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The purpose of this study was to describe a) the status of the household sewage systems in the municipality of Nordmaling, b) to suggest areas in which a higher level of protection would be required and c) to investigate which type of technological choice was appropriate for which type of soil. A survey was used to investigate the status of the household sewage systems. The status was judged mainly on the age and treatment of water. Protected areas, the ecological status and data for phosphorus and nitrogen were used to locate areas in need of a higher protection. Map data from the Geological Survey of Sweden was used to identify common soil types in Nordmaling. Subsequently, the map was complemented and verified with a field investigation. In a next step, characteristics of the soil types were compared to the requirements of four different sewage treatment technologies; infiltration, constructed infiltration, incinerator toilets and household sewage plants. The study shows that the household sewage systems in Nordmaling are in general not in a good condition. Almost 70 % of the sewage systems are older than 20 years and their function is likely not sufficient. The study suggests that the following areas should be included in the list of objects with high protection: Lögde- and Öre river, Kronören, Järnäs peninsula, waters with an ecological status below “good” and the protected water resources. Except for infiltration, all sewage treatment technologies were assumed to give appropriate results for all soil types.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agronomy)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is considered to be an important grain legume and an oil crop. It is also important in livestock feeding and improvement of soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Until recently, soybean was not widely grown by smallholder (SH) farmers in Africa. This has led to breeding of promiscuous varieties to ensure wide adoption of the crop by SH farmers, without the use of inoculants or expensive nitrogen fertilizers. Field and glasshouse experiments were conducted during 2012/2013 growing season. One commercial (specific) variety Dundee and three naturally-nodulating (promiscuous) soybean varieties (TGx-1937-1F, TGx-1740-2F, TGx-1835-10E) were evaluated in a field trial for their growth, nodulation and yield response to B. japonicum strain WB74 inoculation. Seed inoculation in the field enhanced chlorophyll content, number of nodules, nodule dry weight, and the percentage of active nodules, number of pods, hundred seed weight, shelling percentage and grain yield. Varietal differences exerted significant (P≤0.05) effect on all field parameters evaluated except on nodule number and percentage of active nodules. TGx-1937-1F achieved the highest number of nodules (28 per plant) while the highest percentage of active nodules (69%) was achieved by TGx-1740-2F. Huge effect of inoculation was observed on Dundee variety, and resulted in significant grain yield increases (237.8%) while smaller gain increases were observed in TGx-1740-2F (43.9%) and TGx-1835-10E (38.7%). The yield of TGx-1937-1F did not respond to inoculation. Two promiscuous (TGx-1937-1F and TGx-1740-2F) varieties and one commercial (Dundee) variety were evaluated in a glasshouse trial for their growth and nodulation response to inoculation in different soil types (sandy clay loam, sandy loam, loamy sand) of Limpopo Province. In the glasshouse inoculation showed effect on chlorophyll content only, and effect of soybean variety was found to be significant on days to flowering, chlorophyll content, plant height, number of nodules and root dry weight. Soil type showed significant effect on all parameters evaluated in the glasshouse study except on nodule dry weight. Loamy sand soil from Ga-Molepo gave tallest plants and highest nodule number at 61 cm and 29 nodules/plant compared to other soils. All soils evaluated in the study resulted in percent active nodules ranging from 74.5% to 77.4% showing possibility of presence of cowpea-type rhizobia in Limpopo soils capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Inoculation x variety interaction was significant on days to flowering, plant height and chlorophyll content. Inoculant application in TGx-1740-2F variety reduced the number of days it took to flowering from 61 to 54 days and increased its plant height by 57% from 44.8 to 67.9 cm. Eighty three percent (83%) increase on chlorophyll content of variety Dundee was observed due to effect of inoculation. Inoculation x soil type interaction had significant effect on plant height and dried plant biomass. Varity x soil type interaction influenced chlorophyll content, while the interactive effects of inoculation x variety x soil type were significant on chlorophyll content only. The study showed that it is beneficial to inoculate the soybean varieties studied, especially the commercial variety Dundee, in order to enhance their growth, nodulation and yield. / Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries

2 p. / Originally Published: 2006 / Techniques and tips on watering trees and shrubs efficiently. Topics include weather, plant type, soil type and signs of under and over watering. Originally published 2006

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study presents the results of radiometric investigation of soil and beach sand in Zanzibar. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides (40K, and 232Th and 238U decay products) in beach sand and soil samples was measured in-situ using the NaI(Tl) and the MEDUSA gamma ray detectors and ex-situ using the low background HPGe detector system. The activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U and 40 K in beach sand are much lower than in soil samples, with one major exception at Kukuu. Two beach sand samples from Kukuu beach were found to have enhanced radioactivity levels due to the presence of heavy minerals. The spatial distributions maps for 40K, 238U and 232Th show large variation in soil samples for two relatively small islands. These strong variations are unexpected, that could have implications for agriculture, is one of the major outcomes of this study. The outdoor gamma dose rates obtained in beach sand and soil samples ranged from 3 to 2156 nGy h-1 and 50 to 294 nGy h-1, respectively. The highest absorbed dose rates in soil samples and beach sand are respectively 5 and 38 times higher than the average world level of 57 nGyh-1 for terrestrial doses (UNSCEAR, 2008). Apart from the Kukuu black sand samples that contain the high 238U and 232Th levels, the beach sands and soil in this study do not pose any radiological threat to the public using beaches for various activities. Based on elemental concentrations, the beach samples in the study area have been classified into four groups; silicate sand (rich in SiO2), carbonate sand (dominated with CaO), mixed sand (with high amount of CaO and SiO2) and heavy mineral sand (with high contents of Fe2O3 and TiO2. A strong correlation between SiO2, Fe2O3, TiO2, Zr, V, Ce, Nb, Hf, Y, La, and Nd show these elements are linked with high activity concentration of 232Th in the studied samples. Moreover, the high concentrations of Y, V, P2O5 and Fe2O3 in the beach sand samples may relate to high 238U activity concentration. This study set out to investigate how radiometric studies can quickly and easily provide an idea of the variation of soil type found over a large area as well as provide detailed information on a small scale such as the beach where heavy minerals were found. The in-situ laboratory measurements were supplemented by XRF and ICP-MS measurements of samples to investigate the distribution of heavy mineral sands.

This investigation has had for its purpose the determination of first, all members of the Gramineae (Grass) family found in the county; second, the incidence of each species with the various types of soil; third, the grazing value of each species; fourth, the life span of the parent plants; fifth, the present grassland status; and sixth, the potentialities of developing desirable grassland.

<p>Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, currently about 390 ppm, causes climate change and is expected to reach 500 ppm or higher this century due to human activities. Soils are the largest terrestrial pool of carbon, and changes in soil carbon storage due to plant and microbial activities could affect atmospheric CO2 levels. This dissertation studies soil carbon and microbial responses to an experimental preindustrial-to-future CO2 gradient (250-515 ppm) in a grassland ecosystem. Two contrasting soil types are studied in the gradient, providing insight on how natural ecosystem variation modifies CO2 effects.</p><p>Although total soil organic carbon (SOC) did not change with CO2 treatment after four growing seasons, fast-cycling SOC pools did respond to CO2, particularly in the black clay soil. Microbial biomass increased 18% and microbial activity increased 30% across the CO2 gradient in the black clay, but neither factor changed with CO2 in the sandy loam. Similarly a one-year laboratory soil incubation showed that a fast-cycling SOC pool increased 75% across the CO2 gradient in the black clay. Size fractionation of SOC showed that coarse POM-C, the youngest and most labile fraction, increased four-fold across the CO2 gradient in the black clay, while it increased 50% across the gradient in the sandy loam. CO2 enrichment in this grassland increased the fast-cycling soil organic carbon pool as in other elevated CO2 studies, but only in the black clay soil.</p><p>CO2 also induced changes in microbial community composition, and we explored the functional consequences in a microcosm experiment. Soil collected in the third growing season of CO2 treatment was used to inoculate Indiangrass seedlings grown in the lab. The elevated CO2 soil inoculum had higher microbial biomass C/N (C/N = 21) than the subambient CO2 soil inoculum (C/N = 16), suggesting a difference in community composition. Mean plant height in elevated CO2 soil inoculum (475 ppm) was 57% greater than in subambient CO2 soil inoculum (300 ppm), but the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, total leaf N from plants in elevated CO2 soil was 28% greater on average than in subambient CO2 soil, but not significantly different. CO2-induced microbial effects on plant growth were either negligible or occurred at finer microbial taxonomic levels, making them difficult to resolve at the whole-community level.</p><p>Soil fungi decompose soil organic matter, and studying fungal community responses to CO2 could improve our understanding of soil carbon responses. We studied fungal communities in the CO2 gradient using Sanger sequencing and pyrosequencing of rDNA. As in our soil C study, fungal community responses to CO2 were mostly linear, and occurred mostly in the black clay soil. Fungal species richness increased linearly with CO2 treatment in the black clay. The relative abundance of Chytridiomycota (chytrids) increased linearly with CO2 in the black clay, while the relative abundance of Glomeromycota (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) increased linearly with CO2 in the sandy loam. Increased labile C availability at elevated CO2 and/or decreased inorganic N may explain the increase in fungal species richness and Chytridiomycota abundance in the black clay, while increased P limitation may explain the stimulation of Glomeromycota at elevated CO2 in the sandy loam. Across both soils, fungal species richness increased linearly with soil respiration, an index of decomposition rate (p = 0.01, R2 = 0.46). Adding fungal species may have improved decomposition efficiency, but it is also possible that species richness and decomposition increased due to another factor such as C quantity. Soil type strongly structured both fungal community and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition.</p><p>Together, these studies suggest that soil C and fungal community responses to CO2 were mostly linear, and were most apparent in the black clay soil. Soil type strongly influenced fungal community composition as well as which phyla responded to CO2. Therefore, soil type could be a useful addition to predictions of soil carbon and microbial responses to future CO2 levels.</p> / Dissertation

O desgaste de órgãos ativos de máquinas e implementos agrícolas de preparo do solo tem sido alvo de vários estudos pela comunidade científica que relaciona tal ocorrência com o desempenho operacional, vida útil, material e técnica de fabricação. Este desgaste ocorre independentemente do tipo de manejo do solo, porém, determinadas práticas podem potencializá-lo a ponto de comprometer as condições desejadas de implantação de uma cultura em virtude da modificação geométrica da sua extremidade de corte. Órgão ativo comprometido aumenta a força de tração e por conseqüência acarreta aumento no consumo de combustível. Diversas variáveis podem influenciar o desgaste entre as quais se destacam a velocidade de trabalho, teor de água do solo, material de fabricação e tratamento térmico. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi de descrever os principais tipos de ensaios de materiais, bem como construir uma avaliação crítica, com base na literatura encontrada, sobre desgaste de órgãos ativos analisando as metodologias e os resultados. Considera-se tal análise de grande relevância para agricultores, para indústria e para pesquisadores de modo geral. / The wear of tillage tools by agricultural implements has been aim of some studies of scientific community that such occurrence with operational performance relates useful, material and technique manufacture. This wear occurs independently of the type handling of the soil, however, determined practical can to increase it point to compromise the desired conditions of implantation culture in virtue of the geometric modification of the cutting edge. Compromised tillage tool increases the draft force and for consequence it causes increase the fuel consumption. Some variable can influence the wear, among which if they detach the work speed, moisture, manufacture material and heat treatment. Ahead of this, the aim of this work was to describe the main types of tests about subject, as well to make a critical evaluation of joined literature. Such analysis of great relevance for farmers, industry and researchers in general way is considered.

A modificação da paisagem e a fragmentação de habitats são consideradas ameaças à biodiversidade mundial. Áreas cobertas por vegetação primária ainda preservadas e unidades de conservação são insuficientes para garantir a conservação de espécies. Cultivos de florestas homogêneas passaram a ser considerados como possíveis habitats alternativos para espécies florestais e podem contribuir para a conservação da biodiversidade. O Brasil é o país com maior área ocupada com plantio de eucalipto e essa vem crescendo nos últimos anos. Identificar quais fatores influenciam a diversidade da biota nos plantios é importante para a conservação de espécies. O objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a composição florística do sub-bosque de plantios de Eucalyptus saligna Sm. e avaliar se o tipo de solo e a idade do plantio influenciam a riqueza e a composiçao da vegetação que ocupa esse ambiente. Para isso foi realizado o levantamento das espécies vegetais que ocorrem nos cultivos localizados em solo argiloso e arenoso, nos quais os indivíduos de E. saligna tinham três e sete anos. Foram avaliados como fatores ambientais características do solo, produção de serapilheira pelas árvores do plantio, abertura do dossel, uso do solo no entorno do cultivo e tamanho do plantio. No total, foram encontradas 218 espécies vegetais. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas apenas com as espécies que estavam presentes em pelo menos duas unidades amostrais. Plantios em solo argiloso apresentaram maior riqueza que no solo arenoso e houve diferença significativa na composição de espécies entre os dois tipos de solo. Grande parte dos fatores ambientais mensurados também foram diferentes entre os solos. Não foi possível verificar diferenças na riqueza, na composição de espécies e nos fatores ambientais entre os plantios de diferentes idades. O tipo de solo pode ser um fator mais limitante do que a idade da floresta plantada para determinar a riqueza e composição das espécies que compõem o sub-bosque dos plantios. Embora a riqueza de espécies no solo arenoso seja menor, esse também é importante para a conservação, porque abriga espécies adaptadas à menor disponibilidade de recursos, que não ocorrem em outros ambientes. O grande número de espécies encontrado no sub-bosque destes plantios indica que eles podem auxiliar na conservação de espécies nativas, mas esse potencial deve ser melhor investigado. São recomendados estudos de outros fatores, como a biologia de espécies importantes ecológica e econômicamente, interações entre animais e plantas e diferentes estratégias de manejo, para investigar de que forma eles afetam a biodiversidade e como eles podem ajudar a avaliar e aumentar o potencial de conservação das florestas industriais. / Landscape change and habitat fragmentaiton are recognized as threats to global biodiversity.Areas with remaining primary vegetation and protected areas are insufficient to ensure species conservation. Forest monocultures are potencial alternative habitats for native species and may contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. Brazil is the country with the largest area occupied with eucalypt plantations, this area is also growing in the last years. Identifying which factors influence the biodiversity on plantations is important to species conservation. The objective of this study was to know the understory species composition in Eucalyptus saligna Sm. plantations and to evaluate the influence of soil type and stand age on species richness and species composition. Surveys of vegetation were performed in stands on clay and sandy soils where the eucalypt trees were three and seven years old. Other soil characteristics, litter production by stand trees, canopy open and land use surrounding stands were evaluated as environmental factors. 218 plant species were found in plantations understory. The stands on clay soil were richer than those on sandy soil. Most of the environmental factors evaluated were also different among stands on different soils type. It was not possible to verify differences on species richness and species composition nor environmental factors between stand ages. Soil type could be a more limiting factor than forest age to determine species richness and species composition on plantations understory. Sandy soils are poorer in species, but they are also important to conservation, since species that happen on sandy soils are adapted to low resources availability and do not occur at other locations. The large number of native species founded in eucalypts plantation understory indicates that these plantations may assist some native species conservation. Nevertheless, further research is needed to understand the conservation potential from eucalypt plantations. It is recommended other studies to be done for a better comprehension and to increase the importance of plantation forests to conservation, mainly studies about biology of key species, interactions between animals and plants and the effect of different management options.

O desgaste de órgãos ativos de máquinas e implementos agrícolas de preparo do solo tem sido alvo de vários estudos pela comunidade científica que relaciona tal ocorrência com o desempenho operacional, vida útil, material e técnica de fabricação. Este desgaste ocorre independentemente do tipo de manejo do solo, porém, determinadas práticas podem potencializá-lo a ponto de comprometer as condições desejadas de implantação de uma cultura em virtude da modificação geométrica da sua extremidade de corte. Órgão ativo comprometido aumenta a força de tração e por conseqüência acarreta aumento no consumo de combustível. Diversas variáveis podem influenciar o desgaste entre as quais se destacam a velocidade de trabalho, teor de água do solo, material de fabricação e tratamento térmico. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi de descrever os principais tipos de ensaios de materiais, bem como construir uma avaliação crítica, com base na literatura encontrada, sobre desgaste de órgãos ativos analisando as metodologias e os resultados. Considera-se tal análise de grande relevância para agricultores, para indústria e para pesquisadores de modo geral. / The wear of tillage tools by agricultural implements has been aim of some studies of scientific community that such occurrence with operational performance relates useful, material and technique manufacture. This wear occurs independently of the type handling of the soil, however, determined practical can to increase it point to compromise the desired conditions of implantation culture in virtue of the geometric modification of the cutting edge. Compromised tillage tool increases the draft force and for consequence it causes increase the fuel consumption. Some variable can influence the wear, among which if they detach the work speed, moisture, manufacture material and heat treatment. Ahead of this, the aim of this work was to describe the main types of tests about subject, as well to make a critical evaluation of joined literature. Such analysis of great relevance for farmers, industry and researchers in general way is considered.