Soil Productive Potential Research Articles

Evaluación multicriterio y multiobjetivo para optimizar la selección de áreas para establecer plantaciones forestales

La selección del sitio adecuado para establecer plantaciones forestales es crucial si se desea maximizar su probabilidad de éxito. Los análisis de aptitud de tierras sirven para ese propósito al empatar los requerimientos ecológicos de las especies a plantar con el potencial productivo del suelo y con las condiciones climáticas existentes para el crecimiento óptimo de las especies elegidas. Este estudio describe un modelo, desarrollado en el marco del proceso analítico jerárquico y la asignación de tierras multiobjetivo e integrado en un sistema de información geográfica, para seleccionar el sitio óptimo para el establecimiento de plantaciones forestales comerciales en los municipios Durango, Nombre de Dios y Súchil, del estado de Durango, México, considerando seis especies de pino (Pinus engelmannii, P. leiophylla, P. arizonica, P. cembroides, P.chihuahuana y P. durangensis). El modelo es jerárquico, considera criterios y subcriterios climáticos, edafológicos y topográficos que afectan la localización de áreas adecuadas para establecer plantaciones forestales comerciales. Los valores de los subcriterios fueron estandarizados, ponderados y ordenados mediante matrices de comparaciones pareadas, considerando su importancia para el desarrollo de plantaciones. El modelo inicialmente cuantificó la aptitud de la tierra para establecer plantaciones forestales. Posteriormente, los resultados de aptitud se optimizaron mediante un procedimiento multiobjetivo para identificar la mejor especie a plantar en la zona bajo cuatro escenarios de decisión: turno de producción, calidad de la madera, supervivencia y susceptibilidad a plagas y enfermedades. Los resultados indican que el municipio de Durango presenta la mayor cantidad de áreas óptimas para establecer plantaciones forestales con las especies analizadas.

Using an objective and probabilistic model to delineate homogeneous zones in hedgerow olive orchards

The first stage to implement site-specific crop management (SSCM) within an agricultural field consists in determining subfields of similar production potential, that is, management zones (MZ). Different approaches have been proposed to delineate MZ, but sometimes results are inaccurate and unsatisfactory. In this study, the formulation of the Rasch measurement model, as an objective method which synthesizes data with different units into a uniform analytical framework, is considered to calculate measures of production potential at some locations of an olive orchard. Later, they can be used to delimit MZ.With the aim of illustrating this approach, nine soil properties (soil apparent electrical conductivity, clay, sand, and silt content, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous and potassium, and cation exchange capacity) measured from soil samples taken at 40 locations in a field were considered. The main results, after applying the Rasch model, were a ranking of all locations according to the soil production potential and another one in which the influence on the production potential of each individual soil property is shown. Moreover, those soil samples or properties which have any anomaly where highlighted; this information can be necessary to conduct site-specific treatments, leading to a more cost-effective and sustainable field management. Additionally, estimates using geostatistical algorithms were utilised to map soil production potential and to delineate with a rational basis the MZ in the field.

Effects of soil erosion and land use on spatial distribution of soil total phosphorus in a small watershed on the Loess Plateau, China

Soil total phosphorus (STP) is a major determinant and indicator of soil fertility and quality. Information on the spatial distribution of STP is important in assessing current or potential soil productivity and estimating environmental pollution. In this study, a total of 1015 soil samples, taken at 20 cm intervals up to a depth of 100 cm, were collected from 202 sites representing five land-use types using grid sampling, this was an unprecedented high sampling density and sampling depth study in a small watershed on the Loess Plateau, China. Spatial variation in soil total phosphorus (STP) was studied using classical statistics and geo-statistics. Soil total phosphorus showed moderate variability across the soil profile and a marked dependence on depth, as follows: 0–20 cm (surface layer), 0.86–6.06 g/kg; 20–40 cm, 0.12–5.32 g/kg; 40–60 cm, 0.50–5.78 g/kg; 60–80 cm, 2.10–5.24 g/kg; and 80–100 cm (deepest layer), 2.00–5.60 g/kg. Of the five land-use types, the highest STP was recorded in dam field, followed, in that order, by terraced land, grassland, forest land, and sloped cropland. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that sand and SOC were the significant variables affecting STP in study area, which was also affected to some extent by the intensity of soil erosion, decreasing initially and then increasing slightly with depth. The minimum value of STP was affected by erosion intensities between 1000 t/km² and 2500 t/km² annually. Across the entire soil profile up to the depth of 1 m, STP varied with land use, as follows: grassland, 5.07 kg/m²; forest land, 4.83 kg/m²; dam, 4.73 kg/m²; terraced land, 4.70 kg/m²; and sloped cropland, 4.67 kg/m². STP up to a depth of 1 m was 24,908 tonnes in the study area. Thus, converting farmland to forest land or grassland would increase the levels of STP.

A proposal for using process-based soil models for land use Life cycle impact assessment: Application to Alentejo, Portugal

Abstract Human occupation and transformation of land are a root cause of ecosystem services degradation. For example, land use (LU) and land use change (LUC) are drivers of soil organic carbon (SOC) change, decreasing the biotic production potential of soils. In Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) there is a growing trend towards accurate and regionalized impact assessment of LU∖LUC. Available impact assessment models apply statistical procedures to a simplified static characterization framework, including a limited set of aggregated LU classes. In this paper we propose process-based modelling as the basis for LU/LUC Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) and calculate midpoint process-based characterization factors (CFs) using SOC depletion as the impact indicator. This forecast or scenario-based approach included climate change scenarios for the study region. Temperature and precipitation changes are likely to affect the role of LU in SOC accumulation, which should influence LUC choices today. As proof of concept we used the region of Alentejo, Portugal, which was divided in more than 1500 unique homogeneous territorial units (UHTU). We used the process-based model RothC to establish the likely dynamic SOC evolution after LUC in each UHTU. Our work suggests that process-based models are necessary to move beyond the calculation of CFs for generic LU classes. We provide CFs for individual crops and discriminated LU classes and management practices. We additionally provide insights and indication for future work leading up to the production of global CFs using similar soil models and an updated procedure for CF calculation.

Applicability of the chromium reducible sulfur test for acid metalliferous drainage prediction in hard rock mining

The potential for Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) from waste rock in mining operations is a key issue which must be addressed at all stages, from the initial mining proposal to rehabilitation and site closure. The Chromium Reducible Sulfur (CRS) method was originally introduced into Australia as a rapid and cost-effective method to estimate the acid production potential of acid sulfate soils. However, concerns are being raised over its potentially inappropriate use without supporting scientific evidence to assess the AMD potential of mine wastes in hard rock mining, especially those containing base metal (lead, zinc, copper and nickel) sulfides.This paper outlines the results of a comparative laboratory study of 55 Western Australian mine waste samples and mineral specimens for AMD potential using CRS results from routine commercial laboratories normally handling soil samples as well as conventional approaches. CRS was found to be generally suitable for many applications, particularly for common iron sulfides at low to moderate concentrations (relevant to many iron ore, mineral sands and gold mining operations). However, CRS was not a reliable predictor of potential acid production from samples containing elevated concentrations of iron sulfides, base metal sulfides, arsenopyrite or molybdenite. Issues with CRS precision and bias were also indicated. A good understanding of sulfide mineralogy is required for accurate AMD predictions of these types of mine wastes, and cannot be obtained from any single test.

Carbon storage potential increases with increasing ratio of C4 to C3 grass cover and soil productivity in restored tallgrass prairies.

Long-term soil carbon (C) storage is essential for reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. Converting unproductive and environmentally sensitive agricultural lands to grasslands for bioenergy production may enhance C storage. However, a better understanding of the interacting effects of grass functional composition (i.e., relative abundance of C4 and C3 grass cover) and soil productivity on C storage will help guide sustainable grassland management. Our objective was to examine the relationship between grass functional composition and potential C storage and how it varies with potential soil productivity. We estimated C inputs from above- and belowground net primary productivity (ANPP and BNPP), and heterotrophic respiration (R H) to calculate net ecosystem production (NEP), a measure of potential soil C storage, in grassland plots of relatively high- and low-productivity soils spanning a gradient in the ratio of C4 to C3 grass cover (C4:C3). NEP increased with increasing C4:C3, but only in potentially productive soils. The positive relationship likely stemmed from increased ANPP, rather than BNPP, which was possibly related to efficient resource-use and physiological/anatomical advantages of C4 plants. R H was negatively correlated with C4:C3, possibly because of changes in microclimate or plant-microbe interactions. It is possible that in potentially productive soils, C storage can be enhanced by favoring C4 over C3 grasses through increased ANPP and BNPP and reduced R H. Results also suggest that potential C storage gains from C4 productivity would not be undermined by a corresponding increase in R H.

The sensitivity of soil enzymes, microorganisms and spring wheat to soil contamination with carfentrazone-ethyl

ABSTRACTHerbicides pose a significant threat to the natural environment, in particular in soils that are most exposed to plant protection agents. Prolonged herbicide use leads to changes in soil metabolism and decreases soil productive potential. In this study, the influence of carfentrazone-ethyl (CE) on the microbiological and biochemical properties of soil and the yield of Triticum aestivum L. was evaluated. Carfentrazone-ethyl was applied to sandy loam (pHKCl – 7.0) in doses of 0.000, 0.264, 5.280, 10.56, 21.18, 42.24, 84.48 and 168.96 µg kg−1 DM soil. Soil samples were subjected to microbiological and biochemical analyses on experimental days 30 and 60. Carfentrazone-ethyl disrupted the biological equilibrium in soil by decreasing the abundance and biodiversity of soil-dwelling microorganisms, the activity of soil enzymes, the values of the biochemical activity indicator and spring wheat yields. Carfentrazone-ethyl had the most adverse effects when applied in doses many fold higher than those recommended by the manufacturer. The toxic effects of CE were also determined by its soil retention time. Soil treated with CE was characterized by higher counts of oligotrophic bacteria, organotrophic bacteria, bacteria of the genus Azotobacter, actinomycetes and fungi on day 60, and spore-forming oligotrophic bacteria on day 30. The activity of dehydrogenases, urease, alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase was higher on day 30 than on day 60.

Impact of operating temperature of gas transit pipeline on soil quality and production potential of crops

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of gas transit pipeline temperature on soil moisture, soil temperature and yield of harvest crops. The study area was located in the village Ivanka pri Nitre (Nitra District, Southwestern Slovakia). Soil type in the site is Orthic Brown Chernozem. Temperature of the transported gas increased the soil temperature in the range of 2.07°C to 3.4°C measured in a depth ranging from 250 mm to 350 mm above the gas lines. The temperature also reduced soil moisture by 1.27‒3.18 percentiles of weight. Yield of the winter wheat grown above the gas lines was higher by 9.40% in 2004 and by 13.06% in 2006. Yield of the sunflower grown above the gas lines was higher by 8.05% in 2005. In treatment 1, organic fertilisation in a dose of 50 t/ha affected the yield of the winter wheat above the gas pipeline and the yield increased by 13.95% in 2004.

Field-scale electrical resistivity profiling mapping for delineating soil condition in a nitrate vulnerable zone

Venice Lagoon is an extremely heterogeneous environment conditioned by natural changes and anthropogenic pressures. The area is a particularly vulnerable system characterized by high spatial geomorphological variability. Site-specific crop management, defined as the best strategies to manage heterogeneous farmlands, has the potential to maximize agricultural production while preserving soil and water resources. This work was aimed at identifying and characterizing spatial variability within the fields in terms of soil fertility and productive potential using precision agriculture principles. Automatic resistivity profiling (ARP) was implemented to study spatial variability of the field and to define the best localization of twenty soil sampling points. Three years’ historical yield maps were used to determine homogeneous zones within the study area. The application of a fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm led to classification of four homogeneous zones, which were assigned with productive potentials using an ANOVA test of soil features and historical yield data. Such classification was validated by a comparison of the homogeneous zone's productive potential with five-year average production.

Delineation of management zones based on the Rasch model in an olive orchard

The probabilistic Rasch model is used to get objective measures of production potential at some locations of an olive orchard located in Badajoz, southwestern Spain. Nine soil properties (soil apparent electrical conductivity, clay, sand, and silt content, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous and potassium, and cation exchange capacity), taken at 40 locations in the field, were considered and, after being integrated in the model, a ranking of all locations according to the soil production potential and the influence on the production potential of each individual soil property were determined. Moreover, those soil samples or properties which had any anomaly where highlighted; this information can be necessary to conduct site-specific treatments, leading to a more cost-effective and sustainable field management. Additionally, estimates using geostatistical algorithms were utilised to map soil production potential and to delineate with a rational basis the management zones in the field.

Determination of Soil Productivity Potentials: A Case Study in El-Sharkia Governorate of Egypt

Determination of Soil Productivity Potentials: A Case Study in El-Sharkia Governorate of Egypt

Assessing the soil-productive potential within river basins by using remotely sensed data

For an ecological characterization of river basins we suggest that the indicator of soil-productive potential should be used, which characterizes the ability of the natural or natural-anthropogenic ecosystem to reproduce under certain soil-climatic conditions the phytomass and which summarized long-term evidence for the productivity of vegetation cover, phytomass accumulation, some soil properties, and for the factors influencing the activity of production processes. The state of ecosystems can be assessed both from the summarizing values of soil-productive potential and from the parameters forming part thereof. For a soilproductive characterization of ecosystems at a particular time, it is proposed to use the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) which is determined from remote sensing data and reflects the overall state of soilvegetation cover. Results are presented from a comparative assessment of the soil-productive potential for small river basins that form part of the basin the Klyaz’ma river, a tributary of the Oka river. The indicators characterizing the soil-productive potential may be recommended for monitoring operations, a calculation of anthropogenic pressure within drainage basins, and for the organization of a rational land-use pattern.

Effect of three biowastes on the productivity potential of a sodic soil

Three biowastes were applied to a Typic Haplustepts sodic soil in order to generate a Soil Productivity Potential (SPP) indicator derived from the biological, physical and chemical properties. The biowastes included swine manure (SM), vinasse (VS) and composted biosolids (CB) incorporated on experimental plots and left undisturbed. The assessment of the soil properties was done prior to and twice during the experiment. The biowastes produced, in general, an increase in the SPP, being higher that of swine manure at the lowest dose in the short term, and composted biosolids at the highest dose in the long term; the vinasse did not significantly increase the SPP at any dose. In the control plots, in contrast, the SPP decreased steadily during the experiment period. The application of the three biowastes reduced the exchangeable sodium percentage, as well as the electric conductivity, particularly with the swine manure and composted biosolids at the low and high doses, respectively. The total porosity did not change significantly, whereas the CO2 production increased between all of the treatments and control. The SPP indicated that the biowaste addition improved the quality status of a sodic soil, particularly at the chemical level; hence, this practice could prevent the loss of productivity in the short and long term.

Land Evaluation for Alternate Land Use Planning of Sugarcane Growing Soils of Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh

Seventeen typical pedons representing major sugarcane growing soils of Chittoor district were studied and evaluated by using qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method employed were USDA land capability classification and land suitability classification, while the quantitative evaluation method includes Riquier’s parametric approach. The land evaluation methods indicated that information on production potential of soils provide a basis for comparison among different soils. The soils of study area were classified into land capability classes IV, V and VI. However, the land suitability evaluation suggested that these sugarcane growing soils were moderately suitable (S2) (P2, P5, P6, P13 and P16) and moderate to marginally suitable (S2-S3) (P1, P3, P4, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P12, P14, P15 and P17) for growing sugarcane crop. Riquier’s parametric approach was found to be good indicator for identification of production potential of sugarcane growing soils. The land evaluation study revealed that, characteristics and suitability of these soils for sugarcane crop were highly variable, hence their management must be site specific. Soil management strategies based on crop residue retention, nutrient recycling, minimum tillage, crop rotation, cover crops and inter cropping not only helps to conserve soil and water more effectively in sugarcane growing soils but also increase organic matter content and improve fertilizer use efficiency. Adoption of suggested ameliorative measures and land use not only improves the yields but also sustains the soil productivity.

Assessing the soil-productive potential within river basins by using remotely sensed data

Assessing the soil-productive potential within river basins by using remotely sensed data

Recultivation of Agricultural Land Impaired by Construction of a Hydropower Plant on the Sava River, Slovenia

AbstractHydropower plants on the lower river Sava, Slovenia, were developed without sealing the underground upstream. As a consequence, without the countermeasures of elevating and recultivating, the agricultural land on the river banks would be inundated because of the water‐table increase of the river. To remedy this, the fields were elevated and recultivated. The goal of this study was to assess soil quality and production potential after land raising and recultivation and to answer the question whether it is possible to recover soil quality and crop yield after large‐scale mass manipulation, such as land raising. After recultivation and after the second year of land reuse for the two cultures grass–clover mixture and corn on two sites, Middle Pijavsko and Lower Pijavsko, soil physical and chemical characteristics and crop yields were evaluated. Mixing of topsoil with the second horizon during removal and during backfill with filling material resulted in uneven soil fertility, plant growth and decreased yield. Driving on the refilled second layer with heavy machinery caused soil compaction in the Middle Pijavsko in spite of favourable soil texture (loam, 38·7% sand). On the areas with very high sand content (over 55%) and low clay content (10%), soil compaction was not as severe or persistent. Recultivation measures restored the agricultural land almost to the production potential prior to powerplant construction. Immediate intensive land use (corn) showed less favourable effect on soil characteristics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of Methane Oxidation and the Production Potential of Soils in an Urban School

Methane oxidation and the production potentials of ground soil (soil A) and garden soil (soil B, C, & D) in an urban school were evaluated, and the methanotrophic and methanogen communities in the soil samples were quantified using quantitative realtime PCR. The methanotrophic community in the raw soil A sample possessed a gene copy number/g dry weight soil, whereas those in the raw soils B~D samples were gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil. Serum bottles added with the soil samples were enriched with methane gas, and then evaluated for their methane oxidation potential. The soil A sample had a longer induction phase for methane oxidation than the other soils. However, soil A showed a similar methane oxidation potential with soils B~D after the induction phase. The methanotrophic community in the enriched soil A sample was increased by up to gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil, which had no significantly difference compared with those in soils B~D ( gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil). Methane production showed a similar tendency to methane oxidation. The methanogens community in raw soil A ( gene copy number/g dry weight soil) was much less than those in raw soils B~D ( gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil). However, after methane gas was produced by adding starch to the soils, soil samples A~D showed gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil in methanogens communities. The results indicate that methanotrophic and methanogenic bacteria have coexisted in this urban school's soils. Moreover, under appropriate conditions for methane oxidation and production, methanotrophic bacteria and methanogens are increased and they have the potential for methane oxidation and production.

Effect of type and quality of two contrasting plant residues on CO2 emission potential of Ultisol soil: Implications for indirect influence of temperature and moisture

The emission of CO2 from soil to the atmosphere is a major challenge throughout the world in both developed and developing countries, due to its critical role in the intensification of global warming. An incubation experiment was conducted to investigate CO2 emission potentials of Ultisol soils under residues of peanut (green manure) and rice (rice straw) and moisture regimes 60% (W1) and 120% (W2) of water holding capacity at different temperature ranges i.e. low to medium 5–20°C (T1 to T4), medium to high 25–30°C (T5 to T6) and very high 35–45°C (T7 to T9). Comparing two contrasting plant residues, we found that the incorporation of GM (green manure) residue significantly (P<0.05) increased the CO2 emission potential of Ultisol soils at both moisture regimes and all temperature ranges, and this increase tended to improve with the increase of temperature ranges. Conversely, RS residue mixed treatments showed significantly low production and emission of CO2, at all temperature ranges and both water regimes. This indicated that type and quality of plant residues have significant impact on the CO2 production and emission capacity of soils and plant residues with low decomposition, high stability and high lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses compounds can be successfully used as an organic amendment to control the emission and production of CO2 from soil to atmosphere, by converting soils from CO2–C sources to sinks. We revealed that moisture and temperature also had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the CO2 production and emission potential of Ultisol soils, but this effect was indirect through influencing the rate of decomposition of the organic inputs. Our results suggested that applied amendments e.g. addition or incorporation of plant residues are in fact major factors which control the CO2 emission potential of soils by converting soils from CO2–C sources to sinks. On the other hand, other abiotic factors like temperature and moisture are indirect regulator of CO2 production and emission by influencing decomposition of these incorporated organic inputs.

HACIA UN SISTEMA COMPLEMENTARIO DE PRODUCCIÓN MÁS LIMPIA EN SUELOS DEGRADADOS POR SALINIDAD

&lt;p&gt;La salinidad en los suelos es un problema ambiental global. La causa principal del problema es el manejo inadecuado que se realiza sobre los suelos, lo cual se conjuga principalmente con el contexto social rural. Se debe trabajar en la búsqueda de soluciones sostenibles viables que perciban la complejidad del problema en sus aspectos sociales, culturales, económicos, políticos y técnicos, desde la perspectiva de la Producción Más Limpia. Ésta es una apuesta que complementa investigación y desarrollo en función del mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de los habitantes de las regiones afectadas por salinidad, considerando la participación de diferentes actores sociales interesados. Propone complementar estudios analíticos y sintéticos de suelos como método de evaluación de las relaciones entre agua–suelo–planta-atmósfera; considera el saber tradicional y los métodos de la ciencia formal; e intenta complementar conservación (sostenibilidad ambiental) con producción (enfoque de producción más limpia).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Palabras claves: &lt;/strong&gt;Complementariedad, Gestión de suelos, Producción más limpia, Potencial productivo del suelo, Salinidad del suelo.&lt;/p&gt;

Prairie Dog Decline Reduces the Supply of Ecosystem Services and Leads to Desertification of Semiarid Grasslands

Anthropogenic impacts on North American grasslands, a highly endangered ecosystem, have led to declines of prairie dogs, a keystone species, over 98% of their historical range. While impacts of this loss on maintenance of grassland biodiversity have been widely documented, much less is known about the consequences on the supply of ecosystem services. Here we assessed the effect of prairie dogs in the supply of five ecosystem services by comparing grasslands currently occupied by prairie dogs, grasslands devoid of prairie dogs, and areas that used to be occupied by prairie dogs that are currently dominated by mesquite scrub. Groundwater recharge, regulation of soil erosion, regulation of soil productive potential, soil carbon storage and forage availability were consistently quantitatively or qualitatively higher in prairie dog grasslands relative to grasslands or mesquite scrub. Our findings indicate a severe loss of ecosystem services associated to the absence of prairie dogs. These findings suggest that contrary to a much publicize perception, especially in the US, prairie dogs are fundamental in maintaining grasslands and their decline have strong negative impacts in human well – being through the loss of ecosystem services.