scholarly journals Origin, distribution, and characteristics of Archaeological Dark Earth soils – A review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. Asare ◽  
Jerry Owusu Afriyie ◽  
Michal Hejcman
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Enrichment Factors ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Terra Preta ◽  
Stable Organic Matter ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Abstract. Archaeological Dark Earth (ADE) is a layer of anthrosol (syn. anthroposol) visually characterized by dark color mainly due to homogenous charcoal inclusion, and substantial enrichment by nutrients in comparison to surrounding soils. ADE is distributed from the tropics (Amazonian Terra preta, African ADE), moderate climatic zones (European ADE) up to the Arctic (kitchen middens). Although ADE soils have been studied also in other regions of the world, they have no special regional names. All types of ADE developed as a result of deliberate and/or unintentional deposition of domestic/occupational wastes, charred residues, bones, shells, and biomass ashes from prehistoric up to recent times. ADEs have optimum C : N ratio for effective mineralization, stable organic matter content, reduced acidity, higher CEC and C, N, P, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, Fe, Sr, and Ba content in comparison to surrounding soils. The unclear remains the level of ADEs enrichment by these elements as enrichment factors for different elements are based on different analytical approaches from plants-available up to total contents in the soil. Although generally highly productive, comparison of herbage production and crop yields between ADEs and natural soils are still rare. The distribution and persistence of anthropogenic activities leading to the formation of ADEs indicate that they are subject to the continual formation.

scholarly journals Effect of Organic Residues on Pesticide Behavior in Soils: A Review of Laboratory Research

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
María J. Carpio ◽  
María J. Sánchez-Martín ◽  
M. Sonia Rodríguez-Cruz ◽  
Jesús M. Marín-Benito
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Organic Residues ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Adsorption Desorption

The management of large volumes of organic residues generated in different livestock, urban, agricultural and industrial activities is a topic of environmental and social interest. The high organic matter content of these residues means that their application as soil organic amendments in agriculture is considered one of the more sustainable options, as it could solve the problem of the accumulation of uncontrolled wastes while improving soil quality and avoiding its irreversible degradation. However, the behavior of pesticides applied to increase crop yields could be modified in the presence of these amendments in the soil. This review article addresses how the adsorption–desorption, dissipation and leaching of pesticides in soils is affected by different organic residues usually applied as organic amendments. Based on the results reported from laboratory studies, the influence on these processes has been evaluated of multiple factors related to organic residues (e.g., origin, nature, composition, rates, and incubation time of the amended soils), pesticides (e.g., with different use, structure, characteristics, and application method), and soils with different physicochemical properties. Future perspectives on this topic are also included for highlighting the need to extend these laboratory studies to field and modelling scale to better assess and predict pesticide fate in amended soil scenarios.

An experiment on the effects of straw ploughed in or composted on a three-course rotation of crops

1960 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Npk Fertilizers ◽  
K Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrogen Deficiencies ◽  
Second Year

An experiment on the use of wheat straw (ploughed in or composted at the rate of 53⅓ cwt./acre every second year) and NPK fertilizers in the maintenance of fertility was carried out at Rothamsted between 1933 and 1958. The effects of these treatments on the yields of the crops of the rotation used in the experiment—barley, sugar beet, potatoes—are discussed in the present paper.The treatments appear to have had no effect on crop yields through improvements to the soil caused by better structure or increased organic matter content. All the effects obtained can be attributed to changes in the supplies of available nutrients. The most important of these changes appear to have been: (1) nitrogen deficiencies due to the immobilization of soil nitrogen or nitrogen fertilizer by the straw: there is some evidence that this added to the store of slowly available nitrogen; (2) additions to potassium supplies from potassium in the straw. Factor (1) affected all three crops. Factor (2) affected potatoes, the only crop of the three to give good responses to potassium.It was found that when the straw was ploughed in directly about 0·08 ewt. N fertilizer applied to the crops for each ton of straw was sufficient to overcome losses in yield due to nitrogen deficiencies. The straw improved the yields of potatoes in the first and second years after application. Provided that allowance was made for losses of available nitrogen the yields of potatoes from ploughed-in straw were about the same as the yields obtained by adding K fertilizer to the crop, equal in amount to the potassium in the straw. When part of the fertilizers was ploughed in with the straw instead of being given directly to the crop the yields of potatoes were reduced.Compost made with NT fertilizers and straw and ploughed in with K fertilizer gave much poorer yields than were obtained by ploughing the straw in directly and applying the fertilizers to the crops. Losses of available nitrogen were severe, all the N fertilizer used in making the compost (0·15 cwt. N for each ton of straw) being either lost through drainage or immobilized by the straw. In addition, more than one half of the potassium in the straw was lost in composting.There was no evidence that any of the nitrogen immobilized in the decomposition of the straw became available in the first or second years after application. Residues from repeated applications of straw every second year over 18 years increased the yields of potatoes and sugar beet in the last 6 years of the experiment. The increases may have been due to the release of previously immobilized nitrogen.

scholarly journals The color of refractory organic carbon

2018 ◽  
Vol 189 (2) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Debret ◽  
Yoann Copard ◽  
Antonin Van Exem ◽  
Geneviève Bessereau ◽  
Frank Haeseler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Mineral Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Fast Method ◽  
Wide Range

Organic matter studies find an echo within different topics such as biogeochemical cycles, processes occurring in continental surfaces, anthropogenic activities, climate science, earth and planetary sciences, etc. Today’s challenges include finding and developing the most appropriate method(s) supporting the differentiation and characterisation of various types of recalcitrant organic matter in modern environments. In this study, we focus on combustion residues and coals as these two types of organic matter contain a significant amount of so-called recalcitrant organic carbon (black carbon and fossil organic carbon). Both these materials are ubiquitous, broadly stem from the same living organisms and have similar polyaromatic structures. In this respect, we tested a spectrophotometry method, classically used for sedimentology, as a very fast method for preliminary investigations. Analyses were performed with a wide range of standards and referenced samples. The results discriminate three different spectral signatures related to the degree of transformation of organic matter related to the degree of aromaticity (i.e. carbonisation). Using calibration curves, total organic carbon content can be estimated in experimental mixes with mineral matter and in a real context using subsurface sample (Gironville 101 borehole, Paris Basin, France). This method has particularly high sensitivity to very low organic matter content and is shown to be promising for a rapid evaluation of the organic carbon content.

scholarly journals Impacts de l’agriculture de conservation sur les propriétés et la productivité des vertisols du Maroc Central

Afrika Focus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachid Moussadek
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Soil Water Potential ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Nutrient Pool

In Morocco, intensive agriculture with deep tillage and soil inversion caused rapid soil structure deterioration with loss of soil organic matter content. This practice leads to a decrease in soil fertility, a degradation of the soil physical properties and a reduction of crop yields in different soil types, such as Vertisols. In fact, Vertisols (or Tirs as vernacular name) are among the most productive soils in Morocco, but they are also susceptible to compaction and reduced water infiltration due to intensive tillage. No-tillage (NT) is commonly promoted as a management practice capable of offsetting soil carbon depletion, improving aggregation, enriching the soil nutrient pool and enhancing crop productivity in many parts of the world. However, the influence of the NT system as compared to the conventional tillage (CT) system on physical, chemical and hydrodynamic soil properties was not yet well studied in the semi-arid environment of Morocco where rainfall ranges from 350 to 600 mm. This research focused mainly on those parameters with important agronomical or environmental impact: bulk density (Db), soil strength assessed using cone index (CI), hydraulic conductivity (K), sorptivity (S), soil water potential (SWP), soil organic carbon content or stock (SOCc or SOCs), runoff, soil loss, soil CO2 emission and crop yield. 

scholarly journals Use of Paleoflood Deposits to Determine the Contribution of Anthropogenic Trace Metals to Alluvial Sediments in the Hyperarid Rio Loa Basin, Chile

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry R. Miller ◽  
Danvey Walsh ◽  
Lionel F. Villarroel
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Enrichment Factors ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Biogeochemical Processes ◽  
Riverine Ecosystems ◽  
Local Background ◽  
Toxic Trace Metals ◽  
Source Materials

Toxic trace metals are a common and significant contaminant in riverine ecosystems, and are derived from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Determining the contributions of metals from these sources has proven difficult, in part, because physical and biogeochemical processes alter the nature (e.g., grain size, mineral composition, organic matter content) of the source materials as they are transported through the drainage network. This study examined the use of paleoflood deposits located along the hyperarid Rio Salado, a tributary to the Rio Loa of northern Chile, to construct local background functions and enrichment factors (LEFs) to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic metal sources. Significant variations in metal content occurred between river reaches and flood deposits of a given reach; these variations were primarily related to changes in sediment source that may reflect differences in El Niño and La Niña precipitation patterns. Three conservative elements (Al, Fe, Co) were examined to construct background functions for seven trace metals. Cobalt yielded the most effective background functions for As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn; Fe was selected for Cr, and Al for Cu. The resulting LEFs approximated 1, illustrating that paleoflood deposits produced effective background functions, and could be applied to downstream sites contaminated by mining activity.

Cadmium Accumulation in Browse Vegetation, Alaska — Implications for Animal Health

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.P. Gough ◽  
W.C. Day
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Cadmium Accumulation ◽  
Enrichment Factors ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Soil Horizons ◽  
Reference Element ◽  
Rock Types

We conducted biogeochemical investigations of Cd transport and uptake by vegetation over a metamorphic and intrusive terrane in the Fortymile River watershed and Mining District, east-central Alaska. The occurrence of Cd in eolian-dominated sub-arctic soils developed over five major rock units was examined, as well as its relative bioaccumulation in willow. Although the bioaccumulation of Cd by willow (Salix spp.) has been known for some time (Gough 1991), the connection to adverse animal health, under natural (geogenic) conditions, has only recently been demonstrated (Larison et al. 2000, Mykelbust and Pederson 1999). We present Cd data for three soil horizons and the leaf and twig material of Salix glauca L. (grayleaf willow) collected at sites within defined rock units. The cycling of Cd and its bioaccumulation in willow are compared among rock types and soil horizons. Cadmium in study area soils is derived from aeolian dust (loess) and the weathering of the primary bedrock. Plots of rare earth elements (REE, normalized to chondrite abundance’s) in samples of A, B, and C soil horizon soils were similar to REE patterns in regional loess samples and did not correspond to bedrock patterns. Not surprisingly, therefore, we found essentially no difference in the concentration of Cd in soils developed over different lithologic units. In addition, the anthropogenic input (from mining) at sites we sampled was found to be minimal. Cadmium levels in soil are generally higher than that found in the study area rock types (~2ppm)(Day2000). In our acidic soils (pH 4.5-6.0), Cd should be mobile (readily leached), and should tend to form complexes with carbonates, hydroxides, and phosphates. Interestingly, Cd concentrations decrease with increasing soil depth — a trend directly proportional to soil organic matter content. Enrichment factors (EF), a measure of the relative uptake by a plant of an element from its substrate — a sort of “bioavailability” assessment, are presented in Figure 12.2 for Cd in willow leaf material. This procedure normalizes the data, with respect to a geochemical reference element (in this case Ce), for each of the soil horizons developed over the five major rock units.

An evaluation of a no-tillage, unfertilised, direct-sown, wheat - rice cropping system in Korea

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. S. Cho ◽  
B. Z. Lee ◽  
Z. R. Choe ◽  
S. E. Ockerby
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Rice Growth

A no-tillage, direct-sown, unfertilised, wheat–rice relaying cropping system has major advantages over a conventional transplanted-rice system. For example, when rice is sown simultaneously with the wheat harvest, there are savings in labor and costs as a result of eliminating the tillage required to prepare the seedbed and for transplanting. A field experiment was conducted between 1996 and 1998 at Hadong, Korea. The experiment compared the soil microbial-N status, the soil physical and chemical characteristics, and rice growth and yield in a long-term conventional rice system with those in a no-tillage, unfertilised, direct-sown, wheat–rice, relay cropping system. The wheat–rice system was imposed for 2, 4 and 7 years to identify the time course of responses in the soil and crop. Agricultural chemicals including fertilisers were not applied in the wheat–rice cropping system. Rice crop yields after 2, 4 and 7 years of a direct-sown, wheat–rice cropping system were similar to those in the conventional rice system. Rice yields were high, ranging from 4.7 to 6.9 t/ha. Since 110 kg N/ha was applied to the conventional rice system, a large amount of N was mineralised during the wheat–rice system. The pattern of rice growth and yield formation, however, differed between the 2 systems. Rice in the wheat–rice system generally had more panicles, fewer spikelets per panicle and heavier grains. These responses reflected temporal changes in the N content and greenness of the rice leaf and were related to soluble N levels in the soil. Generally the soil was fertile with a high initial organic matter content. Organic matter increased by 30% during the 7 years of wheat–rice cropping. Other soil physical measures, bulk density and permeability to air and water, indicated that soil structure improved in response to wheat–rice cropping. Problems of pathogens and perennial weeds associated with new cultural practices in the wheat–rice cropping were minor; however, a higher rate of seeding was necessary to achieve satisfactory seedling establishment. Benefits to weed control and soil moisture conditions during crop establishment were derived from the increased level of crop mulch. The wheat–rice cropping system was found to be high yielding and sustainable over the 7-year period of experimentation.

A Farmer’s Experience of Conservation Agriculture in the UK

2018 ◽  
pp. 708-724
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
The Uk

Conservation agricultural practices have been widely adopted across the world in the past 30 years. Farmers recognized that their soils had been degraded by deep ploughing and by dependence on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Conservation agriculture, involving the agronomic and technological practices of no-till, cover cropping, and rotation, can be a sustainable alternative to conventional farming both economically and environmentally. While improving soil and crop health, it also has a dramatic and beneficial impact on the soil structure and on organic matter content that in turn can improve drainage and the availability of water. Costs are greatly reduced and crop yields—after an initial decline—return to former levels. Increasing interest and uptake by the global farming community shows that the system can be adapted in a variety of farming situations and significantly aid both the environment and sustainable food production.

Mehlich 3 extractant for determination of available B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in cryic Alaskan soils

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Walworth ◽  
M. T. Panciera ◽  
R. G. Gavlak
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Southcentral Alaska

Field trials were conducted on three cryic soils in southcentral Alaska to determine the local suitability of the Mehlich 3 extractant. Mehlich 3 extractable B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, DTPA-TEA extractable Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, and hot water extractable B were measured on soils from factorial experiments with variable rates of B, Cu, Mn, and Zn. Additional soil samples from two B rate and liming studies in central Alaska were included in extractable B comparisons. Forage rape, broccoli, and potato tissue samples were collected from the factorial studies to determine relationships between soil- and plant-available micronutrients. Crop yields were not affected by micronutrient applications Neither Mehlich 3 nor DTPA-TEA extractant predicted plant-available Cu or Fe. Coefficients of determination between soil and plant tissue B were comparable for extraction by Mehlich 3 or hot water and ranged from 0.11 to 0.82 Neither the Mn nor Zn tests accounted for more than 39% of the observed tissue nutrient concentration variation. The inclusion of soil PH and organic matter slightly improved estimates of available B, Mn, and Zn. Mehlich 3 extractable Fe was poorly related to DTPA-TEA extractable Fe. Copper extracted with Mehlich 3 was related to that extracted with DTPA-TEA (r2 = 0.73); the inclusion of soil pH improved the relationship (r2 = 0.84). Mehlich 3 extractable Mn and Zn were closely related to DTPA-TEA extractable levels (r2 = 0.91 and 0.94, respectively). The correlation between Mehlich 3 and hot water B (r2 = 0.57) was significantly improved by including soil organic matter content (r2 = 0.71). Key words: Micronutrients, extractant, Mehlich 3, DTPA, hot water

scholarly journals Strategy of specification of management areas: rice grain yield as related to soil fertility

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávio Carlos Dalchiavon ◽  
Morel de Passos e Carvalho ◽  
Rafael Montanari ◽  
Marcelo Andreotti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Upland Rice ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Test Plant ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Mato Grosso

It is well-known nowadays that soil variability can influence crop yields. Therefore, to determine specific areas of soil management, we studied the Pearson and spatial correlations of rice grain yield with organic matter content and pH of an Oxisol (Typic Acrustox) under no- tillage, in the 2009/10 growing season, in Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Brazilian Cerrado (longitude 51º24' 21'' W, latitude 20º20' 56'' S). The upland rice cultivar IAC 202 was used as test plant. A geostatistical grid was installed for soil and plant data collection, with 120 sampling points in an area of 3.0 ha with a homogeneous slope of 0.055 m m-1. The properties rice grain yield and organic matter content, pH and potential acidity and aluminum content were analyzed in the 0-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m soil layers. Spatially, two specific areas of agricultural land management were discriminated, differing in the value of organic matter and rice grain yield, respectively with fertilization at variable rates in the second zone, a substantial increase in agricultural productivity can be obtained. The organic matter content was confirmed as a good indicator of soil quality, when spatially correlated with rice grain yield.

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