Plasticity,strength,permeability and compressibility characteristics of black cotton soil stabilized with precipitated silica

The suitability of using precipitated silica(PS) from the burning of rice husk was investigated to improve the geotechnical engineering properties of a black cotton soil. A laboratory experimental program consisting of series of specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, California bearing ratio(CBR), unconfined compression and consolidation tests was conducted on the untreated and PS treated soil samples. The application of PS to the soil significantly changed its properties by reducing its plasticity and making it more workable, improving its soaked strength, and increasing its permeability and the rate at which the soil gets consolidated. An optimal PS content of 50%, which provided the highest soaked strength, is recommended for the improvement of the subgrade characteristics of the BC soil for use as a pavement layer material.

Adaptability evaluation of pavement structure to replacement treatment subgrade of black cotton soil

Aiming at the typical engineering problem of black cotton soil(BCS)subgrade under the alternation of dry and wet climate in the region of Nairobi,Kenya,this paper takes the pavement structure as the research object,and the numerical calculation model of BCS subgrade is established based on the consolidation coupling theory of unsaturated soil.Taking the modulus and thickness of the subbase as variables,the deformation characteristics and additional stresses of different pavement structures are analysed.Then the adaptability of different pavement structures to replacement treatment subgrade of BCS is evaluated by gray incidence decision analysis method.The results show that whatever the pavement structure is,neither subgrade modulus nor thickness is sensitive to the pavement surface deformation,and the deformation differences between each pavement structure are more obvious in wet season;the additional stress at control layer bottom and pavement surface decreases with the increase of subbase modulus,whereas the stress may increase at subbase bottom;the additional stress at subbase bottom,control layer bottom and pavement surface all decreases with the increase of subbase thickness for pavement Structure I and II.For pavement Structure III,the change of subbase thickness is not sensitive to the additional stress at the control layer bottom and pavement surface,whereas the stress at subbase bottom increases with the increase of subbase thickness.It is concluded that the most adaptable structure is pavement Structure I,which can minimize the comprehensive level of pavement settlement and additional stress.

Effects of soil salinity on rhizosphere soil microbes in transgenic Bt cotton fields

With increased cultivation of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） cotton in the saline alkaline soil of China, assessments of transgenic crop biosafety have focused on the effects of soil salinity on rhizosphere microbes and Bt protein residues. In 2013 and 2014, investigations were conducted on the rhizosphere microbial biomass, soil enzyme activities and Bt protein contents of the soil under transgenic Bt cotton （variety GK19） and its parental non-transgenic cotton （Simian 3） cultivated at various salinity levels （1.15, 6.00 and 11.46 dS m-1）. Under soil salinity stress, trace amounts of Bt proteins were ob- served in the Bt cotton GK19 rhizosphere soil, although the protein content increased with cotton growth and increased soil salinity levels. The populations of slight halophilic bacteria, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, ammonifying bacteria, nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria decreased with increased soil salinity in the Bt and non-Bt cotton rhizosphere soil, and the microbial biomass carbon, microbial respiration and soil catalase, urease and alkaline phosphatase activity also decreased. Correlation analyses showed that the increased Bt protein content in the Bt cotton rhizosphere soil may have been caused by the slower decomposition of soil microorganisms, which suggests that salinity was the main factor influencing the relevant activities of the soil microorganisms and indicates that Bt proteins had no clear adverse effects on the soil microorganisms. The results of this study may provide a theoretical basis for risk assessments of genetically modified cotton in saline alkaline soil.

Effects of Transgenic Bt+CpTI Cotton Cultivation on Functional Diversity of Microbial Communities in Rhizosphere Soils

[Objective] This study aimed to investigation the effects of tranagenic Bt ＋ CpTI cotton cultivation on functional diversity of microbial communities in rhizospbere soils. E Method] By using the Biolog method, a comparative study was conducted on the utilization level of single carbon source by microbes in the rhi- zosphere soils of transgenic Bt ＋ CpTI cotton sGK321 and its parental conventional cotton ＇ Shiyuan 321＇ at different growth stages. [ Result ] The results showed that, compared with the parental conventional cotton, the average well-color development （AWCD） value of micmhial communities in rhizospbere soils of transgenie Bt ＋ CpTI cotton were significantly higher （P 〈 O. 05） at seedling stage and budding stage while significantly lower at flower and boll stage and bell opening stage. Shannon-Wiener diversity index （H） and Simpson dominance index （D） of microbial communities in rhlzesphere soils of transgenic cotton and conventional cotton varied with the different growth stages, whereas the Shannon-Wiener evenness index （E） showed no significant difference between transgenie cotton and convention- al cotton at four growth stages. Principal component analysis indicated that the patterns of carbon source utilization by microbial communities in rhizospbere soils were similar among transgenic cotton at seeding stage and flower and boll stage and parental conventional cotton at seeding stage and budding stage, which were also similar between tranagenic cotton at budding stage and parental conventional cotton at flower and boll stage. [ Conclusion] Analysis of different carbon sources indi- cated that the main carbon sources utilized by soil microbes were carbohydrates, amino acids, carboxylie acids and polymers.

Sewage Sludge Usage in Cotton Crop: I. Influence on SoilProperties

INTRODUCTIONTheneedoftreatingsewageeffiuentstomaintainhighqualitydischargesintoreceivingwatersleadstotheproductionofappreciableamountsofsewagesludgewhichmustbedisposedinaneconomicandsafeway.Sewagesludgecontainshighamountsofelementslikenitrogen(N),pho...

Effects of Soil Water Content on Cotton Root Growth and Distribution Under Mulched Drip Irrigation

The relation between soil water content and the growth of cotton root was studied for the scheme of field water and cotton yield under mulched drip irrigation. Based on the field experiments, three treatments of soil water content were conducted with 90%, 75%θf, and 60%θf （θfis field water capacity）. Cotton roots and root-shoot ratio were studied with digging method, and the soil moisture was observed with TDR （time domain reflector）, and cotton yield was measured. The results indicated that the growth of cotton root accorded with Logistic growth curve in the three treatments, the cotton root grew quickly and its weight was very high under 75%θf because of the suitable soil water condition, while grew slowly and its weight was lower under 90%θf due to water moisture beyond the suitable condition, and the root weight was in between under 60%θf For the three water treatments, the cotton root weight decreased with soil depth, and decreased more significantly in deeper soil layer with the soil moisture increasing. And the ratio of cotton root weight in 0-30 cm soil layer to the total root weight was the highest under 75%θf. The cotton root system was distributed mainly in the soil of narrow row and wide row mulched with plastic film, and little in the soil outside plastic film. The weight of cotton root was the highest in the soil of narrow row or wide row mulched with plastic film under 75%θf. Root-shoot ratio decreased with the soil moisture increasing. The soil water content affected cotton yields, and cotton yield was the highest under 75%θf. The higher soil moisture level is unfavorable to the growth of cotton root system and yield of cotton under mulched drip irrigation.

Effects of soil moisture on cotton root length density and yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in Aksu Oasis farmland

Effects of soil moisture on cotton root length density (total root length per unit soil volume) and yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch were studied through field experiments. The results indicate that spatial distributions of root length density of cotton under various water treatments were basically similar. Horizontally, both root length densities of cotton in wide and narrow rows were similar, and higher than that between mulches. Vertically, root length density of cotton decreased with increasing soil depth. The distribution of root length density is different under different irrigation treatments. In conditions of over-irrigation, the root length density of cotton between mulches would increase. However, it would decrease in both the wide rows and narrow rows. The mean root length density of cotton increased with increasing irrigation water. Water stress caused the root length density to increase in lower soil layers. There is a significant correlation between root length density and yields of cotton at the flower-boll and wadding stages. The regression between irrigation amount and yield of cotton can be expressed as y = -0.0026x2+18.015x-24845 (R2 = 0.959). It showed that the irrigation volume of 3,464.4 m3/hm2 led to op-timal root length density. The yield of cotton was 6,360 .8 kg/hm2 under that amount of irrigation.

Bt cotton influencing enzymatic activities under varied soils

The enzymatic activity was evaluated under both Bt and non-Bt systems in varied soil type. The study was conducted during the 2010 wet season (July to December) in a net-house at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Banaras Hindu University. It was carried out on three different soil ordersi.e.entisol, inceptisol and alfisol. Bt cotton (cvNCS-138) and its non-transgenic isoline (cvNCS-138) were grown until maturity. A no crop pot was maintained with three replications for all the three soil orders. Study design was a factorial experiment under a completely randomized block design with three replications. The study concludes that soil under Bt cotton cultivar produced significantly higher amount of phosphatase activity than both nonBt and no crop treatments at three growth stages. And the value decreased as the crop growth period advanced. The interaction effect between soil type and Bt-crop was found to be significant in different growth stages throughout the growing season. Results from the study revealed that a significant reduction (9.4%) of the dehydrogenase activity and soil respiration (5%) in the rhizosphere of Bt cotton over non-Bt isoline.

Effects of cotton field management practices on soil CO2 emission and C balance in an arid region of Northwest China

Changes in both soil organic C storage and soil respiration in farmland ecosystems may affect atmospheric CO2 concentration and global C cycle. The objective of this field experiment was to study the effects of three crop field management practices on soil CO2 emission and C balance in a cotton field in an arid region of Northwest China. The three management practices were irrigation methods（drip and flood）, stubble managements（stubble-incorporated and stubble-removed） and fertilizer amendments（no fertilizer（CK）, chicken manure（OM）, inorganic N, P and K fertilizer（NPK）, and inorganic fertilizer plus chicken manure（NPK＋OM））. The results showed that within the C pool range, soil CO2 emission during the whole growing season was higher in the drip irrigation treatment than in the corresponding flood irrigation treatment, while soil organic C concentration was larger in the flood irrigation treatment than in the corresponding drip irrigation treatment. Furthermore, soil CO2 emission and organic C concentration were all higher in the stubble-incorporated treatment than in the corresponding stubble-removed treatment, and larger in the NPK＋OM treatment than in the other three fertilizer amendments within the C pool range. The combination of flood irrigation, stubble incorporation and application of either NPK＋OM or OM increased soil organic C concentration in the 0-60 cm soil depth. Calculation of net ecosystem productivity（NEP） under different management practices indicated that the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation and NPK＋OM increased the size of the C pool most, followed by the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation and NPK. In conclusion, management practices have significant impacts on soil CO2 emission, organic C concentration and C balance in cotton fields. Consequently, appropriate management practices, such as the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation, and either NPK＋OM or NPK could increase soil C storage in cotton fields of Northwest China.

Influence of Tillage and Deep Rooted Cool Season Cover Crops on Soil Properties, Pests, and Yield Responses in Cotton

Soil compaction is a significant problem in the Southeastern USA. This compacted zone or hardpan limits root penetration below this layer and reduces potential yield and makes plants more susceptible to drought induced stresses. Soil compaction in this region is managed using costly annual deep tillage at or before planting and there is a great interest in reducing and/or eliminating annual tillage operations to lower production costs. Deep rooted cool season cover crops can penetrate this compacted soil zone and create channels, which cash crop roots, such as cotton, could follow to capture moisture and nutrients stored in the subsoil. The cool season cover crop roots would reduce the need for annual deep tillage prior to planting, increases soil organic matter, which provides greater water infiltration and available water holding capacity. Field studies were conducted for two years with three different soil series to determine the effects of tillage systems and cool season cover crops on the soil chemical and physical properties, yield responses, and pest pressure. Results showed that cool season cover crops significantly reduced soil compaction, increased cotton lint yield and soil moisture content, reduced nematode population densities, and increased soil available P, K, Mn, and organic matter content compared to the conventional no-cover crop.

Effects of emitter discharge rates on soil salinity distribution and cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in an arid region of Northwest China

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different emitter discharge rates under drip irrigation on soil salinity distribution and cotton yield in an extreme arid region of Tarim River catchment in Northwest China. Four treatments of emitter discharge rates, i.e. 1.8, 2.2, 2.6 and 3.2 L/h, were designed under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in this paper. The salt distribution in the range of 70-cm horizontal distance and 100-cm vertical distance from the emitter was measured and analyzed during the cotton growing season. The soil salinity is expressed in terms of electrical conductivity （dS/m） of the saturated soil extract （ECe）, which was measured using Time Domain Reflector （TDR） 20 times a year, including 5 irrigation events and 4 measured times before/after an irrigation event. All the treatments were repeated 3 times. The groundwater depth was observed by SEBA MDS Dipper 3 automatically at three experimental sites. The results showed that the order of reduction in averaged soil salinity was 2.6 L/h 〉 2.2 L/h 〉 1.8 L/h 〉 3.2 L/h after the completion of irrigation for the 3-year cotton growing season. Therefore, the choice of emitter discharge rate is considerably important in arid silt loam. Usually, the ideal emitter discharge rate is 2.4-3.0 L/h for soil desalinization with plastic mulch, which is advisable mainly because of the favorable salt leaching of silt loam and the climatic conditions in the studied arid area. Maximum cotton yield was achieved at the emitter discharge rate of 2.6 L/h under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in silty soil at the study site. Hence, the emitter discharge rate of 2.6 L/h is recommended for drip irrigation with plastiic mulch applied in silty soil in arid regions.

Effect of N fertilization rate on soil alkalihydrolyzable N, subtending leaf N concentration,fiber yield, and quality of cotton

Soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, which is sensitive to N fertilization rate, is one of the indicators of soil nitrogen supplying capacity. Two field experiments were conducted in Dongtai(120°19″ E, 32°52″ N), Jiangsu, China in 2009 and Dafeng(120°28″ E, 33°12″ N), Jiangsu province, China in 2010. Six nitrogen rates(0, 150, 300, 375, 450, and 600 kg ha^(-1)) were used to study the effect of N fertilization rate on soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content(SAHNC), subtending leaf nitrogen concentration(SLNC), yield, and fiber quality. In both Dongtai and Dafeng experiment station, the highest yield(1709 kg ha^(-1)), best quality(fiber length 30.6 mm, fiber strength 31.6 c N tex^(-1), micronaire 4.82), and highest N agronomic efficiency(2.03 kg kg^(-1)) were achieved at the nitrogen fertilization rate of 375 kg ha^(-1). The dynamics of SAHNC and SLNC could be simulated with a cubic and an exponential function,respectively. The changes in SAHNC were consistent with the changes in SLNC. Optimal average rate(0.276 mg day^(-1)) and duration(51.8 days) of SAHNC rapid decline were similar to the values obtained at the nitrogen rate of 375 kg ha^(-1)at which cotton showed highest fiber yield, quality, and N agronomic efficiency. Thus, the levels and strategies of nitrogen fertilization can affect SAHNC dynamics. The N fertilization rate that optimizes soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content would optimize the subtending leaf nitrogen concentration and thereby increase the yield and quality of the cotton fiber.

Comparison of Five Tillage Systems in Coastal Plain Soils for Cotton Production

Soil compaction management in the southeastern USA typically relies heavily on the practice of annual deep tillage. Strip tillage systems have shown considerable promise for reducing energy and labor requirements, equipment costs, soil erosion, and cotton plant damage from blowing sand. Replicated field trials were conducted for three years in South Carolina, to compare the performance of three different strip tillage systems to conventional tillage and no-till methods. A second objective was to investigate whether the frequency of deep tillage can be reduced by planting cotton directly using controlled wheel traffic into the previous year’s subsoiler furrow. Tillage treatments included: conventional tillage (disk-subsoil-bed), straight shank strip-till, bent-leg shank strip-till (Paratill), bent-leg shank strip till (Terra Max), and no-till. Deep tillage was performed in all plots the first year. In years two and three, the plots were split and half received annual deep tillage and the other half were not deep tilled either year. Tillage methods were compared side by side with and without irrigation. Deep tillage reduced soil compaction and increased taproot length and cotton yields than the no-till system. There was no difference in cotton lint yield between the strip-till systems and conventional tillage in either dry land or irrigated plots. Deep tillage increased cotton lint yields compared to no-till. There was no difference in lint yield between plots which were deep-tilled in all three years with those which had tillage operation only in first year of the test. Dry matter partitioning at first bloom was reduced in plant height, total dry weight, and leaf area in strip-till and no-till production systems compared to the conventional tillage system. The results suggest that all three strip tillage systems are equally effective for cotton production and that annual deep tillage is not necessary if controlled traffic is employed.

Real-Time, Variable-Depth Tillage for Managing Soil Compaction in Cotton Production

Cotton root growth is often hindered in the Southeastern U.S. due to the presence of root-restricting soil layers. Tillage must be used to temporarily remove this compacted soil layer to allow root growth to depths needed to sustain plants during periods of drought. However, the use of a uniform depth of tillage may be an inefficient use of energy due to the varying depth of this root-restricting layer. Therefore, the objective of this project was to develop and test equipment for controlling tillage depth “on-the-go” to match the soil physical parameters, and to determine the effects of site-specific tillage on soil physical properties, energy requirements, and plant responses in cotton production. Site-specific tillage operations reduced fuel consumption by 45% compared to conventional constant-depth tillage. Only 20% of the test field required tillage at recommended depth of 38-cm deep for Coastal Plain soils. Cotton taproot length in the variable-depth tillage plots was 96% longer than those in the no-till plots (39 vs. 19.8 cm). Statistically, there was no difference in cotton lint yield between conventional and the variable-depth tillage. Deep tillage (conventional or variable-rate) increased cotton lint yields by 20% compared to no-till.

Field Evaluation of Soil Water Extraction of Cotton

Water scarcity is often a major limiting factor in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production, and sustaining productivity and profitability with limited water is a major challenge for the cotton industry. A good understanding of the magnitude, timing and spatial distribution of cotton soil water extraction is important for proper irrigation management, and for development of accurate crop models and decision support systems. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the water extraction distribution of cotton under different irrigation regimes. Specific objectives were to quantify: 1) the depth of soil water extraction as a function of time, 2) the percent of seasonal water extraction from each soil depth, and 3) the relationship between depth of soil water extraction and canopy height. To meet these specific objectives, daily and seasonal cotton soil water extraction were determined from continuous records of water content in the soil profile measured from four irrigation treatments during a field experiment. We found that cotton extracted soil water from as deep as 150 cm, but the percent of seasonal extraction sharply decreased with soil depth. The top 50 cm soil layer accounted for 75% of the seasonal extraction and the top 80 cm, for 90%. We also found that from 32 days after sowing (DAS) to 100 DAS, the depth of soil water extraction increased linearly at a rate of 1.89 cm&#183day-1 or 2.36 times the increase in crop canopy height. These findings suggest that cotton producers should manage irrigations to maintain adequate moisture in the top 80 cm of the soil profile rather than relying on moisture stored deeper in the profile.

Humus Content in Soil and Yield in the Permanent Cotton Cultivated Fields

The article presents the data of a long-term experience on the reproductive capacity of the soil during the permanent cultivation of cotton, which has been carried out for 96 years at the Institute of Breeding, Seed Production and Agrotechnology for Growing Cotton in the Kibray district of the Tashkent region. The article presents the results of analyses by determining the content of humus, from which it can be seen that the decrease in humus was more marked on the control variant without fertilizers, and the amount of humus decreased after 20 years compared to the initial indicator by 11.4 t/ha, after 40 years 16 46 t/ha, after 60 years by 19.05 t/ha, after 80 years by 26.29 t/ha and after 96 years by 29.17 t/ha. It was also determined by the decrease in humus content in option 2, where NPK 250:175:125 kg/ha was applied annually, respectively: 6.487 t/ha;9.225 t/ha;10.09 t/ha;16.95 t/ha;19.65 t/ha;with an annual application of 30 t/ha of manure + 25 kg/ha of P2O in option 1, respectively: 0.335 t/ha;3.683 t/ha;11.40 t/ha;22.44 t/ha;32.58 t/ha. In addition, the article also provides data on the yield of cotton by options for permanent cultivation. It was determined that in the control variant, the yield decreased from 16.8 centners per hectare to 9.9 centners per hectare;in the variant where NPK was applied every year 250:175:125 kg/ha was 31 - 34 c/ha, where 30 t/ha of manure + 25 kg/ha P2O 29 - 32 c/ha were used every year.

Cotton and Soil Responses to Annual Potassium Fertilization Rate

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium (K) fertilization rate (0, 27.9, 56.4, 84.7, 112.9, and 141.1 kg K/ha) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutumn L.) cultivars of slightly differing maturity on seedcotton yield and Mehlich-3 soil-test K concentrations. The cotton cultivars “Stoneville 4892” and “Stoneville 5599” represented long-season cultivars while “Paymaster 1218” and “Deltapine 444” represented early-season cultivars. The same K fertilizer treatments were applied to the same plots during the three years of the study. Higher order interactions of cropping year, cotton cultivar and K-fertilization rates were not significant (P ≥ 0.50), indicating the two cultivars of slightly different maturity respond similarly to K-fertilization. Cropping year and K-fertilizer application rates significantly affected seedcotton yield (P P ≤ 0.0074), as well as 3-year average, and total seedcotton yields (P ≤ 0.0006). Seedcotton yields ranged from 3418 to 4127 kg·ha-1 and 2980 to 3487 kg·ha-1 in the second and third year respectively while 3-year average and total seedcotton yields were 2943 to 3443 and 8832 to 10,330 kg·ha-1. The relation between annual, 3-year average, and total K application rates and seedcotton yield was linear (R2 ≥ 0.82, P ≤ 0.0125). Potassium fertilization significantly increased post-harvest (fall) Mehlich-3 extractable soil K in all three years (P ≤ 0.0002). This study indicated that, in a representative Mississippi River Delta silt loam soil, when Mehlich-3 extractable K was -1, K fertilization was needed to increase seedcotton yield and prevent soil K depletion. This supports the current University of Arkansas fertilizer recommendations for irrigated cotton production, where application of 56 kg of K ha-1 is recommended to optimize seedcotton yield and prevent soil K reserve depletion when Mehlich-3 extractable soil test K is medium (91 - 130 mg/kg).

Facts about Cotton and Soil Resources

After the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen,environmental protection and low-carbon have been brought into spotlight.Due to the climate change,people have focused on how to do the green thing. We should live and produce in a low-carbon style.How to do this?You should pay much more attention to materials that were used in the production.

Grey Interrelation Analysis for the Use of Rare Earths and the Elements in Soil in Growing Cotton

The method of grey interrelation analysis is adopted for the analysis of the relationship between the amount of rare earths applied and the factors of the soil in increasing cotton production in Kazuo County, Liaoning Province. The results show that there is an intimate relation between the use of the RE and the elements in the soil. The pH value, total K, and total P are the main factors influencing the relation, and the total N, hydrolytable N, organic matter, K2O and P2O5 are the secondary factors. This provides a scientific basis for the use of the RE.

Effect of Rye and Mix Cover Crops on Soil Water and Cotton Yield in a Humid Environment

In recent years, the use of cover crops is becoming a popular technology among growers in many regions of the United States, which is expected to deliver various benefits such as improving soil health, increasing soil organic matter, controlling weeds, and helping conserve soil water and nutrients. Although expecting these benefits seems reasonable, it is challenging to know how much of these benefits to expect under specific situations. The potential effect of cover crops on soil water conservation is especially significant because of the documented impact of soil water on crop yield, especially for dryland cropping systems. Some researchers have found that planting a cover crop tended to increase soil water, while others have reported the opposite effect. Information on the impact of cover crops on soil water in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems in South Carolina is currently lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the effect of cover crops on soil water and cotton yield. A field experiment was conducted in South Carolina during winter, spring, and summer of 2015, with three cover crop treatments. The treatments included: 1) rye (Secale cereale L.), planted alone;2) a mix of six cover crop species;and 3) a control treatment with no-cover. The cover crop was established in the winter, terminated in the spring, and cotton was grown during the summer. Soil water was measured at different depths using capacitance probes and a neutron probe. Our results showed no significant differences in soil water and cotton yield among the cover crop treatments. These results suggest that under the humid conditions of this study, any short-term effect of the cover crop on soil water was masked by timely rain.