Balanced Fertilizer Use through Soil Testing Leads to Higher Yields and Nutrient Contents of Maize Grains

Fertilizers use can be optimized through soil testing and leaf analysis. This paper deals with using soil analysis as a base for fertilizer use in maize. A field experiment was carried out in two summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 with maize (triple hybrid) in Oraby Village, Mariut sector, Alexandria, Egypt. Soil testing shows that soil was clay loam, with high Na and CaCO3 contents with high pH, low organic matter, medium P and K and low micronutrient contents (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu), seven treatments were designed. The most promising treatment was when P and K were increased and micronutrients were added based on soil testing. This treatment resulted in the highest yield with better grain contents of protein and nutrients which indicated that soil-test based on fertilizer use was superior. Soil analysis at the end of the experiment showed higher P and K contents. This approach could be adopted for regions with similar soil conditions in other parts of the world.

Novel Hybrid X GBoost Model to Forecast Soil Shear Strength Based on Some Soil Index Tests

When building geotechnical constructions like retaining walls and dams is of interest,one of the most important factors to consider is the soil’s shear strength parameters.This study makes an effort to propose a novel predictive model of shear strength.The study implements an extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)technique coupled with a powerful optimization algorithm,the salp swarm algorithm(SSA),to predict the shear strength of various soils.To do this,a database consisting of 152 sets of data is prepared where the shear strength(τ)of the soil is considered as the model output and some soil index tests(e.g.,dry unit weight,water content,and plasticity index)are set as model inputs.Themodel is designed and tuned using both effective parameters of XGBoost and SSA,and themost accuratemodel is introduced in this study.Thepredictionperformanceof theSSA-XGBoostmodel is assessedbased on the coefficient of determination(R2)and variance account for(VAF).Overall,the obtained values of R^(2) and VAF(0.977 and 0.849)and(97.714%and 84.936%)for training and testing sets,respectively,confirm the workability of the developed model in forecasting the soil shear strength.To investigate the model generalization,the prediction performance of the model is tested for another 30 sets of data(validation data).The validation results(e.g.,R^(2) of 0.805)suggest the workability of the proposed model.Overall,findings suggest that when the shear strength of the soil cannot be determined directly,the proposed hybrid XGBoost-SSA model can be utilized to assess this parameter.

Long-term phosphorus accumulation and agronomic and environmtal critical phosphorus levels in Haplic Luvisol soil, northern China

Sufficient soil phosphorus （P） content is essential for achieving optimal crop yields, but accumulation of P in the soil due to excessive P applications can cause a risk of P loss and contribute to eutrophication of surface waters. Determination of a critical soil P value is fundamental for making appropriate P fertilization recommendations to ensure safety of both environment and crop production. In this study, agronomic and environmental critical P levels were determined by using linear-linear and linear-plateau models, and two segment linear model, for a maize （Zea mays L.）-winter wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） rotation system based on a 22-yr field experiment on a Haplic Luvisol soil in northern China. This study included six treatments： control （unfertilized）, no P （NoP）, application of mineral P fertilizer （MinP）, MinP plus return of maize straw （MinP＋StrP）, MinP plus low rate of farmyard swine manure （MinP＋L.Man） and MinP plus high rate of manure （MinP＋ H.Man）. Based on the two models, the mean agronomic critical levels of soil Olsen-P for optimal maize and wheat yields were 12.3 and 12.8 mg kg-1, respectively. The environmental critical P value as an indicator for P leaching was 30.6 mg Olsen-P kg-1, which was 2.4 times higher than the agronomic critical P value （on average 12.5 mg P kg-1）. It was calculated that soil OIsen-P content would reach the environmental critical P value in 41 years in the MinP treatment, but in only 5-6 years in the two manure treatments. Application of manure could significantly raise soil Olsen-P content and cause an obvious risk of P leaching. In conclusion, the threshold range of soil Olsen-P is from 12.5 to 30.6 mg P kg-1 to optimize crop yields and meanwhile maintain relatively low risk of P leaching in Haplic Luvisol soil, northern China.

Effect of discrete fibre reinforcement on soil tensile strength

The tensile behaviour of soil plays a significantly important role in various engineering applications. Compacted soils used in geotechnical constructions such as dams and clayey liners in waste containment facilities can suffer from cracking due to tensile failure. In order to increase soil tensile strength, discrete fibre reinforcement technique was proposed. An innovative tensile apparatus was developed to deter- mine the tensile strength characteristics of fibre reinforced soil. The effects of fibre content, dry density and water content on the tensile strength were studied. The results indicate that the developed test apparatus was applicable in determining tensile strength of soils. Fibre inclusion can significantly in- crease soil tensile strength and soil tensile failure ductility. The tensile strength basically increases with increasing fibre content. As the fibre content increases from 0% to 0.2%, the tensile strength increases by 65.7%. The tensile strength of fibre reinforced soil increases with increasing dry density and decreases with decreasing water content. For instance, the tensile strength at a dry density of 1.7 Mg/m^3 is 2.8 times higher than that at 1.4 Mg/m^3. It decreases by 30% as the water content increases from 14.5% to 20.5%. Furthermore, it is observed that the tensile strength of fibre reinforced soil is dominated by fibre pull-out resistance, depending on the interracial mechanical interaction between fibre surface and soil matrix.

Functions of Russian Melilotus officinalis on Degraded Soil Improvement

To improve the serious situation of soil degradation in China, tests were carried out to study the improvement effects of Russian Melilotus officinalis on the low base saturation acid soil, the alkaline-saline soil and the heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that M. officinalis could improve the low base saturation acid soil, increase the salt, alkali content, mineral nutrition and organic nutrient, which indicated that M. officinalis could be planted in the acid soil, and had a significant ecological effect on soil improvement. M. officinalis achieved a remarkable effect on improving the alkaline-saline soil （pH 8.5-9.5） that the soil desalted, dealkalized and had more organic nutrient. Moreover, M. officinalis could improve the heavy metal contaminated soil and had the ability to enrich and transform heavy metal elements, especially Cd and Ni, thereby presenting significant repair effects on soil improvement. Therefore, Russian M. officinalis had multiple-effects on degraded soil improvement, so it is worthy of application and popularization.

Toxicity Tests of Soil Contaminated by Recycling of Scrap Plastics

The present investigation studied the toxicity of soil contaminated by untreated discharge from a factory that recycles used plastics. The nearby agricultural areas and freshwater fish ponds were polluted with high concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Mn. Water extracts from the contaminated soil retarded root growth of Brassica chinensis (Chinese white cabbage) and Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) where their seeds were obtained commercially. The contaminated populations of C. dactylon, Panicum repen (panic grass), and Imperata cylindrica (wooly grass) were able to withstand higher concentrations of Cu. Ni, and Mn, especially C. dactylon, when compared with their uncontaminated counterparts. 1990 Academic Press, Inc.

An Evaluation of Manure Management Strategies, Phosphorus Surface Runoff Potential and Water Usage at an Arkansas Discovery Dairy Farm

Manure management is an essential component of dairy production. Nutrient-laden, field-applied dairy manure often serves as a fertilizer source, but can also pose environmental threats if not properly managed. The Haak dairy farm, located in Decatur, Arkansas, was granted a permit by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to employ a unique method in treating and storing cattle manure generated during the milking process. This method includes minimizing water use in wash water, dry scraping solids to combine with sawdust for composting and pumping effluent underground into a sloped concrete basin that serves as secondary solid separator before transporting the manure effluent into an interception trench and an adjacent grassed field to facilitate manure nutrient uptake and retention. The Arkansas Discovery Farm program (ADF) is conducting research to evaluate the environmental performance of the dairy’s milk center wash water treatment system (MCWW) by statistical analysis, characterization of phosphorus (P) migration in soil downslope from the inception trench, temperature measurements, and nutrient analysis of a stored dry stack manure/sawdust mixture. Goals included determining possible composting effectiveness along with comparisons to untreated dairy manure and quantifying the use of on-farm water. Results from this research demonstrated that: 1) The MCWW was effective at retaining manure-derived nutrients and reducing field nutrient migration as the MCWW interception trench had significantly higher total nitrogen (TN) (804.2 to 4.1), total phosphorus (TP) (135.6 to 1.5), and water extractable phosphorus (WEP) (55.0 to 1.0) concentrations in milligrams per liter (mg⋅L-1) than the downhill freshwater pond respectively;2) temperature readings of the manure dry stack indicated heightened levels of microbial and thermal activity, but did not reach a standard composting temperature of 54°C;3) manure dry stack nutrient content was typically higher than untreated dairy manure when measured on a “dry basis” in ppm, but was lower on an “as is basis” in ppm and kg/metric ton;and 4) water meter readings showed that the greatest use of on-farm water was for farm-wide cattle drinking (18.77), followed by water used in the milking center (3.45) and then followed by human usage (0.02) measured in cubic meters per day (m3⋅d-1). These results demonstrate that practical innovations in agricultural engineering and environmental science, such as the Haak dairy’s manure treatment system, can effectively reduce environmental hazards that accompany the management of manure at this dairy operation.

Evaluation of H3A for Determination of Plant Available P vs. FeAlO Strips

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth but in excess is a source of environmental pollution. Fertilizer additions of P are recommended based on soil tests;however, the commonly applied P extractants are often applied outside of their design criteria (specifically soil pH). As a result, soil tests can produce inaccurate estimates of plant available P in the soil, which either increases P loss in runoff, contributing to eutrophication, or decreases crop production contributing to economic loss. In this study, 200 diverse soils from across the US were extracted with Mehlich 3, water, H3A-3, and FeAlO strips. Comparison with FeAlO was critical, as this method is accepted as the “gold standard” for plant-available P, but it is rarely used in commercial labs because of time and financial constraints. H3A-3 produced mean, median, standard deviations that are very similar to FeAlO strip results and low relative errors (<10%), as well as highly correlated regression relationships (r2 > 0.96 with slopes 0.95 - 0.98). Although Mehlich 3 and water were correlated with FeAlO, Mehlich 3 (strongly acidic) extracted much more P than FeAlO, and water (low buffering capacity) extracted much less P across the range of soil pH values. Thus, H3A-3 provides an improved methodology to accurately determine plant-available P by mimicking root exudate action in the soil, while avoiding the time-consuming and costly FeAlO procedure. In the face of high-profile water quality impairments with enormous economic costs, such advancements are critical to balance agronomic production with environmental concerns.

SOIL CARBON CHECK:A TOOL FOR MONITORING AND GUIDING SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN FARMER FIELDS

In 2015,17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)were approved,including SDG13,which addresses actions to increase carbon capture(CO_(2)-C storage)for climate change mitigation.However,no analytical procedures have been defined for quantifying soil organic carbon(SOC)sequestration.This paper presents a rapid tool for guiding farmers and for monitoring SOC sequestration in farmer fields.The tool consists of multiconstituent soil analyses through near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)and an SOC mineralization model.The tool provides forecasts of SOC sequestration over time.Soil analyses by NIRS have been calibrated and validated for farmer fields in European countries,China,New Zealand,and Vietnam.Results indicate a high accuracy of determination for SOC(R^(2)≥0.93),and for inorganic C,soil texture,and soil bulk density.Permanganate oxidizable soil C is used as proxy for active SOC,to detect early management-induced changes in SOC contents,and is also quantified by NIRS(R^(2)=0.92).A pedotransfer function is used to convert the results of the soil analyses to SOC sequestration in kg·ha^(-1)C as well as CO_(2).In conclusion,the tool allows fast,quantitative,and action-driven monitoring of SOC sequestration in farmer fields,and thereby is an essential tool for monitoring progress of SDG13.

A review of phosphorus nutrition in irrigated cotton farming systems of Australia

Australian cotton production predominantly occurs on Vertisols.The average lint yield of cotton grown in Australia is 2260–2700 kg·hm^(−2),which is 2.5 to 3 times the world average.This high productivity per unit of land area requires efficient use of resources such as water and nutrients.However,high yields accelerate the export of nutrients such as phosphorus(P)in seed,depleting the soil reserves of P more than in other countries with lower cotton yields.Recent surveys of cotton industry indicate that P application rates should match seed P export(30~40 kg·hm−2),but historical depletion within subsoil is still evident and is continuing.Depletion of soil P is typically more pronounced in the subsoil than in the topsoil(0~20 cm)where P fertiliser is applied,as cotton roots rely on these layers as important sources of plant available water and available P.This mismatch between zones of P uptake and resupply may increase stratification of available P in the soil profile.Recent studies showed that cotton responded poorly to banded applications of fertiliser P,while dispersal of fertiliser throughout the plant beds was more successful.Researchers have also observed sporadic cotton responses to applied P fertiliser in soils where available P concentrations were well above the previously determined critical concentrations indicative of fertiliser P responses in Australia.To sustain highyielding cotton production in Australia,a greater understanding of cotton root acquisition of applied P,as well as a re-examination of critical soil P concentrations for each production region are required.

Onion Response to Added N in Histosols of Contrasting C and N Contents

Adjusting the N fertilization to soil potentially mineralizable N in Histosols is required to secure high vegetable yields while mitigating nitrate contamination of surface waters. However, there is still no soil test N (STN) relating the response of Histosol-grown onion (Allium cepa L.) to added N. Compositional data analysis can integrate soil C and N composition into a STN index computed as Mahalanobis distance (M2) across isometric log ratios (ilr) of diagnosed and reference soil C and N compositions. Our objective was to calibrate onion response to added N against a compositional STN index for Histosols. Reference compositions were computed from high N-mineralizing Histosols reported in the literature. Soil analyses were total C and N, and a residual soil mass (Fv) was computed as 100%-%C-%N to close the compositional vector to 100%. The C, N, and Fv proportions were synthesized into two ilrs. We conducted thirteen onion N fertilization trials in Histosols of south-western Quebec showing contrasting C, N, and Fv proportions. Each crop received four N rates broadcast before seeding or split-applied. We derived two STN classes separating weakly to highly responsive crops about the M2 value of 5.5. Onion crops grown on soils showing M2 values >5.5 required more N and yielded less in control treatments compared with soils showing M2 values 5.5) soils responded significantly (P < 0.10) to 60 and 180 kg N ha-1, respectively. Using literature data and the results of this study, we elaborated a provisory N requirement model for Histosol-grown onions in Quebec.

Treatability of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon-contaminated soils of different textures along a vertical profile by mechanical soil aeration：A laboratory test

Mechanical soil aeration is a simple, effective, and low-cost soil remediation technology that is suitable for sites contaminated with volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons（VCHs）. Conventionally, this technique is used to treat the mixed soil of a site without considering the diversity and treatability of different soils within the site. A laboratory test was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical soil aeration for remediating soils of different textures（silty,clayey, and sandy soils） along a vertical profile at an abandoned chloro-alkali chemical site in China. The collected soils were artificially contaminated with chloroform（TCM） and trichloroethylene（TCE）. Mechanical soil aeration was effective for remediating VCHs（removal efficiency 〉 98%）. The volatilization process was described by an exponential kinetic function.In the early stage of treatment（0–7 hr）, rapid contaminant volatilization followed a pseudofirst order kinetic model. VCH concentrations decreased to low levels and showed a tailing phenomenon with very slow contaminant release after 8 hr. Compared with silty and sandy soils, clayey soil has high organic-matter content, a large specific surface area, a high clay fraction, and a complex pore structure. These characteristics substantially influenced the removal process, making it less efficient, more time consuming, and consequently more expensive. Our findings provide a potential basis for optimizing soil remediation strategy in a cost-effective manner.

Mercury transportation in soil via using gypsum from flue gas desulfurization unit in coal-fired power plant

The mercury flux in soils was investigated, which were amended by gypsums from flue gas desulphurization （FGD） units of coal- fired power plants. Studies have been carried out in confined greenhouses using FGD gypsum treated soils. Major research focus is uptakes of mercury by plants, and emission of mercury into the atmosphere under varying application rates of FGD gypsum, simulating rainfall irrigations, soils, and plants types. Higher FGD gypsum application rates generally led to higher mercury concentrations in the soils, the increased mercury emissions into the atmosphere, and the increased mercury contents in plants （especially in roots and leaves）. Soil properties and plant species can play important roles in mercury transports. Some plants, such as tall fescue, were able to prevent mercury from atmospheric emission and infiltration in the soil. Mercury concentration in the stem of plants was found to be increased and then leveled off upon increasing FGD gypsum application. However, mercury in roots and leaves was generally increased upon increasing FGD gypsum application rates. Some mercury was likely absorbed by leaves of plants from emitted mercury in the atmosphere.

Predicting phosphorus sorption isotherm parameters in soil using data of routine laboratory tests

Knowledge of phosphorus(P)sorption dynamics across different soil types could direct agronomic and environmental management of P.The objective of this study was to predict P isotherm parameters for a national soil population using data of routine laboratory tests.Langmuir and Freundlich sorption parameters were calculated from two different ranges(0-25 and 0-50 mg P L^(-1))using an archive of representative agricultural soil types from Ireland.Multiple linear regression(MLR)identified labile forms of aluminium(Al)and iron(Fe),organic matter(OM),cation exchange capacity(CEC),and clay as significant drivers.Langmuir and Freundlich sorption capacities,Freundlich affinity constant,and Langmuir buffer capacity were predicted reliably,with R^(2) of independent validation>0.9.Sorption isotherm parameters were predicted from P sorbed at a single concentration of 50 mg P L^(-1)(S_(50)).An MLR prediction of P sorption maximum in the 0-50 mg P L-1 range was achieved,to an accurate standard,using S_(50),OM,and Mehlich-3 Fe(R^(2) of independent calibration and validation being 0.91 and 0.95,respectively).Using Giles’four shapes of isotherms(C,L,H,and S),L non-strict-and C-shaped isotherm curves accounted for 64% and 27% of the soils,respectively.Hierarchical clustering identified a separation of isotherm curves influenced by two ranges of Mehlich-3 Al.Soils with a low range of Mehlich-3 Al(2.5-698 mg kg^(-1))had no incidence of rapid sorption(C shape).Single point indices,Al,or available soil data make the regression approach a feasible way of predicting Langmuir parameters that could be included with standard agronomic soil P testing.

Modification of colorimetric method based digital soil test kit for determination of macronutrients in oil palm plantation

It is the need of time that oil palm farmers must perform the spatially planned soil analysis to know about the fertilizer sufficient and deficient zones of land.Colorimetric method is a suitable and fast solution of soil analysis for NPK determination using the digital soil test kit.NPK determination procedure with a digital soil test kit was undefined for oil palm.Furthermore,the digital soil test kit determines the passage of light through an opaque medium of soil solution with a specified reagent.Therefore,environmental light may interfere leading to wrong results of NPK measurement.Likewise,this equipment was non-incorporable with the controller of any VRT fertilizer applicator.In this research,these issues were addressed and the NPK measurement procedure was defined for oil palm plantation by modifying the‘soil to water’ratio in sample soil solution with an optimum environmental light range of 18-23 W/m^(2).‘Soil to water’ratios were found for nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium as 0.31 to 5.00,1.00 to 5.00 and 4.50 to 5.00,respectively to fit the requirement of NPK for oil palm in the prescribed range of the equipment.Validation study of modified digital soil test kit showed that 91.7%N,89.6%P and 93.8%K results of modified digital soil test kit were matched with analytical laboratory method.Thus,the reliability of NPK results using digital soil test kit was enhanced,making the kit incorporable with the controller of variable rate fertilizer applicator through remote monitoring based data acquisition system.The outcome of this research can be used in the development of an IoT network data fusion for dynamic assessment of the NPK variation in the soil and nutrient management in oil palm plantations.

Development of natural treatment system consisting of black soil and Kentucky bluegrass for the post-treatment of anaerobically digested strong wastewater

To develop a sound post-treatment process for anaerobically-digested strong wastewater,a novel natural treatment system comprising two units is put forward.The first unit,a trickling filter,provides for further reduction of biochemical oxygen demand and adjustable nitrification.The subsequent soil–plant unit aims at removing and recovering the nutrients nitrogen（N）,phosphorus（P）and potassium（K）.As a lab-scale feasibility study,a soil column test was conducted,in which black soil and valuable Kentucky bluegrass were integrated to treat artificial nutrient-enriched wastewater.After a long-term operation,the nitrification function was well established in the top layers,despite the need for an improved denitrification process prior to discharge.P and K were retained by the soil through distinct mechanisms.Since they either partially or totally remained in plant-available forms in the soil,indirect nutrient reuse could be achieved.As for Kentucky bluegrass,it displayed better growth status when receiving wastewater,with direct recovery of 8%,6% and 14% of input N,P and K,respectively.Furthermore,the indispensable role of Kentucky bluegrass for better treatment performance was proved,as it enhanced the cell-specific nitrification potential of the soil nitrifying microorganisms inhabiting the rhizosphere.After further upgrade,the proposed system is expected to become a new solution for strong wastewater pollution.