroemia speciosa. Lepisanthes alata always presents in all research plots indicated suitability for all type of habitat in the area. Soil type is Endoaquepts Dystrudepts with silt clay loam texture and acid soil.

Floristic Composition and Soil Characteristics in Muara Kaman Sedulang Nature Reserve, East Kalimantan

Muara Kaman Sedulang Nature Reserve in East Kalimantan has been damaged due to anthropogenic activities and natural fires. The study aims to explore the floristic composition and soil characteristics in the rehabilitation and protection block to provide plant species information for the restoration activity. Vegetation data were collected in each block with a purposive random sampling method, in a total of 0,36 ha plot sample in rehabilitation block and 0,32 ha in protection block. Soil characteristics samples for physical and chemical measurement were collected in each plot with a composite technique at the soil surface (0 – 30 cm). There are 15 species recorded in rehabilitation block and 30 species in the protection block. The diameter distribution indicated that there are differences in the regeneration process after periods of destruction on each block. The diversity index in the rehabilitation block is low, while in the protection block is low to middle. Mallotus sumatranus is a dominant species in the rehabilitation block, whereas in the protection block is Lagerstroemia speciosa. Lepisanthes alata always presents in all research plots indicated suitability for all type of habitat in the area. Soil type is Endoaquepts Dystrudepts with silt clay loam texture and acid soil.

Effect of Adding Dilute Sulphuric Acid on Calcareous Soil Properties in Jordan Valley

Calcareous soil that contains enough free calcium carbonate to effervesce visibly, releasing carbon-dioxide gas, when treated with diluted sulfuric acid. Analysis of calcareous soil in Jordan valley after treatment with aqueous low concentration sulfuric acid shows some change in the physical prosperities of the soil such as reduction of calcium carbonate from 66% to 30%, soil density from 1.60 g/cm3 to 1.19 g/cm3 . Soil texture is convert from silt clay loam to silt loam this physical changing makes soil permeability is easier so it could be suitable for agricultural without effect in plant growth also we show reduce soil PH and increasing in soil filtration tare. We showed several changes in the plants, which planted in the treated soil by sulfuric acid as increasing in the product from 10 - 25 %, would reduce in using chemical fertilizers from 15-30% and absence of soil diseases.

Decreased of Psycologic Problem during Pandemic Sars-Covid 2 in the Community

Calcareous soil that contains enough free calcium carbonate to effervesce visibly, releasing carbon-dioxide gas, when treated with diluted sulfuric acid. Analysis of calcareous soil in Jordan valley after treatment with aqueous low concentration sulfuric acid shows some change in the physical prosperities of the soil such as reduction of calcium carbonate from 66% to 30%, soil density from 1.60 g/cm3 to 1.19 g/cm3 . Soil texture is convert from silt clay loam to silt loam this physical changing makes soil permeability is easier so it could be suitable for agricultural without effect in plant growth also we show reduce soil PH and increasing in soil filtration tare. We showed several changes in the plants, which planted in the treated soil by sulfuric acid as increasing in the product from 10 - 25 %, would reduce in using chemical fertilizers from 15-30% and absence of soil diseases.

Optimization of the border size on the irrigation district scale – Example of the Hetao irrigation district

To improve the performance of border irrigation, this study analyzed the spatial variability characteristics of the soil particle content and bulk density, based on soil physical parameters measured at 86 sampling points in the Hetao irrigation district (HID). The soil hydraulic parameters were determined using the RETC, and HYDRUS-1D was then adopted to estimate infiltration parameters of the Kostiakov equation at different locations. The optimal layout patterns of border size were proposed under the consideration of various combinations of different typical soil textures and field slopes by WinSRFR. The results indicated that the spatial distributions of clay and silt particle contents were generally high in the middle and low at both sides of the HID, while the sand was the opposite. The results proved that the soil physical parameters are only to be measured at depths of 0–20 and 20–40 cm to meet the needs of infiltration parameter estimation which can significantly reduce the workload of soil sample collection. Moreover, two types of optimal border layouts of different combinations of the soil textures (silt loam and silt clay loam) and field slopes (no more than 1‰, 1–3‰, and 3–5‰) were proposed, which can guarantee the application efficiency and distribution uniformity no less than 85%, and be the guidance for practical field irrigation in the HID.

Use of a nitrification inhibitor reduces nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from compacted grassland with different soil textures and climatic conditions

Grassland accounts for 70 % of the global agricultural area. Grassland amended with N fertiliser, although increasing productivity, encourages the emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Soil compaction can result in impeded water movement and the development of anaerobic conditions that favour N2O production and emissions from denitrification. Soil compaction has become more prevalent in grassland with the use of increasingly heavy machinery and the extension of seasonal animal grazing periods, especially when soil moisture is high; close to field capacity. The effect of a nitrification inhibitor - dicyandiamide (DCD) on emissions of N2O from grassland moderately compacted from animal trampling or a tractor were investigated at two experimental field sites in the UK; a silt clay loam soil in a wet climate (SRUC) and a sandy loam in a drier climate (HAU). Compaction treatments repeated annually over three years (2011–2013) gave an overall increase in soil bulk density for the tractor compaction and animal trampling at both sites but to different degrees related to soil texture. Cumulative N2O emissions from tractor compaction for both SRUC and HAU were significantly greater than from the uncompacted control over the three years, with changing climate, soil texture and soil pH influencing the magnitude of N2O emissions. The use of DCD decreased cumulative N2O emissions at both sites, with the reduction greatest under tractor compaction, especially for the drier, sandier soil with the greater porosity. DCD appeared to decrease soil nitrate (NO3−) concentrations and decreased potential NO3− losses from leaching and run-off. Extrapolating from these data, the presence of moderate compaction, as identified in grasslands in England and Wales, could result in an estimated annual increase in N2O emissions of between 0.10 and 0.78 Mt of N2O, but these emissions could be reduced by up to 16 % and 51 % through the use of DCD, depending on compaction depth and soil texture. Although no yield increases were seen from the use of the DCD at both sites, N2O emissions were reduced.

Effects of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin and the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid on yield-scale nitrous oxide emission in maize fields under hot climatic conditions

Nitrification inhibitors are widely used in agriculture to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and increase crop yield. However, no concrete information on their mitigation of N2O emission is available under soil and environmental conditions as in Pakistan. A field experiment was established using a silt clay loam soil from Peshawar, Pakistan, to study the effect of urea applied in combination with a nitrification inhibitor, nitrapyrin (2-chloro-6-tri-chloromethyl pyridine), and/or a plant growth regulator, gibberellic acid (GA3), on N2O emission and the nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency of maize. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments in four replicates: control with no N (CK), urea (200 kg N ha–1) alone, urea in combination with nitrapyrin (700 g ha–1), urea in combination with GA3 (60 g ha–1), and urea in combination with nitrapyrin and GA3. The N2O emission, yield, N response efficiency, and total N uptake were measured during the experimental period. The treatment with urea and nitrapyrin reduced total N2O emission by 39%–43% and decreased yield-scaled N2O emission by 47%–52%, relative to the treatment with urea alone. The maize plant biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake increased significantly by 23%, 17%, and 15%, respectively, in the treatment with urea and nitrapyrin, relative to the treatment with urea alone, which was possibly due to N saving, lower N loss, and increased N uptake in the form of ammonium; they were further enhanced in the treatment with urea, nitrapyrin, and GA3 by 27%, 36%, and 25%, respectively, probably because of the stimulating effect of GA3 on plant growth and development and the reduction in biotic and abiotic stresses. These results suggest that applying urea in combination with nitrapyrin and GA3 has the potential to mitigate N2O emission, improve N response efficiency, and increase maize yield.

The Effect of Biochar and Nitrogen Inhibitor on Ammonia and Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Wheat Productivity

A field experiment was conducted study the effect of biochar and a nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin) on NH3 and N2O emissions from a silt clay loam soil near Peshawar, Pakistan. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with eight treatments in three replicates: (no urea), urea (150 kg N ha−1), B (6 t ha−1), B (12 t ha−1), urea + B6, urea + B12, urea + B6 + NI (700 g ha−1), and urea + B12 + NI. Application of urea with two levels of biochar reduced total NH3 by 18–29% and N2O emissions by 25–22%, respectively, relative to the treatment with urea alone. Nitrous oxide emission was significantly lower (51%) in the nitrapyrin treatment than in the urea-alone treatment (P < 0.05), but there was no effect on NH3 emission. The wheat plant biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake increased significantly by 10–21%, 05–15%, and by 11–25%, respectively, in the treatments with urea and biochar, relative to the treatment with urea alone. Additionally, nitrapyrin further enhanced biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake by 33%, 19%, and 46%, respectively, relative to the treatment with urea alone. The results indicate that application of urea with biochar or in combination with nitrapyrin has the potential to mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions, which are important to increase nitrogen use efficiency and wheat productivity.