Relation of solute and sorbed boron to the boron hazard in irrigation water

Summary The current criteria for evaluating the boron (B) hazard of irrigation water for specified crops are based on the concentration of B in the irrigation water without consideration of soil properties or the leaching fraction. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of B sorption capacity on plant uptake of B at rates of 0.1, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm B in the irrigation water with a leaching fraction of 0.5. A relatively B sensitive crop, oats (Avena sativa), was grown on four arid-region soils of varying B sorption capacities. The results show that B in solution rather than sorbed B influenced B toxicity. Contribution from the Department of Soils, Water and Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721. Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station No. 2508. Research Associates and Associate Professor, respectively. The senior author is currently at the Department of Soils and Irrigation, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon.     

Effect of sulfuric acid on sodium-hazard of irrigation water

Summary The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured under laboratory conditions in one neutral and four calcareous soils using simulated alkaline irrigation waters having salt concentrations ranging from 7 to 39 meq/l with the SAR from 3.8 to 8.4. Sulfuric acid was applied to the waters at sufficient rates to prevent calcium precipitation under an open system, ranging from 2.1 to 4.7 meq/l. At these acid rates, the pH of irrigation waters remained above neutral. This treatment reduced SAR and ESP in all cases tested, and increased the hydraulic conductivity of some soils when the SAR of the original irrigation waters was greater than approximately 7. The experimentally determined SAR was then compared with the values predicted based on some of the existing theories. The results indicated that the conventional method to estimate SAR with adjustment using the pH_C index of Langelier overestimates the effect of HCO₃ ^-, whereas the equation based on carbonate equibria gives a reasonable prediction of SAR in waters containing HCO₃ ^- as well as H₂SO₄. The SAR calculated by the latter method was also linearly related to the measured ESP with an equation, ESP=0.761 SAR, r²=0.986.Arizona Agr. Exp. Sta. J. No. 2449. Contribution from the Department of Soils, Water and Engineering. The University of Arizona, Tucson 85721. Supported in part by a grant from the Arizona Mining Association.Arizona Agr. Exp. Sta. J. No. 2449. Contribution from the Department of Soils, Water and Engineering. The University of Arizona, Tucson 85721. Supported in part by a grant from the Arizona Mining Association.     

Soil applications of sulfureous compounds to control tipburn of head lettuce in the field

Summary Different levels of sulfureous compounds were applied to the soil before sowing or four to six weeks after sowing seeds of head lettuce (Lactuca sativa var.capitata L.) in five field plots throughout Arizona during 1979 and 1983. Plants were rated for tipburn incidence at harvest. Tipburn severity values were consistently lower in cultivars, Calmar, Vanguard and Empire and higher in cultivar Green bud in treated plots compared to non-treated plots. However, disease severity ratings in treated and non-treated plots were not significantly different at the 5% level. Attempts to control lettuce tipburn by foliar and soil application of calcium salts have been successful in the greenhouse and in the laboratory^{3, 6, 7}, but not in the field^{1, 2, 4}. Therefore, we undertook the present study to determine if the disease can be managed by soil application of sulfureous compounds. Our rational for using sulfureous compounds was based on the assumption that these compounds may convert a portion of the relatively water insoluble calcium carbonate (present in large quantities in the calcereous soils of Arizona and California) into more water soluble calcium sulfate by causing a slight drop in soil pH. Moreover, different formulations of sulfureous compounds, including those used in this study, are being used by some lettuce growers as soil conditioners and fertilizers. Journal Series Paper of the Arizona Agricultural Experimental Station, Tucson, AZ, USA     

浑善达克沙地生物土壤结皮及其下层土壤中好氧不产氧光营养细菌群落结构及多样性

【目的】揭示浑善达克沙地不同类型生物土壤结皮(Biological soil crusts,BSCs)及其下层土壤好氧不产氧光营养细菌(Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria,AAPB)群落结构及多样性。【方法】利用Illumina Mi Seq二代高通量测序平台对puf M基因进行测序,使用生物信息学分析方法对序列进行比对分析AAPB的群落结构和多样性。【结果】生物土壤结皮及其下层土壤中,Proteobacteria和Alpha-Proteobacteria是优势门和纲,主要有6个属Bradyrhizobium(9.69%–90.02%)、Brevundimonas(0.83%–16.04%)、Methylobacterium(1.74%–12.56%)、Rhodospirillum(0.91%–32.87%)、Roseiflexus(0.02%–1.79%)和Sphingomonas(0.13%–11.23%);结皮层样品间及下层土壤样品间AAPB种类相似,但丰度有差异;随结皮的发育,结皮层及其下层土壤中AAPB群落多样性升高。【结论】浑善达克沙地BSCs中AAPB群落结构相对复杂,与水体和一般土壤环境中的组成区别明显;AAPB多样性高,且多样性随发育阶段升高而升高,预示着AAPB在荒漠生态系统稳定中有重要的作用。     

Taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Koeberlinia</Emphasis> (Koeberliniaceae)

Koeberlinia has a natural amphitropical distribution that includes the deserts of central Bolivia, northern Mexico, and the southwestern United States. Despite the long recognition of only one species, K. spinosa, field, herbarium, and SEM studies support the recognition of two species. Koeberlinia spinosa of northern Mexico and adjacent United States is recognized to consist of three varieties: K. spinosa var. spinosa of northeastern Mexico and the adjacent United States, K. spinosa var. tenuispina of the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, adjacent California, and northwestern Mexico, and K. spinosa var. wivaggii from south central Texas and northern Mexico to Arizona, which is described as new. Koeberlina holacantha, endemic to the deserts of Bolivia, is proposed as new.     

Influence of long‐term land application of Class B biosolids on soil bacterial diversity

Aim: To evaluate the effect of long‐term annual land applications of Class B biosolids on soil bacterial diversity at University of Arizona Marana Agricultural Field Center, Tucson, Arizona. Methods and Results: Following the final of 20 consecutive years of application of Class B biosolids in March 2005, followed by cotton growth from April to November 2005 surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from control (unamended) and biosolid‐amended plots. Total bacterial community DNA was extracted, amplified using 16S rRNA primers, cloned, and sequenced. All 16S rRNA sequences were identified by 16S rRNA sequence analysis and comparison to known sequences in GenBank (NCBI Blast N and Ribosomal Database Project II, RDP). Results showed that the number of known genera (identifiable > 96%) increased in the high rate biosolid plots compared to control plots. Biosolids‐amended soils had a broad phylogenetic diversity comprising more than four major phyla: Proteobacteria (32%), Acidobacteria (21%), Actinobacteria (16%), Firmicutes (7%), and Bacteroidetes (6%) which were typical to bacterial diversity found in the unamended arid southwestern soils. Conclusion: Bacterial diversity was either enhanced or was not negatively impacted following 20 years of land application of Class B biosolids. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study illustrates that long‐term land application of biosolids to arid southwestern desert soils has no deleterious effect on soil microbial diversity.     

水热增加下黑土细菌群落共生网络特征

黑土是有机质含量高且肥沃的土壤类型之一,气候变化会显著改变黑土中微生物群落的结构,同时影响群落间的潜在相互作用关系.[目的]揭示水热增加对黑土中的细菌群落结构及潜在互作关系的影响.[方法]基于土壤移置试验,采用16S rRNA高通量测序解析农田黑土(原位黑土、水热增加1和水热增加2)中的细菌群落结构对水热增加的响应;使...     

The ‘teflon basin’ myth: hydrology and hydrochemistry of a seasonally snow-covered catchment

Background: Snow and ice melt provide sensitive indicators of climate change and serve as the primary source of stream flow in alpine basins.

Aims: We synthesise the results of hydrological and hydrochemical studies during the period 1995–2014, building on a long history of earlier work focused on snow and water on Niwot Ridge and the adjacent Green Lakes Valley (GLV), which is part of the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research site (NWT LTER).

Methods: These studies are discussed in the context of how snow, snowmelt and runoff reflect changing local climate. We review recent results of snow, snowmelt, hydrology and hydrochemistry from the plot to the basin scale, utilising new tools such as continuous global positioning system (GPS) measurements of snow depth, along with remotely-sensed measurements of snow-covered area and melt, combined with long-term measurements of snow properties, discharge and solute and isotopic content of water.

Results and Conclusions: Surface–groundwater interactions are important components of water quantity and quality in alpine basins. Some or most snowmelt infiltrates underlying soils and bedrock, transporting soil and bedrock products to surface waters. Infiltrating snowmelt, along with increased melt of stored ice, increases the hydrologic connectivity between the terrestrial and aquatic systems. Alpine basins are being impacted by increases in atmospheric nitrogen deposition, which has caused changes in soil microbial processes such as nitrification. Nitrate, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen are thus flushed from soils and talus to streams. Our long-term results show that alpine catchments, such as Green Lake 4 at NWT LTER+, have the greatest sensitivity and least resilience to climate warming, with any warming leading to increased water yields.     

典型草地土壤好氧甲烷氧化的微生物生态过程

【目的】针对我国甘肃三个典型生态区草地土壤(玛曲MQ、临泽LZ和环县HX),研究其甲烷氧化潜力、甲烷氧化菌(methane-oxidizingbacteria,MOB)丰度及可能存在的群落分异规律。【方法】通过原位分析、室内高浓度甲烷模拟培养三种典型土壤及实时荧光定量、高通量测序的方法研究甲烷氧化菌标靶基因pmoA序列的组成及其丰度变化规律。【结果】三种典型草地土壤的原位甲烷氧化菌的丰度存在显著差异,表现为MQ>HX>LZ,其数量范围为为0.18–6.86×10^7g/d.w.s.;甲烷氧化潜力也表现出类似规律,其通量为109–169mg/(m^2·h);甲烷氧化潜力与原位土壤中甲烷氧化菌丰度有正相关。三种草地土壤甲烷氧化菌存在明显的空间异质性,采用高通量测序的方法,发现三种草地原位土壤中的优势类群为USCγ(Upland Soil Cluster gamma,USCγ);然而,室内高浓度甲烷氧化过程中,传统的甲烷氧化菌均发生明显增加,MQ土壤中TypeⅡ的Methylocystis为优势类群,而LZ和HX土壤的优势类群均为TypeⅠ型Methylosarcina。【结论】这些研究结果表明,我国甘肃典型草地土壤中也存在难培养的大气甲烷氧化菌和经典的可培养甲烷氧化菌,这些微生物极可能氧化极低浓度的大气甲烷,也可能利用闭蓄于土壤中的高浓度甲烷生长。未来应采用先进技术原位观测大气甲烷氧化过程并分离相应微生物类群,研究草地土壤甲烷氧化菌地理分异规律及其环境驱动机制。     

The native subspecies of Juncus effusus (Juncaceae) in western North America

Juncus effusus s. str. has two native representatives on the coast of western North America. A new combination is provided forJuncus effusus subsp.pacificus, ranging from California to British Columbia.Juncus effusus subsp.austrocalifornicus is newly described from southernmost California, Arizona, and Baja California, México. It differs from subsp.pacificus by its pale sheaths, with less thickened and less overlapping margins, and its disjunct distribution. A key is provided for the subspecies ofJ. effusus in North America.     

Changes in rhizosphere bacterial populations during phytoextraction of heavy metal contaminated soil with poplar

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to study the response of rhizosphere ammonia‐oxidizing bacterial (AOB) populations during phytoextraction. Hybrid poplars were grown in compartmented root containers with an aged heavy metal (HM)‐contaminated soil for 13 weeks. Bulk and poplar rhizosphere soils were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amoA gene fragments. DGGE patterns revealed that amoA‐containing populations in the contaminated soils were markedly different from those in the uncontaminated soils. AmoA profiles appeared to be stable over time in the bulk soils. In contrast, contaminated rhizosphere soils revealed a clear shift of populations with removal of HMs. Rhizosphere AOB populations of the HM‐contaminated soils became similar to the populations of the uncontaminated soils during phytoextraction. The effect of phytoextraction was, however, not evident in the bulk samples, which still contained large amounts of HMs. This study suggests that rhizosphere AOB populations are able to recover after the relief of HM stress by phytoextraction practices.     

Environmental relationships and vegetation associates of columnar cacti in the northern Sonoran Desert

The environmental distribution, habitat segregation, and vegetation associates of the columnar cacti Carnegiea gigantea, Stenocereus thurberi, and Lophocereus schottii were examined in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. Three primary environmental gradients were identified with principal components analysis of environmental data: soil texture, elevation/nutrients, and xericness (based on slope aspect and angle). Environmental influents of spatial variation in density were modeled with ordinary least squares regression analysis, and common associates were identified with two-way indicator species analysis for each cactus. Of the three cacti, Carnegiea gigantea occurred over the broadest ecological range of habitats, but was densest on coarse, granitically derived alluvial soils of flat upper bajadas and basin floors, where it was associated with Larrea tridentata, Ambrosia deltoidea, and Opuntia fulgida. Stenocereus thurberi reached its maximum densities on coarse sandy soils of steep, south-facing granitic slopes, with Encelia farinosa, Jatropha cuneata, and Opuntia bigelovii as associates. Lophocereus schottii was restricted to very coarse, granitically derived alluvial soils in the southern part of the monument, where it occurred along wash banks with Beloperone californica, Hymenoclea salsola, Acacia greggii, and Opuntia arbuscula.Abbreviations DCA Detrended correspondence analysis - OPCNM Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - OLS Ordinary least squares - PCA Principal components analysis - RA Reciprocal averaging - TWINSPAN Two-way indicator species analysis     

高磷土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的分离鉴定

【背景】丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌具有广泛的寄主范围、环境适应性和优良的植物促生能力。然而,土壤的高磷水平严重抑制了AM真菌生长及AM形成。【目的】分离鉴定出耐较高有效磷含量的华南土著AM真菌菌株,为菌根学研究工作提供新颖材料。【方法】采用经典形态学和分子系统学方法鉴定高磷土壤中AM真菌。【结果】从有效磷含量为53-131 (平均值±标准差为88.2±17.6) mg/kg的根区土壤中鉴定出7属25种AM真菌,包括无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora) 12种、球囊霉属(Glomus) 7种、隔球囊霉属(Septoglomus) 2种、近明球囊霉属(Claroideoglomus) 1种、根孢囊霉属(Rhizophagus) 1种、硬囊霉属(Sclerocystis) 1种和类球囊霉属(Paraglomus) 1种,其中幼套近明球囊霉(Claroideoglomus etunicatum)和蜜色无梗囊霉(Acaulospora mellea)是优势种。在(87.7±8.0) mg/kg的高磷水平下,AM真菌仍能形成丛枝和泡囊。但当有效磷含量达到(99.7±1.2) mg/kg时,菌根侵染率和丛枝丰度显著下降,但仍能够形成泡囊。【结论】从广州市南沙区有效磷含量为(88.2±17.6) mg/kg的耕地植物根区土壤中,鉴定出具有耐高磷潜力的7属25种AM真菌,幼套近明球囊霉和蜜色无梗囊霉等分离株可作为后续高磷抑制机制解析及耐高磷AM真菌菌剂研发工作的试验菌株。     

黄河三角洲原生演替中土壤微生物群落结构分析

[目的] 黄河三角洲区域具有重要的湿地生态系统。碱蓬、野大豆和芦苇是该地区典型的盐生植物。本研究针对碱蓬、野大豆和芦苇混生植物的根际土壤微生物群落组成和功能基因进行了分析比较。[方法] 对碱蓬,野大豆-芦苇混生植物的根际微生物菌群和光滩土壤菌群进行了宏基因组测序,使用COG和KEGG数据库对微生物菌群的功能进行了注释和比较。[结果] 本研究结果表明,变形菌门是3个取样点的主要菌门,其在碱蓬、野大豆-芦苇根际土壤中的相对含量比光滩土壤分别多28.8%和10.6%。此外,拟杆菌门、放线菌门和芽单胞菌门是3个取样点中的优势物种。中华根瘤菌属是野大豆-芦苇混生植物根际土壤的最主要的属。对功能基因进行分析表明,光滩土壤中的功能基因的数量多于碱蓬根际土壤和野大豆-芦苇混生植物根际土壤的功能基因数。在这3个位点中,氨基酸代谢、碳水化合物代谢和能量代谢,以及无机离子转运和代谢的基因最多。[结论] 本研究为发掘有价值的微生物资源和海岸带盐碱土壤修复提供了一定的理论基础。     

Diversity of amoA and pmoA Genes in Extremely Saline Alkaline Soils of the Former Lake Texcoco

Abstract

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and aerobic methane oxidizing-bacteria (MOB) were studied in three extreme soils of the former Lake Texcoco, Mexico, with pH ranging from 8.5 to 10.5 and electrolytic conductivity (EC) from 0.67 to 84.76 dS m^?1, and in two arable soils. Soil DNA was extracted with three different methods and total DNA was used as a template to amplify the pmoA and amoA functional genes and subsequently sequenced by pyrosequencing. The amoA gene sequences clustered as uncultured AOB dominated in the Texcoco soils, while Nitrosospira was dominant in the arable soils. Sequences of MOB associated with Nitrosococcus-rel (Type I) dominated (>85%) in the Texcoco soils, but they were more diverse in the arable soils, for example, JR2, JR3, Methylocaldum USC-g (Type I), USC-a (Type II) and gp23 (pxmA). Aerobic methane oxidizing-bacteria and AOB microbial diversity were significantly related to EC and pH (p?<?0.05). As such, the lower MOB and AOB microbial diversity in the Texcoco soil compared to the arable soil was determined by its higher EC and pH.     

Vegetation,microclimate and soils associated with the latest-lying snowpatches in Australia

Background : The Snowy Mountains contain Australia's longest-lasting snowpatches. Because of climate change, their longevity has declined, with the loss of some specialist vegetation in the underlying snowbeds.

Aims: To characterise the current status of the vegetation associated with the longest-lasting snowpatches in Australia and its association with abiotic factors.

Methods: We assessed plant composition, soil depth, moisture and nutrients and subsurface temperatures in five zones of increasing vegetation height and cover in snowbeds.

Results: The zone beneath the middle of snowpatches was characterised by little vegetation cover and lower species richness, later emergence from snow, skeletal soils, and lower mean soil temperatures than zones further downslope where soils increased in depth and nutrient levels. Vegetation beneath these snowpatches no longer occurs in distinct communities. Plants have not simply migrated upslope, instead, areas that have deep soil that used to have snowpatch specialist species are being colonised upslope by grasses and downslope by tall alpine herbfield species that prefer bare ground.

Conclusions: Reduced longevity of Australia's longest-lasting snowpatches has led to the loss of distinct snowpatch plant communities. With limited soils beneath the centre of current snowpatches, and a lack of other suitable sites there is no location for these plant communities to migrate to.     

The relationship between soil water storage capacity and plant species diversity in high alpine vegetation

Background: In those alpine regions where growing season precipitation is decreasing due to climate change, the capacity of soils to retain water may become an important factor for the persistence of plant species. However, the importance of soil water storage capacity (WSC) for plant species diversity has not been studied so far.

Aims: We aim to evaluate the relevance of WSC for species diversity of alpine plant communities in relation to temperature and length of growing season.

Methods: Species diversity was determined in 150 plots from a broad range of alpine vegetation types in the calcareous western part of the central Swiss Alps. WSC of soil cores sampled in every plot was determined, as well as rooting zone temperature and snowmelt date. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationship between environmental data and species diversity.

Results: Species diversity was most strongly and positively related to WSC, followed by mean daily minimum temperature (T_min) of the growing season. Species diversity was significantly related to date of snowmelt only in sites with high WSC and/or T_min.

Conclusions: WSC represents an integrative measure for habitat quality and accounts for differences in species diversity within the study region. In order to understand and predict responses of plant species to climate change in high mountain regions, it may be crucial to also take changes in plant water supply into account.     

Phytoremediation and natural attenuation of sulfentrazone: mineralogy influence of three highly weathered soils

Abstract

This study evaluated remediation of the herbicide sulfentrazone in soils with three different mineralogies (kaolinite, hematite, and gibbsite) and three remediation sulfentrazone treatments (Canavalia ensiformis L., Crotalaria juncea L., and natural attenuation). This study was conducted in a factorial scheme, in triplicate with randomized block design. Sulfentrazone was applied at 0 and 400?g ha^?1. We analyzed sulfentrazone residue in the soils by high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmed the results with bioassays of Pennisetum glaucum. Herbicide movement was greater in the kaolinitic soil without plant species. The retention of herbicide in the kaolinitic soil occurred in larger quantities in the 0–12?cm layer, with higher levels found in the treatments with plants. In the hematitic soil with C. juncea, all applied herbicides were concentrated in the 0–12?cm layer. In the other hematitic soil treatments, sulfentrazone was not detected by chemical analysis at any soil depth, although in many treatments, it was detected in the bioassay. Phytoremediation was more efficient with C. ensiformis grown in gibbsitic soil, reducing the sulfentrazone load by approximately 27%. Natural attenuation was more efficient than phytoremediation in oxidic soils due to soil pH and texture soils favored microbial degradation of the compound.

• Highlights

• The influence of soil mineralogy of herbicide sulfentrazone retention was evaluated.

• Canavalia ensiformis and Crotalaria juncea were evaluated as phytoremediation plants.

• Kaolinite soils presented great movement of sulfentrazone in the soil.

• Natural attenuation is more efficient in oxide soils than phytoremediation.

     

Indagini Sull'Ecologia dei Semenzali di Picea

Abstract

Research on the ecological requirements of «Picea abies» seedlings. — In order to understand better the germination and first year growth of Norway spruce, we laid down during 1966 an experimental seeding in the nursery of Paneveggio (Trento) using 5 different soils, 3 levels of light and 2 levels of moisture.

Germination has been faster on mineral than on organic soils, and has also been enhanced by irrigation (especially on organic soils) and by shading. The number of seedlings at the end of the first growing season was higher in irrigated plots; irrigation having a stronger influence in combination with reduced shade or organic soils. Dry weight of plants increased with increasing light and moisture. More solar radiation also results in increased soil evaporation which, above a certain level, can have a negative effect on seedlings weight; this is especially evident on organic soils. The ratio stem weight/root weight, inversely proportional to the available light, was highest on organic soils and lowest on mineral soils. Seedling height was enhanced both by irrigation and shading: the increased height with the reduction of light (this causing also weight reduction) must be interpreted as another sign of light deficiency.

Taking into account the situation in a forest environment, it is possible to recognise that organic soils are the least favourable to the spruce seedlings, while mineral soils are those most favourable, since the seedlings which will grow upon the latter are better adapted to draught and uprooting caused by alternances of frost and defrost.

The different behaviour of spruce seedlings on the soils tested can be explained mainly by differences of available water in the various soils.     

Assessing ectomycorrhizal fungal spore banks of truffle producing soils with pecan seedling trap-plants

Background and Aims

Recently, the truffle species Tuber lyonii Butters was found to be dominant in ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal communities of cultivated pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch). Many truffle fungi exhibit the trait of effectively colonizing plant roots via spores. We hypothesized that T. lyonii would be well represented in the spore bank of pecan orchard soils where it is found.

Methods

We used axenically-grown pecan seedlings as trap-plants to bait for EcM associates in soils collected beneath truffle-producing pecan trees. EcM fungi on seedlings were characterized through rDNA sequencing and were compared to EcM communities of adult trees in these orchards.

Results

Tuber lyonii mycorrhizas were well formed on seedlings inoculated with truffle spores, but were limited to just a few of the trap-plants grown in field soils. We compared EcM communities of adult pecan orchard trees to those on trap-plants and found distinct communities on each, with a high degree of similarity at the ordinal but not species level.

Conclusions

Although species of Pezizales are abundant in pecan EcM communities and as propagules in their soil spore banks, only a low level of T. lyonii was detected in soil spore banks beneath orchard trees naturally colonized by T. lyonii. Other factors including land-use history or orchard management may better explain this truffle species presence and abundance in pecan EcM communities.