Phosphorus Changes and Sorption Characteristics in a Calcareous Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization

Knowledge of phosphorus （P） behavior in long-term fertilized soils is essential for programming fertilization practices and for sustaining environmental quality. The long-term （1984-1997） effects of various fertilization treatments on P changes and sorption isotherms as well as the relationship of soil properties to P sorption and P forms were evaluated in an Ustic Isohumisol, a calcareous soil, on the Loess Plateau, China. Compared to 1984, after 13 years of crop production, total soil P in the no-P treatments （control and N treatment） decreased by 5%-7%, but in the phosphorus fertilizer alone （P）, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in combination （NP）, manure alone （M）, and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and manure in combination （NPM） treatments, it increased by 22%, 19%, 28%, and 58%, respectively. Residual fertilizer P was found mainly in NH4Ac-soluble P （Cas-P）, followed by NaHCO3-soluble P （NaHCO3-P）, and NH4F-soluble P （Al-P）. Phosphorus sorption in the soils with different fertilization practices fit the Langmuir equations. Phosphorus sorption capacity in the no-P treatments increased, whereas it decreased in the P-included treatments （P, NP, and NPM treatments）. Phosphorus sorption maximum （Qm） was significantly and negatively correlated to inorganic P including NaHCO3-P, Cas-P, NaOH-Na2CO3-soluble P （Fe-P）, and Al-P （P ≤ 0.01）. Moreover, long-term fertilization increased soil organic carbon in the NP, M, and NPM treatments and decreased pH in the NP and NPM treatments. Thus, the ability of the soil to release sorbed P to the environment increased under long-term P fertilization.

Crop Yield and Soil Properties in the First 3 Years After Biochar Application to a Calcareous Soil

It remains unclear whether biochar applications to calcareous soils can improve soil fertility and crop yield. A long-term field experiment was established in 2009 so as to determine the effect of biochar on crop yield and soil properties in a calcareous soil. Five treatments were： 1） straw incorporation; 2） straw incorporation with inorganic fertilizer; 3）, 4） and 5） straw incorporation with inorganic fertilizer, and biochar at 30, 60, and 90 t ha-l, respectively. The annual yield of either winter wheat or summer maize was not increased significantly following biochar application, whereas the cumulative yield over the first 4 growing seasons was significantly increased. Soil pH, measured in situ, was increased by a maximum of 0.35 units after 2 yr following biochar application. After 3 yr, soil bulk density significantly decreased while soil water holding capacity increased with adding biochar of 90 t ha^-1. Alkaline hydrolysable N decreased but exchangeable K increased due to biochar addition. Olsen-P did not change compared to the treatment without biochar. The results suggested that biochar could be used in calcareous soils without yield loss or significant impacts on nutrient availability.

Response of Tomato on Calcareous Soils to Different Seedbed Phosphorus Application Rates

Field experiments were conducted with five rates （0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 kg P205 ha^-1） of seedbed P fertilizer application to investigate the yield of tomato in response to fertilizer P rate on calcareous soils with widely different levels of Olsen P （13-142 mg kg^-1） at 15 sites in some suburban counties of Beijing in 1999. Under the condition of no P fertilizer application, tomato yield generally increased with an increase in soil test P levels, and the agronomic level for soil testing P measured with Olsen method was 50 or 82 mg kg^-1 soil to achieve 85% or 95% of maximum tomato yield, respectively. With regard to marketable yield, in the fields where Olsen-P levels were 〈 50 mg kg^-1, noticeable responses to applied P were observed. On the basis of a linear plateau regression, the optimum seedbed P application rate in the P-insufflcient fields was 125 kg P205 ha^-1 or about 1.5-2 times the P removal from harvested tomato plants. In contrast, in fields with moderate （50 〈 Olsen P 〈 90 mg kg^-1） or high （Olsen P 〉 90 mg kg^-1） available P, there was no marked effect on tomato fruit yield. Field survey data indicated that in most fields with conventional P management, a P surplus typically occurred. Thus, once the soil test P level reached the optimum for crop yield, it was recommended that P fertilizer application be restricted or eliminated to minimize negative environmental effects.

Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae-Mediated Uptake and Thanslocation of P and Zn by Wheat in Calcareous Soil

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi have been credited with improving the groWth and mineral nutrition of many host plants but these effects are moderated by soil factors and nutrient balance. The combined effects of VAM, Zn and P application on the growth and translocation of nutrients in wheat were investigated using a calcareous soil marginal in P and Zn concentrations. Wheat was grown in a growth chamber under various combinations of VAM, P and Zn with measurements done at heading stage and maturity.Vegetative dry matter accumulation was increased by P application and reduced by VAM treatments. Both P and VAM increased grain yield. Zinc concentration and uptake were generally reduced by P addition and VAM infection. There were no antagonistic effects of Zn on P acquisition in the plant. The role of VAM in enhancing the translocation of Zn and P from root to grain would be beneficial to seed setting and yield.

Effects of moisture and carbonate additions on CO_2 emission from calcareous soil during closed–jar incubation

Calcareous soil contains organic and inorganic carbon(C) pools,which both contribute to CO2 emission during closed-jar incubation. The mineralization of organic C and dissolution of inorganic C are both related to soil moisture,but the exact effect of water content on CO2 emission from calcareous soil is unclear. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of soil water content(air-dried,30%,70%,and 100% water-holding capacity(WHC)),carbonate type(CaCO3 or MgCO3),and carbonate amount(0.0,1.0%,and 2.0%) on CO2 emission from calcareous soil during closed-jar incubation. Soil CO2 emission increased significantly as the water content increased to 70% WHC,regardless of whether or not the soil was amended with carbonates. Soil CO2 emission remained the same or increased slowly as the soil water content increased from 70% WHC to 100% WHC. When the water content was ≤30% WHC,soil CO2 emission from soil amended with 1.0% inorganic C was greater than that from unamended soil. When the soil water content was 70% or 100% WHC,CO2 emission from CaCO3 amended soil was greater than that from the control. Furthermore,CO2 emission from soil amended with 2.0% CaCO3 was greater than that from soil amended with 1.0% CaCO3. Soil CO2 emission was higher in the MgCO3 amended soil than from the unamended soil. Soil CO2 emission decreased as the MgCO3 content increased. Cumulative CO2 emission was 3-6 times higher from MgCO3 amended soil than from CaCO3 amended soil. There was significant interaction effect between soil moisture and carbonates on CO2 emission. Soil moisture plays an important role in CO2 emission from calcareous soil because it affects both biotic and abiotic processes during the closed-jar incubation.

Organic matter fractions within macroaggregates in response to long-term fertilization in calcareous soil after reclamation

Soil organic carbon(SOC)plays a key role in improving soil quality and optimizing crop yield.Yet little is known about the fate of macroaggregates(>0.25 mm)under long-term fertilization and their relative importance in SOC sequestration in reclaimed calcareous soil.Therefore,the effects of mineral fertilizers and organic manure on the mechanisms of organic carbon(OC)stabilization in macroaggregates were investigated in this study.Four treatments were used:unfertilized control(CK),mineral fertilizer(NPK),compost chicken manure alone(M),and mineral fertilizers plus manure(MNPK).Samples from the 0–20 cm layer of soil receiving 11-year-long fertilization were separated into four fractions based on the macroaggregates present(unprotected coarse and fine particulate organic matter,cPOM and fPOM;physically protected intra-microaggregate POM,i POM;and biochemically protected mineral associated OM,MOM)by the physical fractionation method.Compared with the control,the long-term application of NPK had little effect on SOC content,total nitrogen(TN)content,and OC and TN contents of macroaggregate fractions.In contrast,incorporation of organic manure(MNPK)significantly increased SOC(45.7%)and TN(24.3%)contents.Application of MNPK increased OC contents within macroaggregate-extracted fractions of cPOM(292.2%),fPOM(136.0%)and iPOM(124.0%),and TN contents within cPOM(607.1%),fPOM(242.5%)and iPOM(127.6%),but not the mineral associated organic carbon(MOM-C)and nitrogen(MOM-N)contents.Unprotected C fractions were more strongly and positively correlated with SOC increase than protected C fractions,especially for cPOM-C,indicating that SOC sequestration mainly occurred via cPOM-C in the studied calcareous soil.In conclusion,MNPK increased the quantity and stability of SOC by increasing the contents of cPOM-C and cPOM-N,suggesting that this management practice(MNPK)is an effective strategy to develop sustainable agriculture.

Transformation of Phosphate Fertilizers with Different Solubilities in Calcareous Soils

In this research work, the authors, using the recently developed method of fractionating the forms of inorganic phosphorus in calcareous soils, have studied the transformation processes of inorgnic phosphorus in three different phosphate fertilizers, i. e., superphosphate, diammonium phosphate and calcium magnesium phosphate, being commonly used in China, during a period of 3 years after their application to calcareous soils, and based on the experimental results obtained, some problems in current use of phosphate fertilizers are discussed.

Effects of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements in calcareous soils

This study investigated the impact of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements(REEs)in calcareous soils using methods of single extraction and mass balance calculation. The purposes of the study were to set a basis for further research on the biogeochemical REE cycle and to provide references for soil–water conservation and REE-containing fertilizer amendments. The results show a generally flat Post-Archean Average Australian Shale—normalized REE pattern for the studied calcareous soils. REE enrichment varied widely. The proportion of acidsoluble phases of heavy REEs was higher than that of light REEs. From top to bottom of the studied hills, dominant REE sources transitioned from limestone in-situ weathering to input from REE-containing phases(e.g., clay minerals,amorphous iron, REE-containing fluids). Our results indicate that the REE content of calcareous soils is mainly controlled by slope aspect, while the enrichment degree of REEs is related to geomorphological position and vegetation type.Furthermore, the proportion of acid-soluble phases of REEs is mainly controlled by geomorphological position.

Effect of Submergence on Iron Transformation and Phosphorus Availability in Calcareous Soils

A thermostatic incubation experiment was carried out to estimate the effects of flooding periods, stalk application and P addition on Fe transformation and P availability in calcareous soils. Submergence increased amorphous Fe, especially in the case of stalk application. The newly formed amorphous Fe with a great surface area played an important role in P sorption; and submergence also stimulated the dissolution of inorganic P, thus increasing the availability of soil P in calcareous soils. Meanwhile, a part of soluble P was adsorbed and fixed again on the surface of newly formed amorphous Fe, thus resulting in a decrease of P availability. Soil rapidly available P increased after ISO-day incubation. There existed significantly negative correlations between soil amorphous Fe content and soil Fe-P and rapidly available P contents. Submerged conditions promoted the transformation of inorganic P added to-ward Fe-P in calcareous soils, especially in the case of stalk application.

Potassium forms in calcareous soils as affected by clay minerals and soil development in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province,Southwest Iran

Potassium（K） is known as one of the essential nutrients for the growth of plant species. The relationship between K and clay minerals can be used to understand the K cycling, and assess the plant uptake and potential of soil K fertility. This study was conducted to analyze the K forms（soluble, exchangeable, non-exchangeable and structural） and the relationship of K forms with clay minerals of calcareous soils in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Southwest Iran. The climate is hotter and drier in the west and south of the province than in the east and north of the province. A total of 54 pedons were dug in the study area and 32 representative pedons were selected. The studied pedons were mostly located on calcareous deposits. The soils in the study area can be classified into 5 orders including Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Alfisols and Vertisols. The main soil clay minerals in the west and south of the study area were illite, chlorite and palygorskite, whereas they were smectite, vermiculite and illite in the north and east of the province. Due to large amount of smectite and high content of organic carbon in soil surface, the exchangeable K in surface soils was higher than that in subsurface soils. It seems that organic matter plays a more important role than smectite mineral in retaining exchangeable K in the studied soils. Non-exchangeable K exhibited close relationships with clay content, illite, vermiculite and smectite. Although the amount of illite was the same in almost all pedons, amounts of structural and non-exchangeable K were higher in humid regions than in arid and semi-arid regions. This difference may be related to the poor reservoir of K~＋ minerals like palygorskite and chlorite together with illite in arid and semi-arid regions. In humid areas, illite was accompanied by vermiculite and smectite as the K~＋ reservoir. Moreover, the mean cumulative non-exchangeable K released by CaCl_2 was higher than that released by oxalic acid, which may be due to the high buffering capacity resulting from high carbonates in soils.

Effects of long-term cultivation practices and nitrogen fertilization rates on carbon stock in a calcareous soil on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Soil organic carbon （SOC） and soil inorganic carbon （SIC） are important C pools in the Loess Plateau of Northwest China, however, variations of SOC and SIC stocks under different cultivation practices and nitrogen （N） fertilization rates are not clear in this area. A long-term field experiment started in June 2003 was conducted to investigate the SOC and SIC stocks in a calcareous soil of the Chinese Loess Plateau under four cultivation practices, i.e., fallow （FA）, conventional cultivation （CC）, straw mulch （SM）, and plastic film-mulched ridge and straw-mulched furrow （RF）, in combination with three N fertilization rates, i.e., 0 （NO）, 120 （N120）, and 240 （N240） kg N/hm2. Results indicate that the crop straw addition treatments （SM and RF） increased the contents of soil microbial biomass C （SMBC） and SOC, and the SOC stock increased by 10.1%-13.3% at the upper 20 cm soil depth in comparison to the 8-year fallow （FA） treatment. Meanwhile, SIC stock significantly increased by 19% at the entire tested soil depth range （0-100 cm） under all crop cultivation practices in comparison to that of soil exposed to the long-term fallow treatment, particularly at the upper 60 cm soil depth. Furthermore, moderate N fertilizer application （120 kg N/hm2） increased SOC stock at the upper 40 cm soil depth, whereas SIC stock decreased as the N fertilization rate increased. We conclude that the combined application of crop organic residues and moderate N fertilization rate could facilitate the sequestrations of SOC and SIC in the calcareous soil.

Fertilizer nitrogen loss via N_2 emission from calcareous soil following basal urea application of winter wheat

The ratio of nitrous oxide(N2O)to N2O plus nitrogen gas(N2)emitted from soils(N2O/(N2O+N2))is regarded as a key parameter for estimating fertilizer nitrogen(N)loss via N2emission at local,regional or global scales.However,reliable measurement of soil N2emissions is still difficult in fertilized soil-crop systems.In this study,the N loss via N2emission following basal urea application(with a dose of 150 kg N ha-1)to a calcareous soil cultivated with winter wheat was quantified using the helium-based gas-flow-soil-core technique.Emissions of N2and N2O from sampled fresh soils were measured under simulated field soil temperature and oxygen conditions.Our observation performed on the first day after irrigation and rainfall events showed the highest N2and N2O emissions,which amounted to approximately 11.8 and 3.8μg N h-1kg-1dry soil,corresponding to 3304 and 1064μg N m-2h-1,respectively.The N2O/(N2O+N2)molar ratios within about 10 days following fertilization ranged from 0.07 to 0.25,which were much larger than those at the other time.During the one-month experimental period,the urea-N loss via emissions of N2,N2O,and N2+N2O was 1.6%,0.6%,and 2.2%,respectively.Our study confirms that the widely applied acetylene-inhibition method substantially underestimates fertilizer N losses via N2emissions from calcareous soils cultivated with winter wheat.

Acoustic-Physical Properties of Calcareous Seafloor Soils and Their Significance in Engineering Geology

The basic features and acoustic-physical properties of calcareous seafloor soils in the tropic sea area are obviously different from those of sediments mainly composed of terrigenous materials in the South China Sea. Generally calcareous soils, composed of carbonate particles of marine organism remains. have the characteristics of high water content, high porosity, low wet density, high sound velocity and greatly varied comprehensive strength. Recognizing the differences between calcareous soils and terrigenous sediments and engineering geologic significance of calcareous soils is crucial for seafloor geologic research and geotechnical survey for pile-jacket platform foundation design.

Effects of different long-term crop straw management practices on ammonia volatilization from subtropical calcareous agricultural soil

Ammonia(NH3)volatilized from agricultural production and its secondary aerosols contribute greatly to air pollution.Different long-term crop straw management practices may significantly affect the soil fertility and soil nitrogen cycle,however,the effect on NH3 volatilization has not been well studied.Therefore,a one-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of straw incorporation on NH3 volatilization from subtropical calcareous agricultural soil from a longterm perspective,including four treatments:synthetic fertilizer(CK);synthetic fertilizer incorporation with 100%or 50%of the previous season’s crop straw(SI1 and SI2,respectively);and synthetic fertilizer incorporation with 50%burned crop straw(SI2B).Soil NH3 volatilizations were monitored through a wheat–maize rotation year by using a dynamic chamber method.The results demonstrated that NH3 volatilization primarily occurred within 38 days and 7–10 days following nitrogen fertilization events for the wheat and maize seasons,respectively.Different crop straw management practices mainly impacted the NH3 flux of the basal fertilization rather than the topdressing fertilization;long-term crop straw incorporation effectively lowered NH3 loss(35.1%for SI1 and 16.1%for SI2 compared to CK;and the inhibiting effect increased with increasing straw amount,possibly contributed by the high straw carbon/nitrogen ratio,and enhanced microbial activity,which contributed to inorganic nitrogen immobilization and lower ammonium content in the topsoil.However,SI2B significantly increased(29.9%)the annual NH3 flux compared with SI2,indicating that long-term 100%straw incorporation could be a promising straw management practice for mitigating NH3 loss and increasing soil fertility.

Alum split applications strengthened phosphorus fixation and phosphate sorption in high legacy phosphorus calcareous soil

High phosphorus(P)saturation arising from historic P inputs to protected vegetable fields(PVFs)drives high P mobilisation to waterbodies.Amendment of soils with alum has shown potential in terms of fixing labile P and protecting water quality.The present 15 month pot experiment investigated P stabilisation across single alum application(Alum-1 treatment,20 g alum/kg soil incorporated into soil before the maize was sown),alum split applications(Alum-4 treatment,5 g alum/kg soil incorporated into soil before each crop was sown i.e.4×5 g/kg)and soil only treatment(Control).Results showed that the Alum-1 treatment caused the strongest stabilisation of soil labile P after maize plant removal,whereas the P stabilisation effect was gradually weakened due to the transformation of soil non-labile P to labile P and the reduced active Al^(3+)in soil solution.For the Alum-4 treatment,soil labile P decreased gradually with each crop planting and was lower than the Alum-1 treatment at the end of the final crop removal,without any impairment on plant growth.The better P stabilisation at the end of Alum-4 treatment was closely correlated with a progressive supply of Al^(3+)and a gradual decrease of pH,which resulted in higher contents of poorlycrystalline Al,Fe and exchangeable Ca.These aspects were conducive to increasing the soil P stabilisation and phosphate sorption.In terms of management,growers in continuous cropping systems could utilise split alum applications as a strategy to alleviate P losses in high-P enriched calcareous soil.

Water Repellency in Calcareous Soils Under Different Land Uses in Western Iran

Soil wettability and water repellency, two important soil physical properties, play an important role in water retention and water conductivity in arid and semi-arid regions. To date, there is a lack of information on soil water repellency in calcareous soils of western lran. In this study, soil water repellency and its affecting factors were studied using 20 soil series collected from Hamadan Province~ western Iran. The effects of soil properties including organic carbon content （SOC）, total nitrogen （TN）, C：N ratio, texture, CaCO3 content, and both fungal and bacterial activities on water repellency were investigated using air-dried, oven-dried and heated soil samples. Water repellency index （WRI） was determined using the short-time sorptivity （water/ethanol） method. To distinguish the actual effects of SOC, a set of soil samples were heated at 300 ~C to remove SOC and then WRI was measured on the heated samples. Relative water repellency index （RWRI） was defined as the change of WRI due to heating relative to the oven-dry WRI value. Results of the WRI values showed that the soils were sub-critically water-repellent. Pasture soils had higher WRI values compared to tilled soils, resulting from high SOC and TN, and high activities of bacteria and fungi. It was observed that SOC, TN, fungal activity, and SOC：clay ratio had significant positive impacts on WRI. Strong positive correlations of RWRI with SOC, TN and fungal activity were also observed. Pedotransfer functions derived for predicting WRI showed that the WRI values had an increasing trend with the increases in fungal activity, salinity, alkalinity and fine clay content, but showed a decreasing trend with increasing bacterial activity.

Effects of rape straw and red mud on extractability and bioavailability of cadmium in a calcareous soil

Screening of cost-effective soil amendments is important to develop ＂in situ＂ remediation techniques for cadmium （Cd） contaminated soils. In this study, different soil amendments, including red mud, a by-product of the alumina industry, and acid-treated, nano-treated by nanoparticle milling, nano and acid-treated red muds, zeolite, corn straw, and rape straw, were evaluated to immobilize Cd in two added levels （2 and 5 mg Cd·kg^-1 soil） in a calcareous soil by single and sequential extractions and by cucumber （Cucumis sativus L.） pot experiments. Results indicated that cruciferous rape straw significantly decreased the concentrations of water soluble, extractable Cd in soils, and Cd in cucumber plants, and it was more effective than gramineous corn straw. Also, red mud generally decreased the extractability and bioavailability of Cd added to calcareous soils more effectively than zeolite. Furthermore, the efficiency of red mud could be increased by the treatment of nano-particle milling due to the increase in specific surface area of red mud. It is potential to use rape straw and red mud as soil amendments to develop a cost-effective and efficient ＂in situ＂ rernediation technology for Cd mildly contaminated calcareous soils.

Contribntion of Iron Phosphate in Calcareous Paddy Soils to Phosphorus Nntrition of Rice Plant

A study was carried out on contribution of iron pbosphate to phosphorus nutrition of rice plant nnderwaterlogged and moist conditions, respectively, by use of synthetic Fe￣(32) PO_4 . nH_2O, tagging directly the ironphophate in calcareous paddy soils.Results showed that under waterlogged condition, similar to iron phosphate in acidic paddy soils, that incalcareous paddy soils was an important source of phosphorus to rice plant, and the amount of phosphorusoriginated from it generally constituted 30-65% of the total phosphorus absorbed by rice plant.

Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.