Soil Science Masters Theses

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Association and Bioavailability of 17β-Estradiol with Soil and Manure Aqueous Dissolved and Colloidal Fractions
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Chambers, Katrin Bella
Steroidal estrogens in the environment exert toxicological effects at very low concentrations. Furthermore, dissolved and colloidal fractions of soil and manure play an important role in the environmental fate and transport of steroidal estrogens. One objective of this study was to quantify the association of the natural estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2), with the dissolved fraction and colloidal fraction isolated from liquid swine manure (LSM), soil, and soil+LSM mixtures. The second objective of this study was to evaluate whether the E2 associated with the dissolved fraction/colloidal fraction, dissolved fraction and colloidal fraction of the various media could induce an estrogenic response. Estrogenicity was assessed using an E2 receptor (ER) competitor assay, which provided E2 equivalent concentration (EEQ) of dissolved fraction/colloidal fraction, dissolved fraction and colloidal fraction solutions created from the Soil, Soil+LSM and LSM.
Biological Response to Sulfate Salinity in Richland County, North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Butcher, Kirsten R.
Soil salinization is a major threat to agricultural ecosystems. Consequently, an understanding of agro-ecosystem functions affected by increasing levels of soil salinity is critical for land management. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of soil salinity on corn and soybean growth and soil microbial activity in southeastern North Dakota soils with naturally occurring soil salinity. A field study assessed corn and soybean yield, and a laboratory study assessed microbial respiration in response to increasing salinization. Both corn and soybean yield were significantly impacted by salinity in sandy loam soils, declining after a threshold of 4.57 dS m-1 and 2.98 dS m-1, respectively. These thresholds are higher and lower than previously established threshold tolerances for corn and soybean, respectively. Microbial respiration in sandy loam soils could not be significantly explained by ECe, potentially indicating a community composition that has acclimated to sulfate-based salinity in these soils.
Brine-Contaminated Soils in Western North Dakota: Site Assessment Methodology and a New In-Situ Remediation Method
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Klaustermeier, Aaron Wallace
Anthropogenic soil salinity caused by produced water (i.e., brine) contamination is an issue in all oil and gas producing regions. The objectives of this research are to develop soil electrical conductivity (EC) conversion equations for rapid site assessment of brine spills and to determine the efficacy of crystallization inhibitors as an in-situ remediation method. Conversion equations were developed for soil-to-water suspensions and saturated paste extracts (ECe) on brine-contaminated soils. These new equations provided the best prediction of ECe when compared to 14 other equations reported in the literature. A crystallization inhibitor (C18Fe7N18) applied to NaCl-contaminated soils using various concentrations and methods of application yielded dendritic salt crystals above the soil surface. On average, between 0.29 and 0.57 g g-1 of NaCl salts effloresced when surface applying a 0.01M concentration of the crystallization inhibitor. Results from these studies will guide consultants and researchers in the assessment and remediation of brine-contaminated soils.
Can We Increase Crop Yield Adopting Tile Drainage in Fargo Clay Soil?
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Acharya, Umesh
Subsurface drainage has recently become common for agriculturally productive soils and key to maintain and improve crop production in poorly drained, frigid clay soils. The first study was conducted for four years (2014-17) at Casselton, ND to determine best combination of drainage, tillage and crop rotation for higher corn yield. Our finding suggested corn yield was highest with no drainage, CS and CH combination in years with drought conditions. The second study was conducted for three years (2015-17) to evaluate subsurface drainage spacing (9, 12, and 15m) and depth (0.9 and 1.2m) combination on corn, soybean and sugarbeet yields and residual soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) contents. Results indicated that 9 m drain spacing produced highest corn and soybean yield when average across three years in contrast with drain depth that has no effect on corn and soybean yield except for sugarbeet where the 1.2m depth yielded higher than the 0.9m depth.
Characterizing Soil Microbial Communities of Reclaimed Roads in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Viall, Eric
Reclaimed roads on the Little Missouri National Grasslands of southwestern North Dakota have not returned to pre-disturbance conditions. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis was performed on soil samples collected from reclaimed roads and adjacent prairie to assess reclamation effects on the microbial community. Additionally, nutrient cycling capacity was measured by four enzyme assays. Ordination analysis of PLFA data identified a distance gradient indicating microbial communities of reclaimed roads were different from the prairie. Specifically, Gram-negative bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are associated with roads; soil organic matter was associated with prairie sites. Soil enzyme activities associated with prairie sites indicate greater nutrient cycling. The soils of reclaimed roads have not accumulated sufficient organic matter to sustain both plant and microbial communities characteristic of the surrounding prairie.
Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Thermally and Chemically Disturbed Soil in Northwestern North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Ritter, Samantha Susan
Thermal desorption (TD) remediates hydrocarbon-contaminated soil by heating the soil (200 to 500 °C) to volatilize the hydrocarbons, effectively removing the contaminant from the soil. If the soil is then used for agricultural production, reclamation success can be determined by quantifying aspects of soil health. Cation exchange capacity (CEC), cation selectivity and Gibbs free energy (ΔGex) of TD-treated and untreated soil were compared. Although CEC and ΔGex differed, cation selectivities were not altered suggesting that alternative fertility management to retain previous soil productivity may not be needed. From field plots, N-transforming genes were lowered in contaminated and TD-treated soils as compared to non-contaminated soil, but the addition of surface soil (1:1 blends) increased N-cycling genes to levels reported in the literature. Thermal desorption may not alter soil chemical as much as biological metrics, but blending treated or contaminated soils with native surface soils can enhance soil function and, ultimately, productivity.
Corn Response to Sulfur Fertilizer in the Red River Valley
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Kaur, Jashandeep
A study was conducted at ten locations in North Dakota and Minnesota in 2016 and 2017 to evaluate corn response to different sulfur (S) application rates and to determine the relationship between corn yield and plant tests. Five S treatments of 0 (check), 11, 22, 33, and 44 kg S ha-1 were applied as ammonium sulfate granular fertilizer. Significant increase in corn yield occurred at only two sites (out of ten sites) in both years. Application of 33 kg S ha-1 (2016) and 44 kg S ha-1 (2017) increased corn yield by 3.4 Mg ha-1 and 1.3 Mg ha-1, respectively. Poor correlation was noticed between plant tests (tissue S and N/S) and corn yield. These results indicate that response to S varies from soil to soil and weather conditions may play the most important role in determining the response. Additional research should be conducted using different soils over multiple years.
Evaluating Dynamic Soil Change in the Barnes Soil Series Across Eastern North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Montgomery, Brandon
Quantifying long-term, global soil change is of the utmost importance as the human population continues growing and food security needs intensify. North Dakota presents a unique opportunity to study dynamic soil change because of its agricultural prominence and extensive soil survey data. A resampling method to characterize soil change from legacy soil survey data was utilized on a benchmark soil series, the Barnes, in North Dakota. Significant decreases (p<0.05) in soil organic carbon (SOC) were measured in surface horizons of three Barnes pedons, and depending upon management practices, morphologic changes ranged from highly eroded, with the complete loss of the A horizon, at two sites, to non-eroded conditions at sites returned to CRP 25 years ago. Additionally, using remotely sensed evapotranspiration (ET) data as a non-biased proxy for soil function shows modeling potential. These results serve as a proof of concept and demonstrate the need for more comprehensive research.
Evaluation of Soil Potassium Test to Improve Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Rakkar, Manbir Kaur
A study was conducted at thirteen locations in North Dakota and Minnesota in 2013 and 2014 with the objectives of determining difference between the soil potassium (K) results based upon air-dried (KDry) and field-moist (KMoist) soil samples during the corn growing season and to evaluate corn response to applied K-fertilizer. Overall, KDry tests showed higher K levels in the soil test results compared to KMoist but the pattern of deviation was dependent upon various soil properties such as initial soil K level. Temporal variation of soil K levels indicated a need to consider time of soil sampling while making fertilizer recommendations. Potassium application significantly increased corn yields at only five out of 11 sites with soil K levels below critical K soil test levels (<150 ppm). Therefore, development of an improved soil testing strategy is required to improve the predictability of corn response to applied K fertilizer in this region.
Foliar Application of Iron Chelated Fertilizer and Surfactants for Management of Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Soybeans
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Rasmussen, Heidi
Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a production challenge for farmers growing soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], especially in the Red River Valley. It is critical to correct this deficiency as soon as symptoms arise before growth, and ultimately yield, is negatively impacted. Field experiments of foliar applied iron fertilizers (o-o-EDDHA, o-o-EDDHSA, HEDTA, and an amino acid) and suitable adjuvants (HSOC [high surfactant oil concentrate], non-ionic surfactant, acidifier, and organosilicone surfactant), to control IDC were conducted during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, respectively. There was high variability among the results for both the SPAD meter readings and soil iron concentration. The yield values were greater in the treated plots than with control plots, but not significantly so. Further experiments should be conducted to gain more knowledge on the prolonged use and efficiency of these products in the correction of IDC.
Influence of Amendments on Chemical and Biological Properties of Sodic Soils
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Breker, Maria Christine
Improving productivity of sodic soils has become a concern in North Dakota because of the desire for more land for producing crops. Field and incubation studies were conducted to determine the impacts of different amendments (flue-gas desulfurization gypsum, sugar beet processing by-product lime, and langbeinite) on the chemical and biological properties of two sodic soils. The field study evaluated the amendment effects on the chemical conditions of the soil and the impact on alfalfa yield and quality. Differences were not observed in percent sodium (%Na) in the first 17 months and alfalfa yield was not impacted by the treatments except for the high rate of langbeinite. The incubation study investigated the effects of amendments on both the chemical and biological properties of the soil. Spent lime increased the cumulative respiration but was not impacted by gypsum or langbeinite. Labile carbon (C) was negatively correlated with %Na and electrical conductivity (EC).
The Influence of Soil Salinity Gradients on Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.] and Corn (Zea Mays L.) Growth
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Langseth, Chandra Marie
An estimated 2.3 million hectares are salt-affected in North Dakota (Brennan and Ulmer, 2010), a number increasing due to land management, climate, and crop choice. As a result, yield reductions are noted for salt-sensitive crops such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] and corn (Zea Mays L.). The objective of this greenhouse study was to assess soybean and corn response to salinity, using sulfate based salts. Soybean leaf area, plant mass, and height decreased by 66, 59, and 47%, respectively, across a salinity gradient ranging from an EC1:1 of 0.4 to 4.1 dS m-1. Corn mass and height decreased by 42 and 26%, respectively, root length and mass also decreased by 44 and 37%, respectively from an EC1:1 0.8 to 5.3 dS m-1. Thus, planting soybean and corn on salt-affected soils in North Dakota will result in overall decreased productivity for both crops even at low levels of salinity.
Laboratory and Greenhouse Evaluation of FeEddha Fertilizers of Differing Quality
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Lovas, Sarah
Commercial iron ethylene diamine di(hydroxyl phenyl acetic acid) (FeEDDHA) fertilizers containing the same Fe percent and applied at the same FeEDDHA rate control Fe deficiency chlorosis (IDC) differently due to differing ortho, ortho FeEDDHA (o,o-FeEDDHA) concentrations. This study: 1) determined the effect of o,o-FeEDDHA concentration on controlling IDC in soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.); and 2) developed a soil-stability test using a simple colorimetric analysis method to determine the relative quality of soil-applied FeEDDHA fertilizers. A greenhouse experiment was conducted where nine FeEDDHA fertilizers were applied at two FeEDDHA rates. The soil-stability test compared these fertilizers with two incubation methods which utilized three soils and four incubation times, and extracts were analyzed by two methods. The results of these experiments suggest that soil-applied FeEDDHA fertilizer quality is contingent upon its o,o-FeEDDHA concentration, and the fertilizer quality can be determined by a soil-stability test with a colorimetric analysis method.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Recalibration for Sunflower in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Schultz, Eric Charles
Sunflower is one of the most important annual crops grown for edible oil in the world and is grown in North Dakota and the northern Great Plains more than any other region in the United States. Sunflower production and sunflower itself has evolved significantly since commercial cultivation began in the 1970s. In order to properly update fertility requirements of nitrogen and phosphorus in the northern Great Plains to correspond to this evolution, sunflower yield and oil concentration response to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer was investigated based on a twoyear (2014-2015) study. Highly significant statistical relationships between sunflower yield and oil concentration were found with nitrogen fertilizer rate but were not found with phosphorus fertilizer rate. This indicates that nitrogen fertilizer application rates used for sunflower need to be determined by current documented responses and that phosphorus fertilizer may not be needed to produce optimal yield and oil concentration of sunflower.
Phosphorus Dynamics and Crop Productivity in Bakken Crude-Oil Remediated Soils
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Croat, Samantha Jo
Thermal desorption (TD), a remediation method used to remove hydrocarbons from contaminated soils, may cause changes in soil properties that threaten soil function and plant productivity. The goal of this research is to better understand the effect that TD treatment has on soils intended for agricultural use. A series of soil phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption experiments were conducted on soils before and after TD treatment to determine P availability for plant uptake and risk for run-off. TD-treated soils retained more P, likely due to mineral transformations of Fe- and Al-oxides. In addition, a three-year field study using mixtures of topsoil (A), crude-contaminated soil (SP), and TD-treated soils (TDU) was conducted. Yields were significantly greater in plots that included A in the mixture compared to SP and TDU soils alone. TD-treated soils can be a replacement for topsoil, but the addition of topsoil will reduce the time to successful reclamation.
Predicting Soil Health and Function of the Barnes Catena Using Evapotranspiration, Vegetative, Geologic, and Terrain Attributes in the Eastern Glaciated Plains of North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Bohn, Meyer Patrick
The benchmark Barnes soil series is an extensive northern Great Plains upland Hapludoll that is vital to the region. Accelerated erosion has degraded Barnes agricultural soil quality, but with unknown extent or severity. Samples from three extensive Barnes soil map units, stratified by evapotranspiration values, were collected to 50 cm and analyzed for chemical, morphologic, and physical properties germane to edaphic function. Multi-scale terrain attributes and remote-sensed soil proxies, and geologic covariates were implemented with Cubist to model soil properties. Best models included SOC, EC, pH, SOC-IC, and sand content. Pedons were classified with a clustering algorithm into six classes. Linear discriminant analysis of covariates and subsequent prediction of landscape grouped classes had moderate to nearly substantial agreement with field observations; only fair agreement was attained for all classes. Detailed morphologic observations confirmed extensive topsoil erosion for some landscape positions that merit investigation of soil function and potential state change.
Recalibration of Soil Potassium Test for Corn in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Breker, John Steven
Corn (Zea mays L.) production has greatly increased in North Dakota since the 1990s; yet, potassium (K) fertilizer recommendations for corn in North Dakota still date from the late 1970s and early 1980s when corn grain yields were comparatively lower and native soil K fertility was sufficient for most crop K requirements. To update K fertilizer recommendations for modern corn production and lower soil K levels, corn grain yield response to K fertilization, various soil K testing methods, and seasonal soil K variation were investigated in a two-year (2015 and 2016) study. The standard soil K testing method of NH4OAC extraction on dried soil remained the best predictor of yield response, although corn on some soils did not respond in accordance with soil test K level. Soil test K was highest in spring and lowest in late summer, indicating that soil test K interpretation should account for seasonal variation.
Redistribution and fate of applied ¹⁵N-enriched urea under irrigated continuous corn production
(North Dakota State University, 1996) Schindler, Frank Vincent
Understanding the redistribution and fate of N is essential for justification of Best Management Practices (BMP). This project was conducted on a Hecla fine sandy loam (sandy, mixed, Aquic Haploboroll) soil at the BMP field site near Oakes, North Dakota. One objective of this investigation was to evaluate the residence times of N03- -N in 20 undisturbed lysimeters and its infiltration time through the soil profile to tile drains. Corn (Zea mays L.) was fertilized with 135 kg N ha -1 as ¹⁵N-enriched urea plus 13.5 and 48.1 kg N ha -1 preplant for 1993 and 1994, respectively. Urea-N was band applied to 20 and 10 undisturbed lysimeters at 2.0 and 5.93 atom percent (at %) ¹⁵N in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Average resident times of N03- -N in the lysimeters was 11.7 months. Lysimeter and tile drainage indicate the presence of preferential pathways. Residence times of N03- -N depend on frequency and intensity of precipitation events. Another objective was to determine what portion of the total N in the crop was from applied urea-N and what portion was from the native soil-N. Nitrogen plots received ¹⁵N enrichments of 4.25 and 5.93 at % ¹⁵N in 1993 and 1994, respectively. At the end of the 1993 and 1994 growing season, 41.5% and 35.7% of the labeled fertilizer N remained in the soil profile, while the total recovery of applied ¹⁵N in the soil-plant system was 86.2% and 75.4%, respectively. Low recoveries of applied N may have been the result of soil or aboveground plant biomass volatilization, or denitrification or preferential flow processes. Further research needs to be conducted with strict accountability of gaseous loss and the mechanism(s) responsible.
Relationship of Vegetation Indices from Drone-Based Passive Optical Sensors with Corn Grain Yield and Sugar Beet Root Yield and Quality
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Olson, Daniel O.
The main goal of this study was to calibrate small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) based vegetation indices with fertilizer-N application rate and yield for corn and sugar beet. It was hypothesized that canopy reflectance would change with increasing fertilizer-N application rates. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the crop yield and quality in response to fertilizer application rates at two field sites, (ii) map vegetation indices of the experimental plots using drone-based optical sensors, and (iii) calibration of vegetation indices with crop yield. During 2017 and 2018 growing seasons, field trials were conducted to determine corn and sugar beet response to fertilizer-N application rates. In general, the use of optical sensors for quantitative and qualitative relationships were greater after the V6 growth stage in both corn and sugar beet. Early season moisture deficiency, disease, and crop size could impact the quality of the optical sensing data collection.
The Relative Nitrogen Fixation Rate and Colonization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi of Iron Deficient Soybeans
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Podrebarac, Frances Ann
Soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) are a symbiont of two beneficial associations: biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Within the Northern Great Plains of the USA, iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) of soybean is a yield-limiting factor. The effects of IDC on BNF and AMF are not well defined. This study was conducted to determine the effects of IDC on BNF and AMF. A laboratory study was performed to compare three methods of measuring ureide-N, a product of BNF in soybeans. Field studies in soybean were performed at three locations at eastern N011h Dakota. The experimental design was a factorial combination of three cultivars and three treatments. The three cultivars, in order of decreasing chlorosis susceptibility, were NuTech NT-0886, Roughrider Genetics RG 607, and Syngenta S01-C9 RR. The three treatments were control, Sorghum bicolor L. companion crop planted with the soybean seed, and FeEDDHA applied with the soybean seed. Chlorosis severity was the greatest and least for the NuTech and Syngenta cultivars, respectively. The FeEDDHA treatment decreased chlorosis severity. Ureide levels were abnormally high in plants severely stunted by JDC. The excess accumulation of ureides in IDC-stunted plants suggests that plant growth was reduced more than the rate of nitrogen fixation. The AMF population \vas at an adequate level at all locations and not affected by cultivar or treatment, in general. In the laboratory study, the Patterson et al. method had greater ureide concentrations due to the non-specific measuring of ammonium compounds compared to the Vogels and Van der Drift and Goos methods.

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