EJSS

Eurasian Journal of Soil Science

Eurasian J Soil Sci

2147 - 4249

Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286442

10.18393/ejss.286442

Modelling soil erosion risk in a mountainous watershed of Mid-Himalaya by integrating RUSLE model with GIS

Justin Kalambukattu justin@iirs.gov.in

Suresh Kumar

92-105

2016-06-28

2016-09-01

2016-09-09

2017-04-01

Soil erosion is one of the major cause of land degradation and is a serious threat to food security and agricultural sustainability. Revised Universal Soil Loss equation (RUSLE) model using remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) inputs was employed to estimate soil erosion risk in a watershed of mid-Himalaya in Uttarakhand state, India. Spatial distribution of soil erosion risk area in the watershed was estimated by integrating various RUSLE factors (R, K, LS, C, P) in raster based GIS environment. RUSLE model factor maps were generated using remote sensing satellite data (IRS LISS III and LANDSAT-8) and Digital elevation model. Agriculture (59%) was found to be the dominant land use system followed by scrub land (20%) in the watershed. Rainfall erosivity (R) factor was estimated using past 23 years rainfall data. SRTM DEM was used to generate slope length –steepness (LS) factor in this highly rugged terrain. Nearly 70% of the watershed is having steep to moderately steep slope (>40%). Satellite data was interpreted to prepare physiographic map at 1:50,000 scale. Surface soil samples collected in each physiograpohic unit was analyzed to generate soil erodibility (K) map. Soil erodibility factor ranged from 0.033 to 0.077 in the watershed. Soil erosion risk analysis showed that 36.25%, 9.31%, 15.80%, 15.27%, 11.46% and 11.89% area of watershed falls under very low, low, moderate, moderate high, high and very high erosion risk classes respectively. The average annual erosion rate was predicted to be 65.84 t/ha/yr. The soil erosion rates were predicted to vary from 3.24 t/ha/yr in dense mixed forest cover to 87.98 t/ha/yr in open scrub land. The soil erosion map thus generated employing remote sensing and GIS techniques, can serve as a tool for deriving strategies for effective planning and implementation of various management and conservation practices for soil and water conservation in the watershed.

Himalaya, watershed, soil erosion, revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model, remote sensi

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286539

10.18393/ejss.286539

Persistence of myclobutanil and its impact on soil microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase enzyme activity in tea orchard soils

Dongdong Zhang

Yunli Wu

Xiaolin Zhang

Youfeng Zhu zhuyoufeng73@zju.edu.cn

106-113

2016-06-17

2016-10-14

2016-10-24

2017-04-01

Persistence of the fungicide myclobutanil in three tea orchard soils with different cultivating ages, neighboring wasteland and forest soils, and its influence on microbial activities in 2- and 50-year-oldtea orchard soils at three rates were studied in the laboratory. Dissipation data fitted well to first-order kinetic equation, except for sterilized treatments, in which neglected dissipation of myclobutanil was observed. At 25oC, the dissipation half-lives (DT50) at level of 1mg kg-1 were in the range of 15.07-69.32 days under non-flooded condition, significantly lower than flooded condition (p < 0.05), indicating that dissipation of myclobutanil was mainly driven by soil microorganisms under aerobic condition. Dissipation rate was significantly increased at 40oC compared to those at 4oC and 25oC for all five soils (p < 0.05). Under all incubation conditions, DT50 were lowest in 50-year-old tea orchard soil (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis between DT50 in tea orchard soils and soil properties showed that soil microbial biomass carbon was negatively correlated with DT50 under 25oC and 60% water holding capacity (p < 0.05). In general, soil microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity decreased as the concentration of myclobutanil and incubation time increased except 0.1 mg kg-1 spiked soils, in which soil dehydrogenase activity was stimulated after 10 days incubation.

Myclobutanil, tea orchard soil, dissipation kinetic, soil microbial biomass, microbial activity.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286544

10.18393/ejss.286544

Combining selective sequential extractions, X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Powder Diffraction for Cu (II) speciation in soil and mineral phases

Tatiana Minkina tminkina@mail.ru

Dina Nevidomskaya dnevidomskaya@sfedu.ru

Alexander Soldatov

David Pinskii

Fariz Mikailsoy

Victoria Tsitsuashvili

Tatiana Bauer

Victoria Shuvaeva

114-120

2016-07-10

2016-10-20

2016-10-28

2017-04-01

Interaction of Cu (II) ions with the matrix of soil and mineral phases of layered silicates was assessed by the Miller method of selective sequential fractionation and a set of synchrotron X-ray methods, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES). It was shown that the input of Cu into Calcic Chernozem in the form of monoxide (CuO) and salt (Cu(NO3)2) affected the transformation of Cu compounds and their affinity for metal-bearing phases. It was found that the contamination of soil with a soluble Cu(II) salt increased the bioavailability of the metal and the role of organic matter and Fe oxides in the fixation and retention of Cu. During the incubation of soil with Cu monoxide, the content of the metal in the residual fractions increased, which was related to the possible entry of Cu in the form of isomorphic impurities into silicates, as well as to the incomplete dissolution of exogenic compounds at the high level of their input into the soil. A mechanism for the structural transformation of minerals was revealed, which showed that ion exchange processes result in the sorption of Cu (II) ions from the saturated solution by active sites on the internal surface of the lattice of dioctahedral aluminosilicates. Surface hydroxyls at the octahedral aluminum atom play the main role. X-ray diagnostics revealed that excess Cu(II) ions are removed from the system due to the formation and precipitation of coarsely crystalline Cu(NO3)(OH)3.

Cu (II) ions, calcic chernozem, mineral phases, sequential fractionation, XRD, XANES Spectroscopy.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286546

10.18393/ejss.286546

Effect of mulch types on nutrient composition, maize (Zea mays L.) yield and soil properties of a tropical Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria

Matthew Awopegba

Segun Oladele segun.oladele@aaua.edu.ng

Moses Awodun

121-133

2016-07-08

2016-10-17

2016-10-28

2017-04-01

Field investigations were carried out to evaluate the influence of shrub and herbaceous mulch types on soil properties and nutrient composition of maize (Zea mays L.) at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure in the rainforest zone of southwestern Nigeria in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The shrub mulch; Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia, herbaceous mulch; Calopogonium mucunoides and Moringa oleifera were applied at the rate of 5 t ha-1. Application of NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer at the rate of 200 kg ha-1 was included as the standard treatment for the experiments. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replication. The growth, agronomic parameters and nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) were monitored and determined in both experiments. Results indicated that herbaceous mulch types and NPK fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) increased the number of leaves, plant height and leaf area when compared with the control in both years. Significant increases in yield parameters over the control were obtained for the NPK fertilizer treatment. In 2013 and 2014 cropping season NPK 20-10-10 treatment significantly produced the highest cob yield but was not significantly higher than the yield from Gliricidia sepium treatment in 2014. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and exchangeable cations were positively stimulated by herbaceous mulches while residual phosphorus (P) was increased by NPK fertilizer treatment. Mulched treatments significantly increased crude protein, carbohydrate, nitrogen, phosphorus and ash content of maize grain in both years of cropping season thereby improving nutritional content of maize grain. Therefore, shrub and herbaceous mulch treatments applied at 5t/ha-1 could be applied alternatively in lieu of scarce and expensive inorganic fertilizer for improved maize yield, soil properties and nutrient composition.

Mulch types, nutrient composition, soil properties, maize, tropical alfisol.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286548

10.18393/ejss.286548

Investigation of soil structure in Uzungöl settlement area by Shallow Seismic Methods

Hakan Karslı hkarsli@ktu.edu.tr

Gülseda Vanlı Şenkaya

Mustafa Şenkaya

Recep Güney

134-143

2016-07-14

2016-10-25

2016-11-03

2017-04-01

This study was performed to relase the soil structure of Uzungöl district of Trabzon city, a vocational area, where had been formed by a historical landslide and lake deposits and to evaluate its geotechnical characters by using seismic methods which are noninvasive, rapidly applicable and provide substantial information about the structure of investigated ground in a short time. For this purpose, seismic refraction, active-passive surface waves and seismic reflections in 16 profiles were gathered on four sub-areas and and evaluated by current favorable numerical methods. Although it considerably varies between profiles, the depth of basement, depositional base of deposits, was averagely obtained as 13.5-15m at upper elevation and 25-50m at lower elevation of the study area. Dynamic elastic parameters and average shear wave velocity of the upper 30m (VS30) of soil in the area were calculated. The soil classification of study area was interpreted as locally Z1 and Z2 class for TEC, B and C class for EC-8 code, C and D class for NERHP. According to VS30 (394-530m/s), ground amplification and predominant vibration period of the study area are respectively obtained as 1.5-2.1 and 0.23-0.30sec. On the other hand, all deposits are characterized by stiffness-solid soil, excluding arable soil from surface to a few meters depth. In addition, the first meters of bedrock shows weathered character, but deeper parts are very compact and hard. Therefore, a scientific infrastructure has been formed to carry out the engineering projects to be planned for Uzungöl settletment safely and without damaging the environment.

Uzungöl, Landslide, Soil Structure, Shallow Seismic Methods

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286550

10.18393/ejss.286550

Response of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) to sewage sludge treatment and irrigation intervals in a dryland condition

Mamdouh Shashoug

Mubarak Abdalla mubarakgeziraaba@gmail.com

Elsadig Elhadi

Fatoma Rezig

144-153

2016-08-08

2016-11-07

2016-11-10

2017-04-01

A field experiment was conducted in the Experimental Research Farm of Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan to determine short-term effect of irrigation intervals (7 and 10 days) and sun-dried or composted sewage sludge, recommended mineral fertilizer on straw dry matter yield (SDMY) and N, P and K content of fodder sorghum and soil properties. In the 7 and 10 days irrigation intervals, composted, sun-dried sludge and mineral fertilizer have significantly increased SDMY over the control by 51, 98, 67 and 78, 19, 33%, respectively. Apparent N use efficiency (ANUE) in composted and sun dried plots irrigated at either 7 or 10 days was 9 - 36 and 16 - 74%, respectively. Reducing the irrigation interval has significantly increased salinity by 13%. Increasing irrigation interval has decreased bulk density by 5%. It could be concluded that, application of composted sludge is a useful practice for improvement of soil properties and consequent yield increase.

Compost, cultivation, fresh, soil chemical and physical properties, yield

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286626

10.18393/ejss.286626

DTPA-extractable micronutrients: A geostatistical study from Ordu, Turkey

Ferhat Türkmen

Tayfun Aşkın tayfuna@odu.edu.tr

Ceyhan Tarakçıoğlu

Sezen Kulaç

Selahattin Aygün

154-160

2016-07-16

2016-11-11

2016-11-17

2017-04-01

In present study, geostatistical techniques were applied to assess the spatial variability of DTPA-extractable micronutrients which are named heavy metals as chemistry such as; iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in the non-tillaged layer in Ordu province- Altınordu district, Black sea region, Eastern part of Turkey. Study area was approximately 40095.8 ha where was divided into grids with 2500 x 2500 m spacing with including 66 sampling points from 0-0.2 m in depth. Soil reaction (pH) was the least variable property while electrical conductivity (EC) was the most variable. While the highest nugget effect occurred for Ext-Cu with moderate spatial dependence, the lowest for Ext-Mn with strong spatial dependence. The greatest range of influence (17424 m) occurred for Ext-Cu and the least range (692 m) for Ext-Zn.

DPTA-extractable micronutrients, spatial variability, site specific management.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286629

10.18393/ejss.286629

Polluted soil leaching: unsaturated conditions and flow rate effects

Chourouk Mathlouthi

Mariem Kacem mariem.kacem@enise.fr

Zyed Mesticou

Philippe Dubujet

161-167

2016-09-12

2016-12-12

2016-12-19

2017-04-01

In this study, soil samples are extracted from a polluted site at different depths. Soils texture and pollutant presence are different with depth. Preliminary analyzes showed pollution by heavy metals. To simulate soil leaching operation in static condition, a series of leaching tests are conducted in laboratory column under conditions of upflow unsaturated soil. Electrical conductivity and pH measurements on the recovered leachate are performed. Different flow rates are tested. Comparison of different profiles shows that the dissolved pollutants are concentrated in the upper soil levels and disperse weakly in the lower parts which confirm the nature of anthropogenic pollution of heavy metals. Water mobilizes a high amount of dissolved ionic substances up to 80% of the initial concentration. The increase in flow rate requires more pore volume injected to achieve the maximum clearance rate. The down flow condition extracts a small amount of dissolved substances.

Soil column, soil leaching, unsaturated soil, flow rate effect.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286631

10.18393/ejss.286631

Genesis and classification of soils developed on gabbro in the high reliefs of Maroua region, North Cameroon

Désiré Tsozué tsozudsir@yahoo.fr

Aubin Nzeukou

Primus Azinwi

168-177

2016-10-19

2016-12-15

2016-12-20

2017-04-01

The purpose of this work was to examine the genesis, properties and classification of soils resulting from the weathering of gabbro rock in the high reliefs of Maroua in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The studied soils were ~ 2 m thick, made of four horizons which consisted of coarse saprolite, fine saprolite, loose loamy clayey horizon and humiferous horizon. From petrographical view point, at the bottom of the soil profile, the preservation of the bedrock structure was marked by numerous remnants of altered plagioclases shapes. The groundmass was characterized by a double spaced fine, ranging to equal, enaulic c/f related distribution pattern. It was yellowish, characterized by weakly separated granular microstructure in the fine saprolite and had a speckled and cloudy limpidity in the loose loamy clayey horizon. Secondary minerals consisted of montmorilonite, kaolinite, goethite, quartz, gibbsite, lepidocrocite, sepiolite, feldspar and calcite. Globally, Si/Al ratio ranged between 2.85 and 3.24. The chemical index of alteration ranged from 50.95 to 55.27 % while the mineralogical index of alteration values were between 1.90 and 10.54 %. Physicochemically, soil pH varied from slightly acidic to slightly above neutral. Soil organic carbon contents were low to very low. Exchangeable bases contents were high, mostly represented by Ca2+ and Mg2+. The CEC of soils and the CEC of clay were also high, ranging respectively between 53.68 and 82.88 cmol(+).kg-1, and 116.80 and 181.38 cmol(+).kg-1. The studied soils were classified as dystric haplustepts clayey isohyperthermic. They were developed in situ by the collapse of primary mineral structures from the bottom of the coarse saprolite, due to leaching as a result of bisiallitisation and monosiallitisation. This is accompanied by a progressive ferruginization of materials, confirmed by the densification under the microscope of goethitic brown veil from the base to the loamy clay horizon and the increase in iron contents from the bedrock to the humiferous surface horizon.

Genesis, classification, soils, gabbro, Maroua, Cameroon.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.286636

10.18393/ejss.286636

Distribution, typology and assessment of degraded soils Piedmont Plains Zhetysu Ridge, Kazakhstan

Maira Kussainova madgu@inbox.ru

Konstantin Pachikin

Olga Erokhina

178-188

2016-07-28

2016-12-19

2016-12-28

2017-04-01

Identification of land degradation is essential to check the problem and to implement the remedial measures needed. The study area falls under parts of foothill plains Zhetysu Ridge, Kazakhstan, that is an arid region in climate. Recent data on the status of study area refer to the 80s of the last century, and the intensive use of them led to a significant anthropogenic transformation. This study was carried out in 2015-2016 as part of a project aimed to study features and causes of land degradation in foothill plains Zhetysu Ridge, Kazakhstan. Under the conditions of rainfed soil degradation manifests itself in the development of erosion processes, agro depletion of soils, reducing the productivity of agriculture. The use of land for irrigation often accompanied by secondary salinization. In this regard, at present there is need to assess current state of the soil, with the identification of changes in their properties as a result of the impact of various anthropogenic factors and creation of new electronic soil maps and applied the powerful capabilities of advanced remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques to identify the geomorphological units and degradation risk assessment. Satellite imagery in addition to the field and laboratory studies to identify salinity-induced soil degradation was adopted in this study. Morphological, chemical and physical characteristics of soils in degraded sites in foothill plains Zhetysu Ridge, Kazakhstan, were depicted. The main results of a thorough evaluation of soil degradation in foothill plains Zhetysu Ridge, Kazakhstan, are presented. The data revealed that extent of salinity-induced degradation was generally related to some physical properties of soil, uncontrolled livestock grazing and previous soil management practices. These results are useful as the basis for designing soil conservation and restoration programs, as a base line for evaluating the performance of conservation programs and for assessing the impact of other soil-related activities (e.g. agriculture and livestock rising).

Soil degradation, Kazakhstan, Zhetysu Ridge, geoinformation technologies, types of degradation