Soil factors predict initial plant colonization on Puerto Rican landslides

Tropical storms are the principal cause of landslides in montane rainforests, such as the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) of Puerto Rico. A storm in 2003 caused 30 new landslides in the LEF that we used to examine prior hypotheses that slope stability and organically enriched soils are prerequisites for plant colonization. We measured slope stability and litterfall 8–13 months following landslide formation. At 13 months we also measured microtopography, soil characteristics (organic matter, particle size, total nitrogen, and water-holding capacity), elevation, distance to forest edge, and canopy cover. When all landslides were analyzed together, plant biomass and cover at 13 months were not correlated with slope stability or organic matter, but instead with soil nitrogen, clay content, water-holding capacity, and elevation. When landslides were analyzed after separating by soil type, the distance from the forest edge and slope stability combined with soil factors (excluding organic matter) predicted initial plant colonization on volcaniclastic landslides, whereas on diorite landslides none of the measured characteristics affected initial plant colonization. The life forms of the colonizing plants reflected these differences in landslide soils, as trees, shrubs, and vines colonized high clay, high nitrogen, and low elevation volcaniclastic soils, whereas herbs were the dominant colonists on high sand, low nitrogen, and high elevation diorite soils. Therefore, the predictability of the initial stage of plant succession on LEF landslides is primarily determined by soil characteristics that are related to soil type.     

不同母岩发育土壤的可氧化态有机碳

采用KMnO4氧化法测定了8种不同母岩发育形成的土壤的可氧化态有机碳含量,结果表明,发育母岩不同,土壤可氧化态有机碳含量显著不同。通过对土壤养分、土壤颗粒组成、容重与可氧化态有机碳含量的相关性分析表明,土壤可氧化态有机碳与土壤的速效磷、全氮、速效钾、砂粒、粉粒的含量存在着极显著负相关关系;与土壤容重存在着极显著的正相关关系;与土壤的有机质、碱解氮、粗砂、细砂、粘粒、pH值、石砾含量无相关关系。     

Soil–vegetation relationships in cerrados under different fire frequencies

Fire is an important ecological factor that structures savannas, such as the cerrado, by selecting plant species and altering soil nutrient content. In Emas National Park, central Brazil, we compared soils under three different fire regimes and their relationship to the cerrado species they support. We collected 25 soil and vegetation samples at each site. We found differences in soil characteristics (p?<?0.05), with fertility and fire frequency positively related: in the annually burned site we found higher values of organic matter, nitrogen, and clay, whereas in the protected site we detected lower values of pH and higher values of aluminum. We also observed differences in plant community structure, with distinct floristic compositions in each site. Floristic composition was more related to sand proportion (intra-set correlation?=?0.834). Different fire frequencies increase environmental heterogeneity and beta diversity in the Brazilian cerrado.     

添加秸秆后黑土力学行为特征——秸秆含量的影响

为探明秸秆还田量对黑土力学特性的影响,以典型黑土区未经开垦(高有机质低黏粒含量)以及耕作40年(低有机质高黏粒含量)的土壤为研究对象,在秸秆长度为15 mm条件下,采用室内固结和三轴剪切相结合的方法,通过压缩指数、回弹指数、黏聚力及内摩擦角的测定与分析,模拟研究了黑土压缩-回弹及抗剪切行为对不同小麦秸秆还田比例(0%、25%、50%、75%、100%)的响应规律.结果表明: 添加秸秆后黑土力学性能明显改善,以开垦多年有机质含量低的黑土改善效果更为显著.秸秆全量还田时,最不易被压缩且压实后恢复能力最强;秸秆50%还田时,土体抗剪强度最大;当秸秆还田比例为50%～100%时,黑土抗压与抗蚀效果较好.     

英罗港红树林土壤粒径分布的分形特征

应用分形理论分析了英罗港红树林土壤粒径分布的分形特征。结果表明,红树林土壤的分形维数为2.6837-2.8834,不同质地土壤的分形维数呈现砂壤土＜轻壤土＜中壤土＜重壤土＜轻粘土的规律,外滩红树林土壤的分形维数低于中滩和内滩。土壤分形维数与其盐分和有机质含量呈显著正相关。群落类型、土壤质地、滩位、含盐量、有机质含量等是影响英罗港红树林土壤分形维数的主要因子。     

Epidemics of Rhizoctonia Root Rot in Association with Biological and Physicochemical Properties of Field Soil in Bean Crops

During two growing seasons (2008 and 2009), the associations of Rhizoctonia root rot (RRR) with a number of soil properties were determined at different growth stages in 122 commercial bean fields in Zanjan, Iran. Mean RRR incidence at a level of 4–25% sand content was lower than that at 45–65% level. Damage by fly puparia had no significant effect on RRR incidence and occurrence. A greater RRR incidence was detected in field soils treated with fungicides compared with non‐treated soils. A lower RRR incidence was associated with the highest level of soil organic matter (1.2–1.8) compared with the lowest level, 0.4–0.8. The highest RRR incidence corresponded with no rhizobial nodulation compared with highly nodulated bean roots. RRR incidence was negatively correlated with soil silt and organic matter content at R6–7 and R9 growth stages. RRR‐affected fields were recognized with a greater soil pH (V3) and sand content (R9), and a lower silt (R9) and organic matter content (R6–7 and R9) in comparison with RRR‐free fields. Loadings and linear regressions between RRR incidence and principal component scores indicated that the most effective soil characteristic linked to the disease was silt at V3, sand at R6–7 and organic matter at R9 stage. This new epidemiological information extends our knowledge of the bean–RRR–soil interaction on a regional basis.     

Feeding inhibition and mortality in Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) after exposure to imidacloprid-treated soils

Feeding inhibition and mortality of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) exposed to sand, sandy loam, loam, and silty clay loam soils treated with several concentrations of imidacloprid were studied using bioassay techniques under laboratory conditions. Termite workers stopped feeding after exposure to treated soils. Differences in feeding reduction varied among the soil types. Based on the magnitude of the F-statistics, the effect of imidacloprid on the reduction of termite feeding was greatest in sand followed by sandy loam, loam, and silty clay loam soils. Soil properties such as organic matter content, silt and clay proportions, pH, and cation exchange capacity were suggested to affect the bioavailability of imidacloprid. Similar soil effects on mortality were observed in termites continuously exposed to treated soil for 21 d. In three of four soils tested, susceptibility to imidacloprid was not affected by the source of the termites tested.     

Species-environment relationship in the herb-subshrub layer of a moist Savanna site, Federal District, Brazil.

The soils are seasonally or permanently saturated in the moist grassland savanna, locally known as Campo Limpo Umido. Soil moisture variation seems to determine spatial distribution of communities. The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between environmental variables and the patterns of spatial distribution of species in the herbaceous-subshrub layer of an area of moist grassland at the Agua Limpa Farm, Brasília, DF (15 degrees 56' to 15 degrees 59' S and 47 degrees 55' to 47 degrees 58' W Gr.). An area of 400 x 400 m was divided into four sections of 200 x 200 m where four transects were randomly sampled. A line intercept method was adopted for the phytossociological study. Superficial soils samples (0-20 cm) were collected for chemical and textural analyses. Gravimetric soil moisture was measured quarterly during the study-year. A total of 85 species in 67 genera and 24 families were found. The diversity was high, Shannon's index, H', was 2.60 nats.cover(-1). Floristic composition of the transects in soils with a high gravimetric soil moisture and high content of organic matter and sand differed from those transects in soils with a lower gravimetric soil moisture indicating seasonal variation. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed significant correlations between soil texture and soil moisture features and species distribution. Gravimetric soil moisture, organic matter, clay, silt and sand were significantly correlated to species distribution in the moist grassland determining mosaics in the vegetation.     

Plant-Uptake of Uranium: Hydroponic and Soil System Studies

Limited information is available on screening and selection of terrestrial plants for uptake and translocation of uranium from soil. This article evaluates the removal of uranium from water and soil by selected plants, comparing plant performance in hydroponic systems with that in two soil systems (a sandy-loam soil and an organic-rich soil). Plants selected for this study were Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus), Spring Vetch (Vicia sativa), Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa), Juniper (Juniperus monosperma), Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea), and Bush Bean (Phaseolus nanus).

Plant performance was evaluated both in terms of the percent uranium extracted from the three systems, as well as the biological absorption coefficient (BAC) that normalized uranium uptake to plant biomass. Study results indicate that uranium extraction efficiency decreased sharply across hydroponic, sandy and organic soil systems, indicating that soil organic matter sequestered uranium, rendering it largely unavailable for plant uptake. These results indicate that site-specific soils must be used to screen plants for uranium extraction capability; plant behavior in hydroponic systems does not correlate well with that in soil systems. One plant species, Juniper, exhibited consistent uranium extraction efficiencies and BACs in both sandy and organic soils, suggesting unique uranium extraction capabilities.     

溶解性有机碳在红壤水稻土中的吸附及其影响因素

吸附作用是影响土壤中溶解性有机碳(DOC)迁移转化及生物有效性的重要反应过程,研究DOC在土壤中的吸附行为,对正确阐明土壤有机碳的循环和转化特征以及进行污染风险评估有重要意义.采用平衡法研究了红壤水稻土对DOC的吸附特征,并分析土壤有机质、粘粒含量及pH值与DOC吸附量之间的关系.结果表明,供试土壤对DOC的吸附等温线符合Freundlich和Linear方程.不同土壤对DOC的吸附能力有明显差异.在相同浓度下,DOC吸附量以第四纪红色粘土发育的低肥力水稻土最大,第三纪红砂岩风化物发育的低肥力水稻土次之,两种高肥力水稻土最小.土壤对DOC的吸附过程分为快、慢两个阶段,0-0.25 h内DOC的吸附速率最大,随着时间的推移,吸附速率渐小,2-4 h后基本达到吸附平衡.描述供试土壤对DOC吸附动力学过程的最优模型为一级扩散方程,其次为Elovich方程和抛物扩散方程.粘粒含量和有机质是影响土壤DOC吸附量的重要因素,随着粘粒含量的增加,有机质含量的降低,DOC的吸附量增大.     

Xiphinema americanum as Affected by Soil Organic Matter and Porosity

The effects of four soil types, soil porosity, particle size, and organic matter were tested on survival and migration of Xiphinema americanum. Survival and migration were significantly greater in silt loam than in clay loam and silty clay soils. Nematode numbers were significantly greater in softs planted with soybeans than in fallow softs. Nematode survival was greatest at the higher of two pore space levels in four softs. Migration of X. americanum through soft particle size fractions of 75-150, 150-250, 250-500, 500-700, and 700-1,000 μ was significantly greater in the middle three fractions, with the least occurring in the smallest fraction. Additions of muck to silt loam and loamy sand soils resulted in reductions in survival and migration of the nematode. The fulvic acid fraction of muck, extracted with sodium hydroxide, had a deleterious effect on nematode activity. I conclude that soils with small amounts of air-filled pore space, extremes in pore size, or high organic matter content are deleterious to the migration and survival of X. americanum, and that a naturally occurring toxin affecting this species may be present in native soft organic matter.     

Physical Quality Indicators and Mechanical Behavior of Agricultural Soils of Argentina

Mollisols of Santa Fe have different tilth and load support capacity. Despite the importance of these attributes to achieve a sustainable crop production, few information is available. The objectives of this study are i) to assess soil physical indicators related to plant growth and to soil mechanical behavior; and ii) to establish relationships to estimate the impact of soil loading on the soil quality to plant growth. The study was carried out on Argiudolls and Hapludolls of Santa Fe. Soil samples were collected to determine texture, organic matter content, bulk density, water retention curve, soil resistance to penetration, least limiting water range, critical bulk density for plant growth, compression index, pre-consolidation pressure and soil compressibility. Water retention curve and soil resistance to penetration were linearly and significantly related to clay and organic matter (R² = 0.91 and R² = 0.84). The pedotransfer functions of water retention curve and soil resistance to penetration allowed the estimation of the least limiting water range and critical bulk density for plant growth. A significant nonlinear relationship was found between critical bulk density for plant growth and clay content (R² = 0.98). Compression index was significantly related to bulk density, water content, organic matter and clay plus silt content (R² = 0.77). Pre-consolidation pressure was significantly related to organic matter, clay and water content (R² = 0.77). Soil compressibility was significantly related to initial soil bulk density, clay and water content. A nonlinear and significantly pedotransfer function (R² = 0.88) was developed to predict the maximum acceptable pressure to be applied during tillage operations by introducing critical bulk density for plant growth in the compression model. The developed pedotransfer function provides a useful tool to link the mechanical behavior and tilth of the soils studied.     

中国盐碱土壤中AM菌的生态分布

对我国盐碱土壤中丛枝菌根（Ａｒｂｕｓｃｕｌａｒ Ｍｙｃｏｒｒｈｉｚａ,ＡＭ） 菌的种属构成、生态分布状况进行了研究．结果表明,不同地区ＡＭ 菌种属构成不同,其种属组成、分布与土壤类型、碱化度和土壤有机质含量有关．盐渍化砂土、壤土和粘土中,Ｇｌｏｍｕｓ 属的真菌数量最多,Ａｃａｕｌｏｓｐｏｒａ 属次之,而Ｇｌｏｍｕｓ 属中的Ｇ．ｍｏｓｓｅａｅ 则是分布最为广泛的菌种．随土壤碱化度的增加,Ｇｌｏｍｕｓ ｍｏｓｓｅａｅ 出现频率随之相对增加．在一定范围内有机质含量越高,土壤中ＡＭ 菌种和属的种类就越多．ＡＭ 菌的种属组成因不同寄主植物而异,其中豆科植物根围中ＡＭ 菌分布的种属数量最多．     

陕北水蚀风蚀交错区两种生物结皮对土壤理化性质的影响

以黄土高原陕北水蚀风蚀交错区六道沟小流域为例,研究了该区以苔藓为主要成分的沙土和黄土两种生物结皮对土壤理化性质的影响。结果显示:(1)两种生物结皮均能显著增加土壤饱和含水量和田间持水量,降低容重和饱和导水率,其中沙土生物结皮还可明显粘化0～25cm土壤质地;(2)两种生物结皮均能不同程度的增加土壤全量养分、速效养分以及有机质含量,降低pH值,但其影响多数集中在表层或结皮层;(3)土壤化学性质中,全氮、速效磷和有机质受生物结皮影响程度较大,而全氮、速效钾和有机质受生物结皮影响土层较深;(4)沙土生物结皮对土壤理化性质的影响程度大于黄土生物结皮。两种类型生物结皮对所研究土壤理化性质的影响总体有利于该区生态环境的改善,且沙土生物结皮较黄土生物结皮具有更为重要的生态功能。     

Impact of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton Yield as Affected by Soil Texture and Irrigation

The effects of soil type, irrigation, and population density of Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton were evaluated in a two-year microplot experiment. Six soil types, Fuquay sand, Norfolk sandy loam, Portsmouth loamy sand, Muck, Cecil sandy loam, and Cecil sandy clay, were arranged in randomized complete blocks with five replications. Each block had numerous plots previously inoculated with R. reniformis and two or more noninoculated microplots per soil type, one half of which were irrigated in each replicate for a total of 240 plots. Greatest cotton lint yields were achieved in the Muck, Norfolk sandy loam, and Portsmouth loamy sand soils. Cotton yield in the Portsmouth loamy sand did not differ from the Muck soil which averaged the greatest lint yield per plot of all soil types. Cotton yield was negatively related to R. reniformis PI (initial population density) in all soil types except for the Cecil sandy clay which had the highest clay content. Supplemental irrigation increased yields in the higher yielding Muck, Norfolk sandy loam, and Portsmouth loamy sand soils compared to the lower yielding Cecil sandy clay, Cecil sandy loam, and Fuquay sand soils. The Portsmouth sandy loam was among the highest yielding soils, and also supported the greatest R. reniformis population density. Cotton lint yield was affected more by R. reniformis Pi with irrigation in the Portsmouth loamy sand soil with a greater influence of Pi on lint yield in irrigated plots than other soils. A significant first degree PI × irrigation interaction for this soil type confirms this observation.     

Element interactions and soil properties affecting the soil-to-plant transfer of six elements relevant to radioactive waste in boreal forest

Cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), uranium (U), and zinc (Zn) are among the elements that have radioactive isotopes in radioactive waste. Soil-to-plant transfer is a key process for possible adverse effects if these radionuclides are accidentally released into the environment. The present study aimed at investigating factors affecting such transfer in boreal forest. The plant species studied were blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), May lily (Maianthemum bifolium), narrow buckler fern (Dryopteris carthusiana), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Regression analyses were carried out to investigate the effects of the chemical composition and physical properties of soil on the soil-to-leaf/needle concentration ratios of Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, U and Zn. Soil potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) concentrations were the most important factors affecting the soil-to-plant transfer of the elements studied. Soil clay and organic matter contents were found to significantly affect plant uptake of Mo, Pb and U. Knowledge of the effects of these factors is helpful for interpretation of the predictions of radioecological models describing soil-to-plant transfer and for improving such models.     

Factors affecting the occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in natural and cultivated soils

Factors affecting the occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in 244 soil samples collected from natural and cultivated areas in Spain were studied using an integrated approach based on univariate and multivariate analyses. Entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from 175 of the 244 (71.7 %) soil samples, with only two species found, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Of the 244 soil samples, 104 yielded B. bassiana (42.6 %), 18 yielded M. anisopliae (7.3 %), and 53 soil samples (21.7 %) harboured both fungi. Log-linear models indicated no significant effect of habitat on the occurrence of B. bassiana, but a strong association between M. anisopliae and soils from cultivated habitats, particularly field crops. Also, irrespective of habitat type, B. bassiana predominated over M. anisopliae in soils with a higher clay content, higher pH, and lower organic matter content. Logistic regression analyses showed that pH and clay content were predictive variables for the occurrence of B. bassiana, whereas organic matter content was the predictive variable for M. anisopliae. Also, latitude and longitude predicted the occurrence of these same species, but in opposite directions. Altitude was found to be predictive for the occurrence of B. bassiana. Using principal component analysis, four factors (1 to 4) accounted for 86 % of the total variance; 32.8, 22.9, 19.6 and 10.4 % of the cumulative variance explained, respectively. Factor 1 was associated with high positive weights for soil clay and silt content and high negative weights for soil sand content. Factor 2 was associated with high positive weights for soil organic matter content and high negative weights for soil pH. Factor 3 was associated with high positive weights for latitude and longitude of the sampled localities and factor 4, had high positive weights only for the altitude. Bi-plot displays representing soil samples were developed for different factor combinations and indicated that, irrespective of geographical location, absence of both fungal species was determined by alkaline sandy soils with low organic matter content, whereas heaviness of soil texture, acidity and increasing organic matter content led to progressively higher percentages of samples harbouring entomopathogenic fungi. These results could aid decision-making as to whether or not a particular cultivated or natural soil is suitable for using entomopathogenic fungi as a pest control measure and for selecting the fungal species best suited to a particular soil.     

长白山苔原草本植物入侵与土壤环境的关系

在对长白山高山苔原西坡样带内132个样方进行植被调查和土壤取样分析的基础上,应用冗余分析(RDA)和典型相关分析方法,探讨了草本植物入侵苔原带程度与苔原土理化性质及环境之间的关系。研究表明,长白山苔原带西坡草本入侵程度区域差异明显,可分为5个不同的入侵等级;海拔、坡度、全钾含量、粘粒含量、有机质含量等10种土壤环境因子与草本植物入侵程度明显相关。RDA分析表明土壤环境因子能解释93%的植物物种多度信息,影响草本植物入侵的主要土壤因子是有机质含量,粘粒含量和坡度;第一对典型变量说明有机质含量与牛皮杜鹃多度正相关,与大白花地榆多度负相关,粘粒含量则相反;第二对典型变量说明海拔、速效氮含量与笃斯越桔、长白老鹳草多度呈负相关。长白山苔原带西坡草本植物在空间分布上是离散的,呈斑块状。可见,草本植物入侵,对生境是有所选择的。土壤有机质含量与灌木多度呈正相关,说明在草本入侵过程中,土壤有机质含量会减少;或者有机质含量减少的地方,灌木生长退化,草本由此开始侵入定植。     

南亚热带不同植被下丘陵赤红壤结构特征比较研究

比较研究了南亚热带几种植被下丘陵赤红壤结构特征．结果表明,丘陵赤红壤的结构随着植被的演退而退化．表现在表土砂化,即砂粒含量相对增加,粘粒含量相对减少;土壤结构稳定性下降,主要体现在较大粒径水稳性团聚体减少;土壤孔隙性变差,主要体现在容重增加和较大孔径的孔隙减少．自然赤红壤容重增加、较大孔隙减少更为明显;耕型赤红壤结构稳定性下降,表土砂化更为突出．研究结果揭示,由植被演退引起的土壤有机质减少,是丘陵赤红壤结构退化的主要内在因素．     

Salt-spray stimulated growth in strand-line species

The response to salt spray and soil salinity of two sand dune strandline species ( Cakile maritima Scop. and Salsola kali L.) and two salt marsh strand-line species ( Atriplex hastata L. and A. littoralis L.) was compared in sand-compost cultures. The growth of the salt-marsh species remained unaffected, while the growth of the sand dune species Cakile maritima was strongly reduced by NaCl (150 and 300 m M ) absorbed via the root system. All four species were resistant to airborne salinity, and under conditions of low soil fertility, salt spray increased the dry matter production, especially of the sand dune species. Mineral analysis revealed foliar uptake of Na, K, Cl, Ca and Mg. Na and Cl ions absorbed from seawater droplets induced succulence. Both salt spray and soil salt increased the methylated quaternary ammonium compound content in the shoot tissue. Under non-saline conditions a considerable amount of these osmotic solutes was still present, while turgor pressure potential in these plants was rather low. The relation between salt, compatible osmotic solutes, turgor pressure potential and growth is discussed. Next to the major constituents of seawater, Na and Cl, especially magnesium and to a lesser extent, calcium, accumulated in the shoot tissue. Based on the positive growth response of the sand dune species to airborne salt, they should be termed 'aerohalophytes', whereas 'soil halophytes' should be used when referring to the Atriplex species, which are more specifically adapted to the increased salinity of salt marsh soils.