INFLUENCE OF LITHO-MORPHOGENETIC, HYDROLOGIC AND ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS ON SORPTIVE AND BUFFER PROPERTIES OF SOILS OF EROSIONAL-DENUDATIONAL VALLEYS: CASE STUDY FROM SŁAWIEŃSKA PLAIN

The aim of the study has been to assess the role of litho-morphogenetic, hydrologic and anthropogenic factors influencing spatial variability of sorptive and buffer properties of the soils of erosional-denudational valley incised in hollow sediments flat-dipping glacial till in the area of Sławieńska Plain. Parent material properties, water - as a causative agent of erosion and ions carrier, as well as the quantity and the properties of organic matter were basic factors influencing spatial variability of sorptive and buffer properties of the examined soils. The sorption capacity of Stagnic Dystric Cambisols of the high plain formed of strongly acid, silt-clay hollow sediments ranged from 8.74 to 22.12 cmol(+) kg-1. Acidic cations dominated in the sorption complex of the soils, but its percentage decreased with depth. Colluvic Regosols of the slopes had a lower content of clay and organic matter in relation to the soils of the high plain which was reflected in a lower sorption capacity. The cation exchange capacity of Colluvic Gleysols and Mollic Gleysols of the bottom of the valley ranged from 7.21 to 25.68 cmol(+) kg-1 and was positively related to the content of soil organic matter and clay. The high base saturation of the soils (97.2–100.0%) was an effect of the influence of supplying water. Calcium dominated among base cations. The soils of the high plain and slopes had high buffering capacity of basis and low of acids. Higher buffering capacity of acids found in the soils of the valley bottom was an effect of almost full saturation of soil sorption complex with exchangeable basis

Pedological aspects in the functioning of spring niches as transition zones between underground and superficial parts of the water cycle in a river basin

The aim of the study was to characterize the soils of spring niches in the valley of the Jarosławianka River in the context of its functioning in the transition zone between underground and superficial parts of the water cycle in the river basin. Five spring niches, representing different soil types (proper gley soils, peat-like soils, peat-mud soils) were studied. Small-scale relief in nearby water seepages is an important factor, which determined the direction of pedogenesis in spring niches. The relief can enhance or hinder accumulation of organic matter. Specific characteristics of soil-forming environment of spring niches (water surplus and its permanent flow through the soil) are reflected in some chemical properties of the soils (low concentration of active and plant-available forms of N, P and K) and properties of soil organic matter (a low rate of the humification process). Soil organic matter strongly affects the sorption and buffer properties of the soils. Ionic composition of the soil sorption complex is determined by the chemistry of feeding waters. More than 99.3% of total cations are bases, especially calcium

Formation of soil structure in long-term fertilised sandy soil: Role of the manganese oxides

We investigated the role of Mn oxides on the soil structure (contents of dry and water-stable aggregates) of sandy soil under a controlled long-term fertilisation experiment. We examined two experiments: a 94-year-term experiment with: no fertilisers, NPK fertilisers, and CaNPK fertilisers; and a 25-year-term experiment that included: farmyard manure and no mineral fertilisation, farmyard manure + NPK fertilisers, and Farmyard manure + CaNPK fertilisers.  The results showed that in the 94-year-term trial, Mn oxides were increased in CaNPK treatment. In the 25-year-term experiment, the farmyard manure combined with NPK decreased total Mn and its oxides. In the 94-year-term experiment, the content of dry-sieved macro-aggregates (DSAma) and water-stable macro-aggregates (WSAma) increased due to fertilisation. The result of our study suggests that Mn oxides had positive effects mainly on higher size classes of DSAma and did not have any effect on water-stable aggregate contents.

Characteristics of Iron and Aluminium Forms and Quantification of Soil Forming Processes in Chernozems in Western Slovakia

The studies on iron and aluminium forms and soil forming processes quantification in Chernozems were conducted in two localities in Western Slovakia. Two soil pits were done in a complex of arable Haplic Chernozems in Krakovany and two soil pits representing arable and forest Cambic Chernozems were done in Báb. The soils were sampled every 10 cm and analysed using standard methods. Based on analytical results, profile development indices (PDI) were calculated for each profile. Chernozems in Krakovany were characterised by 90 cm (Krakovany 1) and 80 cm (Krakovany 2) thick solums and pH increasing with depth from neutral to alkaline. The content of total organic carbon (TOC) was up to 13.70 g kg-1 in both profiles. Cambic Chernozems in Báb were characterised by a lower thickness of solum – 40 cm in arable soil (Báb 1) and 70 cm in forest soil (Báb 2). Reaction of arable soil ranged from slightly acid to alkaline, and in the case of forest soil – from strongly acid to alkaline. Arable soil contained 14.2-14.5 g kg-1, and forest soils 12.9-50.7 g kg-1 of TOC in A horizons. The content of Fet in the studied soils ranged from 21.78 to 32.48 g kg-1, free iron oxides (Fed) – from 5.74 to 11.53 g kg-1, and amorphous iron oxides (Feo) – from 0.77 to 2.94 g kg-1. Fed/Fet ratios ranged from 0.26 to 0.39. Crystalline forms predominated over amorphous ones. The values of PDI were relatively low, namely 1.50 – in the profile Krakovany 1; 1.76 – in the profile Krakovany 2; 1.15 in the profile Báb 1 and 2.12 – in the profile Báb 2

Looking for land allocations for poplar in rural areas considering optimization and protection of natural resources usage

The paper is a case-study of the possibilities for poplar introduction into rural landscape based on the example of Grodziczno commune area. The ultimate outcome of the study are maps, which indicate areas where farmers can consider introduction of poplar cultivation as an adequate response to external conditions, such as prices and demand for food products and regulations, as well as internal conditions - input for production, soil, water, landscape values protection and for overall improving of farm performance in terms of sustainability

Looking for land allocations for poplar in rural areas considering optimization and protection of natural resources usage

The paper is a case-study of the possibilities for poplar introduction into rural landscape based on the example of Grodziczno commune area. The ultimate outcome of the study are maps, which indicate areas where farmers can consider introduction of poplar cultivation as an adequate response to external conditions, such as prices and demand for food products and regulations, as well as internal conditions - input for production, soil, water, landscape values protection and for overall improving of farm performance in terms of sustainability

INFLUENCE OF PINE AND SPRUCE ADMIXTURE IN EUROPEAN BEECH STAND ON SOME PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC AND HUMIC HORIZONS OF DYSTRIC ARENOSOLS AND THE INTENSITY OF BIOLOGICAL TURNOVER

The aim of the study has been to assess the influence of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) admixture in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) stand on some properties of organic and humic horizons of Dystric Arenosols and the intensity of biological turnover. The studies were conducted in northern Poland in Łysomice Forest Subdistrict (Forest District Leśny Dwór, Regional Directorate of State Forest Szczecinek). Significant differences in some properties of examined soil horizons were noticed between the stands. About 3-times higher stocks of organic matter in ectohumus were found in beech-pine and about 2-times in beech-spruce in relation to pure beech stand. Higher stocks of soil organic matter recorded in beech-pine and beech-spruce stands may result from the influx of coniferous litter and reduction of the intensity of biological turnover. The stocks of organic matter in A horizons were slightly higher in beech stand. Lower values of pH in O and A horizons were found in mixed stand in relation to pure beech. The concentration of nitrogen was comparable in both stands. It can be assumed that spatial variability of the stocks of nitrogen was strongly related to spatial diversity of soil organic matter stocks

Ktoré obrábanie pôdy je lepšie z pohľadu zmien pôdnej organickej hmoty a štruktúry pôdy?

This study was performed to evaluate effects of minimum (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) on soil organic matter and soil structure in haplic Chernozems and mollic Fluvisols. The content of soil organic carbon (Corg) as well as parameters of stability and vulnerability of soil structure were quantified. The results showed that soil type had statistically significant influence on Corg. In haplic Chernozems the Corg content near the surface (0–0.1 m) was significantly higher under MT (by 6%) compared to CT, however, in layer 0–0.3 m under CT the average Corg content was by 16% higher than under MT. In mollic Fulvisols under MT, the average Corg content (17.5 ± 5.4 g*kg-1) was significantly less for the 0–0.3 m layer than the CT (22.7 ± 0.4 g*kg-1). In Chernozems, total content of water-stable micro-aggregates (WSAmi) was higher in MT (90.8%) than in CT (69.5%). In mollic Fluvisols, the average content of WSAmi was higher in CT (62.5%) than in MT (53.2%). The low aggregate stability and the high structure vulnerability were reflected also due to the high contents of WSAmi in both soils. The stability of aggregates was a higher in mollic Fluvisols than in haplic Chernozems. In haplic Chernozems, better soil structure stability was under CT than MT, on the other hand, in mollic Fluvisols, the average value of coefficient of aggregate stability was lower by 32% in CT than MT.Vplyv minimálneho (MT) a konvenčného (CT) obrábania pôdy na zmeny pôdnej organickej hmoty a štruktúry pôdy boli uskutočnené na černozemi a čiernici kultizemných. V oboch pôdnych typoch pod rozdielnym spôsobom obrábania boli stanovené: obsah celkového organického uhlíka (Corg) a parametre stability a zraniteľnosti pôdnej štruktúry. Výsledky ukázali, že pôdny typ mal štatisticky významný vplyv na množstvo Corg. V černozemi do hĺbky 0,1 m pod minimálnym obrábaním pôdy bol obsah Corg vyšší o 6% v porovnaní s konvenčným obrábaním pôdy. Avšak, do hĺbky 0,3 m bol obsah Corg v porovnaní s MT o 16% vyšší v dôsledku konvenčného obrábania pôdy. V pôdnom type čiernica v dôsledku minimálneho obrábania bol priemerný obsah Corg (17,5 ± 5,4 g*kg-1) štatisticky významne vyšší ako v CT (22,7 ± 0,4 g*kg-1). V černozemi, v MT (90.8%) bol stanovený vyšší obsah vodoodolných mikro-agregátov (WSAmi) v porovnaní s CT (69.5%). V čiernici, priemerne vyšší obsah WSAmi bol v CT (62.5%) ako v MT (53.2%). Nízka stabilita agregátov a ich zraniteľnosť bola aj výsledkom vysokého obsahu WSAmi v oboch pôdnych typoch. Celkovo vyššou stabilitou agregátov sa vyznačovala čiernica v porovnaní s černozemou. Vyššia stabilita agregátov bola v CT systéme v porovnaní s MT v černozemi. V čiernici priemerná hodnota koeficientu agregátovej stability bola nižšia o 32% v CT ako v MT

How dose of biochar and biochar with nitrogen can improve the parameters of soil organic matter and soil structure?

Biochar application to agricultural soils has a significant potential to influence soil resource availability and thus crop performance. A factorial experiment investigating effects of different biochar application rates combined with nitrogen fertilizer was conducted in field conditions on a Haplic Luvisol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of biochar and biochar combined with fertilization on soil organic matter and soil structure parameters. The treatments comprised combinations of biochar application of 0, 10 and 20 t ha−1 (B0, B10 and B20) and 0, 40 and 80 kg N ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer (N0, N40, N80) applied in a full-factorial design. Biochar application rate of 20 t ha−1 significantly increased soil organic carbon content (SOC) and non-labile carbon content (CNL), but decreased carbon lability (LC). The addition of biochar at 10 t ha−1 together with 40 and 80 kg N ha−1 significantly increased the values of SOC and CNL. On the other hand, B10N80 treatment resulted in a considerable decrease of carbon lability (LC). Overall, the lowest average content of water-stable micro-aggregates was found in the B20N80 treatment and then with B10N0 < B20N40 < B20N0 < B10N80 < B0N0 < B10N40. Biochar applied at 20 t ha−1 increased the critical level of soil organic matter and decreased the crusting index

Polish Soil Classification, 6th edition – principles, classification scheme and correlations

The sixth edition of the Polish Soil Classification (SGP6) aims to maintain soil classification in Poland as a modern scientific system that reflects current scientific knowledge, understanding of soil functions and the practical requirements of society. SGP6 continues the tradition of previous editions elaborated upon by the Soil Science Society of Poland in consistent application of quantitatively characterized diagnostic horizons, properties and materials; however, clearly referring to soil genesis. The present need to involve and name the soils created or naturally developed under increasing human impact has led to modernization of the soil definition. Thus, in SGP6, soil is defined as the surface part of the lithosphere or the accumulation of mineral and organic materials permanently connected to the lithosphere (through buildings or permanent constructions), coming from weathering or accumulation processes, originated naturally or anthropogenically, subject to transformation under the influence of soilforming factors, and able to supply living organisms with water and nutrients. SGP6 distinguishes three hierarchical categories: soil order (nine in total), soil type (basic classification unit; 30 in total) and soil subtype (183 units derived from 62 unique definitions; listed hierarchically, separately in each soil type), supplemented by three non-hierarchical categories: soil variety (additional pedogenic or lithogenic features), soil genus (lithology/parent material) and soil species (soil texture). Non-hierarchical units have universal definitions that allow their application in various orders/types, if all defined requirements are met. The paper explains the principles, classification scheme and rules of SGP6, including the key to soil orders and types, explaining the relationships between diagnostic horizons, materials and properties distinguished in SGP6 and in the recent edition of WRB system as well as discussing the correlation of classification units between SGP6, WRB and Soil Taxonomy