A New Approach for Smoothing Soil Grain Size Curve Determined by Hydrometer

In hydrometer analysis for soil grain size distribution, usually, the grains passing sieve No. 200 (<0.074 mm) are used. However, the hydrometer results occasionally give diameters greater than 0.074 mm. This event causes a mismatch in the curve of grain size distribution obtained from sieving and hydrometer methods. Hence, a new approach is proposed for smoothing soil grain size curve determined by hydrometer using Excel-2007 with simple statistical methods. The treatments show that in case of large sizes, there are big differences between the values of soil grain diameters smoothed by Excel-2007 in comparison and the values measured by references. These differences generally decrease with decreasing soil grain size diameters. The statistical treatments also divulge whether the hydrometer results are accurate or not. Furthermore, a general equation has been derived to estimate values of K factor, which is used for calculating the grain diameters in hydrometer analysis. The equation can be applied for any specific gravity of soils and for wide range temperatures.

Integrated agronomic practice increases maize grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency under various soil fertility conditions

Crop yield potential can be increased through the use of appropriate agronomic practices. Integrated agronomic practice (IAP) is an effective way to increase maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE);however, the physiological processes associated with gains in yield potential obtained from IAP, particularly the different under various soil fertility conditions, remain poorly understood. An IAP strategy including optimal planting density, split fertilizer application, and subsoiling tillage was evaluated over two growing seasons to determine whether the effects of IAP on maize yield and NUE differ under different levels of soil fertility. Compared to farmers' practices (FP), IAP increased maize grain yield in 2013 and 2014 by 25% and 28%, respectively, in low soil fertility (LSF) fields and by 36% and 37%, respectively, in high soil fertility (HSF) fields. The large yield gap was attributed mainly to greater dry matter (DM) and N accumulation with IAP than with FP owing to increased leaf area index (LAI) and DM accumulation rate, which were promoted by greater soil mineral N content (Nmin) and root length. Post-silking DM and N accumulation were also greater with IAP than with FP under HSF conditions, accounting for 60% and 43%, respectively, of total biomass and N accumulation;however, no significant differences were found for post-silking DM and N accumulation between IAP and FP under LSF conditions. Thus, the increase in grain yield with IAP was greater under HSF than under LSF. Because of greater grain yield and N uptake, IAP significantly increased N partial factor productivity, agronomic N efficiency, N recovery efficiency, and physiological efficiency of applied N compared to FP, particularly in the HSF fields. These results indicate that considerable further increases in yield and NUE can be obtained by increasing effective soil N content and maize root length to promote post-silking N and DM accumulation in maize planted at high plant density, especially in fields with low soil fertility.

Experimental study on permanent deformation characteristics of coarse-grained soil under repeated dynamic loading

Practical assessment of subgrade settlement induced by train operation requires developing suitable models capable of describing permanent deformation characteristics of subgrade filling under repeated dynamic loading.In this paper,repeated load triaxial tests were performed on coarse-grained soil(CGS),and the axial permanent strain of CGS under different confining pressures and dynamic stress amplitudes was analysed.Permanent deformation behaviors of CGS were categorized based on the variation trend of permanent strain rate with accumulated permanent strain and the shakedown theory.A prediction model of permanent deformation considering stress state and number of load cycles was established,and the ranges of parameters for different types of dynamic behaviors were also divided.The results indicated that the variational trend of permanent strain rate with accumulated permanent strain can be used as a basis for classifying dynamic behaviors of CGS.The stress state(confining pressure and dynamic stress amplitude)has significant effects on the permanent strain rate.The accumulative characteristics of permanent deformation of CGS with the number of load cycles can be described by a power function,and the model parameters can reflect the influence of confining pressure and dynamic stress amplitude.The study’s results could help deepen understanding of the permanent deformation characteristics of CGS.

Prediction model for mercury transfer from soil to corn grain and its cross-species extrapolation

In this study the transfer characteristics of mercury（Hg） from a wide range of Chinese soils to corn grain（cultivar Zhengdan 958） were investigated. Prediction models were developed for determining the Hg bioconcentration factor（BCF） of Zhengdan 958 from soil, including the soil properties, such as p H, organic matter（OM） concentration, cation exchange capacity（CEC）, total nitrogen concentration（TN）, total phosphorus concentration（TP）, total potassium concentration（TK）, and total Hg concentration（THg）, using multiple stepwise regression analysis. These prediction models were applied to other non-model corn cultivars using a cross-species extrapolation approach. The results indicated that the soil p H was the most important factor associated with the transfer of Hg from soil to corn grain. Hg bioaccumulation in corn grain increased with the decreasing p H. No significant differences were found between two prediction models derived from different rates of Hg applied to the soil as HgCl2. The prediction models established in this study can be applied to other non-model corn cultivars and are useful for predicting Hg bioconcentration in corn grain and assessing the ecological risk of Hg in different soils.

Comprehensive tests on rising height of capillary water for coarse grained soil

According to the comprehensive tests on the rising height of capillary water for seven kinds of differ- ent coarse grained soil by use of the method of standpipe, the relationship between the rising height of capillary water and time was obtained, and the influencing factors and rules were analyzed. The data of the steady rising height of capillary water were obtained, and the regression equation of coarse grained soil on steady height and physical indexes （effective grain dl0 and porosity n） was found. Compared with Hazen＇s and other expressions that could estimate the steady height of capillary water of coarse grained soil, the proposed method is satisfactory and the defects of the latter were pointed out.

Influence of fines content on the anti-frost properties of coarse-grained soil

This paper aims to determine the optimal fines content of coarse-grained soil required to simultaneously achieve weaker frost susceptibility and better bearing capacity. We studied the frost susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil by means of frost heaving tests and static triaxial tests, and the results are as follows： （1） the freezing temperature of coarse-grained soil decreased gradually and then leveled off with incremental increases in the percent content of fines; （2） the fines content proved to be an important factor influencing the frost heave susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil. With incremental increases in the percent content of fines, the frost heave ratio increased gradually and the cohesion function of fines effectively enhanced the shear strength of coarse-grained soil before freeze-thaw, but the frost susceptibility of fines weakened the shear strength of coarse-grained soil after freeze-thaw; （3） with increasing numbers of freeze-thaw cycles, the shear strength of coarse-grained soil decreased and then stabilized after the ninth freeze-thaw cycle, and therefore the mechanical indexes of the ninth freeze-thaw cycle are recommended for the engi- neering design values; and （4） considering frost susceptibility and strength properties as a whole, the optimal fines content of 5% is recommended for railway sub,fade coarse-~rained soil fillings in frozen re^ions.

Determination of arsenic in grain and soil by hydride nondispersive atomic fluorescence method

Quantity of trace arsenic in grain and soil was determined by hydride nondispersive atomic fluorescence method.Optimum conditions of measurement were selected in the experiment including the pH of the medium, reductive agent, the concentration and flowing velocity of KBH4, rate of carrier gas and atomized temperature. The reference sample of rice C was determined and the linear relationship of the calibration curve was plotted, indicating that the method was highly precise. In the experiment of recovery rate, the method was quite satisfactory.Based on the determination of hundreds of samples, it is proved that atomic fluorescence method is rapid, sensitive and low in interference. It is very efficient on determination of trace arsenic in soils and grains, especially in grains.

Experimental study on grain size and soluble salt of saline soil in western Jilin Province, China

Western Jilin Province is a typical seasonal frost region, and is also one of the severest salinization areas of China. In this study, we aim to examine the saline soil in Da＇an and Wukesong areas, western Jilin Province, and mainly analyze the granulometric composition and distribution of salt in soil profiles. Four sampling sites, two in Da＇an and two in Wukesong respectively, are chosen for study. The granulometric composition, especially silt and clay content change in different sites and soil depths are analyzed. Analysis of total and components of soluble salt shows that the surface soil is weak carbonate saline, in which the main cation is Na＋ and the main anion is HCO3-. The total amount of soluble salt presents a decreasing tendency with increasing depth. The comprehensive analysis ofgranulometric composition and soluble salt shows that the clay content and soluble salt content present similar variation tendency with an increase of depth.

The Soil Moisture and Grain Size Characteristics of Micro-area: A Case Study of Minqin Oasis- Desert Ecotone

To elaborate soil moisture and grain size characteristics of 3 typical micro-areas in Minqin oasis-desert ecotone,samples were collected in runoff generation area and accumulated area using soil profile and multi-point sampling method,for soil moisture and physicochemical property analysis. Research results that( i) water accumulation trace of accumulated area is significant and the vegetation coverage is larger than the runoff generation area. The crust development in clay sand barrier + Haloxylon ammodendron forest accumulated is better than runoff generation area,while the situation is contrary in Nitraria tangutorum sand dune lowland and clay flat land.( ii) Moisture of accumulated area in fixed Nitraria tangutorum sand inter-dune lowland is better than the runoff generation area; the moisture of accumulated area in clay flat land topsoil is significantly better than the runoff generation area,while the topsoil moisture of clay sand barrier + Haloxylon ammodendron forest is better in the runoff generation area than in the accumulated area.( iii) Soil moisture of accumulated area in 3 types of micro-areas is in the range of 20- 40 cm; the fixed Nitraria tangutorum sand inter-dune lowland is better than clay flat land and clay sand barrier + Haloxylon ammodendron forest,while the lowest moisture of corresponding runoff generation area is basically consistent with the depth.( iv) The topsoil clay and powder content in accumulated area of fixed Nitraria tangutorum sand inter-dune lowland is lower than the runoff generation area,while the fine sand content in deep layer of runoff generation area is greater than the accumulated area; soil in two areas of clay flat land mainly consists of coarse and fine sand,and clay particles are better in runoff generation area than in accumulated area. Soil in the clay sand barrier + Haloxylon ammodendron forest is mainly coarse sand and the structure is single. In sum,through adjusting allocation of rainfall,micro-areas influence soil moisture and grain size distribution,and further influence spatial- temporal distribution of vegetation in sand micro-areas.

Grain Size and Major Oxide Analyses of Selected Anthill Soils from Winneba Area, Ghana

Termites build their habitat in the form of anthills or termitaria or termite mounds which are characterised by soil of clayey texture. This paper investigated the relative grain size from the base, middle and near the peak of three anthills located 20 km west of Winneba near the Apam-Winneba highway in Ghana and also correlated their elemental compositions. The results showed significant grain size gradation of soils which range from 2O3 (22.18 - 28.88), MnO (0.08 - 0.09), and K2O (0.4 - 0.61). However, as K2O decreased with height on anthill, SiO2, total FeO and Al2O3 increased. Probably soils used to construct these anthills were derived from different rock types and/or the termites were selective in the use of soils rich in silica or iron oxide.

Tillage, <i>Desmodium intortum</i>, Fertilizer Rates for Carbon Stock, Soil Quality and Grain Yield in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria soils are continuously and intensively cultivated, resulting in soil quality degradation, carbon stock depletion, accelerated soil erosion and soil nutrient depletion. Effects of land use change on soil carbon stocks (SOC) are of concern regarding greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and sustainable crop production, because there is a need for food sufficiency while conserving the environment. Also, managing soils under intensive use and restoring degraded soils are top priorities for a sustained agronomic production while conserving soil and water resources. Hence, this study;“Tillage, Desmodium intortum, fertilizer rates for carbon stock, soil quality and grain yield in Northern Guinea Savanna” is aimed at devising possible mitigating measures for soil quality degradation, carbon stock depletion and impoverished crop yields using Zea mays as test crop. The study was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in split-split plot arrangement with four replicates. The four main tillage and Desmodium intortum combination treatments were: 1) Maize &#8722;without Desmodium + Conventional tillage (MC), 2) Maize + Desmodium live-mulch incorporated and relayed + Conservation tillage (MDIC), 3) Maize + Desmodium in no-tillage system (MDNT), 4) Maize + Desmodium in strip tillage (MDST). The main treatment plots were each divided to accommodate four (4) rates of N (60, 80, 100 and 120 kg·ha&#8722;1) as sub plots, while the N rate plots were further divided to accommodate three (3) rates of P (6.6, 13.2, and 26.4 kg·ha&#8722;1) as sub-subplots. Findings support that Desmodium intercrops with Maize treatments (MDIC, MDNT, and MDST) resulted in increased organic carbon contents in 2013, with MDNT resulting in significantly higher organic carbon content (7.37 g·kg&#8722;1 in 2012 and 8.37 g·kg&#8722;1 in 2013) than the other treatments. Also, zero tillage practice (MDNT) sequestered significantly higher carbon stock (18.06 t C ha&#8722;1), followed by minimum tillage (MDIC) that sequestered 15.99 t C ha&#8722;1 than the other treatments. Highest grain yield of 2.61 tha&#8722;1 under MDIC and MDNT was followed by MDST and least under MC. Total score of soil quality assessment gave least score values of 13 under MDIC and MDNT;thus best soil quality (SQ1) was ascribed to the minimum tillage with D. intortum intercrop and relayed (MDIC) and Zero tillage with D. intortum (MDNT) treatments. Maize Strip cropped with D. intortum treatment (MDST) was ranked SQ2.

Grain yield and water use efficiency of super rice under soil water deficit and alternate wetting and drying irrigation

This study investigated if super rice could better cope with soil water deficit and if it could have better yield performance and water use efficiency （WUE） under alternate wetting and drying （AWD） irrigation than check rice. Two super rice cultivars and two elite check rice cultivars were grown in pots with three soil moisture levels, well watered （WW）, moderate water deficit （MWD） and severe water deficit （SWD）. Two cultivars, each for super rice and check rice, were grown in field with three irrigation regimes, alternate wetting and moderate drying （AWMD）, alternate wetting and severe drying （AWSD） and conventional irrigation （CI）. Compared with that under WW, grain yield was significantly decreased under MWD and SWD treatments, with less reduction for super rice than for check rice. Super rice had higher percentage of productive tillers, deeper root distribution, higher root oxidation activity, and greater aboveground biomass production at mid and late growth stages than check rice, especially under WMD and WSD. Compared with CI,AWMD increased, whereasAWSD decreased grain yield, with more increase or less decrease for super rice than for check rice. Both MWD and SWD treatments and eitherAWMD orAWSD regime significantly increased WUE compared with WW treatment or CI regime, with more increase for super rice than for check rice. The results suggest that super rice has a stronger ability to cope with soil water deficit and holds greater promising to increase both grain yield and WUE by adoption of moderate AWD irrigation.

农业领域新质生产力的生态内涵及发展方式

农业现代化是中国式现代化的重要组成部分,推动农业现代化,实现农业强国迫切需要发展农业领域新质生产力。从生态学视角来讲,以科技创新为核心的农业领域新质生产力,在劳动者、劳动资料及劳动对象等方面都具有独特的生态内涵;同时,在新发展阶段担负着保障国家粮食安全、提升农业生态产品供给能力、推动生产方式绿色转型、提升耕地土壤健康水平以及水土资源利用效率等方面的历史使命。为此,需要全面树立健康引领农业领域新质生产力发展的理念,构建与农业领域新质生产力相适应的生产关系,建立和完善科技创新体系、人才支撑体系以及资金保障体系。

激光粒度仪在特殊土颗粒分析试验中的应用

采用激光粒度仪对膨胀土、黄土和红土进行了颗粒分析试验,研究了取样质量和超声波分散时间对试验结果的影响,发现遮光率与取样质量呈现很好的线性正相关,给出了特殊土在激光粒度仪法试验中适宜的遮光率范围(15%~25%)、取样质量(膨胀土取0.1~0.2 g,黄土取0.4~0.8 g,红土取0.2~0.4 g)和超声波分散时间(膨胀土取6 min,黄土和红土取2 min);激光粒度仪法试验结果的离散性,对于黄土和膨胀土较小,但对红土相对较大,红土平行试验中粒组含量极差的最大值为10.1%;与密度计法相比,激光粒度仪法测得的胶粒(0,0.002]mm含量偏小,而黏粒(0.002,0.005]mm或更大粒组的含量则偏大,可能是因为两者试验原理的不同而导致的;2种方法对红土的测试结果差异较大,与红土的特殊性质有一定关系。研究成果为激光粒度仪在特殊土颗粒分析试验中的应用提供了借鉴。

高摩阻超静定土工格栅在粗粒土夹层中的剪胀作用研究

在加筋土工程中,采用异型格栅和设置粗粒土夹层可以有效增强筋土相互作用。然而粗粒土夹层厚度的确定方法仍有待进一步研究。基于一种带有凸起节点结构的高摩阻超静定土工格栅(high resistance hyperstatic geogrids,简称HRHG)与砾石的直剪试验结果,建立了剪切硬化筋土界面的剪胀本构模型,并进一步研究了筋土剪胀应力在土体内引起附加应力的分布规律。通过开展不同法向压力(30、50、80 kPa)下的直剪试验,研究了不同粗粒土夹层厚度(60、100、140、180 mm)对筋土相互作用的影响,并与筋土界面剪胀应力的分布规律进行了对比分析。结果表明,筋土界面剪胀本构模型可以有效计算剪缩位移和剪胀位移,且最终剪胀位移随法向压力增加而减小。由界面剪胀应力引起的粗粒土中附加应力随着与筋土界面距离的增加而降低,但是剪胀范围逐步增大。粗粒土夹层厚度的增加可以有效提高界面剪切强度,但存在最优夹层厚度使界面剪切强度的增幅迅速降低。最优夹层厚度随着法向压力的增加而减小。通过对比分析最优夹层厚度与剪胀应力比之间的关系,提出了基于筋土界面剪胀本构模型的确定最优夹层厚度的半经验公式,可为HRHG在工程中的设计或应用提供参考。

细粒土与粗粒土动力流化的孔压差异辨析

地基土体在动力作用下的液化对工程会产生灾害性影响。孔隙水压力是研究饱和土体转变为流体的重要表征,已有研究发现,细粒土在液化过程中即使孔压比(孔压/围压)未达到1,也已进入液化状态。本文将土颗粒概化为球体,考虑颗粒吸附水膜的影响,对由砂粒、粉粒、黏粒组成的饱和土体,在可发生流动的情况下,建立产生动力流化的理论模型,并分析了动三轴和振动台实验中孔压的变化。结合土体微结构特征,指出细粒土处于流化状态时,孔隙水压力因受结合水膜影响而导致孔压值减小,同时因颗粒形状(如板片等)的框架支撑作用也可减小孔压值。这一从土体微观组成的物理性质上进行的理论分析,有助于厘清以孔隙水压力判别细粒土与粗粒土发生动力流化标准不同的原因,有助于研究者深入理解土体液化的内在机制。

渗流作用下粗粒土冻结壁交圈规律及预测模型探索

由于渗流作用下的冻结壁发育规律不明等原因,部分冻结法施工工程依靠人工经验,缺乏科学的预测模型,与精准化设计和控制还有很长的距离。为探索渗流作用下冻结法施工中粗粒土层冻结壁的演化规律,本文首先建立冻结法施工数值模型,并通过室内模型试验反演验证所建立模型的有效性和适用性。之后,考虑渗流速度、冻结管间距、环境温度、含水率和导热系数等五个因素,开展冻结壁形成正交数值试验,确定冻结壁交圈时间和厚度的主控因素。最后,通过数值模拟研究主控因素作用下冻结壁的发育和演化规律。基于结果建立临界流速、冻结壁厚度、冻结壁交圈时间的预测模型,给出冻结法施工参数的选择方案。结果表明,建立的冻土水热相变耦合模型可有效模拟渗流条件下土体冻结过程,能够满足冻结壁发育过程计算分析的需要。基于正交数值试验结果发现,渗流速度对冻结壁厚度和交圈时间的贡献百分比分别为78%和52%,是影响冻结壁能否交圈和最终厚度的主控因素。当渗流速度超过一定阈值时,冻结壁无法交圈。本文将这一阈值定义为冻结法施工中的临界流速。当冻结壁能够交圈,其最终形成的冻结壁厚度也主要由渗流速度决定,二者呈负指数函数关系。冻结管间距对冻结壁最终厚度影响不大,但是对冻结壁交圈时间影响较大,它们之间存在负指数函数关系。本文给出了0~6 m·d^(-1)条件下的临界流速、冻结壁厚度、冻结壁交圈时间计算模型,它们可为粗粒土地层的冻结法施工参数选择和施工工艺设计提供理论指导。

含泥量对砂类硫酸盐渍土工程特性的影响分析

为了明确含泥量对砂类硫酸盐渍土的盐胀和力学特性的影响,人工配制了不同细粒土含量的砂类硫酸盐渍土,在1%和3%(质量分数,下同)含盐量单向冻结盐胀试验的基础上,选取了细粒土含量为5%、15%、30%和40%的砂样进行常温、低温三轴剪切试验。研究结果表明:此试验条件下,不同级配砂类硫酸盐渍土的冻结温度为-0.7~-0.1℃,当砂样孔隙溶液浓度在冻结温度之上达到饱和时,降温过程中会首先生成盐结晶;1%含盐量条件下,高细粒土含量(≥30%)砂样的起胀温度在4~9℃之内,而低细粒土含量砂样的起胀温度在0℃附近,3%含盐量砂样的起胀温度为20~23℃;试验含水率和细粒土含量通过影响土体中自由水的含量对盐冻胀产生显著影响。在力学特性方面,随着细粒土掺量的增加,砂类硫酸盐渍土的抗剪强度表现出先增大后减小的趋势,细粒土由增强摩擦转变为颗粒间的“润滑”作用;此外,冻结后砂土转变为承载能力更强的“土-盐-冰骨架结构”,抗剪强度大幅提高,并呈现出明显的脆性破坏特征,由于冻结砂土受相对温度的影响,随着含盐量的增加,破坏应力呈先减小后增大的趋势。

基于耕地资源质量分类监测的土壤条件变化对粮食产量的影响——以河南省兰考县为例

为突出土壤条件变化对粮食产量的影响,采用趋势分析法和对比分析法,以兰考县耕地资源质量分类监测工作为例,分析土壤监测样点不同年份的土壤条件变化对当地粮食产量造成的影响。研究表明,土壤有机质含量的增加和土壤pH在合理范围内的增加都能够提升粮食产量。建议以测土配方施肥为基础,增加有机肥的使用量,提升土壤有机质含量,并针对当地土壤的实际情况和主要作物类型,提出有针对性的改良土壤pH的措施,以提升粮食产量。

秸秆还田及不同比例控失尿素对华北平原小麦产量及潮土性质影响

为探讨不同控失尿素比例和秸秆还田对华北平原小麦产量及潮土化学性质的影响,本研究以华北潮土区小麦-玉米轮作体系为研究对象,采用裂区试验设计,以秸秆还田为主区,控失尿素比例为副区。秸秆还田模式设秸秆全量还田(S1)、秸秆不还田(S0)2种;控失尿素比例设不施肥(CK)以及控失尿素占总施氮量比例为0、40%、70%和100%(LCU0、LCU40、LCU70、LCU100)5个处理。在作物收割后进行产量测定,并采集0~20 cm耕层土壤进行常规土壤养分含量测定。结果表明:与S0处理相比,S1处理显著提高土壤有机质和速效钾含量。控失尿素显著提高土壤硝态氮含量,其他土壤养分含量无显著变化。秸秆不还田条件下,施用化肥显著降低了土壤pH值。控失尿素比例为70%时土壤养分含量最高。秸秆还田对小麦产量及吸氮量无显著影响,控失尿素对小麦产量及吸氮量增加具有极显著影响。在所有处理中,S1-LCU40处理的籽粒和秸秆产量最高,籽粒产量达7009.26 kg·hm^(-2),秸秆产量达11361.38 kg·hm^(-2)。秸秆还田对土壤氮素依存率具有显著影响,不同比例控失尿素对氮素收获指数具有显著影响,对氮肥表观利用率、土壤氮素依存率具有极显著影响。控失尿素比例为40%或70%时氮素吸收利用指标较优。综上,在华北平原潮土区,秸秆还田与40%控失尿素比例配施可以显著提升土壤供氮能力,提高小麦产量和氮素吸收与利用指标,是较为适宜的管理措施,但其机理及长期效应还需进一步研究。