Effect of Saline Water on Soil Acidity, Alkalinity and Nutrients Leaching in Sandy Loamy Soil in Rwamagana Bella Flower Farm, Rwanda

The necessity to saline and sodic waters is sometimes used for irrigating agricultural activities under certain circumstances, but it is important to note that the use of these waters comes with specific considerations and limitations. One way to decrease undesirable effects of sodic waters on the physical and chemical properties of soils is to apply organic and chemical amendments within the soil. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of saline water on soil acidity, alkalinity and nutrients leaching in sandy loamy soil at Bella flower farm, in Rwamagana District, Rwanda. The water used was from the Muhazi Lake which is classified as Class I (Saline water quality). Column leaching experiments using treated soils were then conducted under saturated conditions. The soil under experimental was first analyzed for its textural classification, soil properties and is classified as sandy loamy soil. The t-test was taken at 1%, 5% and 10% levels of statistical significance compared to control soil. The results indicated that the application of saline water to soils caused an increase in some soil nutrients like increase of Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sulphur (S), CN ratio and Sodium (Na+) and decreased soil texture, physical and chemical properties and remained soil nutrients. Consequently, the intensive addition of saline water leachates to soil in PVC pipes led to decreased of soil EC through leaching and a raiser Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP). The rate of saline water application affected the increase accumulation of SAR and Na% in the top soil layers. The study indicated that saline water is an inefficient amendment for sandy soil with saline water irrigation. The study recommends further studies with similar topic with saline water irrigation, as it accentuated the alkalinity levels.

Effects of fencing on vegetation and soil restoration in a degraded alkaline grassland in northeast China

In order to restore a degraded alkaline grassland, the local government implemented a large restoration project using fences in Changling county, Jilin province, China, in 2000. Grazing was excluded from the protected area, whereas the grazed area was continuously grazed at 8.5 dry sheep equivalent（DSE）/hm2. In the current research, soil and plant samples were taken from grazed and fenced areas to examine changes in vegetation and soil properties in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Results showed that vegetation characteristics and soil properties improved significantly in the fenced area compared with the grazed area. In the protected area the vegetation cover, height and above- and belowground biomass increased significantly. Soil pH, electrical conductivity and bulk density decreased significantly, but soil organic carbon and total nitrogen concentration increased greatly in the protected area. By comparing the vegetation and soil characteristics with pre-degraded grassland, we found that vegetation can recover 6 years after fencing, and soil pH can be restored 8 years after fencing. However, the restoration of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations needed 16, 30 and 19 years, respectively. It is recommended that the stocking rate should be reduced to 1/3 of the current carrying capacity, or that a grazing regime of 1-year of grazing followed by a 2-year rest is adopted to sustain the current status of vegetation and soil resources. However, if N fertilizer is applied, the rest period could be shortened, depending on the rate of application.

Alleviation of Soil Acidity and Aluminium Phytotoxicityin Acid Soils by Using Alkaline-Stabilized Biosolids

A pot experiment was catried out to study alleviation of soil acidity and Al toxicity by applying analkaline-stabilised sewage sludge product (biosolids) to an acid clay sandy loam (pH 5.7) and a strongly acidsandy loam (pH 4.5). Barley (Hondeum vulgare L. cv. Forrester) was used as a test crop and was grownin the sewage sludge-amended (33.5 t sludge DM ha-1) and unamended soils. The results showed that thealka1ine biosloids increased soil pH from 5.7 to 6.9 for the clay sandy loam and from 4.5 to 6.0 for the sandyloam. The sludge product decreased KCl-extractable Al from 0.1 to 0.0 cmol kg-1 for the former soil andfrom 4.0 to 0.1 cmol kg-1 for the latter soil. As a result, barley plants grew much better and grain yieldincreased greatly in the amended treatments compared with the unamended controls. These observationsindicate that alkaline-stabilised biosolids can be used as a liming material for remedying Al phytotoxicity instrongly acid soils by increasing soil pH and lowering Al bioavailability.

Modeling the contribution of abiotic exchange to CO_2 flux in alkaline soils of arid areas

Recent studies on alkaline soils of arid areas suggest a possible contribution of abiotic exchange to soil CO2 flux(Fc).However,both the overall contribution of abiotic CO2 exchange and its drivers remain unknown.Here we analyzed the environmental variables suggested as possible drivers by previous studies and constructed a function of these variables to model the contribution of abiotic exchange to Fc in alkaline soils of arid areas.An automated flux system was employed to measure Fc in the Manas River Basin of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region,China.Soil pH,soil temperature at 0–5 cm(Ts),soil volumetric water content at 0–5 cm(θs)and air temperature at10 cm above the soil surface(Tas)were simultaneously analyzed.Results highlight reduced sensitivity of Fc to Ts and good prediction of Fc by the model Fc=R10Q10(Tas–10)/10+r7q7(pH–7)+λTas+μθs+e which represents Fc as a sum of biotic and abiotic components.This presents an approximate method to quantify the contribution of soil abiotic CO2 exchange to Fc in alkaline soils of arid areas.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in ornithogenic soils in polar tundra

Phosphatase plays an important role in the microbial liberation of phosphorus in soil systems. In this study, alkaline phosphatase activity （APA） was investigated from tundra ornithogenic soil profiles in Antarctica and Arctic. The organic carbon （TOC）, total nitrogen （TN）, and phosphorus fractions and pH were also analyzed in these soils. The correlation between APA and soil chemical properties is discussed. In almost all the soil profiles, APA showed the same variation patterns. The maximum APA appeared in the surface layers, and decreased with soil depth. The APA ranged from 1.00 ppm to 1 403.5 ppm with an average of approximately 408.3 ppm. The APA showed a significant positive correlation with TOC （r =0.70, p 〈0.001）, TN （r =0.43, p =0.002）, total phosphorus （r =0.39, p 〈0.05）and inorganic phosphorus （r =0.40, p =0.037）, indicating that they were predominant factors affecting APA in the polar tundra soils. In addition, APA showed a significant negative correlation with Cu and Zn concentrations in the soils, indicating that Cu and Zn may inhibit APA. Our results showed that APA could be used as an important indicator for soil fertility in polar tundra ecosystems.

Biochar Applied with Organic Fertilizer Improves Alkaline Soil Properties and Crop Yield

Biochar(BC)is widely applied in agricultural production for its multiple uses such as carbon sequestration.However,application of BC alone has limited effect on soil fertility and crop yield,especially alkaline soil.Therefore,a pot experiment on Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa var.glabra)was carried out in this study to investigate the effect of BC applied with organic fertilizer(OF)on alkaline soil properties and crop yield.To be specific,BC and OF were respectively applied at 0,1%,2%,and 3%,and Chinese cabbage was transplanted and cultivated for 2.5 months.Results showed that BC and OF increased the content of both organic matter and available P in alkaline soil(P<0.05).Moreover,the application of OF alone decreased the pH value but raised available N content of alkaline soil,and the application of only BC demonstrated the contrary effect(P<0.05).OF significantly improved crop yield(P<0.05),but the effect of BC was insignificant.Crop yield was the highest under the treatment of 1%BC and 3%OF.Thus,BC had limited effect on alkaline soil fertility and crop yield,but the application with OF was a good option for ameliorating alkaline soil and raising crop yield.

Study on Soil Improvement Measure of Plant Landscape Construction in Saline and Alkaline Area in Tianjin

A detailed research in soil improving measure was conducted during the process of plants that were cultivated in Tianjin saline and alkaline area. The results showed that the commonly used measures could improve the soil, and also we got some useful advices and suggestions for plants cultivating in Tianiin saline and alkaline areas.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungal Inoculation with Compost on Yield and Phosphorous Uptake of Berseem in Alkaline Calcareous Soil

An experiment was conducted in pots under natural conditions in alkaline calcareous soil to determine berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) yield and P uptake as affected by Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation with compost prepared from fresh animal dung and rock phosphate. Data indicated that berseem shoot and roots yields increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by inoculation of indigenous mycorrhiza (AMF-I) and half dose of compost. Shoot yield increased as 98% and 76% roots yield as 60% and 52% over control and N and K fertilizers. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased plant N and P uptake by berseem was observed in the treatment inoculated by commercial mycorrhiza (AMF-II) with full dose of compost followed by the inoculation of AMF-II with half dose of compost. Plants uptake of Cu, Mn and Fe was improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by the inoculation of AMF-II with half dose of compost, while Zn uptake was increased in the treatment of AMF-II inoculation with full dose of compost. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil spores density of AMF as 27 spores per 20 g soil was noted by inoculation of AMF-I with half dose of compost, while maximum roots infection intensity in berseem was observed by the inoculation of AMF-I with full dose of compost. Results suggest that inoculation of AMF with compost has potential to improve berseem yields and plants nutrients uptake under given soil conditions.

Characteristics and Spatial Variability of Saline-Alkaline Soil Degradation in the Typical Yellow River Delta Area of Kenli County, China

As an important area of reserve land resources, the Yellow River Delta is faced with the problem of soil salinization. Grasping the characteristics of soil salinity as well as its spatial variation patterns is an important foundation of prevention, control and utilization of saline soil. This study selected Kenli County of the Yellow River Delta, obtained soil salinity data through field survey and lab experiment, and used statistical, GIS interpolation and buffer analysis methods to analyze the characteristics of soil salinity and its spatial variation patterns. Our results showed that the general soil salinity in the study area was mainly moderate and there was a significant positive correlation between different soil layers of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 30 cm and 30 - 45 cm and soil salinity increased with the increase of soil depth. The areas with high soil salinity in each soil layer mainly distributed in the east near the Bo Sea in the county, while the areas with lower soil salinity mainly distributed in the southwest, centre and the two sides of the Yellow River in the northeast. Soil salinity showed a trend of decrease with the increase in distance to the Bo Sea, while stretching from the Yellow River, it showed increase tendency with the increase in distance to the Yellow River. The order from high soil salinity to low of different vegetation types was naked land → suaeda glauca → tamarix → vervain → reed → couch grass → paddy → cotton → winter wheat → maize;the order for different geomorphic types was depression → slightly sloping ground → slow hillock → high flood land. This study preliminary delineated the characteristics of soil salinity as well as its spatial variation patterns in the study area, and provided scientific basis for soil resource sustainable utilization in the Yellow River Delta.

Screening of Strains Producing Alkaline Protease from Soil and Study on the Conditions for Enzyme Production

[Objective] The aim was to screen strains producing alkaline protease from soil and study the conditions for enzyme production.[Method] Eight strains producing alkaline protease were isolated from soil through plate isolation,and the ability of enzyme production was measured by filter paper and Folin-phenol method.The strain with the strongest ability of enzyme production was screened as a candidate strain,then the factors influencing the ability of enzyme production was studied,finally the conditions for enzyme production was optimized through orthogonal test.[Result] No.5 strain was screened as a candidate strain due to its strong ability of enzyme production(6.00 U/ml),which accounted for 134.1% of that of Bacillus licheniformis,and it was gram-positive bacterium belonging to Clostridium.Orthogonal test showed that the optimal condition for producing protease was an environment with pH=11,0.3% of sucrose and 0.8% of peptone in the fermentation medium,and inoculation amount was 105 cfu/ml.In addition,peptone had significant impact on the level of enzyme production.[Conclusion] The study could provide theoretical references for the screening of strains producing alkaline protease.

Studies on Fast Remediation of Soda Meadow Alkaline Soil

Researches on models of remediation quickly in soda meadow alkaline soil, and dynamic variation of water-salt in saline soil of Zhaozhou County were studied systematically from 2001 to 2006. Realize the vegetation cover of those years through the artificial planting, mixed seeding lyme grass （Elymus dahuricus Turcz） and melilot in the mode of rotary tillage and deep loosening in lower and medium saline soils. The results showed that there was remarkable relationship between net evaporation （difference of precipitation and evaporation） and total salt content in the soil. The net evaporation could be used as a new method to forecast the dynamics variation of salt to ensure the pasture optimum sowing time. Realize the autumnal vegetation cover of those years through direct planting on the bourgeon layer of soda meadow alkaline soil, on the other hand, the covered pasture made the function of restraining salt and alkaline content to realize the biology reverse succession quickly. Forage seeds were seeded directly on the seeding bed of soda alkaline meadow at the end of July. In fall of the same year, a certain amount of biomass was obtained. The model, which has remarkable economical efficiency and use widely, represented the innovative model for the fast vegetation restoration on the soda alkaline meadow soil.

Effects of Irrigation with Well Water on Chemical Characteristics of a Weakly Alkaline Soil Used as Rice Field

This paper discussed the effects of irrigation with well water on the salinity and pH of a weakly alkaline paddy soil in Fujin of Heilongjiang Province in the north-eastern part of China.It has been found that after seven years the accumulation of total soluble salts did not occur and that the pH of 0～15 cm layer fell down from 7.92～8.30 to 6.76～7.45,and that the content of anion HCO - 3 and its proportion in the total soluble anions have fallen down.Conversion from paddy soil to upland restored the pH of soil,exchangeable sodium,ESR(exchangeable sodium ratio) to their original levels of upland fields respectively.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungal Inoculation with Compost on Yield and P Uptake of Wheat in Alkaline Calcareous Soil

An experiment was conducted in pots under natural conditions in alkaline calcareous soil to determine wheat (Triticum aestivum L. c.v. Atta Habib) yield and P uptake as influenced by Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation with compost prepared from fresh animal dung and rock phosphate. Data indicated that wheat grain, shoot and roots yields increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by inoculation of commercial mycorrhiza (AMF-II) and half dose of compost. Grain yield increased by 43% and 37%, shoot by 43% and 39% and roots yield by 51% and 45% over control of N and K fertilizers. Straw yield was maximum as 5075 kg·ha-1 in the treatment of AMF-II inoculation with full dose of compost, which was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher as 44% and 40% over control of N and K fertilizers. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher plant N and P uptake by wheat were observed in the treatment inoculated by indigenous mycorrhiza (AMF-I) with full dose of compost followed by the inoculation of AMF-II with full dose of compost and SSP treatment. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil spores’ density of AMF by 26 spores per 20 g soil with maximum roots infection intensity in wheat were observed by the inoculation of AMF-I with full dose of compost. The AMF-II is slightly better than AMF-I regarding grain, shoot and root yield, whereas AMF-I is better in N, P uptake, soil spore density and their root infection intensity than AMF-II. Alone inoculation and compost application increase the yield and nutrients uptake but the highest improvement was observed with inoculation of AMF with compost. Results suggest that inoculation of AMF with compost has potential to improve wheat yields and plants’ P uptake under given soil conditions.

Application of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in restoration of saline and alkaline soils of Songnen Plain in China

The salt-resistant nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria 888 was experimentally applied to the reclamation of saline and alkali soil in Songnen Plain in China. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of different saline soils were studied and compared. Results show that different saline soils exhibit various physico-chemical properties. Saline-sodic soils in Songnen Plain are ameliorated by using nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae 888 in the experiment. It is indicated that cyanobacteria 888 can grow in saline and alkaline soils, and the conditions favorable for its growth are soil moisture of 50% and dry algae inoculation at 0.03 mg/cm2. The main actions of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are keeping the adsorbability of rubber sheath for sodium, increasing the organic matter content of the soils and decreasing the pH and the degree of salinity in the soils. But the arid climate and soil depth are the main factors that limit the restoration of saline and alkaline soils.

Study on the Tolerance Mechanism of Alkaline Soil-Tolerant Wild Plants

The soil in many agricultural areas, including large parts of China, is becoming increasingly alkaline as a result of exploitation of soil resources. The soil becomes alkaline as a result of hydrolysis of two carbonates (NaH-

Effect of Fermented Plant Products on Alkaline-Saline Soil and the Growth of Alfalfa Seedlings

A pot experiment was conducted by putting ameliorants,the products of plants fermented by lactobacillus,and sandy soil into alkaline-saline soil. After such blending,the soil physicochemical properties and the growth index of Alfalfa seedlings were measured in order to explore the influence of the blending on alkaline-saline soil and the growth of alfalfa seedlings. The results showed that soil p H decreased significantly after adding ameliorant; mixing ameliorant and sandy soil into alkaline-saline soil reduced soil evaporation and increased the germination rate of alfalfa seeds and their chlorophyll content as well as the seedling height,root length of alfalfa seedlings,but it had no significant effect on alfalfa seedlings' biomass and leaf number; besides,excessive ameliorant would inhibit the growth of alfalfa seedlings.

Effect of ammonium chloride on leaching behavior of alkaline anion and sodium ion in bauxite residue

This study focused on leaching behavior of alkaline anion and sodium in bauxite residue through ammonium chloride treatment.The results showed that the pH of bauxite residue decreased from 10.49 to 8.93,total alkaline anion(HCO3^-,CO3^2-,OH^-,AlO2^-)concentration reduced from 38.89 to 25.50 mmol/L,leaching rate of soluble sodium was 80.86%with ammonium chloride addition of 0.75%,liquid/solid(L/S)ratio of 3(mL/g),temperature of 30°C and reaction time of 18 h;L/S ratio was the main factor affecting the removal of alkaline anion and the leaching of sodium.Furthermore,ammonium chloride promoted the dissolution of diaspore and changed the micro/morphological characteristics with the increase of massive structure.The findings of this work will contribute to achieve soil-formation of bauxite residue.

Variation of alkaline characteristics in bauxite residue under phosphogypsum amendment

Aiming at alkaline problem of bauxite residue,this work focused variation of alkaline characteristics in bauxite residue through phosphogypsum treatment.The results demonstrated that the pH of bauxite residue reduced from initial 10.83 to 8.70 when 1.50 wt%phosphogypsum was added for 91 d.The removal rates of free alkali and exchangeable sodium were 97.94%and 75.87%,respectively.Meanwhile,significant positive correlations(P<0.05)existed between pH and free alkali,exchangeable sodium.The effect of free alkali composition was CO3^2–>OH^–>AlO2^–>HCO3^–.In addition,alkaline phase decreased from 52.81%to 48.58%and gypsum stably presented in bauxite residue which continuously provided Ca^2+to inhibit dissolution of combined alkali.Furthermore,phosphogypsum promoted formation of macroaggregate structure,increased Ca^2+,decreased Na+and Al^3+on the surface of bauxite residue significantly,ultimately promoting soil formation in bauxite residue.

Effect of substrate amendment on alkaline minerals and aggregate stability in bauxite residue

Bauxite residue is an alkaline waste material in the process of alumina production due to its characteristics of higher salinity and alkalinity,which results in environmental issues and extremely restricts the sustainable development of alumina industries.In this work,we conduct a column experiment to study the effects of two amendments on aggregate stability and variations in alkaline minerals of bauxite residue.The two amendments are phosphogypsum(PG)and phosphogypsum and vermicompost(PVC).The dominant fraction in aggregate is 1–0.25 mm in diameter on the surface,which takes up 39.34%,39.38%,and 44.51%for CK,PG,and PVC,respectively.Additions of PG and PVC decreased pH,EC,ESP,exchangeable Na^+concentration and the percentage of alkaline minerals,and then increased exchangeable Ca^2+concentration in bauxite residue.There was significant positive correlation between pH and exchangeable Na^+concentration,the percentage of cancrinite,tricalcium aluminate and calcite;while negative correlation was found in pH value versus exchangeable Ca^2+concentration.Theses findings confirmed that additions of phosphogypsum and vermicompost have a stimulative effect on aggregate stability in bauxite residue.In particular,amendment neutralization(phosphogypsum+vermicompost)in column represents an advantage for large-scale simulation of vegetation rehabilitate in bauxite residue disposal areas.