Effects of hydrogel amendment on water storage of sandy loam and loam soils and seedling growth of barley, wheat and chickpea

The hydrogel amendments may improve seedling growth and establishment by increasing water retention capacity of soils and regulating the plants available water supplies, particularly under arid environments. The effects of different levels of a locally prepared hydrogel were studied on the moisture properties of sandy loam and loam soils (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplargids, USDA, Luvic Yermosol, FAO) and on growth response of three plant species, viz. barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Water absorption by gel was rapid and highest in distilled water and was inhibited by an increase in water salinity. The addition of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% hydrogel increased the moisture retention (θr) at field capacity linearly (r = 0.988) and thus the amount of plant available water significantly in both sandy loam and loam soils compared to the untreated soils. Seed germination of wheat and barley was not affected but seedling growth of both species was improved by the gel amendment. In loam soil, seed germination of chickpea was higher with 0.2% gel and seedling growth increased with increase in gel level compared with control conditions. The hydrogel amendment caused a delay by 4–5 days in wilting of seedlings grown in both soils compared with control conditions. The hydrogel amendment was effective in improving soil moisture availability and thus increased plant establishment. However, the varied responses of plant species in sandy loam and loam soils warrant further studies on the behaviour of different soil types with gel amendments.

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Evaluation of the short-term effect of tillage practices on soil hydro-physical properties

Polish Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.17951/pjss.2019.52.1.43 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Omid Bahmani

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Water Retention ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Field Capacity ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Tillage Practices ◽

Available Water ◽

The Impact

Tillage is one of the most important practices that have a significant influence on the soil hydro-physical properties. In this study, the impact of the type and number of input variables with five different methods of the Retc model to predicting the moisture retention curve and soil water content in three surfaces tillage NT (No-tillage), CP (Chisel Plough) and MP (Moldboard Plough) and the impact of tillage systems on soil hydro-physical properties were evaluated. According to results, when the field capacity and wilting point moisture was added to input data in Retc to predict the moisture curve model parameters, the EF was increased in MP (0.977, 0.95) and CP (0.891, 0.86) treatments compare the NT (0.665, 0.608). The Mualem–Van Genuchten model can describe satisfactorily the simulation of soil physical properties. The S-index, which was also affected by tillage, was greater than 0.066 in all tillage treatments, indicating good soil physical quality. Results indicated that NT had the highest and lowest values of bulk density (1.55 Mgr.m-3) and total available water (TAW) (0.038 m.m-1), respectively, and the differences between NT and MP in total porosity was significant. Overall, in most soil layers, tillage practices affected the porosity and total available water in the order MP > CP > NT. Water retention curves indicated that the water retention capacity was greater in tilled than in no-tilled and saturated hydraulic conductivity values were greater in tilled treatments than in NT soil.

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Properties and Management of Allophanic Soils

Tropical Soils ◽

10.1093/oso/9780195115987.003.0017 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Anthony S. R. Juo ◽

Kathrin Franzluebbers

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Water Retention ◽

Field Capacity ◽

High Water ◽

Soil Porosity ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

High Soil

Allophanic soils are dark-colored young soils derived mainly from volcanic ash. These soils typically have a low bulk density (< 0.9 Mg/m3), a high water retention capacity (100% by weight at field capacity), and contain predominantly allophanes, imogolite, halloysite, and amorphous Al silicates in the clay fraction. These soils are found in small, restricted areas with volcanic activity. Worldwide, there are about 120 million ha of allophanic soils, which is about 1% of the Earth's ice-free land surface. In tropical regions, allophanic soils are among the most productive and intensively used agricultural soils. They occur in the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean and South Pacific islands, East Africa, Central America, and the Andean rim of South America. Allophanic soils are primarily Andisols and andic Inceptisols, Entisols, Mollisols, and Alfisols according to the Soil Taxonomy classification. Allophanic soils generally have a dark-colored surface soil, slippery or greasy consistency, a predominantly crumb and granular structure, and a low bulk density ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 Mg/m3. Although allophanic soils are apparently well-drained, they still have a very high water content many days after rain. When the soil is pressed between fingers, it gives a plastic, greasy, but non-sticky sensation of a silty or loamy texture. When dry, the soil loses its greasiness and becomes friable and powdery. The low bulk density of allophanic soils is closely related to the high soil porosity. For example, moderately weathered allophanic soils typically have a total porosity of 78%, with macro-, meso-, and micropores occupying 13%, 33%, and 32%, respectively. Water retained in the mesopores is readily available for plant uptake. Water retained in the micropores is held strongly by soil particles and is not readily available for plant use. The macropores provide soil aeration and facilitate water infiltration. The high water retention capacity is also associated with the high soil porosity. In allophanic soils formed under a humid climate, especially those containing large amounts of allophane, the moisture content at field capacity can be as high as 300%, calculated on a weight basis. Such extremely high values of water content seem misleading.

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Characterization, agricultural potential, and perspectives for the management of light soils in Brazil

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2016000900001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (9) ◽

pp. 1003-1020 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Guilherme Kangussu Donagemma ◽

Pedro Luiz de Freitas ◽

Fabiano de Carvalho Balieiro ◽

Ademir Fontana ◽

Silvio Túlio Spera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Production Systems ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Clay Fraction ◽

Fine Sand ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Agricultural Frontier ◽

Agricultural Potential

Abstract Light soils occupy 8% of the Brazilian territory and are especially expressive in the new and last agricultural frontier in Brazil: the Matopiba region - in the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia -, where they represent 20% of the area. These soils fit into the textural classes of sand and loamy sand or sandy loam, down to 0.75-m soil depth or deeper, and they are mainly represented by Neossolos Quartzarênicos (Quartzipsamments) and, partly, by Latossolos (Oxisols) and Argissolos (Ultisols). The understanding of soil functioning depends on the establishment of distinguishing criteria for: organic matter dynamics; content and mineralogy of the clay fraction; coarse sand and total sand contents, in relation to those of fine sand; mean diameter of the sand fraction; and water retention capacity. These criteria can contribute for the zoning and for the conservation and fertility management of light soils, as well as for the estimation of their agricultural potential. Integrated production systems, such as crop-livestock and crop-livestock-forestry integration, besides no-tillage with crop rotation, mixed forestry planting with legumes, and the use of green manure and cover crops are relevant for the proper management of these soils. The objective of this review was to characterize light soils and to highlight the main challenges regarding their agricultural potential and their conservation and fertility managements, in face of the expansion and consolidation of the new Brazilian agricultural frontier.

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Soil typologies in the wine-growing areas of Mallorca, with special emphasis on available water content.

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20185001011 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 ◽

pp. 01011

Author(s):

Joan Rossello ◽

José M. Escalona ◽

Josep Cifre ◽

Jaume Vadell ◽

Hipólito Medrano

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Water Availability ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Available Water ◽

Available Water Content ◽

Water Classification ◽

Grape Varieties ◽

Very High

Under the conditions of the semi-arid Mediterranean climate, soil depth and water retention capacity are the most important characteristics of the soil related to the quality of the wines. The availability of water will mark the development of the vines and the development and maturity of the grape. The characterization and agronomic evaluation of the soil has been carried out from the excavation of 38 soil pits in the main wine growing areas of Mallorca. Cambisols are the most predominant soil typology followed by Cambisols, Regosols and Luvisols. The water classification of the soils has been made according to the maximum water availability (useful water) in 2 m of soil (mm water / 2 m soil). The proposed levels are: very low (<120 mm), low (120-180 mm), Medium (180-240 mm), High (240-300 mm) and Very high> 300 (mm). The most abundant soil type we find that 47% have high soil water availability, 27% very high, 14% normal and 14% low. Establishing an area based on available water content is a tool that allows us to adjust the selection of the most suitable grape varieties in each soil, thus taking advantage more efficiently of the potential of each type of grape.

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Comparative adaptation of seed germination and seedling growth to environmental factors in two Picea plant species

Acta Ecologica Sinica ◽

10.5846/stxb201802060323 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

Author(s):

刘有军 LIU Youjun ◽

刘世增 LIU Shizeng ◽

康才周 KANG Caizhou ◽

满多清 MAN Duoqing

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth

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Allelopathic effect of two medicinal plants on seed germination, seedling growth and grain production of purslane (Portulaca oleraceae L.) weed

Acta agriculturae Slovenica ◽

10.14720/aas.2018.111.2.05 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 111 (2) ◽

pp. 293

Author(s):

Seyed Nader MOUSAVIAN ◽

Hamdollah ESKANDARI

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seed Production ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Stem Length ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Plant Seed ◽

Artemisia Sieberi

A laboratory factorial (2 × 5) experiment was carried out based on completely randomized block in four replications to evaluate the effect of plant species and concentration of their allelopathic extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of purslane weed (Portulaca oleraceae L.). The first factor studied was plant species (Artemisia sieberi and Salvia syriaca) and the second one the concentration percentage of plant ethanol extract (0.0, 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 %). The effect of Artemisia on germination reduction of purslane was stronger compared to Salvia. The results indicated that higher extract concentration led to decreased germination percentage, germination speed and seedling growth indices of purslane including leaf length, leaf number, leaf width, leaf dry mass, stem mass and stem length. The effect of Artemisia was higher than that of Salvia. In a complementary experiment, the effect plant residues of Artemisia and Salvia (0.0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg-1 soil) were evaluated in a factorial experiment base on completely randomized block design with three replications. The results of field experiment showed that plant residues significantly (P ≤ 0.01) reduced capsule number per plant, seed number per capsule, seed production and shoot dry mass, while its effect on 1000-seed mass was not substantial. The effect of plant species and the interaction of plant species and their allelopathic extracts concentration had no major impact on the above-mentioned properties. The increase in plant residues in soil, led to the reduction of growth and seed production of purslane induced by plant number per unit area and capsule per plant. Artemisia sieberi Bess. and Salvia syriaca L. residues can be successfully used for non-chemical control of purslane weed.

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818 PB 237 USE OF BIOSOLIDS FOR SOD PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.5.550e ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 550e-550

Author(s):

Mouna Benmbarek ◽

Y. Desiardins ◽

R.R. Simard

Keyword(s):

Water Retention ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Application Rate ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Municipal Solid Wastes ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

The Subject ◽

Sod Production

Landfiling and incineration constitute the most commonly used methods of biosolid disposal. To minimize the environmental risk, their chemical and biological characteristics have been the subject of several investigations. The present research was undertaken to evaluate the agronomic value of municipal solid wastes (MSW) and composted de-inked sludge (CDS) in a field experiment for sod production. Four variables in a split factorial design, were investigated at two sod farms: compost (MSW and CDS), soil (sandy loam and clay loam), application method (surface applied 6cm and incorporated 20cm), and the application rate (50-100 and 150t/ha). Controls consisted of unfertilized and unamended but fertilized plots. Both experimental sites were seeded with kentucky bluegrass. Preliminary data indicate that the two biosolids promoted the sod growth at the rates applied. However, a better plot cover was observed if composts were rototilled at a depth of 6cm as compared to the conventional treated plots. Measurements of root and foliar weights revealed that the turf growth was enhanced with increasing rates, which is probably caused by additional soil macronutrients showed by the analysis. Seed germination and seedling emergence were not delayed as indicated by the observed increase in the water retention capacity of the soil especially at higher compost rates.

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Propagation and Possible Allelopathic Effects of Vernoniazeylanica on Selected Bioassay Species

CORD ◽

10.37833/cord.v36i.428 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 ◽

pp. 41-46

Author(s):

S.H.S. Senarathne ◽

S. S. Udumann

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Contaminated Soil ◽

Leaf Extract ◽

Cocos Nucifera ◽

Test Plant ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Aqueous Leaf Extract ◽

Allelopathic Effects

Vernonia zeylanica (L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae, is one of the major endemic weed species present in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations of the tropics, which propagates very easily. There is a possibility that this plant could also possess allelopathic effects, but this has not been scientifically tested. Thus, a study was carried out to determine the seed germination of V. zeylanica under soil moisture stress conditions, shoot propagation methods and possible allopathic effects of this species, on selected species in bioassay tests. Germination of V. zeylanica seeds was not observed at higher osmotic potential (-0.9 MPa). The highest sprouting percentage of this species were obtained with soft wood cuttings. The aqueous leaf extract was highly phytotoxic, and it significantly reduced germination and seedling growth of all bioassay species tested. Full strength (33.3 g L-1) aqueous extracts of leaves significantly reduced the germination percentage, root and hypocotyl growth rates of all species tested. The inhibitory effects were often dependent on concentration. However, the degree of inhibition varied among the test plant species. The seedling emergences of all four tested plants were severally inhibited when planted in V. zeylanica contaminated soil. The results indicated that incorporated aqueous leaf extract of V. zeylanica and its rhizosphere contaminated soil can suppress seed germination, seedling growth and seedling emergence of certain plant species indicating a possible allelopathic effect.

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Preliminary Investigations of Allelopathic Effects and Herbicide-based Eradication of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)

Sultan Qaboos University Journal for Science [SQUJS] ◽

10.24200/squjs.vol24iss1pp11-17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Salim Al-Abdali ◽

Azan Al-Dhuhli ◽

Hassan Al-Reasi

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Prosopis Juliflora ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Crop Species ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Invasive Alien Plant ◽

Time Required

Velvet mesquite, locally known as al-ghaf bahri (Prosopis juliflora), is a well-known invasive alien plant species in several regions around the world, including Oman, with various environmental effects. The allelopathic effect of P. juliflora leaves and seed pods on native ghaf (P. cineraria) and a crop species, mung bean (Vigna radiata) was demonstrated. Results indicated that P. juliflora extracts have inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth of both species, particularly on P. cineraria when exposed to pod extracts. For eradication experiments, three herbicides (tribenuron methyl, clethodim and 2,4-D & MCPA) were investigated to determine their inhibitory properties on seed germination, and on the growth and development of young seedlings of P. juliflora. Generally, germination time (GT50, time required for 50% of seeds to germinate) and germination percentage (%) indicated that only 2,4-D & MCPA treatment showed a significant effect on inhibiting seed germination and stopping seedling growth relative to the other two herbicides. The effect of 2,4-D & MCPA was supported by significant reduction in above-ground fresh biomass. The data clearly illustrate the potential negative effects of P. juliflora on other plant species and its tolerance of herbicide treatment. On a farm scale, limited application of 2,4-D & MCPA on young P. juliflora seedlings would be recommended as an effective way to limit further spread and distribution and consequently to successfully eliminate this invasive alien plant.

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Boron induces seed germination and seedling growth of Hordeum vulgare L. under Nacl stress

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v8i1.7116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 1224-1234

Author(s):

Saud A. Alamri ◽

Manzer H Siddiqui ◽

Mutahhar Y. Al-Khaishani ◽

Hayssam M. Ali

Keyword(s):

Hordeum Vulgare ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Nacl Stress ◽

High Dose ◽

Barley Plant ◽

Hordeum Vulgare L ◽

Viable Cells

Boron (B), an essential micronutrient, helps the plants to complete their life cycle successfully. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to study (1) the role of B in seed germination and seedling growth, (2) the toxicity effect of B in seed germination and seedling growth and (3) the role of B in tolerance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. ‘Bakore’) to NaCl stress. Under NaCl stress and non-stress conditions, application of high levels of B (100 µM) decreased parameters of germination (G%, VI, GI and MGT), growth (RL, SL, RFW, SFW, RDW and SDW), except the accumulation of Pro and MDA in barley seedlings. Also, a fluorescence study reveals that production of ROS (H2O2 and O2 •—) and non-viable cells increased in roots of barley seedlings treated with NaCl and high dose of B. An alteration in anatomical structure of barley seedlings was observed with the application of NaCl and high dose of B. However, a low concentration of B (50 µM) proved best and increased all germination and growth traits of barley seedlings by increasing further accumulation of Pro. Also, 50 µM of B significantly increased the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b and total Chl) and deceased formation of ROS and viable cells in roots. Therefore, concluded that sufficient dose of B could be beneficial for barley plant in improving the tolerance to NaCl stress.

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