Effects of Soil Aeration on Sweet Potato Yield and Its Physiological Mechanism

The effects of soil aeration on physiological characters and root tuber yield of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. CV Lushu7 and Xushu18 were studied. The results showed that soil aeration improvement could increase ATP content and ATPase activity in functional leaves and root tubers and ABA content in root tubers. It also accelerated the transportation of 14C-photosynthate from leaves to root tubers and enhanced dry matter distribution in root tubers and thus root tuber yield was significantly raised. The role of ATP, ATPase and ABA in accelerating the transportation of 14C-photosynthate was discussed based on the changes of soluble carbonhydrate content in sweet potato plant.

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.

Engineering practice of mechanical soil aeration for the remediation of volatile organic compound-contaminated sites in China： Advantages and challenges

In recent years, many industrial enterprises located in the urban centers of China have been relocated owing to the rapid increase in urban development. At the sites abandoned by these enterprises, volatile organic compounds have frequently been detected, sometimes at high concentrations, particularly at sites abandoned by chemical manufacturing enterprises. With the redevelopment of sites and changes in land-use tvpe associated with these sites, substantial amounts of contaminated soils now require remediation. ＂Since China is a developing country, soil remediation warrants the usage of techniques that are suitable for addressing the unique challenges faced in this country. Land shortage is a common problem in China; the large numbers of contaminated sites, tight development schedules, and limited financial resources necessitate the development of .cost-effective methods for land reclamation.Mechanical soil aeration is a simple, effective, and low-cost soil remediation tectm^que mat is particularly suitable for the remediation of large volatile organic compound-contaminated sites. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by conducting laboratory studies, pilot tests, and full-scale projects.This study reviews current engineei-ing practice and developmental trends of mechanical soil aeration and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of this technology for application in China as an emerging soil remediation market. The findings of this study might aid technology development in China, as well as assist other developing countries in the assessment and implementation of costeffective hazardous waste site soil remediation programs.

Subsurface aeration alters the fungal composition of rhizosphere soil and tomato plant performance in Northwest China

Rhizosphere hypoxia constrains plant growth,and numerous studies have shown that root zone aeration accelerates plant photosynthesis and growth and increases crop yields.Nevertheless,the mechanism by which soil microorganisms are involved in this process is not clear.The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of aeration and irrigation depth on the composition and structure of rhizosphere soil fungal communities and tomato plant performance.The amount of aeration assayed was equal to 0(CK),0.5(V1),1(V2),and 1.5(V3)times the porosity of the soil.The two depths of subsurface drip irrigation used were 15(D15)and 40 cm(D40).The results demonstrated that soil aeration not only increased tomato plant performance but also influenced fungal diversity and composition.Compared to the no-aeration treatment,the V3 soil aeration treatment increased the total dry weight and fruit yield by 39.9%and 65.6%,respectively.The results also showed that the abundance of the phylum Ascomycota and the family Lasiosphaeriaceae increased with increasing soil aeration,whereas those of members of the phylum Zygomycota and the order Capnodiales decreased with increasing soil aeration.Moreover,the variation in subsurface irrigation depth altered the rhizosphere soil fungal community.In general,the results of this study demonstrate that root zone aeration can ameliorate hypoxic conditions in Lou soils and is beneficial to soil fungal communities and tomato plant performance.