LABORATORY TESTING, CHEMISTRY, AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF NUTRIENTS IN SOILS AND SOIL AMENDMENTS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0208164
• Project Start Date: Jul 1, 2006
• Project End Date: Jun 30, 2012
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
202 HIMES HALL
BATON ROUGE,LA 70803-0100

Performing Department
School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Many management factors influence nutrient quantity, chemistry and availability. Therefore, there is a continuing need to test soils for nutrient status and to provide a basis for making recommendations concerning fertilizer and other amendments. On the other hand, in many situations, the soil-plant nutrient relations have been distorted due to inadequate understanding and poor management. This distortion has caused a sustainable increase in leachable nutrients, especially phosphorus, in soils that are amended with biosolids such as chicken litter. This problem has caused a serious environmental concern. Besides phosphorus, mobility of trace metals such as Cu and Zn in these soils could also be an issue, which has not yet been fully investigated. This proposed project focuses on the testing of all common nutrients for agronomic production. In addition, this project will generate necessary data that will help us to better understand the chemical dynamics and bioavailability of nutrients especially P, Zn, Cu in soils and soil amendments.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	0110	2000	100%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;

Keywords

soil testing, nutrients, biosolids, trace metals, phosphorus, zinc,

copper, industral by-products, bauxite residue.

Goals / Objectives
1. To analyze soil and plant samples for various nutrient elements to index soil fertility and provide agronomic recommendations for fertilizer application. 2. To determine chemical speciation and mobility-retention characteristics of nutrients in biosolids and biosolids-impacted soils. 3. To evaluate bioavailability of trace metals in soils impacted by long-term applications of biosolids and industrial by-products.

Project Methods
For Objective 1, soil samples submitted by the general public and LSU AgCenter research and extension personnel will be routinely analyzed at the Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) for Mehlich 3-extractable P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Cu, and Zn; pH, and texture. Determination of lime requirement will also be carried out on soils with a pH of less than 6.1, if the crop to be grown is expected to respond positively to lime application. Upon request, optional soil tests will be run for organic matter content, extractable B, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Al, oil, and soluble salts. Data from soil and plant analyses will be interpreted according to calibration trials conducted by LAES personnel. For Objective 2, chemical speciations of biosolids and soils will be conducted by both wet-chemical sequential fractionation and solid procedures for P, Cu, Zn and other nutrient elements. Solid speciation of biosolids and soils will be performed using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy analysis, specifically its subclass X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) procedure, to investigate coordination chemistry of P and trace metals in these soils and biosolids. In addition to speciation, absorption and desorption experiments of P, Cu, Zn and other trace metals will be carried out to further elucidate the behaviors of these nutrients in biosolids and biosolids-impacted soils. Additional absorption and desorption experiments of nutrients by major soil components, especially different clay minerals, will be also conducted. Besides single clay mineral systems, controlled mixed mineral systems of Fe oxides, CaCO3 and smectite will be generated based on common soil compositions found in Louisiana and used for absorption and desorption experiments. For Objective 3, greenhouse-potted experiments will be carried out to evaluate bioavailability of trace metals from northern Louisiana soils impacted by long-term application of biosolids with or without bauxite residue. Forage crops (bahiagrass and bermudagrass) will be used as a biological receptor of trace metals for this evaluation. Both non-impacted and impacted soils will be used for these studies. An initial survey and screening will be conducted to determine the location from northern Louisiana where a similar soil type but with and without receiving biosolids applications is being collected. The treatments will include control, biosolids, and biosolids plus bauxite residue. In addition, the bioavailability of trace metals will be evaluated based on field experiments. A randomized-block small-scale field trial consisting of three rates of bauxite residue in triplicate will be carried out on biosolids-impacted soils.

Progress 07/01/06 to 06/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Total, the project generated 18 refereed research publications, 3 book chapters, and 18 presentations at national and international meetings during the project period. The significance and impact of the research project was discussed with peer researchers at the national and international meetings including the 11th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in Florence, Italy and the 3rd International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter in Leuven, Belgium. The research results were also disseminated in three articles through Louisiana Agriculture. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wang, (PI); Rodney Henderson, Dodla Syam, Changyoon Jeong, M. Ali, and S Mudi, LSU AgCenter. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this project include agricultural and environmental professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) conducted routine tests on soil, plant and water samples. Results were reported back to producers with formulated fertilizer and lime recommendations. Routine test samples were increased significantly in 2010-2012 due to the improvement in handling and outreach effort on samples from home consumers. During the project period, research evaluated methodology of soil phosphorous fractionation and biological oxygen demand (BOD). It was shown that commonly measured BOD at 5 days of incubation (BOD5) were best described by BOD5 = 20.8Ln(TOC) - 42.9. Several field studies determined nutrient availability in different soils. Significant residual interactions for the third year between liming and K fertilization on soybean growth in acidic soils such as Gigger silt loam. The regression analysis between post-harvest soil test data and corn yield also indicated that the critical level of Mehlich 3 P was around 35 ppm in these acid soils. Results on uptake efficiency helped producers develop fertilization programs for efficient production. An effort was made to evaluate the fate of antibiotic compounds and organic pollutants in manure-affected soils. The fate of tylosin, a commonly used antibiotic compound in poultry production, degraded the most at +50 mV during 20-day incubation. Furthermore, the potential of using bauxite residues in reducing the release of P, organic carbon (OC), Cu and Zn from manure-impacted soils to the environment was investigated. Various bauxite residue amendments reduced water-extractable P by 58-95%, Cu by 2-98%, and Zn by 10-90% in manure-impacted soils. Research was focused on the conversion of sugarcane and rice residues to biochar as a soil amendment. Biochars of crop residues were produced at different temperatures and characterized. Initial results showed that biochars exhibit differential elemental, molecular and surface characteristics. Treating soils with sugarcane biochar increased sorption of atrazine, a commonly used herbicide in sugarcane production. Overall, these results are import to the understanding of nutrient availability and environmental consequence of various amendment applications.

Publications

• Jia, C., R. Li., Z. Zhang, and J. Wang. 2011. The transformation of phosphorus forms during co-composting of sludge and wheat straw. In Selected Proceeding of the Fifth International Conference on waste management and Technology (ICWMT5). 2011:462-466.
• Jeong, C.Y., J.J. Wang, and S.K. Dodla. 2012. Effect of biochar amendment on tylosin adsorption/desorption and transport in two different soils. J. Environ. Qual. 41:1185-1192. doi:10.2134/jeq2011.0166.
• Li, R., J.J. Wang, Z. Zhang, F. Shen, G. Zhang, R. Qing, X. Li., and R. Xiao. 2012. Nutrient transformations during composting of pig manure with bentonite. Bioresource technology 121:362-368.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) analyzed 15,393 routine soil samples, 6,278 plant samples, and 385 water samples. In addition, the lab performed 6557 optional soil tests. The results were transmitted to producers with formulated fertilizer and lime recommendations. The project generated six refereed research publications, one book chapter, and 11 presentations at national and international meetings. The significance and impact of the research project was discussed with peer researchers at national and international meetings. The research results also were disseminated in two articles through Louisiana Agriculture magazine. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wang (PI), R. Henderson, S. Dodla, C. Jeong, M. Ali, and S. Mudi, LSU AgCenter. TARGET AUDIENCES: Agricultural and environmental professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
There was an increase of 2,223 routine soil samples (17%), over the previous year. This increase was primarily from home consumers as the Soil Testing Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) implemented a box sampling kit for garden crops. There also was an increase of 1510 plant samples over the previous year. Research was focused on conversion of sugarcane and rice residues to biochar as a soil amendment. Biochars of different crop residues were produced at different temperature and characterized. Biochar produced from crop residues generally had different nitrogen contents. As temperature increased, biochar material analyses showed more aromatic molecular structure and less surface functional groups. Treating soils with sugarcane biochar increased sorption of atrazine, a commonly used herbicide in sugarcane production. In addition, further research evaluated water extracts of organics from animal manures on dairy farms using pyrolysis-GC/MS. Results showed the possibility of hormone compounds occurring in animal manures of conventional dairy farm as compared to organic dairy farm, and a method is being developed for identifying these compounds. In addition, research investigated factors controlling the behaviors of tylosin antibiotic in soil and manures. Tylosin sorption in soil and manure was greatly affected by matrix pH, organic matter, ionic strength, redox potential, and clay type. Increasing pH and ionic strength generally decreased tylosin adsorption by clay minerals. The kinetic behavior of tylosin sorption was examined in forest and corn field soils. The change in tylosin concentration in the soil solution was rapid during the initial stages of the sorption reaction followed by slow and continued reactions in the control and soil with 1% hardwood biochar. However, tylosin concentration significantly declined in 5% and 10% biochar-treated soils after 4 hrs. Hardwood biochar-amended soils had higher sorption capacity of tylosin than softwood biochar-treated soils. Applying biochar amendment to antibiotics and pesticide-contaminated soils can reduce the transport of these contaminates in soils. The results are import to understanding environmental consequence of various amendment applications as well as the fate of contaminants in manure-impacted soils.

Publications

• Piao, C., C.J. Monlezun, J.J. Wang, and L.H. Groom. 2011. Recycling of pentachlorophenol-treated southern pine utility poles. Part I: Preservative retention and mechanical properties. Forest Prod J. 61(1):1-8.
• Wang, J.J. and L. Gaston. 2011. Land-applied animal waste and water quality. Louisiana Agriculture 54(4):16-17.
• Tubana, B., J. Wang., J.C. Stevens, and D.J. Boquet. 2011. Soil testing and calibration research in soybeans. Louisiana Agriculture 54(2):30-31.
• Wang, J.J., S.K. Dodla, and Z. He. 2011. Application of analytical pyrolysis-mass spectrometry in characterization of animal manures. P. 2-24. In Z. He (ed.) Environmental chemistry of animal manures. Nova Publishers.
• Wang, J.J. R. DeLaune, and M. Ali. 2011. Runoff Characteristics and Redox Control of Veterinary Antibiotics in Manure, Soil and Water. National Water Conference and USDA Project Director Meetings, January 31-February 2, Washington DC (Abstract).
• Wang, J.J., S.K. Dodla, R.D. DeLaune, W.H. Hudnall, and R.L. Cook. 2011. Soil carbon characteristics in two Mississippi river deltaic marshland soils. Wetlands 31:157-166. DOI 10.1007/s13157-010-0130-y.
• Wang, J.J. H. Zhang., J. L. Schroder, T.K. Udeigwe. Z.Q. Zhang, S.K. Dodla, and M.H. Stietiya. 2011. Reducing Potential Leaching of Phosphorus, Heavy Metals, and Fecal Coliform from Animal Wastes Using Bauxite Residues. Water Air Soil Pollut. 214:241-252. DOI 10.1007/s11270-010-0420-2.
• Viator, H. and J.J. Wang. 2011. Effect of residue management on yield after three production cycles of a long-term sugarcane field trial in Louisiana. J. Am. Soc. Sugar Cane Technologists 31:15-25.
• Stietiya, M.H. and J.J. Wang. 2011. Effect of organic matter oxidation on the fractionation of copper, zinc, lead, and arsenic in sewage sludge and amended soils. J. Environ. Qual. 40:1162-1171. doi:10.2134/jeq2011.0008.
• Stietiya, M.H., J.J. Wang, and A. Roy. 2011. Macroscopic and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic investigation of ligand effect on zinc adsorption to kaolinite as a function of pH. Soil Sci. 176:464-471. doi: 0.1097/SS.0b013e3182285b46.
• Kang, J., Z. Zhang, and J.J. Wang. 2011. Influence of humic substances on bioavailability of Cu and Zn during sewage sludge composting. Bioresource Technology. 102:8022-8026. doi:10.1016/j.biotech.2011.06.060.
• Wang, J.J., S.K. Dodla, and R. DeLaune. 2011. Relationship between carbon gas emission and soil organic carbon transformation along a salinity gradient in coastal wetland soils. AmeriFlux Science Meeting and The Third North American Carbon Program All Investigators Meeting. January 31- February 4, 2011, New Orleans, LA (Abstract).
• Wang, J.J., Z.Q. Zhang, and R.E. DeLaune. 2011. Physico-chemical forms of Copper in water and sediments of Lake Pontchartrain, USA. Proceedings of 11th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of trace elements, Florence, Italy, July 3-7, 2011, pp. 405-406. Wang, J., S. Dodla, and R. DeLaune. 2011. Characteristics of organic carbon in coastal wetland soils along a salinity gradient. The 3rd International Symposium on soil organic matter dynamics. Leuven, Belgium, July 11-14, 2011, pp 216.
• Wang, J.J., Z. Zhou, J. Du, J. Yang, M. Ali, C.Y. Jeong, D. Seo, R. DeLaune, L. Gaston, A. Roy, and S. Dodla. 2011. Behavior characteristics and environmental control of tylosin in soil and manure. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, October 16-19, San Antonio, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Jeong, C.Y., J.J. Wang, and S.K. Dodla. 2011. Sorption of tylosin by humic acid-like substances. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, October 16-19, San Antonio, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Jeong, C.Y., J.J. Wang, and S.K. Dodla. 2011. Characteristics and environmental impact of thermal biochar from sugarcane and rice residues. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, October 16-19, San Antonio, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Zhang, Z.Q., J.J. Wang, and R.DeLaune. 2011. Biogeochemistry of copper in Lake Pontchartrain water and sediments. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, October 16-19, San Antonio, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Wang, J.J., R. DeLaune, S. Dodla, and C.Y. Jeong. 2011. Mobility characteristics and redox influence in controlling degradation of oil hydrocarbons in wetland soils. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, October 16-19, San Antonio, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Dodla, S.K. , J.J. Wang, C.Y. Jeong, S.D. Mudi, R. DeLaune, S. Viator, R. Sheffield, A. Hiscox, and T. Hymel 2011. Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization, Harvesting and Residue Management Practices on Greenhouse Gas, Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emissions in Sugarcane Production. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, October 16-19, San Antonio, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) analyzed 13,964 routine soil samples, 5,586 plant samples and 182 water samples in 2010. In addition, the lab performed 5,555 optional soil tests. The results were reported back to producers with formulated fertilizer and lime recommendations. The project generated four peer- reviewed publications including characterization of BOD in agricultural effluents, measurement of salinity and sodicity, and soil testing of micro nutrients. The project also generated seven presentations on characterizations of animal manure organic matter using pyrolysis GC/MS, soil organic carbon distribution and greenhouse gas emissions in sugarcane, rice, and grazing lands, relationship between wetland salinity and soil carbon characteristics. These presentations were given at the 19th World Congress of Soil Sciences and the 2010 Soil Science Society of America national meetings. The results from this project have been also presented to the LSU AgCenter ACE groups on soil fertility and animal wastes, respectively. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wang, PI; Dodla Syam and Changyoon Jeong, assist in sample analyses. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this project include agricultural and environmental professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) performed various analyses. For soil analysis, a total of 11,786 samples were submitted from producers and 2,178 from LSU AgCenter researchers and extension personnel. These numbers reflected a small increase of 6% in samples submitted for routine soil tests from combined producers and researchers over 2009. There was also an increase of 17% in plant samples submitted for analysis. On the other hand, soil samples submitted for various optional tests reduced by a total 23%, which could be due to fee adjustment in 2010. Research conducted in 2010 was focused on characterization of animal waste amendment and nutrients and contaminants in animal waste amendments. The potential beneficial use of bauxite residues were further examined in direct control of the leaching of P, Cu, Zn, As, dissolved organic C directly from poultry litter and cattle manure, as well as their influence on NH3 loss and fecal coliform. Poultry litter and cattle manures collected from production farms were mixed with bauxite residues at rates of 11, 22 and 50%. Bauxite residues were effective in suppressing the leaching of water-soluble P, As, Cu, and Zn from both animal manures. At 22% mixing rate, brown mud reduced water-extractable P by 40% and 70% from chicken litter and cattle manure, respectively, whereas red mud reduced water-extractable P by 27% and 55%, respectively, in five successive extractions. Amending manures with bauxite residues also decreased populations of fecal coliform. Bauxite residues did not increase NH3 release despite its relatively high pH. The results suggest that bauxite residues could be used as a potential amendment for reducing P and other contaminant leaching in animal manures and improve the application of both wastes for beneficial use. Another experiment was conducted to evaluate the nature of organic matter in animal wastes using pyrolysis GC/MS technique. Comparison of pyrograms of dairy manures from organic and conventional farms showed slightly different molecular compositions. Although both manures were dominated by lignin monomers, the manure from an organic dairy farm had more guaiacyl and syringyl structures and less p-hydroxyphenyl structures than that from a conventional dairy farm, suggesting more grass origins of materials in the feeds and /or bedding materials mixed with manures. On the other hand, Py-GC/MS of a chicken manure sample showed very different molecular composition from dairy manures. The chicken manure sample contained a greater percentage of aliphatics but had less lignin monomers and N-containing compounds than dairy manure. These results suggest that applying these animal manures of different types as soil amendments likely yield different interactions with organic pollutants such as pesticides. Overall, these results are important to the understanding of environmental consequence of various residue applications, as well as the fate of nutrients and contaminants in manure-impacted soils for improved field management.

Publications

• Udeigwe T.K. and J.J. Wang. 2010. Oxygen demand relationships in typical agricultural effluents. Water, Air Soil Pollut. 213:237-249. DOI: 10.1007/s11270-010-0381-5.
• Wang, J.J. 2010. The chemistry of soils. Vadose Zone J. 9:198.
• Wang, J.J., T. Provin and H. Zhang. 2010. Measurement of Soil Salinity and Sodicity. In F. Sikora (ed.) Soil Testing Methods Manual, SERA-IEG-6. Available at: http://www.clemson.edu/sera6/methods/.
• Jeong, C., J.J. Wang, and S.K. Dodla. 2010. Antibiotics Transport in Different Soils Amended with Biochar. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Meetings, October 31-Novemebr 3, Long Beach, California (Agronomy Abstr).
• Zhang, H., D. Hardy, R. Mylavarapu, and J.J. Wang. 2010. Mehlich 3 Extraction for Macro- and Micronutrients In F. Sikora (ed.) Soil Testing Methods Manual, SERA-IEG-6. Available at: http://www.clemson.edu/sera6/methods/.
• Wang, J.J., S. Dodla, and R. DeLaune, and R. Cook. 2010. Organic carbon transformation along a salinity gradient in Louisiana wetland soils. Proceedings of 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Brisbane, Australia, August 1-6, pp 56-59.
• Wang, J.J. and S. Dodla. 2010. Characterization of animal manures using pyrolysis-GC/MS. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Meetings, October 31-Novemebr 3, Long Beach, California (Agronomy Abstr).
• Wang, J.J. S.K. Dodla, G. Scaglia and C. Jeong. 2010. Soil Carbon Distribution Under Different Pasture Systems and Its Relationship with Greenhouse Gas Emissions. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Meetings, October 31-Novemebr 3, Long Beach, California (Agronomy Abstr).
• Dodla, S.K., J.J. Wang, and C. Jeong. 2010. Greenhouse Gas Production from Woody Swamp and Saline Marsh Soils under Different Electron Accepters. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Meetings, October 31-Novemebr 3, Long Beach, California (Agronomy Abstr).
• Dodla, S.K., J.J. Wang, and C. Jeong. 2010. Characterization of Soil Organic Carbon in Long-Term Sugarcane and Rice Production Systems. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Meetings, October 31-Novemebr 3, Long Beach, California (Agronomy Abstr).
• Jeong, C., J.J. Wang, and S.K. Dodla. 2010. Characterization and Acid-Base Properties of Humic-Like Substances Extracted From Different Sources. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Meetings, October 31-Novemebr 3, Long Beach, California (Agronomy Abstr).

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) analyzed 13,170 routine soils samples, 4,768 plant samples and 250 water samples in 2009. In addition, the lab performed 7,268 optional soil tests. The results were reported back to producers with formulated fertilizer and lime recommendations. The project generated five peer-reviewed publications including the use of bauxite residue amendments to immobilize contaminants in manure-affected soils, sugarcane residue management and water quality, effect of electron acceptors on carbon gas production, and the relationship between sediment properties and status of sediment copper. The project also generated five presentations on the characteristics of soil organic matter in runoff sediments, behavior of heavy metal in soil sludge amendment, and Mehlich III soil P calibration. These presentations were given at the International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter Dynamics and the 2009 Soil Science Society of America national meetings. Additional publications are being prepared. The results from this project have been presented to members of State Soybean and Grain Promotion Board. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wang, PI; Allen Arceneaux, assist field trials, Theo Udeigwe, Dodla Syam and Rodney Henderson, assist in sample analyses. Other LSU AgCenter Participants: Sonny Viator and Brenda Tubana, assist in field trials. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this project include crop producers, agricultural and environmental professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) performed various analyses. For soil analysis, a total of 11,179 samples was submitted from producers and 1,991 from LSU AgCenter researchers and extension personnel. These numbers of soil samples reflected an increase of 9.5% in samples submitted for routine soil tests from producers. There was also an increase of 16% in optional tests run by the laboratory. A field study was carried out to compare the response of four new varieties of sugarcane to potassium fertilization at two different sites. Mehlich III soil K was 151-191 mg/kg. The results showed that cane yield increased by 17.9% and 20.0% whereas sugar yield increased by with 20.2% and 23.9%, respectively at 60 lbs K2O/A for L97-128 and HO95-988. Application of 60 lb K2O/A increased sugar yield by 7.7% for L99-233 whereas it required K2O at 240 lb/A to reach a statistical increase in sugar yield for HOCP 96-540 plant cane. These results are important to the fertilization management of these varieties. The impact of different sugarcane residue treatments namely, post-harvest burning of residue (BR), shredding of residue (SR), and full post-harvest retention of residue (RR), on the water quality of surface runoff of sugarcane fields were also studied. Except for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), there were no significant differences in the sums of total loads in total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids, biological oxygen demand, total phosphorus (TP), nitrate-N, nitrite-N, sulfate and bromide among the three residue management techniques, although the RR treatment generally exported the lowest total loads. Regression analysis showed that all evaluated water quality parameters were positively correlated with precipitation, with the BR treatment being more sensitive to rainfall amount than the RR and BR treatments in TSS, TKN, TP, and nitrate. Runoff TSS and turbidity were highly correlated. The results suggest that the two sugarcane residue retention practices (RR and SR) had limited benefit on improving water quality over the BR practice in subtropical region such as Louisiana. In addition, the potential of bauxite residues in reducing the release of P, OC, Cu and Zn from manure-impacted soils to the environment was further investigated. Five bauxite residues including one brown mud (ABM), two fresh red muds (ARM and ORM) and two seawater-neutralized red muds (NARM and NORM) were evaluated with three manure-impacted soils. The various bauxite residue amendments reduced water-extractable P by 58-95%, Cu by 2-98%, and Zn by 10-90% in these manure-impacted soils. Neutralization of red muds with synthetic seawater lowered the pH, increased the soluble Ca and Mg, and enhanced their ability to immobilize these contaminants. Overall, the results suggest that the application of neutralized red mud at 40 ton/ha to manure-impacted soils could significantly immobilize soluble P, OC, Cu, and Zn, reducing their release to the environment. These results are import to the understanding of environmental consequence of various residue applications as well as the fate of nutrients in manure-impacted soils for improved field management.

Publications

• Udeigwe T.K., J.J. Wang, and H. Zhang. 2009. Effect of bauxite residue residues in immobilizing contaminants in manure-amended soils. Soil Sci. 174:676-686.
• Dodla, S.K., J.J. Wang, R.D. DeLaune, and G. Breitenbeck. 2009. Carbon Gas production under Different Electron Acceptors in a Freshwater Marsh Soil. Chemosphere 76:517-522. Online available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.03.013
• Stietiya, H.H. and J.J. Wang. 2009. The impact of organic oxidation on the speciation of heavy metals in sewage sludge. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, November 1-5, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Agronomy Abstr.).
• Udeigwe, T., and J. Wang. 2009. Pyrolysis GC/MS investigation of organic matter composition in runoff sediment from sugarcane field. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, November 1-5, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Agronomy Abstr.).
• Udeigwe T.K., J.J. Wang, H.P. Viator, and L. Gaston. 2009. Surface water quality as influenced by sugarcane residue management techniques. Water, Air and Soil Pollut. DOI: 10.1007/s11270-009-0153-2. Online available at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/xkpk7220x5056630/fulltext.pdf
• Viator, H.P., J. Flanagan, L. Gaston, S. Hall., J. Hoy, T. Hymel, C. Kennedy, B. Ledendre, and J.J. Wang. 2009. The influence of post-harvest residue management on water quality and sugarcane yield. J. Am. Soc. Sugar Cane Technologists 29:1-10.
• DeLaune, R.D., J. Wang, and A. Jugsujinda. 2009. Copper in Lake Pontchartrain bottom sediment: Relationship to sediment properties. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 12:456-460.
• Wang, J., S. Dodla, and R. DeLaune. 2009. Denitrification And Carbon Gas Production Of Gulf Coast Wetland Soils. International Symposium on soil organic matter dynamics. Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA July 6-9 2009. p 217 (abstract-PS7-2).
• Dodla, S.K., J.J. Wang, and R. DeLaune. 2009. Carbon gas emissions and organic matter characteristics in coastal wetland soils. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, November 1-5, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Agronomy Abstr).
• Udeigwe, T., E. Clawson, H. Mascagni, B. Tubana, and J. Wang. 2009. Mehlich III soil P calibration to corn fertilizer P response in Northeast Louisiana. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, November 1-5, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Agronomy Abstr.).

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) analyzed 13,109 routine soils samples, 3,890 plant samples and 346 water samples in 2008. In addition, the lab performed 6,253 optional soil tests. The results were reported back to producers with formulated fertilizer and lime recommendations. Four presentations based on the results from this project were given at the 2008 Soil Science Society of America national meetings. The project also generated one peer-reviewed publication, and additional publications from this project are being prepared. The results from this project have been presented to members of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wang, PI; Theo Udeigwe, graduate student; Dodla Syam, graduate student. Rodney Henderson, assist in sample analyses. LSU AgCenter scientists, Don Boquet, Rick Mascagni and Brenda Tubana, assist in field trials. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this project include crop producers, agricultural and environmental professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) performed various analyses. For soil analysis, 10,203 samples were submitted from producers and 2,906 from LSU AgCenter researchers and extension personnel. These numbers of soil samples reflected a slight increase (4.8%) in samples submitted for routine soil tests. In a new study of K, P and lime calibration at the Macon Ridge Research application of 60 lb potash per acre corrected K deficiency but application of phosphate did not make impact in yield. Lime application also had no difference on yield, suggesting that corn was not as sensitive to soil acidity as soybean, which showed a general yield increase in this study. A field experiment was also conducted in an acidic Commerce silt loam at the Northeast Research Station, St. Joseph to calibrate P application for corn production. The results indicated that application of 60 lb P2O5 per acre best corrected P deficiency based on dry matter data harvested at early stage even though 120 lb P2O5 per acre significantly increased yield compared to the check. The regression between post-harvesting soil testing data and corn yield also indicated that the critical level of Mehlich 3 P was around 37 ppm in these acid soils. These results on uptake efficiency will be used to help producers develop fertilization programs for efficient production. In addition, a laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of bauxite residues as amendments to reduce environmental organic carbon and heavy metal releases from manure-impacted soils. Depending on application rates, the bauxite residue amendments reduce organic carbon by 10-40% and biological oxygen demand (BOD) by 2-72% as well as potentials for reduced copper and zinc in runoff water from manure-impacted soils depending on application rates. Appropriate use of bauxite residues could have other environmental benefits besides the control of environmental P. Finally, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the fate of antibiotic compounds in manure-affected soils. The fate of tylosin, a commonly used antibiotic compound in poultry production, was examined by investigating its sorption and degradation behavior in Savannah sandy loam under different redox soil conditions. The rate of tylosin degradation was different at different redox potentials. Tylosin degradation was greatest at +50 mV during a 20-day incubation, and there was not much difference among other redox conditions. These results are important to understand and manage the environmental consequence of this antibiotic.

Publications

• Dodla, S. K., J. J. Wang, R. D. DeLaune, and R. L. Cook. 2008. Denitrification potential and its relation to organic carbon quality in three coastal wetland soils. Sci. Total Environ. 407:471-480.
• Viator, H.P., R. Bengston, S. Hall, L. Gaston, M. Selim, J. Wang, B. Legendre, T. Hymel., J. Flanagan, J. Hoy, C. Kennedy, and J. Prudente. 2008. Influence of post-harvest sugarcane residue on yield, water quality. Louisiana Agriculture 51:39-40.
• Udeigwe, T.K., J.J. Wang, and H.Zhang. 2008. Evaluation of Amendment Techniques for Remediating Water Quality of Surface Runoff from Manure-Impacted Soils. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, October 5-9, Houston, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Udeigwe, T.K., S. Viator, J.J. Wang, and L. Gaston. 2008. Surface Water Quality as Affected by Sugarcane Residue Management Techniques ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, October 5-9, Houston, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Dodla, S. JJ. Wang, and R. DeLaune. 2008. Effect of Different Electron Acceptors on Organic Carbon Mineralization and Transformation in a Freshwater Marsh. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, October 5-9, Houston, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).
• Yang. J.L., D.C. Seo, J.J. Wang, and R. DeLaune. 2008. Adsorption and Degradation of Veterinary Antibiotics in Soils Under Different Redox Conditions. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, October 5-9, Houston, Texas (Agronomy Abstr).

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) analyzed 20,488 routine soil samples, 3,539 plant samples and 237 water samples in 2007. In addition, the lab performed 6,613 optional soil tests. The results were reported back to producers with formulated fertilizer and lime recommendations. Two presentations based on the results from this project were generated and both were given at the 2007 Soil Science Society of America national meetings. The project also generated one publication. Portion of the results from this project has been shared with regional soil testing community through a presentation at the Southern Extension and Research Activity Information Exchange Group (SERA-IEG-6). In addition, the research results have been presented to members of State Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wang, PI; Theo Udeigwe, graduate student; Rodney Henderson, assist in sample analyses. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this project include crop producers, agricultural and environmental professionals.

Impacts
The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (STPAL) performed various analyses. For soil analysis, a total of 18,736 samples were submitted from producers and 1,752 from LSU AgCenter researchers and extension personnel. These numbers of soil samples reflected an increase of 20% for routine tests from producers. In a continued study of K, P and lime application, the combined treatments exhibited a significant residual interaction for the third year between liming and K fertilization on soybean growth in an acidic Gigger silt loam. The residual treatment effect was primarily due to the difference in nutrient levels of plow zone (0-15 cm) not subsoil zone (15-30 cm). Also in a repeated evaluation of uptake efficiency of different corn varieties, DeKalb DKC63-62 RR showed the highest uptake efficiency for P and K, similar to 2006 observation. Application of K2O at 120 lb/A increased sugar yield by 23% and 9%, respectively, for first stubbles of L97-128 and HO95-988, two newer sugarcane varieties. These results on uptake efficiency will be used to help producers develop fertilization programs for efficient production. In addition, laboratory experiments were conducted to develop predictive relationships among biological oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC), and nitrogen in a series of simulated surface runoff samples. It was found that commonly measured BOD at 5 days of incubation (BOD5) was best described by BOD5 = 20.8 Ln (TOC) - 42.9 (R-square =0.58). Inclusion of total nitrogen in this regression did not improve much in R-square, suggesting the dominant contribution of carbonaceous BOD to overall BOD of these suspensions. BOD ultimate (BODu) as determined by the first-order kinetic equation was found closely related BOD measured at 60 days of incubation. The relation between BOD5 and BODu was not significant. These results suggested that the commonly used BOD5 measurement may not adequately reflect real oxygen demand of surface runoff from agricultural fields. Quantification of the relationships among BOD measurements and other parameters will help to better assess water quality of surface runoff from agricultural fields.

Publications

• Udeigwe T.K., J.J. Wang, and H. Zhang. 2007. Predicting runoff of suspended solids and particulate phosphorus for selected Louisiana soils using simple soil tests. J. Environ. Qual. 36:1310-1317.
• Udeigwe, T.K., J.J. Wang, L.A. Gaston, and S. Viator. 2007. Assessment of the impact of sugarcane residue management techniques on the forms of carbon export in surface water runoff. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 4-8, New Orleans, LA (Agronomy Abstr).
• Udeigwe, T.K., J.J. Wang, L.A. Gaston, and S. Viator. 2007. Oxygen demand, carbon, and nitrogen relationships in effluent surface waters. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 4-8, New Orleans, LA (Agronomy Abstr).

Progress 07/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
The Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory analyzed 17,020 routine soils samples, 5,671 plant samples and 210 water samples in 2006. For soil analysis, a total of 15,294 samples were submitted from producers and 1,720 from LSU AgCenter researchers and extension personnel. In addition, the lab performed 7,683 optional soil tests. These numbers of soil samples reflected a decrease of 9% in samples for routine test but an increase of 15% in samples for optional tests submission from producers. Plant samples were primarily from LSU AgCenter research and extension section. In 2006, experiments were conducted to develop predictive relationships among total suspended solids (TSS), particulate phosphorus (PP) in runoff, and selected soil properties using simulated rainfall-surface runoff approach. A highly significant relationship existed between runoff TSS and runoff turbidity and both were also significantly related to runoff PP. Runoff TSS was closely and positively related to soil clay content but inversely related to soil electrical conductivity (EC). A newly-devised laboratory test, termed "soil suspension turbidity (SST)", effectively predicted runoff TSS and PP for cultivated Louisiana soils and could be employed as a useful tool for the assessment and management of sediment and particulate nutrient losses in surface runoff. Two field studies were also conducted. The first one was to further evaluate residual effect of K, P and lime applications on soybean growth in an acidic Gigger silt loam. The results showed a significant residual effect of liming, P application, and interaction between liming and K application on soybean yields. In addition, from the correlation it was also found that a 30 ppm of Mehlich III-extractable P could be used as the critical P level for soybean production in the similar soils. The second field study was to evaluate uptake efficiency of different corn varieties. The uptake efficiency was determined using the ratio of plant nutrient content to soil nutrient content. This approach was taken for that the uptake efficiency was correlated with the nutrient accumulation per unit of grain produced and per unit of soil nutrient. The results showed that the different varieties had different nutrient uptake efficiencies. Relatively high efficiency was found for P and K nutrients with DeKalb DKC63-62 RR and Dyna-Gro DG 58P59 for both conventional and minimum tillage managements. The uptake efficiency could help to manage fertilization programs.

Impacts
Sediments and particulate phosphorus in surface runoff from agricultural fields cause negative effect on environment. Previous research focused little on quantifying suspended sediments and particulate-bound nutrients in surface water runoff. This research in using simple soil tests to predict the loss of suspended sediments and particulate phosphorus in runoff will help us to better assess nutrient loss and develop best management practice to minimize these impacts. Fertilizer nutrients often exhibit interactive effect on crop yields. This interactive effect could be affected by different soil reaction conditions. In addition, different crop varieties could have different ability in utilizing nutrients from soils. The field research on phosphorus, potassium and liming interaction and nutrient uptake efficiency can help farmers to better manage soil fertility and fertilization programs.

Publications

• Harrell, D.L. and J.J. Wang. 2006. Fractionation and sorption of inorganic phosphorus in Louisiana calcareous soils. Soil Sci. 171:39-51.
• Harrell, D.L. and J.J. Wang. 2007. Evaluation of three- and five-step inorganic phosphorus chemical fractionation procedures along with inductively coupled plasma determination for calcareous soils. Soil Sci. 172:55-67.
• Wang, J.J., T.K. Udeigwe, and H. Zhang. 2006. Predicting runoff sediment losses from selected Louisiana soils using suspension turbidity test. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 12-16, Indianapolis, IN (Agronomy Abstr).