scholarly journals Potentialities and limitations of Planosols with distinct depths of diagnostic horizon

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-156
Author(s):  
Juciane Maria Santos Sousa Vieira ◽  
Ricardo Espindola Romero ◽  
Raul Shiso Toma ◽  
Jaedson Claudio Anunciato Mota ◽  
Mirian Cristina Gomes Costa

There is a variation in the depth of subsurface horizon of Planosols in semi-arid region, which may influence the agricultural potential and affect food production. The general aim of this study was to identify potentialities and limitations of two Planosols as a function of subsurface horizon depth. The adjacent profiles P1 and P2 were studied in Pentecoste (Ceará, Brazil). Morphological, physical, and chemical analyses were done aiming at soil characterization. Soil bulk density (BD), porosity, and penetration resistance (PR) were analyzed in a completely randomized split-plot design with four replicates to compare P1 and P2 and the horizons Ap and Btf. Btf was found at 62cm depth in P1 and at 18 cm depth in P2. Indicatives of water saturation were more evident in P2. The profile P1 showed lower hardness and higher friability, as well as higher acidity in subsurface (pHH2O from 4.4 to 4.7) and higher aluminum content (1.2cmolc kg-1). Both profiles were eutrophic and showed low contents of organic carbon (1.5 to 8.5g kg-1) and phosphorus (0.9 to 3.9mg kg-1). The sodium percentage in CEC was 9.1% in P1 and 5.5% in P2. Water retention increases in Btf compared with Ap was 7.3% in P2 and 2.7% in P1. Both profiles showed increase in BD in Btf, reaching 1.7g cm-3, while PR was higher in P2 (1.5 MPa). There are potentialities and limitations common to both soil profiles, but P1 has more physical potentialities and more chemical limitations than P2.

Author(s):  
Р.С. Решетова ◽  
О.Ю. Бганцева

Разработана технологическая схема получения жидкого сахара из полупродуктов свеклосахарного производства, которая предусматривает получение исходного (концентрированного) сахарного раствора из сиропа после выпарки, некондиционного сахара и желтого сахара последнего продукта с содержанием сухих веществ (СВ) от 68 до 72. Изучено изменение количества микроорганизмов в жидком сахаре в течение 30 сут хранения в закрытых сосудах при температуре окружающей среды без предварительной обработки физическим и химическим способами с целью использования сиропа при производстве пищевых продуктов. Установлено, что в растворе с содержанием СВ 68 72 количество микроорганизмов увеличилось: бактерий с 15 до 60 КОЕ/г, дрожжей и плесневых грибов с 10 до 34 КОЕ/г, что не превышает допустимых уровней СанПиН 2.3.2.1078 01 и ГОСТ Р 53035 2008. Определена длительность хранения жидкого сахара для использования в пищевых производствах не более 15 сут. The technological scheme of obtaining liquid sugar from semiproducts of sugar beet production, which provides for obtaining the initial (concentrated) sugar solution from the syrup after evaporation, substandard sugar and yellow sugar of the last product with a content of dry matters from 68 to 72, has been developed. The change in the number of microorganisms in liquid sugar was studied during 30 days of storage in closed vessels at ambient temperature without preliminary treatment by physical and chemical methods with the aim of using syrup in food production. It was found that in the solution with the content of dry matters 68 72 the number of microorganisms increased: bacteria from 15 to 60 CFU/g, yeast and fungi from 10 to 34 CFU/g, which does not exceed the permissible levels of SanPiN 2.3.2.1078 01 and GOST R 53035 2008. The storage duration of liquid sugar for use in food production was determined no more than 15 days.


2012 ◽  
Vol 524-527 ◽  
pp. 2139-2142
Author(s):  
Shu Li Wang ◽  
Chao Ma ◽  
Wei Bin Yuan

The soil physical and chemical properties of four densities (A:2500/hm2,B:3300/hm2,C:4400/hm2,D:6600/hm2) of hybrid Larch plantations, Larix olgensis plantation(E) and Quercus mandsurica forest(F) were studied in Jiangshanjiao forest farm of Heilongjiang province of China. Soil bulk density, soil porosity, total N, total P, available N and available P were affected significantly by plantation density in hybrid Larch plantations. The lowest surface soil bulk density was in density 2500/hm2. Soil porosity of density 2500/hm2and 3300/hm2was bigger than that of density 4400/hm2and density 6600/hm2. Total N, total P and available N of density 4400/hm2and 3300/hm2were higher than that of density 6600/hm2and density 2500/hm2. Total N, total P, available N and available P of hybrid Larch plantations were not lower than that of Larix olgensis plantation. The results of the soil physical and chemical properties under different densities of hybrid Larch plantations and different types of forest seems to confirm that hybrid Larch plantation did not decreased the soil fertility, and the hybrid Larch plantation with densities of 3300/hm2and 4400/hm2could be conductive to improving the soil quality. The results would provide the theories basis for manage the hybrid Larch plantations.


Author(s):  
Rachel C. Devereux ◽  
Craig J. Sturrock ◽  
Sacha J. Mooney

ABSTRACTBiochar has been reported to improve soil quality and crop yield; however, less is known about its effects on the physical and, in particular, structural properties of soil. This study examines the potential ability of biochar to improve water retention and crop growth through a pot trial using biochar concentrations of 0%, 1·5%, 2·5% and 5% w/w. X-ray computed tomography was used to measure soil structure via pore size characteristics; this showed that pore size is significantly affected by biochar concentration. Increasing biochar is associated with decreasing average pore size, which we hypothesise would impact heavily on hydraulic performance. At the end of the experiment, average pore size had decreased from 0·07 mm2 in the 0% biochar soil to 0·046 mm2 in the 5% biochar soil. Increased biochar concentration also significantly decreases saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil bulk density. It was also observed that increased biochar significantly decreases soil water repellency. Increased water retention was also observed at low matric potentials, where it was shown that increased biochar is able to retain more water as the soil dried out. The application of biochar had little effect on short-term (<10 weeks) wheat growth, but did improve water retention through a change in soil porosity, pore size, bulk density and wetting ability.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marília Barcelos Souza Lopes ◽  
Taynar Coelho de Oliveira Tavares ◽  
Danilo Alves Veloso ◽  
Niléia Cristina da Silva ◽  
Rodrigo Ribeiro Fidelis

ABSTRACT The population increase and the need of intensifying food production, coupled with the scarcity of water resources, have led to the search of alternatives that reduce consumption and optimize the water use during cultivation. In this context, hydrogels become a strategy in agricultural management, due to their water retention capacity in the soil and availability to plants. This study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of hydrogels on the development and production of cowpea bean ('Sempre-verde' cultivar) under water stress, in a greenhouse. The experiment was performed in a randomized block design, with five replications, in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme, consisting of four types of hydrogel (Hydroplan-EB HyA, with granulometry of 1-3 mm; Hydroplan-EB HyB, with granulometry of 0.5-1 mm; Hydroplan-EB HyC, with granulometry < 0.5 mm; Polim-Agri, with granulometry of 1-0.5 mm) and five concentrations (0 g pot-1; 1.5 g pot-1; 3 g pot-1; 4.5 g pot-1; 6 g pot-1). The following traits were evaluated: number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod and grain yield. The highest concentration (6 g pot-1) resulted in a higher number of pods and yield for all the hydrogels, especially for HyC and Polim-Agro, which presented 7.4 pods plant-1 and 7.0 pods plant-1, with yield of 15.43 g plant-1 and 16.68 g plant-1, respectively. The use of hydrogel shows to be efficient for reducing yield losses under water stress.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Masauso Ndhlovu ◽  
Nicholas Kiggundu ◽  
Joshua Wanyama ◽  
Noble Banadda

Existing knowledge about biochar is derived from trials where biochar incorporation into the soil is done by hands, a practice too tedious to scale-up to commercial levels. To enhance scalability, biochar incorporation needs to be integrated into conventional mechanised tillage systems. This study aimed at assessing the effects of incorporating biochar by power tiller and ox-plough on soil water retention, maize growth and yield. A 2 x 3 factorial experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with biochar incorporating method as a main plot factor and biochar level as subplot factor, on ferralsols of central Uganda. Incorporation methods were by power tiller and ox-plough with hand mixing in planting basins as a control, while levels of biochar were 0 and 10 t ha-1 application rates. Data was analysed using two-way ANOVAs in Minitab for significant differences among incorporation methods. Results showed that incorporating biochar by power tiller significantly increased water retention effect of biochar by 27.5% (p < 0.05), while no significant effect was observed (p ≥ 0.05) when incorporated by ox-plough, compared to hand mixing. No significant difference on growth and yield was observed (p ≥ 0.05) as a result of incorporating biochar by power tiller and ox-plough instead of hands in planting basins. These findings suggest that biochar incorporation can be scaled-up, to commercial levels, through the use of power tiller and ox-plough, without negative effects on biochar performance. It is recommended that promotion of biochar technology encompasses the use of power tillers and ox-ploughs to enhance scalability. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ((03) 2019) ◽  
pp. 340-347
Author(s):  
Maristella Martineli ◽  
Kennia Karolline Gonçalves Pereira ◽  
João Rafael Prudêncio dos Santos ◽  
Ariane Castricini ◽  
Polyanna Mara de Oliveira ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different levels of irrigation on the quality parameters involved in the dried-bananas production from 3 different cultivars. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial 3 x 3, with three genotypes of bananas (Prata-Anã, FHIA-18 and BRS Platina) produced in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais.) and three irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration - ETC), with three replications. For the processing purpose, the fruits were selected at the maturity stage 6. Then they sanitized in hypochlorite of sodium solution at 100 mg L-1, peeled and dehydrated through the drying convective method with hot air, in dryer with forced air, in dryer with forced air circulation at 65ºC for 24 hours. The dried bananas were evaluated according to the following physical and chemical aspects: moisture, length, diameter, firmness, color (brightness, chroma and ºHue), soluble solids and titratable acidity, and sensory characteristics: purchase intention and acceptance. The humidity, length, diameter, firmness, color and acidity of dried bananas were influenced by the different studied irrigation levels. In the sensory evaluation, the best result regarding appearance, color, texture and flavor requirements was observed in banana processed from 'Prata-Anã' irrigated with the total level of water (100%). The dried banana processed from 'BRS Platina' was the least accepted in the sensory tests.


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
G. H. Neilsen ◽  
E. Hogue ◽  
D. Neilsen

Sandy, infertile soils can benefit from the addition of organic waste amendments. Annual applications of organic wastes for as long as 4 yr increased soil organic matter content, decreased soil bulk density, and increased soil water retention of a coarse-textured soil. However, soil water-holding capacity was not necessarily increased, and there was a limited effect on soil cation exchange capacity. Key words: Cation exchange capacity, water retention, soil pH, soil organic matter, soil bulk density


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Kourtel Ghanem Nadra ◽  
Kribaa Mohammed ◽  
El Hadef El Okki Mohammed

Our objective is to study interaction between physical and chemical properties of soils and their earthworm community characteristics in different areas irrigated by wastewaters and well waters. The fields have different topography and agricultural practices conditions and are located in two regions of Batna department (Eastern Algeria). Both regions are characterized by a semiarid climate with cold winters and Calcisol soils. Nine fields were subject of this study. Three of these fields are located in Ouled Si Slimane region whose irrigation is effectuated by natural waters of Kochbi effluent. The other six fields are located at edges of Wed El Gourzi, effluent from Batna city, and partially treated through water treatment station. The best rates of water saturation and infiltration as well as abundance of earthworms were recorded at sites characterized by irrigation with wastewaters downstream of El Gourzi effluent. PCA characterizes two major groups: a group of hydrodynamic infiltration parameters and structural index stability of soil, explained by fields irrigated with wastewaters downstream of El Gourzi effluent. This group includes chemical characteristics: pH and electric conductivity. The second group is the characteristics of earthworms and includes organic matter content, active limestone levels, and Shannon Biodiversity Index.


Author(s):  
Frédéric Peyrusson

Sustainable human settlement on Mars will require in situ resource utilization (ISRU), the collection and utilization of Mars-based resources, including notably water and a substrate for food production. Plants will be fundamental components of future human missions to Mars, and the question of whether Mars soils can support plant growth is still open. Moreover, plant cultivation may suffer from the lack of in situ liquid water, which might constitute one of the biggest challenges for ISRU-based food production on Mars. Enhancing the crop yield with less water input and improving water utilization by plants are thus chief concern for sustainable ISRU food production. Hydrogels are polymers able to absorb large quantity of water and to increase soil water retention, plant establishment and growth. This work reports on the short-term assessment of plant growth in Mars soil analogs supplemented with hydrogels. Soil analogs consisted of sand and clay-rich material, with low organic matter content and alkaline pH. Soils were supplemented with 10% (w/w) potting medium and were sampled in Utah desert, in the vicinity of the Mars Desert Research Station, surrounded by soils sharing similarities in mineralogical and chemical composition to Martian soils. Height and dry biomass of spearmint (Mentha spicata) were compared under various irrigation frequencies, and seed germination of radish (Raphanus sativus) were monitored. Under limited irrigation, results indicate that the soil analogs were less capable of supporting plant growth as a comparison to potting medium. The effects of hydrogel supplementation were significant under limited irrigation and led to spearmint heights increased by 3 and 6% in clay- and sand-containing soils, respectively. Similarly, hydrogel supplementation resulted in spearmint mass increased by 110% in clay-containing soils and 78% in sand-containing soils. Additionally, while radish seeds failed to germinate in soil analogs, hydrogel supplementation allows for the germination of 27% of seeds, indicating that hydrogels might help loosening dense media with low water retention. Collectively, the results suggest that supplementation with hydrogel and plant growth substrate could help plants cope with limited irrigation and poor alkaline Mars soil analogs, and are discussed in the context of strategies for ISRU-based off-world colonization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-96
Author(s):  
Mustafa SirElkhatim Mustafa

Port Sudan is the main port and largest commercial centre of the Sudan located in semi-arid region. Population estimate in 2010 was about 926,000 inhabitants and the water demand estimated was about 120000-150000 m3/day. Water production from Khor Arbaat is 60,000 m3/day in good years; however, it may go down to 30,000 m3/day in bad years. In general, the overall situation of the city is characterized by regular shortages. There are three dams (U/G Dam1, SPC Dam2, FR Dam3) structured on Khor Arbaat for water harvesting (2005,2000,1992), siltation represents the greatest problem to these Dams, accordingly their capacities storage is decreases. Their storage capacities are 16*106, 5*106, and 6*106 m3 respectively, therefore the small capacities of these dams lead to inflation silt in a limited period of time. In the same way the Sea Port Corporation (Dam 2) in the year 2012 was removed by the armed forces of the corps as a result of inflation silting and thickness of silting to 6 meters. Water from Khor Arbaat gets into the transfer system without any treatment. The study is carried out to assess and evaluate the quality of surface and ground water resources in the Khor Arbaat zone. Field works included three visits to the study area, on January 2018, February 2018, and on March 2018. Sixteen typical water samples collected from different locations within Khor Arbaat and the city network were analyzed for physical and chemical water quality parameters. GIS Arc. Map and Kriging method are used to study the characteristics of water depend on coordinates and samples results.


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