The role of N transformations in the formation of acidic subsurface layers in stock urine patches

Soil Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Condon ◽  
A. S. Black ◽  
M. K. Conyers
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Urea Hydrolysis ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Urea Solution ◽  
Nitrogen Transformations ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Subsurface Layers ◽  
Dominant Process

This study examines the role of nitrogen transformations in the acidification of soil under stock urine patches, specifically the formation of acidic subsurface layers. These are horizontal planes of acidity several centimetres below the soil surface. Glasshouse studies were conducted to relate nitrogen transformations to measured pH changes in soil treated with urine or urea solution (simulated urine). Acidic subsurface layers formed in both urine- and simulated urine-treated soil. With the development of a H+ balance model, the contribution of nitrogen transformations to changes in the H+ concentrations in simulated urine patches was determined.During the first 9 days following treatment, urea hydrolysis and NH3 volatilisation dominated changes in H+ concentration. After that, net immobilisation contributed to H+ changes; however, nitrification was the dominant process occurring. Downward movement of NH4+ originating from urea hydrolysis allowed more nitrification to occur in lower soil layers. The net result of these processes was net acidification of the 4–6, 6–8, and 8–10 cm layers by approximately 0.7, 0.6, and 0.3 pH units, respectively. Thus nitrogen transformations were responsible for the formation of acidic subsurface layers in simulated stock urine patches within 6 weeks of application.

The effect of dicyandiamide addition to cattle slurry on soil gross nitrogen transformations at a grassland site in Northern Ireland

2013 ◽  
Vol 152 (S1) ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. McGEOUGH ◽  
C. MÜLLER ◽  
R. J. LAUGHLIN ◽  
C. J. WATSON ◽  
M. ERNFORS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Ammonium Oxidation ◽  
Nitrogen Transformations ◽  
Cattle Slurry ◽  
N Losses ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Dominant Process ◽  
Grassland Site

SUMMARYMany studies have shown the efficacy of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) in reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate (NO3−) leaching. However, there is no information on the effect of DCD on gross soil N transformations under field conditions, which is key information if it is to be used as a mitigation strategy to reduce N losses. The current field study was conducted to determine the effect of DCD on ten gross nitrogen (N) transformations in soil following cattle slurry (CS) application to grassland in Northern Ireland on three occasions (June 2010, October 2010 and March 2011).Ammonium (NH4+) oxidation (ONH4) was the dominant process in total NO3− production (ONH4+ONrec (oxidation of recalcitrant organic N to NO3−)) following CS application, accounting for 0·894–0·949. Dicyandiamide inhibited total NO3− production from CS by 0·781, 0·696 and 0·807 in June 2010, October 2010 and March 2011, respectively. The lower inhibition level in October 2010 was thought to be due to the higher rainfall and soil moisture content in that month compared to the other application times. As DCD strongly inhibited NH4+ oxidation following CS application, it also decreased the rate of total NO3− consumption, since less NO3− was formed. The rates of mineralization from recalcitrant organic-N (MNrec) were higher than from labile organic-N (MNlab) on all occasions. The DCD significantly increased total mineralization (MNrec+MNlab) following CS application in June 2010 and March 2011, but had no significant effect in October 2010. In contrast, the rate of immobilization of labile organic-N (INH4_Nlab) was higher than from recalcitrant organic-N (INH4_Nrec) on all occasions, accounting for 0·878–0·976 of total NH4+ immobilization from CS. The DCD significantly increased total immobilization (INH4_Nrec+INH4_Nlab) when CS was applied in June 2010, but had no significant effect at other times of the year.Dicyandiamide was shown to be a highly effective inhibitor of ammonium oxidation at this grassland site. Although there was evidence that it increased both NH4+ mineralization and immobilization following CS application, its effect on these processes was inconsistent. Further work is required to understand the reason for these inconsistent effects: future improvements in 15N tracer models may help.

FIELD EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF A UREASE INHIBITOR AND CROP RESIDUES ON UREA HYDROLYSIS, AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION AND YIELD OF CORN

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. TOMAR ◽  
P. C. KIRBY ◽  
A. F. MacKENZIE
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Urea Hydrolysis ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Urease Inhibitor ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
N Transformations

The effects of a urease inhibitor and crop residues on urea hydrolysis, NH3 volatilization and silage corn (Zea mays L.) yield were assessed on an Ormstown silty clay loam soil under field conditions. Chopped timothy straw (Phleum pratense L.) was spread on the soil surface at 0 and 4600 kg∙ha−1. Urea solutions treated with 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.74 kg∙ha−1 of an urease inhibitor phenylphosphorodiamidate (supplied by The Crop Science Laboratory, Allied Corporation, Solvay, N.Y.), and NH4NO3 solutions with no inhibitor were added as dribble bands to the soil surface at 0 and 75.0 kg N∙ha−1. Urea-N remaining in the soil over a period of 14 days following urea application was measured. The extent of NH3 volatilization was assessed by capturing and measuring NH4–N using plastic cylinders (micro-plots) over a period of 17 days following urea application. Dry matter yield of corn was obtained 114 days after planting. Hydrolysis of urea was relatively rapid and 3–26% of the applied N was hydrolyzed within 2 days following urea application to the soil. The higher rates of inhibitor application (2.0 and 3.74 kg∙ha−’) tended to reduce urea hydrolysis. The inhibitor rate effect increased with time though not always significantly. More than 50% of the added N was still present as urea after 4 days with some exceptions. At day 8, the amount of N that was present as urea ranged from 4 to 28% for the lower rates and from 20 to 37% for the higher rates of inhibitor applied. Almost all the added urea had disappeared by 14 days. Measured losses of NH3 by volatilization within 17 days never exceeded 1% of the fertilizer N. Addition of N resulted in 14% increase in dry matter yield of corn. Nitrogen source, crop residues and urease inhibitor had no appreciable effect on crop yield. Key words: Urea-N transformations, urea fertilizer, NH3 losses, urease activity, straw

Simulated sheep urine causes the formation of acidic subsurface layers in soil under field conditions

Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Jason R. Condon ◽  
A. Scott Black ◽  
Mark K. Conyers
Keyword(s):  
Subsurface Layer ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Ammonium N ◽  
Subsurface Layers ◽  
Sampling Times ◽  
Sheep Urine ◽  
Treatment Application

This study aimed to ascertain whether application of sheep urine led to the development of acidic subsurface layers of a pasture soil. Deionised water or simulated urine solution delivering urea-nitrogen (N) at 44.8 g m–2 and potassium at 25 g m–2 was applied to soil in either winter or spring. Treatments were applied to the soil surface within 10.3 cm internal diameter PVC tubes inserted 20 cm into the soil either under ryegrass or kept bare. Main sampling times corresponded to the completion of various soil N transformations as determined by periodic sampling. Main samplings involved the collection of above ground plant material and soil sampling in 2 cm depth increments in 0–10 cm and 5 cm intervals in 10–20 cm depths. Following treatment application, urea and ammonium-N moved to a depth no greater than 20 cm but the extent of movement was greater in winter than spring due to the influence of initial soil moisture. Following urea hydrolysis, soil pH increased in the 0–15 cm depth. Subsequent nitrification significantly acidified soil under pasture by 0.8–1.0 pH units in the 2–8 and 2–6 cm depths in winter and spring respectively. This created a net acidic subsurface layer of 0.2–0.4 pH units compared with soil at the beginning of the experiment. Subsurface acidification was 0.5–0.7 pH units greater in bare soil compared with the presence of pasture. Transformations of N resulting from application of simulated urine solution formed acidic subsurface layers in the field regardless of the season of application.

scholarly journals Soil gross nitrogen transformations in forestland and cropland of Regosols

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Ren ◽  
Jinbo Zhang ◽  
Hamidou Bah ◽  
Christoph Müller ◽  
Zucong Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Nitrification Rate ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Nitrogen Transformations ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Autotrophic Nitrification ◽  
Land Use Types

AbstractSoil gross nitrogen (N) transformations could be influenced by land use change, however, the differences in inherent N transformations between different land use soils are still not well understood under subtropical conditions. In this study, an 15N tracing experiment was applied to determine the influence of land uses on gross N transformations in Regosols, widely distributed soils in Southwest China. Soil samples were taken from the dominant land use types of forestland and cropland. In the cropland soils, the gross autotrophic nitrification rates (mean 14.54 ± 1.66 mg N kg−1 day−1) were significantly higher, while the gross NH4+ immobilization rates (mean 0.34 ± 0.10 mg N kg−1 day−1) were significantly lower than those in the forestland soils (mean 1.99 ± 0.56 and 6.67 ± 0.74 mg N kg−1 day−1, respectively). The gross NO3− immobilization and dissimilatory NO3− reduction to NH4+ (DNRA) rates were not significantly different between the forestland and cropland soils. In comparison to the forestland soils (mean 0.51 ± 0.24), the cropland soils had significantly lower NO3− retention capacities (mean 0.01 ± 0.01), indicating that the potential N losses in the cropland soils were higher. The correlation analysis demonstrated that soil gross autotrophic nitrification rate was negatively and gross NH4+ immobilization rate was positively related to the SOC content and C/N ratio. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to increase soil SOC content and C/N ratio to enhance soil N immobilization ability and NO3− retention capacity and thus reduce NO3− losses from the Regosols.

Interactions of surface drying and subsurface nutrients affecting plant growth on acidic soil profiles from an old pasture

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 681 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pinkerton ◽  
JR Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Subsurface Layer ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Reconstituted Soil ◽  
Subsurface Layers ◽  
Surface Drying

Previous studies on soils from old pastures in southern New South Wales have demonstrated that nutrients have accumulated at the soil surface, but that the 40-100-mm depth layer in many profiles has become strongly acidic (e.g. pH 4.7), and high in extractable aluminium. Poor growth of subterranean clover has occurred on such soils during dry periods and may be associated with poor root growth in the acidic, nutrient-poor subsurface layers. Possible nutritional causes of these observations were investigated using reconstituted soil profiles. The root and shoot growth of subterranean clover, wheat, oats and lucerne were compared in unamended profiles and in profiles amended by applying nutrients or calcium carbonate (lime) to correct the more obvious deficiencies of the subsurface layers. Subterranean clover grew well as long as the surface soil remained moist, so that plants could utilise the nutrients potentially available within it. When the surface (0-40 mm) was allowed to dry but the subsurface layers remained moist, growth was poor unless phosphate was applied to the moist layer. Subsurface application of lime alone was ineffective. Nitrogen application increased clover growth in the presence of added phosphate or surface moisture, but nitrogen alone did little to alleviate the effects of surface drought. Wheat, and to a lesser extent oats, responded to subsurface lime when the surface was moist, and both responded to subsurface phosphate when the surface was dry. Lucerne responded to subsurface phosphate similarly to subterranean clover but the response was more than doubled in the presence of additional borate and lime. Lime without borate was not effective. When the surface was maintained moist, liming both the surface (0-40 mm) and subsurface layers improved the response over liming the subsurface layer only. The results suggest that declining fertility and productivity in old pastures developed on acid soils may not be rectified by liming alone, but that cultivation, ripping or drilling of phosphate, and in some cases addition of borate, may be required to improve the penetration of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, to greater depth.

scholarly journals The environmental forming and productional functions of the haloxylon aphyllum in the Karnabchul desert

2019 ◽  
pp. 34-38
Author(s):  
E. Z. Shamsutdinova
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Haloxylon Aphyllum ◽  
Aged State ◽  
Ephemeral Vegetation ◽  
Black Saxaul

We have conducted investigation of the environmental function of the desert tree of black saxaul (Haloxylon aphyllum) in the Karnabchul desert. As a result, it was found that different age plants of black saxaul had different effects on the degree of illumination. The greatest influence on the intensity of solar radiation was exerted by the saxaul plant of the black middle-aged state, the least the old generative individuals. Saxaul black had a significant impact on the temperature of the air: in the daytime, especially in the period 13-16 h, reducing the temperature under the crown and on the edge of the crown, and at night increasing it in the same areas. It also had a noticeable effect on the temperature of the soil. The temperature of the soil surface under the crown at night is higher, and during the day the warming was slower than in the outer part of the saxaul crown. Under the influence of black saxaul and soil moisture changed. Under the saxaul crown soil moisture is significantly higher compared to the control (open natural pastures). The highest soil moisture was observed in the upper soil layers at the base of the saxaul trunk. As a result, under the environmental action of black saxaul more favorable hydrothermal conditions for the growth and development of natural wormwood-ephemeral vegetation under the protection of strips and adjacent areas of pastures are formed. The result of production activities chemotaxonomic postbestowal bands consists of two following components: production of fodder mass of the Haloxylon and fodder productivity of wormwood-ephemeral vegetation of natural pastures. By increasing the yield of natural pastures under the protection of pasture protection strips and the harvest of the black saxaul fodder productivity of desert pastures increases more than twice.

Effect of pitfall trap depth on epigaeic beetle sampling (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Staphylinidae) in wet forested ecosites in Alberta, Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-820
Author(s):  
H.E. James Hammond ◽  
David W. Langor ◽  
Dustin J. Hartley
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Trap Depth ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Deep Traps

AbstractThe depth at which pitfall traps were sunk into the ground and the resulting catches of epigaeic Carabidae (Coleoptera) and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) assemblages in subhygric to hydric ecosites with very deep organic soil layers was investigated in the upper foothills ecoregion of Alberta, Canada. Traps were installed at seven sites, with six surface traps (the pitfall trap lip <5 cm below soil surface) and six deep traps (the pitfall trap lip >20 cm below soil surface) at each site. A total of 5289 beetles representing 75 taxa were collected. There were no significant effects of trap depth on catch. Rarefaction estimates of species diversity were higher in surface pitfall traps for both taxa. The similarity of pooled catches between deep and surface traps was on average 75%, suggesting that both trap types were collecting similar faunas. We found no advantage to using deep pitfall traps in addition to surface traps to sample the epigaeic fauna of wet forest stands and peatlands.

Nitrogen Transformations and Removal in Waste Stabilization Ponds in Portugal: Seasonal Variations

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. R. Santos ◽  
J. F. S. Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Nitrogen Transformations ◽  
Waste Stabilization Ponds ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
N Removal ◽  
In Series

Nitrogen transformations that can occur in WSP depend on pond and waste characteristics and are also influenced by climatic factors, like temperature and precipitation. Experiments described have been carried out using a system of three ponds in series: anaerobic, facultative and maturation, treating domestic sewage. In this paper we aim to identify the processes that might contribute to N transformations in each pond and the seasonal variations in the removal of nitrogen and its bioconversion throughout the year. Results have proved that there was an important organic N removal in the anaerobic pond, mainly due to mineralisation and not exclusively by sedimentation. Some of the processes of N transformation observed in the ponds were more strongly influenced by weather conditions than others. In some cases, the increase of biological activity that was induced by the increase in air temperature, was masked by reduced precipitation which produced less diluted treated effluents. These climatic factors can explain some of the variations observed along the year, in what concerns nitrogen compounds concentrations.

The Role of Dissolved CH4 in Soil Solution in the CH4 Emission from Water-Saving Irrigated Rice Fields

2011 ◽  
Vol 148-149 ◽  
pp. 977-982
Author(s):  
Dao Xi Li
Keyword(s):  
Soil Solution ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Water Layer ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Rice Fields ◽  
Chromatography Method ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Soil Solutions

To examine how the dissolved CH4 in soil solution would affect the CH4 emission from rice field, fluxes of CH4 emission were measured by using a manually closed static chamber-gas chromatography method, and the dissolved CH4 in soil solution was obtained through shaking soil solutions, which were extracted from different paddy soil layers by a soil solution sampler with suction and pressure. The results show that the CH4 fluxes from rice fields and the concentration of dissolved CH4 in soil solution are both reduced significantly under the water-saving irrigation as compared to the traditional flooded irrigation. Under the water-saving irrigation, naturally receding water-layer during the early stage leads to an earlier peak of CH4 flux, but dramatically reduces the concentration of dissolved CH4 in soil solution. The maximum concentration is shifted to about 20-cm depth soil layers, and the relationship between CH4 emissions and dissolved CH4 in soil solution can be estimated using an exponential function of dissolved CH4 in soil solution at the depth of about 20 cm (R2＝0.89, p4 in soil solution plays a more dominant role in CH4 emission under the water-saving irrigation than that under continuously flooded irrigation.

Do bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) mounds influence terrestrial macroinvertebrate assemblages in agricultural riparian zones?

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Borchard ◽  
Ian A. Wright ◽  
Clare McArthur
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
Riparian Ecosystems ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Assemblages ◽  
Ecological Variability ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
Study Sites

Riparian ecosystems contain a complex mosaic of habitat structure types that can support distinct macroinvertebrate communities. Bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) are often an integral component of agricultural riparian systems in south-eastern Australia. In these systems, wombats construct large burrow systems and mounds in the stream banks. Wombat mound structures vary markedly from the surrounding landscape and they may influence macroinvertebrate assemblages. We examined this ecosystem-engineering role of wombats as well as the ecological variability within our agricultural riparian study sites on the possible influence on macroinvertebrate assemblages. There were no detectable effects of wombat mounds on the richness or abundance of macroinvertebrates on the soil surface. At the site level, however, macroinvertebrate assemblages were most influenced by litter depth, upper canopy cover, cattle hoof prints and slope. The ecological variables within the study sites strongly affected macroinvertebrate assemblages. These findings reflect an influence of anthropogenic impact on communities of ground-dwelling invertebrates that have been found in other studies. It is possible that a finer resolution of taxa may highlight a unique pattern of macroinvertebrate use of wombat mounds.

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