Micromorphological Features of Old Cultivated and Modern Soils in Guanzhong Areas, Shaanxi Province, China

Using the data obtained from the LGT soil profile, this article attempts to illustrate the process of modem soil formation in the Guanzhong areas and its micromorphological features. The micromorphology is observed under a petrographic microscope, and its image is quantitatively measured by LEICAL Qwin 2.6 software. Micromorphological observations of the thin sections show that the assemblage of minerals in different horizons is very similar, which is mainly composed of Q and P1. However, there are obvious differences in C/F15μm ratio, mineral content, and coarse features. The pedofeatures is mainly composed of clay, calcite, and amorphous Fe. Ap horizon is characterized by abundant needleshaped secondary calcite, secondary clay, and earthworm fecal pellet. BC horizon is characterized by a large quantity of secondary calcite with various shapes. Bt1and Bt2 horizons are characterized by abundant clay hypocoatings and a small quantity of secondary calcite. All the results of this research suggest that Earth-cumulic Orthic Anthrosols consist of both the upper Ap horizon, which cause loessal dung and eolian dust deposition, and cultivation occurs simultaneously during the process of Ap horizon-formation, and the lower BC horizon, which is aeolian sedimentary at the time of relative aridity during late Holocene.

Spatiotemporal variation of soil organic carbon in the cultivated soil layer of dry land in the South-Western Yunnan Plateau, China

The dynamics of soil organic carbon(SOC)in cropland is one of the central issues related to both soil fertility and environmental safety. However, little information is available at county level regarding the spatiotemporal variability of SOC in the southwestern mountainous region of China. Thus, this study aimed to explore spatiotemporal changes of SOC in the cultivated soil layer of dry land in Mojiang County,Yunnan Province, China. Data were obtained from the second national soil survey(SNSS) of 1985 and soil tests for fertilizer application carried out by the Mojiang Agricultural Bureau in 2006. The ANOVA test was applied to determine any significant differences between the datasets, while semivariogram analysis was performed on geostatistics via an ordinary Kriging method in order to map spatial patterns of soil organic carbon density(SOCD). The results revealed that SOCD in the cultivated soil layer significantly decreased from 3.93 kg m^(-2) in 1985 to 2.89 kg m^(-2) in 2006, with a total soil organic carbon stock(SOCS) decrease of 41.54×10~4 t over the same period. SOCS levels fell most markedly in yellow-brown soil at a rate of51.52%, while an increase of 8.70% was found in the analysed latosol. Geostatistical analysis also showed that the recorded changes in SOCD between 1985 and2006 were spatially structured. The decreasing trend might be attributed to the combined action of intense cultivation, major crop residue removal without any protective tillage measures, unreasonable fertilization and natural climatic diversity inducing a large decrease in SOC in the studied cultivated dry land region of Mojiang County. Therefore, management measures such as protective tillage should be undertaken in order to enhance soil C sequestration.

Analysis of Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Cultivated Land of Nehe City

This study aimed at gaining the cultivated land quality and the situation of soil pollution, taking Nehe City in Heilongjiang Province as an example, used ordinary Kriging interpolation of geostatistics, investigated the content and spatial distribution of eight kinds of heavy metal elements（namely Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Hg and As） in farming land soil, then analyzed the distinction and potential source of these heavy metal elements. The result showed that（1） all these elements had a certain amount of accumulation compared with those in the background of Heilongjiang Province, among which the accumulated levels of Cu and As were the highest.（2） Through statistic analyses, it showed that the spatial autocorrelation degrees of these four elements（namely Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn） were higher.（3） The pollution of Cd and Cu was relatively severe.（4） The spatial distribution features of these eight kinds of heavy metal elements were different, and the soil parent material and the human activity played double roles in the content distribution of heavy metal elements in farming land soil.

Feasibility and Prospect about the Cultivation of Apocynum venetum L. in Coastal Salt-affected Soils

[Objective]The aim of this paper was to analyze the feasibility and prospect of Apocynum venetum L.cultivation in coastal salt-affected soils.[Method]The habitat and distribution of Apocynum venetum L.in coastal area of north China were studied.A method to integrate the charicteristics of Apocynum venetum L.（Luobuma） with the utilization of salt-affected soils in this region was proposed.[Result]The introduction,domestication and growth of plants on coastal salt-affected soils can realize the protection of endangered wild species,and achieve the purpose of improving soil.The characteristics of Apocynum venetum L.can produce optimum economic and ecological benefits.[Conclusion]The implementation will provide references for the protection and exploitation of wild plant,and it is of positive significance for the integration of soil and plant resources.

Characteristics of B,Zn and Se in stream sediments of Tanzania and their agricultural applications:Based on 1∶1000000 geochemical survey

Tanzania is located in eastern Africa with a predominantly agricultural ecomomy,the potential for developing and utilizing cultivated land are promising,but scientific guidance is required.B,Zn and Se are essential micronutrients for plants and human body with crucial biological functions,in particular,Se is significant for human health and considered as“the king of anti-cancer”.As these elements required by human or plants are mainly absorbed from soil directly or indirectly,therefore,it is important to understand the contents and distributions of them in the soil of cultivated land for guiding agricultural production.In this work,low-density geochemical survey at the scale of 1∶1000000 was carried out in Tanzania,and the results show that the concentrations of B,Zn and Se in stream sediments are low and their distributions are heterogeneous.According to the distributions of geological units,the existing cultivated land resources can be divided into five regions in Tanzania.Compared with the national background values,the concentrations of B,Zn and Se are insufficient overall but enriched locally in these regions.In general,element concentrations in stream sediments and soil have a positive correlation because of their similar sources,which is essential in agriculture application.Based on the information provided by low-density geochemical data and maps,the Se-sufficient and Se-rich regions were delineated in Tanzania,where can be used to develop Se-rich industries.Finally,this paper believes that geochemical survey is a powerful tool for cultivated land evaluation,agriculture management and land development.

Present Situation of Dictyophora Industry in China and Cultivation Technique of Dictyophora rubrovolvata

China is the earliest country to eat Dictyophora and to realize its artificial domestication.At present,12 species of Dictyophora have been reported worldwide,7 species of which are found in China.D.rubrovolvata,D.echinovolvata and D.indusiata have been cultivated on a large scale,and the main producing areas are Zhijin in Guizhou Province,Shunchang and Jiangle in Fujian Province,and Qingchuan and Changning in Sichuan Province.The cultivation of D.rubrovolvata had experienced 4 stages:wild tending,casserole cultivation,outdoor simple greenhouse cultivation and rapid development of new cultivation techniques.The present integrated cultivation technique of bag removing and soil covering of D.rubrovolvata were introduced in detail from the aspects of production and selection of high-quality fungi bags,bag removing and soil covering,spawn running,as well as fruiting management and harvesting.As one of the"ten main promoting technologies"of Guizhou Province in 2022,it had realized rapid propagation of liquid strains and supporting cultivation of improved varieties and methods.The suitable strains were selected to support understory cultivation,layer cultivation,basket cultivation,factory cultivation and other modes,which had short cultivation period and can realize annual production and supply.With the development of the industry,it is expected that low-cost secondary fermentation or tertiary fermentation cultivation technology will be more widely used.

^(137)Cs and^(210)Pb_(ex) as Soil Erosion Tracers in the Hilly Sichuan Basin and the Three Gorges Area of China

Accelerated soil erosion and land degradation represent major environmental problems for agricultural lands.Reliable information on the rates of soil loss is urgently needed.The traditional techniques for documenting rates of soil loss may meet this need,but face many limitations.The fallout radionuclides,especially 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex,are increasingly used as effective tracers to quantify soil erosion rates,and they represent a valuable complement to the existing classical methods.This paper aims to introduce the basis for assessing soil erosion rates on cultivated and uncultivated slopes by using 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex measurements,to compare the 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex reference inventories,and to report several case studies undertaken in the hilly area of Sichuan Basin and the Three Gorges area of China.

Changes in profile distribution and chemical properties of natural nanoparticles in paddy soils as affected by long-term rice cultivation

Systematic studies on the genesis,properties,and distribution of natural nanoparticles(NNPs)in soil remain scarce.This study examined a soil chronosequence of continuous paddy field land use for periods ranging from 0 to 1000 years to determine how NNPs in soil changed at the early stages of soil genesis in eastern China.Soil samples were collected from coastal reclaimed paddy fields that were cultivated for 0,50,100,300,700,and 1000 years.Natural nanoparticles were isolated and characterized along with bulk soil samples(<2-mm fraction)for selected physical and chemical properties.The NNP content increased with increasing soil cultivation age at 60 g m^(-2) year-1,which was related to decreasing soil electrical conductivity(172-1297μS cm^(-1))and NNP zeta potentials(from -22 to -36 mV)with increasing soil cultivation age.Changes in several NNP properties,such as pedogenic iron oxide and total organic carbon contents,were consistent with those of the bulk soils across the soil chronosequence.Notably,changes in NNP iron oxide content were obvious and illustrated active chemical weathering,pedogenesis,and potential impacts on the microbial community.Redundancy analysis demonstrated that the soil cultivation age was the most important factor affecting NNP properties,contributing 60.7% of the total variation.Cluster and principal component analysis(PCA)revealed splitting of NNP samples into age groups of 50-300 and 700-1000 years,indicating rapid evolution of NNP properties,after an initial period of desalinization(approximately 50 years).Overall,this study provides new insights into NNP evolution in soil during pedogenesis and predicting their influences on agriculture and ecological risks over millennial-scale rice cultivation.

Improved root zone temperature buffer capacity enhancing sweet pepper yield via soil-ridged substrate-embedded cultivation in solar greenhouse

A novel soilless cultivation method,called as soil-ridged substrate-embedded cultivation(SSC)was invented,and an experiment was designed to investigate root zone temperature and production efficiency of sweet pepper cultivated by two SSC patterns,i.e.,SSC-P(polyethylene groove inserted)and SSC-W(wire-mesh groove inserted),and also other two cultivation methods,i.e.,soil ridge(SR)and naked polyethylene groove(PG).Results showed that PG,SSC-P and SSC-W increased the average minimal root zone temperature by 1.01℃,0.75℃,and 1.16℃ compared to SR(16.33℃)during March 16-20,2015.During June 1-5,SSC-P and SSC-W decreased the average maximal root zone temperature by 1.28℃ and 1.29℃ compared to SR(34.99℃),while PG increased it by 1.44℃.PG,SSC-P,and SSC-W decreased the differences of average daytime and night time temperatures by 1.34℃,2.13℃,and 2.88℃ compared to SR(4.56℃)during early stage.However,SSC-P and SSC-W decreased temperature differences of average daytime and night time by 0.9℃ and 1.07℃ compared to SR(0.95℃)during later stage,but PG improved by 2.85℃.Temperature difference of daytime and night time of SSC-W was minimal,and the temperature difference between the diurnal highest and the lowest temperature of SSC-W was also minimal.The buffer capacity of SSC-W was slightly better than that of SSC-P.SSC-W significantly improved the growth of sweet pepper compared to SR.Similarly,fruit yield per square meter of sweet pepper cultivated on SSC-P and SSC-W improved by 21.24%and 50.33%,respectively compared to SR(3.06 kg/m^(2)),while PG lowered the yield by 13.72%.SSC-W was a better SSC pattern compared with SSC-P in terms of production efficiency.

Wear of the working parts of agricultural tools in the context of the mass of chemical elements introduced into soil during its cultivation

For the manufacture of working parts of agricultural tools operating in soil,various structural materials are used:alloy and low-alloy steels,weld materials for hardfacing,and plates made from cementedcarbide.Manufacturers design new construction solutions to obtain components that are resistant to abrasive wear and impact.These components are subject to wear during soil cultivation,due to which wear products remain in the soil.In this work,the mass of chemical elements remaining in soil from materials used in selected working parts of agricultural tools intended for soil cultivation was estimated.During the operation of the tested parts,it was found that the following elements were introduced into the soil:Al,B,C,Co,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mo,Nb,Ni,P,Pb,S,Si,Ti,V,Wand Zr.Iron was introduced into the soil in the highest amount(15.907e222.004 g∙ha-1).Among the chemical elements reaching the soil,there were also elements that may pose a toxicological threat.It was found that the mass of chemical elements introduced into the soil depends on their content in the used structural materials and also on the conditions of cultivation,which determine the wear intensity of the parts.