The adsorption reaction of zinc onto prochlorite, pyroxene, and biotite minerals, from dilute solution (water) was studied under isothermal conditions by agitated nonflow experiment method. The equilibrium concentration of zinc in the solution was determined both by radioactive tracer technique and adsorption spectrophotometer methods. The data were collected at three temperatures. The data were treated by the equation: ∂θ/∂t = kl(1-θ)C-k-1θ where θ is the fraction of total surface coverage and C is the equilibrium concentration of zinc in solution, k1 and k-1 are the rate constants for the adsorption and reverse process and t is the time of reaction. The specific rate constant for the adsorption reaction (k1) depends on the nature of the mineral and mineral particle fraction. The k1 increases with rise in temperature. The values for the desorption rate constant (k-1) are small, indicating that zinc ions are preferentially adsorbed over other exchangeable ions in the system. The activation energy for the sorption process lay between 3 to 6 kcals/mole , eliminating chemical adsorption. The activation energy indicates the physical process of diffusion as the mechanism cont rolling step in the present study. The positive standard entropy of activation (ΔSŦ) is related to the change in the volume of activation complex (θŦ) during the course of reaction. The monolayer capacities for the three minerals and mineral fractions were evaluated. The percent of the surface area occupied by the adsorbed zinc ion was about 50 percent, 65 percent and 66 percent for prochlorite, pyroxene and biotite, respectively . This suggests that zinc is adsorbed on certain specific sites.The monolayer capacities increase as the temperature increases. The change in the standard free energy of adsorption, -Δ°G , with the increased fraction of surface coverage allows speculation that : The sites are energetically heterogenous. There is mutual repulsion of adsorbed zinc ions at higher surface coverage. The data show that zinc adsorption onto the minerals used in the present study is exchange adsorption. The initial adsorption plateau in the case of prochlorite and pyroxene is described as a result of exchange of solution zinc for weakly adsorbed sodium. The change in the nature of the curve beyond this region is speculated to the progressive exchange of other cations. The data for biotite are not conclusive and need further study. It appears that exchange adsorption is a step wise process and more than one plateau may be obtained if t he system is allowed to reach its ultimate equilibrium where all the exchange sites are completely saturated by the adsorbate. The small differential heat of adsorption () confirms the contention that the process is simply an exchange adsorption in the systems studied.

No description available.

No description available.

In our country the necessity to offer new alternatives for the agricultural sector is high-priority especially for the lucern cultivation that every day is surface cultivated especially in the Chimborazo province increases; for what is of our interest to establish the answer from the cultivation to the inorganic fertilization and liming for the flora pH correction, for this way to obtain better yields and for consequence to improve the economic conditions of the farmers. With the result that the titled investigation: Efficiency of the Inorganic Fertilization in the Alfalfa Cultivation (Medicago sativa L) and Liming for the Correction of the pH of the Flora had the following objectives: to determine inorganic fertilization efficiency in the lucern cultivation and liming for the correction of the pH of the floor; to evaluate the production of the lucern cultivation; to carry out an economic analysis.

Implementation of Sustainable Management Practices at Two California Central Coast Vineyards and Their Effects on Soil Fertility Dawn Michelle Stimson “Sustainable agriculture” has gained increased popularity in recent years. This study was conducted to determine the effects of sustainable management practices on soil fertility at two California Central Coast vineyards. The effects of cover crops (Erosion Control Mix - blando brome [Bromus hordeaceus], hykon rose clover [Trifolium hirtum All.], and zorro annual fescue [Vulpia mourns]), green waste compost (Forest Blend), and reduced tillage on soil fertility were investigated in San Luis Obispo, California on a clay and sandy loam soil. Between the fall 2007 and spring 2008, which had a low precipitation amount (13.3 & 15.6 inches), there was a significant difference (P <0.001 to 0.007) between vineyards in terms of their mean soil nutrient and ratio concentrations. The range of soil values (soil pH, P, K, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K, OM, Ca/Mg and C/N ratios) was either completely separate or different between Vineyard One and Two. There was almost no significant difference found between treatments and their effects on soil nutrients, exchangeable cations, and ratios. However, there were some noticeable effects on soil nutrients, exchangeable cations and ratios. Soil P and K concentrations increased in most areas (except cover crop/till where it decreased slightly). Soil P increases ranged from 14 to 143% while potassium increases ranged from 9 to 78%. Soil OM increased in all areas at both vineyards (5 to 55%). Ca/Mg ratios increased in some areas between 8 and 43%. C/N ratios increased in all areas between 5 and 85%. Soil type appears to affect soil nutrients, exchangeable cations, and ratios more than sustainable management practices. Keywords: Sustainable, vineyard, and soil nutrients.

The objective of this study was to determine if there were significant statistical differences in the response variables of Cabernet Sauvignon must and pre-barreled wine analyzed from two vintages from two distinct soil types. Research was conducted at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo to examine the quantitative chemical analysis of 22 different response variables of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The same 22 variables were analyzed in must and pre-barreled wine samples harvested from both Calodo Clay Loam soil and Zaca Clay soil. The analyses were done at both California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and Vinquiry Inc. Labs. The results were then statistically analyzed and results recorded. The results for the vintage year for must showed that 15 of 22 response variables or 68.2 % tested significant at the P

Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study forms part of an ARC Nietvoorbij research project on the long-term effect of different groundcover management practices in vineyards. This study concentrated on the root distribution of the vines after different groundcover practices were used for one decade. The vineyard on the research farm of the Agricultural Research Council at Robertson, South Africa, was divided into 56 equally distributed trail blocks, 14 treatments with four replicas each. For the study Chardonnay cultivar on 99 Richter rootstock was used. This study concentrated on only eight treatments. The eight different cover crop practices consisted of the mechanical treatment, chemical treatment, straw mulch treatment, permanent cover crop treatment and four annual cover crop treatments. The annual cover crop treatments consisted of triticale cover crop that was sprayed with an herbicide before bloom, a triticale cover crop that was left to die naturally, a grazing vetch cover crop that was sprayed with an herbicide before bloom and a grazing vetch cover crop that was left to die naturally. The vineyard was established in November 1992 while the different treatments started in April 1993. Root studies were conducted during the 2002/2003 season. In this study the auger method was used to determine root density (mm/cm³). The root density was correlated with data from the penetrometer studies, yield and shoot mass collected during the same season.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Increased pressure on groundwater sources due to increased population size and threats of climate change is driving research to better understand the process of aquifer recharge. Soil pattern is of interest as it serves to partition rainwater into different flowpaths destined for surface runoff, evapotranspiration and deep percolation. The challenges inherent to studying these flowpaths are almost universal as uncertainties concerning spatial and temporal heterogeneity in catchments make the upscaling of models complex. This research addresses these challenges as it aims to improve the catchment scale hydrological models of two aquifer systems: One a fractured bedrock system at the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Kleinmond, and the other a cover sand system in Riverlands Nature Reserve, Malmesbury. This study focussed on strengthening the link between what is known about a given soil form and the hydrological assumptions that can be drawn from that classification, and formulating the results so that they may ultimately be used to calibrate the recharge prediction models for the respective catchments. The research was done in two parts: The first phase was to conduct soil surveys in both reserves during which soils were classified according to South African Soil Classification. Samples were collected at representative observation points which provided textural data for use in pedotransfer functions (PTFs). These PTFs were used to estimate plant available water (PAW) and hydraulic conductivity (K) for the observed profiles. Infiltration experiments were subsequently done to investigate the infiltration patterns of distinctly different soil forms at two sites from each reserve. The experiments included double ring and mini disc infiltration, volumetric water content determination and flow path visualisation using a staining dye. A statistical comparison between the hydrological properties (K and PAW) of the different soil forms suggest that hydraulic properties differed between the deep sandy soil forms (Fernwood, Pinegrove and Witfontein in Kogelberg and Witfontein, Concordia and Lamotte in Riverlands) and the shallow rocky soil forms (Cartref and Glenrosa in Kogelberg). Thus grouping of hydrological similar units (HSUs) could be done on the basis of the soil forms present within the given catchments. The infiltration study showed that shallow, rocky soils that grade into bedrock would have infiltration rates far greater than those estimated using PTFs in Kogelberg. This is due to the prevalence of continuous preferential flow (PF) of water between coarse fragments in these profiles. Recharge estimates would thus be inaccurate in such soils and calibration using locally derived data is recommended. On the contrary, PTFs produced accurate infiltration estimates relative to measured infiltration rates in deep sandy soils in Kogelberg and Riverlands. The Lamotte soil form is an example of such a soil form. It should however be noted that an increase in PF in these soils had subsequently higher K values than estimated, thus illustrating the link between PF and accelerated infiltration rates. These results confirm that using soil survey information, in the form of a soil map, and calibrated hydrological properties, one can delineate HSUs that encompass a large degree of heterogeneity in a given catchment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verhoogde druk op grondwaterhulpbronne weens die groeiende bevolking en klimaatsverandering dryf tans navorsing om akwifeer hervulling beter te verstaan. Die grondlaag is van belang sienend dat dit reënwater verdeel in oppervlak afloop, evapotranspirasie en diep dreinering. Die uitdagings in hidrologiese navorsing is universeel as gevolg van onsekerhede oor ruimtelike en tydelike variasie wat lei tot komplekse grondwatermodelle. Diè navorsing mik om die tekortkominge in akwifeer hervulling aan te vul deur groundwatermodelle van twee akwifeersisteme te verbeter: Die een is 'n gebroke rots sisteem in die Kogelberg Natuur Reservaat, Kleinmond, en die ander is 'n sand-bedekde sisteem in Riverlands Natuur Reservaat, Malmesbury. Die navorsing streef om die verhouding tussen 'n spesifieke grondvorm en sy hidroliese vloeipaaie te bestudeer en om die gevolgtrekkings so te formuleer dat dit kan gebruik word om die onderskeie grondwatermodelle te kalibreer. Die eerste fase van die navorsing was om 'n grondopname van die onderskeie reservate te doen waartydens die gronde geklassifiseer was volgens die Suid Afrikaanse Grondklassifikasie Sisteem. Grondmonsters is by verteenwoordigende observasiepunte geneem en geanaliseer om tekstuurdata vir pedo-oordraagbare-funksies (PTFs) te kry. Die PTFs was gebruik om plant beskikbare water (PBW) en hidrouliese geleiding (K) te voorspel vir die verskeie observasiepunte. Infiltrasie eksperimente was daarna gedoen om die infiltrasie patroon van twee verskillende grondvorms van elke reservaat te bestudeer. Die eksperimente sluit dubbel- en minidisk-infiltrasie, volumetriese waterinhoud bepaling en vloeipad visualisering met die gebruik van 'n kleurstof in. Die statistiese vergelyking van die hidrouliese eienskappe (K en PBW) en grondvorm dui aan dat die hidrouliese eienskappe verskil tussen die diep, grondvorms met 'n oorwegende sand tekstuur (Fernwood, Pinegrove en Witfontein in Kogelberg en Witfontein, Concordia en Lamotte in Riverlands) en die vlakker, klipperige grondvorms (Cartref en Glenrosa in Kogelberg). Groepering van hidrologies soortgelyke eenhede (HSE's) kan dus op die basis van die teenwoordige grondvorms in 'n opvangsgebied gedoen word. Die infiltrasie studie het bewys dat vlak, klipperige gronde wat tot die rotsbodem gradueer 'n baie hoër infiltratsie tempo sal hê as die PTF voorspelde waardes. Dit is as gevolg van die voorkoms van aaneenlopende voorkeurvloei (VV) van water tussen die growwe materiaal in die profiele, veral die gebroke rots ondergorond. Voorspellings van akwifeer hervulling sal dus onakkuraat wees en kalibrasie met plaaslike data word dus aanbeveel. In teendeel met die begenoemde, het die PTFs akkurate voorspellings gemaak relatief tot die gemete infiltrasie tempo's in die diep sanderige grondvorms in Kogelberg en Riverlands. Dit was duidelik met metings dat 'n toename in aaneenlopende VV hoër gemete K waardes getoon as die voorspelde waardes. Die verband tussen VV en verhoogde infiltrasie tempo word dus hiermee geillustreer. Die resultate bevestig dus dat grondopname data, in die vorm van 'n grondkaart en gekalibreerde hidrouliese eienskappe gebruik kan word om hidrologies soortgelyke eenhede uiteen te sit wat die meerderheid van die variasie in 'n gegewe opvangsgebied insluit. Die HSE's kan gebruik word om grondwatermodelle meer akkuraat te laat funksioneer en dus beter voorspellings te genereer.

Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / Soil acidity is one of the greatest limitations to crop production in most soils of the world. The increasing high costs of conventional liming materials have made it necessary to explore the possibilities of using cheaper substitutes. In South Africa, 16 million hectares of land are naturally acid while on the other hand, the country’s coalfired power plants generate 28 million tons of mostly alkaline coal ash per year, disposal of which is increasingly becoming difficult. The use of coal ash as an agricultural soil amendment while solving the liming needs of local farmers, may also present a safe and more economical disposal option. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of coal ash as an agricultural liming material. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using maize as test crop. A field experiment was also established on Beestepan Farm in Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province using dry beans as test crop for the first season. In both experiments, fresh unweathered coal ash from Duvha power station (CCE 10%), dolomitic lime (CCE 77%) and calmasil (calcium silicate slag, CCE 99%) were applied to acidic sandy loam soils in the presence or absence of gypsum. Both calmasil and dolomitic lime were applied at equivalent rates of 0, 1, 2, and 4 tons/ha, and rates of 0, 7, 14 and 28 tons/ha were used for ash. Gypsum was applied at a rate of 4 tons/ha. All treatments were applied in three replications. Results showed that liming increased soil pH, improved soil nutrient status and plant uptake of base cations, and enhanced yield. In the greenhouse, coal ash decreased exchangeable acidity from 13.0 mmolc/kg to 6.67 mmolc/kg, increased Ca levels from 200 mg/kg to 379 mg/kg, and increased Mg levels from 25.9 mg/kg to 42.0 mg/kg. Nitrate levels were also raised from 4.4 mg/kg to 14.8 mg/kg hypothetically as a result of the increase in the activity of nitrifying bacteria following a decrease in soil acidity after ash application. Maize yield in the greenhouse was not significantly affected by ash or by other liming materials, and the sufficient watering and consequent elimination of aluminium-induced drought stress is put forward as having masked crop responses to acidity. In the field, coal ash reduced exchangeable acidity from 10.0 mmolc/kg to 5.88 mmolc/kg, increased Ca levels from 71 mg/kg to 132 mg/kg, and increased Mg levels from 7.3 mg/kg to 17 mg/kg. The increase in bean yield from 958 kg/ha to 1724 kg/ha by ash was similar to that realized by dolomitic lime and calmasil. Gypsum had little effect on soil acidity, but it substantially improved soil Ca and sulfate levels, and enhanced bean yield in the field experiment. The study demonstrated that coal ash could be effective as a liming material, and underscores the need for a cost-benefit assessment of ash use necessitated by the relatively higher rates of ash required to obtain significant soil and plant responses.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Eksteen method of lime requirement determination, based on the ratio of Ca+Mg:H (R-value), is widely used in the Western Cape and has proven to be extremely accurate for most soils. However, the Eksteen method is known to give erroneous predictions of lime requirement for certain soil groups. These include sandy soils (notably pale coloured sandy soils), organic-rich topsoils and strongly structured, Mg-rich subsoils. The objective of this study was to examine the nature of the Eksteen RpH relationship for these problem soils, and to develop appropriate modifications to the Eksteen method, where possible. A population of both normal and problem soils was selected and analysed, the RpH relationships of the soils were determined, and various relationships were examined. The principal findings with regard to the nature of the Eksteen RpH relationship were as follows: 1. The lime requirements of pale coloured sandy soils can be most accurately determined on an equivalent basis relative to the total extractable acidity, after the total extractable acidity has been corrected for residual lime. 2. The previously observed and acknowledged inaccuracy of the Eksteen method on organic-rich soils stems from the pH-dependant acidity component of the organic matter. The accuracy with which the lime requirement of these soils is predicted by the Eksteen method can be greatly improved by the application of an organic matter correction factor (OMCF) to the total extractable acidity, which is the parameter on which the lime requirement is then based. 3. In structured, Mg-rich subsoils the pH-neutralising capacity of Mg is considerably lower than that of Ca, a factor which is not taken into account by the Eksteen method. The Eksteen method can nevertheless be corrected to overcome this discrepancy. The high levels of Mg in the structured, Mg-rich subsoils cannot be attributed to minerals in these subsoils containing brucite interlayers. 4. Toxic levels of AI may only be expected at soil pH values below approximately 4.7 as determined in 1M KC!. Soil organic matter and CEC have marked affects on AI extractability. In accordance with the objective that appropriate modifications to the Eksteen method should be developed if possible, theoretically-based correction factors were developed which will permit the use of the Eksteen method to be confidently extended to those soil groups (pale coloured sandy soils, organicrich topsoils and strongly structured, Mg-rich subsoils) for which it was formerly considered unreliable. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Eksteen metode van kalkbehoeftebepaling, gebaseer op die verhouding van Ca+Mg:H (R-waarde), word oor die algemeen wyd in die Wes-Kaap gebruik en is baie akkuraat vir meeste gronde bewys. Dit is egter bekend dat die Eksteen metode verkeerde kalkbehoeftes vir sekere grondgroepe voorspel. Hierdie sluit sanderige grande (veral lig gekleurde sandgronde), organiesryke bogrande en sterk gestruktuurde, Mg-ryke ondergronde in. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die aard van die Eksteen R:pH verwantskap vir hierdie probleemgronde te bepaal, waar moontlik. 'n Populasie van beide normaal en probleemgrande is geselekteer en geanaliseer, die R:pH verwantskap van die grande is bepaal en verskeie verwantskappe is ondersoek. Die hoof bevindinge ten opsigte van die aard van die Eksteen R:pH verwantskap was as volg: 1. Die kalkbehoefte van lig gekleurde sandgronde kan akkuraat bepaal word op 'n ekwivalente basis, relatief tot die totale ekstraheerbare suurheid, nadat die totale ekstraheerbare suurheid gekorrigeer is vir residuele kalk. 2. Die voorheen bekende onakkuraatheid van die Eksteen metode op organiesryke gronde het sy oorsprong by die pH-afhanklike suurheid komponent van organiese material. Die akkuraatheid waarmee die kalkbehoefte van hierdie grande met behulp van die Eksteen metode voorspel kan word, kan noemenswaardig verbeter word deur die totale ekstraheerbare suurheid te korrigeer met behulp van 'n organiese materiaal korreksie faktor (OMKF). Die aangepaste totale ekstraheerbare suurheid is dan die parameter waarap die kallkbehoefte gebaseer word. 3. In gestruktuurde, Mg-ryke ondergrande is die pH-neutraliseringsvermoe van Mg aansienlik laer as die van Ca, 'n faktor wat seide in berekening gebring word by die Eksteen metode. Die Eksteen metode kan tog gekorrigeer word om hierdie tekortkoming te oorkom. Die hoe vlakke van Mg in gestruktuurde, Mg-ryke ondergrande kan nie aan die teenwoordigheid van minerale in die ondergrond, wat brusiet tussenlae bevat, toegeskryf word nie. 4. Toksiese AI vlakke sal alleenlik by grond pH waardes laer as ongeveer 4.7, soos bepaal in 1M KCI, verwag word. Grand organiese materiaal en KUK het 'n noemenswaardige effek op ekstraheerbare AI. In ooreenstemming met die doelwitte om toepaslike wysigings aan die Eksteen metode aan te bring, is teoreties gebaseerde korreksiefaktore ontwikkel, wat die gebruik van die Eksteen metode verder verbreed om daardie grondgraepe (lig gekleurde sanderige grande, organies-ryke bogrande en sterk gestruktuurde, Mg-ryke ondergrande) in te sluit waarvoor dit vantevore as onbetraubaar beskou is.