Distribution Of Soil Nutrients Research Articles

Tillage System Effects on Soil and Plant Nutrient Distributions on Vertisols

Heavy clay soils, such as vertisols of the Texas Blackland Prairie (Houston Black clay [fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Udic Pellusterts]), are difficult to manage for crop production. Such soils typically require high draft for tillage; have limited opportunities for mobility, tillage, and planting; and produce variable crop performance when associated with highly variable weather patterns. This study compared the soil and plant nutrient distributions and yield performance of an experimental no-till farming system with a farming system using modified conventional chisel-till soil management. Raised wide beds and controlled traffic were used for both systems [...]

Spatial Distribution of Soil Nutrients in a Northern Everglades Marsh: Water Conservation Area 2A

AbstractIncreased nutrient loading to the northern Everglades from the nearby Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) has raised concerns of eutrophication of this oligotrophic wetland. A field study was conducted to determine the influence of nutrient loading on spatial distribution of P, N, C, and related physico‐chemical parameters in the peat soils (Histosols) of Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA‐2A) in the northern Everglades. Field sampling of the top 30 cm of soil was performed at 74 sites across WCA‐2A. Isarithmic plots of N and P forms based on geostatistical analyses revealed widespread enrichment of P, especially in areas proximal to surface inflows importing nutrient‐laden water from the EAA. Enrichment of less magnitude was shown for soil N, while spatial variability of C, bulk density, ash content, and pH were minimal. Concentration of soil porewater NH+4‐N was typically in the 1.5 to 2.5 mg L−1 range in the interior (less impacted) region of WCA‐2A, compared with 4 to 8 mg N L−1 near surface inflows at the northern end of WCA‐2A. In contrast, soluble reactive P in the porewater varied from ≈ 100 µg L−1 or less in the interior marsh to >1000 µg L−1 near inflow structures. Mean soil total P at a depth of 0 to 10 cm was 473 mg kg−1 in the interior marsh, compared with 1338 mg kg−1 in the areas adjacent to inflows. Results of this study show that WCA‐2A soil has served as a net storage for the increased load of P in nutrient‐laden surface inflows. Much of the additional soil P is available for plant uptake, based on the magnitude of P enrichment across a large area. Nutrient enrichment in the soil corresponded with the occurrence of cattails (Typha domingensis Pers. and T. Latifolia L.) in areas previously dominated by sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense Crantz).

Soil fertility and its implications for the restoration of heathland on farmland in Southern Britain

The distribution and concentration of extractable soil nutrients were compared between undisturbed heathland soil profiles and those of adjacent farmland which was formerly heathland. Heathland soils are of low fertility and pH. The conversion of heathland to farmland was found to have had profound long-term effects on both soil structure and chemistry. The well-defined mineral and organic soil horizons were mixed by ploughing, and the concentrations of extractable nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and pH were significantly increased by the addition of fertilizers and lime. Following the cessation of farming, concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen declined significantly so that after five to 13 years there were few differences compared with heathland soils. However, the effects of liming were persistent and this was thought to increase indirectly the fertility of the soil. It may be necessary to reduce the nutrient concentrations and pH of these soils as part of the management to restore heathland vegetation under conservation set-aside schemes.

Spatial distribution of soil nutrients and ephemeral plants underneath and outside the canopy of Porlieria chilensis shrubs (Zygophyllaceae) in arid coastal Chile.

Soil nutrients and density and biomass of annual plants underneath and outside the canopy of Porlieria chilensis shrubs were measured at the end of the growing season in a protected arid coastal site in Chile. Levels of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter were significantly higher underneath than outside the canopies of shrubs. Almost 4 times as many plants occurred outside than underneath shrubs, but no significant differences in total aboveground biomass were found. Several species had higher densities and/or biomass outside rather than underneath shrubs, whereas others showed the oppsite trend. Species richness was lower underneath P. chilensis canopy. The spatial microdistribution of ephemeral species may be explained by differential water and nutrient requirements. Comparison of the patterns observed in our protected site versus surrounding unprotected areas supports the generalization that man, by removing shrubs and trees, has changed a previous heterogeneous spatial distribution of nutrients to a more homogenous one.

Soil properties and nutrient distribution in Terminalia superba stands of different age series grown in two soil types of southwestern Nigeria

Soil properties and nutrient distribution under Terminalia superba Engl. and Diels (Afara) stands of 11, 13 and 15 years of age and the adjacent natural vegetation at two sites in Onigambari and Sapoba in southwestern were compared. The two sites differed in climate, parent materials and soil properties. At Onigambari, the organic matter, total N, available P and Cu were higher in the natural vegetation than in the plantations. The decreases observed in the nutrient levels in the plantations may be due to nutrient immobilisation in the growing Terminalia superba trees. Soil changes and foliar nutrient contents in relation to plantation age series are also discussed.

Distribution of Soil and Plant Nutrients along a Trophic Gradient in the Florida Everglades

Distribution of Soil and Plant Nutrients along a Trophic Gradient in the Florida Everglades

Balance sheet of phosphorus, sulphur and potassium in a long-term grazed pasture supplied with superphosphate

A balance sheet of P, S and K was constructed for a long-term trial which investigates the effects of three rates of superphosphate (9% P, 11% S) on pasture production on border-strip irrigated land grazed with sheep. A balance sheet of the inputs and outputs of P, S and K to the trial over a 38 year period showed that of the nutrients applied in fertiliser, only 51–59% of the P and 15–31% of the S were retained in the soil. Small amounts were lost in animal products (4–19% of the applied nutrients) but major losses were attributed to runoff of P as particulate matter (dung and soil particles) during irrigation and leaching of sulphate-S during irrigation. Losses of K from the site were small and had no effect on total soil K content. The distribution of soil nutrients across the border-strips was also investigated. The results showed that the concentrations of total soil P and S and exchangeable K were significantly greater at the sides of the irrigation borders than in the main strip area of pasture. This was caused by deposition of a disproportionate amount of dung and urine (and therefore nutrients) on the levees where the sheep tended to camp. It was calculated that with increasing superphosphate rates greater amounts of P were transferred to the levees due to the increased amounts of P being recycled via the animals (as a result of increased herbage P concentration, pasture production and stocking rate).

An Experimental Study on the Effects of Earthworms on the Ecological Success of Fern Gametophytes

The successful establishment and maintenance of pteridophyte populations requires the co-occurrence of both the gametophyte and the sporophyte life history phases. Yet, most studies of pteridophyte ecology consider only the sporophyte stage (eg. Grime, 1985). While there are a few studies of gametophyte ecology (eg., Cousens, 1988; Duckett, 1985), there is little knowledge of the factors that limit the distribution and abundance of gametophytes. One factor relevant to the gametophyte phase is the earthworm. Modern families of earthworms likely radiated in soils characteristic of angiosperm forests (Satchell, 1983; Bouche, 1983; Piearce, 1989). Lovis (1977) suggests that the modern polypodiaceous ferns radiated in response to ecological changes brought about by the radiation of the angiosperms. Modern genera of earthworms and leptosporangiate ferns evolved during the Tertiary in communities dominated by angiosperms (Lovis, 1977; Bouche, 1983). Earthworms are known to be involved in dispersal of both the seeds of spermatophytes (McRill & Sagar, 1973) and the spores of pteridophytes (Hamilton, 1988). Earthworms may play a particularly important role in bringing buried seeds and spores to the surface and placing them in improved sites for germination (Grant, 1983). Earthworms naturally till the soil, providing increased aeration, increased porosity and a more even distribution of soil nutrients. They also positively influence soil nutrient content by acting as a first step in the decomposition of detritus, and cause an increase in the numbers and diversity among microbial populations in the soil, thereby increasing the rate of decomposition, and increasing nutrient turnover rates (Lee, 1985). Earthworms prey on small pieces of vegetation, fungi, algae, and even other earthworms (Darwin, 1881; Lavelle, 1983; Lee, 1985). The green, surface dwelling gametophytes characteristic of modern ferns would likely make excellent prey for earthworms. As earthworms have been shown to be influential in the gametophyte habitat, an experiment was undertaken to determine if the presence of earthworms influences the germination of spores, gametophyte establishment, and/or gametophyte reproductive success.

Irrigation water salinity affects soil nutrient distribution, root density, and leaf nutrient levels of citrus under drip fertigation1

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of irrigation water salinity on soil nutrient distribution, citrus leaf nutrition and root density. Irrigation water, salinized to an EC of about 0.3,1.6, or 2.5 dS/m using a 3:1 ratio of NaCl:CaCl2 plus uniform weekly applications of liquid fertilizer, was applied through a drip system. Soil samples were taken at depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm, both directly under the drippers and 45 cm outward from the drippers, near 8‐year old ‘Valencia’ orange trees on either Carrizo citrange or Sour orange rootstocks growing in a Candler fine sand in lysimeter tanks. In both undisturbed and uniformly mixed soil profiles, soil pH and concentrations of Na, Ca, and P were higher under the dripper than 45 cm outward from the dripper at both depths regardless of salinity level. Soil N and Cl tended to be higher outward from the drippers than near the drippers, except in undisturbed soil at the 0–15 cm depth. Increasing salinity levels in the mixed soil profile n...

Soil nutrients distribution and moisture dynamics on upper catena in a semi-arid nature reserve

The distribution of soil nutrients and soil moisture dynamics on slopes of catenary landscape, were recorded in a semi-arid nature reserve located in the Eastern Transvaal, South Africa. Soil nutrients were accumulating in the slopes of the catena whereas the crests were highly leached. Open grassland bands segregating between the two soil types and their associated plant species, did not show clear stratification of nutrient deposition amongst ground levels down to 1.5 m below the surface. There was however, a tendency of soils with high nutrient contents to correlate with areas of high woody vegetation density. Patterns of soil moisture levels during two annual rainfall periods showed some segregation between soil depths, although the trends indicated that the duration of saturation and dry out of soils levels differed more between rainy seasons than between soil levels during a particular season.

Surface Soil Nutrient Distribution as Affected by Wheat‐Fallow Tillage Systems

AbstractResearch was conducted to determine long‐term effects of tillage on soil fertility. Our objective was to determine whether crop residue placement caused by differences in tillage would result in changes in levels of plant available nutrients and other metals in the soil. Two native grassland sites in Western Nebraska were managed under three tillage systems; no‐till, stubble‐mulch, and moldboard plow (bare fallow). The first site was in native sod until 1970 when it was plowed and an alternate wheat‐fallow rotation experiment with no fertilization begun. The second site was farmed from 1930 to 1957, then reseeded to crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) until 1969 when it was moldboard plowed and an alternate wheat‐fallow experiment with two rates of N‐fertilization (0 and 45 kg N ha−1 every other year) began. After 16 yr of cultivation, soil test values (NH4HCO3‐DTPA extract) were obtained for samples from the 0‐ to 5‐, 5‐ to 10‐, 10‐ to 20‐cm depths. Except at the lower depths, plow tillage, as compared to no‐till or stubble mulch, decreased levels of soil organic matter and extractable K, Zn, Cu, and Pb at both sites, while extractable Ni was decreased at only one site and extractable P, Fe, Mn and Cd were decreased at the other site. Extractable nutrients and metals were generally not affected by tillage in the 10 to 20 cm depths. Fertilization with N decreased soil pH and extractable inorganic P and Zn levels but increased extractable organic‐P, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, and Ni in the 0‐ to 5‐ cm depth. Soil organic matter and extractable P, K, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Cd levels decreased with depth. This study shows that the adoption of no‐till, compared to stubble‐mulch or plow‐tillage, maintains fertility status of topsoil nearer to that of native prairie soil. Accumulation of crop residues and maintenance of soil organic matter levels appear to be key factors in sustaining soil fertility status of Great Plains soils.

Influence of Tillage in Peppermint on Fumibotys fumalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Common Groundsel, Senecio vulgaris, and Soil Chemical Components

Fall or spring plowing (10–14 cm deep) in peppermint, Mentha piperita L., significantly reduced emergence of adult Fumibotys fumalis (Guenee) and suppressed common groundsel, Senecio vulgaris L. Disking (5–9 cm deep) reduced F. fumalis adult emergence, but did not sufficiently control S. vulgaris to replace current herbicide treatments. Plowed plots had a more uniform pH and distribution of nutrients in the 0- to 15-cm soil stratum. Plowed plots had significantly higher pH and Ca in the 0- to 5-cm stratum and higher P and K in the 5- to 15-cm stratum compared with untilled plots. Disking had an intermediate effect on pH and distribution of soil nutrients. Plowing and disking did not affect peppermint oil yield.

Soil Nutrient Distribution Under and Adjacent to Singleleaf Pinyon Crowns

AbstractSoil nutrient concentrations were examined by horizon and distance from the tree stem of singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem.). Documenting tree impact on the soil system provided insights into observed understory distribution patterns and variations in understory yield among soil microsites reported previously. Nutrient concentrations were greater under the crowns of trees than in soils between trees. Cluster analysis showed a maximum of 80% similarity in the distribution among exchangeable K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+; extractable Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, SO2‐4, PO3‐4; water soluble C, mineralizable‐N, pH, total soluble salts, and HCO‐3 in relation to soil depth and distance from the tree. Soil nutrients and other measured parameters segregated into two main clusters based on distribution patterns. Extractable PO3‐4, Fe3+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, mineralizable‐N, water soluble C, and HCO‐3 were found in highest concentrations at the soil surface. Exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, total soluble salts, and pH had highest values in subsurface horizons. Phosphate, K+, pH, total soluble salts, and Na+ significantly increased from the interspace soils to soils under the tree canopy. Phosphate, mineralizable‐N, Zn2+, Fe3+, and HCO‐3 declined rapidly in concentration from surface to subsurface horizons under the tree crown. Small root density was directly correlated to concentrations of mineralizable‐N, Zn2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+. Nutrient accumulation in conjunction with soil moisture, light, and allelopathic effects is speculated to confer a competitive advantage to the tree species at the expense of the associated understory.

Leaching losses from irrigated pasture: Waiau Irrigation Scheme, North Canterbury

Abstract Leaching of solutes from irrigated pasture in the Waiau Irrigation Scheme, North Canterbury was measured using non-weighing lysimeters. During an irrigation season the leaching losses of total nitrogen (nitrate N + total dissolved Kjeldahl N) ranged from 7 to 70 kg N/ha, phosphorus from 0.4 to 4 kg P/ha, sulphate from 7 to 29 kg S/ha, and potassium from 9 to 26 kg K/ha. The distribution of soil nutrients across the irrigation strip was measured. Urine patches resulted in considerable variability in the data, and tended to occur more frequently near the edge of the border strips, probably because of sheep camping. An assessment of average leaching for the Waiau scheme was made.

Primary Production of a Grassland in Nairobi National Park, Kenya

Taking the solar greenhouses with different cultivating years and vegetables in Ji'nan as test objects, this paper studied the amounts and frequency distribution of soil nutrients and the relationships between cultivating years and soil nutrients accumulation characteristics, and analyzed the factors causing soil salinization and acidification by fitting soil nutrients contents with cultivating years and vegetables. In the greenhouses, the contents of soil alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, organic matter, and electrical conductivity were significantly higher than those in the open field, with an increment of 135.3%, 475.2%, 290.1%, 97.7%, and 188.7%, respectively, but the soil pH value was 0.31 lower than that of open field. The frequency distribution of soil nutrients presented a normal curve. Differences were observed in the soil nutrients contents in the greenhouses with different cultivating vegetables. The soil alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen content and electrical conductivity were in the order of tomato > cucumber > sweet pepper, soil organic matter content and pH value were cucumber > sweet pepper > tomato, soil available phosphorus content was cucumber > tomato > sweet pepper, and soil available potassium content was tomato > cucumber > sweet pepper. There was a mild tendency of soil acidification in soil alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen and available potassium. The decrease of soil pH was closely related to the accumulation of alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen. The soil nutrients accumulation in the greenhouses had the similar patterns, i. e. , rapid accumulation in the first two cultivating years, slowed down in the third and fourth year, and kept stable later, demonstrating a dynamic balance on the whole. All the nutrients contents were positively accumulated, while soil pH presented negatively. In the greenhouses with different cultivating vegetables, there was a significant correlation between soil nutrients and cultivating years, which could be fitted by conic curve or cubic curve.

Influence of Tillage on Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Corn1

AbstractThough it appears that the surface accumulation of soil nutrients and the shallower distribution of roots is not detrimental to crop growth and yield under no‐tillage management, supportive data with respect to nutrient uptake are scarce. A field plot study was conducted over 3 yr utilizing four tillage treatments: (i) conventional tillage (moldboard plow); (ii) no‐tillage (coulter); (iii) no‐tillage with shallow (10 to 15 cm) in‐row chisel; and (iv) no‐tillage with deep (30 to 45 cm) in‐row chisel. The objective was to determine the influence of tillage on nutrient uptake and yield of corn by: (i) measuring changes in distribution of soil nutrients; (ii) determining the nutrient status of corn plants; (iii) measuring rubidium (Rb) uptake by corn plants when Rb was placed at various row positions and depths in the soil profile; and (iv) measuring grain yields. No‐tillage treatments resulted in a redistribution and concentration of soil nutrients at the soil surface, compared with conventional tillage. However, the nutrient status of plants grown under no‐tillage management was equal or superior to those grown by conventional tillage. Furthermore, the activity of roots and the extraction of water and nutrients, as evidenced by Rb uptake, was greater for no‐tillage compared with conventional tillage. No‐tillage, whether in‐row chisel was included or not, resulted in larger plants and greater grain yields. No evidence was obtained that would support deeper placement of nutrients or in‐row chisel operations to improve subsoil rooting under no‐tillage.

Effect of radiata pine on soil chemical characteristics

Soil nutrient contents and distributions beneath planted mature pine ( P. radiata) have been compared with those beneath adjacent native eucalypt at two sites (Wee Jasper and Billapaloola) in the Tumut District, N.S.W. The soil nutrients studied included total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium, together with exchangeable aluminium, calcium, magenesium, potassium and sodium. Planting of pine resulted in a redistribution of nutrients within the ecosystem. At Wee Jasper, nutrients accumulated in the pine stand and it appeared that this had occurred from deeper rooting in the soil profile, while at Billapaloola, nutrients were removed to a greater degree from the soil surface. Changes in total quantities of nutrients were small and there was no evidence of a potential productivity decline in the subsequent rotation from these changes.

Effects of method and timing of nitrogen fertilizer application on irrigated maize growth and nutrient distribution in soil

The growth and nitrogen uptake of a maize crop (Zea mays) were studied under furrow irrigation on a red-brown earth soil. Plots receiving 120 kg N/ha as urea at sowing were compared with unfertilized plots and with plots receiving the same amount of nitrogen, as urea or aqua ammonia, added to water during three irrigations: in the first or last 2 h of three 6-h irrigations (at 20 kg N/ha.h), or continuously during three 6-h irrigations (6.7 kg N1ha.h). Dry matter accumulation and nitrogen uptake measurements made 21,36,49,84 and 150 d after emergence all revealed a consistent pattern of results. The same pattern was also evident in grain yield. Urea-fertilized plots gave higher yields (mean of the three application methods = 3.2 t/ha) than ammonia-fertilized plots (1 .8 t/ha). Application early in the irrigation was superior to application throughout irrigation (3 .2 and 2 .5 t/ha, respectively), while plots receiving nitrogen late in the irrigation gave the lowest yield (1 .8 t/ha). There was no significant (P< 0.05) difference between yield from plots receiving urea early in irrigation and that from those receiving urea at sowing. Soil nitrate-nitrogen concentrations below the hills were higher for urea treatments, suggesting greater penetration of the urea solution. In the ammonia treatments, a much higher concentration of ammonium-nitrogen was found immediately under the furrow than under the furrows of urea-fertilized plots, confirming the relatively restricted movement of ammonia into the soil. Ammonia concentration of the irrigation water fell by up to 32% over a 90 m length of furrow. This loss was ascribed to volatilization. Urea was superior to ammonia largely because it minimized mineral nitrogen retention near the soil surface and because it was not susceptible to volatilization losses. Fertilizer application early in the irrigation, during the period of high infiltration, resulted in lower retention of mineral nitrogen close to the furrow surface and away from the root zone. It also reduced the proportion of nutrient solution lost to the drainage system.

Effects of Tillage Methods on Soil Nutrient Distribution, Plant Nutrient Absorption, Stand, and Yields of Snap Beans and Lima Beans1

Abstract A 3 year (1976-1978) tillage study was conducted with snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and lima beans (P. lunatus L.). Treatments included 2 no-till systems where furrows were opened with a fluted coulter or a vibratory unit, 2 reduced tillage methods with seedbeds prepared with a disk or a powered harrow, and conventional tillage. Tillage method did not affect soil pH at sampled depths. Soil P levels were higher at the 10−15 cm depth with conventional compared to tillage with vibratory unit. Soil K levels were higher at the 5−10 and 10−15 cm depths with conventional tillage. Tillage method did not affect petiole N, K, and Ca concentrations. Petiole P concentrations were lowest with conventional tillage. Petiole Mg concentrations were lowest with the no-till treatments using fluted coulter for snap beans and the vibratory unit for lima beans. Snap bean stand was highest with no-till using the vibratory unit. Tillage method did not affect mean snap bean yield or lima bean stand. Mean lima bean yield was highest with conventional tillage.

The Effect of Fire on Nutrients in a Chaparral Ecosystem

The distribution of nutrients in plants, litter, and soil were studied before and after a prescribed burn in southern California chaparral. Total N, P, K, Na, Mg, and Ca were measured. The various nutrients were distributed differently in the plant parts and the litter before fire and this affected their redistribution by fire. Measurable losses of only 2 nutrients occurred–N (146 kg/ha) and K (49 kg/ha). Erosional losses of nutrients during the first rainy season after fire are also reported.