scholarly journals Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland .VI. Loss of total nitrogen from different particle size and density fractions

Soil Research ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Dalal ◽  
RJ Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Labile Organic Matter ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Density Fractions ◽  
Organic Matter Fractions ◽  
Sand Size

The dynamics of total N in particle-size and density fractions of six major soils which have been used for cereal cropping for 20-70 years were studied in order to identify the labile organic matter fractions in soil. For virgin soils, no single particle-size was consistently enriched in N as compared with the whole soil. The clay fraction contained the largest proportion (53% overall) of total N. Silt-size and sand-size N fractions accounted for 26% and 21% of total N, respectively. Upon cultivation, the sand-size fraction lost most of its N (as much as 89% in Langlands-Logie soil). However, N losses also occurred from silt-size and clay-size fractions in most soils. Changes in C : N ratios of different particle-size fractions upon cultivation were not consistent in all soils, possibly because of the transfer of organic C and N among these fractions. Therefore, the separation of labile organic matter fractions from the whole soil based upon particle-size may not be successful in all soils. On the other hand, the density fractionation of soil into a light fraction (<2 Mg m-3) containing relatively labile organic matter (76-96% lost upon cultivation) and a heavy fraction (>2 Mg m-3) containing less labile organic matter appears to be more successful in most soils. It is suggested that the cultural practices that enhance the amount of light fraction would increase the rate of nutrient cycling through microbial biomass and may increase the overall availability of nutrients in soil.

scholarly journals Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. III. Distribution and kinetics of soil organic carbon in particle size fractions

Soil Research ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Dalal ◽  
RJ Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Particle Size Fractions ◽  
Clay Size Fraction ◽  
Sand Size

Distribution of soil organic carbon in sand-, silt- and clay-size fractions during cultivation for periods ranging from 20 to 70 years was studied in six major soils used for cereal cropping in southern Queensland. Particle-size fractions were obtained by dispersion in water using cation exchange resin, sieving and sedimentation. In the soils' virgin state no single particle-size fraction was found to be consistently enriched as compared to the whole soil in organic C in all six soils, although the largest proportion (48%) of organic C was in the clay-size fraction; silt and sand-size fractions contained remaining organic C in equal amounts. Upon cultivation, the amounts of organic C declined from all particle-size fractions in most soils, although the loss rates differed considerably among different fractions and from the whole soil. The proportion of the sand-size fraction declined rapidly (from 26% to 12% overall), whereas that of the clay-size fraction increased from 48% to 61% overall. The proportion of silt-size organic C was least affected by cultivation in most soils. It was inferred, therefore, that the sand-size organic matter is rapidly lost from soil, through mineralization as well as disintegration into silt-size and clay-size fractions, and that the clay fraction provides protection for the soil organic matter against microbial and enzymic degradation.

Turnover of soil organic matter and storage of corn residue carbon estimated from natural 13C abundance

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. G. Gregorich ◽  
C. M. Monreal ◽  
B. H. Ellert
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Forest Soil ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Particle Size Fractions ◽  
Corn Residue

Total organic C and natural C abundance were measured in a forest soil and a soil under corn (Zea mays L.) to assess management-induced changes in the quantity and initial source of organic matter. The total mass of organic C in the cultivated soil was 19% lower than in the forest soil. It was estimated that after 25 yr of continuous corn, 100 Mg C ha−1 was returned to the soil as residues, of which only 23 Mg ha−1 remained in the soil; 88% of the remaining corn-derived C (C4-derived C) was in the plow layer. About 30% of the soil organic C in the plow layer (0–27 cm) was derived from corn. Assuming first order kinetics, the half-life of C3-derived C in the 0- to 15-cm layer was 13 yr. The half-life of C3-derived C in the 0- to 30-cm layer, which included organic C below the plow layer, was 24 yr. Mineralization of the light fraction (LF) was faster than that of organic matter associated with particle-size fractions. More than 70% of the LF had turned over since the start of corn cropping, and 45% of organic matter in the sand fraction comprised corn residue. The half-life of C3-derived C in the LF was 8 yr. The mineralization of C from native organic matter associated with the coarse silt fraction was the slowest of all particle-size fractions. Key words: Soil organic matter, carbon storage, natural 13C abundance, light fraction, particle-size fractions, mineralization

Free light fraction carbon and nitrogen, a physically uncomplexed soil organic matter distribution within subtropical grass and leucaena–grass pastures

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 820 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Conrad ◽  
R. C. Dalal ◽  
D. E. Allen ◽  
R. Fujinuma ◽  
Neal W. Menzies
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Total N ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N

Quantifying the size and turnover of physically uncomplexed soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for the understanding of nutrient cycling and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the C and nitrogen (N) dynamics of SOM fractions in leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)–grass pastures remains unclear. We assessed the potential of leucaena to sequester labile, free light fraction (fLF) C and N in soil by estimating the origin, quantity and vertical distribution of physically unprotected SOM. The soil from a chronosequence of seasonally grazed leucaena stands (0–40 years) was sampled to a depth of 0.2m and soil and fLF were analysed for organic C, N and δ13C and δ15N. On average, the fLF formed 20% of SOC and 14% of total N stocks in the upper 0.1m of soil from leucaena rows and showed a peak of fLF-C and fLF-N stocks in the 22-year-stand. The fLF δ13C and fLF δ15N values indicated that leucaena produced 37% of fLF-C and 28% of fLF-N in the upper 0.1m of soil from leucaena rows. Irrespective of pasture type or soil depth, the majority of fLF-C originated from the accompanying C4 pasture-grass species. This study suggests that fLF-C and fLF-N, the labile SOM, can form a significant portion of total SOM, especially in leucaena–grass pastures.

Characterizing organic matter retention for surface soils in eastern Canada using density and particle size fractions

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Carter ◽  
D. A. Angers ◽  
E. G. Gregorich ◽  
M. A. Bolinder
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Capacity Level ◽  
C And N

Interest in the storage of organic matter in terrestrial ecosystems has identified a need to better understand the accumulation and retention of organic C and N in soil. The proportions of C and N associated with clay and silt particles (i.e., “capacity level”), water-stable macro-aggregates (WSA) (>250 µm), particulate (POM) (>53 µm), and light fraction (LF) organic matter, for the 0- to 10-cm soil depth, were assessed at 14 agricultural experimental sites established on Gleysolic, Podzolic, Luvisolic , and Brunisolic soils in the cool, humid region of eastern Canada. Organic C and N in the clay plus silt particles was at or near the capacity level for soils with clay plus silt content < 40%. For soils with >60% clay plus silt, the degree of saturation was 65–70% indicating a potential for further organic C and N retention. The mean proportion of C and N found in the POM was 22 and 27%, whil e the LF organic matter contained 7 and 5% C and N, respectively. Mean soil WSA content, determined by wet-sieving analysis, was 42% for air-dry soil and 54% for wetted soil, and was significantly (P < 0.05) related to both soil clay plus silt (r = 0.65) and organic C (r = 0.54). Water-stable macro-aggregate C content was proportional to soil organic C (r = 0.96, P < 0.01). At four of the sites, where soil C and N were influenced by management, an increasing level of soil organic C and N was associated with both the clay plus silt particles and the POM fraction until the former was saturated. Once the capacity level was saturated, further organic C and N accumulation was associated with the POM fraction. Although stabilized organic C and N in soil exists as a continuum, both soil particle and particulate fractions provided a practical approach to monitor, quantify and differentiate the storage and retention of C and N in soils of eastern Canada. Key words: Soil organic matter, clay plus silt associated organic C and N, size fractions, particulate organic matter, light fraction organic matter, water-stable macro-aggregates, organic amendments, Canada

Possible role of aluminum in stabilizing organic matter in particle size fractions of Chernozemic and solonetizic soils

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Curtin
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Specific Surface ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Ultrasonic Dispersion ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Particle Size Fractions ◽  
Organic Matter Stabilization

Although phyllosilicate clays, with their large surface areas, are often considered to play the leading role in stabilizing soil organic matter against microbial attack, several studies have suggested recently that oxides of Al and Fe may stabilize organic matter in some soils. The distribution of organic C and oxides in clay (< 0.2 and 0.2–2 mm) and silt fractions (2–5, 5–20, and 20–50 mm) of four Saskatchewan soils (organic C ranged from 21 to 46 g kg-1) was examined to differentiate the contributions of oxides and specific surface to organic matter retention. Carbon concentrations in the particle size fractions (separated following ultrasonic dispersion of the soils) tended to be highest in the fine silt and coarse clay fractions, not in the fine clay as would be expected if specific surface was the sole factor governing organic matter content. When data for the four soils were pooled there was a strong relationship between organic C (y) in the size fractions and Al (x) extracted by dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate [y = 33.9 x0,5 - 7.3; R2 = 0.90***], suggesting a role for A1 in determining the C storage capacity of the size fractions. The C: A1 ratio increased from an average of 12:1 in clay-sized material to 28:1 in coarse silt. Because it had less A1 per unit mass of C, organic matter in the silt separates may be more weakly bonded to mineral material than is clay-associated organic matter. This may imply that organic matter bound to silt is less stable, and thus susceptible to mineralization, than is organic matter residing in the clay fraction. Key words: Organic matter stabilization, particle size separates, extractable A1 and Fe

ULTRASONIC DISPERSION OF AGGREGATES: DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SIZE FRACTIONS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. KACHANOSKI ◽  
R. P. VORONEY ◽  
E. G. GREGORICH
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Physical Method ◽  
Ultrasonic Energy ◽  
Ultrasonic Dispersion ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Particle Size Fractions ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
Sand Size

Aggregates (1–2 mm) from a soil under continuous corn management were subjected to a mild shaking treatment and ultrasonic energy levels ranging from 100 to 1500 J mL−1 water to determine the degree of aggregate disruption and dispersion. More clay- and fewer sand-size particles were recovered with greater amounts of applied energy indicating greater aggregate disruption and dispersion with higher energy levels. Most of the breakdown of sand-size aggregates occurred between energy levels of 300 and 500 J mL−1. Ultrasonic energy levels of 500 J mL−1 or greater were more effective than using 20% hydrogen peroxide plus 16 h of shaking in dispersing sand-size microaggregates. Surface area measurements of the clay indicated no severe fragmentation or alteration of primary particles had occurred. With increased applied ultrasonic energy and more complete dispersion, the amount of organic C recovered increased in the clay- and decreased in the sand-size fractions. At complete dispersion, there was no evidence of redistribution of organic matter by ultrasonification and the sand-, silt- and clay-size fractions contained 5, 30 and 60% of the soil organic C. Results of this study suggest that ultrasonic dispersion techniques can be used as a physical method to separate microaggregates from soil and thereby study the nature of organic matter within them. Key words: Ultrasonic dispersion methodology, aggregates, organic matter distribution, particle size fractions

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