Effectiveness of Carbaryl, Carbofuran and Metolachlor Retention in Soils under the Influence of Different Colloid

The affinity of different soil colloids to retain carbaryl, carbofuran and metolachlor in sandy loam and loam soil from mineral, surface horizons was investigated. The undisturbed soil samples and soils amended with colloids—kaolinite (K), montmorillonite (Mt), illite (Il), goethite (G), humic acid (HA)—were mixed with the pesticides for sorption–desorption studies. Their sorption magnitude in pristine soils followed the sequence metolachlor > carbaryl > carbofuran, with loam soil being a better pesticides retarder than sandy soil. The biggest magnitude of carbaryl sorption in light soil was observed in samples with the addition of HA (92.7%), Il (92.3%) and Ge (87.5%), whereas for carbofuran it was goethite (52.3%). Metolachlor uptake was significantly enhanced by 2:1 clays (Mt-85.0%, Il-69.4%), goethite (73.3%) and humic acids (75.4%). The loamy soil sorption capacity of the studied pesticides was blocked by the natural organic matter potentially due to the formation of organo-mineral complexes. HA (66.8%) was the most effective sorbent for carbaryl in the loamy soil, whereas Mt (55.1%) and HA (40.3%) for carbofuran. Metolachlor was retained to the same extent in all loamy soil variants (75.8–83.6%) and its desorption values were the lowest. Carbofuran demonstrated the greatest ability to leach among the studied chemicals.

Assessment of soil fertility under northern light soil area of FCV tobacco in Andhra Pradesh

An assessment of soil fertility of Northern Light Soil area of FCV tobacco was carried out to study the status of soil macro and micronutrients. Soils of the study area are mostly moderately acidic in nature with low organic carbon and available nitrogen with a mean value of 0.29 % & 110 kg ha-1, respectively. Available phosphorus was high (88% samples) with a mean value of 92.6 kg ha-1. While the average available potassium content was 297 kg ha-1 with 48 % samples in medium class. Among available micronutrients, the available zinc content in 73 % of samples was very low – low (0.0 to 0.6 ppm). Whereas the availability of copper in 25 % samples was very low to low as per the fertility class (0.0 - 0.30 ppm). Available iron (18.8 -35.03 ppm) and manganese (17.03-21.5 ppm) contents were high in the region. Nutrient index of available nitrogen was 1.00 (Low) while, NI was 2.83 (High) & 2.36 (Medium) for available phosphorus and available potassium, respectively.

Effect of Drip Fertigation with Nitrogen on Yield and Nutritive Value of Melon Cultivated on a Very Light Soil

Most species of Cucurbitaceae respond favorably to irrigation, especially when combined with fertilizers. The effect of drip irrigation combined with nitrogen fertigation in melon grown on a very light soil in Central Poland, during 2013–2015, was evaluated. The field experimental design was a split-plot with four replications. Two factors were studied: (1) irrigation treatments applied in two combinations—drip irrigation + broadcast nitrogen fertilization (control), and drip irrigation + fertigation with nitrogen; (2) two cultivars—Melba and Seledyn. The total marketable yield of fruits, weight of a single fruit, and the concentration of dry matter, total sugars, monosaccharides, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and polyphenols were evaluated. Tested factors presented a significant effect both on the yield and nutritive value characteristics. Drip irrigation combined with nitrogen fertigation, comparing to the control, notably improved yields and nutritional value of fruits. Seledyn produced better yields than Melba. This study shows that on very light soil, with low water and nutrient retention capacity, melon should be drip-irrigated and nitrogen-fertigated to obtain the best cultivation results.

Wear Properties of Nitride-Bonded Silicon Carbide under the Action of an Abrasive Soil Mass

Nitride-bonded silicon carbide is an alternative to steels resistant to abrasive wear. This paper presents the results of a nitride-bonded silicon carbide (SiC) wear test in diverse soil conditions. The test was performed on a “spinning bowl” test stand on three soil types: loamy sand, light loam and ordinary loam. The results were referred to the wear test for materials used to make parts working soil mass, i.e., abrasive wear-resistant steel, boron steel and C + Cr + Nb padding weld. The abrasive wear resistance of silicon carbide was shown to depend on the grain size distribution of the soil being worked. Silicon carbide showed the highest resistance in light soil. However, the padding weld showed higher wear resistance in the other soil conditions. Nitride-bonded silicon carbide had higher wear resistance than the steels under study in all of the soils. These findings are supplemented by an analysis of the condition of the worked surfaces after friction tests. The dominant wear methods in all abrasive masses were micro-cutting and furrowing.

INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT OF SOIL DENSITY CHANGED BY REPEATED PASSES OF MIDDLE-WEIGHT TRACTORS WITH DIFFERENT DRIVE SYSTEMS

This work presents the investigation of the influence of repeated passes of medium-weight tractors with single wheels and additional wheels on the soil density to the depth of 0.4 m. The experiments were carried out in the Greater Poland Region (Poland), on light soil (Luvisol, loamy sand). The soil density was analysed in the arable layer at the two depths of 0.08–0.12 m and 0.18–0.22 m and in the plough pan at a depth of 0.30–0.34 m. The tractors weighing 52.1, 62.8 and 71.8 kN equipped with single wheels (standard wheels) and tractors weighing 52.1 and 71.8 kN equipped with additional wheels were used in the experiments. The research proved that repeated passes of the tractors with standard and addition wheels caused a linear or non-linear (logarithmic) increase in the soil density in the arable layer. Only light tractor 52.1 kN with dual wheels caused soil density increase in the hard pen. The above soil density changes inconsistent depend on the weight tractors and mean tractor pressure. Repeated passes of tractors with additional wheels resulted in lower soil density in the arable layer especially by second and third pass. A larger number of passes of middle-weight tractors with standard wheels as well with additional wheels increases the risk of reduced yield of cultivated plants.

Requirements and Effects of Surface Drip Irrigation of Mid-Early Potato Cultivar Courage on a Very Light Soil in Central Poland

The purpose of this research was to determine the water needs and results of drip irrigation of mid-early potato cultivar Courage. Studies were carried out in central Poland in 2011–2013 on very light soil. The experiment was designed as two-factorial trials with four replications. The first factor was drip irrigation: O = control (without irrigation), D = drip irrigation. The second factor was the nitrogen fertilization method: P = broadcasting, F = drip fertigation. Nitrogen fertilization was 120 kg N ha−1 on each plot. Crop coefficients for irrigation period were 0.4 in June and 0.6 in July and August. According to calculations based on the crop coefficients and correction coefficients acc. HargreavesDA model the water requirement of potato for June–August was 202 mm. Drip irrigation increased the marketable tuber yield by 55%. Irrigation water use efficiency increased from 257 kg ha−1 mm−1 in D + P to 264 kg ha−1 mm−1 in D + F. The productivity of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilization was 189 kg ha−1 in control non-irrigated plots and 321 kg ha−1 in drip-irrigated plots, and it rose up to 337 kg ha−1 when fertilization was applied by fertigation.

The Effect of Amending Soil with Waste Elemental Sulfur on the Availability of Selected Macroelements and Heavy Metals

Elemental sulfur of waste origin may be a valuable sulfur source for plants. However, assessing the suitability of environmental use of a waste material should confirm there is no harmful effect of the material on soil environment. The purpose of the incubation experiment was to assess the availability of selected elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd) in soils supplemented with waste elemental sulfur. The research was conducted on two soils: light and heavy, and with three sulfur doses applied to each soil. Available forms of elements in the soils were extracted 60 days after the waste introduction, with three reagents: 0.01 mol L−1 CaCl2, Mehlich 3 and 1 mol L−1 HCl. Additionally, to determine the impact of the introduced sulfur on soil acidification, soil pH was periodically checked during the experiment. The sulfur addition intensified acidification of the light soil, and, to a lesser extent, of the heavy soil. The acidifying effect was stronger when the sulfur dose was higher. The content of available forms of elements in the soils depended mainly on the strength of the used extractants (generally, the highest amounts were extracted with 1 mol L−1 HCl and the lowest with 0.01 mol L−1 CaCl2). The effect of sulfur introduction on element availability was small. No harmful effect on element availability in soils was stated.

PENGARUH PUPUK MAJEMUK TERHADAP HASIL DAN MUTU TEMBAKAU VIRGINIA DI BONDOWOSO, JAWA TIMUR

ABSTRAK<br />Untuk mengetahui pengaruh pupuk majemuk terhadap hasil dan<br />mutu tembakau virginia yang ditanam di tanah ringan, telah dilakukan<br />penelitian di Desa Pengarang, Kecamatan Pujer, Kabupaten Bondowoso<br />mulai bulan April sampai Nopember 2001. Penelitian ini menggunakan<br />rancangan acak kelompok dengan tiga kali ulangan untuk menyusun<br />perlakuan. Perlakuan yang dicoba adalah pupuk majemuk (PM) dengan<br />dosis 5, 6, 7, 8 dan 9 butir pertanaman dibandingkan dengan PM (dosis<br />masing-masing) dicampur dengan biokonsentrat. Sebagai perlakuan<br />pembanding adalah paket pupuk rekomendasi, yaitu 200 ZA + 200 PN +<br />100 SP36 + 100 ZK. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian PM<br />sebanyak 6 butir per tanaman (setara dengan 185 kg/ha atau 40 kg N/ha)<br />menghasilkan daun basah tembakau sebanyak 11,34 ton/ha. Hasil daun<br />basah tersebut tidak berbeda dengan hasil daun basah tertinggi (12,42<br />ton/ha) yang dihasilkan tanaman tembakau dengan paket dosis<br />rekomendasi. Dosis pupuk majemuk juga memberikan nilai indeks mutu<br />tertinggi (55,90) tidak berbeda pengaruhnya dengan pupuk rekomendasi.<br />Pemberian pupuk rekomendasi menghasilkan tanaman tembakau yang<br />berkadar N dan P jaringan tanaman tertinggi pada pengamatan umur<br />tanaman 75 hari setelah tanam dan pada saat akhir panen.<br />Kata kunci: Tembakau virginia, tanah ringan, pupuk, Kabupaten<br />Bondowoso, Jawa Timur<br />ABSTRACT<br />Effect of compound fertilizer on yield and quality of<br />virginia tobacco in light soil, Bondowoso, East Java<br />Study to determine the effect of compound fertilizer on yield and<br />quality of virginia tobacco was conducted in Pengarang, Pujer, Bondo-<br />woso District, from April to November 2001. Factorial in randomized<br />block design with three replicates was arranged to set the treatment<br />consisting of two factors. The first factor of treatment consists of two<br />variables, i.e. compound fertilizer (PK) and PK +bio-concentrate. The<br />second factor was the rates of PK, i.e 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 tablets per plant or<br />equivalent to 185, 221, 258, 294 and 331 kg/ha. All the treatments were<br />compared to recommended fertilizer to farmers (200 ZA + 200 PN + 100<br />SP36 + 100 ZK kg/ha). The results showed that 185 kg/ha PK gave the<br />fresh tobacco yield of 11.34 tones/ha which was not significantly different<br />with the highest fresh tobacco leave (12.42 tones/ha) produced by<br />recommended fertilizer. Grade index value of tobacco produce by PK and<br />recommended fertilizer was not significantly different. However, virginia<br />tobacco with recommended fertilizer had the highest content of N and P in<br />plant tissues which were observed at 75 days after planting and until the<br />end of harvesting.<br />Key words: Virginia tobacco, light soil, fertilizer, Bondowoso District,<br />East Java

Impact of Nitrogen Fertigation on Watermelon Yield Grown on the Very Light Soil in Poland

The effect of nitrogen fertigation of two watermelon cultivars grown on the very light soil in the central part of Poland, during 2012–2014, was evaluated. The field experimental design was a split-plot with four replications. The main plot was the drip fertigation with nitrogen applied in two combinations: drip irrigation + broadcasted nitrogen fertilization (DI) used as a control, and drip irrigation + fertigation with nitrogen (DF); where, two cultivars: Bingo and Sugar Baby were used as a split-plot. The phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied pre plant in the spring, whereas, three rates of 40 kg ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer were applied during the growing season. The fertigation was performed using a proportional mixing dispenser. The ripened fruits were harvested progressively as they mature. The marketable fruit yield, the single fruit weight and the number of fruits per plant, were evaluated. Tested factors presented a significant effect in the yield characteristics, further the interaction among the factors was important. DF, comparing to DI, notably improved fruit traits. Bingo cultivar had higher yield than Sugar Baby, but Sugar Baby cultivar produced more fruits than the Bingo under the DF treatment. This study provides the evidence that on a very light soil with low water and nutrients retention capacity the performance of watermelon can be optimized when nitrogen is applied directly through drip irrigation.