Susceptibility of Groundwater to Pesticide and Nitrate Contamination in Predisposed Areas of Southwestern Ontario

1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wray Lampman
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Pesticide Contamination ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Agricultural practices today employ a vast array of chemicals in large volumes in order to improve both the quantity and quality of our agricultural products. While it has long been recognized that runoff from agricultural land has the potential to degrade surface water quality, only recently has attention been focused on the effect of agricultural usage on groundwater. In order to study the effects of pesticides and nitrate usage on the quality of groundwater, in 1985 the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy began operating a groundwater monitoring program in southwestern Ontario. Data generated from this program, which utilized sample data collected from both wells and piezometers, indicate that in areas of heavy pesticide and nitrate usage, shallow groundwater is continuously testing positive for nitrate and a variety of pesticides. Factors which influence the number of positive incidents for pesticides are directly related to the persistence of the chemical, its method of application, and the amounts utilized. Soil types and depth to groundwater, although influencing the time of detection, do not govern the number of detection events. Changes in agricultural practices are also monitored to see if pesticide reduction, a variation in the method of application, crop rotations and an increase in soil organic matter could influence the levels of pesticide It was found that when chemicals of a low persistence were applied post emergent at the minimum recommended rate, pesticides were not detected in the groundwater. Crop rotations were also effective in reducing the level of pesticides in groundwater. Tillage practices and increases in soil organic matter were also effective in reducing pesticide contamination. It was found that when chemicals of a low persistence were applied post emergent at the minimum recommended rate, pesticides were not detected in the groundwater. Crop rotation and reduction in nitrate loadings were found to be the only effective methods to reduce nitrate loading to groundwater. It was also found that elevated levels of potassium and/or nitrate in groundwater serve as a reliable indicator of the groundwater susceptibility to pesticide contamination. Remedial action to alleviate the impact of pesticides and nitrates in groundwater must focus on the chemical usage patterns employed on the farm site and an overall reduction of the quantities of pesticides and nitrates utilized. These patterns must incorporate a well-designed program of crop rotation with the proper utilization of these chemicals on site.

Conversion of Brazilian savannah to agricultural land affects quantity and quality of labile soil organic matter

Geoderma ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 406 ◽  
pp. 115509
Author(s):  
Rafael S. Santos ◽  
Martin Wiesmeier ◽  
Dener M.S. Oliveira ◽  
Jorge L. Locatelli ◽  
Matheus S.C. Barreto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Brazilian Savannah ◽  
Labile Soil Organic Matter

Quality of Soil Organic Matter Under Crop Rotations and Continuous Cultures

2013 ◽  
pp. 251-259
Author(s):  
B. P. Boincean ◽  
L. I. Bulat ◽  
M. A. Bugaciuc ◽  
M. Cebotari ◽  
V. V. Cuzeac
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Continuous Cultures

scholarly journals Role of Crop Rotations in the Dynamic of Soil Organic Matter Pools

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Santos Moreira ◽  
Marcio Koiti Chiba ◽  
Isabella Clerici De Maria ◽  
Caio César Zito Siqueira ◽  
Aildson Pereira Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Organic Matter Quality ◽  
Humification Index ◽  
No Till ◽  
C And N ◽  
Soil Organic Matter Quality

Soil organic matter is considered a key attribute for a sustainable agricultural production and is influenced by the quantity and quality of the crop residue deposited on the soil surface. Therefore, different crop rotations could change the soil organic matter pools. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the soil carbon pools obtained by chemical and physical fractionation methods and the humification index under different crop rotations in a no-till system. We test the following hypothesis: a) the distribution of C and N among the soil organic matter fractions depends on plant species rotation schemes and; b) labile fractions are more sensitive to the input of crop residues and therefore, more suitable for evaluating the impact of different crop rotations in the soil organic matter quality. We evaluated four crop sequences (corn/corn/corn; corn/wheat/corn; soybean/wheat/corn and soybean/corn/corn) in a no-till system. A five-year reforested area was used as reference. We determined the total C and N contents, the mineral-associated C and N, the light fraction of C and N, the labile carbon extracted with KMnO4 and the soil organic matter humification index. We found narrow differences between the crop rotation systems in the total C and N levels, the mineral-associated C and N fractions and the labile C extracted with KMnO4. The diversification of the agricultural system with soybean in crop rotation favored the accumulation of light fraction C and N in the soil that were more efficient to provide information about the changes in the soil organic matter quality.

scholarly journals Effects of agricultural management on soil organic matter and carbon transformation – a review

2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Liu ◽  
S.J. Herbert ◽  
A.M. Hashemi ◽  
X. Zhang ◽  
G. Ding
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
The Impact

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most often reported attribute and is chosen as the most important indicator of soil quality and agricultural sustainability. In this review, we summarized how cultivation, crop rotation, residue and tillage management, fertilization and monoculture affect soil quality, soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon transformation. The results confirm that SOM is not only a source of carbon but also a sink for carbon sequestration. Cultivation and tillage can reduce soil SOC content and lead to soil deterioration. Tillage practices have a major effect on distribution of C and N, and the rates of organic matter decomposition and N mineralization. Proper adoption of crop rotation can increase or maintain the quantity and quality of soil organic matter, and improve soil chemical and physical properties. Adequate application of fertilizers combined with farmyard manure could increase soil nutrients, and SOC content. Manure or crop residue alone may not be adequate to maintain SOC levels. Crop types influence SOC and soil function in continuous monoculture systems. SOC can be best preserved by rotation with reduced tillage frequency and with additions of chemical fertilizers and manure. Knowledge and assessment of changes (positive or negative) in SOC status with time is still needed to evaluate the impact of different management practices.

scholarly journals Microbial Respiration as Indicator of Soil Quality of Different Land Uses in Cienda, Gabas, Baybay City, Leyte

2017 ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Jessa May Malanguis ◽  
Cheryl Batistel ◽  
Marlito Jose Bande
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
Land Uses

Land use conversion affects soil ecosystem quality and balance, which can be reflected by microbial activities. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of microbial respiration as indicator of soil quality of different land uses, reforestation site, agricultural land and grassland, in Cienda, Gabas, Baybay City, Leyte. The amount of CO2 evolved after one, three and seven days of incubation was used to determine microbial respiration rate of different land uses and across relief. Relationship between microbial respiration on pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, and moisture content at field capacity were also examined. Results revealed that microbial respiration varies significantly among land uses with the highest rate observed in grassland while the lowest was in the reforestation site. Across relief, amount of CO2 released was significantly higher in the lower slope compared to the upper and the middle. The process tends to be significantly influenced by soil organic matter and moisture content. Results suggest that there is an inverse relationship between microbial respiration and organic matter, and a direct relationship with moisture content. High soil respiration in the grassland and in the lower topographic relief implies that the soil organic matter is converted into inorganic forms which are available for uptake by plants. A significant interaction between land use types and relief was also observed in both organic matter and moisture content leading enhanced microbial respiration. Land use and relief showed no significant effect on total nitrogen and soil pH.

scholarly journals MICROBIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN THE ROOT ZONE OF PEA AND WINTER WHEAT PLANTS AT CULTIVATION IN MONOCULTURE AND FOUR FIELD CROP ROTATION

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 77-90
Author(s):  
I.M. Malinovskaya ◽  
D.V Litvinov
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Nitrogen Compounds ◽  
Field Crop ◽  
Microbiological Processes

The peculiarities of various microbiological processes at cultivation of winter wheat and pea crops in the permanent and short crop rotations were studied in stationary experiments. It was established that the cultivation of wheat in a monoculture results in intensification of consumption of soil organic matter as compared to the crop rotations: without applications mineral fertilizers on 52,2 %, with mineral fertilizers – on 77,8 %; increase of humus mineralization: without fertilizer on 111 %, with fertilizer (N60P60K60) – on 15 %; and activation of mineralization of nitrogen compounds on 100 and 60,0 %, respectively. Cultivation of peas in a monoculture was also accompanied by intensification of soil organic matter development: without the application of mineral fertilizers by 3,17 times, with mineral fertilizers – by 1,79 times; increase of humus mineralization by 1,73 and 1,88 times, respectively; and activation of mineralization of nitrogen compounds by 2,38 and 1,88 times, respectively. The decrease of humus mineralization activity in the root zone of pea plants as comparing to the wheat was at 45,7 % (monoculture), 19,2 % (crop rotation) and 46,9 % (crop rotation, NPK) levels.

scholarly journals Chemical and Phytocoenological Characteristics of Two Different Slovak Peatlands

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1290
Author(s):  
Danica Fazekašová ◽  
Gabriela Barančíková ◽  
Juraj Fazekaš ◽  
Lenka Štofejová ◽  
Ján Halas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Nitrogen Supply ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Chemical Parameters

This paper presents the results of pedological and phytocoenological research focused on the detailed research of chemical parameters (pH, organic carbon, and nutrients), risk elements (As-metalloid, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and species composition of the vegetation of two different peatlands on the territory of Slovakia—Belianske Lúky (a fen) and Rudné (a bog). Sampling points were selected to characterize the profile of the organosol within the peatland, the soil profile between the peatland and the agricultural land, and the soil profile of the outlying agricultural land, which is used as permanent grassland. Based on phytocoenological records, a semi-quantitative analysis of taxa in accordance with the Braun–Blanquet scale was performed. The study revealed that the thickness of the peat horizon of the fen in comparison with the bog is very low. In terms of the quality of organic matter, the monitored peatlands are dominated by fresh plant residues such as cellulose and lignin. Differences between individual types of peatlands were also found in the soil reaction and the supply of nitrogen to the organic matter of peat. The values of the soil exchange reaction were neutral on the fen, as well as slightly alkaline but extremely low on the bog. A significantly higher nitrogen supply was found in the organic matter of the fen in contrast to the bog. At the same time, extremely low content of accessible P and an above-limit content of As in the surface horizons were also found on the fen. From the phytocoenological point of view, 22 plant species were identified on the fen, while only five species were identified on the bog, which also affected the higher diversity (H’) and equitability (e). The results of the statistical testing confirmed the diversity of the studied peatlands and the different impact of environmental variables on plant diversity.

scholarly journals European survey shows poor association between soil organic matter and crop yields

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
Wytse J. Vonk ◽  
Martin K. van Ittersum ◽  
Pytrik Reidsma ◽  
Laura Zavattaro ◽  
Luca Bechini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Farm Survey

AbstractA number of policies proposed to increase soil organic matter (SOM) content in agricultural land as a carbon sink and to enhance soil fertility. Relations between SOM content and crop yields however remain uncertain. In a recent farm survey across six European countries, farmers reported both their crop yields and their SOM content. For four widely grown crops (wheat, grain maize, sugar beet and potato), correlations were explored between reported crop yields and SOM content (N = 1264). To explain observed variability, climate, soil texture, slope, tillage intensity, fertilisation and irrigation were added as co-variables in a linear regression model. No consistent correlations were observed for any of the crop types. For wheat, a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between SOM and crop yields in the Continental climate, with yields being on average 263 ± 4 (95% CI) kg ha−1 higher on soils with one percentage point more SOM. In the Atlantic climate, a significant negative correlation was observed for wheat, with yields being on average 75 ± 2 (95%CI) kg ha−1 lower on soils with one percentage point more SOM (p < 0.05). For sugar beet, a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between SOM and crop yields was suggested for all climate zones, but this depended on a number of relatively low yield observations. For potatoes and maize, no significant correlations were observed between SOM content and crop yields. These findings indicate the need for a diversified strategy across soil types, crops and climates when seeking farmers’ support to increase SOM.

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