Soil conditioners improve Cd-contaminated farmland soil microbial communities to inhibit Cd accumulation in rice

The addition of silicon(Si)and organic fertilizers to soil conditioners can inhibit the transfer of heavy metal ions from soil to crops.However,it is not clear how Si and organic fertilizers affect soil properties and the micro-ecological environment and thereby reduce cadmium(Cd)accumulation in rice.In this study,the effects of L-type soil conditioners containing Si and organic fertilizers on bacterial and fungal community diversity,soil pH,organic matter,and available Si were analyzed with field experiments at two sites in Liuzhou City and Hezhou City,respectively,in Guangxi,China.With the increase of Si and organic fertilizer content in soil conditioner,rice yield respectively increased by 16.8–25.8 and 6.8–13.1%,and rice Cd content decreased significantly by 8.2–21.1 and 10.8–40.6%,respectively,at the two experimental sites.Soil microbiome analysis showed that the increase in abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota bacteria associated with Cd adsorption and sequestration,and Basidiomycota fungal populations associated with degradation of macromolecules favored the inhibition of soil Cd activity(soil exchangeable Cd decreased by 14.4–14.8 and 18.1–20.6%).This was associated with an increase in organic matter and Si content caused by applying soil conditioners.In conclusion,L-type soil conditioners,rich in Si and organic fertilizer,can reduce soil Cd bioavailability by regulating the dominant Cd passivating flora in the soil and ultimately reduce Cd accumulation in rice.

Control Effects of Tianshifu Soil Conditioners on Cd Contamination in Paddy Fields of Hunan Province

To investigate the effects of Tianshifu soil conditioners on rice growth and their control effects on Cd absorption and accumulation in rice, a test was carded out in the field typically polluted by Cd in Hunan Province. The results showed that the Tianshifu soil conditioner, soil bacterial conditioner and the combination of Tian- shifu soil conditioner and soil bacterial conditioner all could promote rice growth, im- prove rice yield and reduce significantly Cd content in rice grains. In Beishan, the Cd contents in rice grains treated by Tianshifu soil conditioner, soil bacterial condi- tioner and the combination of Tianshifu soil conditioner and soil bacterial conditioner were reduced by 37.63% （P〈0.05）, 32.59% （P〈0.05） and 27.95% （P〈0.05） respec- tively compared with that in rice grains treated by conventional fertilization; In Xiang- tan, the Cd contents in rice grains were reduced by 54.36% （P〈0.05）, 50.19% （P〈 0.05） and 45.22% （P〈0.05） respectively. The rice grains harvested at the two test sites all met the national food safety standards. Considering the control effect on Cd contamination, Tianshifu soil conditioner 〉 combination of Tianshifu soil condi- tioner and soil bacterial conditioner 〉 Tianshifu soil bacterial conditioner. In addition to reducing Cd absorption in rice, as described in the lime application treatment, the application of Tianshifu soil conditioners also inhibited the transportation of Cd from rice straws to rice grains. The Tianshifu soil conditioner, soil bacterial conditioner and combination of Tianshifu soil conditioner and soil bacterial conditioner also effec- tively improved the soil acidity, increased the soil pH value and reduced soil avail- able Cd content to some extent.

Effects of Multiple Soil Conditioners on a Mine Site Acid Sulfate Soil for Vetiver Growth

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of various soil treatments on the growth of vetiver grass ( Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) with the objective of formulating appropriate soil media for use in sulfide-bearing mined areas. An acidic mine site acid sulfate soil (pH 2.8) was treated with different soil conditioner formula including hydrated lime, red mud (bauxite residues), zeolitic rock powder, biosolids and a compound fertilizer. Soils treated with red mud and hydrated lime corrected soil acidity and reduced or eliminated metal toxicity enabling the establishment of vetiver grass.Although over-liming affected growth, some seedlings of vetiver survived the initial strong alkaline conditions. Addition of appropriate amounts of zeolitic rock powder also enhanced growth, but over-application caused detrimental effects. In this experiment, soil medium with the best growth performance of vetiver was 50 g of red mud, 10 g of lime, 30 g of zeolitic rock powder and 30 g of biosolids with 2000 g of mine soils (100% survival rate with the greatest biomass and number of new shoots), but adding a chemical fertilizer to this media adversely impacted plant growth. In addition, a high application rate of biosolids resulted in poorer growth of vetiver, compared to a moderate application rate.

Remediation Effects of Soil Conditioners for CdPolluted Paddy Fields

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the remediation effects of 14 soil conditioners for Cd-polluted paddy fields contrasted with conventional fertilization and liming.The results showed that soil conditioners had no significant impact on rice yields.Though the soil conditioners had stable effects on decreasing the Cd content in grains,the effects varied with the category of conditioners.In general,The Cd contents of early rice and late rice were reduced by 22.65%~44.24%and 15.20%~63.03%,respectively.Additionally,the stem and leaves showed the same decreasing tendency.Cluster analysis suggested that soil conditioners can be divided into three categories:the first category increases the soil pH to inhibit the Cd activity and cut down the Cd translocation from soil to stem and leaves,which is most efficient in the reduction of Cd content in rice grains;the other category relies on the antagonism or co-precipitation between Cd and certain elements to inhibit the translocation and redistribution of Cd from rice stems to grains,providing a common effect on Cd reduction;the last category can be seen as a combination of the former two categories from the perspective of its functional mechanism and it has a moderate effect on the reduction of Cd contents in rice grains.

Effect of Soil Conditioner on the Microbial Community in the Rhizosphere Soil of Tobacco

The effects of biochar as a soil conditioner on microbial communities were studied. The results showed that, at all the growth stages of tobacco, the quantity of microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil added with the soil conditioner was higher than control （CK）. The results of metagenome detection indicated that the diversity of microbial communities in soil added with the soil conditioner was also higher than the CK, and the rate of tobacco bacterial wilt and the disease index decreased by 27.6% and 34.6%, respectively, compared with the CK. In conclusion, the soil con- ditioner could reduce the soil-borne disease by improving micro-ecological environ- ment and diversity of microbial communities in rhizosphere soil to maintain the soil balance.

Influences of Oyster Shell Soil Conditioner on Soil and Plant Rhizospheric Microorganisms

Oyster shell soil conditioner had significant influence on soil and rhizospheric microorganisms in their biomass,respiratory intensity and nutritional requirement. It could stimulate growth of soil and rhizospheric microorganisms, especially nitrogen-fixers, and intensify soil respiration in proportion to the dose and fertilizing time of the conditioner, leading to the increase in the number of nitrogen fixing bacteria and the decrease in the number of bacteria with special nutrition demands.

Remediation Effects of a Novel Soil Conditioner onCadmium and Arsenic Contaminated Soil in Early-Season Paddy Field

To investigate the effects of“Runbang”soil conditioner on simultaneously decreasing cadmium(Cd)and arsenic(As)in early-season paddy field,a typical red mud field in Hunan Province was selected for monitoring the dynamic changes of Cd and As contents in early-season rice plants and soils,plus the soil physical-chemical properties and rice yields.Results of the field experiments indicated that the soil conditioner could significantly reduce Cd and As contents in soil and rice grain,whereas it could increase rice yield.Applying Runbang soil conditioner(1500~2100 kg/hm^2)to paddies brought about a reduction of 23.7%~44.8% and 24.3%~40.5% in available Cd and As contents of the soil,an increase of 0.9~1.1 units in soil pH value,a decline of 35.6%~51.1% and 22.0%~40.6% in Cd and As contents of rice grains,and a rise of 2%~5% in rice yields,respectively.

Utilization of Agricultural Waste for Production of Soil Conditioner-Case Study

In the present study,reference is made to a pigsty with an estimated total animal weight of 500,000 kg.The quantities and quality(typical characteristics)of the generated waste are calculated.The total waste occurs after the cleaning washes in the premises of the breeding unit.Semi-liquid waste is treated in solid-liquid phase mechanical separation plants.The resulting solids,waste(reduced humidity),go to storage areas,manure.These areas are shaped concrete basins,in which there is aerobic digestion“composting”.This process results in odorless organochumic material which is further used as a soil conditioner.

Improvement of Soil Physical Properties with Soil Con-ditioners

Effects of non-ionic polyacrylamide(PAM), anionic polyacrylamide(PHP), cationic polyacrylamide (PCA-M), non-ionic polyvinylalcohol(PVA), anionic hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile(HPAN) and polyethyleneoxide(PE-O) on the physical properties of three different soil types were studied. Content of water-stable aggregateslarger than 0.25 mm increased to varying extents for different soils and soil conditioners. Among the sixkinds of conditioners, non-ionic polyacrylamide(PAM) was the most effective for red soil while polyethyle-neoxide(PEO) the least effective for Chao soil, red soil and yellow-brown soil. Water-stable aggregatesincreased with the rates of PEO and PAM application (except for PEO treatment of yellow-brown soil) andwith the molecular weight of PEO within a certain range. Only evaporation rate of Chao soil decreased afterapplication of PAM and HPAN to Chao soil and red soil.

Analysis of Meteorological Epidemic Factors and Soil Improvement Controlling Technology of Tobacco Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacarum)

[Objective] The paper was to analyze the meteorological epidemic factors for occurrence and prevalence of tobacco bacterial wilt （ Ralstonia solanaca- rum）, and to study control effects of different soil conditioners on the bacterial disease in Gacligongshan demonstration area of green, ecological, high quality tobac- co leaf production. [Method] The plots attacked by tobacco bacterial wilt over the years were selected and the incidence of the disease was periodically surveyed in tobacco growth period in 2012, 2103 and 2014, respectively. 10 d Effective accumulated temperature and rainfall were counted according to the meteorological data, and the relationship between meteorological factors and disease index was analyzed. The control effects of three kinds of soil conditioners ＂Zhuanggenfeng＂, refined fulvic acid and lime on tobacco bacterial wilt were tested. [ Result] The analysis results of meteorological factors showed that 10 d effective accumulated temperature and rainfall were positively correlated to disease index. The variation curve of 10 d effective accumulated temperature and rainfall reflected the change trend of disease index. The pH values were increased by 0.57, 0.50 and 0.72 respectively after applying ＂Zhuanggenfeng＂, refined fulvic acid and lime. The aver- age control effects on tobacco bacterial wilt were 60.74% -62. 18%, 53.05% -59.53%, and 48.59% -58.53%, respectively. [ Conclusion] 10 d Effective accumulated temperature and rainfall could be used as important reference for disease forecasting and controUing. The usage of soil conditioner has a certain preven- tion and control effect on tobacco bacterial wilt disease by forming soil conditions conducive to flue-cured tobacco growth but adverse to disease survival, which is an effective auxiliary method against the disease.

Seismic fragility of structures isolated by single concave sliding devices for different soil conditions

This study deals with the seismic fragility of elastic structural systems equipped with single concave sliding（friction pendulum system（FPS）） isolators considering different soil conditions. The behavior of these systems is analyzed by employing a two-degree-of-freedom model, whereas the FPS response is described by means of a velocity-dependent model. The uncertainty in the seismic inputs is taken into account by considering artificial seismic excitations modelled as timemodulated filtered Gaussian white noise random processes of different intensity within the power spectral density method. In particular, the filter parameters, which control the frequency content of the random excitations, are calibrated to describe stiff, medium and soft soil conditions. The sliding friction coefficient at large velocity is also considered as a random variable modelled through a uniform probability density function. Incremental dynamic analyses are developed in order to evaluate the probabilities of exceeding different limit states related to both the reinforced concrete（RC） superstructure and isolation level, defining the seismic fragility curves within an extensive parametric study carried out for different structural system properties and soil conditions. The abovementioned seismic fragility curves are useful to evaluate the seismic reliability of base-isolated elastic systems equipped with FPS and located in any site for any soil condition.

Spatial variability of leaf wetness under different soil water conditions in rainfed jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) in the loess hilly region, China

Leaf wetness provides a wide range of benefits not only to leaves,but also to ecosystems and communities.It regulates canopy eco-hydrological processes and drives spatial differences in hydrological flux.In spite of these functions,little remains known about the spatial distribution of leaf wetness under different soil water conditions.Leaf wetness measurements at the top(180 cm),middle(135 cm),and bottom(85 cm)of the canopy positions of rainfed jujube(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)in the Chinese loess hilly region were obtained along with meteorological and soil water conditions during the growing seasons in 2019 and 2020.Under soil water non-deficit condition,the frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness was 5.45%higher at the top than at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.The frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness at the top,middle and bottom of the canopy positions was over 80%at 17:00‒18:00(LST).However,the occurrence of leaf wetness at the top was earlier than those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.Correspondingly,leaf drying at the top was also latter than those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.Leaf wetness duration at the middle was similar to that at the bottom of the canopy position,but about 1.46-3.01 h less than that at the top.Under soil water deficit condition,the frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness(4.92%-45.45%)followed the order of top>middle>bottom of the canopy position.As the onset of leaf wetness was delayed,the onset of wet leaf drying was advanced and the leaf wetness duration was shortened.Leaf wetness duration at the top was linearly related(R^(2)>0.70)to those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions under different soil water conditions.In conclusion,the hydrological processes at canopy surfaces of rainfed jujube depended on the position of leaves,thus adjusting canopy structure to redistribute hydrological process is a way to meet the water need of jujube.

BGA土壤调理剂对土壤结构及养分的影响

研究BGA土壤调理剂对土壤体积质量、总孔隙度、团聚体和养分含量的影响。结果表明,施用BGA土壤调理剂能降低土壤体积质量0.7%、使土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度和非毛管孔隙度增加,对增大土壤持水量和毛管持水量都具有明显效果。对7mm以下土壤团聚体的形成有促进作用,且能增强土壤团聚体在水中的稳定性。降低土壤pH,使土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷和速效钾分别增加12.0%、3.1%、5.7%、0.29%、29.2%和41.3%,增加的效果接近PF施肥的效果。

Influence of Bentonite and MB4 on the Chemical Characteristics of an Oxisol

The growing concern with the quality of life and the environment, due to the degradation of natural resources and their contamination, mainly with agrochemicals, led to the emergence of a sustainable or alternative agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of increasing doses of bentonite and MB4 on the availability of nutrients to the soil. The experiment consisted of a 4 × 4 factorial, bentonite doses (0, 30, 60 and 90 t⋅ha−1) and MB4 doses (0, 3, 6 and 9 t⋅ha−1) with three replications. The soil mixtures with the treatments were conditioned in the plastic pots, incubated for 90 days in a greenhouse, and chemically analyzed. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and comparison of means by the Tukey test. Increasing doses of bentonite and MB4 promoted an increase in the calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) in the soil sample either alone or the mixture of two factors, except for the mixture of the Ca Mg doses. Increasing doses of bentonite increased the cation exchange capacity of the soil, favoring the availability of nutrients in the soil. The increasing doses of MB4 favored the increase of the pH values and, consequently, decreased the soil potential acidity values for the applied bentonite doses. On the other hand, these treatments decreased the cation exchange capacity of the soil.

Sand Dunes Fixation in Baiji District, Iraq

This study was carried out at Sand Dunes Stabilization Researches Station in Baiji district (230 km north of Baghdad, Iraq) to evaluate the effects of local soil conditioners manufactured from oil derivatives and plant residuals on sand dunes fixation as the first step for sand dunes stabilization. The results indicate that the fuel oil has the first place in improving wind erosion parameters in the study area, such as increasing mean weight diameter, dry aggregates percentage, the needed time for complete disaggregation by dry sieving, and decreasing the disaggregation rates. Bitumen emulsion occupies the second place, while the plant residuals occupies the third place and has slight effects on the studied parameters. Effects of conditioners on natural vegetation cover are negative in oil derivatives treatments, while positive in plants residuals treatments.

Research and Experimentation for Clay Sedimentation in Aquatic Environment

The clay in the aquatic environment begins to precipitate depending on the saturation level of the solution.The purpose of this work is to monitor this subsidence of the clay and to see its course with photographs.The photos are then analyzed with the Adobe Photoshop program,so that the students of the 3rd grade of the High School are able to follow the evolution of the precipitation phenomenon through the analysis of the photos and the probability density distribution function of the three pigments(RBG(Red-Blue-Green)in the technology course).The rate of clay settling as shown in the photos requires a prerequisite for the use of soil conditioners in specific clay soils.The students who participated in the workshop had the opportunity to get in touch with the phenomenon of subsidence,the processing of the brightness of the images with the program Adobe Photoshop and the study of soil improvement alternatives.

Soil effect on the bearing capacity of a double-lining structure under internal water pressure

Water conveyance tunnels usually experience high internal water pressures and complex soil conditions.Therefore,shield tunnels with double-lining structure have been adopted because of their high bearing capacity.The effect of the interface between the segmental and inner linings on the bearing capacity has been widely investigated;however,the effect of soil on the internal water pressure bearing capacity has not been emphasized enough.Therefore,in this study,model tests and an analytical solution are presented to elucidate the effect of soil on the internal water pressure bearing capacity.First,model tests are conducted on double-lining models under sandy soil and highly weathered argillaceous siltstone conditions.The internal force and earth pressure under these different soil conditions are then compared to reveal the contribution of soil to the internal water pressure bearing capacity.Following this,an analytical solution,considering the soil–double-lining interaction,is proposed to further investigate the contribution of the soil.The analytical solution is verified with model tests.The analytical solution is in good agreement with the model test results and can be used to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the double-lining and soil contribution.The effect of soil on the bearing capacity is found to be related with the elastic modulus of the soil and the deformation state of the double-lining.Before the double-lining cracks,the sandy soil contributes 3.7%of the internal water pressure but the contribution of the soil rises to 10.4%when it is the highly weathered argillaceous siltstone.After the double-lining cracks,the soil plays an important role in bearing internal water pressure.The soil contributions of sandy soil and highly weathered argillaceous siltstones are 10.5%and 27.8%,respectively.The effect of soil should be considered in tunnel design with the internal water pressure.

Soil depth- and root diameter- related variations affect root decomposition in temperate pine and oak forests

Aims Assessment of factors regulating root decomposition is needed to understand carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.the ob-jective of this study is to examine the effects of soil depth and root diameter on root decomposition and to analyze the relationship of root decomposition with factors such as soil environmental conditions and initial litter quality.Methods two decomposition experiments were conducted in natural pine(Pinus densiflora)and oak(Quercus serrata)forests over a 2-year period using the litterbag technique.For the soil depth experiment,216 litterbags containing fine roots(∅=0-2 mm)were buried at 0-10-,10-20-and 20-30-cm soil depths.Soil properties and soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass at each soil depth were analyzed.For the root diameter experiment,216 litterbags containing roots 0-1-,1-2-and 2-3-mm in diameter were buried at 10-cm soil depth.the initial litter qualities(carbon(c),nitrogen(N),calcium(ca)and phosphorus(P)concentrations)for each of the root diameter classes were analyzed.Litterbags were retrieved after 3,6,12 and 24 months in each forest type.Important Findingsthe root decomposition rate was significantly altered by soil depth and root diameter.After 2 years,the root decay constant at 0-10-cm depth(pine:0.35 and oak:0.41)was significantly higher than that at 10-20-cm(0.31 and 0.37)and 20-30-cm(0.32 and 0.33)depths in the P.densiflora and Q.serrata forests.Enzyme activities and microbial biomass declined with soil depth,which may be associated with decreasing soil moisture and organic matter.the decay constant for the 0-1-mm roots(pine:0.32 and oak:0.37)was higher than that of 1-2-mm(0.29 and 0.33)and 2-3-mm roots(0.26 and 0.33)for the P.densiflora and Q.serrata forests.Difference in initial P concentration and c/N ratio among the different diameter roots were linearly related with root decomposition.In particular,the increasing c/N ratio with root diameter resulted in decreases in the decomposition rate.these results indicate the surface soil microbial activities and initial c/N ratio of root litter as important drivers of c dynamics in temperate pine and oak forests.

Comparative Assessment of the Effect of Wastewater Sludge Biochar on Growth,Yield and Metal Bioaccumulation of Cherry Tomato

To investigate the potential effects of wastewater sludge and sludge biochar on growth, yield and metal bioaccumulation of cherry tomato （Lycopersicon esculentum L.）, a pot experiment was carried out under greenhouse environment with three different treatments, control soil （CP）, soil with wastewater sludge （SS） and soil with sludge biochar （SB）, to reveal the comparative effect between the amendments of wastewater sludge and sludge biochar. The soil used for pot experiment was Chromosol. Wastewater sludge and sludge biochax produced through pyrolysis process at 550 ℃ were applied at 10 t ha-1. No significant difference was found in growth and production of cherry tomatoes between wastewater sludge and sludge biochar applications to the soil. The accumulation rates of metals in the fruits were lower in the treatment with sludge biochar than in the treatment with wastewater sludge. The study highlights the benefits of risk mitigation from toxic metal accumulation in fruits using wastewater sludge and sludge biochar as soil conditioners.

Comparative study on passive aerated in-vessel composting of food wastes with the addition of Sabah ragi

The aims of this study are to determine the effect of Sabah ragi on food waste and dry leaves composting as well as to compare the composting performance from a previous study that had no addition of Sabah ragi.The composting process was conducted using an in-vessel passive aerated bioreactor with turning every 3 days for 40 days.Based on the physiochemical analysis,the stability and maturity of the compost were evaluated.Parameters such as temperature,total organic carbon,moisture content,pH,conductivity,and C/N were monitored.During the composting process,the highest temperature of 54.2℃ and the highest heat generation rate per initial mass of compost dry matter of 4098 kJ kg^(-1) day^(-1) was achieved on day 7.Furthermore,when compared to previous studies,this study achieved a faster thermophilic phase(≥45℃),a longer thermophilic period(4 days),and a higher cumulative temperature.Elementary kinetic analysis was performed based on the TOC profile and evaluated using coefficient correlation(R^(2)).In this study,application of the second-order model resulted in good responses.Low pathogen levels and higher nitrogen content were detected in the final compost,while some of the nutrients were not in the recommended range.An estimated ragi cost of RM 1.22 was required for every 1 kg of compost with a selling price of RM 6.00/kg of compost.