Soil quality and health indicators are necessary to monitor and improve the agricultural sustainability. This experiment was conducted at Mississippi State, MS between 2015 and 2016. Soil samples were taken to determine bulk density, enzymatic activity, and total C and N. Results indicated greater bulk density, total C and N, and enzymatic activity for inter-row position than for within the corn row which was disturbed by strip-tillage. Soil bulk density tended to increase with soil depth; however, total C and N and total microbial activity decreased with depth both years. Total soil C and N increased from 2015 to 2016. Enzymatic activity was greatest at corn planting and decreased up thru four weeks apparently due to total C and N decomposition. Total C and N were related to bulk density and enzymatic activity because increase in soil C and N decreased the bulk density and increased the enzymatic activity values.

No description available.

The Lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States is a major wood producing region. The region is characterized by a combination of nearly-level topography, poorly-drained soils, and high rainfall, which results in a perched water table in some soils that inundates the surface several times each year. Harvesting timber under wet site conditions often results in extensive soil compaction, rutting, soil displacement, and waterlogging. Forest managers are concerned that these visually-displeasing soil disturbances may cause site damage and reduced productivity. These concerns were addressed in an operational-scale field experiment conducted in South Carolina. The objectives of this experiment were to determine: (i) if soil disturbance changes key soil properties and processes; (ii) if soil disturbance reduces loblolly pine productivity; and, (iii) if disturbance can be mitigated with site preparation practices? Three 20-ha, 20-yr-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations were harvested under wet and dry conditions to create a broad gradient in soil disturbance. Within each harvested plantation, a subset of 3-ha plots were site prepared by either bedding, or mole-plowing plus bedding, then all sites were established as 3rd -rotation pine plantations. Prior to site preparation, each plot was classified and mapped using a 5 by 5 soil disturbance (none to churned) by organic debris (none to slash piles) classification matrix. Within each plot, data were collected on several soil physical, chemical, and biological properties over a 2-yr period following site preparation. Key soil properties were integrated into a Soil Quality Index (SQI) and compared to aboveground productivity of 2-yr-old loblolly pine trees growing on closely-spaced (30 by 30 cm) bioassay plots planted across the gradient of soil disturbance. The soil physical properties were used to determine the least limiting water range (LLWR), the range in soil water content within which root growth is not limited. Soil compaction and deep rutting reduced the LLWR. Retention of logging slash improved the LLWR for compacted and rutted soils. Site preparation improved the quality of the soil physical environment across all levels of soil disturbance. Soil disturbance had no effect on soil chemical or biological properties as evidenced by no change in soil pH, ECEC, base saturation, available P, or net N mineralization with disturbance. The base saturation exceeded 80 % on all sites, with Ca saturation controlling soil pH. The high base saturation buffered any redox-induced changes in soil chemistry that would have resulted from disturbance. The results showed that high fertility is an important mechanism for buffering the potentially-negative effects of soil disturbance on the soil nutritional environment. Site preparation changed soil chemical properties, but the changes were probably associated with tillage effects on organic matter and clay content, not redox processes. The SQI showed that surface soil compaction and deep rutting reduced soil quality, mainly by decreasing the LLWR and aeration depth. Site preparation mitigated the effects of most disturbances on soil quality, evidenced by similar aboveground biomass production among soil disturbance classes after bedding. A regression model was developed for predicting aboveground biomass production as a function of SQI. SQI explained 73 % of the variation in aboveground biomass production. The regression model showed that compression tracks and rutting decreased aboveground biomass production compared to undisturbed soils. The long-term effect of these disturbances on productivity will depend on natural soil recovery processes. However, these early results suggest that compaction and rutting should be minimized on similar sites, especially if sites will not be bedded before reforestation. The mole-plow / bedding treatment increased aboveground biomass production, indicating that this experimental treatment may be a viable practice for enhancing productivity. / Ph. D.

In 2003 eight peanut and cotton crop rotations were established in southeastern Virginia, 4 of which included 2 or 3 years of tall fescue or orchardgrass grown as high-value hay crops. Each crop rotation was evaluated for changes in soil quality indicators including soil carbon and nitrogen, water stable soil aggregates, plant available water content, bulk density, cone index values, and soil moisture. Cotton and peanut growth and yield were also observed to evaluate changes in crop growth associated with differences in soil quality. Soilborne plant pathogens including root-knot nematode, stubby root nematode, ring nematode, stunt nematode, and Cylindrocladium parasiticum microsclerotia were measured in the spring and fall of each year to determine differences associated with crop rotations. Water stable soil aggregates in 2007 were higher in rotations with 3 years of either perennial grass. Soil moisture tended to be the highest at depths 30 - 60 cm in the 3-year tall fescue rotation in August and September 2007. Cotton in 2006 and peanut in 2007 had higher growth and yield where the annual crop directly followed a perennial grass. Root-knot nematode tended to decrease in all rotations over time. Stubby root nematode populations tended to increase in rotations with either duration of orchardgrass. Including perennial grasses in cotton and peanut rotations has the potential to increase growth and yield as demonstrated in this research. / Master of Science

Cover crops (CC) are planted in between cash crops to improve soil quality and to supply nitrogen (N) to cash crops through biological N fixation or soil N scavenging. Most producers use single species CC, in part because potential benefits of using mixtures of three or more CC species are poorly understood. A three-year study was initiated at Painter, Virginia to observe effects of CC mixtures on a no-till (NT) corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max) rotation to measure CC performance, N cycling, cash crop yield, and soil quality in a sandy, low organic matter soil. Twelve treatments were created with conventional tillage (CT), NT, no CC control, and monoculture or CC mixtures of 3 to 9 species. Corn was grown in year 3 in all 12 treatments and four N rates were applied (0, 56, 112 and 156 kg N ha-1). Cover crop biomass, N accumulation, CC C:N ratio, and corn and soybean yield were measured annually. Soil bulk density, compaction, infiltration rate, pH, electrical conductivity, soil respiration, earthworm counts, soil microbial respiration, and soil microbial biomass carbon (C) after three years of CC. Cover crop biomass production varied significantly each year (5633 kg ha-1 in year 1, 755 kg ha-1 in year 2, 5370 kg ha-1 in year 3) due to climate and agronomic parameters, but a CC mixture always produced the highest biomass at termination. Nitrogen accumulation was strongly correlated with biomass production (R2= 0.94) and followed the same trend due to all CC having C:N < 30:1. Corn and soybean yields in years 1 and 2 were not significantly different, but corn yield was significantly affected by treatment and N fertilizer rate in year 3. After 3 years, soil respiration, earthworm populations and soil microbial biomass C increased in CC compared to CT without CC. However, infiltration rate, bulk density, microbial respiration, pH did not improve or declined compared to CT. In conclusion, adding CC mixtures to crop rotations shows promise for producing high CC biomass, accumulating N, and increasing crop yields, while improving some soil quality parameters on sandy low organic matter soils. / Doctor of Philosophy / Cover crop (CC) are planted in between cash crops to protect the soil from erosion, improve soil quality, and supply N to next cash crop through biological N fixation or soil N scavenging. Traditionally, CC were single species, but new CC methodologies utilize mixtures of three or more species planted together to protect soils as well as produce high biomass to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and improve soil quality. A long-term study was initiated in fall 2014 in Painter, VA to observe CC mixture effects on no-till (NT) corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max) rotations on CC performance, N cycling, cash crop yield, and soil quality of a sandy, low organic matter soil. Twelve treatments were created that compared NT rotations with CC monocultures, CC mixtures of 3-9 species, and without CC. In the third year corn was grown in all 12 rotations and four N rates were applied (0, 56, 112 and 156 kg N ha-1). To evaluate CC mixture performance in rotations, CC biomass, CC N accumulation and corn and soybean yield was measured over three years. To evaluate changes in soil quality, nine soil physical, chemical and biological soil properties were measured after three years of NT and CC. Biomass production varied significantly each experimental year (5633 kg ha-1 in year 1, 755 kg ha-1 in year 2, 5370 kg ha-1 in year 3) due to climate and agronomic differences, but CC mixtures were the highest biomass producing CC each spring and accumulated the highest amount of N. Cover crop mixtures had equal corn and soybean yield as CC monocultures. In year 3 corn yield and was greater in treatments with CC than in treatments without CC and was greater in legume dominated monocultures and mixtures than majority grass CC mixtures and monocultures. After 3 years of CC and NT, some soil quality parameters improved. Indicators of soil biology (soil respiration, earthworm populations, and soil microbial biomass C) increased in CC treatments. However, some soil physical and chemical properties (infiltration rate, bulk density, pH and EC) did not improve. In conclusion, adding CC mixtures to crop rotations shows promise for producing high CC biomass, accumulating N, and increasing crop yields, while also improving some soil quality parameters that are important for agricultural systems.

No description available.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources / Edward E. Carey / A series of four investigations was conducted from 2005 to 2007 focusing on vegetable or high tunnel production. In the first study (chapters 1 & 2), the effect of high tunnels on soil quality was investigated. Grower perceptions of soil quality were assessed from 81 responses to a questionnaire. Indicators of soil quality were evaluated at two KSU research centers. Soil quality was then quantified in high tunnels and adjacent fields at 79 farms, where high tunnels ranged in age from two to fifteen years. Particulate organic carbon as a fraction of soil total carbon was used as an indicator of soil quality. At 80 % of locations, particulate organic matter carbon was greater under high tunnels than adjacent fields. Soil quality was not adversely affected by the continuous presence of high tunnel covering. Management and cropping history in high tunnels was also collected and reported as this information is of interest to growers and the universities and agricultural industries that serve them. Tomato was the most common high tunnel crop. It was grown by 86 % of survey respondents in the previous four year period. Organic soil amendments were applied by 89 % of growers; 35 % use organic soil amendments exclusively. In the second study (chapter 3), two microbial tea solutions were applied to collard green (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala cv. Top Bunch) or spinach (Spinacea oleracea L. cv. Hellcat) crops at Olathe and Haysville, Kansas, without significant effects on crop yield or soil microbial biomass. Finally, preliminary results from two studies were formatted for reporting as extension publication (chapters 4 and 5). Autumn production, over-wintering, and spring bolting were assessed for 26 spinach cultivars in a 3-season multi-bay Haygrove high tunnel. Also, the effect of autumn planting date on harvest date and yield was observed for two spinach cultivars (cv. Avenger and PVO172) planted on six dates in October and November, under high tunnels at Olathe, Kansas. Spinach planted in the first half of October was harvested in the winter, without loss of spring yield for both cultivars.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of conventional inputs on soil chemical and biological properties compared to organic systems in a four year vegetable rotation. Tillage and cover crops were the same in all treatments to avoid confounding factors often present in similar research. Additional experiments investigated plant gene expression in organic and conventional management systems and in soils with decreased microbial diversity. Experimental plots were prepared in the spring of 2004; four replications of three management treatments, organic, low-input and conventional, were arranged in a randomized complete block design. The rotation consisted of edamame soybean, sweet corn, fallow (pastured poultry in organic plots), and potatoes. Soil samples were taken in the spring and fall of each year, along with data for pest damage, weed control, yield and quality. Soil samples were analyzed for enzyme activity (maximum activity under substrate saturation) and basic soil chemical properties. Treatments were compared over time using 2-Way ANOVA. Multiplex terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (M-TRFLP) profiles of the soil microbial community were compared using Multiple Response Permutation Procedures (MRPP). Multi-way ANOVA detected significant treatment effects over time in total carbon, nitrogen, Mehlich III K, Exchangeable K and exchangeable Na (p=0.05). Many significant changes in soil properties over time could not be attributed to treatment effects. All treatments produced similar yields, indicating that successful organic production of these vegetables is possible in Kentucky. Input costs for organic were 37% higher than conventional, due to the cost of organic fertilizer. The organic system required nearly 50% more labor hours than conventional or low-input. The low-input system was the most cost effective, with 58% less input expenses than the conventional system. Microarray analysis of approximately 37,500 Glycine max transcripts did not show significant differences in the gene expression between plants grown organically and conventionally, in plots with significant soil chemical and microbial differences. An experiment in progress is investigating changes in plant gene expression using real time RT-PCR in tomatoes grown in autoclaved soil and native field soil.

Araucaria angustifolia, espécie brasileira considerada a mais explorada devido à qualidade de sua madeira, encontra-se na atualidade ameaçada de extinção. Diante deste fato a preservação dos remanescentes torna-se ainda mais importante, considerando que a extinção de uma única espécie pode comprometer todo um ecossistema. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a utilização dos atributos bioquímicos como indicadores de qualidade do solo em seis ecossistemas de araucária. Os atributos bioquímicos considerados foram carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana, respiração basal, quociente metabólico, e atividade das enzimas &#946;-glicosidase, urease e hidrólise do diacetato de fluoresceína (FDA) Os ecossistemas avaliados foram mata com araucária (nativa, nativa com interferência antrópica e reflorestamento) em dois parques estaduais (PECJ e PETAR), localizados em duas diferentes regiões do Estado de São Paulo, Campos do Jordão e Apiaí, respectivamente. Foram selecionadas cinco árvores de araucária por ecossistema, onde, sob a copa de cada uma foram retiradas três amostras de solo na profundidade de 0-10 cm, totalizando quinze amostras por ecossistema. Foram realizadas quatro coletas em estações contrastantes, no inverno de 2002 e 2003 e no verão de 2003 e 2004. Os valores isolados de carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana, não serviram como indicadores precisos e confiáveis da qualidade do solo quanto os demais parâmetros avaliados. Os atributos bioquímicos que denotam processos edáficos dos ecossistemas (respiração basal, quociente metabólico, FDA e a atividade das enzimas urease e &#946;-glicosidase) mostraram-se mais sensíveis para captar as alterações ocorridas no ambiente, e os valores encontrados para estes atributos sugerem que os ecossistemas avaliados sejam sustentáveis, onde a cobertura vegetal e rizosfera seriam importantes para a manutenção de sua funcionalidade. / Brazil Pine (Araucaria angustifolia) has been the most explored Brazilian tree species due to its high quality wood and nowadays it is endangered of extinction. Therefore the preservation of the remainders becomes even more important, considering that the extinction of one species could endanger the whole ecosystem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of biochemichal soil attributes as soil quality indicators in six Brazil Pine ecosystems. The following biochemichal attributes were evaluated: carbon and nitrogen of the microbial biomass, soil respiration, the metabolic quotient, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis and the activities of &#946;-glicosidase and urease. The different Brazil Pine ecosystems that were considered, consisted of native forests, replanted areas, impacted area in the two state parks (PECJ and PETAR), located in two different regions of the State of São Paulo-Brazil, Campos do Jordão and Apiaí, respectively. Five Pine trees for each ecosystems were selected and three 0-10cm deep soil samples were collected under the crown of each tree, totalizing fifteen samples. The samplings were carried out in the winter of 2002 and 2003 and in the summer of 2003 and 2004. The carbon and nitrogen microbial biomass by themselves were less sensitive than other attributes as indicators of soil quality. Parameters related to soil processes in the ecosystems (soil respiration, metabolic quotient, FDA hydrolysis and the enzymatic activity of urease and &#946;-glicosidase were more responsive to environmental disturbance. Nevertheless, these parameters suggest that all evaluated the ecosystems are sustainable, and that the vegetation (rhizosphere) is very important for maintenance of its functionality.

Os plantios florestais fornecem boa parte do suprimento de madeira para o mercado global. A sustentabilidade desses plantios é colocada em questionamento, pois são normalmente estabelecidos em solos de baixa fertilidade e com grandes exportações de nutrientes do sistema com a remoção da biomassa após 6 a 7 anos. Por isso, o manejo dos resíduos florestais assume fundamental importância na fertilidade do solo, bem como na sustentabilidade da produção florestal. Neste sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar o estoque de carbono, nitrogênio e enxofre no solo e na serapilheira, em plantio de Eucalyptus grandis, sob diferentes manejos de resíduos em LATOSSOLO VERMELHO-AMARELO Distrófico de textura média. A pesquisa foi realizada na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais, em Itatinga (SP). Os tratamentos consistiram em uma área de vegetação nativa, utilizada como referência (AR) e áreas com diferentes intensidades de manejos de resíduos mantidos na superfície do solo (CReCF: todos os resíduos mantidos sobre o solo e com fertilização NPK; SPACF: remoção de toda parte aérea das árvores com manutenção apenas da serapilheira e com fertilização NPK; SReCF: remoção de todos os resíduos e com fertilização NPK). Amostras de solo (n= 57) foram coletadas até 100 cm de profundidade e as amostras de serapilheira (n= 54) com auxílio de um coletor circular. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: teores e estoques de carbono, nitrogênio e enxofre na serapilheira e no solo; a relação C/N e C/S da serapilheira e do solo; a densidade do solo; a composição isotópica de C e N do solo e do material vegetal e; a qualidade da serapilheira. Os teores de C, N e a composição isotópica foram quantificados por combustão a seco, com auxílio de um analisador elementar (Carlo Erba / CHN-1110) acoplado a um espectrômetro de massa (Thermo Scientific / Delta Plus). O teor de S foi determinado com o auxílio de um analisador LECO S144-DR. Os teores de celulose e hemicelulose foram quantificados pelo método de fibras em detergente neutro (FDN) e em detergente ácido (FDA), e o teor de lignina por detergente ácido (LDA). O estoque de serapilheira foi maior na AR (11,7 Mg ha-1) seguido do tratamento SPACF (9,6 Mg ha-1) e menor no SReCF (7,1 Mg ha-1). Dessa maneira, os estoques de C e N na serapilheira foram maiores na AR e menores no tratamento SReCF. Apesar de não apresentar diferenças significativas nos estoques de C, N e S no solo entre os tratamentos, o CReCF apresentou o maior estoque de C (96,9 Mg ha-1) enquanto que a AR registrou maior estoque de N (5,6 Mg ha-1) e S (1,51 Mg ha-1), na camada 0-100 cm. O tratamento SReCF apresentou os menores estoques de C (87,8 Mg ha-1) e N (4,5 Mg ha-1). A qualidade da serapilheira não diferiu entre os tratamentos com manejo de resíduos, porém a AR apresentou os maiores teores de lignina (452,3 g kg-1) em relação aos demais. De acordo com os resultados, a adoção de práticas sustentáveis, como por exemplo, o cultivo mínimo, são extremamente importantes para a manutenção e conservação da matéria orgânica do solo contribuindo, desse modo, com a ciclagem de nutrientes / Forest plantations provide much of the timber supply to the global market. The sustainability of these plantations is placed on questioning, since they are normally established in low fertility soils and with large exports of nutrients from the system with the biomass removal after 6 to 7 years. Therefore, the forest waste management assumes fundamental importance in soil fertility, as well as in the sustainability of forest production. In this sense, the objective of this study is to assess the stock of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in soil and in litter in Eucalyptus grandis plantations submitted to different types of forest waste management in medium-textured dystrophic Oxisol. The research was carried out at the Experimental Station of Forest Sciences, in Itatinga (Sao Paulo State - Brazil). The treatments consisted of a native vegetation area used as reference (AR) and areas with different intensities of forest waste management kept on the soil surface (CReCF: all waste kept on the soil plus NPK fertilization; SPACF: removal of all the trees\' aerial parts with only the maintenance of the litter plus NPK fertilization; SReCF: removal of all waste plus NPK fertilization). Soil samples (n = 57) were collected up to 100 cm of depth and litter samples (n = 54) with the aid of a circular collector. The evaluated parameters were: contents and stocks of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in litter and in soil; the C/N and C/S ratio of litter and soil; the soil density; the isotopic composition of C and N of soil and plant material and; the quality of the litter. The carbon, nitrogen and isotopic composition ratios were quantified by dry combustion, using an elemental analyzer (Carlo Erba / CHN-1110) coupled to a mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific / Delta Plus). The S content was determined with the aid of a LECO S144-DR analyzer. Cellulose and hemicellulose contents were quantified by the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent (ADF), and the lignin content by the acid detergent (ADL) method. The litter storage was higher in AR (11,7 Mg ha-1) followed by the SPACF treatment (9,6 Mg ha-1) and the lower in SReCF (7,1 Mg ha-1). Thus, stocks of C and N in the litter were higher in AR and lower in the SReCF treatment. Although there were no significant differences in C, N and S stocks in soil among the treatments, the CReCF showed the highest stock of C (96.9 Mg ha-1), while the AR registered higher N (5.6 Mg ha-1) and S (1.51 Mg ha-1) stocks in the layer 0-100 cm. The SReCF treatment presented the lowest stocks of C (87.8 Mg ha-1) and N (4.5 Mg ha-1). The quality of litter did not differ among treatments with waste management; however, AR presented the highest levels of lignin (452.3 g kg-1) in comparison to the others. According to the results, the adoption of sustainable practices, such as minimum cultivation, is extremely important for the maintenance and conservation of soil organic matter, thus contributing to the cycling of nutrients