Effects of a new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate(DMPP) on nitrate and potassium leaching in two soils

In this study, soil column was used to study the new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate （DMPP） on nitrate （NO3^-- N） and potassium （K） leaching in the sandy loam soil and clay loam soil. The results showed that DMPP with ammonium sulphate nitrate （ASN） （（NH4）2SO4 and NHaNO3） or urea could reduce NO3^--N leaching significantly, whereas ammonium （NH4^＋-N） leaching increased slightly. In case of total N （NO3^--N＋NH4^＋-N）, losses by leaching during the experimental period （40 d） were 37.93 mg （urea）, 31.61 mg （urea＋DMPP）, 108.10 mg （ASN）, 60.70 mg （ASN＋DMPP） in the sandy loam soil, and 30.54 mg （urea）, 21.05 mg （urea＋DMPP）, 37.86 mg （ASN）, 31.09 mg （ASN＋DMPP） in the clay loam soil, respectively. DMPP-amended soil led to the maintenance of relatively high levels of NH4^＋ -N and low levels of NO3^--N in soil, and nitrification was slower. DMPP supplementation also resulted in less potassium leached, but the difference was not significant except the treatment of ASN and ASN＋DMPP in the sandy loam soil. Above results indicate that DMPP is a good nitrification inhibitor, the efficiency of DMPP seems better in the sandy loam soil than in the clay loam soil and lasts longer.

Cogon grass biochar amendment and Panicum coloratum planting improve selected properties of sandy soil under humid lowland tropical climatic conditions

Biochar amendment improves the physical,chemical and biological characteristics of different soil types under different climatic and environmental conditions.In this study,effects of biochar or live pasture plants existing alone or co-existing on selected soil properties of sandy loam soil under humid lowland tropical climatic conditions were investigated.The changes measured in the amended soil,with or without plants,were compared to the unamended and unplanted soils.Biochar amendment with or without pasture improved moisture retention,lowered bulk density,increased pH and kept the electrical conductivity within ranges conducive for pasture growth.Generally,contents of all the nutrients increased following biochar amendment,however pasture establishment without amendment resulted in depletion of available potassium and magnesium.Under all treatment conditions,soil organic carbon and soil organic matter were significantly depleted.Cogon grass is invasive under all land use systems and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through slash-and-burn.Using biomass from the grass instead of burning would mitigate CO2 emissions from the tropics.

Monitoring the variation of soil quality with sewage sludge application rates in absence of rhizosphere effect

Agricultural soils in semi-arid regions have frequently been degraded due to adverse climatic conditions,organic matter depletion,and poor farming practices.To enhance soil quality,this study examines the reuse of sewage sludge(SS)as an available source of organic matter in a typical Mediterranean sandy-loam soil.Accordingly,we studied the cumulative effect of two annual applications of 40,80 and 120 tons of sludge per ha on soil quality in absence of vegetation.The dose-dependent improvement of organic matter content was the most significant event that reflected sludge application rates,and consequently influenced other soil properties.Accordingly,soil structural stability increased by 13.3%,28.8%and 59.4%for treatments SS-40,SS-80 and SS-120 respectively as compared to unamended control.Structural stability improvement was also confirmed by the dose-dependent variation of other edaphic factors including calcium content,the microbial quotient as well as Welt and C:N ratios.These param-eters are involved in cementing soil aggregates by cation bridging,the formation of microbial mucilage,and clay-humic complexes.Soil magnetic susceptibility(SMS)was measured in situ as a possible rapid tool to evaluate soil condition.SMS showed significant correlation with sludge dose and stability amelioration testifying to the aggregation role that can play Al2O3 and particularly Fe2O3 minerals added by the hematite-rich sludge.Besides,analytical results and field observations revealed no trends of soil salinization or acidification by excessive sludge amounts.By avoiding the rhizosphere effect,outcomes could reflect the resilience and intrinsic capacity of the soil to cope with excessive sludge loads.