Soil Ca Content Research Articles

The influence of basswood (Tilia americana) and soil chemistry on soil nitrate concentrations in a northern hardwood forest

In the Arbutus Lake Watershed in the Adirondack Mountains, New York, two nearly adjacent catchments (14 and 15) varied significantly in volume-weighted stream water nitrate (NO3) export (54 and 17 μequiv.·L–1, respectively; P < 0.001). The most notable differences between the catchments were that Catchment 14 had significantly higher soil Ca concentrations and patches of basswood ( Tilia americana L.). We evaluated the possible contributions of basswood and soil Ca concentrations to soil water NO3 concentrations. Among the major overstory tree species, basswood leaf litter had the lowest C:N ratios, highest Ca concentrations, and among the lowest lignin:N ratios. Basswood basal area was significantly related to soil water NO3 concentrations (R = 0.46, P = 0.01). Forest floor and mineral soil Ca concentrations were positively correlated with basswood basal area and negatively correlated with American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) basal area. Our results suggest that a relatively low-density, calciphilic species such as basswood may create, given the proper soil conditions, hotspots with elevated soil water NO3 concentrations. These hotspots result from the convergence of high soil Ca concentrations, due mostly to soil geology, with relatively labile litter substrate available for N mineralization and nitrification.

논 토양에서 석탄회와 석고의 혼합제를 활용한 인산유출 저감

농경지 인산유출 저감을 위한 석탄회-석고의 적정혼합비를 실내시험을 통해서 선발하고 이를 논토양에서 적용 가능성을 평가하였다. 석탄회-석고 혼합제 시용은 두 토양(LS, SiL)에서 토양 중 dissolved reactive P(DRP) 함량을 현저히 감소 시켰다. 그러나 석탄회-석고 혼합비 75:25, 50:50 및 25:75 처리간에 토양 중 DRP 감소 효과는 큰 차이가 없었다. 따라서 석탄회-석고 75:25 혼합제 0, 20, 40, 60 Mg <TEX>$ha^{-1}$</TEX>를 논 토양에 시용하여 벼 재배 기간동안 DRP 함량과 수확 후 형태별 인산 함량변화를 조사하였다. 혼합제 시용량 증가에 따라서 토양 중 DRP 함량은 감소하였으나, 수확 후 토양 중 Ca-P 함량은 혼합제 시용량 증가에 따라서 증가되었다. 그리고 혼합제 시용량 증가에 따라서 토양 중 유효인산, 유효규산 및 치환성 칼슘 함량이 현저히 증가되었다. 따라서 석탄회-석고 혼합제는 토양 중 인산의 용해도를 감소 시켜 농경지로부터 인산유출을 저감시킴과 동시에 토양 비옥도 증진에 우수한 제재로 평가되었다. Phosphorus transfer from agricultural soils to surface waters is an important environmental issue. Fly ash and phospho-gypsum which are industrial by-product were investigated as a means of reducing dissolved phosphorus in arable soil. To determine the optimum mixing ratio of fly ash(FA) and phospho-gypsum(PG) for reducing dissolved reactive P(DRP) in soil, various mixture ratio of FA and PG were mixed with two soil. The DRP content and pH in soils were analysed after 3 weeks incubation under flooding condition. Although DRP content in soils was significantly decreased by FA-PG mixture compared with control, there were no significant difference among the FA and PG mixture ratio of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. The mixture of 75% FA and 25% PG was selected for field test. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the reducing DRP content in paddy soil to which 0(NPK), 20(FG 20), 40(FG 40), and 60(FG 60) Mg <TEX>$ha^{-1}$</TEX> of the mixture were applied. The DRP content was reduced by 31% at the application rate of 60 Mg <TEX>$ha^{-1}$</TEX>. In contrast to deceasing DRP, Ca-P content increased significantly with the mixture application rate. After rice harvesting, available <TEX>$SiO_2$</TEX>, P, and exchangeable Ca content in soil increased significantly with application rate due to high content of Si, P, and Ca in the mixture. Mixtures of fly ash and gypsum should reduce P loss from paddy soil and increase soil fertility.

Performance of green maize and soil nutrient changes with fortified cow dung

Organic manures are known to have the ability of supplying both the required macro and micro plant nutrients but in low quantities and usually not early enough for quick utilization. Enriching the manure combats the deficiency of late and low supply of nutrients. Experiments were conducted to assess the growth and yield of maize with Nitrogen-enriched cow dung. This was compared with performance with inorganic NPK fertilization and no fertilizer control. Maize growth was significantly (P = 0.05) affected by application of an enriched cow dung. The plants were comparable in height and leaf area with inorganic fertilizer. Fertilization of maize gave significantly (P = 0.05) higher grain yields. Fortified cow dung gave an average yield of 3.78 t ha-1 while inorganic fertilizer gave a yield of 3.70 t ha-1. The unfertilized control plants had an average yield of 2.47 t ha-1. Yield from the enriched cow dung was comparable with yield from inorganic fertilization. This shows the potential of the use of N-enriched cow dung as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers. Fortified cow dung increased soil N, P and K contents by 25, 1 and 62%, respectively. It also increased the soil Ca and Mg contents by 2 and 8%, respectively. Decomposed cow dung, fortified with Nitrogen can be applied at 2.5 t ha-1 to cultivate maize. It gives a comparable yield as inorganic fertilizer and increases the soil N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents. Key words: Maize, growth, yield, cow dung, N-fortification, soil nutrients.

Influences of calcium availability and tree species on Ca isotope fractionation in soil and vegetation

The calcium (Ca) isotope system is potentially of great use for understanding biogeochemical processes at multiple scales in forest ecosystems, yet remains largely unexplored for this purpose. In order to further our understanding of Ca behavior in forests, we examined two nearly adjacent hardwood-dominated catchments with differing soil Ca concentrations, developed from crystalline bedrock, to determine the variability of 44Ca/40Ca ratios (expressed as δ44Ca) within soil and vegetation pools. For both sugar maple and American beech, the Ca isotope compositions of the measured roots and calculated bulk trees were considerably lighter than those of soil pools at these sites, suggesting that the trees were able to preferentially take up light Ca at the root–soil interface. The Ca isotope compositions of three of four root samples were among the lightest values yet reported for terrestrial materials (δ44Ca ≤−3.95‰). Our results further indicate that Ca isotopes were fractionated along the transpiration streams of both tree species with roots having the least δ44Ca values and leaf litter the greatest. An approximately 2‰ difference in δ44Ca values between roots and leaf litter of both tree species suggests a persistent fractionation mechanism along the transpiration stream, likely related to Ca binding in wood tissue coupled with internal ion exchange. Finally, our data indicate that differing tree species demand for Ca and soil Ca concentrations together may influence Ca isotope distribution within the trees. Inter-catchment differences in Ca isotope distributions in soils and trees were minor, indicating that the results of our study may have broad transferability to studies of forest ecosystems in catchments developed on crystalline substrates elsewhere.

Relationship between calcium decoding elements and plant abiotic-stress resistance.

Serving as an important second messenger, calcium ion has unique properties and universal ability to transmit diverse signals that trigger primary physiological actions in cells in response to hormones, pathogens, light, gravity, and stress factors. Being a second messenger of paramount significance, calcium is required at almost all stages of plant growth and development, playing a fundamental role in regulating polar growth of cells and tissues and participating in plant adaptation to various stress factors. Many researches showed that calcium signals decoding elements are involved in ABA-induced stomatal closure and plant adaptation to drought, cold, salt and other abiotic stresses. Calcium channel proteins like AtTPC1 and TaTPC1 can regulate stomatal closure. Recently some new studies show that Ca(2+) is dissolved in water in the apoplast and transported primarily from root to shoot through the transpiration stream. The oscillating amplitudes of [Ca(2+)](o) and [Ca(2+)](i) are controlled by soil Ca(2+) concentrations and transpiration rates. Because leaf water use efficiency (WUE) is determined by stomatal closure and transpiration rate, so there may be a close relationship between Ca(2+) transporters and stomatal closure as well as WUE, which needs to be studied. The selection of varieties with better drought resistance and high WUE plays an increasing role in bio-watersaving in arid and semi-arid areas on the globe. The current paper reviews the relationship between calcium signals decoding elements and plant drought resistance as well as other abiotic stresses for further study.

Foliar and wood chemistry of sugar maple along a gradient of soil acidity and stand health

The decline of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) in forest of north-eastern North America is an important environmental issue. In this study, relationships between, soil, wood and foliar chemistry were assessed for 17 stands distributed within a large area of the Quebec sugar maple forest and that were growing on soils with a strong gradient of acidity and base saturation. There were many significant relationships between variables describing the acid-base status of the top-B soil (Ca and Mg concentrations, exchangeable acidity and base saturation) and Ca and Mn concentrations and Ca/Mn and Mg/Mn in tree tissues. Manganese was the element that showed the strongest inverse non-linear relationships with top-B soil base saturation with variance explanation of 71 and 65%, for wood and foliage, respectively. The 17 sites were divided in two groups according to their level of decline. The declining stands had significantly higher wood Mn and Mg concentrations and lower Ca/Mn ratios and significantly higher foliar Mn and lower Ca and Al concentrations. It was impossible to determine if these differences were a cause or a symptom of sugar maple health. However, the increase in Mn concentrations in tree tissues with increasing soil acidity, as well as the higher Mn concentrations in declining as compared to healthy stands suggest that Mn, as well as low Ca availability, could be an important contributing factor in the sugar maple decline.

Mineral concentrations in herbage and soil in a Pinus radiata silvopastoral system in north‐west Spain after sewage sludge and lime application

SummarySilvopastoral systems in north‐west Spain can reduce the risk of fires and promote multi‐purpose forest land use. Fertilizer application is important for optimal pasture and tree production. The application rate of sewage sludge as a fertilizer is regulated and is based on its nutrient concentration, especially nitrogen. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of three consecutive years of application of different application rates of sewage sludge and inorganic fertilizer, with or without lime (2·5 t CaCO3 ha−1) on the ammonium, nitrate and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg contents in soil, and on the crude protein (CP), K, Ca and Mg concentrations in herbage in a silvopastoral system established under a 5‐year‐old Pinus radiata D. Don plantation with a density of 1667 trees ha−1. The experiment was started in autumn 1997, when a pasture mixture was sown (25 kg ha−1Lolium perenne, 10 kg ha−1Dactylis glomerata and 4 kg ha−1Trifolium repens). Changes in ammonium and nitrate content in the soil in response to liming and sewage sludge application reflected the initial pH of the soil. In general, liming increased the available Ca and Mg content in soil, and CP and Ca concentrations in herbage, but reduced exchangeable K content in the soil in the first year. Application of sewage sludge increased all of the measured nutrients in both soil and herbage.

Calcium concentrations of soil affect suppressiveness against Aphanomyces root rot of pea

The potential for field soils to cause Aphanomyces root rot of pea ( Pisum sativum) was estimated for a large number of samples from commercial pea fields over a period of 5 years, using a greenhouse bioassay. The aim of the research project was to gain a mechanistic understanding of soil suppressiveness to the disease. Regression analysis showed that of the measured soil variables (Ca, Mg, K, P, pH), soil Ca concentrations had the strongest (negative) correlation with disease prevalence, and also a significant negative correlation with disease severity in samples with confirmed presence of the disease. Greenhouse bioassays using a set of non-infested soils inoculated with artificially produced oospore inoculum of the casual organism Aphanomyces euteiches, showed a similar negative correlation between soil Ca content and disease severity. Disease severity was not consistently affected by soil sterilisation, but was lowered by the addition of two different Ca salts. In contrast, addition of sodium bicarbonate to two soils lowered the content of water-soluble Ca in the soils and increased disease severity. Studies of cultures of A. euteiches exposed to varying Ca concentrations in vitro showed that zoospore production was inhibited at submillimolar concentrations, while mycelial growth was stimulated or unaffected. We conclude that free Ca is a major variable controlling the degree of soil suppressiveness against A. euteiches, and that inhibition of zoospore production from oospores is a possible mechanism.

토양내 중금속 유효도와 미나리중의 흡수이행성 평가

공업단지 인근 중금속 복합오염 농경지에서 중금속 오염 특성과 재배작물인 미나리중에 흡수 축적된 중금속과의 관계를 구명하기 위해 토양내 중금속의 상대적인 오염평가지수, 미나리의 중금속 축적양상 및 식물흡수도 등을 분석 검토하였다. 토양의 화학성분은 일반 논토양보다 대체로 높았으며, 특히 토양 pH및 치환성 Ca 함량이 매우 높았다. 토양의 중금속 중 Cd 및 Cu 농도가 우리나라 토양환경기준을 초과하였고, 년차별 0.1N-HCl 추출 가용성함량은 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 토양의 중금속 오염지수(PI) 및 그 편차는 재배토양 보다 농수로 퇴적토양에서 높았고, 중금속별 지화학적농축계수(Igeo)는 Cu>Cd>Ni>Zn>Pb 순이었다. 토양의 전함량에 대한 0.1N-HCl 침출성 함량 비율은 Cd>Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb 순이었고, 그 관계에서 Cd 및 Ni 성분은 고도의 정의 상관을 나타내었다. 미나리 부위별 중금속은 대부분이 뿌리에 축적되었으며, 지상부로의 이행지수(TF)는 Zn 및 Cu가 높은 경향이었다. 식물 흡수도는 비나리 부위 및 성분별로 큰 차이를 보였고, 토양 및 부위별 농도간에는 Cd, Cu 및 Ni 성분이 상관성이 높게 나타났다. 이상의 결과에서 토양의 중금속 오염도는 매우 높았으나 재배작물인 미나리중의 중금속은 대부분 뿌리에서 축적되고, 가식부위인 지상부로의 이행성은 매우 낮은 것을 알 수 있었다. This experiment was conducted to investigate heavy metal transition and bioavailability from soil to the edible pare of water dropwort near industrial complex. The soils were collected from the paddies cultivating water dropwort stream sediments, and background soils near industrial complex. The pH values, organic matter, Av. <TEX>$P_2O_5$</TEX>, Ex. Ca content of paddy soils were higher than those measured for nor-contaminated paddy fields in 2003. The contents of Cd and Cu was higher than those of standard level for soil contamination by Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea. The pollution index in stream sediments were higher than those of paddies cultivating water dropwort. The geoaccumulation index of heavy metals in paddy soils and stream sediment were in the order Cu>Cd>Ni>Zn>Pb. The rates of 0.1N-HCl extractable heavy metals to total contents in soils were in the order Cd>Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb. In case of Cd and Ni in paddy soils near industrial complex, 0.1N-HCl extractable heavy metals and total content were highly correlated with each other. Heavy metal contents in mot parts were higher than those in top pare of water dropwort. The Zn and Cu transfer factor from soil to the top pare of water dropwort were higher than those of other heavy metals. The bioavailability of water dropwort varied considerably between the different parts and heavy metals. Cd, Cu and Ni contents in water dropwort were correlated with each elements in paddy soils.

Spatial Patchiness of Litter, Nutrients and Macroinvertebrates during Secondary Succession in a Tropical Montane Cloud Forest in Mexico

We test the hypothesis that secondary succession in Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) in Mexico is accompanied by an increase in the spatial structuring of litter resources, soil nutrient concentrations and the soil macroinvertebrate community at a within-plot scale (5–25 m). This increased spatial structuring is expected because secondary succession in these forests is associated with an increase in the diversity of trees that dominate the canopy. If each tree species generates a particular soil environment under its canopy, then under a diverse tree community, soil properties will be spatially very heterogeneous. Tree censuses and grid sampling were performed in four successional stages of a secondary chronosequence of TMCF. Variography was used to analyse spatial patterns in continuous variables such as nutrient concentrations, while Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices (SADIE) was applied to determine patchiness in the distribution of soil macroinvertebrate taxa. Secondary succession was found to be accompanied by the predicted increase in the spatial structuring of litter resources and the macroinvertebrate community at the within-plot scale. Spatial patterns in the macroinvertebrate community only became evident for all taxa in the oldest forest (100 years old). Patches with low Ca and Mg concentrations in early successional soils were associated with patches where pine litter was most abundant while those with low P concentrations in late successional stages were associated with patches where oak litter was most abundant. Results suggest that anthropogenic disturbance aboveground promotes a more homogeneous resource environment in the surface soil, which compared to older forests, sustains a less diverse and less spatially structured macroinvertebrate community.

Revisiting a 37 years abandoned fertilizer experiment on Nardus grassland in the Czech Republic

A set-aside experiment on sub-alpine Nardo-Caricion rigidae grassland was identified in the Giant Mts. (Krkonos ye, Karkonosze), in which Ca, N and P fertilizers were each applied at three rates on five occasions from 1965 to 1967; since that time plots remained abandoned. In 2004, the effect of all fertilized treatments on sward structure was still visible 37 years after the last fertilizer application. Avenella flexuosa and Anthoxanthum alpinum were the dominant species in phosphorus fertilized plots whereas Nardus stricta was the dominant species in the control as well as in the limed and nitrogen fertilized treatments. The biomass production of A. alpinum was higher in all fertilized treatments than in the control but significantly only in one P treatment. The lowest amount of dead aboveground biomass was found in all P fertilized plots followed by two Ca treatments. P, Ca and NO3 concentrations in the biomass were highest in P treatments and Ca concentration was higher, but non-significantly differing from control, also in two Ca treatments. Soil pH was highest in two Ca treatments and was affected by soil Ca concentration. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

GYPSUM AFFECTS AMERICAN GINSENG'S GROWTH, NUTRITION, AND GINSENOSIDES

In the Northeast, wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) is typically found growing in the dense shade provided by deciduous hardwood tree species such as a sugar maple, in slightly acidic soils with relatively high calcium content. Woods cultivated ginseng is often grown in forest farming agroforestry systems under similar conditions. Supplemental calcium by soil incorporation of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) is often recommended for woods cultivated ginseng. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this practice on soil chemical properties, plant growth and quality of American ginseng. In a greenhouse pot culture experiment, 2-year-old seedlings were treated with 0, 2, 4, 8, or 16 Mt·ha–1 gypsum and grown for 12 weeks. Gypsum application decreased soil pH slightly, elevated soil electrical conductivity and increased available soil Ca and sulfate concentrations. Tissue calcium concentration was increased with by gypsum treatment, but shoot and root growth was reduced. HPLC analysis of root ginsenosides revealed that Re, Rb1, Rc, and Rb2, PT ginsenoside (sum of ginsenoside Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd) and total ginsenoside concentration increased by gypsum soil amendment.

Major and trace metal extraction from soil by EDTA: Equilibrium and kinetic studies

EDTA, a powerful chelating agent, is used extensively in soil sciences to determine the bioavailability of trace metals and their possible decontamination from polluted soils. Because of its non-selective nature, the co-dissolution of major elements also occurs, in addition to the extraction of trace metal ions. In this work, the reactivity of trace and major elements (Pb, Cu, Cd, Al, Fe, Ca and Mg) with different concentrations of EDTA was studied in eight soil samples (Burgundy, France). The limit between lack and excess of EDTA with respect to total metal extracted, determined after 24 h of reaction for different types of soil varied from 0.002 to 0.05 M, respectively. For calcareous samples the amount of Pb, Cu and Cd extracted by EDTA was reduced to 50% of that extracted in non-calcareous soils. From the kinetic point of view, the extraction behavior of major elements seemed to depend heavily on excess or lack of EDTA and the soil Ca content. For a lack of EDTA, different competitive behaviors were revealed for the major elements (Al, Ca, Fe and Mg) towards the reagent, depending on the soil matrix. According to these experimental results, the mass balance between the reagent and cations in any EDTA–soil media is strongly controlled by major metal extraction. When choosing the reagent concentration needed to extract the trace metals efficiently, all the extractable metal present in the concerned sample must be taken into account.

Associations of calcium and aluminum with the growth and health of sugar maple trees in Vermont

We compared tree growth and crown condition with soil and foliar elemental composition in 14 sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands in VT, USA, to evaluate if deficiencies or imbalances in cation nutrition were associated with growth and health reductions in native stands. The Till Source Model (TSM) was used to select study sites potentially high or low in calcium (Ca) by predicting the relative Ca concentration of soil parent material derived from glacial till. The TSM successfully identified high or low levels of soil Ca ( P = 0.031) and foliar Ca ( P = 0.011) among stands. Although soil Ca, potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe) concentrations were all associated with stand growth and health, the influence of K, P, and Fe on health appeared indirect and potentially a result of autocorrelations between Ca and these nutrients. The only cases where improved health coincided with increased soil element content involved Ca and molar ratios of Ca and aluminum (Al). Among foliar nutrients, significant relationships with elevated branch dieback were only found for low foliar Ca ( P = 0.021) and high foliar Al ( P = 0.035). Average annual basal area growth during the decade prior to sampling was lower for trees in stands with low foliar Ca ( P = 0.050) and high foliar Al ( P = 0.017). These data emphasize the importance of Ca and Al to sugar maple health and highlight the vulnerability of sugar maple stands to declines in growth and vigor following continued anthropogenic Ca depletion.

Chemical attributes of a degraded soil after application of water treatment sludges

Mining is an activity that tends to degrade the environment. The restoration of mining areas, aims to accelerate and improve the succession process according to its future use. The objective of this work was to rehabilitate a soil degraded by tin mining activities in the Amazon Basin (Jamari National Forest, State of Rondônia) with the application of water treatment sludge (WTS), and verify the effect of sludge on values of pH (CaCl2 0.01 mol L-1), organic matter, P, Ca, Mg, K, H+Al, and soil micronutrient contents when cultivated with native plants, legumes, and grass species. A factorial (3 X 5) experimental design was used to optimize the rehabilitation of these areas including three N rates (100, 200, and 300 mg N kg-1 soil supplied by WTS), five plant species (grasses, legumes, and native plants), and two controls (degraded soil with no fertilizer and degraded soil fertilized with mineral fertilizers), with four replications. WTS increased pH values. The chemical products used to treat the water contributed, in greater extension, to increase soil Ca and Fe contents. The use of WTS as fertilizer proved viable, since it contains nutrients for plants; however, nitrogen should not be used as a criterion to define the rate of sludge application, because it is present at small amounts in the WTS.

제주화산회토양에서 발효 톱밥 돈분 시용이 피의 건물수량, 토양의 이화학적 성질 및 토양 미생물에 미치는 영향

여름 사료작물 피에 대해 톱밥 발효돈분의 비료효과를 구명하기 위하여 1998년 5월부터 10월까지 제주대학교 생명자원과학대학 사료작물 포장에서 시험이 수행되었다. 실험은 난괴법 6처리 3반복으로써 처리 1: 화학비료 정량<TEX>$(N\;200kg/ha+P_2O_5\;300kg/ha+K_2O\;200kg/ha)$</TEX>, 처리 2: 화학비료 정량의 <TEX>$1/2(N\;100kg/ha+P_2O_5\;150kg/ha+K_2O\;100kg/ha)$</TEX>+톱밥 발효돈분 정량의 1/2 (N 100kg/ha), 처리 3: 톱밥 발효돈분 정량의 1/2(N 100kg/ha), 처리 4: 톱밥 발효돈분 정량(N 200kg/ha), 처리 5: 톱밥 발효돈분 정량의 2배(N 400kg/ha), 처리 6: 톱밥 발효돈분 정량의 4배(N 800kg/ha)로 설계하였다. 동일한 질소 200kg/ha 시용수준에서 화학비료 <TEX>$100\%$</TEX> 시용구(T71)가 톱밥 돈분과 화학비료 혼합(T2)이나 톱밥 발효돈분 <TEX>$100\%$</TEX> 시용구(T4) 보다 통계적으로 낮은 건물수량을 얻었다. (p<0.01). 톱밥 발효돈분을 질소수준으로 100, 200, 400 및 800kg/ha 시용수준에서 피의 건물 수량은 각각 7,707, 8,259, 8,713 및 6,842 kg/ha이었고 질소 400kg/ha까지 시용량 증가로 건물수량이 증가하나 그 이상에서는 감소하였다. 피의 P. K 및 Ca 함량은 톱밥 발효돈분의 시용량 증가로 감소하는 경향이었으며 동일한 질소 200kg/ha 수준에서 피의 P와 K 함량은 톱밥 발효 돈분구 보다 화학비료구에서 유의적으로 낮았다(P<0.05). 토양의 pH, 유효인산, 치환성 K, Ca 및 Mg 함량은 톱밥 발효돈분의 시용량 증가로 유의적 증가를 보였으며(P<0.05) 같은 질소 200kg/ha 수준에서 화학비료구 보다 톱밥 발효 돈분 시용구에서 높았으나 통계적으로 유의차를 얻지 못했다. 1998년 6월에 토양 미생물 중 박테리아 수는 톱밥 발효돈분 시용량 증가로 증가했으나(P<0.05), 10윈 조사시에는 일정한 경향이 없었다. 10원에 박테리아 대사상균 비율은 톱밥 발효돈분의 시용량 증가에 비례하여 감소하는 추세였다. 종합적으로 볼 때 척박토양에서 피 재배시 톱밥 발효돈분 100kg/ha와 화학비료 100kg/ha 혼합하거나 톱밥발효돈분만 N 400kg/ha 까지가 적정 수준이다. This experiment was carried out during the period from May to October 1998 to determine the effect of fermented sawdust swine manure application (SSM) on the herbage production of Japanese millet and soil properties in the Cheju brown volcanic ash soil. The randomized block design (T1 : basic chemical fertilizer, N 200 kg/ha + <TEX>$P_2O_5\;300 kg/ha+K_2O$</TEX> 200kg/ha ; T2 : 1/2 basic chemical fertilizer, N <TEX>$100+P_2O_5\;150+K_2O$</TEX> 100kg/ha; T3 : 1/2 basic SSM, N 100kg/ha, T4:basic SSM, N 200kg/ha; T5:2 times basic SSM, N 400 kg/ha ; T6:4 times basic SSM, N 800 kg/ha) was used. At the same application level of nitrogen 200kg/ha, the application of <TEX>$100\%$</TEX> chemical fertilizer (T1) had significantly lower dry matter yield than that of <TEX>$50\%$</TEX> chemical fertilizer and <TEX>$50\%$</TEX> SSM (T2) or <TEX>$100\%$</TEX> SSM (T4)(p<0.01). Dry matter yield increased with an increase of SSM application to N 400kg/ha level but decreased at N 800 kg/ha level. P, K and Ca contents of Japanese millet tended towards to decrease with an increase of SSM level. The application of chemical fertilizer lowered P and K content of Japanese millet in comparison with that of SSM (p<0.05). pH, available phosphorus. exchangeable potassium, Ca and Mg content of soil studied showed a significant increase with an increase of SSM application level (p<0.05). However, at the same application level of N 200kg/ha, there was statistically no significant difference between chemical fertilizer and SSM in those contents of soil after experiment. The bacterial number of soil among microbial population increased with an increase of SSM level, in June, 1998 (p<0.05), but there was no regular tendency, in October. The rate of bacteria to fungus in soil had a tendency to decrease with an increase of SSM level. In conclusion, it is recommended to use N 400kg/ha of SSM or N 100 kg/ha of chemical fertilizer+N 100 kg/ha of SSM for Japanese millet.

Factors controlling spatial distribution of soil acidification and Al forms in forest soils

Soil acidification and Al release in forest soils is controlled by a number of factors, like acid deposition, forest type, parent rock, altitude, etc. This paper studies the principal stand factors affecting spatial distribution of the content of KCl-extractable Al (Al KCl, mainly exchangeable), Na 4P 2O 7-extractable Al ( Al Na 4 P 2 O 7 , mainly organically bound), and other soil characteristics related to acidification in surface organic (O) and subsurface mineral (B) horizons in the Jizera Mountains region. Geostatistical methods were exploited. The highest Al KCl contents in the O horizons were related to high S and N content, low pH and low Ca and Mg content in soil. Liming decreased Al KCl contents in the O horizons. Al Na 4 P 2 O 7 in the O horizons was more abundant under spruce than under beech; in both horizons it was increased on the immission clear-cut areas populated by grass. Surface horizons are more sensitive to external influence (acid deposition, liming) and their spatial variation is stronger. In the mineral horizons, the effect of pedogenetic processes is more important. The effect of stand factors on Al behaviour is complex and often indirect, mediated for example by organic matter or soil reaction. It is difficult to clearly distinguish the effects of the particular factors.

The influence of climate and soil properties on calcium nutrition and vitality of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.)

As a part of a broader research into the nutrition of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), the variation of calcium concentrations was investigated in needles and soil in two subsequent, climatologically diverse years. Statistically significant differences between plots were determined in Ca concentrations in soils. Concentrations of Ca in needles were statistically different regarding plot, defoliation class, sampling date within the same year and also between years. Fir trees on acid-rock based soils had lower, often inadequate concentrations of Ca in needles; the opposite was true for trees growing on Ca-rich soils. Trees of lower vitality generally exhibited poor Ca nutrition. Drought in the second year of research caused poor absorption of Ca on all plots and in all defoliation classes, but the combined influence of climate and soil properties affected especially trees of low vitality on acid-rock based soils.

Effects of Several Applications of Digested Sewage Sludge on Soil and Plants

Sewage sludge production has significantly increased during the last years in European Union (EU) countries, being primarily used for agricultural purposes. In this study, digested sewage sludge was applied to greenhouse soil over a three-year period (2001–2003), with three sludge treatments in the first two years (2, 4, and 6 kg m−2) and three more applications using a greater quantity in the last year (6, 8, and 10 kg m−2). The effects of sewage sludge application on soil and on a leafy crop (Lactuca sativa L.) were studied. Mineral elements, organic matter, pH, and heavy metals were measured in soil and plant tissues. Pathogen and indicator microorganism dynamics in soil were also determined after each sludge application. Results showed that sewage sludge applications increased organic matter, P, and N Ca content in soil. Furthermore, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cu content increased in soils, primarily after high doses of sludge. The highest yield value was obtained in the second-year harvest, since the last sludge application did not increase yield. Fecal coliform numbers decreased significantly one month after sludge application. However, total coliforms, Clostridium sulphite-reducers and Salmonella, were present in soils three months after sludge application.

Effect of Soluble Calcium and IBA Treatments on Fruit Characteristics and Browning of Blossom End Part in `Fuyu' Sweet Persimmon

Sweet persimmon, `Fuyu', is the major cultivar for MA storage, but browning of blossom end part (BBEP) and darkening are occurring during storage and decrease fruit qualities in fresh fruit markets in Korea. The symptom of BBEP of fruit started to occur on the blossom end part and spread to the middle and stem end part. These fruits lose their marketable values. Calcium has very important role in cell membrane in physical and physiological. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of soluble Ca treatments of fertigation (FG) and foliar application (FA) on soil properties, tree growth and fruit quality and on the occurrence of BBEP. Ca content was high in Ca FA and Ca + IBA FG compared to other treatments. This increase might affect the soil pH, and so pH followed the same pattern of Ca content in soil. In leaves and fruits, Ca content was much higher in Ca Ca FA and Ca + IBA, Ca FG, respectively. Ca content in fruit parts showed stem end part “middle part” blossom end part. In fruit quality, fruit firmness, soluble solid content and fruit weight did not show any tendency in treatments. The occurrence rate of BBEP was very low 14% in Ca FA and 20% in Ca FG than 50% in control. These results showed that Ca content in soil, leaves and fruits was increased by soil FG and FA and the increased Ca content in blossom end part have a negative relationship with BBEP in sweet persimmon.