The evaluation of a synthetic material for use as a wave protection agent on irrigation dams

This report presents the results of a field and laboratory testing program to evaluate the performance of a slope protection method utilizing a new synthetic fabric material in the form of soil filled bags. The field study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of filling and placing the bags on an operational irrigation darn using equipment and resources available to a typical farmer. Test sections on the dam were monitored to determine the amount of wave erosion of both unprotected and protected slopes of the dam. Tensile strength tests were performed on samples of the fabric. The results of the strength tests indicate the durability of the system. Laboratory immersion tests were conducted on two soil materials used to fill the bags. The results of the immersion tests were then compared to the field performance of each material in the bags. The results of this investigation indicate that the system is readily installed on irrigation dams and offers excellent slope protection. The factors which influence the practicality of the system include the cost of alternate slope protection methods, the position of the irrigation dam in relation to local winds and the availability of fill material for the bags. A medium-scale laboratory model study was performed on a new synthetic fabric designed to be used in the form of soil-filled sand pillows in order to determine the relationship that affect the stability of the pillows and to determine basic design criteria for the protection system. The model testing of the sand pillow system was performed to evaluate the parameters that affect the stability of the pillows when placed on an embankment slope. The results of the model investigation were consolidated and analyzed to develop design criteria for the individual pillows. The results of the model study investigation indicate that the stability of sand pillows is primarily a function of wave height, wave period, embankment slope angle, and individual sand pillow weight. A possible design equation was developed for a silty clay soil such that the wave height calculated for a given reservoir could be utilized to determine the weight of the individual sand pillow necessary to economically and effectively protect the embankment. The results of the laboratory and field evaluation investigation indicate that the sand pillow method offers excellent slope protection. However, since some soils appear to be readily lost through fabric when subjected to repeated wave action, some limiting minimum particle size specification is required in order to prevent unnecessary maintenance of the system.Project # B-122-MO Agreement # 14-34-0001-809

Crop Nitrogen and Phosphorus Utilization following Application of Slurry from Swine Fed Traditional or Low Phytate Corn Diets

Field application of swine (Sus scrofa) slurry provides essential nutrients for crop production. The N to P ratio for slurry is lower than needed by most crops resulting in P accumulation when applied at N rates required for crop growth. Low phytate corn (Zea mays L.) (LPC) contains similar amounts of total P but less phytate P than traditional corn (TC) resulting in improved P bioavailability and reduced P excretion by monogastric animals. While manure from swine-fed LPC diets has a higher N to P ratio than that from TC diets, field studies comparing crop utilization of nutrients from LPC manure have not been conducted. A field study was conducted to compare N and P utilization by no-tillage rainfed sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] receiving three annual surface applications of nutrients (inorganic fertilizer, LPC slurry, and TC slurry) and by irrigated corn receiving one incorporated application of nutrients. Sorghum grain and total dry matter N utilization exhibited a year by treatment interaction but total dry matter N utilization was similar for both manure types in all years (61.2 ± 2.6% for TC and 53.8 ± 2.6% for LPC). Grain P utilization was similar for inorganic fertilizer and manure but differed among years (44.4 ± 7.0% in 1999, 25.1 ± 1.4% in 2000, and 57.0 ± 2.2% in 2001). Corn grain N and P utilization did not diff er among nutrient sources in the year of application (50.7 ± 2.4% for N and 40.4 ± 3.0 for P) and increased little in the year following application (62.2 ± 3.0% for N and 50.2 ± 4.5% for P). Crop N and P utilization from LPC manure and TC manure was similar and nutrient guidelines developed for TC swine slurry should also apply for LPC slurry

Soil Temperature and Fumigation Effects on Plant Phosphorus Uptake and Related Microbial Properties

Early season problems with growth of corn (Zea mays L.) under cool, wet conditions prompted a study of the effects of soil and environmental conditions on mineralization and plant uptake of phosphorus (P). Our objective was to determine the effect of soil test P, temperature, and soil fumigation on soil P availability and uptake during early corn growth. Corn was grown in growth chambers at temperatures of 14°C or 25°C. Soils were a high-P Hastings silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Udic Argiustoll) and a low-P Sharpsburg clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll). Plants grew for up to 42 d either in soil which had been fumigated with methyl bromide to reduce microbial populations or left unfumigated. We harvested whole pots for soil and plant analysis at 1, 14, 28, and 42 d after planting. Biomass carbon (C) and biomass P were lower in fumigated soils and biomass C increased with time. Fumigation increased Bray Pl-extractable P at all times. Phosphatase activity and mycorrhizal colonization were both reduced by fumigation. Cumulative plant P uptake was highest in Hastings at 25°C. Higher temperature and higher initial P status increased plant P uptake during early growth. Plants grown in fumigated soil did not take up more P, despite greater extractable P

Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 1 - Rocks, Minerals, and Soils

Goal This lesson identifies some common rocks and minerals and how they influence soil formation. After completing this lesson you should be able to identify some common rocks and minerals. Objectives 1. Learn to classify rocks according to the major rock types. igneous metamorphic sedimentary 2. Learn about the influence of rock type on soil properties. Most soil parent materials were rocks at some time in their history. The minerals in rocks contribute to soil fertility and other soil properties long after the original rock is gone. Consequently, it is a valuable skill to be able to identify a few broad categories of rock. Geologists classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, according to their origins. In this lesson you will learn how to identify these major rock types and about some common rock-forming minerals. Modules: Lesson home 1.1 - Rocks, Minerals, and Soils -- Introduction 1.2 - Minerals and Rocks 1.3 - Igneous Rocks 1.4 - Sedimentary Rocks 1.5 - Metamorphic Rocks 1.6 - Rock Identification Exercise Glossar

Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 1 - Rocks, Minerals, and Soils

Goal This lesson identifies some common rocks and minerals and how they influence soil formation. After completing this lesson you should be able to identify some common rocks and minerals. Objectives 1. Learn to classify rocks according to the major rock types. igneous metamorphic sedimentary 2. Learn about the influence of rock type on soil properties. Most soil parent materials were rocks at some time in their history. The minerals in rocks contribute to soil fertility and other soil properties long after the original rock is gone. Consequently, it is a valuable skill to be able to identify a few broad categories of rock. Geologists classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, according to their origins. In this lesson you will learn how to identify these major rock types and about some common rock-forming minerals. Modules: Lesson home 1.1 - Rocks, Minerals, and Soils -- Introduction 1.2 - Minerals and Rocks 1.3 - Igneous Rocks 1.4 - Sedimentary Rocks 1.5 - Metamorphic Rocks 1.6 - Rock Identification Exercise Glossar

Soil Genesis and Development, Scenario 1 - Agroecosystem Soil, Food and Fiber

This case study addresses how soil formed in different geographical locations of the world influences food and fiber production. Objectives Define physical, chemical, and biological weathering processes. Identify the factors of soil formation. Describe how soil forming factors may interact to produce different soils. Identify and describe the main soil horizons. Use a map to identify the soil order at a particular geographic location. Given the soil order at a specific geographic location, identify the soil forming factors that influenced soil formation. Modules Lesson home Learning objectives The situation The problem Climate and soil moisture Weathering processes Soil orders Soil forming factors Soil horizons Recommendations Reference

Vegetation and Soil Responses to Concrete Grinding Residue Application on Highway Roadsides of Eastern Nebraska

As a precautionary principle, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit establishes that the primary pollutant in concrete grinding residue (CGR) is its alkalinity and restricts CGR roadside discharge to 11 Mg ha−1 or the agronomic liming rate, whichever is lower. We evaluated the effect of CGR application on roadside soil chemical properties, existing vegetation, and rainfall runoff. Five CGR rates (0, 11, 22, 45, and 90 dry Mg ha−1) were tested on roadsides slopes at two different locations in eastern Nebraska. Vegetation, soil, and runoff characteristics were evaluated before CGR application and 30 d and 1 yr after CGR application. Soil pH of control plots averaged 8.3 and 8.5 for each site respectively, across depths and slope positions, thus not requiring any liming for agronomic purposes. Soil electrical conductivity (EC, 1:1) averages of control plots were 0.79 and 1.24 dS m−1 across depths and slope positions. In the short term (30 d) the highest CGR application affected the 0- to 7.5-cm soil depth by increasing soil extractable Ca (21 and 25% for each site, respectively), soil pH (0.2, south site), and soil EC (0.2 dS m−1) compared with the control. However, these changes in soil did not persist 1 yr after CGR application. The pH buffering capacity of soil prevented post-CGR-application pH from exceeding 8.9, even at the highest application rate. Application of CGR did not produce any differences in biomass production, botanical composition, and runoff characteristics at either site. From our study, CGR up to ?90 dry Mg ha−1—about the amount produced during diamond grinding operations—can be one-time applied to roadside soils of similar characteristics on already established vegetation

Delineating site-specific management zones for pH-induced iron chlorosis

Iron chlorosis can limit crop yield, especially on calcareous soil. Typical management for iron chlorosis includes the use of iron fertilizers or chlorosis tolerant cultivars. Calcareous and non-calcareous soil can be interspersed within fields. If chlorosisprone areas within fields can be predicted accurately, site-specific use of iron fertilizers and chlorosis-tolerant cultivars might be more profitable than uniform management. In this study, the use of vegetation indices (VI) derived from aerial imagery, on-the-go measurement of soil pH and apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) were evaluated for their potential to delineate chlorosis management zones. The study was conducted at six sites in 2004 and 2005. There was a significant statistical relationship between grain yield and selected properties at two sites (sites 1 (2005) and 3), moderate relationships at sites 2 and 4, and weak relationships at site 5. For sites 1 (2005) and 3, and generally across all sites, yield was predicted best with the combination of NDVI and deep ECa. These two properties were used to delineate chlorosis management zones for all sites. Sites 1 and 3 showed a good relationship between delineated zones and the selected properties, and would be good candidates for site-specific chlorosis management. For site 5, differences in the properties between mapped zones were small, and the zones had weak relationships to yield. This site would be a poor candidate for site-specific chlorosis management. Based on this study, the delineation of chlorosis management zones from aerial imagery combined with soil ECa appears to be a useful tool for the site-specific management of iron chlorosis