Showing 34 results for Organic Matter
O Hashemi Beni, M.h Salehi, H Beigi Harchegani,
Volume 13, Issue 50 (1-2010)
Abstract
Although soil organic matter (SOM) constitutes a small portion of soil bulk weight, it has a tremendous effect on physico-chemical and biological properties of soils. It is also one of the most important indicators of soil quality and its production. Soil organic matter determination is required for soil fertility management and soil pollution purposes. Wet oxidation procedure of Walkley-Black is a routine, relatively accurate and popular method for the determination of soil organic matter, but it involves the use of chromate and high cost of analysis. Therefore, loss-on-ignition (LOI) procedure as a simple and cheap method of SOM estimation which also avoids chromic acid waste has got more attention. The aims of this study were (i) to establish the relationships between LOI method and SOM as determined by Walkley-Black method for four major plains of Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari province and (ii) to determine the optimal temperature of the LOI. To do this, 205 soil surface samples were randomly collected from 0-25 cm depth of Shahrekord, Farsan, Kohrang and Lordegan plains to determine soil organic matter by Walkley-Black method and LOI procedure at 300, 360, 400, 500 and 550 oC for two hours. To determine the optimum temperature for ignition, 40 soil samples were selected to compare the SOM and CCE before and after ignition for each temperature. Results showed a positive, linear significant relationship existed between LOI and wet oxidation in each plain. Coefficient of determination (R2) of the equations was higher for individual plain than the overall equation. Coefficient of determination and line slope decreased and error (RMSE) increased with increasing ignition temperature. At higher contents of calcium carbonate, the rate of line slope decrease with increasing ignition temperature was more noticeable. This may be due to the destruction of carbonates at higher temperature. A temperature of around 360 oC was identified as optimum as it burned most organic carbon, destroyed less inorganic carbon, caused less clay structural water loss and used less electrical energy.
Zolfi Bavariani, Nouruzi,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (7-2010)
Abstract
Most part of the applied phosphorus is fixed in the calcareous soil. Some part of residual phosphorus can be recovered by the plants of the following years. It is reported that organic matter is one of most important factors in phsphorus recovering. This expriment was designed in permanent plot to evaluate the effect of organic matter on residual phosphorus recovering in a calcareous soil. The expriment was conducted on randomized complete block design in a factorial manner with three replications in four years. Treatments were consisted of farm yard manure(FYM) in three levels ( 0, 15, and 30 ton ha-1) and three levels of phosphrus ( 0, 90 and 180 kg ha-1 as P2O5 from triple super phosphate (TSP). Phosphorus fertilizer was applied only in the first year of expriment, but FYM was used in all of the years. Onion, canola, bean and spinage were planted in the four years of experiment, respectively. Results showed that maximum yield, P concentratin in plant and soil phosphorus availability were followed by application of FYM and P(residual) together in all of the years. This increase was mainly by direct effect of P in the first year of expriment, but recovered phosphrus by FYM had maximum role in the later years. More than 53% of increase in phosphrus availability in soil and 21% of increase in yield resulted from recovered phosphprus by FYM in the treatment of 30 ton.ha-1 FYM and 180 kg.ha-1 P2O5 together in the last year.
Mahdipuor, Landi,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (7-2010)
Abstract
An increase in the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the soil surface to the atmosphere has been of worldwide concern over the last several decades. Carbon dioxide is recognized as a significant contributor to global warming and climatic change, accounting for 60% of total greenhouse effect. The aim of this research was to determinate the emission of greenhouse gases from different land under agricultural uses. Four types of agricultural land farm, including wheat field, canola field, citrus garden and fallow land were selected to investigate the fate of CO2 in these fields. Gas chromatography technique and close chamber method were used to analyze soil gas samples. Total carbon losses from soil in form of greenhouse gases was 4.47, 3.72, 3.38 and 1.89 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 for wheat field, canola field, citrus garden and fallow land, respectively. Total additional carbon to soil from biomass for wheat field and canola field was 4.1 and 4.6 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, respectively. ECB (ecosystem carbon budget) = ∑ C input - ∑ C output. For wheat field and canola field ECB was -0.37 and +0.88, respectively. This indicated that in wheat field carbon was lost and in canola field carbon was sequestrated. Under citrus garden due to changes in soil organic carbon form previous year has showed that carbon was sequestrated.
J. Fallahzade , M. A. Hajabbasi,
Volume 15, Issue 55 (4-2011)
Abstract
The salt–affected lands in arid regions of central Iran are characterized by low rainfall, low fertility, high evaporation and salinity. The cultivation of salt–affected lands may have a major influence on soil quality. The aim of this study was to determine the response of soil quality indicators to reclamation and cultivation of salt–affected lands occurring in Abarkooh plain, central Iran. Soil quality indicators were evaluated in three land use systems including salt-affected land, wheat, and alfalfa fields. Composite soil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm layers and analyzed for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, particulate organic carbon in macro-aggregates (POCmac) and micro-aggregates (POCmic), organic carbon mineralization and wet aggregate stability. The cultivation of salt–affected land caused a significant decrease in electrical conductivity at all layers and increased the amount of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, POCmac, POCmic, and organic carbon mineralization. At all layers, the POCmac/POCmic ratio in the alfalfa fields was higher than that in the wheat fields. The cultivation of salt-affected land caused a significant increase in soil aggregate stability (MWD) at all layers. In most cases, the amounts of soil organic matter and MWD were greater in alfalfa than in the wheat fields, reflecting a better soil quality and thus higher potential for increasing soil organic carbon sequestration in the alfalfa fields
Z. Naderizadeh , H. Khademi ,
Volume 15, Issue 56 (7-2011)
Abstract
Many studies have been carried out on the effect of organic matter on soil physical, chemical, biological, and nutritional properties, including the effect of organic matter on the availability of such elements as P, N and heavy metals. There is, however, no information on the effect of organic matter on potassium uptake from micaceous minerals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of organic matter on potassium uptake from micaceous minerals released by alfalfa. An experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with factorial combination and three replicates. Growth medium was a mixture of quartz sand, micaceous mineral (muscovite or phlogopite) and organic matter (0, 0.5 and 1 %). Rehnani cultivar of alfalfa was used in the experiment. During 120 days of cultivation, plants were irrigated with either complete or K-free nutrient solution and distilled water as needed. At the end of cultivation, plant shoots and roots were separately harvested and their K concentration was measured by flame photometer following dry ash extraction. Under the K-free nutrient solution, a significant increase in biomass occurred in pots containing phlogopite and organic matter as compared to those with no organic matter amendment. Also, under K-free condition, potassium concentration in shoot was above the threshold value only in phlogopite amended pots. There was no significant difference in K concentration among different levels of organic matter in control treatment as well as in muscovite added treatment. Under both nutrient solutions treatments, significant increase of K uptake occurred in pots containing phlogopite and organic matter, as compared to those without it. In contrast, under K free nutrient solution, organic matter amendment could not enhance the K uptake in pots containing dioctahedral mica (muscovite). Root activities and organic matter decomposition appear to have increased rhizosphere acidity which, in turn, facilitate the K release from trioctahedral mica (phlogopite) in K deficient medium. Thus, the effect of organic matter on K release greatly depends on the type of micaceous mineral.
Y. Kooch, S. M. Hosseini, J. Mohammadi, S. M. Hojjati,
Volume 15, Issue 58 (3-2012)
Abstract
Uprooting trees and pit – mound micro topographies are due to creation of heterogeneity condition in soil ecosystem. Pay attention to mountainous condition of hyrcanian forests in Iran and presence of trees with high diameters (old trees), therefore, it is imagined that many of trees are prone to uprooting. Thus, the aim of this research is studying variability some of soil physico - chemical characters in uprooted trees location and pit – mound position. For this purpose, twenty hectare areas of Tarbiat Modares University Experimental Forest Station studied that is located in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Numbers of thirty four uprooted trees were found. Five microsites were distinguished including mound top, mound wall, pit bottom, pit wall and closed canopy. Soil samples were taken at 0 - 15, 15 - 30 and 30 - 45cm depths from all microsites using core soil sampler (81cm2 cross section). Soil acidity, water content, organic matter, total nitrogen and carbon to nitrogen ratio measured in the laboratory. A statistical result is indicating that the most water content, organic matter and nitrogen devoted in pit bottom. Mound top and wall included maximum of acidity. The most value of carbon to nitrogen ratio found in mound wall, as well. Soil acidity showed no significantly differences among different depths. The results of this research can be considered in forest soils survey and forest management.
R. Karimi, M. Hassan Salehi, F. Raiesi,
Volume 18, Issue 69 (12-2014)
Abstract
Improper use of rangelands may lead to their destruction. Therefore, the conversion of these degraded rangelands to agricultural lands and other land uses may improve their soil quality. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of cultivation in the degraded rangelands on some soil characteristics in Safashahr region of Fars province. Four land uses including the rangeland with sparse vegetation (degraded rangeland), the rangeland converted to agricultural land over 17 years, the agricultural land converted to apple orchard for 4 years and also to an apple orchard for 40 years were selected. Samples were randomly taken from each land use at two depths (0-20 and 20-50 cm) with five replications. The results revealed that land use change significantly increased organic matter and MWD in both soil depths. Bulk density and water dispersible clay increased in agricultural land and new orchard while a decrease was observed for old apple orchard. It is suggested the traditional farming to be replaced with new cultivation methods like minimum tillage and no tillage. Overgrazing of the rangelands must also be avoided.
F. Khayamim, H. Khademi, B. Stenberg, J. Wetterlind,
Volume 19, Issue 72 (8-2015)
Abstract
Vis-NIR spectroscopy has been introduced as a non-destructive, fast, and cheap technique, with minimal sample preparation and no loss or damage to the environment. No investigation has yet been carried out to examine the ability of this method to estimate soil properties in Iran. The objective of this research was to investigate the capability of Vis-NIR spectroscopy to predict the amount of organic matter, carbonate and gypsum in surface soils of Isfahan province. A total of 248 surface soil samples were collected from the study area. Soil organic matter content, gypsum and carbonates percentages were measured by standard laboratory methods. Soil spectral analyses were performed by a field spectrometer using 350-2500 nm wavelength range. Different pre-processing methods were evaluated after recording the spectra. Partial least squares regression was used to predict soil parameters. R2 values for organic matter, carbonates and gypsum were 0.61, 0.45 and 0.8, respectively. Based on RPD (Ratio of Prediction to Deviation) values, the precision of prediction model for gypsum was quite good, and acceptable for organic matter, whereas the prediction of the model for soil carbonates was poor. Consequently, vis-NIR spectroscopy is capable of predicting some soil properties simultaneously and the model accuracy is acceptable.
Mh. Rasouli-Sadaghiani, S. Ejlali , S. Ashrafi Saeidlou,
Volume 19, Issue 73 (11-2015)
Abstract
Earthworms are an important component of soil fauna because of their fundamental impact on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. To evaluate the effects of earthworms on some soil chemical properties as well as plant growth indicators, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in greenhouse conditions. The first factor involved the presence or absence of earthworms (Eisenia foetida), the second factor was different organic matter including control (no organic materials), pruning waste compost of apple and grape (PWC), wheat straw (WS), Herbal extracts waste (HE), pruning waste (PW) and the third factor was the presence or absence of corn plant for evaluating rhizosphere soil. At the end of growing period, some soil chemical properties including total nitrogen, organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate and plant growth indicators were measured. The results showed that application of organic matter and earthworm inoculation had significant effects on soil chemical properties. The pruning waste compost (PWC) treatment showed the largest impact on ammonium and nitrate content (1.7 and 3.3 times compared to control treatment, respectively). In pruning waste compost (PWC) treatment, organic carbon amount in rhizospheric soil increased from 0.9 at non-rhizosphere to 1.32 %. The presence of earthworm improved plant growth parameters including shoot and root dry weight by 34% and 30%, respectively, compared to earthworm absence condition. Soil ammonium and nitrate contents at earthworm presence increased 32% and 49%, respectively. Therefore, application of organic matter with earthworm inoculation had better results in comparison with no earthworm inoculation.
H. Shekofteh, A. Masoudi, S. Shafie,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (11-2018)
Abstract
Soil quality is the permanent soil ability to function as a live system within ecosystem under different land uses. Investigating the impact of land use type on soil quality indicators could help to distinguish sustainable managements and therefore, to inhibit soil degradation. In order to evaluate the effect of different land uses on soil quality indicators, a research based on a randomized complete design in Rabor region, Kerman Province, Iran, was conducted. A total of 104 samples were taken from the soil surface (0-15 cm) of four land uses including: pasture (28 samples), forest (25 samples), agronomy (27 samples) and garden land use (24 samples). Soil quality indicators were measured as: soil organic matter, particulate organic matter, and bulk density, plant available water capacity, S index, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), soil pH, and phosphatase enzyme. According to the results, land use types had a significant effect on all indicators except S index at 1% probability level. The maximum amount of soil pH, bulk density and phosphatase enzyme was obtained from forest land use. On the other hand, the maximum amount of the other indicators was attained from the garden land use. Totally, garden land use, due to having high organic matter, could improve the soil quality. However, the pasture land use had the worst soil quality due to the weak cover and the low organic matter.
M. Najafi-Ghiri, Y. Kiassi, F. Khademi, A. R. Mahmoodi, H. R. Boostani, Dr M. Mokarram, M. J. Gholami,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (11-2018)
Abstract
Little information is available regarding the effect of road on the adjacent vegetation and soil. The current investigation was done to study the effect of Darab-Bandar Abbas road on vegetation, soil properties and nutrient availability of the adjacent soils. For this purpose, eighteen soil samples in three different regions from the roadside and the adjacent land (50m from the road edge) were collected and the vegetation type and density were determined. Soil properties and the availability of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were also determined. Roadside soil had more organic matter and sand contents and less clay content and pH in comparison to the adjacent lands. The mean contents of N, Fe, Zn and Cu available in the roadside soils were 0.13%, 4.2, 3.2 and 0.7 mg kg-1, respectively; these were significantly more than those of the adjacent lands (0.06%, 2.8, 0.6 and 0.3 mg kg-1, respectively). Vegetation of roadside was more varied, consisting of Artemisia sieberi and Astragalus fasciculifolius. Vegetation cover in the roadside (13.8%) was significantly more than that of the adjacent lands (8.5%). Generally, it could be concluded that roadside soils had a suitable moisture condition and fertility for the vegetation development and this could be considered in the soil conservation management of the roadside soils.
M. R. Rigi,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
The effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM), derived from compost, on the sorption of simazine by soils were studied using a batch equilibrium technique. Six soils with different organic carbon contents were investigated in this study. Simazine sorption isotherms on soils were described by the linear equation, and the distribution coefficients without DOM (Kd) or with DOM (Kd*) were obtained. Generally, the values of Kd*/Kd were initially increased and then decreased with raising DOM concentrations of 0-65 mg DOC·L in the soil-solution system form. Critical concentrations of DOM (DOMnp) were obtained, and the value of Kd* was equal to Kd. The presence of DOM with concentrations lower than DOMnp promoted simazine sorption on the soils (Kd* > Kd), whereas the presence of DOM with concentrations higher than DOMnp tended to inhibit the simazine sorption (Kd* < Kd). Interestingly, DOMnp for the tested soils was negatively correlated to the soil organic carbon content, and the maximum of Kd*/Kd (Kmax) was correlated positively with the maximum of DOM sorption on the soil (Xmax). Further investigations also showed that the presence of the hydrophobic fraction of DOM evidently promoted the simazine sorption on soils, whereas the presence of hydrophilic DOM fraction obviously tended to inhibit the simazine sorption.
S. Rahmati, A. R. Vaezi, H. Bayat,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (6-2019)
Abstract
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) is one of the most important soil physical characteristics that plays a major role in the soil hydrological behaviour. It is mainly affected by the soil structure characteristics. Aggregate size distribution is a measure of soil structure formation that can affect Ks. In this study, variations of Ks were investigated in various aggregate size distributions in an agricultural soil sample. Toward this aim, eight different aggregate size distributions with the same mean weight diameter (MWD= 4.9 mm) were provided using different percentages of aggregate fractions consisting of (< 2, 2-4, 4-8 and 8-11mm). The Ks values along with other physicochemical properties were determined in different aggregate size distributions. Based on the results, significant differences were found among the aggregate size distributions in Ks, particle size distribution, porosity, aggregate stability, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter and calcium carbonate. The aggregate size distributions with a higher percentage of coarse aggregates (4-8 and 8-11 mm) also showed higher Ks as well as clay percentage. A positive correlation was also observed between Ks and clay, aggregate stability and EC, whereas sand showed a negative correlation with Ks. No significant correlations were found between Ks and silt, porosity and organic matter. Further, multiple linear regression analysis showed that clay and aggregate stability were the two soil properties controlling Ks in the aggregate size distributions (R2=0.80, p<0.01). Aggregate stability was recognized as the most important indicator for evaluating the Ks variations in various aggregate size distributions.
R. Mousavi Zadeh Mojarad, S. H. Tabatabaei, B. Ghorbani, N. Nourmahna,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Soil water content is the most effective factor associated with the hydrophobic and hydrophilic changes in a soil. Water repellency in soils, is not a permanent feature; it can be reached in the dry season and reduced or eliminated in the wet season It can be said that in terms of moisture, there is a critical region that is defined as the threshold moisture content, where in lower moisture, the soil is repellent and in higher moisture, the soil is wet able. The purpose of this study was to investigate soil moisture variations on degree of hydrophobicity and determine the amount of threshold water content in soil samples of wetland around Shahr-e-Kord. In this study, some samples of Shahr- e-Kord wetland were investigated. After determining the initial moisture content of the soil, the soil hydrophobicity conditions were determined by determining the time of water droplet penetration (WDPT). Soil moisture variations were carried out using soil wetting and drying method, and in each step the soil hydrophobicity conditions were tested. Reducing water content in soil samples, led to a change in the degree of hydrophobicity in hydrophobic samples, in one soil hydrophilic soil sample, Reducing water content changed hydrophilic soil to hydrophobic soil. The threshold water content was also observed up to a maximum of 54% volumetric water content at a given point. Based on this, the higher moisture content of the threshold at this point indicates the higher soil potential for runoff generation. Soil analysis showed that soil organic matter had a positive correlation with threshold water content.
R. Vahedi, M. H. Rasoili-Sadaghiani,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Synergistic relationships between mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and organic compounds affect the mobility of the micronutrient elements in the rhizosphere and improve their bioavailability. In order to evaluate the effect of biochar and pruning waste compost of apple and grape trees, as well as AMF, on micronutrient bioavailability in calcareous soil at the wheat rhizosphere, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions in a rhizobox study. Some factors including the organic sourses (pruning waste biochar, pruning waste compost and control), microbial inoculation (AMF and no inoculation) were considered. At the end of the growth period, Organic matter (OM) content and bioavailability of micronutrients including iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) and Manganese (Mn) in the rhizosphere and their uptake by wheat plant were determined. The results indicated that OM, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were significantly increased in the rhizosphere soil under the influence of organic sources and mycorrhizal inoculation. Furthermore, biochar application in the mycorrhizal tratment resulted in 74.73% and 19.28% increase in Fe and Mn, as compared to non-inoculated conditions, in rhizosphere. The presence of mycorrhizal fungi increased the bioavailability of 94.66% and 29.54% Zn and Cu in the compost treatment, as compared to non-inoculated ones. Application of organic sources and mycorrhizal inoculation increased the micronutrient uptake and plant dry weight.
M. Servati, H. Beyrami, O. Ahmadi,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (5-2020)
Abstract
The soil engineering evaluation can be useful for construction and soil use. Aljarafe model has been used to evaluate the soil engineering properties by multiple regression techniques. In this research, Aljarafe model was used to predict the optimum moisture and plasticity index based on 184 series soils data of the Miandoab region. Based on all correlations between clay percentage and plasticity index, the optimum moisture proved to be highly significant (0.88 & 0.72). Also, Cation Exchange Capacity was significantly correlated (0.84 & 0.70) with the engineering properties. However, the correlation coefficients for the organic matter with optimum moisture and plasticity index were very low in the absolute amount. Application of the aljarafe model revealed that 50.3, 5.7, 0 and 44 % of the total extension could be classified as low, moderate and very high, respectively; on the other hand, based on the experiment data, 46, 13, 6 and 35 % could be classified as low, moderate, high and very high plasticity index classes, respectively. So, there was an overall agreement between the aljarafe model and Analytical Plasticity index maps, which was 80.4. Also, the coefficient of Determination, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Nash-Sutcliffe index (NES) and Geometric Mean Error Ratio (GMER) between calculated and experiment engendering properties was calculated to be 0.767, 9.3, 0.671 and 0.86 for the plasticity index and 0.739, 14.5, 0.543 and 0.73 for optimum moisture, respectively, were significant (P>5%). Finally, the aljarafe model provided a reliable estimate of engineering properties.
A. R. Vaezi, Kh. Sahandi, N. Sadeghian,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (7-2020)
Abstract
In semi-arid regions, soils are weakly aggregated and subjected to water erosion processes especially rill and interrill erosion. There is no information on the rate of these water erosion types in semi-arid soils located in the hillslopes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the soils susceptibility to these erosion types in semi-arid region. A laboratory experiment was done in eight soil textures using in a 0.6 m × 1 m flume a simulated rainfall with 50 mm.h-1 in intensity for 60 min. Rill and interrill erosion rate was measured using soil loss amount per flume area and rainfall duration. Based on the results, both rill and interrill erosion rate were significantly varied among the soils textures (P<0.001). Silt loam was the most susceptible soil to rill erosion (0.22 g m-2 sec-1) and interrill erosion (0.15 g m-2 sec-1), whereas sand didn’t appear any soil loss by these water erosion types. The compression of soil loss resulted by rill and interrill erosion among the soil tectures showed that rill erosion rate for sandy clay loam, silt loam, loam and sandy loam was 3.2, 1.4, 1.1 and 2.8 times higher than interrill erosion rate, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. Silt content was the major factor controlling soil loss difference in these soils. This study revealed that the study semi-arid soils having higher silt content appears also higher rill erosion rate than interrill erosion rate.
N. Moradian Paik, S. Jafari,
Volume 26, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Changes in land quality factors were investigated according to the change in land use of two conventional cropping systems in Khuzestan (Dimcheh region, periodic cultivation system, sugarcane, forest, and deforesting in Zaras region). The results showed that by the change of forest land use, organic carbon from 0.93 to 0.55%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) from 19.6 to 13.3 cmol/kg, C/N from 7.4 to 3.8%, the mean weight diameter of aggregate (MWD) from 1.7 to 1.3%, and microbial respiration from 0.11 to 0.06 mg of CO2 /gr of soil per day decreased and in contrast, the dispersible clay from 4.6 to 19.3% increased. PCA analysis for the parameters showed that five factors justified more than 90% of the variance in the values of FC, PWP, AW, and AF. In the Dimcheh region, the average volumetric moisture content of FC from 31.3% to 27.3%, available water from 12.9% to 9.8%, dispersible clay from 56.1% to 12.3%, and bulk density reduced from 1.6 to 1.4%, organic carbon from 0.45 to 0.78%, C/N from 6.3 to 10.0%, microbial respiration from 0.01 to 0.04 mg of CO2 /gr soil per day and MWD of aggregates increased from 0.77 to 1.3 mm. Five factors including FC, AW, BD, DC, and OM explained more than 90% of the variance.
S. Ghasemi Pirbaloti, S. Soodaee Moshaee,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
Since the long-term sustainability of garden ecosystems is dependent on maintaining the soil quality, knowing the condition of the soils and investigating the effects of the activities on the soil properties is very important and effective in ecosystem management. To investigate the soil quality index of almond (Prunus dulcis) orchards under different managed methods in ChaharMahal va Bakhtiari province, soil samples were collected from three points in each orchard and finally classified into 6 groups (Saman, Ben, Shahrekord, Kiar, Ardel, and Farsan). To determine the soil quality index, soil characteristics including pH, EC, total and water-soluble organic carbon, basal and substrate-derived respiration, rhizosphere microbial population, and available soil P and K were analyzed. The results showed that almond orchard management in different regions affected the soil characteristics and the processes evaluated in this study. The monitoring of soil properties showed that pH 7.05 - 8.48, EC 0.23 - 2.91 dS/m, microbial respiration 0.44 - 8.57 mg CO2.100 g-1.day-1, organic carbon 2.09 - 44.79 g/kg, available phosphorus 1.5 - 122.3 mg/kg, and available potassium were between 91.2 - 3038 mg/kg. Soil quality index components including chemical components, microbial activity, microbial population, and soil organic carbon were determined. The contribution of soil salinity to soil quality obtained using factorial analysis was the highest (31%), followed by microbial carbon mineralization coefficient (27%), rhizosphere microbial population (24%), and water-soluble organic carbon (18%). The soil quality index values for Saman, Ben, Shahrekord, Kiar, Ardal, and Farsan almond orchards were 0.46, 0.40, 0.51, 0.67, 0.54, and 0.37, respectively. These values showed that the evaluated soils are suitable for almond production in Shahrekord, Kiar, and Ardal, and for Saman, Ben, and Farsan, there is a need for serious management measures to improve soil quality and increase the sustainability of these agricultural ecosystems.
F. Gholamzadeh, H. Asgarzadeh, H. Khodaverdiloo, M.r. Mosaddeghi,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
This study was conducted in the summer of 2021 to evaluate and validate the gravimetric soil water content measurements using a field oven. Ten soil types with a salinity of saturated paste (ECe) less than 4 dS m-1 and three saline soils were studied around Urmia Lake. Plots with dimensions of 1 m × 2 m were prepared for the selected soils to measure gravimetric soil water content and soil physical and chemical properties. The gravimetric water content (θm) values measured using the field oven (i.e., θmFO), were compared with those measured by a standard lab oven (i.e., θmLO). The soil water content values measured in the lab, regarded as a benchmark, were measured at 105 °C for 24 h. Temperatures of 120, 140, and 160 °C with three durations of 10, 15, and 20 min were used to dry the soil samples in the field oven. There was very good compatibility between the values of θmFO and θmLO when the soil samples were dried in the field oven for 15 or 20 min at all three temperatures. Significant linear relations were obtained between the θmFO and θmLO values as the slopes of linear relations were close to 1, the intercepts of relations were negligible and the distributions of measured data around the line 1 to 1 were unbiased. The minimal effects of soil organic matter content, clay content, salinity, and bulk density on water content measurements by the field oven indicate an important advantage of this method. These results confirm the high efficiency of the field oven for fast and reliable measurements of water content in different soils.
