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Incorporating microbial processes into soil biogeochemical models has received growing interest. However, determining the parameters that govern microbially driven biogeochemical processes typically requires case-specific model calibration in various soil and ecosystem types. Here each case refers to an independent and individual experimental unit subjected to repeated measurements. Using the Microbial-ENzyme Decomposition model, this study aimed to test whether a common set of microbially-relevant parameters (i.e., generalized parameters) could be obtained across multiple cases based on a two-year incubation experiment in which soil samples of four distinct soil series (i.e., Coland, Kesswick, Westmoreland, and Etowah) collected from forest and grassland were subjected to cellulose or no cellulose amendment. Results showed that a common set of parameters controlling microbial growth and maintenance as well as extracellular enzyme production and turnover could be generalized at the soil series level but not land cover type. This indicates that microbial model developments need to prioritize soil series type over plant functional types when implemented across various sites. This study also suggests that, in addition to heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass data, extracellular enzyme data sets are needed to achieve reliable microbial-relevant parameters for large-scale soil model projections.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content was measured to assess the impact of land-use change from forests to maize cultivation across different soil types in Mae Tha Subwatershed, Lampang Province, Northern Thailand, over a 15-year period (2007–2022). A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to determine sampling points, followed by field surveys and topsoil analysis in converted maize fields. The results revealed that both maize and forest soils exhibited a similar pattern of higher SOC in the upper topsoil. However, forest soils had significantly higher SOC content compared to maize fields. The average SOC content in the upper topsoil of forests was 44.58 ± 14.88 MgC/ha, significantly higher than the average of 30.38 ± 10.57 MgC/ha found in maize fields. Land-use change resulted in an estimated SOC loss of approximately 34.42 % over 15 years, pointing to a decrease of 1.01 MgC/ha per year. Additionally, SOC content generally showed a negative correlation with bulk density, sand particles, and years since conversion. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed between SOC and pH, silt particles, and clay particles. The decline in SOC stocks due to the conversion of forests to maize cropping threatens soil fertility and increases reliance on chemical fertilizers, which endangers drinking water resources. This degradation reduces soil resilience to climate change impacts, exacerbating food security challenges. Urgent action is needed to implement sustainable practices, such as carbon farming and agroforestry, to enhance soil health and mitigate climate change effects.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different rates of macronutrients as a foliar spray on the growth performance, yield, and nutrient content of sweet corn grown in the Rengam soil series. The treatments consisted of five rates of macronutrients as a foliar fertilizer at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % NPK. Foliar NPK was applied 25 and 50 days after sowing to the sweet corn seedlings. The results showed that fresh cob weight, cob number, flowering, and dry matter yield of sweet corn significantly increased at the rate of 75%, and 100% of NPK foliar fertilizers. The macro and micronutrient concentrations in ear leaf, mature leaves, stem, cob, and flowers of 75 and 100% NPK treated corn were significantly increased over the control plants. The macronutrient content in the whole plant was also significantly higher at 75% and 100% NPK treatments. Fe and Mn contents in the whole plant were also the highest in 75% and 100% NPK treatments. Macronutrient concentration in ear leaf and whole corn plants significantly correlated with the fresh cob yield of corn. It is concluded that foliar application of N, P, and K macronutrients (75 to 100% NPK) enhanced the yield and quality of sweet corn.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different rates of macronutrients as a foliar spray on the growth performance, yield, and nutrient content of sweet corn grown in the Rengam soil series. The treatments consisted of five rates of macronutrients as a foliar fertilizer at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % NPK. Foliar NPK was applied 25 and 50 days after sowing to the sweet corn seedlings. The results showed that fresh cob weight, cob number, flowering, and dry matter yield of sweet corn significantly increased at the rate of 75%, and 100% of NPK foliar fertilizers. The macro and micronutrient concentrations in ear leaf, mature leaves, stem, cob, and flowers of 75 and 100% NPK treated corn were significantly increased over the control plants. The macronutrient content in the whole plant was also significantly higher at 75% and 100% NPK treatments. Fe and Mn contents in the whole plant were also the highest in 75% and 100% NPK treatments. Macronutrient concentration in ear leaf and whole corn plants significantly correlated with the fresh cob yield of corn. It is concluded that foliar application of N, P, and K macronutrients (75 to 100% NPK) enhanced the yield and quality of sweet corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fertility describes the soil's capacity to support the growth of agricultural plants for predictable yields. Consequently, the present study was conducted on twenty one soil series of Bangladesh, including Sonatala, Sherpur, Ghatail, Balina, Melandaha, Tarakanda, Gorargaon, Karail, Raipur, Ruhea, Silmandi, Dhamrai, Jamun, Ishurdi, Ranisankail, Atwari, Gangachora, Pirgachha, Sulla, Birampur, and Gopalpurand to know the fertility status and its possible sustainable agricultural packages. The textural classes of the major soils were silt loam. The soils had the particle densities ranged from 1.79 to 2.50 g cm-3. The soil series from Sherpur and Gangachora had the highest particle density, while those from Karail and Gorargaon had the lowest value. Most soils reacted in a neutral to acidic manner, whereas the Ishurdi and Gopalpur series showed an alkaline response. Except Karail and Gorargaon, the organic matter status was very low to medium. The total N content of the soils ranged from 0.04 to 0.19%. The available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and available sulphur of soils ranged from 2.82 to 22.18 ppm, 0.09 to 0.26 meq/100g soil, and 2.90 to 20.30 ppm, respectively. The results revealed that the soils in the research area were very low to moderately fertile. Therefore, balance fertilizer must be applied in time in the study area. The fertilizer should be location-specific, cropping pattern-based, and based on soil testing. Beside this, a collection of management techniques have to be acknowledged and promoted to the farmer level as a package for sustainable agriculture that enhances food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification of fields into management units based on soil variability and fertility is important for spatial crop planning. The present study was conducted in Chukanagallu subwatershed (97 km2), Koppal district of Northern Karnataka Plateau, India to map the soil fertility management units and to analyse the suitability of soil for different crops. Random forest regression and classification algorithms were used to map the differentiating characteristics of soil series (soil depth, coarse fragments and soil colour), physicochemical properties (pH, EC and OC) and fertility parameters (P2O5, K2O, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B). Random forest model performed well for the prediction of fertility parameters (R2 = 44–73%) and physicochemical properties (R2 = 39–83%) compared to soil depth and coarse fragments (R2 = 17–18%). Predicted soil fertility parameters and physicochemical properties were used for the delineation of different homogenous fertility management units. Soil series characteristics and fertility parameters were also evaluated using a multi-criteria approach for suitability of soil for cotton, groundnut and rice cultivation and the results showed that major area of subwatershed is moderately suitable for the cultivation of cotton, rice and groundnut. The management units derived from DSM approach were symmetrical in production potential and requires similar management aspects which are useful for appropriate planning of management strategies such as crop selections and nutrient management to achieve sustainable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil series category is the lowest category in taxonomic soil classification. Series are thus the most narrowly defined soil units in taxonomic soil classification. Appropriately constructed soil series classification is, therefore, vital for effective communication about soils and for enabling and enhancing effective land suitability evaluation, land use planning, technology transfer and sustainable land use and soil management. Thus, the concept is that soil series must be pragmatic. They must be uncomplicated and simple to make it easy for soil scientists other than pedologists to understand them and use them. To achieve this, soil series must have well-defined class limits and must be mutually exclusive. Soil texture is a critically important parameter in soil series classification. Simplified soil series fit these requirements. So-called classical soil series, based on identification of natural soil bodies, do not fit the requirements for soil series classification. Some natural soil entities exhibit a narrow range of soil properties. These soil entities can then be more readily recognized and their contributions to the ecological services in the natural environment more readily understood. Others may span a much larger large range of soil properties that confounds soil interpretation implications. Debate also centers on which soil, or environmental property, to use in defining the natural entity. Texture and soil ionic properties are probably the most extensively researched. However, underlying geology formations, climate and geography considerations also featured in their identification to date. The different histories and implementation of soil series classification in the United States of America (USA) and the Republic of South Africa are compared. The way that soil series are defined and used in the USA and the successful soil series classification in the 1977 South African soil classification system could also serve as models of how to approach soil series classification in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils often dictate the presence of different types of inherent natural communities. In this project we created a table that relates soil series to natural communities found in Florida. Correlation of soil series and natural communities was performed through the synthesis of land management plans, the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) documentation of exemplary sites, along with the UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory Soil Web Survey mapping information system (SoilWeb). The GPS coordinates and conservation site names of the selected locations for said soil series are also recorded in this table. Use of this table can help private landowners, land managers, and researchers detect current and former natural communities on sites.

Maize is an important cereal crop, however, its production is constrained by soil, terrain and, climatic limitations that lead to food security problems. A study was conducted on four benchmark soil series in Ghana; Bediesi, Techiman, Denteso, and Amantin to evaluate their suitability for maize production, identify the major biophysical limitations of each soil and suggest remediation measures. Biophysical land evaluation using the simple limitation approach by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was carried out to assess the land suitability of the soil series for maize production. The length of the growing period for the study area was determined using the decade interpolation method. The area has two humid periods; Apr il 21st to August 2nd and August 28th to October 25th. Maize growth and production requirements were matched against soil, landscape, and climatic characteristics to arrive at the final suitability classes for the four benchmark soils. The generalized climatic characteristics of the study area were found to be highly suitable for major season maize production except for unpredictable dry spells that plague agriculture in the area. Major yield reductions were attributed to the soil and landscape characterist ics. Bediesi series was moderately suitable (S2f), Techiman and Amantin series were marginally suitable (S3s and S3sf, respectively) whereas Denteso series was currently not suitable (N1fw) for major season maize production. Thus, soil fertility management and soil and water conservation interventions such as organic matter application and making drainage channels are recommended to improve the potential suitability ratings of the soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to develop a land quality index (LQI) based on expert opinion and multi criteria decision support approaches specific to the region and to apply it on agricultural lands. The study was carried out in 7 soil series and 43 land units of Muğla-Dalaman General Directorate of Agriculture Management with an area of 3338.61 ha, representing Mediterranean climate ecology. In this study, 13 indicators; I) Land: soil depth, slope, stoniness and drainage, ii) Physical: available water capacity, bulk density, texture, iii) Chemical: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content, phosphors, potassium, and total nitrogen which are representative of one or more of the land and soil characteristics were selected in the light of expert and literature knowledge. Analytical Hierarchy Process which is a multi-criteria decision approach was used for pairwise comparisons of the indicators. As a result of the LQI assessment, 61.56% of the farmland was classified as “very high” and “high” quality and the agricultural quality class of the 35.29% of the land was determined as “low” and “very low” quality and mapped in a geographical information system environment. According to obtained results it was determined that the final quality index values of the lands were affected by depth (12.5%), slope (12%), EC (11.1%) and texture (10.7%) indicators with high weight coefficients. In addition, it has been suggested that areas with low agricultural quality values can reach to high-quality classes with some improvement measures (development of drainage channels, the addition of organic material, removal of stones).

Nickel is an essential micronutrient for leguminous plants. It has a large range between limiting and toxic levels. A pot experiment was conducted on two dominant soil series of Jharkhand i.e., Upland [Sidhamantoli (ST-5)] and Lowland [Tetratoli (TT-5)]. Five application levels of Ni, viz. 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg kg−1 with pea (Pisum sativum L.) as test crop were arranged in three blocks in a glass house. An increasing trend of pea dry matter was observed with increasing Ni application level up to 10.0 mg kg−1. Nickel content in pea plant over control was found 1.36 to 2.53 folds higher with Ni application 2.5 to 20.0 mg kg−1. Accumulation of Ni in soil of Sidhamantoli series (upland situation) was noticed 1.11–4.29 mg kg−1 in top and 1.31–5.68 mg kg−1 in bottom of the pot, while in Tetratoli soil series (low land situation) Ni content was found 1.40–5.35 mg kg−1 in top and 1.25–4.95 mg kg−1 in bottom soil. Nickel application stimulates Plant growth parameters and that gradually increased with increasing Ni application levels up to 5.0 mg kg−1 in Sidhamantoli and up to 10.0 mg kg−1 in Tetratoli soil series, while at 20 mg kg−1 Ni application in both soil conditions showed negative effect. So, appropriate precaution should be maintained in application of Ni in leguminous plants and fixed a threshold value of Ni application level 5.0 mg kg−1 in upland Sidhamantoli (ST-5) and 10.0 mg kg−1 in low land Tetratoli (TT-5) soil series of Jharkhand plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on forms and distribution of Boron in the soils of Dambal sub-watershed of Mundargi taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka was undertaken during 2019. One representative soil profile for each soil series was selected to represent 22 soil series identified under Sujala-III project. Depth wise soil samples were collected and analyzed for forms of Boron. Soils were generally sandy clay loam to clay in texture, bulk density and particle density increased with depth and on contrary porosity decreased with depth. The pH and EC values ranged from neutral to alkaline and normal to saline, respectively. Organic carbon content followed the decreasing trend with depth and irregular distribution was observed with respect to free CaCO3 . The CEC of soil series was average with Ca2+ found as the dominant exchangeable cation followed by Mg2+, Na+ and K+ . The majority of soils possessed medium to high percent base saturation. Distribution of readily soluble boron (RS-B) and organically bound boron (Org-B) followed decreasing trend with soil depth in all soil series, whereas specifically adsorbed boron (SA-B) and oxide bound boron (Oxd-B) exhibited an irregular distribution along with soil depth. The different boron fractions in soils were in the order: Res-B > Oxd-B > Org-B > SA-B > RS-B. RS-B, SA-B and Org-B correlated significantly and positively with organic carbon, while pH showed positive and significant with both RS-B and SA-B. Free CaCO3 had a significant and negative correlation with both RS-B and SA-B. However, SA-B showed a positive and significant correlation with clay and CEC. The pH had a significant and negative correlation with Oxd-B. Among RS-B, SA-B and Org-B were possessed positive and significant correlations with each other. The Oxd-B and Org-B had a negative and significant relationship with each other. However, ResB v/s total-B showed a highly significant and positive correlation with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a vital role in soil fertility and is important for its contributions to mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The present study was undertaken to estimate the SOC stock in soils under different land uses of Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu. Four different land uses were selected for the study viz, Forests, Agriculture, Agro-forestry and Plantations. Soil samples were collected from Madukkur and Kalathur soil series of Cauvery Delta zone for soil carbon analysis. The soil samples were fractionated into three aggregate size classes viz., macro-aggregates (250-2000µm), micro-aggregates (53- 250 µm) and silt and clay sized fraction (<53 µm). At 0-30 cm depth, the forest land use stored the maximum SOC stock in the different size fractions viz. macro-sized fraction (73.0 Mg ha-1), a micro-sized fraction (76.0 Mg ha-1) and silt+clay sized fraction (77.0 Mg ha-1) in Madukkur series. Agriculture land use registered the lowest SOC stock. Among the different size fractions, silt+clay sized fraction (< 53 µm) retained the maximum SOC in all the land uses. In Kalathur series also, maximum soil organic carbon stock was recorded in forest land use. The data generated in the study will be beneficial to the user groups viz., farmers in identifying the most suitable land use for enhancing the storage of soil organic carbon thereby improving yields of crops and trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, bush burning and extensive opening of farmlands in the 10,000 hectares at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have increased vulnerabilities of the seven soil series in the campus to agents of erosion. Therefore it is important to evaluate the rate and locations of soil erosion in the study area inorder to develop erosion control intervention programme using standard methods. The results show that overall soil erosion ranges from 0 to 167.8 tons per hectare per annum. 10% of University land now has high risk of soil erosion being grasslands exposed to annual fires. Soil erosion is pronounced in the two soil series (Oke-imesi and Apomu) that are found along river fringes with topographic factors (Slope length and steepness) playing major role in the soil erosion. Keywords: Soil series; Erosion; Map algebra; Spatial mode

A study on “spatial distribution of heavy metals content and physico-chemical properties of different soil series of northwestern India†was conducted during 2017-18 in five well established soil series which are under aeolian and upper alluvial plain of Hisar district (Haryana). The 50 surface (0-15cm) soil samples were collected with the help of GPS system (Global Positioning System) and analyzed for physico-chemical properties and availability of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Co and Ni). The soil of different soil series of Hisar district were moderately alkaline to strongly alkaline in nature (pH 8.0-8.5), electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 0.10-0.17 dS m-1 (non saline).The organic carbon content in soil of different soil series was low to medium (0.39-0.51%) and having sandy to sandy clay loam texture with low to moderate CEC (8.64-12.85 cmol kg-1). The calcium carbonate content in soils was < 5 %. The mean of available heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Cd, Co and Ni ranged from 0.56-1.30, 0.03-0.17, 0.01-0.04, 0.00-0.02 and 0.03-0.16 mg kg-1 respectively, which were found below the permissible limit.

Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, bush burning and extensive opening of farmlands in the 10,000 hectares at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have increased vulnerabilities of the seven soil series in the campus to agents of erosion. Therefore it is important to evaluate the rate and locations of soil erosion in the study area inorder to develop erosion control intervention programme using standard methods. The results show that overall soil erosion ranges from 0 to 167.8 tons per hectare per annum. 10% of University land now has high risk of soil erosion being grasslands exposed to annual fires. Soil erosion is pronounced in the two soil series (Oke-imesi and Apomu) that are found along river fringes with topographic factors (Slope length and steepness) playing major role in the soil erosion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in center of Iraq in Babylon governorate in (Abi-Garaq) Latitude 32°28'26.2564"N to 32°31'44.0482"N and longitude 44°15'04.7031"E to 44°20'51.1352"E. This study aims to evaluate the physical degradation by creating a predictive model from remote sensing data and determining the response of soil properties to the effects of erosion statistically by analyzing the variance. In this study, the study areas soils were classified into five series DW75, DM44, TM465, DM86 and TM455 each occupies 23.55%, 31.46%, 16.18%, 15.68% and 13.13% respectively, all are within a class Typic Torrifluvents, so was the study areas soils were classified into four textures L, SL, SiL and SiCL each occupies 36.68%, 31.46%, 16.18%, 15.68% and 13.13% respectively. Soil organic content areas within Low, Medium and High classes each occupies 10.31%, 80.71% and 8.98% respectively and Vegetation Cover Percentage Index (VCPI) classes Low Density, Medium Density, Good Density and Very Density occupied 4.79%, 35.85%, 39.83% and 19.53% the area of Abi-Garaq each of them, respectively. So, there is harmony in the response of each of the sites to the three erosion factors that is the environmental sensitivity to physical deterioration in this region is equal. In this study, it was observed that there are correlations between soil crust factor (SCF) with coarse sand%, sand%, S.O.M% and VCPI, as the coefficient of correlation -0.36*, 0.32*, -0.96** and -0.93** respectively, Water Erodibility Factor (WEF) with sand%, clay%, S.O.M% and VCPI 0.47**, -0.39*, -0.97** and -0.92** respectively, Soil Erodibility Factor (SEF) with coarse sand%, clay%, S.O.M% and VCPI, -0.35*, -0.28*, -0.94** and -0.92** respectively and Soil Erosion Index (SEI) with sand%, clay%, S.O.M% and VCPI 0.42**, -0.35*, -0.98** and -0.94** respectively. Soil Erosion Index (SEI) area's within Low, Moderate and High classes each occupies 47.83%, 42.13% and 10.04%, respectively. In this study the DM44 showed significant increase upon DM86, TM465, TM455 and DW75 21.49%*, 46.72%*, 65.30%* and 123.24%* for each, respectively. SL texture observed significant increase upon SiCL, SiL and L 21.49%*, 46.72%* and 94.08%*, respectively, the low class of organic matter achieved a significant increase in the medium and high classes as it reached 44.90%* and 110.88%*, respectively and the response of the low density covering DM44 was high for erosion, achieving a significant increase medium density, good density and very density 25.47%*, 49.63%* and 97.28%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]