Effects of biochars generated from crop residues on chemical properties of acid soils from tropical and subtropical China

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hua Yuan ◽  
Ren-Kou Xu

The chemical compositions of biochars from ten crop residues generated at 350°C and their effects on chemical properties of acid soils from tropical and subtropical China were investigated. There was greater alkalinity and contents of base cations in the biochars from legume residues than from non-legume residues. Carbonates and organic anions of carboxyl and phenolic groups were the main forms of alkalis in the biochars, and their relative contributions to biochar alkalinity varied with crop residues. Incubation experiments indicated that biochar incorporation increased soil pH and soil exchangeable base cations and decreased soil exchangeable acidity. There were greater increases in soil pH and soil exchangeable base cations, and a greater decrease in soil exchangeable acidity, for biochars from legume than from non-legume residues. The biochars did not increase the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils with relatively high initial CEC but did increase the CEC of soils with relatively low initial CEC at an addition level of 1%. The incorporation of biochars from crop residues not only corrected soil acidity but also increased contents of potassium, magnesium, and calcium in these acid soils from tropical and subtropical regions and thus improved soil fertility.

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Liane Barreto Alves Pinheiro ◽  
Rodrigo Camara ◽  
Marcos Gervasio Pereira ◽  
Eduardo Lima ◽  
Maria Elizabeth Fernandes Correia ◽  
...  

Mound-building termites are important agents of soil bioperturbation, but these species have not been extensively studied thus far. The present study aimed to evaluate the soil particle-size and the chemical attributes of termite mounds and the surrounding soil under different land use strategies. A one-hectare plot was defined for an unmanaged degraded pasture, planted pasture, and for a eucalyptus Corymbia citriodora plantation. In each plot, the top, center, and base sections of five Cornitermes cumulans mounds, and the surrounding soil at the depths of 0-5; 5-10; 10-20 cm, were sampled in the Pinheiral, Rio de Janeiro state. In the three areas, the center of the mounds contained higher clay content, organic carbon, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium, total bases, and cation exchangeable capacity, when compared to the top, base, and the surrounding soils. However, the center had lower values of exchangeable acidity and potassium, of the three areas. In the eucalyptus plantation, the values of pH, total bases, calcium, and magnesium were lower, whereas aluminum, exchangeable acidity, sodium, and cation exchange capacity were higher both in the mounds and in the surrounding soil, in relation to the pastures. There were no differences among the three areas in terms of organic carbon, potassium, phosphorous, and total bases, in the mounds and adjacent soil. Thus, the termite activity altered the clay content and most of the soil chemical properties in all of the studied areas, but only for the center of the mounds. However, the effect of these organisms was different in the eucalyptus plantation in relation to the pasture areas.


Author(s):  
C. V. Ogbenna ◽  
V. E. Osodeke

Aim: A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of sawdust ash and lime (Ca(OH)2) on soil characteristics and yield of sunflower in acidic soil of southeastern Nigeria. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, using sawdust ash (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 t ha-1) as the sub plot and lime (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 t ha-1) as the main plot. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted outdoors at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria, during the 2010 planting season. Materials and Methods: Treatment combinations were applied to the 60 buckets containing soil, mixed thoroughly and watered adequately. After 1 week of treatment application, two sunflower seeds were planted and later thinned to one seedling per bucket. Plant growth and yield data were collected. Pre planting and post-harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil properties. Results: Results showed that with the exception of organic carbon there was significant effect of treatments on all soil chemical properties. Lime and sawdust ash (SDA) as single and combined treatments significantly increased total nitrogen (P=0.05), available phosphorus (P<0.010), and base saturation (P<0.012). The interaction between SDA and lime significantly (P=0.05) increased total exchangeable bases and effective cation exchange capacity, while soil pH was significantly increased (P=0.05) by single applications. The increases in soil chemical properties led to significant positive response of the sunflower. With the exception of number of leaves, other plant parameters (Plant height, stem diameter, head weight, 50 seed weight, head diameter) had significant increases for sawdust ash alone at P=0.05. Correlation studies showed positive significant relationship between soil pH and sunflower yield. Conclusion: The study showed that sunflower performed best at the combination of 3 tha-1 SDA and 1.5 t ha-1 lime producing a mean head weight of 45.4 g.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Fikeremareyam Chulo ◽  
Fanuel Laekemariam ◽  
Alemayehu Kiflu

Understanding the nutrient dynamics in acid soil is fundamental to carry out proper management. The study was conducted to investigate phosphorus (P) pools and selected properties under different rates of lime for acid nitisols of Farawocha, Southern Ethiopia. Four lime rates incubated for a month in three replications were tested. The lime rates were 0 t/ha (0%), 5.25 t/ha (50%), 10.5 t/ha (100%), and 15.75 t/ha (150%). Lime requirement (LR) for 100% was calculated targeting soil pH of 6.5. Data on the P pools such as soluble P (P-sol) and bounded forms of P with iron (Fe-P), aluminum (Al-P), calcium (Ca-P), organic part (Org-P), residual P (Res-P), and total of P fractions were measured. In addition, changes in soil chemical properties such as pH, exchangeable acidity, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) were analyzed. The result showed that total P was 357.5 mg/kg. Compared to nontreated soil, liming at a rate of 15.75 t/ha significantly improved P-sol (34.2%, r2 = 0.88), Ca-P (61.6%, r2 = 0.92), and Res-P (195%, r2 = 0.94); however, it reduced Fe-P (58.5%, r2 = −0.83), Al-P (71%, r2 = −0.97), and Org-P (19.1%, r2 = 0.93). Overall, the P-associated fractions in the soil, regardless of the lime rates, were in the order of Org_P > Res_P > Fe_P > Ca_P > Al_P > P-sol. Liming raised soil pH by 2.1 units (4.5 to 6.6) over nonlimed soil, whereas it reduced exchangeable acidity from 4.18 to 0.23 meq/100 g soil. Available P, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn, and B contents were significantly improved with lime application. However, liming reduced Fe and Mn contents. In conclusion, these findings showed that liming facilitated the release of P from various pools, modified pH and exchangeable acidity, and resulted in beneficial changes for most of the soil chemical properties.


Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Jin-Hua Yuan ◽  
Sheng-Zhe E ◽  
Zong-Xian Che

Mineral composition and alkaline properties of palygorskite (Pal), and its ameliorative effects on chemical properties of acid soil were investigated. Dolomite was the main form of alkali in Pal and the acid neutralisation capacity of Pal was 215 cmol kg–1. Incubation experiments indicated that Pal incorporation increased soil pH, cation exchange capacity, base saturation and exchangeable K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents, and decreased the levels of exchangeable H+, Al3+ and acidity, over a 1-year period. The ameliorative mechanisms were the dissolution of major alkaline matter in Pal (i.e. dolomite), and the exchange between released Ca2+ and Mg2+ with H+ in acidic soil. Hence, Pal can be used as a moderate acidic soil amendment.


2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. NOBLE ◽  
A. P. HURNEY

In many highly weathered soils of the humid tropics, crop exploitation of the subsoil environment is limited through acid soil infertility. Since the use of mechanical profile modification is often prohibitive, surface incorporation of soil amendments is often the only means available to rectify this problem. A field trial was established with sugarcane on a strongly Acidic Dystrophic Brown Dermosol (Oxic Humitropept) in 1978 to evaluate the effects of surface incorporated lime additions on yield and performance of sugarcane. Eighteen years after the establishment of this trial, significant responses in cane yield were still evident following a single application of 5 t lime ha−1 made in 1978, as well as repeated applications of 5 t ha−1 on three occasions over the past 18 years. Progressive reductions in exchangeable acidity were accompanied by increases in subsoil Ca2+ and Mg2+. Soil pH increased significantly to a depth of 100 cm, this being attributed to the formation of ion pairs with NO3 in the surface soil, the subsequent leaching of these complexes and the differential uptake of NO3 at depth by roots. The results from this long-term study indicate that surface incorporation of lime is an economically viable approach to the remediation of subsoil acidity on soils such as those studied, namely, those with a low inherent cation exchange capacity and anion exchange capacity.


1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Bruce ◽  
LA Warrell ◽  
DG Edwards ◽  
LC Bell

In the course of three experiments, soybean (Glycerine max (L.) Merr.) cv. Forrest was grown in 21 soils (four surface soils and 17 subsoils) amended with liming materials (CaCO3 and Mg CO3) and soluble Ca salts (CaSO4.2H20 and CaCl2.2H2O). In most soils, the soluble salts increased concentrations and activities of Al species in solution to levels that restricted root growth, and MgCO3, induced a Ca limitation to root growth. Root lengths after three days were related to so11 and soil solution attributes.Suitable diagnostic indices for the prediction of Ca limitations to root growth were either Ca saturation of the effective cation exchange capacity or Ca activity ratio of the soil solution, which was defined as the ratio of the activity of Ca to the sum of the activities of Ca, Mg, Na, and K. Values corresponding to 90% relative root length (RRL) of soybean were 0.05 for the Ca activity ratio and 11% for Ca saturation. Calcium activity and Ca concentration in the soil solution and exchangeable Ca were less useful for this purpose.Soil Al saturation was not a good predictor of Al toxicity, but soil solution measurements were. The activities of Al3+ and AlOH2+ gave the best associations with RRL, and values corresponding to 90% RRL were 4 8M and 0.5 8M respectively. The results suggested that Al(OH)3� , Al(OH)2+, and AlSO4+, were not toxic species. Soil solution pH and soil pH measured in water were more sensitive indicators of root growth than soil pH measured in 0.01 M CaCl2.Using a Ca activity ratio of 0.05 and an Al3+ activity of 4 8M as diagnostic indices, none of the 20 soils in two experiments were toxic in Al, while 13 (all subsoils) were deficient in Ca. Thus the first limitation on root growth was Ca deficiency and not Al toxicity, in spite of high Al saturations and relatively low pH in these soils. However, Al toxicity could be induced by increasing the ionic strengths of soil solutions.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 467
Author(s):  
Eltijani A. Elias ◽  
Malcolm S. Cresser

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 535-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wu ◽  
G. Xu ◽  
J. N. Sun ◽  
H. B. Shao

Abstract. Organic materials (e.g. furfural residue) are generally believed to improve the physical and chemical properties of the soils with low fertility. Recently, biochar have been received more attention as a possible measure to improve the carbon balance and improve soil quality in some degraded soils. However, little is known about their different amelioration of a sandy saline soil. In this study, 56d incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of furfural and its biochar on the properties of saline soil. The results showed that both furfural and biochar greatly reduced pH, increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and enhanced the available phosphorus (P) in the soil. Furfural is more efficient than biochar in reducing pH: 5% furfural lowered the soil pH by 0.5–0.8 (soil pH: 8.3–8.6), while 5% biochar decreased by 0.25–0.4 due to the loss of acidity in pyrolysis process. With respect to available P, 5% of the furfural addition increased available P content by 4–6 times in comparison to 2–5 times with biochar application. In reducing soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), biochar is slightly superior to furfural because soil ESP reduced by 51% and 43% with 5% furfural and 5% biochar addition at the end of incubation. In addition, no significant differences were observed between furfural and biochar about their capacity to retain N, P in leaching solution and to increase CEC in soil. These facts may be caused by the relatively short incubation time. In general, furfural and biochar have different amendments depending on soil properties: furfural was more effectively to decrease pH and to increase available P, whereas biochar played a more important role in increasing SOC and reducing ESP of saline soil.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Miodrag Tolimir ◽  
Branka Kresović ◽  
Borivoj Pejić ◽  
Katarina Gajić ◽  
Angelina Tapanarova ◽  
...  

The impact of long-term (> 100 yr) irrigation on soil chemical properties was studied on eight plots in the Beli Drim river valley in Kosovo and Metohija near Klina, Serbia. For these studies, soil samples from shallow profiles were collected from only one or two depth zones of the Ah horizon; and from moderately deep and deep profiles, from two to three depth zones for the purpose of comparing irrigated field and non-irrigated meadow lands. Water from the Beli Drim River and surface gravity systems (irrigation furrows or border strip irrigation) were used for irrigation. Chemical variables included determination of pH-H2O, content of CaCO3, content of humus, hydrolytic acidity, sum of basic cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. On irrigated soils, the results of chemical analysis showed on average a small increase in pH-H2O (0.07 pH units), as well as a significant decrease in humus content (2.00-4.75%), sum of basic cations (4.98-12.98%) and cation exchange capacity (12.8%) compared to the non-irrigated land of the study area. Long-term irrigation had no effect on hydrolytic acidity and base saturation in the Ah horizon of the investigated lands. Namely, the mentioned variations in the chemical properties of the investigated soils show that slight processes of reduction in the humus content and reduction of the content of base cations occured. Data on the chemical properties of the investigated soils indicate that the destructive processes of reduction in the humus content and leaching of base cations must be controlled in order to achieve a stable sustainable system of high productivity and prevent their further deterioration.


Weed Science ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake A. Brown ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Donald D. Tyler ◽  
Thomas C. Mueller

Fluometuron adsorption and degradation were determined in soil collected at three depths from no-till + no cover, conventional-till + no cover, no-till + vetch cover, and conventional-till + vetch cover in continuous cotton. These combinations of tillage + cover crop + soil depth imparted a range of organic matter and pH to the soil. Soil organic matter and pH ranged from 0.9 to 2.5% and from 4.7 to 6.5, respectively. Fluometuron adsorption was affected by soil depth, tillage, and cover crop. In surface soils (0 to 4 cm), fluometuron adsorption was greater in no-till + vetch plots than in conventional-tilled + no cover plots. Soil adsorption of fluometuron was positively correlated with organic matter content and cation exchange capacity. Fluometuron degradation was not affected by adsorption, and degradation empirically fit a first-order model. Soil organic matter content had no apparent effect on fluometuron degradation rate. Fluometuron degradation was more rapid at soil pH > 6 than at pH ≤ 5, indicating a potential shift in microbial activity or population due to lower soil pH. Fluometuron half-life ranged from 49 to 90 d. These data indicate that tillage and cover crop may affect soil dissipation of fluometuron by altering soil physical and chemical properties that affect fluometuron degrading microorganisms or bioavailability.


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