Wisconsin Soils Research Articles

Molybdenum Status of Three Wisconsin Soils and Its Effect on Four Legume Crops1

SynopsisYields of red clover and yields, nodulation, and N content of soybeans were increased by soil applications of 2 pounds of Na2MoO4.2H2O per acre. Yields of lupines and yields, nodulation, and N content of canning peas were increased by treating the seeds with compounds of Mo. pH of the soils ranged from 5.0 to 5.3. Degree of nodulation and N content of red clover were not increased by Mo even though yields were increased 65%.

Factors Affecting the Lime Requirements of Wisconsin Soils

AbstractSoil factors which have been reported to affect lime requirement were measured on 26 Wisconsin Soils, and the importance of these factors in predicting lime requirement was determined by use of linear and multiple regression. The lime requirement was taken as the amount of < 200‐mesh dolomitic limestone necessary to raise the soil pH to 6.5 after 12 months of equilibration. Organic matter (% OM) was found to be significantly related to lime requirement (r = 0.620), and a function of a pH‐organic matter interaction, (pH 6.5 − soil pH) × (% OM) also correlated well (r = 0.884). Clay content, ranging from 5 to 27%, did not appear to be an important factor in determining lime requirement. Exchangeable Al contents were too low in these soils to contribute significantly, and pH 4.8 NH4OAc‐extractable Al did not appear to be an important factor. Lime requirement as indicated by the new buffer developed by Shoemaker, McLean, and Pratt was very highly correlated with lime requirement (r = 0.949), while the Woodruff buffer did not correlate as well (r = 0.818).

Clay Skin Genesis in Wisconsin Soils

AbstractClay skins separated from the B3 horizon of the “Ockley‐like” silt loam, a Gray‐Brown Podzolic soil, were further analyzed and found to contain 186% as much total phosphorus and 177% as much total manganese as the bulk of the same horizon. More than 200 thin sections were made of samples from a variety of Wisconsin soils, including soils of the Podzol, Gray‐Brown Podzolic, Brunizem and Humic‐Gley great soil groups. A study of volume of clay skins, as determined from microscopic views of thin sections, and soluble salt concentration revealed that in the “Ockley‐like” profile maxima of both occurred in the C1 horizon. By alternately leaching with percolate from a leaching column and drying with a water aspirator, artificial clay skins were produced in “unweathered” loess material. From observations made during this study a definition of the term “clay skin” is proposed and it is concluded that clay skins in Wisconsin soils are formed by the percolation of dilute clay suspension, from which clay is deposited at or below the bottom of the solum as percolation ceases and the larger pores are emptied of water.

New or Noteworthy Penicillia from Wisconsin Soils

Two new species of Penicillium are described: P. pinetorum, assigned to the P. thomii Series and found to be relatively common in soils of Wisconsin forests dominated by red pine, white pine, or bo...

New or Noteworthy Penicillia from Wisconsin Soils

New or Noteworthy Penicillia from Wisconsin Soils

Yield, quality, and phosphorus uptake of potatoes as influenced by placement and composition of potassium fertilizers

Field trials were conducted for a period of several years using three different potato varieties on three different Wisconsin soil types. Comparisons were made between band and broadcast applications of potassium salts containing chlorides and sulfates.

Determination of Available Potassium in Soils of Forest Plantations

AbstractVarious soil biological and chemical tests were compared in respect to their suitability for predicting deficiency of potassium for red pine grown on soils of Wisconsin and New York. The biological tests were accomplished by the Azotobacter and Aspergillus niger methods. The chemical tests included extraction of soil by N NH4OAc of pH 6.9 and 4.6, extraction by N NH4NO3 of pH 6.9 and 4.0, extraction by 0.4 N HCl, ignition of ammonium‐saturated soil followed by extraction with neutral N NH4OAc, and extraction with boiling N HNO3. The last method provided the sharpest distinction between potassium‐deficient and nondeficient forest soils as detected by the rate of growth and response of plantations to application of potash fertilizers.

Soil Aggregation in Relation to Various Soil Constituents

AbstractThe relative importance of diverse factors affecting aggregation in four Wisconsin soil types was studied by multiple regression analyses. Single and combined effects of pH and contents of organic matter, microbial gum, clay, and free iron oxide were considered.In general the most important single factor was the microbial gum. However, in the Kewaunee soil which has a relatively high content of clay and iron oxide, the iron oxide was of prime importance in aggregate formation. In all the soils, iron oxide showed a marked effect on aggregation with a tendency to be more important in the smaller aggregate size range. The effect of clay, however, was very small with the exception of the high clay soil (often > 30% clay), in which its effect was only exceeded by that of the free iron oxide. In the multiple correlation analysis the effect of organic matter was considered separately from that of microbial gums. By this statistical analysis only a slight positive relationship existed between organic matter and soil aggregation, i.e., the effect of organic matter was conditioned largely by its content of microbial gum; pH 6.5 was optimum. No relationship existed between soil aggregation and the rate of decomposition of organic matter as measured by CO2 evolution from the soil.

Influence of Sample Pretreatment on Soil Moisture Retention

AbstractThe effect of sample pretreatment on soil‐moisture retention was measured on eight Wisconsin soils to find the moisture tension range in which undisrupted soil samples are necessary to represent the moisture relations of field soils. The moisture retention of samples with pretreatments either of 2‐mm. sieving or puddling was compared with the retention of undisrupted cores over the moisture tension range of 0.01 to 15 atm.In general, the moisture retention of sieved samples of the medium textured soils studied was increased over core samples at tensions less than 0.4 atm. There was no general relationship in the tension range of 0.4 to 1.0 atm. because of the irregular nature of the release curves of individual soils. Sieving decreased moisture retention about 1 part in 10 at tensions greater than 1.0 atm. Thus sieved samples of the medium textured soils studied can be used to approximate undisrupted soils in the high tension range with a relative error of 10%. Core samples should be used at tensions less than 1.0 atm. to avoid relative errors greater than 10% (up to 30%).Puddled samples retained considerably more water than cores in the tension range from 0.1 to 2.0 atm. although they differed little from core samples at tensions less than 0.05 to 0.1 atm. and greater than 5.0 atm. Puddled soils give a better approximation of undisrupted soils than sieved soils at tensions between 5 and 15 atm.

Interstratified Layer Silicates in Some Soils of Northern Wisconsin

AbstractExamination of the silt and clay fractions of two northern Wisconsin soils, Omega loamy sand of the Brown Podzolic group and Ahmeek loam of the Brown Forest group, revealed considerable quantities of interstratified layer silicates. The two soils contained montmorin, vermiculite, chlorite, and illite both as discrete and interstratified components. Regularly alternating montmorin-illite structures, which registered a 28 Å first order diffraction peak, and vermiculite-illite structures, which yielded a 24 Å first order peak, were observed in the fine silt fractions of the Ahmeek loam A3 and B22 horizons, respectively. Weak diffraction peaks in general and lack of binary mixture average spacings was suggestive of ternary or quarternary interstratification of illite, chlorite, vermiculite, and montmorin in the medium and fine clay fractions of the Ahmeek loam horizons. Randomly interstratified vermiculite-chlorite and vermiculite-montmorin, as revealed by comparative basal diffraction peaks before and after heating potassium saturated samples, were evidenced in the fine silt and clay fractions of the Omega profile.Mixed layer components in the Omega and Ahmeek soils originated from illite and chlorite in the? horizons with a progressive increase in proportions of first vermiculite and finally montmorin with proximity to the soil surface. The observed weathering transitions within the mixed layer structures illustrates the effects of accelerated leaching which has taken place in these coarse textured soil profiles, even though these soils are relatively young (late Pleistocene).

Fertility Erosion on Two Wisconsin Soils1

Fertility Erosion on Two Wisconsin Soils¹

Suggested Terminology for Describing Soils as Three‐dimensional Bodies

AbstractMany papers on soil classification emphasize soil characteristics as revealed in the relatively narrow vertical cross‐sections of soil called soil profiles. The assumption is generally made that the soils, from which the profile descriptions are taken, extend laterally far enough to constitute segments of landscapes. But terminology has not been developed sufficiently to permit both horizontal and vertical aspects to be considered in the description and classification of soils. Some terms are suggested which have been found useful in describing Wisconsin soils as three‐dimensional bodies.

Influence of Forest Cover on the State of the Ground Water Table

AbstractThe state of ground water level was determined in forested and cutover soils of central and northern Wisconsin by observations of open wells during the frost‐free periods. In nonpodzolic, coarse, sandy soils, ground water possesses considerable mobility, and forest cover effected only a slight lowering of the water level, not exceeding 9 inches. The influence of forest cover was most pronounced in the middle of the growing season; from October to May the water table occupied nearly a horizontal position. In strongly podzolized, morainic soils, however, clear cutting of aspen stands produced an average rise of 14 inches, and converted a reasonably well‐drained soil into a semiswamp. In the rainy spring and summer of 1952, this alteration of the ground water table was accompanied by increased run‐off, erosion, and damages to roads.

Oxidation‐reduction Potential and Specific Conductance of Ground Water: Their Influence on Natural Forest Distribution

AbstractThe mineral content of ground water and its degree of stagnation are closely correlated with specific conductance and oxidation‐reduction potential. To eliminate several handicaps involved in sampling and transportation of uncontaminated water samples, a method of direct electrometric analysis of ground water in situ was devised. The assembled portable equipment included a Beckman Model N‐2 potentiometer, a modified Wheatstone bridge, and a specially designed well point, accommodating glass and platinum electrodes, calomel half‐cell, and specific conductance cell. Electrometric analyses were supplemented by determinations of the content of dissolved oxygen and total hardness.Analyses of ground water in lowland and peat soils of Wisconsin and Ontario have shown definite relationships between the properties of ground water and the natural distribution of forest stands.

A Soil Productivity Score Card

AbstractA soil productivity score card has been designed so that any careful agricultural worker can obtain reasonably reliable ratings for individual fields and farms in Wisconsin. The only tools required are a soil sampling tool, leveling device to approximate slopes in percent, sampling bags, and the Soil Productivity Score Card.The ratings indicate relative current capacities of fields to produce crops, and are adjusted to a possible high score of 100, the sum of 11 optimum figures which include 10 ratings for soil and land characteristics and one for length of frost‐free season. The score card offers a choice of four ratings — low to high — for each characteristic. The user of the card is not asked to recognize and map soil types. Rather, he rates soils by fields. Soil samples are taken from each field for pH, and available phosphorus and potassium quick tests. A total farm score may be derived from the field ratings. The score card has been tested on a variety of soils in Wisconsin and the results have been compared with the U. S. Soil Conservation Service land use capability classification of the same fields, and with soil survey productivity ratings. The comparison shows substantial agreement between the three methods of evaluation. On farms which are without any soil map, the score card helps to provide essential information for the guidance of workers in farm planning and rental programs. Admittedly, there are certain inherent defects in a rating scheme of this kind, such as interdependence of soil factors and differential productivity of a given soil for different crops.

Soils of Wisconsin in Relation to Silviculture

Agronomy JournalVolume 43, Issue 5 p. 247-247 Book Review Soils of Wisconsin in Relation to Silviculture By S. A. Wilde, F. G. Wilson, and D. P. White. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Conservation Department. 171 pages (illus.). 1949. $1.00 First published: 01 May 1951 https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1951.00021962004300050019xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume43, Issue5May 1951Pages 247-247 RelatedInformation

Soils of Wisconsin in Relation to Silviculture

Soils of Wisconsin in Relation to Silviculture

Manganese Toxicity of Potatoes in Relation to Strong Soil Acidity

A stem streak necrosis occurs quite commonly in potatoes grown on northern Wisconsin soils more acid than pH 5.0. This necrosis appears as dark brown streaks in the stem with a pale yellow chlorosis in the leaves. As the symptoms progress, the leaves dry and fall of. The affected parts are very brittle and the terminal bud becomes necrotic in severe cases. The plant dies prematurely and tuber yields are seriously reduced. Greenhouse tests with soils showed that fertilizers which lowered the pH of the soil increased the severity of the necrosis, and that it was entirely prevented by the addition of lime. Nutrient solution experiments proved that neither acidity, soluble aluminum, or a deficiency of calcium, magnesium, or iron is the cause of this necrosis, but did show that as little as 2 ppm of soluble manganese in nutrient solutions causes severe necrosis identical to that observed in potatoes in the field, while only trace amounts of manganese were found in the solutions from the same soils after they had been limed in the field. Therefore, it is concluded that an excess of soluble manganese is the soil factor which causes stem streak necrosis in potatoes grown on verymore » acid soils. The application of lime so regulated as to maintain a soil reaction of pH 5.0 to 5.3 is the most practical means of preventing this necrosis.« less

Field Percolation Rates of Four Wisconsin Soils Having Different Drainage Characteristics1

Field Percolation Rates of Four Wisconsin Soils Having Different Drainage Characteristics¹

A Study of Some Aquatic Phycomycetes Isolated from Mexican Soils

Although Butler (1907) discovered more than thirty years ago that species of Pythium could be isolated from the soil, it was not until the application of Butler's cultural methods by Harvey (1925) that the widespread occurrence of the Saprolegniaceae and other water molds in the soil was generally appreciated. Subsequently, the phycomycetous soil flora has been studied in various parts of the world. Coker and Braxton (1926), Coker (1927), and Raper (1928) have made a series of studies of terrestrial forms of the Saprolegniaceae and closely related groups in North Carolina, Couch (1927) has isolated aquatic fungi from soils in New York, and Harvey (1927, 1928, 1930) has investigated the water molds occurring in Wisconsin soils, as well as those of Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Kentucky. The studies of Apinis (1930) in Latvia, Dissmann (1931) in Austria, Barnes and Melville (1932) in England, Cook and Morgan (1934) and Morgan (1938) in Wales, Hohnk (1935) and Richter (1937) in Germany, Nagai (1931) in Japan, and Cookson (1937) in Australia have shown that saprolegniaceous fungi as well as other groups of the aquatic Phycomycetes are widely distributed in soils throughout various parts of the world. These investigations have further demonstrated that while certain species previously found only in water are also quite common in the soil, other forms, including species of the genera Brevilegnia and Geolegnia, are apparently adapted for a strictly terrestrial mode of existence, and are to be found only as constituents of the soil microflora. H6hnk (1935) has clearly correlated the number of motile stages of the zoospores in various genera of the Saproleg-