Short-term effects of wood ash application on soil properties, growth, and foliar nutrition of Picea mariana and Picea glauca seedlings in a plantation trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Robin L. Couch ◽  
Nancy Luckai ◽  
Dave Morris ◽  
Amanda Diochon
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Wood Ash ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Tree Seedling ◽  
Foliar Nutrition

Burning biomass for energy generates ash that could be applied as a soil amendment to ameliorate acidity and mitigate nutrient losses associated with biomass harvesting. These soil improvements may also enhance tree growth and foliar nutrition. In this study, we applied low- and high-carbon wood-derived ash at rates of 0 (control), 1000, and 10 000 kg·ha−1 (dry weight equivalents) to soils planted with Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss in a replicated (5) factorial design. We measured soil properties, tree seedling height, and foliar nutrient contents prior to and 4 mo after wood ash addition to determine the immediate effects on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, and tree seedling performance. We conclude that there were no negative effects of applying either wood ash and that application of ash at 10 000 kg·ha−1, particularly with the low-carbon ash, produced the greatest changes. We anticipate that changes may become more evident over the longer term, especially with respect to tree growth and nutritional responses (e.g., as nutrient uptake demand increases) once the seedlings become more established.

BOTANICAL COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF PERENNIAL GRASSES AGROPHYTOCENOSES WITH TETRAPLOID MEADOW CLOVER

1970 ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
N. I. Kasatkina ◽  
Zh. S. Nelyubina
Keyword(s):  
Dry Weight ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Specific Weight ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
The Third

The biological properties of plants, their mutual relations under different growth conditions and at different periods of their life, must be known for obtaining highly productive agrophytocenoses with participation of a meadow clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Botanical composition and fodder productivity of perennial grasses in agrocenoses with participation of meadow tetraploid clover Kudesnik were studied in 2014-2017. It was revealed that in the first and second years of use the agrophytocenosis, the yield of green mass was formed due to meadow tetraploid clover, the share of its participation in the first mowing was at level of 71-87% and 64-97% respectively. Specific weight of clover in multispecies agrocenoses considerably decreased by the third year of use: in the first mowing up to 32-68%, in the second - up to 8-52%. At the same time, the percentage of long-term herbaceous grasses increased: meadow timothy (Phleum pratense L.) - up to 34-54%, eastern galega (Galéga orientális Lam.) - up to 33%, changeable alfalfa (Medicago x varia Martyn) - up to 22-54%, lotus corniculatus (Lotus corniculatus L.) - up to 14-19%. The proportion of weed admixture in single-species clover planting was 12%, in agrocenoses - 2-14%. The grass mixtures clover + timothy and clover + alfalfa + timothy were less infested by weeds. High yield of dry weight of single-species sowing of meadow tetraploid clover was obtained in the first two years of use - 7.8 and 6.5 tons / ha, respectively. By the third year of use, the productivity of clover has decreased to 2.9 t / ha. On average, for three years of use, the highest yield (6.2-6.3 t / ha) was formed by agrocenoses meadow tetraploid clover + meadow timothy and meadow tetraploid clover + changeable alfalfa + meadow timothy.

scholarly journals Earthworms as an Ecological Indicator of Soil Recovery after Mechanized Logging Operations in Mixed Beech Forests

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Hadi Sohrabi ◽  
Meghdad Jourgholami ◽  
Mohammad Jafari ◽  
Farzam Tavankar ◽  
Rachele Venanzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Traffic Intensity ◽  
Soil Biological Properties ◽  
Density And Biomass ◽  
Soil Recovery ◽  
The Impact

Soil damage caused by logging operations conducted to obtain and maximize economic benefits has been established as having long-term effects on forest soil quality and productivity. However, a comprehensive study of the impact of logging operations on earthworms as a criterion for soil recovery has never been conducted in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in soil biological properties (earthworm density and biomass) and its recovery process under the influence of traffic intensity, slope and soil depth in various intervals according to age after logging operations. Soil properties were compared among abandoned skid trails with different ages (i.e., 3, 10, 20, and 25 years) and an undisturbed area. The results showed that earthworm density and biomass in the high traffic intensity and slope class of 20–30% at the 10–20 cm depth of the soil had the lowest value compared to the other treatments. Twenty-five years after the logging operations, the earthworm density at soil depth of 0–10 and 10–20 cm was 28.4% (0.48 ind. m−2) and 38.6% (0.35 ind. m−2), which were less than those of the undisturbed area, respectively. Meanwhile, the earthworm biomass at a soil depth of 0–10 and 10–20 cm was 30.5% (2.05 mg m−2) and 40.5% (1.54 mg m−2) less than the values of the undisturbed area, respectively. The earthworm density and biomass were positively correlated with total porosity, organic carbon and nitrogen content, while negatively correlated with soil bulk density and C/N ratio. According to the results, 25 years after logging operations, the earthworm density and biomass on the skid trails were recovered, but they were significantly different with the undisturbed area. Therefore, full recovery of soil biological properties (i.e., earthworm density and biomass) takes more than 25 years. The conclusions of our study reveal that the effects of logging operations on soil properties are of great significance, and our understanding of the mechanism of soil change and recovery demand that harvesting operations be extensively and properly implemented.

scholarly journals Research trends of microplastics in the soil environment: Comprehensive screening of effects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Woong Kim ◽  
Matthias C. Rillig
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Soil Property ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Sensitivity Distribution

AbstractWe collated and synthesized previous studies that reported the impacts of microplastics on soil parameters. The data were classified and integrated to screen for the proportion of significant effects, then we suggest several directions to alleviate the current data limitation in future experiments. We compiled 106 datasets capturing significant effects, which were analyzed in detail. We found that polyethylene and pellets (or powders) were the most frequently used microplastic composition and shape for soil experiments. The significant effects mainly occurred in broad size ranges (0.1–1 mm) at test concentrations of 0.1%–10% based on soil dry weight. Polyvinyl chloride and film induced significant effects at lower concentrations compared to other compositions and shapes, respectively. We adopted a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and soil property effect distribution (SPED) method using available data from soil biota, and for soil properties and enzymes deemed relevant for microplastic management. The predicted-no-effect-concentration (PNEC)-like values needed to protect 95% of soil biota and soil properties was estimated to be between 520 and 655 mg kg−1. This study was the first to screen microplastic levels with a view toward protecting the soil system. Our results should be regularly updated (e.g., quarterly) with additional data as they become available.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Leaf Litter Mulching and Incorporation on Skid Trails for the Recovery of Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Mixed Broadleaved Forests

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 625
Author(s):  
Meghdad Jourgholami ◽  
Azadeh Khoramizadeh ◽  
Angela Lo Monaco ◽  
Rachele Venanzi ◽  
Francesco Latterini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Compacted Soils ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Forest Logging ◽  
Soil Recovery

Engineering applications can be used to mitigate the adverse effects of soil compaction and amend compacted soils. Previous literature has highlighted the beneficial effects of interventions such as litter mulching and incorporation on skid trails. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these alternatives in restoring forest soil quality after forest logging. The objective of this study was to properly elucidate the effects of the above mentioned soil protection methods, litter incorporation before skidding (LI) and litter mulching after skidding (LM), on the recovery of compacted soil’s physico-chemical and biological properties on skid trails over a 2-year period in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran to identify the best option for restoration intervention. The litter used in both methods consisted of dried leaves of the hornbeam and maple tree in three intensities of 3, 6, and 9 Mg ha−1. The results showed that the application of both methods (LI and LM) significantly improved the soil properties when compared to the untreated skid trail. Results showed that the recovery values of soil properties in the LI treatments were significantly higher than those of the LM. The recovery values of soil properties by 6 and 9 Mg ha−1 were significantly higher than those of 3 Mg ha−1, while the differences were not significant between 6 and 9 Mg ha−1. Our findings showed that soil properties were partially recovered (70–80%) over a 2-year period from treatment, compared to untreated, but the full recovery of soil properties required more time to return to the pre-harvest value. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that the application of soil protection methods accelerates the process of recovering soil properties much faster than natural soil recovery, which can take more than 20 years in these forests.

scholarly journals Fuel manipulation with herbicide treatments to reduce fire hazard in young pine (Pinus elliottii × P. caribaea) plantations in south-east Queensland, Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Lewis ◽  
Joanne De Faveri
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Standing Biomass ◽  
Herbicide Treatments

Wildfire represents a major risk to pine plantations. This risk is particularly great for young plantations (generally less than 10 m in height) where prescribed fire cannot be used to manipulate fuel biomass, and where flammable grasses are abundant in the understorey. We report results from a replicated field experiment designed to determine the effects of two rates of glyphosate (450 g L–1) application, two extents of application (inter-row only and inter-row and row) with applications being applied once or twice, on understorey fine fuel biomass, fuel structure and composition in south-east Queensland, Australia. Two herbicide applications (~9 months apart) were more effective than a once-off treatment for reducing standing biomass, grass continuity, grass height, percentage grass dry weight and the density of shrubs. In addition, the 6-L ha–1 rate of application was more effective than the 3-L ha–1 rate of application in periodically reducing grass continuity and shrub density in the inter-rows and in reducing standing biomass in the tree rows, and application in the inter-rows and rows significantly reduced shrub density relative to the inter-row-only application. Herbicide treatment in the inter-rows and rows is likely to be useful for managing fuels before prescribed fire in young pine plantations because such treatment minimised tree scorch height during prescribed burns. Further, herbicide treatments had no adverse effects on plantation trees, and in some cases tree growth was enhanced by treatments. However, the effectiveness of herbicide treatments in reducing the risk of tree damage or mortality under wildfire conditions remains untested.

Magnesium substitution effect on porous scaffolds for bone repair

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana Craciunescu ◽  
Christu Tardei ◽  
Lucia Moldovan ◽  
Otilia Zarnescu
Keyword(s):  
Bone Repair ◽  
Substitution Effect ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Collagen Type I ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Porous Scaffolds ◽  
Type I ◽  
Composite Scaffolds ◽  
Cross Links ◽  
Nanocomposite Scaffolds

AbstractOf great interest in developing artificial bone is the incorporation of magnesium (Mg) ions into the ceramic lattice in order to improve the physico-chemical and structural properties of the material and to increase its morphological affinity towards newly formed osseous tissue. In the present study, we evaluated the morphological and biological properties of composite scaffolds fabricated by mixing a nanopowder of Mg-substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate with collagen type I in two dry weight ratios (variant I and II). We used biochemical methods, and electron and light microscopy to investigate their porosity, biodegradability and morphology. Osteoblast cell culture behavior in the presence of nanocomposite variants was also examined. Variant I scaffold presented a higher percentage of cross-links and a better resistance to collagenase degradation compared to variant II scaffold. Their porosity did not vary significantly. Osteoblasts cultivated in the presence of nanocomposite scaffolds for 72 h exhibited good cell viability and a normal morphology. When osteoblasts were injected into the scaffolds, a slightly higher proportion of adhered cells were observed for Mg-substituted samples after 7 days of cultivation. All these results showed that Mg-containing porous composite scaffolds had controlled degradation, allowed osteoblast proliferation and adhesion and are good candidates for bone repair.

Wood Ash Improved Soil Properties and Crop Yield for Nine Years and Saved Fertilizer

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kabal S. Gill ◽  
Sukhdev S. Malhi ◽  
Newton Z. Lupwayi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Wood Ash ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Contribution Margin ◽  
Seed Yields

<p>Wood ash may be used to mitigate soil acidity and improve crop production. We compared effects of wood ash and recommended fertilizers on soil properties of a Gray Luivsol, crop yields and contribution margins in southeast Peace, Alberta, Canada. The CHK (no fertilizer, inoculation or wood ash), FRT (recommended fertilizers or inoculation), ASH (wood ash rate to supply amounts of phosphorus equivalent to the FRT treatment); and ASH+N (same as ASH + N fertilizer or inoculation) treatments were applied in 2006 and 2007. Their effects were studied from 2006 to 2014. Wood ash had all the essential plant nutrients, except nitrogen. Soil samples collected in 2007, 2008 and 2013 had or tended to have higher pH, P, K, Ca, Ca:Mg ratio, S, Cu, Zn and B levels for the ASH and ASH+N treatments than the CHK and FRT treatments. In the 2006 and 2007, the seed yields were ASH+N &gt; FRT &gt; ASH &gt; CHK. The seed yields in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were greater from both the wood ash treatments than other treatments. Extra contribution margin from the ASH+N over the FRT treatment was $751/ha, i.e. $97 Mg<sup>-1</sup> of applied wood ash. Overall, wood ash reduced fertilizer expenditure and improved seed yield, contribution margin and soil properties, with residual effects observed up to seven years and likely for few more years.</p>

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