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AbstractThis paper proposes and tests the hypotheses that (i) a legacy of irrigation agriculture is associated with a greater prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV); and (ii) the presence of loamy soils strengthens this association. The proposed mechanisms are that irrigation agriculture has resulted in a tendency for women to be socially isolated and a cultural acceptance of IPV. We use individual survey data from India and an exogenous measure of historical irrigation. We find empirical support for our hypotheses and proposed mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geohelminths (soil-transmitted helminths) tend to thrive in moist soil conditions, and the poor hygiene systems of underdeveloped countries have enhanced their transmission at an alarming rate. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the effects of soil type, pH, and temperature on geohelminths found in soil samples from Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State. The soil samples were examined using the centrifugal floatation method for geohelminth eggs and larvae. Among the 200 soil samples examined, an overall prevalence of 67.0% was recorded. Geohelminths recovered were Ascaris lumbricoides, which contaminated 38 (28.36%), Trichuris trichiura 27(20.15 %), hookworms 26(19.40 %), Strongyloides stercoralis 24(17.91 %), and Toxocara canis 19(14.18 %) soil samples. Soil samples obtained from farmlands and toilets had a higher contamination rate (82 %) than those from schools and roadsides (68.0% and 36.0%, respectively). Loamy soil recorded 77(66.38%) contaminated soil samples at a mean temperature of 28.7oC ± 0.1, and pH of 6.9 ± 0.03, compared to sandy soil with 32(69.57 %) at a mean temperature of (27.5oC ± 0.3) and pH of 5.7 ± 0.04, then clayey soil with 25(65.79 %) at a mean temperature of 27.0oC ± 0.1 and pH of 5.3 ± 0.04. There was no significant correlation between the prevalence of each geohelminth and soil type, temperature, or pH. The type of soil, soil temperature within the measured range, and soil alkalinity as measured do not appear to be major factors influencing the overall prevalence of geohelminths. The analysis also showed that these factors do not have a strong influence on the prevalence of individual geohelminth species. The eggs of these geohelminths were more abundant than their larvae. Periodic deworming programmes, health education, and improved sanitation will ultimately reduce the transmission of geohelminths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) based rocket fuel, when released into the soil, undergoes oxidative transformations to form a variety of toxic nitrogen‐containing products (TPs). Loamy soils containing aluminosilicates (clay) are capable of strong binding and retention of UDMH TPs due to a combination of polar sorption and cation‐exchange properties, posing challenges for their extraction and quantification. To overcome this problem, the present study proposes direct thermal desorption (TD) of analytes from loam facilitated by the addition of modifiers competing with UDMH TPs for sorption centers and ensuring their conversion into molecular form. Among tested additives, the mixture of potassium chloride and hydroxide demonstrated the best performance and provided recoveries of the most UDMH TPs exceeding 70% under optimized TD conditions (200°C, 30 min). The online combination of TD with gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry allowed for the development of a method for the determination of 15 UDMH TPs in loamy soils with limits of detection in the range of 0.2–15 µg/kg. The use of matrix‐matched calibration and deuterated internal standards ensured high accuracy (80%–100%) and precision (relative standard deviation < 18%) of the analysis. The developed method was validated and successfully tested in the analyses of real loamy soil samples polluted with rocket fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the feasibility of substituting steel working bodies with polymer ones in soil-cultivating units. (Research purpose) The research aims to investigate how the friction parameters of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) are affected by variations in absolute soil moisture and speed of the unit during the interaction of its working body with loamy soil. (Materials and methods) A laboratory unit was developed to examine the friction characteristics of the polymer in contact with loamy soil. The study measures the friction and adhesion properties by altering the absolute moisture of loamy soil. (Results and discussion) Graphs were constructed to illustrate the relationship between of the friction parameters of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) on absolute soil moisture. It was determined that at absolute soil moistures of 18, 20 and 26 percent, the friction coefficients of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene are 0.45, 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. The adhesion values were recorded at 100, 145 and 700 pascals for absolute soil moistures of 18, 20 and 28 percent, respectively. A decrease in both friction and adhesion was observed when the soil moisture reached between 26% and 28%. (Conclusions) The friction properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) are lower than those of steel, yet significantly higher than those of fluoroplastic. Further research in this area is expected to significantly increase the effi ciency of selecting materials for the manufacturing of working parts in soil-cultivating units, while also reducing energy costs.

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly raised the amount of single-use mask waste in Indonesia. This research intends to assess the effect of single-use mask waste on the quality of loamy soil. The investigation involved constructing a prototype using a 28-cm high column of 19 cm of loamy soil. The study utilized single-use masks in the soil, in which Chili plants were grown on the soil surface. Clean water was employed for the leaching process over 45 days. Soil samples from control, R1, R2, and R3 reactors were analyzed in the laboratory using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) testing and microplastic identification in groundwater. The research findings reveal a notable decline in macro and micronutrients, namely a 1.22% decrease in silicon minerals caused by microplastics interfering with plant metabolic processes. The increase in microplastics caused higher microorganism mortality, leading to a 10.18% decrease in organic carbon content and a 1.47% reduction in soil porosity. Microplastics were discovered in the loamy soil of an average size of 0.3±1.34 mm. Changes in nutrient concentrations and physical properties of the soil indicate that introducing microplastics into loamy soil through mask waste can alter soil characteristics. Additional research is required to investigate the disposal of single-use mask waste due to the ongoing high utilization of disposable masks as personal safety equipment.

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly raised the amount of single-use mask waste in Indonesia. This research intends to assess the effect of single-use mask waste on the quality of loamy soil. The investigation involved constructing a prototype using a 28-cm high column of 19 cm of loamy soil. The study utilized single-use masks in the soil, in which Chili plants were grown on the soil surface. Clean water was employed for the leaching process over 45 days. Soil samples from control, R1, R2, and R3 reactors were analyzed in the laboratory using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing and microplastic identification in groundwater. The research findings reveal a notable decline in macro and micronutrients, namely a 1.22% decrease in silicon minerals caused by microplastics interfering with plant metabolic processes. The increase in microplastics caused higher microorganism mortality, leading to a 10.18% decrease in organic carbon content and a 1.47% reduction in soil porosity. Microplastics were discovered in the loamy soil of an average size of 0.3 ± 1.34 mm. Changes in nutrient concentrations and physical properties of the soil indicate that introducing microplastics into loamy soil through mask waste can alter soil characteristics. Additional research is required to investigate the disposal of single-use mask waste due to the ongoing high utilization of disposable masks as personal safety equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the most expensive spice in the world and a valuable medicinal plant. In this study, the flowering, vegetative growth performance, and daughter corm formation of potted saffron were investigated in six growing media: loamy soil, silty soil, sandy soil, peatmoss, peatmoss + sandy soil, and peatmoss + foam. The highest values of the stigma fresh weight, the root weight, and the number and diameter of daughter corms were observed in plants grown in soil with a light texture, i.e., sandy soil or peatmoss + foam, although smaller daughter corms were produced by sandy soil-grown plants. Compared with loamy soil (heavy soil), the peatmoss + foam growing medium increased the leaf pigment levels and the number of leaves and daughter corms, and it produced the highest number of daughter corms with diameters of ≥2 cm. Compared with plants in other media, saffron plants grown in loamy soil had higher catalase and peroxidase activities but lower polyphenol oxidase activity. Overall, saffron could be cultivated and produced in growing media with various pH values (4.00–9.25), although a mixture of peatmoss and foam was the optimal growing medium for potted saffron production. These findings are beneficial for selecting the optimal growing media/soil for saffron cultivation in farmlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has widely been used in a variety of fields including agriculture, since the last few decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect on the growth of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) under exposure of 0, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500 mg TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) kg-1 of soil. TNPs in anatase form with a size of 74 nm, complex and spherical in shape were synthesized. Two different soils 1) Loamy Soil and 2) Sandy Soil were used under low pH (about 6.5) and high (original) pH of the soils. The effects of TNPs were investigated on plant lengths, total fresh and dry biomass. The plants were exposed to TNPs for about 3 months. It was observed that TNPs had a generally negative impact on the length of plants grown in sandy soil (both low and original pH) and loamy soil with low pH. The measurements of samples with the original pH of loamy soil showed a positive relationship with increased TNPs concentration. Overall the dry biomass of plants grew in (both low and original pH) loamy soil and sandy soil with low pH had increased with increase in concentration of TNPs, while in sandy soil with original pH, the biomass of plants decreased with increased concentration of TNPs. Phosphorous analysis on rhizosphere soil showed correspondence with biomass results. Generally, it was observed that type of soil and pH of soil affected the growth of spinach plants under applied TNPs.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the most expensive spice in the world and a valuable medicinal plant. In this study, the flowering, vegetative growth performance, and daughter corm formation of potted saffron were investigated in six growing media: loamy soil, silty soil, sandy soil, peatmoss, peatmoss + sandy soil, and peatmoss + foam. The highest values of the stigma fresh weight, the root weight, and the number and diameter of daughter corms were observed in plants grown in soil with a light texture, i.e., sandy soil or peatmoss + foam, although smaller daughter corms were produced by sandy soil-grown plants. Compared with loamy soil (heavy soil), the peatmoss + foam growing medium increased the leaf pigment levels and the number of leaves and daughter corms, and it produced the highest number of daughter corms with diameters of ≥2 cm. Compared with plants in other media, saffron plants grown in loamy soil had higher catalase and peroxidase activities but lower polyphenol oxidase activity. Overall, saffron could be cultivated and produced in growing media with various pH values (4.00–9.25), although a mixture of peatmoss and foam was the optimal growing medium for potted saffron production. These findings are beneficial for selecting the optimal growing media/soil for saffron cultivation in farmlands.

Worldwide, many soils are impacted by degradation processes, which impose a risk to sustainable food production. There is a pressing need to limit these negative impact constraints to sustain the proper functioning of the soil-biota system and soil productivity. Biochar can be a nature-friendly solution for soil remediation; however, knowledge is incomplete in many aspects in this field, like the potential of biochar and biochar-based products as agents to immobilize toxic substances, including heavy metals (HMs) found in the soil. In this study, we investigated the effect of two biochar substrates (BSs) (1. biochar blended with farmyard manure as BS1, and 2. biochar blended with farmyard manure and digestate as BS2) at rates of 10 and 20 t ha−1 applied without or with fertilization (BS + F) on the immobilization of HMs in texturally different soils (1. sandy Arenosol, 2. loamy Chernozem, Slovakia). The results showed that application of BS had different effects in relation to soil textures. In sandy soil, BS improved soil properties, such as cation exchange capacity (an increase from 20 to 93%), soil organic carbon content (SOC) (an increase from 3 to 26%) and humic substances (HSs) stability (an increase from 12 to 20%). In loamy soil, SOC increased due to BS and BS + F in the range 3–19% and 12–55%, respectively. In both soils, the total content of HMs did not exceed the threshold limits for individual soils after BS and BS + F application. In sandy soil, the immobilization of HMs was due to a higher SOC content and a fulvic acids (FAs) content, while in loamy soil their elimination depended on a higher available phosphorus content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of the paper is the determination and justification of the rational design and kinematic parameters of clod breaking tools in rotary potato harvesters with the aim of improving their separating efficiency. A new mathematical model has been developed for the motion of a soil particle on the working surfaces of the cone-shaped and cylindrical vanes in the rotary tool of the new design developed by the authors. Differential equations have been generated for the motion of a soil clod as a material particle from the moment of its arrival to the surface of the vane until the moment of its departure from the said surface. As a result of the completed investigations, relations have been established between the time of contact and absolute displacement of the soil particle and the velocity of its departure from the rotor vane surface, on the one hand, and the kinematic and design parameters of the rotor, on the other hand. For example, when the machine translation velocity increases, the absolute displacement of the soil particle within the interval from the time zero to the moment of its departure from the vane surface increases from 0.59 m to 0.65 m, the velocity of soil particle departure from the vane surface - from 1.61 m s-1 to 1.81 m s-1. The highest values of the absolute displacement of the soil particle and the velocity of its departure from the vane surface are achieved at a machine translation velocity of 2.0 m s-1. The time of the contact between the material particle and the vane surface decreases with the rise of the translation velocity. When the rotor rotation frequency varies within the range from 20 min-1 to 100 min-1, the absolute velocity, with which the soil particle leaves the vane surface, rises to 4 m s-1. The duration of the contact between the material particle and the vane reaches its maximum value of 0.33 s, when the rotor rotation frequency varies within the range of 30-40 min-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has widely been used in a variety of fields including agriculture, since the last few decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect on the growth of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) under exposure of 0, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500 mg TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) kg-1 of soil. TNPs in anatase form with a size of 74 nm, complex and spherical in shape were synthesized. Two different soils 1) Loamy Soil and 2) Sandy Soil were used under low pH (about 6.5) and high (original) pH of the soils. The effects of TNPs were investigated on plant lengths, total fresh and dry biomass. The plants were exposed to TNPs for about 3 months. It was observed that TNPs had a generally negative impact on the length of plants grown in sandy soil (both low and original pH) and loamy soil with low pH. The measurements of samples with the original pH of loamy soil showed a positive relationship with increased TNPs concentration. Overall the dry biomass of plants grew in (both low and original pH) loamy soil and sandy soil with low pH had increased with increase in concentration of TNPs, while in sandy soil with original pH, the biomass of plants decreased with increased concentration of TNPs. Phosphorous analysis on rhizosphere soil showed correspondence with biomass results. Generally, it was observed that type of soil and pH of soil affected the growth of spinach plants under applied TNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the importance of biochar application in world´s soils have increased tendency mainly due to its opposite effects. Therefore, the effort of many companies is based on the development of soil amendment which together improved properties and crop productivity in a lot of soils. In this short study, we have verified the effectiveness of biochar blended with farmyard manure named Effeco on soil properties and crop yields in different textural soils (1. sandy soil in Dolná Streda and 2. loamy soil in Veľké Uľany). Our results showed that the Effeco increased soil pH in both soils. In sandy soil, the Effeco more significantly affected sorptive parameters and soil organic carbon content than in loamy soil. Water retention in capillary pores after Effeco application in sandy and loamy soils was higher by 22% and 4%, respectively compared to control. On the other hand, more significant effect of Effeco application on soil structure was observed in loamy soil. The total crop productions in sandy and loamy soils due to the Effeco application were higher by 82% and 16%, respectively, compared to control plots. All in all, we concluded that the effects of biochar blended with farmyard manure differ mainly on soil texture.

The authors have set an aim in relation to the development of a novel rotary potato harvesting machine design and the substantiation of rational design and process parameters for the clod crushing tools in the machine in order to improve its separation capacity. A novel design solution has been suggested for the process of crushing the two adjacent potato rows with the vanes of the vertical rotor and the expediency of using the methods of crushing clods in the two adjacent potato rows in advance has been justified. Also, the more rational placement of the clod crushing tools in the potato harvesting machine has been suggested. Following the completed research, the geometrical parameters of the vertical rotor have been substantiated, in particular, its diameter dр = 0.65–1.0 m and height hzag = 0.27 m. Additionally, the process parameters have been substantiated for some other tools crushing the clods, in particular, the angle of inclination of the share’s working face, which has to be equal to 10°, the elevator belt width bel = 1.05 m, the linear velocity of the belt Vp = 1.95 m s–1, the belt agitation amplitude Аst = 18 mm. If the soil moisture content is equal to W = 18.4%, the soil separation rate rises insignificantly, when the rotor diameter increases within the range of 0.65–1.0 m, moreover, at Vm = 1.0 m s–1 it varies within the range of 85.3–87.2%, at Vm = 1.5 m s–1 – within the range of 87.0–92.7%, at Vm = 2.0 m s–1 – within the range of 86.0–89.1%. The best performance is achieved at a rotor rotation frequency of nр = 100 min–1 and a translational velocity of Vm = 1.5 m s–1, in which case the soil separation rate S is equal to 93.5%. The tuber damage rate Pb decreases from 4.2% to 1.5%, as the rotor diameter dр increases from 0.65 m to 1.0 m, the translational velocity of the machine Vm – from 0.8 to 2.2 m s–1 at the rotor rotation frequency nр = 50–100 min–1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil detachment is the initial phase of soil erosion and is of great significance to study in seasonal freeze-thaw regions. In order to elucidate the effects mechanism of freeze-thaw cycles on soil detachment capacity of different soils, a sandy loam, a silt loam, and a clay loam were subjected to 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 freeze-thaw cycles before they were scoured. The results revealed that with increased freeze-thaw cycles, soil bulk density and water-stable aggregates content decreased after the first few times and then kept nearly stable after about 10 cycles, especially for sandy loam. The shear strength of all soils gradually decreased as freeze-thaw cycles increased, except the values of clay loam increased subsequent to the 5th and 15th cycles. After the 20th cycle, the degree of decline of silt loam was the greatest (77.72%), followed by sandy loam (63.18%) and clay loam (39.77%). The soil organic matter of clay loam was much greater than silt loam and sandy loam and all significantly increased after freeze-thaw. Soil detachment capacity of silt loam and sandy loam was positively correlated with freeze-thaw cycle, which was contrary to findings for clay loam. The values of clay loam increased at first and then decreased during the cycles, reaching minimum values at about the 15–20th cycle. After the 20th cycle, the values of sandy loam and silt loam significantly increased 1.62 and 4.74 times over unfrozen, respectively, which was greater than clay loam (0.53 times). A nonlinear regression analysis indicated that the soil detachment capacity of silt loam could be estimated well by soil properties (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.05). This study can provide references for the study of the soil erosion mechanism in seasonal freeze-thaw regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The convenient application method was identified using integrative soil and foliar application of NPK fertilizers to loamy soil by evaluating their effects on growth and yield components, contents of some osmoprotectants, antioxidants and nutrients in hot pepper plant “Top Star Hybrid”. A pot experiment was created with five NPK application treatments. The integrative treatment of “75% of NPK added to the soil + 25% of NPK added as foliar spray” was the best comparing with other integrative ones [e.g., “100% of NPK added to the soil + foliar spray with distilled water (control)”, “50% of NPK added to the soil + 50% of NPK added as foliar spray”, “25% of NPK added to the soil + 75% of NPK added as foliar spray”, and “NPK fertilizers have not been added to the soil + 100% of NPK added as foliar spray”]. This best treatment significantly increased the components of growth (leaf area plant‒1, shoot fresh and dry weights) and yield (number of fruits plant‒1, average fruit weight, and fruits weight plant‒1), and the contents of soluble sugars, free proline, and nutrients (N, P, and K), while the contents of ascorbate and glutathione were not affected compared to other integrative treatments, including the control. The obtained results recommend the integrative treatment of “75% of NPK added to the soil + 25% of NPK added as foliar spray” for loamy soil to minimize nutrient loss and for higher growth and yield of hot pepper plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of different cover crops on some soil quality parameters and yield of a kiwifruit orchard located in Samsun province of Turkey were investigated. For this purpose, Festuca rubra subsp. rubra (FRR). Trifolium repens (TR), Festuca arun-dinacea (FA), T. repens (40%) + F. rubra rubra (30%) + F. Arundinacea (30%) mixture (TFF), Vicia villosa (VV) and Trifolium meneghimamini (TM) were used as cover crops in a kiwifruit orchard with loamy soil. Experiment also included a plot mechanically cultivated (MC), herbicide treatment (HC) and bare control plot (BC). Soil samples were taken from two different depth (0-20 and 20-40 cm) and samples were subjected to analyses for some soil quality parameters. It was observed that cover crop treatments improved soil quality attributes. TR treatment compared with the other treatments showed the highest increases in OM of 83.73%, SSI of 9.38%, F of 14.60% and the largest decrease in BD of 13.04%. Cover crop treatments increased organic matter contents in the following order; HC (1.50%) < BC (1.59%) < MC (1.72%) < TM (2.29%) < FRR (2.34%) < FA (2.37%) < TFF (2.43%) < VV (2.83%) < TR (2.94%). While the highest mean kiwifruit yield (130.71 kg/ha) were found in the TM, the lowest mean kiwifruit yield (36.20 kg/ha) were obtained with in the MC. It was concluded based on current findings that cover crops may be incorporated into cropping systems to improve soil quality parameters and may have significant contributions to sustainable soil management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbicides with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) has been commonly used to control weeds and widely detected in environments. In this study, biodegradating activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens HH on 2,4D and 4-chlorophenol (4CP) in soil was carried out. The inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens HH in soils increased the degradation of 4CP and 2,4D by from 47.0% to 51.4% and from 38.4% to 47.4%, respectively, compared to the degradation by autochthonous microorganisms. Pseudomonas fluorescens HH could degrade well 2,4D and 4CP in various soils, but the most efficient chemical removal was observed when they were in the loamy soil. Moreover, the efficiency of chemical degradation was significantly affected by the moisture contents with the highest performance of degradation at 10 and 20% soil moisture. Also, the addition of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) stimulated the dissipation rates. The determination of degradation pathway for 2,4D in Pseudomonas fluorescens HH indicated that 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4DCP) and 4CP were formed as metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar derived from the distilled waste of Cymbopogon winterianus at two different pyrolysis temperatures (450°C and 850°C) on the chemical and biological properties of sandy loamy soil (SLS) and its subsequent impact on plant growth. Pot experiments utilizing Bacopa monnieri were performed in a greenhouse with four different application rates of biochar (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% (w/w)) for 120 days. Biochar induced alterations in soil properties (nutrients, enzymes, and microbes) and plant responses (yield, biocide and antioxidant content) to biochar addition were measured. Biochar application, notably improved the soil carbon, cation exchange capacity, and the availability of NH4+ and phosphorus. Initially, biochar produced at the lower temperature had more effect on the available nitrogen, phosphorus, soil enzymatic properties, and plant biomass growth. After 120 days, the pyrolysis temperature had only a marginal influence on biochar-induced effects on soil pH, WHC, and soil enzymatic activities. Our results suggest that C. winterianus derived biochar amendment leads to an overall amelioration of soil fertility and plant growth improvement. In specific biochar produced at lower temperatures (450°C) was more effective for improvement of plant biomass and soil characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil detachment is the initial phase of soil erosion and is of great significance to study in seasonal freeze-thaw regions. In order to elucidate the effects mechanism of freeze-thaw cycles on soil detachment capacity of different soils, a sandy loam, a silt loam, and a clay loam were subjected to 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 freeze-thaw cycles before they were scoured. The results revealed that with increased freeze-thaw cycles, soil bulk density and water-stable aggregates content decreased after the first few times and then kept nearly stable after about 10 cycles, especially for sandy loam. The shear strength of all soils gradually decreased as freeze-thaw cycles increased, except the values of clay loam increased subsequent to the 5th and 15th cycles. After the 20th cycle, the degree of decline of silt loam was the greatest (77.72%), followed by sandy loam (63.18%) and clay loam (39.77%). The soil organic matter of clay loam was much greater than silt loam and sandy loam and all significantly increased after freeze-thaw. Soil detachment capacity of silt loam and sandy loam was positively correlated with freeze-thaw cycle, which was contrary to findings for clay loam. The values of clay loam increased at first and then decreased during the cycles, reaching minimum values at about the 15–20th cycle. After the 20th cycle, the values of sandy loam and silt loam significantly increased 1.62 and 4.74 times over unfrozen, respectively, which was greater than clay loam (0.53 times). A nonlinear regression analysis indicated that the soil detachment capacity of silt loam could be estimated well by soil properties (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.05). This study can provide references for the study of the soil erosion mechanism in seasonal freeze-thaw regions.

The article presented the results of geochemical research of clean soil and soil contaminated with the leachate from the landfill. Two types of soil were studied – brown with a stony foundation and loamy. The aim of the research was to compare the impact of leachate infiltration on the changes of chemical parameters of soils and to determine their buffer properties and susceptibility to contamination on this basis. The obtained results showed that the total acidity, mineral alkalinity and chloride content in the studied soils reduced after the contamination with the landfill leachate. While the chloride content, general hardness and general alkalinity increased. It has been found that the effect of infiltration of the landfill leachate was the significant reduction of mineral substances due to their washout of the soil profile. It has also been shown that the studied landfill leachate contained substantial quantities of substances favourable to the plant growth.

Mold board soil cultivating is the most power-intensive operation in crop production. Decrease of power consumption of plowing by the plow body is possible in case of change of the pitch angle of the cutting edge to the furrow bottom. Thus cutting by the cutting edge is carried out directly by a cutting edge and part of a facet. The cutting edge creates the maximum main tension, part of a facet - the minimum main tension. The pitch angle of the cutting edge to a furrow bottom has to be such that the elastic deformations excluding destruction of soil particles prevailed at influence of facet part. The expression connecting a pitch angle of the cutting edge to a furrow bottom from the elastic making relative strain of the compression schedule, the plowing depth, length of the fragmented part of the cutting edge is received. Rising of size of an elastic component and depth of plowing increases a pitch angle. The elastic component of relative soil deformation was defined from the analysis of the curve of compression received at destruction of samples with a cylindrical form by pull test machine RM-0.5. It was established that with increase of value of absolute humidity of the loamy soil the elastic component of relative deformation changes on parabolic dependence, accepting a maximum at absolute humidity of the soil (24 percent). For all sizes of plowing depth the pitch angle increases with rising of absolute humidity. The minimum angle value corresponds to plowing depth of 0.2 m, maximum - of 0.25 m. At absolute humidity of 25 percent and plowing depth of 0.2 m the pitch angle makes 2.8 degrees, when depth of 0.25 m - 3.52 degrees. It was established that for the loamy tilth soil the maximum value of a tilt pitch angle of the cutting plough share edge to a furrow bottom should not be above 4 degrees.

It is well known that soil sealing strongly affects seedling emergence. The effect of soil sealing on the emergence of flax and turnip seedlings was studied in the laboratory. Seeds were sown in pots, watered, then covered with loamy soil and water was added. Three different doses of water were tested. Soil sealing was obtained with a paste of soil mixed with distilled water, added to each pot as a thick homogeneous, continuous and isotropic layer. The initial water content of the seal was measured. When seedling emergence was observed (or at the end of the experiment in the case of event failure), seal strength was measured in situ by a firmness pressure tester (used as a penetrometer). Relationships between water loss and initial moisture of the seal versus mechanical impedance were obtained. Differences in emergence success between species depended on the initial soil water content as well as on the initial seal moisture. A model of seedling emergence success of the two species, flax and turnip, as a function of the initial seal moisture content was obtained using a binary logistic regression model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presented the results of geochemical research of clean soil and soil contaminated with the leachate from the landfill. Two types of soil were studied - brown with a stony foundation and loamy. The aim of the research was to compare the impact of leachate infiltration on the changes of chemical parameters of soils and to determine their buffer properties and susceptibility to contamination on this basis. The obtained results showed that the total acidity, mineral alkalinity and chloride content in the studied soils reduced after the contamination with the landfill leachate. While the chloride content, general hardness and general alkalinity increased. It has been found that the effect of infiltration of the landfill leachate was the significant reduction of mineral substances due to their washout of the soil profile. It has also been shown that the studied landfill leachate contained substantial quantities of substances favourable to the plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed production, germination, emergence and the influence of planting depths and soil types on growth of T. diversifolia were determined from the harvest made in 2013 fruiting season. Natural population of Tithonia diversifolia stands growing on a clay soil was used for the study. Number of capitulum heads per plant was in the range of 35-212 with each capitulum head carrying seeds in the range of 32-62. Depending on the size and number of capitulum heads number of seeds per plant ranged from 1120-13,144 with average of 897,342 seeds per square meter. The seeds were small and light in weight as indicated by 100-seed weight (0.51-0.72 g) with 93% viability. The seedlings that emerged from soil showed greater growth efficiency and vigour compared to seedlings obtained from seeds plated in petri-dishes. The young seedlings emerged at all depths studied with seeds sown on soil surface having 76.76% germination while those at the depth of 3.5 cm showing 5%. Growth parameters such as root length, shoot length, leaf area, leaf number and dry matter accumulation increased significantly (p=0.05) with decrease in sowing depth. The plant grew in all types of soils investigated with maximum growth in loamy followed by clayey and sandy soil. The foregoing results could be used to account for the aggressive nature of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a concentrated mixture of denitrifying and fermenting bacteria on the composition, structure, state, and properties of alluvial clay soils sampled in Perm City has been studied. The results demonstrate an increase in the volume of a sample when soaked in a solution of microorganisms, changes in the mineral composition of soils, an increase in their porosity and humidity, a decrease in the density and stress-strain characteristics. The processes of interaction between microorganisms and the components of soils are mentioned, which can lead to such effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The translocation of antiparasitic drugs from animal excrement through soil and water to crops and forages and their recycling to food-producing animals is a potential concern with respect to the contamination of the food chain. To facilitate the investigation of this problem, an LC-MS/MS method for selected anthelmintics in soil and water was developed. The soil sample preparation involved a simple solvent extraction and dispersive clean-up technique. The method was validated at 10, 20 and 40 µg kg−1for levamisole, fenbendazole, fenbendazole sulphoxide and fenbendazole sulphone and at 20, 40 and 80 µg kg−1for eprinomectin. LOQs were 10 µg kg−1for the first four compounds and 20 µg kg−1for eprinomectin. The overall mean recoveries ranged from 76.1% to 89% for loamy soils and from 79.9% to 96.9% for sandy soils. Analysis of water samples was performed by extraction/concentration on an Oasis-HLB (Aschaffenburg, Germany) cartridge. Validation was performed at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 µg l−1. The LOQ for all compounds was 0.25 µg l−1. Method recovery (and RSD) varied between 35.4% (28) for eprinomectin and 125.1% (16) for fenbendazole sulphone. The validated methods were applied to soil and water samples in a study on the behaviour of anthelmintic drugs in a soil-plant-water system (manuscript on “transport investigation of antiparasitic drugs based on a lysimeter experiment” in preparation). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The management of irrigated agricultural fields requires reliable information about soil hydraulic properties and their spatio-temporal variability. The spatial variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity, K s and the alpha-parameter α vG-2007 of the van Genuchten equation was reviewed on an agricultural loamy soil after a 17-year period of repeated conventional agricultural practices for tillage and planting. The Beerkan infiltration method and its algorithm BEST were used to characterize the soil through the van Genuchten and Brooks and Corey equations. Forty field measurements were made at each node of a 6m×7.5m grid. The soil hydraulic properties and their spatial structure were compared to those recorded in 1990 on the same field soil, through the exponential form of the soil hydraulic conductivity given by the Gardner equation, using the Guelph Pressure Infiltrometer technique. No significant differences in the results obtained in 1990 and 2007 were observed for either particle-size distribution or dry bulk density. The mean value of α vG-2007 was found to be identical to that of α G-1990, while that of K s-2007 was significantly smaller than that of K s-1990. In contrast to the Gardner equation, the van Genuchten/Brooks and Corey expression was found to be more representative of a well-graded particle-size distribution of a loamy soil. The geostatistical analysis showed the two parameters, K s and αvG-2007, were autocorrelated up to about 30 and 21m, respectively, as well as spatially positively correlated within a range of 30m. Despite the difference in the mean values of K s between the two studies, the spatial structures were similar to those found in the 1990 experiment except for the covariance sign. The similarity in autocorrelation ranges indicate that the spatial analysis of soil hydraulic properties is independent of the infiltration methods (i.e., measurement of an infiltration flux) used in the two studies, while the difference in the covariance sign may be linked to the use of two different techniques of soil hydraulic parameterization. The covariance values found in the 2007 campaign indicates a positive relationship between the two parameters, K s and α vG-2007. The spatial correlations of soil hydraulic parameters appear to be temporally stabilized, at least within the agro-pedo-climatic context of the study. This may be attributed to the soil textural properties which remain constant in time and to the structural properties which are constantly renewed by the cyclic agricultural practices. However, further experiments are needed to strengthen this result. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: About 2000 active faults are known to exist within the land area of Japan. Most of these active faults have deformed the topographic surfaces which were formed in the late Quaternary, including fluvial terraces; and the formative ages of these terraces are estimated mainly by tephrochronology. Fluvial terraces in the eastern Hokuriku region, comprising the Toyama, Tonami, and Kanazawa Plains, northern central Japan, are widely distributed and have been deformed by reverse active faults. The formative age of terraces in this area has not been reported, as volcanic ash deposits are rarely visible within terrace deposits and the overlying loamy soil, and outcrops of fluvial terraces are quite scarce in this area. In the present study, we carried out a drilling survey on these terraces to obtain samples of the overlying loamy soil and upper part of terrace deposits. From these samples, we extracted some well-known widespread volcanic ash, from which we were able to estimate the approximate age of the terraces and the vertical slip rate of the active faults. Late Quaternary fluvial terraces in eastern Hokuriku are divided into 12 levels: Terraces 1 to 12 in descending order. Widespread tephras such as the Kikai-Tozurahara Tephra (K-Tz: 95 ka) are contained in the lowest part of the loamy soil in Terrace 4 and the Daisen-Kurayoshi Pumice (DKP: 55 ka) is present in the lowest part of the loamy soil in Terrace 6. From the ages and the vertical displacements of the fluvial terraces, the late Quaternary average vertical slip rates of active faults in eastern Hokuriku are estimated to be 0.2–0.9 mm/year (Uozu fault), 0.1–0.4 mm/year (Kurehayama fault), 0.1–0.3 mm/year (Takashozu fault), 0.1–0.4 mm/year (Hohrinji fault), and 0.5–0.8 mm/year (Morimoto-Togashi fault). We also estimated the recurrence interval of earthquakes related to active faults from displacement per event and ages of terraces and no significant difference in vertical displacement per single earthquake for different active faults, and recurrence intervals tend to be inversely proportional to vertical displacement rates. This study demonstrates that a combination of drilling of loamy soil and precise cryptotephra analysis of fluvial terraces can be used to estimate the formative age of the terraces and the average slip rate of active faults in areas where volcanic ash deposits are rare. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]