Non-destructive measurement of wheat roots in large undisturbed and repacked clay soil cores

Summary Non-destructive observations of root growth and distribution can be obtained from counting root intercepts with observation tubers inserted in the root zone. This paper describes the technique of inserting clear acrylic tubes horizontally into large undisturbed and repacked soil cores. Counts of roots intersecting scribed lines on the sides of the tubes were made with a fibrescope. Comparison was made between observation root tubes of different diameter (25 and 38.5 mm).The r² values for the relationships between root intercept counts and destructively determined values of root length density (RLD) ranged from 0.78 to 0.96. The larger diameter tubes had higher r² values. Theoretical calibration of the technique does not appear to be possible since analysis indicated that fewer roots intersected the scribed lines on the observation tube than would have been expected from a non-disturbed, randomly distributed root system. It is not known if this discrepancy is due to non-randomness or to an artifact associated with the insertion of the observation tube. Roots were not more prolific at the edge of the soil cores. Comparison of values of root length per unit soil surface area, rates of downward root growth and water uptake rates were within the ranges previously reported for wheat roots of field crops grown on clay soils. Observed root growth and distribution was found to be sensitive to four soil and water treatments imposed. It is concluded that the technique will allow quantitative analysis of root growth and distribution in undisturbed soil cores.     

A microbiological characterization of the permafrost soil of Tit-Ary Island (Yakutia)

The microbiological composition of the soil of the unique Tit-Ary Island in the lower reaches of the Lena River has been studied in detail for the first time. The specific features of the microbial population of the cryosolic soil have been revealed, including a high number of individuals of all microbial groups (10⁴–10⁸ CFU/g), comparable to the density of microorganisms in the steppe soil of Transbaikalia, and the specific pattern of their distribution in the soil profile without a decrease in their count with depth. Oligonitrophilic bacteria were prevalent in the humic gley soil of polygonal ridged tundra; their number varied from 70 × 10³ to 330 × 10⁶ CFU/g soil.     

Erosional redistribution of topsoil controls soil nitrogen dynamics

In recent years, the role of soil erosion on terrestrial carbon sequestration had been the focus of a growing number of studies. However, relatively little attention has been paid so far to the role of erosion on the lateral distribution of soil nitrogen (N) and the role of geomorphic processes on soil N dynamics. Here, we present primary data on the stock of nitrogen in soil and its rate of erosion at a relatively undisturbed, zero-order watershed in northern California. Erosion transports 0.26–0.47 g N m^?2 year^?1 from eroding slope positions (Summit and Slope), and about two-thirds of the eroded N enters depositional landform positions (Hollow and Plain). Our results show that depositional-position soil profiles contain up to 3 times more N than soil profiles in the eroding positions. More than 92% of all soil nitrogen was chemically bound to soil minerals in all the landform positions, compared to 2–4% each found in the free light and occluded light fractions. Nitrogen associated with the free light fraction in topsoil is particularly susceptible to loss by soil erosion. By comparison, soil N associated with the aggregate-protected occluded light fractions and the mineral-associated dense fractions is likely to be protected from gaseous and dissolved losses. On average, we found that soil N has mean residence time of 694 years in eroding landform positions, compared to 2951 years in depositional landform positions. Our results also show that microbial processing of organic matter exerts strong control on overall soil N storage and N stabilized through sorptive interactions with soil minerals only in poorly drained depositional landform positions. Soil erosion exerts important control on stock, distribution, and long-term fate of soil N in dynamic landscapes.     

Response of changes in soil nutrients to soil erosion on a purple soil of cultivated sloping land

Severe soil erosion of cultivated sloping land in hilly areas of Sichuan, China, has resulted in deterioration of soil quality, and therefore has an adverse impact on crop production. A hillslope of 110 m in length was selected with a slope steepness of 10.12% where the soils were classified as Regosols. Soil samples for determining ¹³⁷Cs, soil organic matter (SOM), total N, P, K, available N, P, K and particle size fraction were collected at 10 m intervals along a transect of the hillslope. Loss of soil nutrients owing to soil erosion was studied by using ¹³⁷Cs technique, and the relationships between ¹³⁷Cs-derived soil redistribution rates and soil nutrients were established over the cultivated sloping land in hilly areas of Sichuan, China (30o26′N, 104o28′E). The values of SOM, total N, available N, P, K and the soil particle fractions of size < 0.002 mm were smaller at upper and middle slope positions where ¹³⁷Cs inventories were lower (i.e., soil erosion rates were higher) than at downslope positions where ¹³⁷Cs inventories were higher (i.e., soil erosion rates were lower). The lowest ¹³⁷Cs inventories were found at the hilltop, showing that besides erosion owing to water flow, tillage also contributed to soil losses, and intensive tillage was mostly responsible for severe erosion at upper slope positions. There were significant differences in SOM, total N, available N, P, K and the soil particle fractions of size < 0.002 mm between different slope segments, and these properties were significantly correlated with slope length. These soil properties were also significantly correlated with ¹³⁷Cs inventories, indicating that both ¹³⁷Cs and nutrient concentrations varied with topographical changes. The variation in soil properties was strongly influenced by erosion-induced soil redistribution, and therefore ¹³⁷Cs inventories mirroring soil redistribution rates would be considered as an integrated indicator of soil quality.     

A modified model for estimating soil redistribution on grassland by using 7Be measurements

Background and aims

⁷Be has been used as a powerful tracer for estimating short-term soil redistribution by virtue of its short half-life. However, the existing conversion model associated with this radionuclide means that it can only be applied to bare soils because vegetation will intercept a large proportion of ⁷Be fallout. A modified model which takes into consideration the impact factor of vegetation was reported in this paper and the estimation of soil redistribution was compared by using both the conventional and the modified models.

Methods

Field experiment on ⁷Be distribution in above-ground grasses and soils was carried out on a 100 m² grass-covered slope. The vegetation interception factor (P) was determined and the soil redistribution rates were calculated by using the previous model and the modified model.

Results

The result shows that nearly 40 % of the atmospherically deposited ⁷Be will be sequestered by leaf surfaces of herbaceous plants. Soil loss rates on grassland will be remarkably overestimated by using the previous model.

Conclusions

The net soil loss estimated from the modified model is more accurate than that derived from the conventional model and the modified model will be more appropriate to estimate soil redistribution rates on soils with significant vegetation cover by using ⁷Be technique.     

Estimating the relative nutrient uptake from different soil depths in Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies

The distribution of fine roots and external ectomycorrhizal mycelium of three species of trees was determined down to a soil depth of 55 cm to estimate the relative nutrient uptake capacity of the trees from different soil layers. In addition, a root bioassay was performed to estimate the nutrient uptake capacity of Rb⁺ and NH₄⁺ by these fine roots under standardized conditions in the laboratory. The study was performed in monocultures of oak (Quercus robur L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] on sandy soil in a tree species trial in Denmark. The distribution of spruce roots was found to be more concentrated to the top layer (0–11 cm) than that of oak and beech roots, and the amount of external ectomycorrhizal mycelia was correlated to the distribution of the roots. The uptake rate of [⁸⁶Rb⁺] by oak roots declined with soil depth, while that of beech or spruce roots was not influenced by soil depth. In modelling the nutrient sustainability of forest soils, the utilization of nutrient resources in deep soil layers has been found to be a key factor. The present study shows that the more shallow-rooted spruce can have a similar capacity to take up nutrients from deeper soil layers than the more deeply rooted oak. The distribution of roots and mycelia may therefore not be a reliable parameter for describing nutrient uptake capacity by tree roots at different soil depths.     

Microtensiometer technique for in situ measurement of soil matric potential and root water extraction from a sandy soil

The suitability of microtensiometers to measure the spatial variation of soil matric potential and its diurnal change was tested in a pot experiment with pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum [L.] Leeke) in a sandy soil as the soil dried out.The temporal and spatial resolution of this technique allowed precise measurement of soil matric potential and thus estimation of soil water extraction from different compartments as well as from the whole rooting zone. The technique also allowed the measurement of rehydration of plants at night and root water uptake rate per unit soil volume or per unit root length. The precision of determination of root water uptake depended greatly on the accuracy of the estimate of hydraulic conductivity, which was derived from a bare soil and might be different for a cropped soil owing to aggregation induced by the root system. A linear relationship between root length and water uptake was found (r²=0.82), irrespective of variation in soil water content between compartments and despite the variation in root age, xylem differentiation and suberin formation expected to exist between different compartments of the rooting zone. As the experiment was carried out in a range of soil matric potentials between –4 and –30 kPa, drought stress did not occur. Further information at lower soil matric potentials are required, to address questions such as the importance of soil resistance for water uptake, or which portion of the root system has to be stressed to induce hormonal signals to the shoot. The microtensiometer technique can be applied to soil matric potentials up to –80 kPa.     

The dynamics of soil redistribution and the implications for soil organic carbon accounting in agricultural south‐eastern Australia

Anthropogenically induced change in soil redistribution plays an important role in the soil organic carbon (SOC) budget. Uncertainty of its impact is large because of the dearth of recent soil redistribution estimates concomitant with changing land use and management practices. An Australian national survey used the artificial radionuclide caesium‐137 (¹³⁷Cs) to estimate net (1950s–1990) soil redistribution. South‐eastern Australia showed a median net soil loss of 9.7 t ha^?1 yr^?1. We resurveyed the region using the same ¹³⁷Cs technique and found a median net (1990–2010) soil gain of 3.9 t ha^?1 yr^?1 with an interquartile range from ?1.6 t ha^?1 yr^?1 to +10.7 t ha^?1 yr^?1. Despite this variation, soil erosion across the region has declined as a likely consequence of the widespread adoption of soil conservation measures over the last ca 30 years. The implication of omitted soil redistribution dynamics in SOC accounting is to increase uncertainty and diminish its accuracy.     

The biological transformation of P in soil

Summary Organic forms of soil phosphorus (P_o) are an important source of available P for plants following mineralisation. The rates and pathways of P through soil organic matter are, however, poorly understood when compared to physco-chemical aspects of the P cycle. The essential role of soil microorganisms as a labile resercoir of P, confirmed experimentally and in modelling studies, has recently led to the development of methods for measuring thier P content. Incorporation in a new P fractionation scheme of these measurements with estimates of P_i and P_o fractions that vary in the exten toftheir availability to plants has enabled the dynamics of short-term soil P transformations to be investigated in relation to long-term changes observed in the field.Different types of soil P compounds that minearlise at different rates can now be measured directly in extracts by³¹P-nuclear magnetic resonance. Orthophosphate diesters, including phospholipids and nucleic acids, are the most readily mineralised group of these compounds. However, mineralisation rates rather than the amounts of types of P_o in soil ultimately control P availability to plants. These rates are influenced by a number of soil and site factors, as a sensitive new technique using [³²P] RNA has recently shown.These recent developments reflect a more holistic approach to investigation of the soil P cycle than in the past, which should lead to improved fertilizer management practices.Introductory lecture     

Measuring carbon dynamics in field soils using soil spectral reflectance: prediction of maize root density, soil organic carbon and nitrogen content

This paper reports the development of a proximal sensing technique used to predict maize root density, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content from the visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectral reflectance of soil cores. Eighteen soil cores (0?C60?cm depth with a 4.6?cm diameter) were collected from two sites within a field of 90-day-old maize silage; Kairanga silt loam and Kairanga fine sandy loam (Gley Soils). At each site, three replicate soil cores were taken at 0, 15 and 30?cm distance from the row of maize plants (rows were 60?cm apart). Each soil core was sectioned at 5 depths (7.5, 15, 30, 45, and 60?cm) and soil reflectance spectra were acquired from the freshly cut surface at each depth. A 1.5?cm soil slice was taken at each surface to obtain root mass and total soil C and N reference (measured) data. Root densities decreased with depth and distance from plant and were lower in the silt loam, which had the higher total C and N contents. Calibration models, developed using partial least squares regression (PLSR) between the first derivative of soil reflectance and the reference data, were able to predict with moderate accuracy the soil profile root density (r ²?=?0.75; ratio of prediction to deviation [RPD]?=?2.03; root mean square error of cross-validation [RMSECV]?=?1.68?mg/cm³), soil% C (r ²?=?0.86; RPD?=?2.66; RMSECV?=?0.48%) and soil% N (r ²?=?0.81; RPD?=?2.32; RMSECV?=?0.05%) distribution patterns. The important wavelengths chosen by the PLSR model to predict root density were different to those chosen to predict soil C or N. In addition, predicted root densities were not strongly autocorrelated to soil C (r?=?0.60) or N (r?=?0.53) values, indicating that root density can be predicted independently from soil C. This research has identified a potential method for assessing root densities in field soils enabling study of their role in soil organic matter synthesis.     

Comparison of APRI and Hydrus-2D models to simulate soil water dynamics in a vineyard under alternate partial root zone drip irrigation

Alternate partial root zone irrigation (APRI) is a new water-saving irrigation technique. It can reduce irrigation water and transpiration without reduction in crop yield, thus increase water and nutrient use efficiency. Understanding of soil moisture distribution and dynamic under the alternate partial root zone drip irrigation (APDI) can help to develop the efficient irrigation schemes. In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) root water uptake model was proposed based on soil water dynamic and root distribution of grape vine, and a function of soil evaporation related to soil water content was defined under the APDI. Then the soil water dynamic model of APDI (APRI-model) was developed based on the 2D root water uptake model and soil evaporation function combined with average measured soil moisture content at 0–10 cm soil layer. Soil water dynamic in APDI was respectively simulated by Hydrus-2D model and APRI-model. The simulated soil water contents by two models were compared with the measured value. The results showed that the values of root-mean-square-error (RMSE) range from 0.01 to 0.022 cm³/cm³ for APRI-model, and from 0.012 to 0.031 cm³/cm³ for Hydrus-2D model. The average relative error between the simulated and measured soil water content is about 10% for APRI-model, and from 11% to 29% for Hydrus-2D model, indicating that two models perform well in simulating soil moisture dynamic under the APDI, but the APRI-model is more suitable for modeling the soil water dynamic in the arid region with greater soil evaporation and uneven root distribution.     

植被格局对土壤入渗和水沙过程影响的模拟试验研究

合理的植被格局能够提高土壤入渗性能和抗冲性,有效阻蚀减沙,平衡土壤保持与土壤水分保蓄二者关系,进而促进生态环境的改善。基于径流小区人工模拟降雨,研究了多种植被格局生物量密度（0、50%、100%）和分布方式（坡上分布、坡下分布、均匀分布）的土壤入渗、产流、产沙特征以及土壤储水量变化。结果表明：使用Philip模型、Kostiakov模型、Horton模型模拟坡面入渗过程,Horton模型的拟合结果最优。不同植被格局产流率的变化趋势基本一致,大体可分为两个阶段：初期阶段迅速增长,中后期阶段增长变缓并逐渐趋于稳定状态。产沙率的变化趋势随植被格局的不同而略有差异。相较于产流过程,产沙过程变化剧烈、规律性差。总体而言,降低生物量密度能够增加降雨期间的径流量（从19.21 mm到25.44-38.09 mm再到51.79 mm）和侵蚀量（从118.97 g/m²到237.57-597.90 g/m²再到1400.29 g/m²）,土壤水分得到更好的保蓄。从植被分布方式的角度来看,均匀分布的植被格局有利于更好地控制土壤侵蚀和径流,却促进了土壤水分的消耗。坡下分布的植被格局,例如植被过滤带的形式,能够最好地同时控制水土流失和土壤耗水。权衡考虑水土流失防治与土壤水分消耗,建议采用适宜密度（本研究为110 g/m²）且集中分布在出口附近的植被格局。     

Winter soil frost conditions in boreal forests control growing season soil CO2 concentration and its atmospheric exchange

The impact of changes in winter soil frost regime on soil CO₂ concentration and its atmospheric exchange in a boreal Norway spruce forest was investigated using a field‐scale soil frost manipulation experiment. The experiment comprised three treatments: deep soil frost, shallow soil frost and control plots (n= 3). Winter soil temperatures and soil frost distribution were significantly altered by the different treatments. The average soil CO₂ concentrations during the growing season were significantly lower in plots with deep soil frost than in plots with shallow soil frost. The average CO₂ soil–atmosphere exchange rate exhibited the same pattern, and differences in soil respiration rates among the treatments were statistically significant. Both the variation in soil CO₂ concentration and the CO₂ soil–atmosphere exchange rate could statistically be explained by the differences in the maximum soil frost depth during the previous winter. A response model for growing season soil respiration rates suggests that every 1 cm change in winter soil frost depth will change the emission rates by ca. 0.01 g CO₂ m^?2 day^?1, corresponding to 0.2–0.5% of the estimated net ecosystem productivity (NEP). This suggests that the soil frost regime has a significant influence on the C balance of the system, because interannual variations in soil frost up to 60 cm have been recorded at the site. We conclude that winter climate conditions can be important in controlling C balances in northern terrestrial ecosystems, and also that indirect effects of the winter season must be taken into account, because these can affect the prevailing conditions during the growing season.     

The use of carbon isotope ratios to evaluate legume contribution to soil enhancement in tropical pastures

Soil carbon distribution with depth, stable carbon isotope ratios in soil organic matter and their changes as a consequence of the presence of legume were studied in three 12-year-old tropical pastures (grass alone —Brachiaria decumbens (C₄), legume alone —Pueraria phaseoloides (C₃) and grass + legume) on an Oxisol in Colombia. The objective of this study was to determine the changes that occurred in the¹³C isotope composition of soil from a grass + legume pasture that was established by cultivation of a native savanna dominated by C₄ vegetation. The¹³C natural abundance technique was used to estimate the amount of soil organic carbon originating from the legume. Up to 29% of the organic carbon in soil of the grass + legume pasture was estimated to be derived from legume residues in the top 0–2-cm soil depth, which decreased to 7% at 8–10 cm depth. Improvements in soil fertility resulting from the soil organic carbon originated from legume residues were measured as increased potential rates of nitrogen mineralization and increased yields of rice in a subsequent crop after the grass + legume pasture compared with the grass-only pasture. We conclude that the¹³C natural abundance technique may help to predict the improvements in soil quality in terms of fertility resulting from the presence of a forage legume (C₃) in a predominantly C₄ grass pasture.     

中国土壤容重特征及其对区域碳贮量估算的意义

容重是土壤最重要的物理性质之一,不仅能反映土壤质量和土壤生产力水平,还是区域尺度土壤碳贮量估算的重要参数。由于野外测定土壤容重费时费力、并且操作过程也容易造成较大的误差,因此,土壤容重在国内外大多数清查数据库中均缺失严重。通过收集和整理中国第二次土壤普查数据、中国生态系统研究网络数据和1980—2014年论文内的中国土壤容重数据(共11845条记录),系统地探讨了中国陆地生态系统土壤容重的整体分布特征、垂直分布特征以及不同土壤类型间的差异。分析结果表明:中国陆地生态系统的土壤容重数据整体呈正态分布,平均值为(1.32±0.21)g/cm~3,中值为1.35g/cm~3;土壤容重随土层深度增加而增加,两者间表现为显著的幂函数关系。土壤容重与有机质含量呈显著的正相关关系,与沙粒含量的负相关关系较弱。此外,不同土壤类型间的土壤容重差异较大,高山土平均容重最低(0.93 g/cm~3),而盐碱土平均容重最高(1.41 g/cm~3)。结果全面阐释了中国陆地生态系统土壤容重的基本特征及其变异规律,其结论还将为准确评估区域乃至全国土壤碳贮量提供重要参数。     

Pu同位素示踪技术在土壤侵蚀研究中的应用

土壤侵蚀是地球表面物质迁移的重要形式,也是造成土壤肥力下降和生态环境退化的重要诱因之一,对土壤侵蚀速率的定量研究是进行区域土壤侵蚀治理的前提和基础。大气核试验产生的Pu同位素具有较长的半衰期,其沉降到土壤中易被土壤中的黏土矿物和有机质吸附,近年来被认为是定量研究土壤侵蚀速率的重要示踪元素,尤其是质谱技术的发展,缩短了Pu同位素的测量时间并提高了其测量灵敏度,大力推动了土壤侵蚀核素示踪技术的发展。本文在梳理已有相关研究的基础上,总结土壤中Pu同位素的分布特征及吸附与迁移行为,阐述了应用Pu同位素示踪土壤侵蚀的基本原理和应用研究进展,并对Pu同位素和¹³⁷Cs示踪技术在土壤侵蚀研究中的适用性进行比较分析,对未来研究方向提出展望,以期为科学应用Pu同位素示踪技术研究土壤侵蚀提供参考。     

The effect of cropping and fertiliser nitrogen rates on nitrogen balance in soil

Summary Fertilizer/soil N balance of cropped and fallow soil has been studied in a pot experiment carried out with grey forest soil (southern part of Moscow region) at increasing rates of¹⁵N labelled ammonium sulfate (0; 8; 16; 32 mg N/100 g of soil). The fertilizer¹⁵N balance has been shown to depend upon its application rate and the presence of growing plants. Fertilizer N uptake efficiency was maximum (72.5%) and gaseous losses-minimum (12.5%) at the application rate of 16 mg N/100 g of soil. Fertilizer N losses from the fallow soil were 130–220% versus those from the cropped soil. At the application of fertilizer N the plant uptake of soil N was 170–240% and the amount of soil N as N–NH₄ exchangeable + N–NO₃ in fallow was 350–440% as compared to the control treatment without nitrogen (PK).After cropping without or with N fertilizer application at the rates of 8 and 32 mg N/100 g of soil, a positive nitrogen balance has been found which is likely due to nonsymbiotic (associative) N-fixation. It has been shown that biologically fixed nitrogen contributes to plant nutrition.     

基于遥感RMMF模型的喀斯特地区水土保持功能评价

为支撑我国重点生态功能区生态效益补偿工作,以半物理水土模型RMMF (The Revised Morgan, Morgan and Finney Model)为基础,通过对模型部分输入物理量进行遥感化改进建立了遥感RMMF模型(RS-RMMF)。为在评价中进一步排除气象要素波动带来的水土流失量变化,通过RS-RMMF模型构建了单位降水截留率、单位径流冲蚀量以及单位径流运输量3项评价指标来综合评价区域生态系统本身的水土保持能力。研究选取了《全国主体功能区规划》中的桂黔滇喀斯特功能区为典型区,分别基于上述评价指标和经典RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation)模型开展了2011年至2019年水土保持功能计算与对比。结果表明：相比2011年,2019年喀斯特功能区的降水截留率PI₀升高1.94%,径流冲蚀量H₀下降5.96×10^-4 Mg/hm~2,径流运输量TC₀下降6.0×10^-7Mg/hm~2,水土保持功能综合得分增加0.83,水土...     

Equilibrium solution composition and exchange properties of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples from an acid forest soil

Microscalic heterogeneity of soil chemical properties caused by soil structure has been reported for several soils. We investigated exchange properties and soil solution composition of disturbed and undisturbed samples of an acid forest soil lacking visible structure. Cation concentrations in the soil solution resulting from two extraction procedures and two analytical methods were compared. The effective cation exchange capacity (CEC_e) of the undisturbed sample represented 56–69% of the bulk soil CEC_e. Base saturation of undisturbed samples equalled that of disturbed samples for EA, Bhs, and Bsh horizons, and was higher for the Bw horizon. Contradicting the results of other authors, soil pore solution obtained by percolating soil cores under conditions of low water tension offered more favourable conditions for plant roots when compared to the equilibrium soil solution of the bulk soil sample in all except the Bsh horizon. Ca²⁺/Al³⁺ molar ratios were higher and fractions of H⁺ + Al³⁺ on total cationic charge were lower in the soil pore solution. These results were obtained employing soil: solution ratios of about 1:0.5 during the extraction of soil pore solution, and by determination of free cations. Other authors used a water extraction with soil:solution ratios up to 1:2 and took total metal for ion concentrations. The combination of the latter extraction and analytical method in our study, too, led to unfavourable Ca²⁺/Al³⁺ ratios and high tractions of H⁺ + Al³⁺. The choice of analytical and extraction method are thus decisive for the valuation of the soil solution composition in view of plant nutrition.     

紫色土坡耕地土壤属性差异对耕层土壤质量的影响

坡耕地是一个区域最易发生水土流失的土地利用类型,其严重的水土流失、面源污染和耕层退化现象直接威胁着坡耕地持续利用以及当地粮食安全、生态安全;耕层土壤质量对自然因素和人为耕作活动的影响较为敏感。以南方3个地点紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤质量为研究对象,从土壤属性角度,对比分析了重庆合川、江西兴国、云南楚雄不同耕层垂直深度土壤养分特征、土壤物理性质、土壤水库特征、耕作性能差异性及其形成原因。结果表明:(1)坡耕地耕层土壤有机质表现为云南楚雄(28.80g/kg)江西兴国(9.03 g/kg)重庆合川(8.80 g/kg);除全钾含量外,土壤全量养分和速效养分的含量表现为云南楚雄江西兴国重庆合川;坡耕地耕层速效养分垂直分布变化规律基本一致,主要表现为土壤速效养分主要在0—20 cm土层富集,而20—40 cm和40—60 cm土层无显著差异。(2)不同地点紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤物理性质差异明显,以重庆合川坡耕地土壤物理质量最差,表现为土壤砂粒含量60%、土壤容重最大(1.43 g/cm3)、土壤总孔隙度(45.97%)和毛管孔隙度(34.36%)最小;从坡耕地耕层土壤物理性质垂直变化特征看,耕作层(0—20 cm)优于心土层(20—40 cm)和底土层(40—60 cm)。(3)紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤初始入渗率以江西兴国坡耕地耕层最大(0.32 mm/min),而以重庆合川坡耕地耕层最小(0.19 mm/min);土壤稳定入渗率和平均入渗率均表现为云南楚雄重庆合川江西兴国;坡耕地耕层土壤最大有效库容以云南楚雄最好(873.311 t/hm~2),说明云南楚雄紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤具有较好的抵御季节性干旱能力;不同地点坡耕地耕层土壤总库容、死库容、兴利库容、滞洪库容、最大有效库容在垂直方向变化表现为耕作层(0—20 cm)大于心土层(20—40 cm)和底土层(40—60 cm)。(4)不同地点紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤抗剪强度和贯入阻力均呈现出相同变化规律,土壤抗剪强度表现为重庆合川(15.39 kg/cm~2)云南楚雄(14.74 kg/cm~2)江西兴国(10.66 kg/cm~2),而土壤贯入阻力值为重庆合川(424.83 k Pa)云南楚雄(252.50 k Pa)江西兴国(188.87 k Pa),这种土壤力学性能的变化说明重庆合川紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤具有较好抵抗剪切破坏的能力和较大耕作阻力。上述研究结果可为不同地点紫色土坡耕地耕层土壤质量诊断、坡耕地合理耕层评价提供理论依据和数据支持。